we're talking 2001/2002. his dad was a stickler, so I remember him being beyond pissed. I was a teenager so I was not up to date on the warranty situation.
i know he paid out of pocket, about $1k for a new gearbox and installation. like i said i remember because he was so mad and it's always been a lesson for me.
regardless, the lesson still stands. buying first gen anything is asking for trouble. let others with less patience take the hits.
No argument on generally avoiding 1st gen if possible, although 1st gen Yamaha Snowmobiles were usually the best year (lighter, faster). I purchased a few first year models - I bought a 1992 Vmax4, drove it 22,000 miles in 5 years and never had the engine apart. The 4 year extended warrantee I bought covered 2 new tracks, driveshaft, jackshaft, worn out exhaust flange, labor, possibly a few other small items. Bought a 1998 700 SRX, had great luck with that. Bought a 2003 RX1, great luck with that. 2006 Apex GT, great luck with that ... Yamaha stood behind every new sled I bought. I don't get why the Raptor wasn't treated the same. My buddy can tell me what he knows from the dealer/Yamaha/mechanic perspective ... I'll ask him next time I see him.
damn dude, you sound like a like of fun. (not sarcasm) never owned a sled, but they riiiippppp. looks like a blast and i'd like to partake one day.
i totally agree, it should be a no-brainer to be covered, but this is what i remember. would it really shock you a company tried to get out of spending tons of money by avoiding the issue altogether? maybe I'm off a little with some details, but generally speaking it's the truth as best i know it. i mean the yfz450 is a track monster so i'm not shitting on yamaha. they've developed and sold tons of amazing machines in so many industries/sports.
I've got a 2004 Yamaha Grizzly with that same 660 engine but an automatic transmission that I bought new. What a great ATV! I bought it more for a utility vehicle but when out on an occasional trail ride with friends, it rips! I was on a dirt road and wanted to see how fast it went, the rear end started getting squirrely around 75-80MPH, and it was still accellerating! The Raptor must be one heck of a weapon, same engine but much lighter. I've never ridden one though. My Grizzly still runs like new 20 years later (I treat it well, avoid deep water/mud when possible). Time for new tires soon. Otherwise, never had to fix or replace anything beyond a carb clean.
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