Moto-Brian

There is always more to a story. Ohio Motorcycle very well could have been the one dragging their feet. A manufacturer typically is the one that suggests pulling parts from a major unit on the floor as they are trying to get you on the road asap. We rarely do this as again, there is usually a 95% plus fill rate. But, in the effort to get the customer on the road as soon as possible, the manufacturer will have them pull parts. The manufacturer ALWAYS wants the customer out as soon as possible. I suspect in your case, it was a dealer issue and not a Suzuki issue...

I will say one more thing because there is a flood of lose in this thread with the fact that it sounds more like a lazy and shit dealer than an issue with the bike. The thing I would suggest to you is to contact Kawasaki and throw a complete bitch fit. Call Customer Service and throw the dealer under the bus. The dealership probably didn't order the radiator at the right time, probably didn't warranty the thing correctly or in a timely manner and overall has caused the length of time to be as it is. Doing the greasy wheel deal will maybe net you some sort of redemption. It may net nothing. But what you will find out is whether or not the dealership is the root of the issue...

Absolutely wrong info here. The Manufacturer while not wanting to just fold and give a new bike, will react and move quickly. Understand that the dealership and how they prepare the warranty claim and the info they provide dictates how fast a manufacturer reacts. Here's a cool one. Buddy buys a used KX450 from a dealership. Bike had low hours and was in near new condition. MX bikes have NO WARRANTY. Nothing. It rolls out of the showroom and it is dead to the company. Then add it was used. Clinton County was the dealership... Buddy goes out and we are riding at Briar Cliff. He goes to kick it and the kick starter freezes. He's an ex-hockey player and literally breaks the case as he forces the kicker down. He takes it to Clinto just to see what can be done. He was a good customer and Clinton called Kaw. They pushed for coverage and Kawi basically covered a SET of cases (matched and only way they are sold) under Good Will. It's the dealership more than the manufacturer... But to say the OEM drags their feet is bull.

Uh... You needed a new radiator and it wasn't available, they tried to fix it and it wasn't repairable. They tried to order and it was back ordered? Doesn't fall under Lemon Law. Lemon Law is essentially a deal where you say, had a radiator issue, took it in, had it covered under warranty and it was fixed. Later, it happens again, you get it repaired. It happens again or another issue pops up and warrantied. Basically, you have a string of issues that are warrantied (Recognized by the manufacturer as a defect and handled) and decide that the bike is always in for warranty work and is a "lemon". The scenario you describe could have been a lazy dealer not ordering quickly or not getting with the manufacturer with the claim, etc. Then ordered and it was back ordered or they forgot to order and used "It was back ordered" as an excuse - happens on a regular basis. Most manufacturers are at the 95% plus fill rate. But I can check with another dealer in just checking and pretending to order one and see if it is back ordered. Usually, you find out if it is or not. If not, lazy dealer and certainly not under Lemon Law...

Honestly, all these "Ninja 250 cause your a newbie" isn't always the right responses. There are slews of guys that can buy a new generation 600 or something like an R1, etc and be perfectly fine. It's the education you intend on getting that will make you a better rider. Meaning, worry less about the bike and more about MSF, track days and one on one or seat time, etc. Get on a dirty bike and understand movement, understand the challenges. I can promise you that a majority of riders out there don't have as much training and education as they should. Pot calling kettle black type of thing a load of times. But, understand alos that there are a TON of well educated riders on here and when they tell you most do not buy into a higher end sportbike, they are being realistic. It's just a lot of power. But more importantly, it is how quickly you can get into trouble. There is a VERY small allowance of error that won't bite you in the ass... I too suggest something smaller. I just hate the fact that everyone jumps on and blasts a guy that wants a liter bike as they have no idea as to where the guy's head is. If I answer the 7 questions posed, it won't mean jack shit. The level of mental ability is what will thin the heard if you will...

Understood, but in Jake's defense, Joey hasn't been doing well at all this year...

