[madracing]

Went to the X country races this past weekend and after a few laps my steering got very very loose. I noticed the weld around the upper part of the steering steam (where the round stem tube meets the top plate) is cracked on the left and right. I noticed it because the paint chipped off then I removed the black rubber plug for a better view and upon close inspection you can see the weld is cracked about 25% of the total diameter on the left and 25% on the right.

AJ

 

[DMS]

QUOTE (madracing @ Oct 9 2007, 12:15 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=3650

Went to the X country races this past weekend and after a few laps my steering got very very loose. I noticed the weld around the upper part of the steering steam (where the round stem tube meets the top plate) is cracked on the left and right. I noticed it because the paint chipped off then I removed the black rubber plug for a better view and upon close inspection you can see the weld is cracked about 25% of the total diameter on the left and 25% on the right.

AJ

Ouch. Get some pics for us bro. Sucks for ya....

 

[dl11sec70dodge]

warranty? should just upgrade...
If you want to go fast/race you got to replace everything that is stock

 

[madracing]

QUOTE (DMS @ Oct 8 2007, 08:42 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=3651

Ouch. Get some pics for us bro. Sucks for ya....

Will post some photos in a few days... I don't think it sucks at all... I bought this machine expecting issues like this... love to break unbreakable things

.

AJ

 

[madracing]

QUOTE (dlkfx450 @ Oct 8 2007, 10:39 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=3655

warranty? should just upgrade...
If you want to go fast/race you got to replace everything that is stock

Yes warranty will cover it 100% I'm told by the dealer. I respectfully disagree with "fast/race you got to replace everything that is stock" I race the bike stock and it surprisingly holds up to a lot...

AJ

 

[dl11sec70dodge]

except for the steering stem?!

 

[bustedknuckle]

we race ours stock.with a pipe and comander.everything else is stock.havent had any problems.you dont need to replace everything to go fast and be reliable.the stem problem isnt a big thing its warranty.try to take back a race stem.se what they say..

 

[madracing]

Here is the photo...

 

[dl11sec70dodge]

if something brakes because you are hard on it then its time to upgrade,just from personal experience. ive got a 70 dodge truck that runs high 11's in the 1/4 mile, there were many stock parts that i thought i could get away with using.....every drivetrain part is now replaced with new performance parts front to back, it is just not worth the time messing with stock parts

 

[madracing]

dlkfx450,

So far here are the stock items that didn't really hold up (but as expected)

1.) rims and tires
2.) foot guards
3.) foot pegs
4.) steering stem
5.) outer (black) fenders
6.) rear fender brackets (cast aluminum)
7.) belly skid plate

So far here is a list of stock items that are holding up fine.

1.) the frame (I know a few people had problems but I think they were not the norm)
2.) rear axle
3.) rear swing arm
4.) tie rods
5.) tie rod ends
6.) handlebars
7.) motor
8.) a-arms
9.) stock shocks (even though I modified the rear)

So basically, if you throw on a set of hyper rims, nerf bars, skid plates, steering stem and remove the outer fenders you're race ready

. That's not too bad... considering

AJ

 

[dl11sec70dodge]

So far here are the stock items that didn't really hold up (but as expected)

1.) rims and tires
2.) foot guards
3.) foot pegs
4.) steering stem
5.) outer (black) fenders
6.) rear fender brackets (cast aluminum)
7.) belly skid plate
add
8.) rear skid plate
9.) front bumper
when i said everything i dident mean it literaly, nothing from a manufacture is truly race ready,(maybe a dodge viper ACR)

 

[madracing]

QUOTE (dlkfx450 @ Oct 10 2007, 09:56 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=3717

when i said everything i dident mean it literaly, nothing from a manufacture is truly race ready,(maybe a dodge viper ACR)

dlkfx450,

I did not take it literally and I hope you didn't take my post incorrectly... (actually post of different opinions, is what makes these forums so interesting).

I was just pointing out some of the strengths and weaknesses of the KFX 450 the nicest thing about the bike is the minimal amount of aftermarket parts necessary to really run the bike hard... (steering stem definitely being one of those parts).

AJ

 

[dl11sec70dodge]

agreed

 

[madracing]

Update...

Finally got around to taking the bike to the dealer... "Kawasaki of Ramsey, NJ" to address the cracked steering stem. Their service guy "Ben" made one call to Kawasaki and got everything approved... new steering stem and lower bushing etc. They order all the parts and next week they are going to install everything and fix the gas tank recall.

RJ