i had a 97 lakota and never could get rid of the oil smell while riding. it came from the front of the head under the exhaust pipe where the metal gasket between the head and engine is. after three attempts and head gaskets, the dealer couldnt fix, they never could seal it. so i sold it. now i just bought a 2001 lakota and with less than two hours on it im smelling the same thing and beleive the front of the engine is leaking and thats why im smelling the oil again!. whats up with this? it looks like seepage already! has anyone else smelled oil when they stop or see any by the front of the head under the pipe?

 

i dont know for sure on a new machine but i just rebuilt the top end in my 97' lakota , and the factory service manual says to apply grease to the metal gasket before putting the pipe on. this causes the smell that your talking about. if you find any thing other than this i would like to here about it because im thinking about a 2001

 

do you like your 2001 is it fun to drive is it very tippie and does it climb hills very good.
what about jumping it does it bottom out on big jumps.



thanks
1987 kawasaki mojave 110
2 1986 trx 125's (both broke)
1990 kawasaki bayou 220

 

Shockwave. I am thinking of selling my 2000 Honda Recon to buy the Lakota Sport. I am having problems on the trails when I hit rocks or tree roots with my front tires. Does this happen with the Lakota? I have been thrown off several times already because of this. I sure would like some input on this. The Lakota was the only other sport bike without a manual clutch. Thanks.

 

Covert, if you rode a sport bike with a manual clutch you could use it to get the front end light and up over those rocks.-Keith

 

Check for oil leakage around where the decompression lever is.

 

my wife's 2000 lakota had a funny "smell" when it was new. The smell went away after a few days.

you described oil seeping out of the headpipe gasket on your old bike..........there shouldn't be any oil leaking from the exhaust on any 4 stroke machine.

I have noticed that the lakota seems to throw excess chain lube off the front sprocket & all over the left side of the case......maybe that is the smell you are experiencing?