Photo: Kawasaki
Kawasaki announces that a recall campaign for their neo-retro W800 motorcycles was initiated after two serious problems were identified with certain model year bikes. Each of these problems can lead to improper engine functioning and even stalling, even though they are independent.
The information on the recall is yet to be confirmed by more national traffic safety organizations, but we already have news arriving from Japan and France regarding the W800.
The first of the defects affects motorcycles manufactured between December 17, 2010, and December 4, 2015, meaning 2011-2016 model years. The problem lies with the electrical wiring harness. In certain motorcycles, said harness may have been improperly installed and could become damaged in the areas below the fuel tank.
With the harness becoming trapped between the W800's tank and the edge of the frame, some of the wires could be exposed and make contact with the bike. This might lead to a short circuit that could affect the functioning of the engine or even stall it altogether increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicles with VINs between JKBEJ800AAA015861 and JKBEJ800AAA026549 are expected to pay a visit to the nearest Kawasaki dealer to have their wiring harness inspected and replaced at no cost. Also, a new protective cover will be installed, and the wiring will be rerouted.
Repeated heat cycles tend to harden that component, and it may crack, with the vibrations also helping the process. Excessive amounts of air may thus be drawn into the engine, wreaking havoc with its performance and causing it to run erratically, also increasing the risk of a crash. The defective parts will be replaced with stronger ones.
Kawasaki says that 5,973 motorcycles fall under the recall, and 11 reports have been filed but no accidents are known at the time of writing.
The first of the defects affects motorcycles manufactured between December 17, 2010, and December 4, 2015, meaning 2011-2016 model years. The problem lies with the electrical wiring harness. In certain motorcycles, said harness may have been improperly installed and could become damaged in the areas below the fuel tank.
With the harness becoming trapped between the W800's tank and the edge of the frame, some of the wires could be exposed and make contact with the bike. This might lead to a short circuit that could affect the functioning of the engine or even stall it altogether increasing the risk of a crash.
Vehicles with VINs between JKBEJ800AAA015861 and JKBEJ800AAA026549 are expected to pay a visit to the nearest Kawasaki dealer to have their wiring harness inspected and replaced at no cost. Also, a new protective cover will be installed, and the wiring will be rerouted.
The intake manifold may also crack, leading to unstable engine speed and timing problems
Other W800 motorbikes may suffer from cracks that may appear in certain parts of the intake manifold assembly. According to Japanese sources, heat generated by the engine contributes to the decay of the throttle body holder.Repeated heat cycles tend to harden that component, and it may crack, with the vibrations also helping the process. Excessive amounts of air may thus be drawn into the engine, wreaking havoc with its performance and causing it to run erratically, also increasing the risk of a crash. The defective parts will be replaced with stronger ones.
Kawasaki says that 5,973 motorcycles fall under the recall, and 11 reports have been filed but no accidents are known at the time of writing.
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