After much reading, studying, and some test driving, I decided to buy a new 2001 Big Bear 4x4 a few days ago. I have put a couple of hours on it through some moderately challenging terrain (mountain trails, rocky areas, and lots of Alabama clay/mud holes that I used to get stuck in with my 2wd machines), but I am trying to take it easy to break in the engine. I am very happy with the power, traction, and suspension on this machine. However, after riding awhile, when the engine gets warmed up good (the oil cooler fan cycling on and off), I hear a pretty prominent ticking noise while going down inclines, decelarating, and sometimes at cruising speed on flat land. Doesn't seem to do it when getting into the throttle. Of course, I have contacted the dealer, who is happy to check it out, but they did preclude by saying the Yamaha's do have a bit more valve/ticking noises and the hotter they get the louder it will be. I just wanted to find out if you other Big Bear/ Yamaha owners have found this to be true or if I should pursue it further if the dealer "doesn't find anything wrong with it".

 

My 00 Big Bear does the same thing. My dealer told me when I bought it to expect that. He said that was normal for the B.B. 400. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

Yep, some valve ticking is normal, and it will be worse when the engine is hot. But you might want to get it checked out if your dealer is nearby, just to be sure. They may need to be adjusted.

 

I agree!! Get the valves adjusted and it should quit down. But there will always be some clatter with the yamaha's setup, my kodiak does the same thing.

 

...yep, all true. Make sure to have the valves adjusted at the 20 first service mark. My '00 BB
rattled pretty bad, enough to concern me. My dealer said it's all normal and not to worry about it until the first service when the valves are adjusted. After the adjustment they quieted down quite a bit. No worries...

 

I have a 2004 yamaha big bear 400 4x4. I got it a couple years ago like new, it had the same ticking noise and I took it to the dealer ship and they said it was the valves. They readjusted them and the noise went away for a few months then it came back. I've been riding it four about a year now with the ticking noise and it runs like it did when it was new. The dealer ship said that it was a common problem with the valves.