Just got back from the GNCC race at Raucsh Creek, and had the best time of my life. The 700 did awesome, considering how tight and twisty the track was.There was a lot of flat tires, and chains coming off too, in which both happen to my brother, and he came in 16th, in which he rode on a flat tire for 2 1/2 laps. The only flaw I can see in the 700 right now is, the tie rods are way to weak. I bent both tie rods 1/2 way through the first lap. I was going through a tunnel where it was full of rocks. I was going about 2-3 mph because it was dark, and I had my headlight taped, and my tire hit a rock and spun me sideways. Got it strait, and noticed my bars were going one way, and my tires another, two bent rods from my tire hitting a rock. Was not very happy. So I got on and continued to ride fighting the steering. I didn't drive 6 hrs to quit, I wanted to finish, so for 2 1/2 more laps, I finished the race, and came in 15th in the First time racer class. Would have done much better, because I got the hole shot, but picked a bad line on the first corner, but was still in forth, until the rods bent. After the race, I went to the Kawi Race Team, and they said, every stock 700 they have seen that race, have bent there rods. So now I have a set of $65 rods that the Kawi Team had made up for them. These won't bend. So for anyone that rides in rough stuff, be ready to bend your rods. Other then that, the 700 ran flawless.

 

Sounds like you had a great time, Was it easier or harder than you thought it would be?


Nocando

 

My tie rods did the same thing at a district harescramble but there was no way to finish the race (the wheels were both wanting to fold back around) Also if you go to Lowes and pick up 2 sections of 3/8 inch black iron pipe cut to length and slide it over the stock rods and tack weld them on. No more bent rods and cost was around $5...and i straightened the old bent rods and used them in the fix.

 

My mechanic told me about you bending your tie rods in the tunnel. That tunnel was horrible, well at least the first one was. Kawi makes the tie rods weak on purpose, simply because they dont want them extremely strong from the factory to where if you hit something hard you bend the a-arms or something more expensive. So the weaker tie rods are actually a good thing for the weekend trailrider. If you dont race on a regular basis you will have no problems with the tie rods.

 

I can understand that, but you don't see any other stock tie rods bending that easy. My brothers Z-400 went through what I did and didn't have any problems (other then a flat tire). I talked to a few 700 owners, and they all had the same problem. But if all the 700 has is a weak tie rod and nothing else, I can handle it. It was worth putting the $65 tie rods on. By the way, thanks for the help, you guy's are top notch in my book.

 

I agree, I think it is something manufacturers build in to keep more expensive parts from being damaged.

My buddy used to bend the tie rods on his Raptor every time we rode hard. He would have to take it back to the truck and whack it with a hammer to make it rideable. Now, he has aftermarket tie rods and no more problems.

 

I also bent a tie rod, I bumped into a tree on a trail that was too narrow. The replacement part from the dealer was backordered...of course. My only option was to fabricate a new tie rod. After much searching, I found a local tool and die that would sell me the required 12mm X 1.25 right and left handed metric dies. I also bought a 6 foot piece of 1018 steel. After cutting new threads (with the help of freakazoid), I primed, painted, and installed the new tie rod. Seems to be holding up just fine. I have a relative that can test the hardness of metals, I will let you know if the 1018 rod is similar to the stock part. The whole fix cost around $150.00, but better than letting the quad sit unrideable.

 

I bent mine on my last trip to Winchester. I couldn't remember hitting anything hard enough to bend the rod but it did. How much are titanium rods?????????

 

This is the place where they make them for Team Green, and the ones I got.

V-Force Tie Rods $65.00 + shipping
JD Performance
Temecula, CA
Phone: 909.676.7957

 

hey GE, i was there too. finished 16th in vet after 2 flats and a bent steering stem.... ya my buddy was on a orange v force in the utility ulimited class and bent both of his on the first lap too. he went over to the kawi team and they replaced his tierods for him during the race. asked him if he needed gas or a tire changed and sent him back out. now that is what i call rider support ! next time stop at the kawi truck when you have a problem. it almost makes me want to get one just for the support. after the race he went over and paid for the parts.
btw, the stock tierods and ends on a raptor are junk. i had to buy ricky stator rods and ends for mine. they do that to save the other parts of the quad. but for this type of racing, weak tierods+dnf.