2011 KLR 650

[NorthernPete]

A question for you folks, my brother bought himself a 650 KLR new from the dealership in June I want to say. Broke it in properly, and when he went for his second oil change was told it was burning oil. And it was. He went for a 800 km ride and his bike burned through almost a whole tank of oil. When he brought the bike to the dealership to get it looked at they told him it was a problem with a seal or something (second hand info I got lol) and was then told that his bike was not designed to travel at more then 90 km/hr and if he wanted toi get his bike fixed his options were to reseal the piston (which would half the engine life) geta 6th gear installed (which would cause him to lose his low end apperently) or keep adding oil.

Now, anyone have any expirience with these bikes? He's pissed because he was told by the sames people that the bike would have no issues riding at highway speeds and he bought it for taking long trips that may require him to off road it a bit. So who is pulling his chain?

[High_Side]

The dealer is pulling his chain. If they have no evidence that he red-lined it or abused it they must fix it. Plain and simple. I have had great Kawis over the years but it is almost impossible to get a warranty claim approved in Canada. Tell him to dig in on this one though - he doesn't have much choice.

I find making a repeated nuisance of yourself in a showroom is a good way to get them to the table to talk.

[dr_bar]

A big nuisance in a busy showroom... Yup, especially if someone is looking at the same bike...

[Wrider]

Ummm yeah... dealer is yanking his chain big time. I know from experience those bikes can handle a full tank of gas at 90 MPH without a problem.

[HYPERR]

The new generation KLR650's oil consumptin problem is quite notorious. Kawasaki is the least consumer friendly of the japanese Four when it comes to warranty claims but since this is such a common problem with this bike and the fact that your brother's is extreme, I don't see how they couldn't do the right thing. Go to another dealer that will help him out.

[Northerncolin]

Ya this is starting to get annoying. They had the bike all September finally get it back was told to put 500km on it and guess what still losing oil at the same rate. They have told me they honestly have no idea whats wrong with it. Wish I had the option of another dealer but there are no other close Kawi dealerships.

[TechTMW]

Did you find out any more about this problem?

Does the bike smoke at all on accel or decel?

Did the shop do a leakdown test (See if the rings are bad?) Are the spark plugs fouled? Have you tried a hard break-in? (Which means varying the revs to redline at various speeds to seat the rings properly) There are other fixes reported in various forums online, including installing a PCV breather valve and doing a 685 swap (Which includes new pistons and rings.)

I would keep badgering the dealership tho and try to get it fixed under warranty. I've found that in riding tho, the best way to seat rings properly is the hard break-in.

[NorthernPete]

Bikes in storage fire the winter at the shop ( on their dime) appetently it's fixed, but who knows. Me brother shall try it out in the spring and we shall share results.