I can get you Chad's info that does all my work. I can also get you in contact with SR Sign Design and he can do some sick decals as seen on my steed... He matched the red dead nuts...

Oh, and do you understand just how freaking retarded the idea of adding a motorcycle only lane? You realize that you'll be the first in line to bitch that the taxes just went up to pave that lane for the millions of miles of road it will stretch, right? Good one... Cool you Googled the accident reports. The thing you need to look at is congestion. The number of car drivers and that increase annually. That makes more sense. All I know is that you seem fine to sit behind a "cager" and be squeezed on all sides by these metal beasts with occupants with phones and everything else. I'd rather trust the fact that if a law, the car drivers will respect the law and we wouldn't have any issues than to sit in that traffic like you apparently are fine with...

Medina and Tiger Paw - Are you guys over 60 years old? Reason I ask is that you sound like my dad that hates change. The idea on lane splitting isn't for hooligan actions and it isn't done at freeway speeds. The idea is simple. It reduces congestion. And, if you aren't riding like a twit, it is smooth and easy. We had a girl from Canada that was riding with us from San Jose to the MotoGP race and she had NEVER lane split. I asked her if she was comfortable in doing so and she said she would try it. She did it all the way down and back and was totally fine on a hyper strada with bags. The fact is that the lane splitting is essential for the safety of the rider. Again... Think about the idiots on phones, texting, fiddling with the radio, cleaning up the debris from their lunch and wiping the kid's mouth. Also understand that the one thing you should already have as an ability as a motorcycle rider is to watch the driver's front wheels. You will see the car pulling left or right before it happens. Plus, this is congestion based traffic. So, they are all bumper to bumper. You guys slay me with the whole "death will come" mentality... Cagers as you refer to them are all of us when we drive our cars. In CA, not one single guy even from another state got pissed and tried to squeeze us out or anything. There were some that were on the line and you had to tap the horn or rev the motor a tad and they'd move right over. If it were a law, the state would promote it, educate the drivers and it would be the norm as it is in CA...

Riding style doesn't make one fast. Jake has a traditional style and Joey more of the new wave style. Which is more beneficial? I'd say since Jake placed higher and not having all this time on the 675, you might want to reconsider.

We were lane splitting from Laguna to San Jose. Most the way actually. I was on a multi with bags. Cake.

Working for the last two companies from CA and being that I've logged thousands of miles in CA, lane splitting is an awesome thing. There needs to be the idea that CA adopts. Only a certain speed and in congested areas. I think that a motorcycle can only lane split at speeds 30mph and lower. They also can run the car pool lane like most states allow anyways. They can also move to the front at intersections with lights, etc. It's great for traffic and allows the bikes to manuever easily and quickly without issue. Stop and go with a motorcycle is also danergous because the car drivers are texting and not paying attention. Look at the rear end accidents. Think about a motorcycle oreo cookie... Lane splitting keeps them from that. If done properly and with care, you can make a lot of ground and never once piss off the drivers. It is a great idea, but I highly doubt Ohio would adopt...

They say that because its 100% accurate.

They don't have 1" as a spec amount. Minimum maybe.

Not enough, Chief...

9 times out of 10, most the track day guys run their chains WAAAY too tight. Which means they probably are running the street bike with too tight a chain. The idea as Craig - COUGH< COUGH "Mr. Smooth" stated is to allow the suspension and swingarm to work. For example, you will get wheel spin if the chain is too tight. If it is where it needs to be, the rear wheel gets traction and is gripping and working the suspension and swingarm as it should be. Quick reference also is three fingers stacked and can fit under the chain and above the swingarm at the top...

If R1 doesn't want the setup, I'll call next in line, please.

Year?

Get me info on the XR that is $1k, please..

