What could be wrong with the steering.

seldom · May 24th, 2011, 07:06 PM

Hi,
Afew weeks ago I notice the steering on the bike was ridding strangly and it seems loose and to my shocking surprise the steering stem head nut was loose loose. I took it in and they tightened it.
Ever since then I feel like the bike is not responding as it should be such as when I am turning left/right at around I can feel a vibrations and movement and when I go over the speed bump going straight I feel like there's movement in the steering. The steering stem head nut is not loose. I don't know how to describe it and when I took it down to the dealer I bought it from they reckon nothing is wrong with it. They didn't even put it up on centre stand to check the front steering instead they just ride around the dealership car park and tells me it's fine.
Yesterday I started hearing a soft squeaking noise coming from the front wheel between 60km to 30km. Almost like a bird calling sound. I taught it might be the front brake so I check if the brake pads and there are still about 3-4mm meat left on it.
This morning I just try to use the rear brakes to stop and it is becoming apparent the noise is coming from the front even without doing front braking.

So 2 questions. What's wrong with the steering or could it be head bearing in the steering stem?
What's is causing the squeaking noise?

Please help my dealer is trying to stiff me and it is starting to comprimise my safety. My next step will be Kawasaki Australia and lodge a formal complain or go to a trusted mechanic. But the bike is only 6mths old done only 4500km so would it be cover under warranty?

k-os · May 24th, 2011, 08:56 PM

You may just need to grease/lube your front axle to help with the squeaking sound.

Which nut did they tighten? Just the one on top of the top triple tree? If that's all they tightened you'll want to take off your top triple tree and check that your steering stem nuts are not loose. There should be two of them, one on the bottom and then another on top of that with a locking washer between them to help keep them from loosening.

ztrack157 · May 24th, 2011, 09:13 PM

grease up the speedo drive too.

seldom · May 24th, 2011, 09:46 PM

The nut they nightened is the big one in the middle of the steering bar and just below the bar. I see a scratch on it so I assume they tighten the one below the bar where that big nut in the middle is screwed onto.

Could the noise be caused by warped brake rotor? and if it is would it be cover under warranty? if not a warranty job I'll take it to a better mechanic rather than the dealership.

What could be causing the handling problem when I'm turning or going over a bump. It's really strange feeling but I'll try to describe it best as possible. Sometimes it feels like I'm going over rippley road when I'm turning and the road is smooth. Sometimes I feel clunk kind of feeling when I am turning on my right hand and when I go over the speed bump I feel the wheel moved slightly back that kind of feeling. I am pretty sure they're all not in my head. I wish I'm more mechnical so I don't need to travel 25km just to get it checked.

Last Saturday I wasted the whole morning going to the dealership only to be told there's nothing wrong with the bike after the owner of the kawasaki rode around in the car park less than a min.
I am really concern because this is conpromising my safety because the handling is not right.

kkim · May 24th, 2011, 10:16 PM

this should be covered under warranty. contact Kawasaki directly if you don't get cooperation from the dealer.

seldom · May 24th, 2011, 10:42 PM

Does anyonne know Kawasaki Australia no.? I can't find it on Kawasaki Australia website. Ridiculous.

kkim · May 24th, 2011, 10:50 PM

http://www.kawasaki.com.au/index.php?page=about

http://www.kawasaki.com.au/kawpublic_docs/faqs.pdf

seldom · May 24th, 2011, 11:15 PM

So would I be able to take the bike to a different dealership and get it checked and fixed under warranty or is the warranty work only carried out from the dealer I bought the bike from.
The dealer I bought it from is trying to stiff me and I've wasted several times going there and it's just beat around the bush. I have organised a reputable mechanic to check the bike out this Friday and he'll tell me what's wrong with it so I can take it to the dealer I bought it from to get them to fix it. I don't really trust the dealer I bought it from anymore though. And on those URLs Kim you provided it said to contact Kawasaki dealer no numbers to call.

seldom · May 24th, 2011, 11:22 PM

I know it's hard to diagnose the problem without having a look at it but has anyone had similar issue. Your input will be very much appreciated. Right now I can't effort for this bike not functioning because that's my only mode of transport to work atm.

kkim · May 25th, 2011, 12:19 AM

does this help?
Contact Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd
If you have any questions about this privacy policy or KMA’s treatment of your personal information, or wish to enquire about what
information KMA may hold on you, please write to:
• by email to info@kawasaki.com.au ; or
• by post to Kawasaki Motors Pty Limited, Locked Bag 24, Rydalmere 2116.

