Kawasaki has issued a recall for many 2008 Kawasaki Concours motorcycles for a problem with the rear brake pedal. Please read the details below.
Kawasaki has no specific remedy for this recall yet, so if you ride a Concours, keep an eye out for any debris buildup around the brake pedal which could interfere with normal operation.
Manufacturer: Kawasaki Motors Corp. USA
Model Year:
2008 Kawasaki / ZG1400A8F
2008 Kawasaki / ZG1400A8FL
2008 Kawasaki / ZG1400B8F
2008 Kawasaki / ZG1400B8FL
Models affected: Kawasaki Concours
NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V623000
Potential Units Affected: 4628
Problem: Kawasaki is recalling 4,628 model year 2008 ZG1400A8F/A8FL, and ZG1400B8F/B8FL motorcycles. Trapped road debris may interfere with free movement of the rear brake pedal, preventing full release of the rear brake which can lead to overheating damage and possible brake failure. Brake failure could result in a crash.
Corrective Action: Kawasaki has not yet provided a remedy plan for this recall. The recall is expected to begin on or about December 8, 2008. Owners may contact Kawasaki at 1-949-770-0400.
OMMAG says
These CYA announcements from manufacturers are really out of hand….
“Debris build up around a brake pedal could interfere with normal operation” ???
File that under no shit Sherlock right along with “Hot Coffee burns when you spill it in your lap” !
Sheeesh……………
And NO plan for corrective action?
Try cleaning your bike.
todd says
OMMAG, it’s the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that requires the recall. Manufacturers are required to report all service and repair issues to the government. If NHTSA sees a consistent pattern they investigate the problem and, if they consider it a matter of safety, require a recall. It’s for your own good, keeps everyone honest.
-todd
Matt in NC says
From my own previous history with Kawasaki, todd’s right, and it about takes an act of Congress to get a manufacturer to own up to any problems with their product. These things are done because more than one or two customers had problems because of poor design, or improper manufacturing. It often takes someone’s death to get a recall, which is pretty sad.
OMMAG says
I see it as a creeping mentality of government interfering where there is little or no need.
What’s next?
Failure to change your oil could lead to engine failure and possibly injury? Contact your dealer for required service….?
Failure to put gas in your tank could lead to un-anticipated loss of power and may result in becoming a road hazard? and so on………
This could go on and on.
The bottom line is that users have a responsibility to look after their vehicles and the government busybodies need to be there when they actually are called upon by consumers instead of looking for ways to justify their own existence.
Cleaning your machine and keeping debris out of exposed mechanisms is part of the owner’s responsibility as I see it.
Matt in NC says
OMMAG,
Are you sure we’re talking about a simple buildup of sludge and grime here? Do you have firsthand knowledge of this issue on your own ZG1400?
It’s likely that there is a portion of the rear brake assembly that allows something like a pebble or other suitably sized piece of debris from allowing the either the pedal itself, or some other piece on the brake, from returning all the way following application of the rear brake.
http://z.about.com/d/motorcycles/1/0/v/3/-/-/RightPeg.jpg
It certainly looks to me like there’s plenty of hidden recess there for a piece of gravel to be overlooked. What do you think?
Matt in NC says
Here’s more:
http://forum.concours.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=sao5a4b8qo3vk2vg7o9ottqe96&topic=48568.msg105646#msg105646
OMMAG says
Well Matt there’s no denying you know what you are talking about.
I’m not knocking the Kneeslider for offering the news …… I’m criticizing the mentality that says this is something that requires government interference as opposed to the idea that owners take responsibility for looking after their own vehicles.
Also, I can just imagine how many pages of useless CYA boilerplate this will add the Kawasaki owners manuals and dollars to the cost of bikes.
Everything has consequences.