KZR's Bikes of the Month for 2024

OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?

More
26 Jul 2006 20:37 #65036 by chopstar
OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF? was created by chopstar
My turn signal flasher has been on it's way out for the past week or so - It would work for the first couple of turns, then overheat I guess. So, just out of curiousity, I called the local Kawa dealer to check the price and availability - holy shizzle! The dealer wants $50 for a part that I picked up at Autozone for $2.50 - WTF!?

Is this the case with most OEM parts? Should I not even bother to check other parts in the future? They also wanted $10 for the oil filter that was $4 at a local cycle shop.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RetroRiceRocketRider
  • Offline
  • User
  • ...bring in the machine that goes PING!
More
26 Jul 2006 20:52 #65043 by RetroRiceRocketRider
Replied by RetroRiceRocketRider on topic OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?
Most standard items like spark plugs, bulbs, oil filters are usually much cheaper than at a Kawi dealership.

This has been talked about before, but here goes again. ;)

Kawi does not manufacture simple stuff like bulbs, spark plugs, etc. Most often they buy them directly from the manufacturer (spark plugs=NGK or Nipondenso, bulbs=Stanley, etc) or a wholesale distributor.
Obviously they purchase in bulk, but at times won't get much of a price break for an excessively huge order.
As odd as it sounds, that initial purchase is then broken up and "sold" (at a slight profit) to the indivdual warehouses/distribution centers.
They in turn sell the item(s) to the individual dealerships, who in turn sell it to you and I.
So basically almost any given part not manufactured directly by KMC will have been sold 3-4 times before reaching the consumer, and generally can be as much (or more) as 100 times the original price it started out as. :pinch: :ohmy:

This is how it was done when I worked at a Kawi dealership in the late 80's/early 90's, and I doubt it's changed since.

Post edited by: RetroRiceRocketRider, at: 2006/07/26 23:57

Covina, So Calif!
78 KZ650-B2 = SOLD
84 ZN700 LTD = SOLD
84 ZX750 GPz = SOLD
89 GSX1100F Katana = SLEEPING :-/
20 VN1700 Vulcan Vaquero (the Blue Cowboy)
Looking for my next project KZ

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
27 Jul 2006 07:28 #65115 by RonKZ650
Replied by RonKZ650 on topic OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?
The difference between the Kawasaki part and the Autozone part is the Kawasaki part works, where every part at Autozone is made in China. Did this flasher work? You got dang lucky if it did.

321,000 miles on KZ's that I can remember. Not going to see any more.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
27 Jul 2006 07:37 #65117 by chopstar
Replied by chopstar on topic OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?
Actually Ron, the part worked great - at least for the 3 hours that I rode the bike since it was installed. If it only lasts a month, I figure that I would have to buy 20 of the AutoZone parts before I hit the cost of one Kawa part. I highly doubt that I'll need to replace that bugger 3 or 4 times, let alone 20.

Post edited by: chopstar, at: 2006/07/27 13:53

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
27 Jul 2006 08:44 #65136 by ltdrider
Replied by ltdrider on topic OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?
Edit.
I deleted my post. I didn't realize that Chopstar had already replaced his old flasher.

Post edited by: ltdrider, at: 2006/07/27 11:46

'76 KZ900 LTD (Blaze)
'96 Voyager XII (Dark Star)
'79 KZ650 Cafe Project (Dirty Kurt)
Greensboro, NC

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

More
27 Jul 2006 09:36 #65149 by chopstar
Replied by chopstar on topic OEM Turn Signal Flasher - WTF?
ltdrider wrote:

Edit.
I deleted my post. I didn't realize that Chopstar had already replaced his old flasher.<br><br>Post edited by: ltdrider, at: 2006/07/27 11:46


I actually learned about the AutoZone flasher from a post that you replied to - so a late thanks to you ltdrider!

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Powered by Kunena Forum

If you like KZR Please consider making a donation. Thank you.

KZRider is free, but not without cost.

Please consider chipping in a few bucks to help cover the cost of running the KZR servers.