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Who has or has not had problems with their 900?

74K views 86 replies 45 participants last post by  jbiggers 
#1 ·
I have owned four of these bikes now and was wondering what other owners who have actually accumulated some miles have or have not seen for problems with these bikes.I have a tendency to switch bikes often so have never really put a lot of miles on any of the four.I did have a 2009 that dripped some coolant at about 3000 miles which I resolved by tightening some hose clamps under the gas tank.Also had small amounts of oil form (same bike) on the wiring harness that runs to the regulator.Never did resolve that problem.I never had any of the frequently talked of belt noise and never experienced stator failure but I never put more than 4500 miles on any of the four bikes.Please state year,mileage,and whether modifications may have caused the problem when responding.
 
#8 · (Edited)
2011 custom (new old stock Purchased Jan 2014). Drive pulley nut came lose around 12k miles?? Started to make a noise when coasting with throttle off. This resulted in some wear to the drive pulley and output spline shaft. After extensive research i have concluded this is not a frequent problem but not all that rare either.

I believe root of the problem is that Kawasaki does not use anti fretting compound on assembly (Seafair recommends anti fretting compound. Proper repair requires engine removal cases split and pulley and output shaft replacement $3000 repair.

I recommend owners check the drive pulley for tightness every 5,000 miles. This requires removing the drive belt from the drive pulley. There should be ZERO slop between the drive pulley and output shaft.

Assuming everything is tight, IN MY OPINION the pulley should be removed anti fretting compound applied a new retaining washer and locktite applied to the locking nut threads, also run the belt with 7-8mm play more in line with other makes for belt drive tension.

If there is any play/slop in the drive pulley it must be addressed. Simply tightening the pulley nut without addressing the slop is NOT a repair as this will be very temporary fix.

I have a temporary repair using locktite 660, a metal paste hardening filler used for filling slop voids in spline shafts and keyways. Not sure how long this will last around 1500 miles on the repair so far will keep my fingers crossed.

WB
 
#10 · (Edited)
I bought a 900 with 2007 with like 18000 miles on it, drove it for another 15k and sold it, it was running perfect when I sold, I think the stator had been replaced before I got it, didn't really even read up on the need to adjust the valves, before I sold it, but kind of glad I did since I'm not sure if anybody adjusted the valves at 15,000 like they're supposed to be and I know that I did not adjust them. Just bought a 2008 Vulcan switching back out of a Goldwing, because I love this bike so much, for a number of reasons over the Goldwing, less turbulence, smoother ride, tons less Heat ,15 more miles to the gallon!! Anyway I adjusted the valves at 18000 they were a little off but not much. I would think as long as you do your valve adjustments, and normal other stuff, radiator fluid on time, oil, brake fluid , you're going to have little worries! I think I'll always keep one of these in my garage even if I do go back to some sort of touring, it will not be an old Goldwing though! The only thing I miss about the Goldwing was the seat! 5 to6 our rides were nothing, my butt could only take about 40 minutes on the stock Vulcan, just did the mean City Cycles upgrade, seems to add about another 30 minutes before butt burn , wish I could afford the day-long Russell!
 
#12 ·
By the time I sold mine at 42000 miles, I had replaced the stator (30,000 miles) and the battery once. I was on my 2nd front tire and 3rd rear. I also had to replace my steering head bearings at around 35,000 miles. Other than a couple of bolts coming loose I had no other problems with this awesome motorcycle.
 
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#13 · (Edited)
40k on a 2007 900 Custom. Only problem was an output shaft bearing failure at 22k. No amount of tightening the nut can make a difference once there is excessive play in the bearing. The bearing failure also created a small oil leak.

Engine was removed, case spit, and new bearing installed under GTPP.

Stator failure at 40K, lucky I had roadside and free towing.
 
#16 ·
40k on a 2007 900 Custom. Only problem was an output shaft bearing failure at 22k. No amount of tightening the nut can make a difference once there is excessive play in the bearing. The bearing failure also created a small oil leak.

Engine was removed, case spit, and new bearing installed under GTPP. Running just fine since the repair.
Wow, how much did that repair cost? Engine removed and case split? wow.
 
#15 ·
25k .... 08 purchase, I have not even changed the battery, then again I run it on a battery tender all year round.
 
#22 ·
Yes I love all the normal maintenance, so easy to do, oil change, brake pads, break fluid, air filter, spark plugs, oil of course, once you get used to taking off the tank, changing the coolant is a snap to, I don't like the valve job, but that's still easier than changing an air filter on a Honda Goldwing, the air filter took me 8 hours to change on the wing
 
#23 ·
Mine's an '09, now with 59,000 miles on it. I'm on my 4th set of tires now (counting the factory tires it came with) and my 3rd battery. Just regular maintenance, with no major problems other than last fall I was riding home from work and my clutch cable gave out, it was down to a few feeble strands of metal holding it together so I got that replaced. Then a few weeks ago the shifter linkage broke and I had a new part (I think they called it a "knuckle") replaced as well. Kind of wear and tear type stuff. But otherwise is still running smooth!
 
#27 ·
A little under 50k on my old 900, before I traded it in. Had to replace the stator; common on '06 and '07 models. Few sets of tires. A battery. That's it really. Stator was a 90 minute job and around $200 in parts.
 
