Jamie

Just accidentally read in a French bi-monthly that the brand new Kawasaki ZX-10R is being temporarily withdrawn from the European market. Deposits are being either turned down or refunded. The few early customers, seemingly all in the US, would be getting messages urging them to take the bike back to the selling dealer and advising them that they will get their "money back". No caveats. But no explanations either.

Both BMW (S 1000 RR) and Aprilia (RSV4) had teething problems with their latest superbikes.... but not such a definite show-stopper.

What's YOUR take on this ?

Jamie

The Prophet

It appears that this is real - well, if judged by the number of announcements and threads spread all over the internet.

First and foremost - sincere kudo's to Kawasaki for "fessing up" and doing something about it immediately, as opposed to outright denial of any issue.

Answers seem to slant towards a Piston wear issue??? Nothing official to be found on the misinformation byway yet, not by me at any rate.

Looks like this has also spawned a new "biznizspeek" word.

This is being touted by Kawasaki brass as a "Technical Hold" as compared to a "Recall". You gotta have a sense of humour with these shmucks!

It reminds me of when United Airlines lost my luggage last year. The condescending woman () at the "Lost Luggage" counter corrected me by saying "Your luggage has not been lost Sir, it's been misdirected..."

Aaahh... I see!

Ride Safe!

Bob

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Jamie

Always a pleasure reading from you.

Love your lost luggage tale.

Here's one of mine: Once upon a time, I was frequently flying from Rome to Peoria ILL, occasionally via London Heathrow and then Chicago. For some reason, luggage had to be picked up upon landing at Heathrow, hand-carried to an "overseas transfer" check-in counter and then re-registered to O'Hare. Except I could not find mine. I patiently queued up at the appropriate claim desk. To be eventually told that my suitcase, amongst others, had been inadvertently misdirected to... Bombay.

A couple of years later, I read in the British press that a gang of Heathrow thieves had routinely... transferred US-bound suitcases to a sevice van parked close to the indoors luggage clearing area AFTER going through the motion of re-tagging them to Bombay. And that they, amongst themselves, referred to their act as "bombay-ing .

Best. Jamie

motowebmaster

I had heard that the new ZX-10R was at the Dallas Motorcycle Show, and assumed that it was on it's way to dealers soon.

Where is this info at?

The Prophet

Here's something fairly recent:

2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R... Recall | Motorcycle News

It doesn't really reveal a whole-lot, same, or similar to numerous other internet sources. Kinda vague as to "wha' happened?"

The good thing is: They caught something in time, reacted to it, and didn't attempt a cover-up or a finger-point. You have to admire Kawasaki folks for that.

Ride Safe!

Bob

motowebmaster

Appreciate the info. I've been noticeably too busy

These days, reputation carries a great deal of financial significance. Whatever the technical problem is, I suppose that the management team is doing what is necessary to ensure that they do not appear incompetent to customers, dealers, and investors. Japanese Sportbikes tend to lean on the short-lived side of customer awareness, and not being able to sell a premier sportbike model for 1-3 years would be devastating to any manufacturer that competes in the market. I too am glad they are working on it.

Until then, we've got some make-do eye candy:

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