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Can I take legal action for my blown motor on my brand new motorcycle?

November 28th, 2012 Leave a comment Go to comments

I purchased a brand new ’07 Kawasaki Ninja last week and it was making a knocking noise from day one. I called the dealership and they said it was normal, all sport bikes have a knock to them. I called another Kawasaki dealer and was told the same thing. On the 7th day of ownership, the bike blew up due to a manufacturer’s defect and they are not giving me a new bike, but rather rebuilding mine! Worst part is, I live in Michigan and our riding season is ticking away and I could be without a bike for another 3 weeks! The dealership and Kawasaki are saying there is NO WAY I am getting a new bike and that I have to live with a week old bike with a rebuilt engine. Does anyone else think I have a legal case to get a new one ASAP?

Nope,,no legal case.
There’s nothing in the warranty or any law which stipulates or requires that they give you an entire new motorcycle.

Most states have so-called "Lemon Laws" on motor vehicles.
Those usually specify an "Unrepairable Problem",,,and only AFTER a certain number of attempts to fix it,,,
AND vehicle being in shop a certain number of times,,,and for a certain Total amount of time.

The details vary from state-to-state

Sorry to hear the bad news,,,hopefully they’ll do a good job putting it back together for you.

Good Luck,,i hope it all works out OK

  1. david z
    November 28th, 2012 at 23:33 | #1

    NO… HELL NO!!!!!!!!!

    you would need to show me a certification from a racing school before i even consider the possiblity that it wasn’t your fault.

    if the dealer had to tell you what sounds are normal, i doubt you really are an expert.
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  2. Pilgrim
    November 29th, 2012 at 00:05 | #2

    Sucks, but that’s the way things are.

    By the way, they’ve been at that interesection before, and probably anticipated it in the contract you no doubt signed.
    .
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  3. Mopar Muscle Gal
    November 29th, 2012 at 00:16 | #3

    contact a local Lemon law attorney
    they will get you $$$ for your trouble but unfortunately will have your bike rebuilt
    after your get the $$$ and the bike back.. you might want to sell it

    wondering if you bought it thru Roseneau Power Sports ?
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    happened to my Son
    he got $xxxx , got the bike back rebuilt and sold it for more than he owed

    he made $$$ on the lawsuit

    he contacted The Lemon lawyer on Ford Rd in Garden City,MI

    http://www.lemonauto.com/lemonlaw_michigan.htm?gclid=CMXDwNzZ-IwCFR6AWAodgXnXDQ

  4. sakotgrimes
    November 29th, 2012 at 01:00 | #4

    And what RPM range were you operating that brand new engine in, eh?
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  5. st8putter
    November 29th, 2012 at 01:25 | #5

    I had a 03 kawasaki zzr 1200 and it never knocked????? Sounds like there was no oil in it???? I would contact a lawyer and get all your paperwork together… for only 3 weeks Kawasaki has a warrenty…. Good Luck and Raise Hell…..
    I know about Michigan season, thats why I moved south to ride almost year around….
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  6. TXm42
    November 29th, 2012 at 01:42 | #6

    Nope,,no legal case.
    There’s nothing in the warranty or any law which stipulates or requires that they give you an entire new motorcycle.

    Most states have so-called "Lemon Laws" on motor vehicles.
    Those usually specify an "Unrepairable Problem",,,and only AFTER a certain number of attempts to fix it,,,
    AND vehicle being in shop a certain number of times,,,and for a certain Total amount of time.

    The details vary from state-to-state

    Sorry to hear the bad news,,,hopefully they’ll do a good job putting it back together for you.

    Good Luck,,i hope it all works out OK
    References :

  7. Mike F
    November 29th, 2012 at 02:07 | #7

    i had a new car die very fast and a attorney got ford to buy it back and pay me 10grand
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  8. Kyle H
    November 29th, 2012 at 02:51 | #8

    If they are fixing it under warranty (free) you don’t have anything to complain about other than Kawasaki making crappy bikes.

    Were you riding the bike according to the break in procedures in the owners manual? (not going over X RPM until XXX miles, etc)
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  9. Terry S
    November 29th, 2012 at 02:58 | #9

    If that Dealer ship was worth a Dam they would bring that bike in and make it top priority to get you back on the road ,Unless you where out taking a new engine and running the Hell out of it before slowly breaking it in then its your own fault ,But if it is not your own fault then a good mechanic will know first hand whos at fault and if they are going to stiff you for 3 weeks and not take care of the problem you can always get a picket License and pickit the place that says GET YOUR LEMONS HERE …Believe me they will fix it fast /peace
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  10. Nightrain
    November 29th, 2012 at 03:34 | #10

    should have bought a Harley
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  11. Dudeman
    November 29th, 2012 at 04:07 | #11

    next time you should consider a Honda!
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  12. TH
    November 29th, 2012 at 04:14 | #12

    the answer is no
    when they fix the bike, you earned your rights under the warranty and you will get new warranty with the rebuilt engine
    i suggest you should not hate the bike
    it is still a nice and new bike and the re-building of the engine will not hurt you or the value of the bike
    even when you decide to sell in the future, you can disclose that Kawasaki did a warranty repair to the engine and it runs fine
    some people luck out with minor defects where manufacturer does not have to repair
    the positive side to your story is you know now you will have a very good engine – better than new ones with minor defects that will become a problem right after the warranty is up
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  13. Scott H
    November 29th, 2012 at 04:44 | #13

    If they rebuild/replace the engine, they have lived up to their warranty. What’s the deal?
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