I JUST PICKED-UP MY RAPTOR SATURDAY. I ALSO HAVE A 00 400EX,BOTH ARE GREAT MACHINES. THE RAPTOR IS JUST MUCH FASTER. BUT DURING MY FIRST RIDE ON THE RAPTOR I HIT A SMALL JUMP IN SECOND GEAR AND ONLY GOT ABOUT 4 FEET OF AIR,LANDED ON THE BACK TIRES AND NOTICED THE HANDLE BARS WOBBLING. WHEN I LOOKED DOWN I SAW THE LEFT BACK TIRE WAS THE PROBLEM. I STOPPED AND REALIZED IT WAS THE AXLE THAT WAS BENT. IN MY OPINION THAT SHOULDNT HAVE HAPPENED. I WEIGH 190 LBS AND IT WAS A SMOOTH SURFACE I JUMPED FROM AND LANDED ON. I WAS JUST WONDERING IF ANYONE ELSE HAD ANY AXLE PROBLEMS OR IF IT WAS JUST A FREAK ACCIDENT.

 

Well, that's just dandy.

First, we hear of the front end folding up, now we hear about the back-axle bending.

I'm very happy that you were not seriously injured. But with all the problems, someone WILL
get killed. Yamaha had better do something quick.

Flyin' Ryan

 

Glad you was'nt injured. So the axle actually bent? No that should not have happened. What does your dealer say about this and how long will it take for the dealer to get the axle in? I have done a lot of small jumping on 4-5 feet dropoffs at high speed with no problems. Should we call the national guard screaming "someone is gonna get killed on this new ATV and the type that I ride has never had a problem"...I don't think so just yet.

 

dude, I did the same thing..........My axle and my right rear wheel is bent to hell. I have only been on groomed MX tracks....I am pissed....I have done a lot worse on my 400ex...no problems...Can't wait to talk to the dealer..I am sure they will cover it under the warranty (OK, Ok I am dreaming). AAHHHHHHHHHHHH

 

I got my Raptor Saturday, 2 minutes of riding in the yard resulted in a bent rear wheel and axle, everyone with this problem keep posting dealer response to this defect to help us all deal with the problem.

 

just a question to you guys, How much Air Pressure was in your tires when you bent the Axle?

 

I HAVENT CHECKED AIR PRESSURE,I ASSUME THAT WAS CHECKED AT THE DEALER. I DROPPED IT OFF THIS MORNING FOR REPAIRS AND THEY SAID CHANCES ARE YAMAHA WONT PAY FOR THIS BUT SINCE IT IS A NEW MODEL THEY MIGHT. THAT IS UNLESS THERE ARE A LOT OF PROBLEMS REPORTED ON IT. ALSO THEY SAID AXLES WERE IN CALIFORNIA AND THEY WOULD HAVE IT IN AND READY TO RIDE BY THIS WEEKEND.

 

I had what the dealer put in it. I know because I check everything when I brought the Raptor home. 5 pounds. The manual say's 4 is the recommended amount but it had 5 from the dealer. why do you ask.? I've had two rear flat tires on my 400ex and have jump a few jumps with out any bent axle action. I know what your thinking...but you'll find out soon enough.

 

First year product and they probably will not cover it. I will be very upset if they will not cover this. "This being a first year bike" I got the extended warranty. This seems obviously a flaw. Just over the weekend alone there have been 3 that we know of. I can promise you that tally will continue to climb. And why would I want to purchase another factory axle for???? Would that one not bend also.?

 

when i got mine it had like 3lbs in the rear, if i had jumped it any jump I would have bent the rims at the least, Yamaha should fix it regardless, or else you can go the Dear Dirtwheels route and let everyone know how it lasted a whole 2 minutes, also mention the words lawyer, personal injury suit, and lemon law to the dealer.