Well... First of all, Tyler's dad and I have NEVER had any issues. Don't know where that false info came from. I've known Tyler's dad for a long time and even when he worked at the dealership. So, no idea what shit that is coming from. I've told Wolfie that he needs to get out sooner than he did if he wants to get into the big bikes. i think there was a lot of wasted time racing the crowd he was. He wa wasting talent. This isn't CA... He needed to get on a big bike and train. Get on a 125 like he did and start developing himself. If Troy was thinking I was giving him shit about it, he never told me. I'll say one more thing as to not get your panties in a bunch and cry and stomp off... Dave Henderson is probably th WORSE example you could use. That guy has a mouth as fast as Rossi in his hay day. I remember fondly him bragging about how fast he was and that he won a championship with a basically small and meaningless club and had no idea who he was talking to. Needless to say, he wasn't much to match up against WERA guys nor when he visited Mid-O with his bad ass truck and attitude. It was pretty fun passing him tight and fast... Then to put the hurt on him with bone stock XR100s at Beaver was icing on the cake... I'll stop now so you don't run away pouting... Good luck next year at VMD. See ya at Mid-Ohio I am sure at some point I am sure. i got to get a bike prepped for Putnam next weekend. Cheers.

Yeah... I probably over reacted. But to say that minis are something that relates is silly. The mini guys he runs with all feel this way and I have yet to see any of them post positive results...

Hmmmm... I think it was about 22-ish. It was all over the place as it was very much an issue if driving at speeds over 75 which I do often. The fuel consumption would drop maybe 2-3 MPG when at 75 and higher. But, the 2010 had an updated airbox and higher HP. The airbox made a few MPGs come around. That's what the forums at least say. But, the only person I can compare to is Sinner's and a buddy in TX. But his was a manual and is always in 4x4 which KILLS fuel economy. I hate getting rid of it and selling it. I really wish we could keep it. It is an awesome machine and does so many things well and makes me smile. It is truly unique and has a really cool soul.

