because I sure got it again. They didn't even worn me to bend over.

I've had an ongoing issue with forward/backward play developing in the sprocket and the brake rotor of the Raptor I purchased February 10th. I took it to an authorized Yamaha repair center closer to home than where I purchased it in June. Was told by the service manager who looked at it that this was not a problem and is normal for high performance sport quads - even on his 250r that he races. I said okay and kept riding it. In the meantime, I was talking to an RPM engineer about when the Dominator axle would be coming out. He told me that the play I was experiencing should not happen and that I better get it fixed or the bearings will go out. I took it to the dealership where I purchased it in August. They retorqued the axle nuts and said all was well. I questioned the guy about not using torque wrenches to tighten it. He said they never did and it was never a problem. Well it happened again. I took it back in October. They did the same damn thing but used locktite this time. Well, it happened again so I called them. Yamaha made them order special wrenches so I had to wait for them to come in. I just took it back last week but this time the bearings were shot. The dealer spoke to Yamaha and Yamaha decided not to cover it even though I even have the extended warranty. I spoke to Yamaha and they put me on hold and called the dealer. After 10 minutes of waiting, they still decided not to cover it. I spent another hour on the phone with the dealer after this explaining the whole situation again.

Somehow, I am responsible for covering this when I paid them to incorrectly service the quad twice. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to invest in trying to fight all of this. I am in the process of starting my own business so I will just have to let this go.

The good news for 2002 owners is that Yamaha corrected this flaw by redesigning the axle nuts. 2001 owners can purchase a locking axle nut (checkout the website - it is a billet part only available for the 2001). Funny how Yamaha doesn't think this is a problem yet they did a redesign from one year to the next. Anyone who knows R&D and manufacturing knows you don't make changes if something isn't broken. It costs too much money and you have to recoup your R&D investment based on selling a certain number. For quads, this takes several years - meaning they don't expect to recoup the investment in R&D from one year's sales.

The other good news is that I love the 2 Honda 400exs we purchased during the last year and will buy any new sport model Honda comes out with next time. This is my last Yamaha product as a matter of principle! Had a 1999 GP1200 waverunner, 2 2000 YZ80s, a 2000 YZ125, a 2000 TTR-225, a 2000 TTR125L, and a 2000 WR400 and a $20,000 Yamaha piano in additon to this 2001 Raptor. To be honest, the waverunner was first class all the way, all the dirt bikes were 2nd class, and the piano was 2nd rate at best too. Although I basically like the Raptor, I don't think it is first rate quality.

/NotuRaptor

 

I'm starting to get the idea that maybe Yamaha's customer service is 2nd rate at best. I've just heard too many horror stories to buy a new yamaha bike.

 

i think yamaha checked out your signature first. You have to do your part to keep the economy going.

 

earthraper,

it makes me happy to know that maybe I had something to do with you buying another product besides Yamaha. I only wish I didn't have $9,000 in my Raptor. I am stuck with it. Decided to have the prorated portion of my Yamaha warranty returned. No use having it since they don't honor it very often anyhow. The other good news is that I can order the bearings, etc. and fix the problem myself. My concern is that I can't fix the tranny problem on my own if it ever happens to me.

I forgot that I bought 2 2000 Kodiak 4x4s last year too from the same dealer I got the Raptor from. I sold one of the Kodiaks though. Have to admit that the Kodiaks have been first rate machines. Minor problem with the water pump but nothing else.

/NotuRaptor

 

yeah, thats all yamaha is good for is shafting people, im trying to get rid of mine, hopefully I will, no tranny problems tho, I've had alot of trouble, but I have a good dealer that doesnt even call yamaha just says cover it and it's done.