Hello All,

Trailered the bike from Augusta to El Paso to do some riding with my Club. Was messing around with another rider- speeding up, etc and suddenly my bike started to lose power. The lights and all displays were still operational but the bike was just coasting/sputtering along. I pulled the clutch in and popped it to try to get it to start at least to get out of traffic. Basically ended up coasting into a gas station parking lot. The guys behind me said a huge cloud of smoke came out of the exhaust when I pulled away from the pack. Friend of mine said I threw a rod and there was a Hole in the engine block. There was oil on the rear tire. I will wait until I get back to Georgia to have it looked at. I hope warranty covers it!

*Bought brand new in March (maybe February)
*13,500 miles. May have been due for a service but not far over
*full Brocks exhaust
*PCV with Brocks street map/auto tune

Weather is great in old El Paso, I'm stuck on the sideline

take off the PCV before you take it to the dealer, unless you know them really well ....

Good advice!

They installed it though and I know the mechanics so I think it will be fine. Maybe I can get them to remove that Autotune map while they are in there, lol!

Well if the rep comes by, then maybe he will say something, maybe talk to your wrench and see what he thinks ?

Good luck either way ! Glad you were not hurt with the oil going to the rear tire !

My biggest concern is the dealership telling me I am somehow at fault and the warranty will not cover the repairs. I don't ride my bike hard or dog it out. I play around every now and then but nothing major. Maintenance is only done at the Kawi dealer. Exhaust was installed by a local bike shop.

You bought it new or used? Which model year?

NM... reread your post.

This is very peculiar.

I would send Romans a copy of the auto tuned map and ask him to look it over.

My scooter is still stock and will spark knock if I don't downshift far enough before I get on it. I need to be mindful or I'm gonna break a piston.

>13,000 miles? That's awesome! I only logged 11,250 and I bought mine the same time you did. This engine failure gave no warning? Knocking?

* Last updated by: hagrid on 11/9/2012 @ 8:14 PM *

Wow, sorry to hear you had trouble. makes me wonder if it was a unique circumstance; or if we all should worry a little. Other than kawi test engines, I doubt many people have more miles on on a 14r than this.

Not saying the sky is falling, but who really knows on a 1 year old model.

My .02. IF YOU CAN, take all the mods off and put 'er back to stock. Whether the dealer installed stuff or not, no matter what they say to kawasaki; it could be trouble if they (kawi), decide to deny warranty - with aftermarket parts staring them in the face. what I mean is, the dealer could be cool as shit, but if a zone rep (or equivalent) gets a bug up his butt that it was modded, and wont be covered; it might be a hell of a fight.

I'd also delete any references to mods on all the message boards you frequent.

Ive not heard of as many problems with bikes, but cars.... for sure.

and +1 for not having a crash with a tire covered in oil.

I have heard of a few 1st generation doing that but the problem seemed to have been resolved for 2008-present. I guess not! I agree with rod, remove everything! Sorry about that incident, I hope your warranty cover it!

I have heard of a few 1st generation doing that but the problem seemed to have been resolved for 2008-present. I guess not!

Oil pump leaking under pressure issue has followed all years. zx1441xz I really hope you keep us in the loop. Pictures 1000 words.

*PCV with Brocks street map/auto tune

Would love to see copy of your changed map before you delete. rickromans@rogers.com

Friend of mine said I threw a rod and there was a Hole in the engine block.

# 3 ? Any pictures ?

* Last updated by: Romans on 11/13/2012 @ 12:21 PM *

Oil pump leaking under pressure issue has followed all years. zx1441xz I really hope you keep us in the loop. Pictures 1000 words.

Didn't know that!!! No bueno!

Sad but true. Link to pic below.

Click Here, Zoom in on part # zoom in on part # 16142, 3 hole design, holes to far apart = leak.

is that part something we should be replacing?

