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CBR250R advice needed

mr_hands

mr_hands

New member
Joined
Oct 28, 2011
Location
Some bar
Moto(s)
Waiting for a motoguzzi to fall in my lap
Hi guys. I'll try to be as detailed as possible.

I'm having some issues with my bike. It likes to leak. Since 0 miles the oil window has slight seepage which is enough to produce a slight film over it, shift shaft seal had to be replaced at 200 because it was leaking. I got the shift shaft seal replaced under warranty and it hasn't leaked since but the mechanic keeps saying not to worry about the window.

This morning I got the 600 mile service done, then immediately took it for a 120 mile trek from 84 to 1, then through SF and back. Partway through the trip I'd noticed a little tappet(?) noise in the 5-6k range which was a little more pronounced after the service and had also mentioned it to the mechanic previously, he said not to worry, the bike is just fine.

At the end of my trip I grabbed some gas and snacks but noticed oil had coated my lower fairing, the bottom of my engine, a majority of the exhaust and suspension as well as streaks along the back tire and continued to drip onto the ground as well as a droplet of coolant coming from the engine block.

Now that about sums up the issues with the bike over my month of ownership. My question to you guys is what can I do to convince the dealership to fix these problems under warranty without getting the brush-off. Any clue as to the light clacking in the 6k range?

I just want to be armed with some solid questions to take to the dealer. Nice guys but this is my main transportation and don't want to get hurt physically or financially over this.

If these issues are recurring, at what point should I consider this a lemon and take action to get a replacement bike?:|
 
Also to note: the chatter is more prominent going uphill and I put 89 octane in as per the dealer's instructions. (using 76/chevron)
 
I know this might sound silly but perhaps the o-ring on the oil cap is missing? My 09 600RR had a leak also and I realized after I took off the oil cap that the o-ring was gone, after I replaced that, everything was fine and no more leaking. As for the chattering sounds, I am unsure =/, definitely ask about the chattering though, maybe try a different dealership?
 
Flying Pig, The major(?) oil leak and potential coolant problem they are going to be well aware of in the morning. At the rate it's leaking, I am uncertain if I would have to tow it. The levels seemed acceptable when I parked it tonight. I reminded the mechanic of the oil window issue as it had persisted today when I dropped it off(Like a weeping eye after riding but not full droplets).

Dyeung0415 I haven't the tools to check the filter and if there is an issue I want the dealer to be the ones to open it up first to rule out my tampering with it.
 
Elsydian said:
If these issues are recurring, at what point should I consider this a lemon and take action to get a replacement bike?:|
Click to expand...

Looks like it is a lemon. I made almost 4K miles since I bought mine in May. No issues at all. I think your should be a warranty case with no questions.
 
I'll talk to them about replacing it. Any thoughts on what kind of damage could be had from a leak? Lower than normal oil pressure that could wear down the top end sooner?
 
Well it turns out there has been some tiny pebble stuck between the gasket and oil filter cover causing the leak which could have been since I started riding it, causing the window area to get that film & constant leak I was describing. I took it for a 50 mile ride to test it. A.O.K. The chatter still persists, if only briefly. As per the coolant issue, there is a drain from the block apparently. I was wondering if anyone would be interested in giving this thing a test ride to see whether that chatter I've been experiencing is cause for concern? Also thanks for the help, I really appreciate it! :D
 
I'm hearing a lot of personal stories of disappointment from CBR250R owners that totally contradict all the media drooling over this bike. Furthermore, when viewing four of them side by side at East Bay, there were a lot of little build-quality inconsistencies like crooked fuel filler assemblies, inconsistent fairing fit, etc. It's starting to make me wonder if this first Thailand Honda street bike is not up to Japanese and USA Honda quality expectations.
 
Elsydian said:
Also to note: the chatter is more prominent going uphill and I put 89 octane in as per the dealer's instructions. (using 76/chevron)
Click to expand...

Pretty sure the owners manual is where you find this info not the dealer...
 
p4i1 said:
Looks like it is a lemon. I made almost 4K miles since I bought mine in May. No issues at all. I think your should be a warranty case with no questions.
Click to expand...

