Just came home last night and noticed that my speedo and temp guage was out. Its an '06 and has only 700 miles so far. Im thinking something came unattached from the circuit board - anybody else know of anything please share your thoughts. Much thanks!

 

Sounds like maybe you should start by checking your fuses. Is it just your lights that went out, or everything?

 

it actually is just my speedometer and temp. guage...everything else works. All fuses are still good. I may need to go ahead and pull the front fairing off or find another way to get access to behind the guages.

 

Since you've already verified that the fuses are all okay, I'd be hesitant to self diagnose it much further. It would seem certain that this is something the factory warranty would cover.

Good luck, and tell us what the problem turns out being.
Greg ('06 500R)

 

Hmm, I'd have someone take a look at it - something like that shouldn't happen. How long have you had the bike? Did you buy it new? Like mozzerx said - I would think warranty would cover that.

 

Your speedo cable has come loose, that's all. I've owned 2 500R's in my life and they both had the speedo cable come loose at one time or another.
At the hub of the front wheel there is a cable--make sure the chrome tightener is snugged down all the way into the housing. If this is okay, then it came loose up in the dash. It's a PITA to reach up in there and get the threads started on that tightener, but just be patient.
Also, if you'd like to make sure it doesn't come loose again, put some low- or medium-strength threadlock on the inside threads of the chrome tighteners and use pliers to turn them 1/2 turn more than finger-tight.

Before you start taking the dash apart, try the simple-fix first. On the left side of the radiator, there is an electrical connecter underneath a rubber boot. Pull back the boot and make sure the connection is secure. If that's not it, then the connection to the dash may be loose. And if the connection to the dash is secure, then you may have to replace the wiring harness.
I'm ordering a wiring harne$$ today for my friend's '02 because the neutral light stays on when the bike's in gear and the sidestand switch is not working (after I've already replaced both switches. [:@])

Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-CCinC

P.S. Just noticed you only have 700 miles on it... take it back to the dealer and tell them to fix it pronto. And since this is arguably a warranty item, they shouldn't charge you anything.

 

thanks calamari...found that the speedo cable was loose at the top. Works great now. As for the temp.guage...couldnt find the boot you were refering to but I did find what appeared to be a coolant. temp sensor mounted directly on the left side of the radiator just like you described where the boot would be. It appears that everything is attached and not loose so I think I will save this for the boys at the stealership...I really don't want to go back because of an incident I had with them a few months back...do you guys know if I can just go to another Kawi dealer to get this fixed? thanks again

 

Another thing just occurred to me... have you removed the radiator cap and looked inside the radiator? Do this when the engine is cool and make sure it's topped off with coolant. If there is not enough coolant to reach the thermostat, the temperature will never register!

Assuming your coolant level is good, you certainly can go to another dealership, but they will probably charge you for it.
It's traditionally up to the selling dealership to honor any warranty claims. (At least whenever I've taken a bike to another dealership the first word out of their mouth when they hear the word warranty is "Where'd you buy the bike?"

What happened at the selling dealership that you don't want to go back? You can always go back to give them a chance to honor their warranty, and if they don't you can visit Kawasaki's website, rat-them-out and ask Kawasaki Customer Service where you can go from there... If they reply that you can go to another dealership, print that and take it with you to the new dealership.
Good luck and let us know how it goes.
-CCinC