[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I went to practice this Saturday with a friend, and I am happy to say that I did NOT experience any more false neutrals. I practiced many starts with a friend and not one false starts. What did I do? Two things: 1) adjust the shift lever a bit down 2) forget about the problem and concentrated in riding hard.

Raptech is right, don't forget the clutch!!

 

I'm a little confused! If there was no change in the gear why do you seldom here of second time breakage on the tranny problem. I my self had the tranny break after about 2weeks of ridding on dirt and 2mounths of ridding in the snow, after replacing it in january I have had no problems ( with the tranny that is ) and have ridden the heck out of it, I have also piped, jetted, and done the air box mods since!! Now I would think ridding in the snow is much easier on gears then in the dirt and the extra power would have played a part too!! I heard this new gear thing first from a tech that attended a yamaha class on the Raptor, then when asking my dealer about it, he hadn't heard of it and said he would ask Yamaha about it. He called me back and said yes there was a change but no new part #, which is the same thing the first tech told me and I never mentioned anything about not changing the part number to my dealer so he wasn't just telling me what I wanted to hear or was he??? It would be nice if Yamaha had a tech line we could talk to !!

Problems I'v had to date.
Throtle cable broke.
Bars were bent from shipping.
Clutch fade.
Tranny broke.
Right front Shock leaked.
Carbs blew off number of times.
Bent axle.
Stearing nut loosening up.
Rear sprocket nuts came loose and lost one. insteed of just cheaking bolts after every couple of rides I started lock tighting them all.
Chain broke!!

 

Hey im not the only one that broke a chain. I know the reason for this one. The stock chain is only rated for a 400cc engine. The mighty ds650 did not come with a 530 chain because it is better it came with it because a 530 chain is rated for the bigger engine. There is 520 chains out there rated for higher than 400cc but the stocker isnt. I got another chain on warranty and i know its about had it already too. I sure hope i dont have to keep replacing my chain 3 times a year.

 

To the best of my knowledge, Yamaha has not changed the tranny (2nd gear) as of today. All `01 model have the same part regardless of ID#. All the passed experience with Yamaha, they never change/update parts without changing the part number. Generally, if part was update, they'll add "01" after the center five numbers. This way the company can keep tract of updated parts to see if it fixed the problem.

I your case, it must have been an unique situation. Keep in mind, it only takes one time to round off the engagement dogs and from there, it won,t stay in that gear. If the gear was haft engaged under power, it can slip out and the dogs become damaged.

Another tip. When changing drive sprocket, do not put it in gear and loosen the sprocket nut using air impact. This will fracture the gear teeth and cause them to break off.

In case of your other problems, I have heard of tranny concerns, carbs blowing off, and clutch heat up but others are isolated. Are you racing it or are you very aggressive rider?

Best thing to do is to periodically inspect the machine. Look over every nut and bolt, and in some case, put a wrench to them to make sure they're tight. Using loctite on certain bolts is a good idea.

As for the chain, 520 stock chain is plenty strong. Can you imagine the tensile stregth - I bet it would take more than 4000 lbs to pull it apart. If you've derailed the chain previously, that may explain the breakage because it may have fractured the side plate resulting in failure.

One of the best chain to use is the chains on the YZs. They're none o-ring for reduced rolling resistance and slightly slighter yet strong. Still, chain care and adjustment must be maintained consistantly.

 

This whole thing with the different gear no, same gear has got me a little irritated. Yes I do ride very hard but also do plenty of maintenance and use a little common sense. dont use the tranny and engine compression in place where a tool should come into play, dont leave tranny in gear when in route to your ride area, don't shift without the clutch, I've heard all the excuses and dont do them. Just seems funny that with all the new technology stuff seems to break more then it ever has. This is the biggest machine available today you should be able to pound on it some, now take 13-14 years ago I got the LT 500 and had none of the clutch tranny problems, or any other problems to speak of, and I was alot youger and dumber too boot. As for the other problems I have had with the Raptor there not that big of a deal just little stuff that adds up on you !!!!! Just expressing my thoughts, and not trying to pi$$ anyone off. raptec in your mind what is the best chain? I was going to wait and get a 620 upgrade like they have for the lt500 but may need it sooner as my sproket is wearing some too.

 

Hey raptech, Im having issues with your blanket statement about shifting. I also have been working on bikes for 20+ years. I also have been racing them for about the same. I DONT SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH.. I dont abuse equipment. I will not sacrifice my equipment to show some other rider that I am better than them. I have had banshees, various honda 2 and four stroke 2 3 and 4 wheelers, and a handfull of suzukis. NEVER have I had a tranny blow up and put me over the bars. I know of several raptors that have done exactly the same thing, The owners have never raced them...Yamaha has a problem they have admitted this problem. Never should a foreward gear and a reverse gear be engaged at the same time. This is the start of the problem. Check it out. I have been told that I now have a better gear and time will tell. There are literaly hundreds of theese raptors loosing second gear. I have never heard of any bike having even close to this magnitude of problems with a tranny. Yamaha messed up, now we will see if everyone gets taken care of in a timley professional manner, and can go on with life.

P.S. The dogs are rounding off for a reason, and its not racer shifting. Have a nice day!!!!!!!!

 

2stroke get a sidewinder chain they have something like 7 times the strengh of the stock chain

 

how bout the swingarm pivot bolt coming loose?? mine did! another thing to keep a check on, will cause some major damage

 

I appreciate your input and you seem like a very reasonable guy. I appreciate you guys that are dedicated to this sport and have many years of experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say that one is doing something wrong but rather shed some light on the issues.

In the old days, most of the stuff was built heavy duty to with stand more than it can hash out. This means bigger parts and heavy weight. Today, with serious competition between manufactures and the need for highest performance/effeciency by consumers, products are designed to produce highest power in compact and lightweight form. To achieve this, engineering has serious challenge utilizing current technology and materials available with cost factors. They're pushing the edge of envelope between being high tech or cross the line and it's a junk.

In the old days, you could rent a Shelby or Z-28 and go down to the local drags and turn some nice ETs without breaking it. Today, good luck returning (limping) the rental after racing it (you've heard the term Drive it like a rental).

The point I'm trying to make is, I don't think Yamaha has marketed the Raptor as a full blown race machine like YZs. Otherwise, you would get 30 day warranty. You wouldn't believe what we do to make the Rators race ready for a Baja or motocross race.

Sorry for that lenghty brain dump. Anyway, about chains, the best chain to me is the DID 520 (none o ring) with gold plates like Jeremy uses on his bike. It will need cleaning and lubed after each day but it is strong. Myself, I don't like o-ring chain because it has too much drag and sucks up HP.

Bottom line, maintain it and don't abuse it and you'll be trouble free - leader of the pack.

 

I'm not saying you're doing something wrong or contradicting your input. Don't be mad at me for trying to give some reasonable explanation. I respect your opinion and I like to hear them. See my reply to 2stroke Diehard.

Did yours really engage into reverse while going forward? That's not good. That brings up a good point. Make sure the revese lever/cable is working free. Keep debris out from under the reverse lever at skid plate. In the tranny, the shift cam is locked into place so it can't go into revese unless the reverse shift lever is activated. If for some reason the reverse level on the engine is stuck in release position, the shift cam can rotate past 1st gear and engage the revese. The result, big bucks.

Give me more detail about your failure.