I know this has been discussed over and over again in this forum but, my factory warranty is ending soon and today my tranny started to make just a little bit of a squirely noise. If it was on my 87 250x I wouldn't think much about it. But since its on a 01 Raptor that I still have lots to pay on I'm a little concerned. Especially do to all the hysteria that has been typed on here about trannies and 2nd gear. My question is has anyone received anything in writing from Yamaha about the transmission or had work done and what was covered. I don't have the YES plan and never will. I have been selling warranties in retail for 4 years now and know the ins and out. The biggest thing that YES screams out is the asterict * which states that it doesn't cover normal wear and tear or neglect. As with any service contract, the service provider determines whats normal wear and tear and neglect and lets face it, this things get ridden.
I want to contact the dealer where I bought it about getting it looked at and would like to be armed with some solid information, not something heard from someone's brother's cousin. What kinds of service and part replacement have people had covered by the normal factory warranty? Also not something where they did a favor for you. Something that I know that every dealer is obligated to do, not make exceptions.
I know its alot, but lets face it these things cost a lot of money and I want to have solid info. Any pertinent information from you fellow riders and owners would be greatly appreciated and I hope I can reciprocate sometime. Thank you.

 

Do a search on "Raptor Problems". There you will find all the testimonials you need. Print them out and take them with you to your dealer.

 

I will do a follow-up post tomorrow after I get back from the dealer where I purchased my Raptor. I am taking it in for its first warranty work.

Two big problems:

1) Basically, the sprocket and the brake holders are both loose on the axle - meaning that the axle can start to rotate before engaging the sprocket and brake holders. There is also some play side to side even though the axle nuts have not loosened from when the factory tightened them. I am hoping for a new axle (especially since my in bent a little) and new sprocket and brake holders.

2) the compression setting on the rear shock doesn't seem to make a difference whether it is turned in or out even though it is providing some compression resistance.

 

My compression settings don't make a difference either in the rear. I have read that in the forums before. Oh well, can live with that, probably will eventually get an aftermarket one anyways.
I'm going to call my dealer tomorrow and then probably go up and speak with the owner face to face on Thurs. He's a very good guy and I'm optimistic, but factories are stingy and stubborn about "limited warranty" work. Let me know what your dealer says, that will help my approach.
Also, any problems with excess handlebar play in your machine. I bought my machine in march and the bars were tight like new. Now I can move the bars about a half inch either way before they start to turn the wheels and the tie rod ends seem fine.
Thanks for the info and good luck. Let me know what happens and I'll keep you posted.

 

You will have some play in the bars due to the crappy design on the steering stem holder at the top. It is plastic and quickly wears. Don't even bother replacing it with another one from the factory (approx $23) since it will wear out even quicker than the first. The other play might be in your upper a-arms. If you look closely, you might see some movement. Hold one wheel and then try turning the other one. You can fix this play by installing bronze bushings in the a-arms. You might have to replace the sleeves too. The other place to check is the nut at the bottom of the steering stem. It comes loose from the factory quite a bit.

Will let you know the results of my visit.

 

Well I am back from the dealer and had pretty good luck.

They re-torqued the axle nuts. The brake rotor and the sprocket are no longer loose. The dealer promised to replace the axle and all the various parts including the bearings if this doesn't last. I thought that was a pretty fair deal.

They ordered an entirely new rear shock assembly since the compression setting didn't do anything. I am going to sell the new rear shock though to help cover the cost of a new Elka shock.

I also got the three year warranty. The dealer said it is way easier to deal with Yamaha when the bike has a warranty agreement on it even during the 6 month factory warranty period. As he said to me, it is only $18 a month. A new starter alone would be $250 + labor, and over a $1,000 if 1st of 2nd gear went out. I trust my dealer but then he knows we purchased 2 Kodiaks, 1 Raptor, and 1 400ex from him.

By the way, the bronze bushings are the same as those advertised in the rags for Warriors and Banshees.

Good luck. Unfortunately, I think you will find that your factory warranty is only as good as your relationship with the dealer where you purchased it.

/Jon

 

Jon,
Well, I went to the dealer last week and I was pretty pleased. I talked directly to the owner who is a very nice guy. He listened to my concerns and then asked a salesman if he had heard anything. The salesman said that there had been problems with the transmissions and second gear, the same stuff floating around the forums. The owner said don't bother bring it up, he just went and had a repair order printed out saying that I had brought in the machine complaining about the transmission and that they looked at the vehicle. If I now have problems in the future he said I'll have proof that there was previous concern about it and should be covered. He never once tried to sell me the YES plan either. I definitely feel good about purchasing from them. There service department is not great, but such hassle free customer service goes a long ways! Hope you are having good luck also.

derek