RE: The KACR on the KLX250S
 

This is a definite threadjack, but it sort of relates.

What is a reasonable cost for 1 or 2 years worth of extended warranty? I did not get any extension when I bought my bike, but it sounds like you can buy warranty extensions up to the end of the first year. Is that right? If so, back to the cost question. If the extension cost hundreds of dollars (as I expect it does) then I see myself just scheduling a little garage time after my bike's 1st birthday where I will be removing the KACR. That thing just seems like it's not a matter of "if" but "when" it will fail.

The good news for me is that I am clocking down some serious miles commuting on my bike, so I expect I will be up around 10000 or 12000 miles by the end of year #1. Based on what I am hearing, if it's going to fail, it will fail before that.

RE: The KACR on the KLX250S
 

When I bought my bike last November I decided to get the extra 4 year warranty, it was $440.00, and I am glad I did. Yes I had the camshaft replaced a couple of months ago, at around 2700 miles. I have to say if Kawi drops the ball on this one at least I know I can get it replaced every year for 4 more years, and I told the parts guy and the mechanics that, and they said it probably wouldn't be a recall unless it was a safety issue. They said that some Honda bikes had issues with the compression release, and it was finally resolved either in replaced camshafts or as soon as the next years model came out. Time will tell, and I'm really paying attention to the bike lately, lets hope its just a few that went south, but I have a feeling its not that way. Now where was that petition to Kawasaki that came across on the Blackberry, I'll take a look at the paperwork when I get home, and input my information. ;)

Another failed part.....
 

I have a head which I just purchased "used" for parts sitting here on my work bench, and I think it would be a candidate for one more data point. It was removed because of excessive noise, and inside I find something very interesting. The exhaust cam doesn't spin so well, but the intake cam spins fine. I pulled it apart, and the exhaust cam journals are very worn out, especially near the KACR. I don't know how many miles are on it, but it looks very good, except for the exhaust cam.

What does KACR stand for?
What is it?

Kawasaki Automatic Compression Release

Automatic decompression to enable easier starting when the engine is hot.(or cold for that matter)
I suspect it holds the exhaust valve/s slightly open when starting until the rpm reaches a certain point.
As the engine actually starts the centrifugal force on the cam weights allow the valves to close all the way. :confused:
Something like that anyway.;)

Cool I almost forgot about this thread. That shows that the search function is working great. ;)

Yup, you got it..only one valve held open though.

Marty,

Any news on the removal of this beast? Did I miss it in another thread? Thinking my sewing-machine noise at around 4500 is coming from there, and I don't want to trash the head, like the one on my bench from the earlier post.

If you remove it, then you better add a kick starter to the bike. ;)

Do you know if it's on the 09's?

Deej, or anyone rather: question...my bike is a daily driver, I've had it since June 30th and I've already got 2100 miles on it...couple of joy rides through the mountains. How much life will this bike give me by doing the recommended maintenance? I'd like to think 100,000k+?