May 24th, 2011, 07:06 PM	#1
seldom ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Perth, Australia Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 37	What could be wrong with the steering. Hi, Afew weeks ago I notice the steering on the bike was ridding strangly and it seems loose and to my shocking surprise the steering stem head nut was loose loose. I took it in and they tightened it. Ever since then I feel like the bike is not responding as it should be such as when I am turning left/right at around I can feel a vibrations and movement and when I go over the speed bump going straight I feel like there's movement in the steering. The steering stem head nut is not loose. I don't know how to describe it and when I took it down to the dealer I bought it from they reckon nothing is wrong with it. They didn't even put it up on centre stand to check the front steering instead they just ride around the dealership car park and tells me it's fine. Yesterday I started hearing a soft squeaking noise coming from the front wheel between 60km to 30km. Almost like a bird calling sound. I taught it might be the front brake so I check if the brake pads and there are still about 3-4mm meat left on it. This morning I just try to use the rear brakes to stop and it is becoming apparent the noise is coming from the front even without doing front braking. So 2 questions. What's wrong with the steering or could it be head bearing in the steering stem? What's is causing the squeaking noise? Please help my dealer is trying to stiff me and it is starting to comprimise my safety. My next step will be Kawasaki Australia and lodge a formal complain or go to a trusted mechanic. But the bike is only 6mths old done only 4500km so would it be cover under warranty?

May 24th, 2011, 09:13 PM	#3
ztrack157 The Sportisi Master Name: Matt Location: Chico Join Date: May 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot.	grease up the speedo drive too. __________________________________________________ Sportisimoto USA is born.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Talk about wrong time, wrong place	tlhamon	General Motorcycling Discussion	8	February 1st, 2015 12:07 PM
What do you think is wrong with it?	Brother Michigan	2013 - 2017 Ninja 300 General Discussion	10	August 25th, 2014 02:07 PM
doing it wrong	Joshua763	Off-Topic	11	May 24th, 2014 08:29 PM
Can I go wrong with just a CAN?	Bushmaster11B	2008 - 2012 Ninja 250R Tech Talk	24	September 2nd, 2011 10:29 AM
Right or wrong??	almost40	Off-Topic	38	March 19th, 2011 04:30 PM

May 24th, 2011, 08:56 PM	#2
k-os ninjette.org sage Name: Andy Location: Sheboygan, WI Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 1988 Honda Hawk NT650, 1989 Honda Hawk NT650, 1997 GSXR750 Track Bike Posts: 890	You may just need to grease/lube your front axle to help with the squeaking sound. Which nut did they tighten? Just the one on top of the top triple tree? If that's all they tightened you'll want to take off your top triple tree and check that your steering stem nuts are not loose. There should be two of them, one on the bottom and then another on top of that with a locking washer between them to help keep them from loosening.

May 24th, 2011, 09:46 PM	#4
seldom ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Perth, Australia Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 37	The nut they nightened is the big one in the middle of the steering bar and just below the bar. I see a scratch on it so I assume they tighten the one below the bar where that big nut in the middle is screwed onto. Could the noise be caused by warped brake rotor? and if it is would it be cover under warranty? if not a warranty job I'll take it to a better mechanic rather than the dealership. What could be causing the handling problem when I'm turning or going over a bump. It's really strange feeling but I'll try to describe it best as possible. Sometimes it feels like I'm going over rippley road when I'm turning and the road is smooth. Sometimes I feel clunk kind of feeling when I am turning on my right hand and when I go over the speed bump I feel the wheel moved slightly back that kind of feeling. I am pretty sure they're all not in my head. I wish I'm more mechnical so I don't need to travel 25km just to get it checked. Last Saturday I wasted the whole morning going to the dealership only to be told there's nothing wrong with the bike after the owner of the kawasaki rode around in the car park less than a min. I am really concern because this is conpromising my safety because the handling is not right.

May 24th, 2011, 10:16 PM	#5
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	this should be covered under warranty. contact Kawasaki directly if you don't get cooperation from the dealer.

May 24th, 2011, 10:42 PM	#6
seldom ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Perth, Australia Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 37	Does anyonne know Kawasaki Australia no.? I can't find it on Kawasaki Australia website. Ridiculous.

May 24th, 2011, 10:50 PM	#7
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.kawasaki.com.au/index.php?page=about http://www.kawasaki.com.au/kawpublic_docs/faqs.pdf

May 24th, 2011, 11:15 PM	#8
seldom ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Perth, Australia Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 37	So would I be able to take the bike to a different dealership and get it checked and fixed under warranty or is the warranty work only carried out from the dealer I bought the bike from. The dealer I bought it from is trying to stiff me and I've wasted several times going there and it's just beat around the bush. I have organised a reputable mechanic to check the bike out this Friday and he'll tell me what's wrong with it so I can take it to the dealer I bought it from to get them to fix it. I don't really trust the dealer I bought it from anymore though. And on those URLs Kim you provided it said to contact Kawasaki dealer no numbers to call.

May 24th, 2011, 11:22 PM	#9
seldom ninjette.org member Name: Nick Location: Perth, Australia Join Date: Dec 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Blue Ninja 250R Posts: 37	I know it's hard to diagnose the problem without having a look at it but has anyone had similar issue. Your input will be very much appreciated. Right now I can't effort for this bike not functioning because that's my only mode of transport to work atm.

May 25th, 2011, 12:19 AM	#10
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	does this help? Contact Kawasaki Motors Pty Ltd If you have any questions about this privacy policy or KMA’s treatment of your personal information, or wish to enquire about what information KMA may hold on you, please write to: • by email to info@kawasaki.com.au ; or • by post to Kawasaki Motors Pty Limited, Locked Bag 24, Rydalmere 2116.