Hi Everyone,

I purchased my Kawasaki Ninja 500R 2005 Model in November 2004. In April 2005 (Last Month) i had close to 575 miles on it without any problems at all. I took it to the dealership (where I purchased) for the 1st Break-in Oil Change. After the Oil Change was done, I went to pick-up the bike, it sounded like a cruiser bike, it sounded as if there was a leak in the exhaust somewhere. The dealership confirmed it as a problem, called me after 2 days and said that the problem was fixed, the air suction valve was loose and thus it was making that noise.

When I was riding from the dealership towards home, the bike hesitated for a second and then came back to normal, and then all of sudden it started bogging down, as if the fuel was emptying and it was time for reserve, so i put it in reserve and again it came back to normal. And then I didn't ride it till the past sunday.

This past sunday, i filled up gas and decided to ride the bike, for the first 15 miles, the bike ran without any problems and i was doing around 70mph, and then all of sudden, it started bogging down, as if it was out of fuel and needed to be in reserve, but then all of sudden, it came back to normal, and then after couple of miles, it started to bog down on me and sputtering and getting ready to stall, so for the heck of it, i put that thing in reserve and then it ran fine for couple of miles.

And then it started doing that intermittently, i was going 30 to 45mph and it would run normal for half a mile and then start to bog down, and i would try to give it some acceleration and then again it would pick up, again it would bog down, and sometimes it would just stall and wouldn't start, the starter would keep cranking but the bike wouldn't start, and then all of sudden it would start.

Some how i managed to get home and parked the bike, since it was Sunday, i couldn't contact the dealership either. Anyways, the same evening, i decide to give another shot, now when i start the bike, it started just fine and i took a small ride within my town and no problems. So i decide to take it back to the dealership on Monday for them to look at.

On Monday, I rode the bike for almost 30 miles from my house to the dealership and the bike did just fine without stalling or bogging down, not even once. I explained the above situation/scene to the dealership, they said that they will look at it. I got a call on Monday evening, saying that the dealership's tech rode the bike for 10 miles and couldn't duplicate the problem. It's been 3 days since I left the bike at the dealership, they still haven't seen the problem. As per them, they have pressure tested the engine, checked the fuel lines and the electricals and all that, everything appears to be working fine. They don't know what caused that stalling or boggin down.

And I hate to say it, but I have lost faith in that bike, because i don't know when it might stall again, and it can cause a major risk to my life. Can anyone here throw some light on this and figure out what could be the problem? I will appreciate the feedback from you guys.

Thanks for reading my story.

 

Fuel starvation would indicate either vapor locking or a vacuum line is loose. I would try to find another dealer to take a look at it. Years ago I had a 750 Virago that I took in for a valve adjustment. When I got it back, it would foul the plugs within 5 miles of riding. I took it back and they kept replacing stuff. Of course I was paying for this stuff. I took it to another dealer and they said it was fine. I get it back and its still not running right. I have to pull over and clean the plugs. I take it to a third dealer who finds the problem quickly. The first dealer had installed the emissions wrong!!!! Overall it cost me over 700.00!!!

But I digress, It sounds like a vacuum line to me.....Good luck

 

I can't say that I blame ya - hope everything gets sorted out for you! Personally I can't offer any ideas, but good luck!

 

Sounds like what Zbike said, a vapor lock somewhere. I would try another shop too, if the same guy is working it all the time, he might not see what he connected wrong in the first place.