Comments like this blow my mind. You were the type of customer that made my life hell when I was a wrench. The bike only has a few hundred miles on it. Things happen in production, no one is perfect, and no machine is perfect. Chill out or STFU!
 
msethhunter said:
Comments like this blow my mind. You were the type of customer that made my life hell when I was a wrench. The bike only has a few hundred miles on it. Things happen in production, no one is perfect, and no machine is perfect. Chill out or STFU!
Click to expand...

You could be the type of tech that gets a dealership SUED. Lemon cases have a very strict set of guidelines that allow how things play out. A bike continuously leaking enough oil to coat a belly pan, is a total safety hazard, and would qualify.

A good tech, would certainly be able to spot a user caused error. And quickly set things correct and make all parties happy.

However, I could see how you would love to blast someone over the internet without knowing the full issue. Just as much as I could see the other persons comment of it being a lemon. I mean hell the OP was told by a tech that a bit of film on the outside of the sight glass is normal :wtf
 
Dopesick said:
You could be the type of tech that gets a dealership SUED. Lemon cases have a very strict set of guidelines that allow how things play out. A bike continuously leaking enough oil to coat a belly pan, is a total safety hazard, and would qualify.

A good tech, would certainly be able to spot a user caused error. And quickly set things correct and make all parties happy.

However, I could see how you would love to blast someone over the internet without knowing the full issue. Just as much as I could see the other persons comment of it being a lemon. I mean hell the OP was told by a tech that a bit of film on the outside of the sight glass is normal :wtf
Click to expand...


I can't tell you how many times I had to do "oil consumption" tests. Compression test, leak down test, oil change, oil dye and about 30 miles of driving get done. Throw it up on a lift and look for the dye with a light. If you find a leak, you fix it. No leaks, the engine gets sealed up, and the customer is instructed to return within a mileage window. If any of the seals are broken, the test starts all over. I went to two mediations because of two separate customers who didn't want their car anymore and tried to lemon law a vehicle because of oil consumption issues. It was a pain in the ass. But the OT was worth it.

Anyways, back to my comment. I never caused a dealership to get sued. Cars always left my bays fixed, thats why I made it to lead technician after only four years in the business. But someone who comes out and says "it's a lemon, it's got an oil leak!!!!!111!!11!" YGTBSM! There are very explicit circumstances that are required to be in place for a vehicles to apply for lemon law. And even then, it has to be decided by either a mediator, or a judge. Here are the cliff notes:

18 months or 18k miles whichever is 1st. 4 repair attempts for the same complaint or out of service for 30 days.

After reading that, do you see why I made the comments I made? I have been there, done that, had to go on test drives with irate customers because of noises that vehicles make that were normal, and a tech needed the hours and threw parts at something, and now I was in the pickle, because I was the "supervisor." Tech line would have to get involved, factory reps would have to come out, blah blah blah. I can't stand it when someone cries "LEMON LEMON LEMON!!!" when the thing hasn't even been bothered to be fixed yet. If you are unhappy with the experience at one dealership, you have every right to go to another one, or contact the manufacturer and let them know.
 
first bike? Oil leak sounds legit. Chatter could be something simple like you lugging the engine. Try shifting down a gear or 3 lower next time and see if chatter goes away. The owners manual will say be in 6th gear at 28mph, I disagree. Chatter may also be legit. Request the foreman/lead tech road test the bike next time you have it in the shop to address concerns. Keep in mind the foreman is usually pretty busy, so you should be willing to leave moto for additional time
 
Kornholio said:
This. I'd find it hard to believe that engine wouldn't have been engineered for 87 AKI fuel.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. Drizzled in a tank of 87 and it's fine. I think I've been overcautious since this is the nicest thing I've owned and I bought it originally to keep my running costs low while I go to college. 60+mpg, more coverage for less than basic on my last car, any unforeseen mechanical issues taken care of under warranty.
 
Elsydian said:
You're absolutely right. Drizzled in a tank of 87 and it's fine. I think I've been overcautious since this is the nicest thing I've owned and I bought it originally to keep my running costs low while I go to college. 60+mpg, more coverage for less than basic on my last car, any unforeseen mechanical issues taken care of under warranty.
Click to expand...

Yeah owners manual says 86 so put 87 in (dont think they have 86?). They know what they're are talking about. oh and I have had a little film over my oil gauge level as well. I'm not worried about it cause after my 600 mile service I havent added any oil and the level is fine. I'm at 3700 miles now. I haven't had a single problem on it yet actually. Enjoy it!
 

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