[BlackBoar]

http://www.kawasaki.ca/fuel

I think this offer is only available in Canada, but I wanted to share the information with all in case you face a similar situation. In a nutshell, the above web page details a promotion offering a great discount on gas (20 cents per liter) on between 1500 and 7000 liters depending on the model of 2009 Kawasaki you buy. Sounds GREAT. The smaller print will tell you the deal is for "select models only" and yeah guess what, the Ninja 250R is not on the list. Fact is, of the 19 street purpose bikes Kawasaki produces for 2009, the ONLY bike not eligable for the fuel saving promotion is the Ninja 250R! How's that for "selected models"? Almost every off road vehicle and jet ski get a fuel discount too.

So over the last three months I wrote a few letters complaining about this insulting slight, seeking an explanation, and any offers to correct the discrepency. A couple of my letters were flat out ignored and TODAY I finally spoke to the Consumer and Dealer Relations Coordinator. He told me that "there is no promotion for the 250 because it is an entry level bike" How's that for a slap??? Canadian Kawasaki believes nearly every customer purchasing a 2009 product is entitled to a fuel savings reward, just not the entry level 250 owners. Great way to build brand loyalty, eh.

He also made me an "offer" that if I was so dissatisfied they would be willing to take my bike back and refund my purchase price, less a deductable (in an unidentified amount), for milage - and he didn't know if he could return the freight, delivery and set up fees I paid the dealer ($600). Nice problem solving solution: give us the bike back, take a loss of several hundred dollars for the 500kms or so you have put on the bike, and that should satisfy you. RIGHT.

Tell me what you think?

 

[Blue Ghost]

Sounds like Kawasaki effectively told you to Kiss their Ass. They are probably making a mint off of 250 sales right now. How else can they afford to give away gas. All their other new product sales are tanking at the moment and used sales are up.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2/3223/Motorcycle-Article/2009-Motorcycle-Sales-Plummet-1st-Quarter.aspx

http://www.powersportsbusiness.com/output.cfm?id=1926955

 

[hi-tech]

I see their point on the promo.. Bottom line is that they used this to sell the unselling models by paying back gas money. Sorry to say this but they got u blackboar.

 

[redrider]

The whole promotion is ridiculous... I spend so little on gas (even when its $4 a gallon), I don't even think about it.

I see your point though, why exclude the 250?

 

[Delta107]

Nothing new!

 

[BlackBoar]

I'm sure we all know exactly why the 250 is excluded. It is Kawasaki's number one selling bike. It sells it self. People have been waiting on lists to buy the bike. I think just about every pays full MSRP on it, I know lots of places have it marked up above the MSRP. SO why offer a deal, there is no need for an incentive in Kawasaki's opinion.

In my opinion they are alienating a huge number of new customers. By the way - long story short -my complaint never was resolved. Complaints actually, there were more issues than just the exclusion from the promotion. Canadian Kawasaki flat out refused to do a damn thing for me.

I love my bike, but my brand loyalty is washed away and I'll likely never own another Kawasaki after this one.

 

[spooph]

unless it's used Boar, that's just corporations for ya! Love the product, hate the corp.... stick it to the man! Buy used, unless you have no other option...