Two of my friends that I ride with both just purchased 2003 Raptors. Both of there bikes experienced bent tie rods after there first trips to the dunes.. Infact on one the bikes, the tie rod end broke completely off, causing him to roll. And no they weren't doing any jumping. Just your average aggressive riding in the dunes.Yamaha wouldn't warranty there tie rods either. Yamaha said it was there fault. Than when my friends told Yamaha they think that Yamaha has a problem with there tie rods on the Raptor. Yamaha's reply was ( NO WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM, YOUR THE ONE WITH A PROBLEM). They both have since bought aftermarket tie rods that have been holding up very well. And other than that, They really love there new Raptors. Has anyone else had a problem with there stock tie rods not holding up?

 

I've heard of the Rappy Tie's being weak, but I replaced mine before I had a chance to test out the stockies. Went to Alba Pro-Racer Ties. Awesome!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

I have been through many, many sets, but I have my wheels flipped which I think causes a little more stress on them. The problem I have with stronger tie rods is what would break then? Probably nothing but if it did it would really cost, of course for $50 a paice for the ends I could have bought a new a-arms set by now.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

 

I've broken and bent many (same on the Warrior) ! Finally discovered the Ricky Stator units and have had ZERO problems !

 

Isn't the point of upgrading parts to make it stronger and faster? If something breaks after replacing the tie-rods, then replace what broke with something better. Eventually you will have a bullet-proof machine!!![img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

 

This may hold true for some things but not all. What happens when you bend your stock grab bar and you go out and buy one of those beefy aftermarket ones and you go out and flip your machine this time you either strip out the theads that hold your grab bar on or worse you bend your subframe.

 

I second the Ricky Stator Tie rods. You will get you money's worth out of them in a few years if you are always snapping tie rods/ends.

 

Definatly the Ricky Stator rods and ends !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PM me and I will get you hooked up.

 

Hi Guys, and turbo33 too.... yes Turbo, believe it or not, it's me, Quad61.

What's up buddy?

Turbo, as you know, I've been running the Ricky Stator tie rods for two years now, abusing them on the motocross track. I've bent two tie rods and went through numerous tie rod ends over the last two years. I'd have to say these have been the best option out there for the Raptor until now. I will very soon be trying out a set that a buddy and I have come up with using a new heim joint style end with an added safety bushing that prevents the end from coming completely off in the event the ball and socket separate. I've had a few close calls over the past couple years as the ball joints separated and I've totally lost control... or should I say my Raptor was "OUTTA CONTROL". Our new ties will come with super strong chromoly tubing shafts that will accept male ended heim style ends. The tubing will be stronger than the solid mild steel rods that Ricky uses. Don't get me wrong - the Ricky Stator ties have worked very well with the exception of the small safety issue at hand. I'll be trying the new ties out soon and I'll let you know the outcome. If you are a serious mxer, xcer, or trail bruiser interested in a set or want more details feel free to PM me any time. I feel this set-up will be far superior over the R.S. ties. We're thinking we should be able to offer this set-up for the same price as the Ricky Stators at $199.00. More details to come soon.

Hey Turbo - that's an aweful nice quad you've got there. How about I help you dismantle it soon.

What about the damaged plastic? Old ladies tend to park in some of the oddest places wouldn't you say?

Quad61
Feel Free To E-mail Me Direct

 

I must be playing with fire cause I just flipped my front rims and I rode really hard at the dunes this weekend. I really wanted to push them to the limit to see how much they could take. Apparently, more than I could dish out. By the end of the day, I could barely make a fist. It's a lot harder to hold on because the handlebars move twice as fast when you hit a bump. I got my Denton dampner on the way. Hopefully this will ease my "kungfu grip". I will most defenitely order some aftermarket tie rods then...probably the Alba's. I am so glad they didn't break and send me for a ride.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]