That's disturbing. They used a foam material that doesn't last more than 3 years?? WTH?!?
Yeah, kinda funny. The heat shields can't take the heat. The part numbers have been "superceded". Maybe they are better on the later models
Note:
There are three (maybe more?) sets of foam heat shields ( kawasaki calls them "PAD,HEAT GUARD")
The set I replaced are the ones in the mid cowling that get the direct blast from the radiator. 39156M&? The other two sets are ok (other than the one a mouse chewed on)