I'm the one with the 98 that exploded and sent some fellows pictures. I had mine in high range when I should have been in low. I had just put on a new set of 589's and was plowing thru some mud. Not really pulling hard when it came apart. I had a piece go thru the oil filter! It came apart with enough force that it blew the side panel (plastic part) 20 ft. away. I had to replace front clutch, rear clutch (it had a hole knocked in it by a clutch weight), inner cover, outer cover and belt. It was a $500 oh s#it.
I would post the pictures, but I think I filed them.

 

Still sounds like a rare occurrance, but nonetheless pretty wild

 

I'd hate to be riding when one of those things went[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img]

Safe to say if I ever get an auto theres gonna be some metal around the cover.

 

Kinda odd these were both 98's,mabee something year specific?

Nascar how many hrs/mi. on yours when she blew.

I try to stand on the right side of the bike as much as possible while starting now!

 

This is a good reminder to always install your cover when trying new clutching. It is a pain in the a$$ but you will be glad if it ever happens to you. I have seen some devistating things happen to both man and machine from both clutch and/or belt failures.

 

Mine had 1000 miles on it. I had just sold my SP 400 2 stroke and bought this 500 for the same money. Put new tire on it and BAM. No problems since, and I enjoy the 4 stroke for my type of riding more than the 95 400. I think it is heat related. I now have the upgraded cover that has more airflow.

 

I've had the front pulley of an Elan disinigrate, ripped a 2'X2" hole in the cowling and left a piece of steel stick 3" in the gas tank

 

Thanks to "Trailrider500" I was able to load the pic sent to me by "nascarfan". Check it out, EXPLODING CLUTCH!

 

[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-shocked.gif[/img] thats scary i would not have wanted my foot near that PVT cover!

Your welcome Traildog anytime[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]