Hey guys I just bought myself a new 2003 Raptor traded in my trusty Warrior on it last Saturday and I have a few questions. When do you change the oil for the first time and any tips for making it easier? Do the 03 Raptors still have the tranny problems and the carbs blowing off problem? Lasty do your front brakes feel kind of soft? Any other help would be appreciated thanks!!!!

 

You should do your oil changes every 20 hours, a little earlier while your breaking it in. There really aren any cheats to changing the oil in the raptor unless you want to cut a hole in the skidplate. As for the brakes well they should be sorta soft, not really mushy like you put your hand in mud but soft,

Patrick

 

I changed the oil in mine at 5 hours, 10 hours, 20 hours & every 20 hours thereafter.
Get a small pan that'll fit under the oil tank & it'll cut down on the mess.
The best tip I can give you on oil changes is get a scotts reuseable oil filter, it's expensive but it's the last oil filter you'l ever buy!!

The front brakes are kinda mushy but a set of stainless braided brake lines will fix that.
I also changed the brake fluid to Motul DOT5.1, it has a much higher boiling point.

The tranny, carbs, & choke problems have been pretty much resolved.

 

I agree with THEMOOSE ..... stainless steel braided lines will solve the brake feel issue

 

I cut the side of an oil quart bottle and use it as a funel that drains to the side. It's low enought that you can reach under the oil tank with your hand to remove the drain bolt.

 

Oh yea, what ever you do don't overtighten the drain bolt on the oil tank!!!!!
This can cause the tank to crack & leak!!!!

 

thanks guys for your input!!

 

ok i got my raptor 3 weeks ago and thanks to all the guys on this forum i am very knowledgable.

First thing. If u havent ridden it more then 20 miles so far its not too late...warm it up and ride it hard, dont neccesarily have to rev it high, just make it accelerate hard so there is a load on the engine. If u have more questions about this pm me and i can explain it better.

YEs, i cut a oil quart bottle for draining the oil tank, its a perfect fit. Get a funnel with a hose for addding oil to the tank, itll make it much easier.
Get a torque wrench. Mine wont fit in the engine oil bolt but it fits for everything else.
Front brakes are really crappy at first, but they get better as they break in...i only have about 9 hours so far. or two tanks of gas.

Put 1 1/4 quarts in at first then run it for 15 seconds then put the rest in. Mine takes between 2 quarts and 2.5 keep checkin it, cause its really wild as far as the readings go.

I was told if its dirty, dont wipe it, wash the dirt off then get pledge and shine it up with that.

When switching to reverse, give it a sec to kick in before you take off, just not to put a strain on anything...thats what i do anyway.
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Always start it in neutral and with clutch pulled (least amount of strain on crappy starter)\\

BTW...i too am coming off a warrior, heh

After sitting over night, mine makes weird noise for first 15 seconds of being run....do not be alarmed...I am told this is cam and counterbalancer being lubricated (by forum members)

Dont know how powerful your warrior was but untill your used to it make sure you sit up straight and towards the front.

Cant think of the name off hand but i bought spray on chain lube and cleaner in one can that works great. I can get teh name over the weekend. I also bought spray on air filter cleaner and oil.

I changed oil after first 3 hours or so of breaking it in hard. (2 tanks) Ill change it again in another three. Bring it in for checkup after first 20 hours or five tanks. Always warm it up!!

You may hear a little vibration chessy rattle noise, that is the crappy plastic heelguads, dont worry about it.

Put 87 octane in.,,or low grade. High grade will only decrease performance and reliability.

make sure front end it properly greased.

Have fun going 75 mph through a trail!!!!! If you have any questions, PM me as i am going through everything your about to go through only 3 weeks ahead of ya.

O yeah, stockskidplates are crap, get a aftermarket swinarm atleast. see ya!!