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#28 · (Edited)
Here's some data on my 08 900. At about 15k I start doing my own maintenance. It's over 65k now and still running strong. Even though I have a couple other bikes, my 900 is still my favorite.

--- CHANGED
Oil & Filter
date = 03/13/14 - OD = 20,024
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800
date = 07/20/14 - OD = 23,633
date = 10/31/14 - OD = 28,573
date = 03/14/15 - OD = 34,406
date = 05/07/15 - OD = 36,790
date = 05/22/15 - OD = 40,712
date = 08/30/15 - OD = 46,090
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646
date = 03/01/16 - OD = 55,755
date = 04/25/16 - OD = 60,968

Cluch Lever
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Clutch Cable
date = 11/22/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Headlight
Sylvania H4 9003 Basic - date = 02/12/16 - OD = 54,913 - replaced
Stator
date = 05/09/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
date = 11/30/15 - OD = 50,646 - replaced
Battery
date = 05/9/14 - OD = 21,800 - replaced
Coolant
date = 12/11/15 - OD = 51,002
Valve Adjustment
date = not recorded OD = 21,800 - no adjustment needed
date = 12/10/15 - OD = 50,995 - rear cylender exhaust -
Brakes
Brake Pads
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 47,557
Back - Volar VMF A231, OD = 52,050
Front - EBC fa229v, OD = 63,280
Back - EBC fa231 / 2v, OD = 63,280
Rotor
Back - EBC md4085, OD = 52,050


Dunlap
Front - factory
Rear - factory
Dunlap
Front - data not recorded
Rear - data not recorded
Metzler
Front ME880 130/90H-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.5 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Rear ME880 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.0 mm - OD = not recorded - date = not recorded
Pirelli
Front Night Dragon 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Rear Night Dragon 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 6.35 mm - OD = 22,330 - date = 05/26/14
Pirelli
Route MT-66 130/90HB-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 5.56 mm - OD = 36,790 - date = 05/07/15
Route MT-66 180/70HB-15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Dept - 8.73 mm - OD = 32,690 - date = 02/23/15
Shinko
Tour Master 130/90V-16 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.76 mm - OD = 47447 - date = 09/20/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 47,557 - Date = 09/21/2015
Tour Master 180/70H -15 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 7.14 - OD = 52,050 - Date = 01/14/2016
Metzler
Marathon 888 130/90 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 4.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
Marathon 888 170/80 Blackwall Tire, Tread Depth - 6.9 - OD = 57,958 - Date = 03/31/2016
 
#29 ·
Other than the Stator being replaced around 12K+/- No issues 38K miles, do all my own maint. and all before MOM guide lines.

12-15 oil & filters
4th rear tire
3rd front tire
Stock dunlops 404's (170-80-16 on rear)
steering stem & swing arm bearings and seals looked great.
May change clutch cable soon
 
#32 · (Edited)
Trying to find that perfect tire, I guess. The Pirelli MT-66's did win top honors for longevity, smooth ride and no observable cupping but their soft sidewalls tended to be a little squirrely riding 2 up on the Tail of The Dragon. The Metzler 880's came in second on longevity (about 12,500 miles), ride wasn't quite as soft and did develop some cupping, but they do feel good in the curves. No swagger and stuck to the road like glue. The down side is they're getting hard to find. Metzler is pushing the 888's now. The Metzler 888's are very stable but don't grip as good as the 880's. They're also almost too hard. You feel every pebble in the road. Not sure about mileage or cupping yet. Only time will tell. The Pirelli Night Dragon's had a soft comfortable ride just like the MT-66's and felt good in the curves, but mileage wasn't all that great. Especially since they were priced up in the Metzler price range. Mileage wasn't that great on the Dunlap's either if I remember right. Six or seven thousand was about all I got out of them. And lastly, the Sinko's were pretty bad. Mileage was only four to five thousand, cupping, took more weight to balance, and run-out on the front tire was right on the edge. They did really grip the road though. Of all the tires, I think they were the softest. LOL, you could see rubber left behind just pushing the bike out the garage.
Take this with a grain of salt. It's just one man's opinion.
 
#33 ·
Good stuff here! Thanks May check out the Pirelli after all, I was looking at the Michelin commanders, I had those on my other Vulcan and we're pretty good, I was thinking about Dunlop as I like the stock tire back there, but you can't find it in the 180 size anymore , at least not as a right reasonable price. But no way do I want to change this thing again and 8000 Miles. Thanks for all that information!
 
#34 · (Edited)
Fuel Mileage data collected 2015

I collected fuel mileage on my 900 from the last part of 2014 to the end of 2015. You may notice a lot of variation between fill-ups and there really was. Some of the biggest factors were different cruising speeds, wind direction / velocity, and inaccurate pump metering. One of the things that didn't make a difference ( and I really thought it would ) was fuel grade. After a couple thousand miles I started running 87 octane all the time. You will notice a slight dip in the first couple months of 2015 where I ran a 34 tooth sprocket. In early March 2015 I put the OEM sprocket back on. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but all it did was make the bike feel sluggish and may have hurt the gas mileage during that period.
 

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#35 ·
Yeah 87 runs fine in the 900. It's all it needs. The manual suggests 87 anyway; and generally unless you adjust ignition and fuel timing; there's no real benefit to running a grade of fuel higher than what's listed in the manual. (And; because this often comes up; some manuals list 91RON; which is equivalent to 87 R+M/2 as it's labeled here in the states).
 
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