Thought I may have had the shift star problem on my '12 but upon taking things apart found this... The Sift Shaft has a part that moves the shift star and that was what broke apart. About $47 for the part, not bad... just waiting for it to get here to put stuff back together. I think I'll go look at it to see if I have the newer shift star anyway though.. Anyone have any tips on getting the two bolts at the back end of the cover back on? I can't seem to get it in place again due to the angle with the frame ??

 

Well that's interesting - haven't seen that before. Could you please describe what caused it and exactly what the symptoms were?

Also, by all means check out your shift star and report back what type you have. Pictures would be great too.

 

I totally forgot to take pictures during the tear down but I will later today. As for what happened and symptoms... Crashed landing on the left side, tweaked the front suspension a bit that was fixed trail side by loosening some bolts and lining stuff up again, but then I noticed my shifter pointed straight up...That's not good....Maybe it slipped instead of breaking the lever...Took the lever off straightened it out a bit using some rocks and trees and put it in the right position, it then flopped around like a cooked noodle. No gear changes at all. Luckily I was only about 150 meters from a road we crossed and had my support crew (wife) rescue me with the trailer.

 

So here is the pic of my shift star, looks good. Then the new part vs the broken part... Now everything is back together but I am having trouble getting into first gear and when I do get it into first it pops into Neutral on its own very very easily. I'd say my percentage of accurate shifts into first gear from neutral or from second is about 25%. Any thoughts what could cause this? Edit: I think I have it figured out.. The pin in the first picture directly left of where the shift shaft goes in was slightly bent up as well... resulting in possibly keeping the shift mechanism from going all the way down.. Ordered the $7 part and will advise.

 

illkings old bike here,

experienced this as well but sometimes recently (after a few too many lay downs) having trouble getting into first. i would hammer the shifter down and wouldn't get past neutral. need to half clutch roll the bike to get it to engage

decided to open it up

bike is an '09

star looks fine, replaced it with the beefier design anyway
pin barely bent with a few chew marks, replaced it

 

I pick up a 2012 on Tuesday...

Am I safe in assuming that Kawasaki remedied the problem by that year?

 

 

 

 

+1 on Lutz's comments. I replaced the shift star with the "new style" on my '09, and it went in and worked slick as snot.