Got on the line with the Kawi Warrant Representative and went round and round about the belt and clutch having problems this early and the fact I had the bike in three times for the noise and his only response was that their was nothing they could do as it was a wear issue and not a defect. I asked him if a clutch wearing that quickly (500 miles) wasnt a defect and he said no. Then he proceeded to tell me that I should drive the quad in 1st until i am going over 45 mph and ONLY then shift to high. I should also take hills in low and not high. I asked him if he ever rode a 650 and how you would have to keep it gunned to do that and he said he has. Told big boys toys of the conversation and they called back Kawi and was able to get the clutch and belt repaired for free. This was pretty decent of them despite the fact they didnt properly check it when i brought it in for the whine previously.

Now i think everyone should call Kawi and ask about this advice. If that is the answer they expect to give to everyone that has belt or clutch problems it is just plain dumb and they need to know it wont be accepted. Really like the bike but have not enjoyed the Kawasaki experience. Does anyone on this site drive their 650 in low gear until 45? If you do how is the bike running? Doesnt this sound dumb...I mean rep had to know better dont you think.

Dash...we are taking it today and seeing how it runs...also got the daughter an Ozark and interested in seeing how that does. If it seems to be alright will get a hold of you and we need to hit some areas on our little 650 bulldawgs.

 

Ahhh mannnn, this is just to good to pass up. Dokyo, if one didn't know that by your participation in atvconnection, you are a upstanding citizen of the highest caliber, one might consider you make this stuff up. The rep should be reduced to selling iceskates or something he can handle, because on page 70 of my oweners manuel, it more or less says[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]ON'T SHIFT THE FRIGGEN MACHINE WHILE IN MOTION OR YOU RISK WEARING THE TRANSMISSION AROUND YOU'R EARS!!! OR AT THE VERY LEAST YOU MAY BE DEALING WITH SEVERE PERSONAL INJURY OR (you guessed it)D E A T H!!!

My machine hasn't did the whine for a few miles, but I'm getting ready to do the maintaince myself, sounds by your experience it cant be any worse then taking it back to a dealer!!

 

Man, this doesn't sound like Kawaski at all. I'm a dealer and have had very good luck withhow kawaski has handled any problems especially on the 650. The problem with the customer relations guy you talked to is that he isn't actually a tech. They usually get your complaint and then call you back after talking to a tech. Kawasaki has been very helpful to us in covering belt deflection adjustments, as well as imformative and helpful in any other problems in their new "flagship" machine. We have replaced a couple of engine brake actuators that have engaged all the time and made excessive whining and even grinding as well as shimming the driven clutch to solve squealing and whining. Unless the grooves are extremely bad it's not worth replacing the clutch. They all get snall grooves where the belt rides the most. As you get more miles you may experience some belt slippage under heavy acceleration and maybe some squealig, but you should be able to replace sheaves only rather than a whole clutch. $700 sounds quite high, I would have to check, but don't replace the clutch yet and don't ose faith in Kawasaki. In my experience they have been very good to help.

 

I make a whining sound ,every time the dealer "bends me over" for things like: $100 set of FRT. BRAKE PADS!

 

Dokyo

Keep it in low til 45 mph? I don't think he has ever sat hit fat **** on a P650.

I trust Doghouse's advice. His dealership is the best in the state.

 

Who's yur daddy!

 

Was I that schmaltzy?

One of these days I'll start a forum titled "Dealers that suck" The forum will be endless.

 

I would have to agree with Dash about finding a good dealer. I have the choice of two dealers within 15 kms of my home or another one 250 kms away. Due to past experiences with the closer dealers I am quite happy to travel the extra distance if I came across something I couldnt fix due to impeccable customer service.

 

I am actually relieved to find out the whining is coming from the P650. All this time, I thought it was from my wife, who got demoted to the Kodiak![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]