Thanks for the pic Romans. I was reading on it and apparently Kaw doesn't think the problem is common enough to spend $$ to reengineer the part! The 14R being a stronger motor, I wonder if that'd make it more prone to throw a rod.

Supposedly they beefed up those parts....yours is the first I've heard of a 14R detonating...sorry.I ran mine up to and including passing the factory limiter(by 200 rpm)...ignition advanced(slightly)...and a full exhaust with a map to go with it.She never once felt stressed or anything...bounced it off the limiter many times(not meaning to)Did several full speed runs...sustained.....10K on mine...gone now..but...everything 'seemed' okay????Really sorry yours went bye bye.

I virtually ran nothing but 91 octane...only a couple of times did I 'top off' with 87...who knows?It IS very odd for it to let go like that...I think so.

* Last updated by: Grn14 on 11/14/2012 @ 10:49 AM *

If they see a PCV your warranty will be voided. This changes the A/F ratio and can cause major problems. Good Luck!

Thanks for the pic Romans. I was reading on it and apparently Kaw doesn't think the problem is common enough to spend $$ to reengineer the part! The 14R being a stronger motor, I wonder if that'd make it more prone to throw a rod.

More prone ,,,, don't know about that but if yours leaks more than mine in any year oil not getting to where it needs to be = Boom

For the money(cheap insurance)the billet plate supposed to Help, but I'm told it too still leaks but flex is less.

click Here

Is it something to worry about,, you must decide yourself, million of bikes out there still being beat hard with no ill effects.

If you talk to a engine builder, they will advise you to spend the money here and that the ZX14 Oil system is weak compared to busa. Sorry, swear word I know.

Supposedly they beefed up those parts....yours is the first I've heard of a 14R detonating...sorry

Grn where did you here this ??? If you look Kawi part number for all years,,, Still the same. This would be great news if true but I doubt it. This member sorta has the proof,,, more of the same.

Fingers crossed guys hope this issue posted is the one and only.

More prone ,,,, don't know about that but if yours leaks more than mine in any year oil not getting to where it needs to be = Boom
For the money(cheap insurance)the billet plate supposed to Help, but I'm told it too still leaks but flex is less.

If you talk to a engine builder, they will advise you to spend the money here and that the ZX14 Oil system is weak compared to busa. Sorry, swear word I know.

I hope the OP can answer some questions for us because although I think it is going to a be an isolated incident it will determine whether I get another 14 in a couple of years. Just the valve cover leak and the cam chain noise got on my nerve so I'll go berserk if my engine blew up. I guess I have high expectation lol

* Last updated by: dragking on 11/15/2012 @ 12:02 AM *

"Supposedly they beefed up those parts....yours is the first I've heard of a 14R detonating.."

"Grn where did you here this ???"...well...I didn't exactly hear it...I read it..in their specs sheet.IDK anything about a fixed oil pump or whatever...it didn't say anything except...a new oiling system under the pistons.

They said they upgraded the internals...several parts....made em stronger?More resistant to breakage.It's on their website....specsheet and description of what they did(some of it).

ZX1441xz,

I'm sorry to hear about your bike good luck with getting her fixed!

Any news zx1441xz?

Sorry All,

I been out of the net for a while- dropped the bike off (as is) On 14 Nov and as of the other day, it hadn't been touched. Went by today and the mechanic that was working on it was out to lunch and left no notes in the computer... Probably will be another 4+ month ordeal. I will post pics tomorrow when I get to a computer. I will definitely keep you all posted!

Not exactly sure what I am looking at here. Please let me know what you think.

I can see the heat exchanger for the oil but I need more light to see anything else.

Hello All,

The dealer said Kawi is sending me a brand new engine. Should arrive this week and I should be up and running by the end of next week. Kawi wants my blown engine sent to them so they can investigate the cause. Hopefully they find out something soon and maybe issue a recall before it happens to someone else. Will keep you all updated.

At least they sending you a new engine. That's good!