I found a 2001 Raptor that is in excellent shape for $4500 from a dealer who will finance. I really don't feel like payin cash for one right now since the slow season is coming. Now I find out that the '01 has all these problems. Is it just reverse? How much money in possible repairs are we talkin? This is my first atv, but I need something that will scare me... so hopefully this will do it. But I really don't think I will ride it hard as hard as some of you guys and put a real beating to it.

Thanks
Rick

 

I have not had one problem with my 2001. I have heard of all the probs with the tranny, but guess I am lucky. I think it is a great machine. I am selling mine, only because I have one too many quads and my wife is pregnant. So, we need the money more then the extra quad.

But it has been a great machine.

Bat

 

I AM A FORMER "01" OWNER.. DONT BUY IT! YOU CAN GET AN 02 FOR AROUND $5300. IF YOU LOOK AROUND, ITS EASY TO FIND THAT GOOD OF A DEAL ON AN 02. THAT WAY WHEN YOU RIDE, YOU DONT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GOING OVER THE HANDLEBARS OR FRYING REVERSE. IT IS WORTH THE EXTRA $7-900. YOURE CONSIDERED LUCKY IF YOU HAVENT HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 01'S. BEAN

 

Us poor 01 owners are a pitiful group. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-blush.gif[/img]

Chet

 

Actually, if you look at the number of machines Yamaha produced with the "bad" transmission gears, you would probably recognize the number of failures compared to machines was pretty low. Oh yea, I guess I am one of the lucky ones, no problems with mine, and the serial number is 00985.

BTW, I never use reverse.

 

I don't ride mine too often, but I don't baby it. No problems. Oh, wait, a leaky headlight. A little silicone fixed that.

If I had a chance to choose again, I would get a 2003 for the gearing.

But if you were going to get the 2001, you may be looking at:

Clutch, transmission, and maybe an axle. If everything went at once, then you are in for $1K in repairs. But, if you are like me, I haven't had a prob.

Maybe the dealer will warranty it for 6 mo......

RM

 

I have not had one problem with my 01! Great quad. I am not nice to it. I beat it on the mx track/tt track. Blast through the sand at St. Joe's state park. The thing holds up to sixty foot tabletops and has survived a couple of major flips. No bends. The only bad thing is the spacing between first and second gear. They changed the ratios with the 02. I would buy an 01 after a good test ride.

 

no!!!! Stay away from that quad...please take what I have learned and apply it, those gears are defective...YES...defective, don't buy a quad based on luck of others, anybody who has seen the two gears next together knows this is an issue...you may have perfect luck for a year, maybe more but thgat trans failure is expensive and inevittable...


I love my quad but the problems ascociated with the 01 make it the worst decision of my life
GOOD LUCK
BRAAAP

 

My buddy's '01 was the single-most broken-down quad I have ever seen. He lost 2nd gear twice, the second time out of warranty. The starter also went out along with numerous other problems. I'd hold out for an '02 or '03 if it was me.

 

I guess I'm a lucky person, 1yr 5 mos. Screw Dumont tomorrow, I'm going to Vegas. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

I agree with this statement below.

Now, with that being said. $4500 for a used 2001 is about $500.00 more than its realy worth. If you look around enough you could find a used 2002 for $5000.00 or so. You'll get a better gear ratio with a 2002 as well as being able to ride without the fear of your tranny going out. If i'd have never read these forums I'd have never known and I could've been riding with no i'll thoughts all this time. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]