Racing minis isn't going to help with big bikes, man. Maybe as a progression from the mini to say, an RS125 and then to big bikes. We see that progression in a lot of the up and coming kids. But to use it as a training tool, the application does not apply. The guys you refer to? Who are they that they do rather well racing big bikes? Just asking to compare that comment as multiple guys doing well on both insinuates that there are several that are racing and doing well on big bikes and I do not know of any that are racing currently within the region... As far as the seat time, yes it only gets better as you progress. But, if minis are a great step and training tool, you should adapt rather quickly. All I am saying is that as seen in your post replying to mine, you tend to come across as having excuses. Saying the minis help and then in the same breath saying you need more time to sort the way the bike handles, feels, brakes, etc - it sounds like you need more big bike seat time. Then to say you were wishing for more speed as you've experienced on a 600, what times have you done on the 600? Yes, we all have to get used to the bikes we race and ride. And yes, changing bikes and racing can cause a learning step to occur. Lord knows I have changed brands in the last 4 seasons, 3 different bikes. All three being VERY different in terms of chassis, handling, feel, etc. But I am close to the same times on each bike. The idea being that you have to dial them in to a sharper point and changing can cause that point to take time. The bike may change, but the ability does not. In the end, tires you refer, and the additional 90 CCs is not going to net 3 seconds on that bike. If I put you on Wade's bike, you most likely wouldn't drop 3 seconds straight away. Again, realize that at the point you are for the bike you have now, there is a limit you've reached. Yes, more seat time, better setup, tires etc are going to drop that time a little and develop more ability. But, at this stage where you are right now, you have a set time you've been able to achieve. If with that same level of ability, you were slapped on the same machine with a better setup and everything, do you think you'd drop 3 seconds? The answer is that at some point, we all have a level of ability we end up. Some of us get to the point where we hit a limit of our ability and where we can continue to. Meaning, no matter what we ride or how great the bike is, we can only do so much as our ability level can only support us so far. If racing minis makes you adapt to big bikes and the fact that you ride those on a regular basis, you should be able to take that ability and adapt quickly and at the same level you are at the mini level, correct? I would argue that it is not the case. It isn't a slam, but rather just something that is factual. We have a limit. We can be a bad ass mini bike rider on small dirt bikes, but not be as good when racing full size MX bikes for example... My point is that congrats on your accomplishments. But, try and avoid saying that there were things that would have brought you closer to the lead guys. Also, try to avoid saying that minis are a very good source of training and relate rather well when if you are the lead guy in minis, you should then be a lead guy in big bikes... It comes across differently and we that work hard at the big bike level that have in fact raced and ridden minis, we feel that it is a slap in the face of what we are doing. For example, "Had I been able to have practice and race on Wednesday, I feel that I could have got the setup dialed in a little better and while not saying I'd run the 31s that Gene and Stymie did, I think that we could have pulled off low 32s easily. Maybe into high 31s, but cannot say for sure." Or, "We did a great job today with the DNS in yesterday's races. But, Stymie and Gene were on a different planet and we just didn't have what was needed to keep the pace. We will go back and work on some things and hope to be closer come the next race!" This essentially tells a story and is something that can be justified and understood. Had I stated "If I had more seat time and had the same build and money they've dropped into their racebikes as Stymie and Gene in my bike, I could have dropped several seconds which would have put me on their tails through the races.", I would have been viewed as making excuses... See what I mean? I too am old and probably older than even you are. I also do not chase points anymore and ride and race for the comradery and the competition it delivers. But my outlook and focus is different. I hate to lose at anything I do. Anything... It is a hobby and it is all just for keeping the skills somewhat sharp. The days of making money racing is long gone. But, when the faceshield is clicked down, this sport is as serious as a heart attack. It isn't golf, it isn't softball, and it isn't minis. It's WAY serious and the possibility of death is extremely high. That makes it serious. It is fun at times when we are practicing and doing track days. But even at that level, fun only to a degree. Fun is in the pits. Fun is when we are bench racing or talking about the last session. If you feel it is all warm and fuzzy with flowers and bunnies, stay off the track, please. We expect the focus to be that it is serious and if the world is fun and full of bunnies and such, you are likely to make a lot of mistakes. Your mistakes can kill someone. Errors are a part of everything humans do. But if there is something that distracts you from that focus, it can be deadly. My suggestion is to get more seat time on the big bike. You are not going to progress otherwise. Same with a few of the guys that have shown at the trackdays on 125s and 250s. They have been very scary in the lack of ability or understanding of what is needing to be focused on at the big tracks... Minis are fun, are cool and certainly not something to give up. But, if you want to excel and get better on the big bike, you need to ride the big bike and setup the big bike and work the big bike...

It will be - from all ends. The wall and from behind. If I can keep him in focus for at least a few laps. Goal would be to holeshot and hold everyone up for at least a lap!!!!

It's less about power and more about speed in the technical stuff that will net you more time. Just getting a 490 will not net the needed 6 plus seconds you needed to win. Wade is a talented rider for sure and has a load of experience. His corner speed is what took him to the lap times for example on a smaller displacement bike. There is proof in the fact that a 600 can run 2 seconds off the lap time of an AMA Superbike for example... Cameron running a :27.7 with two laps to go in the DSB class shows what is capable no matter the machine size. The idea is to work on skill set and get the time dropped by riding the bike. Suggestion would be that if you are serious to race big bikes, ditch the smaller bikes and work on race craft with the big bikes. Yes, bigger bike such as a 490 will assist, but that 6 seconds is not just the 90 extra CCs... Majority is craft... Tires are going to net small increases also. We can run DOT street tires (non race compounds) on heavy and stock street bikes at competitive lap times. The tires can do the job - especially on a LW bike. But, all things equal, 490, slicks and experience, you have a fighting chance. But don't blame the tires and machine when a majority is rider ability especially at a track like Mid-O where ability shines. I know you were not blaming those things per say, but it comes across that had you had the same stuff, you'd be right there. Components mean nothing unless there is the experience to go along with it. 120HP is a beast for old guys????