Only thing that creeps me out about this Kawi pick, is that the crack isn't ON a seam... That's wierd...
Yes sir, that's what I've been thinking. Of course, it
could have been caused by a variety of things - a flaw or unseeable stress riser in that particular piece of metal even before manufacture, excessive engine vibration from an engine on the far side of balance tolerance specs, a hot spot caused by a heat spike during a nearby weld - who knows.
The guy's probably already gotten his bike replaced with a free extended warranty and his butt kissed over the whole deal though...
This kind of Cracking on the newer lighter bikes is just going to keep getting worse and worse though... Everything is being made as thin and as light as possible. ALL the latest crop of litre and Supersports are going to be showing more signs of metal fatigue. WE have front wheels failing, WHY? Light weight. Frames? Same thing... Kawasaki made the lightest 1000 in history, and are riding that edge between durability and strength. Yamaha, Suzuki, and all the rest are going to be right there with em... Lets wait and see... I bet this becomes more and more common, or the bikes start getting a little heavier. [/QUOTE]
I couldn't agree more. This is why I'm glad I'm on the larger side of normal, so I won't be tempted by the current fashion trend of minibikes. I like having some meat on a bike because, for the vast majority of the riding I do, it makes for a more calm riding experience.
I can't imagine the factories going very much further in their quest for lightness, but then again I think I said the same thing a decade ago...
Steve