I had a conversation with Yamaha corporate yesterday about the '01 and '02 gears and forks. They said that the only thing changed for '02 on the gears were the ratios. They
said that the construction for the gears and the forks are EXACTLY the same and that they didn't beef them up or change them in any way. Also, they said that for VINs over
7000, they didn't change anything on the 2001s either. Basically what they are saying is that 01 and 02 trannys are exactly the same except for the ratios. Do you guys know
different? Have you seen the 01 and 02 gears side by side to make a comparison. To me, it sounds like no body, Yamaha or us, really knows until we see them side by side for
a comparison. Just wanted to get your take on it.

I think this also lets us assume that there are really not that many 2001s with a gear problem but that the "squeaky wheel is the one that gets the grease." You only really hear about the ones that do take a crap on their owners and not all the thousands that don't. Of course, this is also me doing some wishful thinking since my VIN is 11303 and I'd like to think my tranny won't be going south any time soon! What do ya'll think?

A few bad gears..... I think they had a quality control problem, PLUS the ratios needed changing. Different gears are different gears, and Yamaha has built millions, but quality control problems do happen, especially with new models. Not every Raptor under 7,000 has had problems, but so far no one has reported a bad tranny with a vin number over that, at least not on here anyway.
.....Has anyone had to pay for their own Tranny rebuild yet? They just don't want everybody running to their dealers to get their trannies fortified-for free. They are going to play hard to get, but they are a good company and will do the right thing,,,,in the end,,,,,hopefully....
SO what are you gonna do? Ride baby, ride,,,,,[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-cool.gif[/img]

In the December issue of Dirtwheels, it has a write up about the 2002 Raptor. It says the forks and gears are different. I don't know what to think. I'm not gonna worry about it till the time comes. Until then, ride on.

Hey guys. If I was at work right now I would look it up for you but I'm not. You can contact your local dealer's parts dept. and ask him to pull up the fiche on the 2002 Raptor [if he has his fiche on computer] and tell him to pull up all gears and forks. Then have him use the "where used" feature. That will let him know what other models and years they came on, including vin # breaks if any. Don't think you would be hassleing him because it shouldn't take no more than about 4 minutes to do. I'll look it up myself tommorow and post it on here tommorow night or Sunday night, just in case you guys haven't had any luck. KNOWSALOT

dirt wheels little blurby in that ad could have been and educated guess too. youd think if it was real they would give us some more detail.

Well guys, I said I would look up the info. for you concerning the gears and forks and believe me I tried, but to my surprise Yamaha hasn't even sent us the fiche on the '02 model!! I will personaly call my parts tech guy at Yamaha Tuesday and get the skinny. I would have called today but they are closed on weekends and I don't work Monday. Hate to keep you guys in limbo BUT I WILL FIND OUT TUESDAY and I will report back. KNOWSALOT. P.S. Kinda makes you wonder why they are holding on to it doesn't it? I've got all the other '02 fiche updates on one disc!

Knowsalot
please don't forget about the 01,02 gear issue
thank you

Yep, don't forget to check on the gear issue there Knowsalot. THanks.

Hey knowsalot, I was wondering how much it would be for the dealer to change the gears in an '01 raptor to those of the '02 (parts and labor). I am not mechanically inclined except for changing oil, cleaning filters, etc. and it sounds like you work at a dealership. I think the new gear ratios would be more beneficial than the ones currently in the '01 but if it is too expensive, it may be better to trade the '01 in and upgrade to an '02. Thanks for any info.