Has anyone here complained to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding their defective raptor transmissions?

If you read this article, 13 out of 12,000 pooplaris trannys failed, and pooplaris "in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission" recalled all 12,000 of them for repairs. Now does anyone really think it was in cooperation with, or perhaps being forced to recall the units?

Check out this.. yamaha is recalling all 1996-2001 motocross motorcycles (59,000 of them).. because of ONE injury.. more info from the CPSC

To make a complaint, click here

This is the only way I see to get Yamaha to own up to the problem short of a MAJOR law suit. So, where are all the people with bad raptor transmissions? Fill out the report.. PLEASE?

And the CPSC DOES have authority over ATVs! ATVs are not automoblies, if you look at the pooplaris and other yamaha recall, the CPSC is the place we need to be voicing our gripe.

PS... It is important to note that this is a SAFETY ISSUE. Second gear on a raptor is capable of 30 mph+. A lock up of the rear tires at this speed has the potential to cause serious injury and/or death. Pointing out this serious issue to the CPSC will help our cause the most. I don't know about everyone else but I'm tired of wondering if I'm riding a ticking time bomb.

If you do leave a report, please post here saying you did so!

*** ADDITION ***
It is extremely important to be accurate when reporting to the CPSC, they are going to follow up. If you have pictures, repair orders, hospital bills, x-rays, please state that in your complaint. (Yes I know of one person actaully hurt from flipping over the handle bars)

Also, if you think this is the answer, then get everyone you know with a bad raptor trans to complain. You may also issue a complaint via the telephone at 1-800-638-2772.

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I guess you haven't run your Rapturd against a healthy pooplaris?J/K
I know what you are saying.I have two friends that ride ( or push) rapturds and one lost 2nd gear.The other is just waiting for his turn.

98 sport400L
RCR Stage 1
Hpd clutched
Hsp 42mm flattie
V force delta reed cage
Wiseco piston

 

Yes - as a matter of a fact I have!! As soon as it happened!!!

 

I didn't see a link to the place to make a claim.Or did you mean to make one by mail? My tranny is still running strong but if it ever blows i'd like to know where to go for some help.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]

 

I submitted a complaint to the CPSC concerning the Craptor. I was one of the guys who flew over the bars as 2nd gear blew up.

I think only a couple of people have actually filed a complaint with the CPSC. It only takes about 10 minutes to complete.

 

1 death + 1 good lawyer + 1 expensive lawsuit = Yamahas tranny recall. Its a shame that it may have to go that far.

 

One good lawyer, one death, one lawsuit= end of Raptors, look at the Quadzillas.
That's exactly what is wrong with 4-wheeling now days, the manufacture somehow becomes responsible for your injury on a high performance machine. Hell let's just get rid of quads all together or have the government step in and ban High performance quads just like assualt rifles. We need the govenment to protect us from ourselves. Yamaha is a reputable company, I think they will step up to the plate if needed.

 

Don't be overly hopeful on Yamaha suddenly jumping up and admitting fault here. I have had a lot of dealings over the years with different quads,and Yamaha can be hard to deal with. They are quick to point the finger at any other cause but their own responsibility,it took me months and a real aggressive dealer to get much of anything from them in the past. Just recently,I was in another town,stopped by a Yam. dealer to check out some used quads,and there was an '01 Raptor sitting there.He was really trying to push it on me,saying it was far better than the other quads(different makes) he had on the floor. When I mentioned my concerns about the tranny and easily bent A arms,his face went sour,and he replied:"I have been in touch with Yamaha about this before,they have assured me that the transmission failures are due to INEXPERIENCED RIDERS,
and ABUSE,not poor quality parts." these were his exact words,so,to me, it sounds like Yamaha won't be stepping to the plate on this one for quite a while, if at all.
It hurts to write this,as I love my Yammy, it would take a major blowup to get me to let go of my Wolverine,but I don't look so much at brand,as quality. I also own a Honda,love it also,because of what it is,not who makes it. If Tonka made a good quad, the name wouldn't mean anything to me.
To be honest, I have been looking at getting a sport quad,so when my son is older, we can go duning at Silver Lake, or Little Sahara,and from what I have seen and read, the Raptor will probably not make the list of possibles,which is sad,it is a good engine/suspension set up,but I need that sense of security when I ride,and all the problems DO make me nervous.More than likely, if I do end up getting a sport, something like a new Z 400, or even a Warrior (like that electric start and reverse on both) it will be based on reliability,not brand loyalty.
Sorry for the long post, I do tend to get carried away sometimes. Ride far,ride safe, ride fun !!!!

 

I completely disagree with the "bring a lawsuit end the atv production" claim. Perhaps securing a judgment against Yamaha for hundreds of thousands of dollars will force them to fix their garbage so we can anticipate ridng a safe machine.

As you know, Yamaha took a 15 year old engine design and built it up way over design specs. They advertise it as fast, strong, YZ "spec" trans, etc. In my book, Yamaha is telling the customer that the Raptor is awsome. In contrast to their hype, the Raptor has some serious problems, especially with the transmission. When asked about the transmission issue, Yamaha told me that the transmissions only fail on modified machines. Specifically, Yamaha said,

"If you change the exhaust, add paddle tires and go ride in the sand, yes you can or will blow the transmission. If you leave it stock it will NEVER break." That is a direct quote from Sal, Yamaha's head warranty man. In my opinion, he is not being honest with himself or the public. We have all seen Yamaha's ads with sand in the photo and we cannot forget about their "GYTR" Genuine Yamaha Tech Racing parts made specifically for the Raptor. When asked about other known issues with the Raptor such as the weak rear axle, weak valve springs, bad valves, etc., they claim that they have never heard of those issues either but we know that the 2002 has a heavier duty axle.

Isn't it enough to get thrown over the bars at 35mph or to tear your motor down to find that the engine cases, crank, balancer, complete trans, cylinder, piston, rod, drive sprocket and chain were completely destroyed (over $2000 in parts at 20% off)? The fact that Yamaha attempted to make the Raptor transmission "stronger" in the 2002 year model is an admission in my book that the 2001 trans is garbage. Funny thing is that the 2002 trans is also garbage. In the 2002, it is not 2nd gear that blows (usually), it is 3rd. There is nothing like blowing 3rd, a gear that produces higher speeds that second gear when it lets go.

I have owned Yamaha's since 1971 (mini Enduro 60) and I have never been unhappy with their product or customer service until the Raptor. If I did not have so much R&D time in the machine or if I could find another atv with similiar power to weight ratios, I would drop the Raptor project instantly. To say I am pissed is an understatement. Perhaps the only real fix for the Raptor is to install a KTM or Honda 650 motor.