So I've only had a tiny bit of riding experience, mostly coming from the MSF course and a parking lot. I go to pick bike up my bike from where I had it stored and on my way out the door I drop the helmet breaking the visor off and breaking a plastic piece of my helmet. Then I go to pick up my bike and when I get there the guy didn't leave it outside of the garage like he said he would so I have to go back home.
The next day I get my friend to ride it back to my place and all is well, that night I go out to start it and it won't start. The next day I go to start it and still nothing, finally I get it to start and ride it over my friends aparment.
Once I park it I notice gas is leaking. So now the bike is out of gas. I go to put gas in it and now it won't start at all and doesn't even sound like its trying to start. I check the battery and it is fully charged. Then I put my key in to remove the seat and the key breaks off!
I'm not one to have bad luck either, but what do you think?
2007-09-01 19:46:21 · 16 answers · asked by sonyab523 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Motorcycles
Its a 89 Kawasaki EX500 by the way, only paid $500 for it.
2007-09-01 19:53:31 · update #1
Do you think I should stay away from motorcycles all together or just this one?
2007-09-01 19:58:23 · update #2
Sounds like that bike is Jinxed! LoL! I wouldnt let it detour you tho! Some bikes are like just that. If it makes you fell better/more secure,....id get another bike! Cant enjoy it if your always worried about it breakin down and so on.
Good Luck!
2007-09-02 06:00:21 · answer #1 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The helmet incident is kind of coincidental. See if you can buy the part you need.
The bike just needs the gas leak fixed and probably just a battery. The EX500 is a pretty dependable bike, but I think a couple things went wrong during storage although you don't say how long it was stored). I'd give it a chance, at least if you have a few hundred to stick into it.
As far as forgetting cycles all together, only YOU know the answer to that, do you feel safe riding or chicken all the time?
2007-09-02 00:40:23 · answer #2 · answered by Baron_von_Party 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think the problem is with the brand, as I just finished a 4,700 mile road trip with my Kawasaki and had not one problem. Bike is a 2000 and has almost 70,000 miles on it now. I think it's that bike in particular that has some issues...be truthful here, you bought this bike because it was a cheap way to get into the sport and see if you liked it enough to spend some real money, right? Trouble is, this cantankerous POS bike, which has obviously not been maintained properly, is going to do two things: rob your pocketbook and sour you on the whole motorcycling experience, which is a shame and no way to start out. I'd say either have a good mechanic go over the bike and see what you really bought, or just ditch it and get something better, spend the bucks and get serious about riding...I doubt you'll regret it...K ;o)
2007-09-02 03:15:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I remember right, you did buy this one as an inexpensive start. It sounds like you didn't get it fixed up right before you put it in storage. A $500 bike needs everything gone through, right down to lubricating the locks. What I think is you need to re-start this project like you just bought it today, or get a different one. Don't let it drive you away from motorcycling. Not everyone who rides enjoys fixing things. As far as the helmet goes, stuff happens. Ever drop and break anything else?
2007-09-04 11:42:02 · answer #4 · answered by Firecracker . 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hard to tell with this one as without actually seeing the bike firsthand it could be a bargain bike with a few issues or a total heap of rubbish. Get someone you trust and knows about bike mechanics to have a look at it or take it to a dealer for a service. Do not be afraid to ask them if they think it is worth getting it fixed and how much it will cost.
Best of luck and dont give up.
2007-09-01 23:12:48 · answer #5 · answered by ozraibike 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like your bike has a "hex" on it LOL
Do yourself a favor and get a different bike and make it a different model.
It will give you piece of mind and the bike won't need as much attention.
You want something dependable, that you can turn on the key and ride away - no hassle.
2007-09-02 08:22:21 · answer #6 · answered by guardrailjim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not jinxed or hexed, but its time in storage has not been good for it. Sounds like you've got corrosion on some of your electrical contacts, and either your fuel hoses have "contracted away" from where they're supposed to be, or else the gaskets in the petc-ck have done that.
You're going to have to spend a full day cleaning and lubing the motorcycle, make sure the hoses are all good and in position, and maybe replace the gaskets in the petc-ck.
2007-09-02 08:53:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just get away from that bike. Other than dropping the helmet every problem you listed is from the same thing, THAT bike.
Personally I'd suggest avoiding Kawasaki, I've never been impressed with them. Get a Honda or Yamaha that you are comfortable with and enjoy your ride.
2007-09-02 02:41:08 · answer #8 · answered by rohak1212 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sounds like you did not put fuel stabilizer in the tank AND run it a while before you stored it, causing gumming up in the carbs, which made a float not close all the way, and gas leaked on the floor.
as far as the helmet, you were just being a Klutz.
2007-09-01 19:57:56 · answer #9 · answered by mdcbert 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Well, if it was me, I would just get rid of the rat bike and get something better. That's me though, I'm a motorcycle freak (mainly dirt bikes)
2007-09-01 20:30:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