Took my '05 in for its 12,000 mile service and valve check and, along with the cost of a new front tire and a fan motor, it was to have cost me around $400.
The guy called me this morning to tell me all of what needed to be done (because I told him to have the mechanic do a thorough job) and he prefaced his comments with "Are you sitting down?" and then informed me that the bill would come out to (are YOU sitting down?) $1,550!!:46:
I nearly went into cardiac arrest ... as he went on to explain that the rinkydink fan motor was a few dimes less than $400! I can't figure out how something as simple and so void of substance can cost THAT much, unless it's due to the clever fellows at Kawasaki deliberately putting in a component they knew would likely fail sometime past the warrantee expiring, hence, they could then charge whatever ridiculous price they wanted, as they knew they'd have owners over a barrel.:character00268:
The cost for all the rest of the parts and oil and such, along with labor, rounded out the rest of the costs. What a deal.
Oh, forgot, they also said the clutch plates were in serious need of being replaced. That seemed odd to me because I wasn't having any problem with it. But, I called another Kaw shop and bounced this stuff off a service guy there and he made the point that with the clutch one can get used to it slowly going bad while thinking all is fine. He also told me that the fan motor does indeed cost that much but that I should find out if he tested the motor (with an easy test) and that it could in fact be an $89 part involving a simple switch mechanism that opens and shuts at various temperatures.
I put the Thermo-Bob's (outside thermostat) on it myself a year or so ago and that's when the temp gauge stopped working, or rather, the fan stopped working. I was told it could be just a coincidence, don't know.
I must say that I don't actually believe that these folks are scamming me because I've done business with them before and never had reason to distrust them, but considering what's going on with the economy one can't help but wonder.:33a:
Anyway, my bike should be in good shape soon and I look forward to putting some miles on it this summer, though I doubt I could ever again recommend one of these "tough as a can-opener" bikes to anyone inquiring, sad to say.
Anyone else have a similar horror story they'd like to share (as misery loves company)?:35a:
The guy called me this morning to tell me all of what needed to be done (because I told him to have the mechanic do a thorough job) and he prefaced his comments with "Are you sitting down?" and then informed me that the bill would come out to (are YOU sitting down?) $1,550!!:46:
I nearly went into cardiac arrest ... as he went on to explain that the rinkydink fan motor was a few dimes less than $400! I can't figure out how something as simple and so void of substance can cost THAT much, unless it's due to the clever fellows at Kawasaki deliberately putting in a component they knew would likely fail sometime past the warrantee expiring, hence, they could then charge whatever ridiculous price they wanted, as they knew they'd have owners over a barrel.:character00268:
The cost for all the rest of the parts and oil and such, along with labor, rounded out the rest of the costs. What a deal.
Oh, forgot, they also said the clutch plates were in serious need of being replaced. That seemed odd to me because I wasn't having any problem with it. But, I called another Kaw shop and bounced this stuff off a service guy there and he made the point that with the clutch one can get used to it slowly going bad while thinking all is fine. He also told me that the fan motor does indeed cost that much but that I should find out if he tested the motor (with an easy test) and that it could in fact be an $89 part involving a simple switch mechanism that opens and shuts at various temperatures.
I put the Thermo-Bob's (outside thermostat) on it myself a year or so ago and that's when the temp gauge stopped working, or rather, the fan stopped working. I was told it could be just a coincidence, don't know.
I must say that I don't actually believe that these folks are scamming me because I've done business with them before and never had reason to distrust them, but considering what's going on with the economy one can't help but wonder.:33a:
Anyway, my bike should be in good shape soon and I look forward to putting some miles on it this summer, though I doubt I could ever again recommend one of these "tough as a can-opener" bikes to anyone inquiring, sad to say.
Anyone else have a similar horror story they'd like to share (as misery loves company)?:35a: