I'm surprised your dealer hasn't come across it before? It's quite common place for the Z's clocks to mist up, particularly during the winter months. You only need to a search on here for "condensation" and you'll turn up quite a few posts.

Just don't expect a new set of clocks to cure the problem! I also had mine replaced under warranty when the bike was 20 months old (although unlike you, I had to cajole the dealer into doing it) and the new ones did/do exactly the same!

I don't believe it is actual water getting in to them, more that it is the atmospheric humidity in the instruments that migrates to the coldest part (the face) when the illumination warms up the air trapped inside. This is why its worse on a cold day and the condensation appears to get worse after starting the bike before it gets better when everything (including the clear faces has warmed up. However, this moisture stays trapped inside, it just stops condensing so you don't notice it, which is why the same cycle will repeat itself the next day. Generally, in the summer misting doesn't happen. Essentially, I don't think the rubber breather/vent hoses are either big enough or in the right place - it's a minor design floor.

One word of advice when you get them changed: Get the dealer to write in your service book when they were replaced and get it stamped with the official mark. Also take a date stamped photo of your clocks displaying the current mileage before you take it in to get done. This way you've covered you arse when it comes to selling the bike in the future.

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