Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 3 of 3 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
3 crash reports0 fire reports3 injury reports
What owners actually said
3 reports
5,200 miles · Apr 6, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingPower TrainCrashInjury
THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS A LOT OF MARBLES RATTLING AROUND IN THE CYLINDERS WHEN I ROLL ON THE THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M CLIMBING A HILL AND SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE GOING AROUND A CORNER" . AFTER TWO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE/TRANSMISSION REPAIRS, $4,500, AND $4,000, I DON'T FEEL AT ALL CONFIDENT IN THE SAFETY AND THE R…
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THE ENGINE SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS A LOT OF MARBLES RATTLING AROUND IN THE CYLINDERS WHEN I ROLL ON THE THROTTLE. THIS HAPPENS WHEN I'M CLIMBING A HILL AND SOMETIMES WHEN I ACCELERATE GOING AROUND A CORNER" . AFTER TWO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE/TRANSMISSION REPAIRS, $4,500, AND $4,000, I DON'T FEEL AT ALL CONFIDENT IN THE SAFETY AND THE RELIABILITY OF THE VEHICLE . *AK
NHTSA ODI #10187212
1,800 miles · Mar 16, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
I BOUGHT A 2005 (NEW) KAWASAKI MEAN STREAK VN1600 MOTORCYCLE ON JUNE, OF 2005, AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SECOND MOST RECENT MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE DIED ON ME DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. IVE DONE EVERYTHING PO…
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I BOUGHT A 2005 (NEW) KAWASAKI MEAN STREAK VN1600 MOTORCYCLE ON JUNE, OF 2005, AND HAVE HAD SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS VEHICLE ESPECIALLY AFTER THE SECOND MOST RECENT MECHANICAL FAILURE WHICH NEARLY COST ME MY LIFE WHEN THE MOTORCYCLE DIED ON ME DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY. IVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CONVINCE ALL PARTIES (DEALER, MANUFACTURE, AND BANK), THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE HAS HAD MAJOR DEFECTS FROM THE FACTORY FROM THE TIME OF PURCHASE. IT HAS ALL FALLEN ON DEAF EARS AS FAR AS THEY ARE CONCERNED, AND I DESPERATELY NEED ASSISTANCE IN WHAT TO DO NEXT. THE LETTER BELOW (SENT 03/01/07), IS JUST ONE OF SEVERAL (20-30) TO THE BANK THAT HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY (LEGALLY), TO COMMENCE A CHARGE BACK FOR THE MULTIPLE FAILURES THE PRODUCT HAS HAD. I WILL NOT RIDE THIS BIKE AGAIN FOR I DONT DEEM IT TO BE SAFE. PLEASE ASSIST ME WITH WHAT I NEED TO DO? THANK YOU,
NHTSA ODI #10185265
2,500 miles · Mar 10, 2007
Engine And Engine CoolingCrashInjury
I WILL NOW PLEAD MY CASE TO THE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE IS MECHANICALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINTS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BBB OF MY STATE, (WILL FAX COPIES). PLEASE LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR TO YOU AS I STATED IN THE CERTIFIED LETTER, I HAD …
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I WILL NOW PLEAD MY CASE TO THE DEPARTMENT FEDERAL SAFETY AND TRANSPORTATION, BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL THAT THIS MOTORCYCLE IS MECHANICALLY SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALREADY FILED A COMPLAINTS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND BBB OF MY STATE, (WILL FAX COPIES). PLEASE LET ME MAKE IT CLEAR TO YOU AS I STATED IN THE CERTIFIED LETTER, I HAD REQUESTED A CHARGE BACK, AND NOT A BILLING DISPUTE AS PREVIOUSLY STATED IN THE LETTER I RECEIVED FROM YOU. I HOPE YOU WILL USE THIS OVERWHELMING WEALTH OF EVIDENCE OF PROOF THAT THIS IS AND ALWAYS WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT, AND INITIATE A LONG OVER DUE CHARGE BACK. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10184703
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2005 Kawasaki VN1600B2 Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year