[Mark Hanson]

After parking multiple bikes in the same garage for over three years it finally happened... someone tried to jack my Z. I hopped on the bike early Sunday morning to head over to Motos & Coffee at Local Moto in Dallas when I noticed the damage. I was very very unhappy since LM had posted there would be "proper British jam donuts" involved which I would now miss due to the damage.

I'm not totally sure what caused the thief to be unsuccessful but the attempt left my key switch savagely marred. I was able to take a screwdriver and carve out enough space to insert my key to remove the wheel lock, however, the power wouldn't come on. The key seems to turn all the way to the right.

I looked up the replacement parts and I have two options. I can either buy the entire "Switch Assembly" or the much cheaper "Switch Assembly Ignition" from Kawi. Any advice on which direction I should go?

I've attached the photo for reference.

 

[Cowasaki]

Good thing all you'll need to pay for is a replacement part and not a new 650. Not really sure what's damaged so I can't tell you which one to go for. Maybe your dealer will have an idea if the ignition is having problems or if something in the assembly is blocking your key.

 

[HandsomeHooligan]

I looked up the replacement parts and I have two options. I can either buy the entire "Switch Assembly" or the much cheaper "Switch Assembly Ignition" from Kawi. Any advice on which direction I should go?

First off, sorry to hear someone tried to steal your Z. I had someone attempt to steal my bike last year...an '05 ZX6R. They tried to use a screwdriver or chisel on my ignition and my rotor lock. They scratched my windshield, broke the ignition, and bent my rotors in the process. Thankfully insurance covered it all.

As far as which part you should go with, the Switch Assembly, or the Switch Assembly Ignition...I have experienced replacing with both options on my previous bike. One year after I bought my bike, the ignition in my bike got stuck and I just replaced the Switch Assembly Ignition that time. In doing so all you are replacing is the part that you put your key into to start the bike, so your bike will end up having two sets of keys. Old key for trunk lock and fuel tank lock, and the new key for the ignition. If you go with the more expensive Switch Assembly, you are likely purchasing the parts to replace the ignition, fuel tank lock, and trunk lock all in one go which would allow you to have just one key for all locks.

Hope that helps.

 

[roadhawk]

Sorry to hear that happens. This is why i'm super cautious about where I park although you can never be too sure, I have been going with my gut feeling so far and that has served me well.

What kind of parking garage is it?

 

[HandsomeHooligan]

What kind of parking garage is it?

It has locked doors, but it is on the ground level with a chain link fence all along the front side so it's quite easy for someone to get in.

 

[Mark Hanson]

That does help actually.

I'm sorry to hear you have experienced the same thing. I hope there is a special place in the afterlife for motorcycle thieves. On a positive note I finally got the power to turn on by forcing the key to the right as hard as I could. All the sudden it just snapped and kicked on the battery. Since then it takes a little more pressure to fully engage but has continued to work. Unfortunately, it still looks terrible but doesn't make sense to replace it at this point.

 

[Mark Hanson]

What kind of parking garage is it?

I live in a high-rise with a five level parking garage that is only accessible by authorized stickers via one gate. It's basically Fort Knox but, that clearly didn't stop them from getting in. The building has several cameras in the garage but none of them actually caught the incident. I have since moved it up to a much higher floor and added two wheel locks. If they want it they will have to work much harder for it next time! :grin2: