Did This Rookie Buy the Wrong Bike?

[YZ426_Kicks]

Hey Guys!

Thanks for reading! Some of you know the 426 is my first bike. I've already experienced overheating, cherry pipes, and a nasty ordeal witht the breather pipe in 2 feet of the snottiest, wettest mud I've ever seen. Now my clutch is acting funny. I'm not sure if its just my cable out of adjustment or the basket/oil issue. Im gonna adjust that tomorrow. Now I read that Yamaha only lubs the hubs,etc with Vasoline? What gives here? I would expect cheap lube, but Vaseline? I just spent $ 5.3K on Yamaha, and find this a little hard to swallow...

Sproket bolts, hub bolts, no oil on the swingarms, forks not oiled...Is this how a World Champion Manufacturer builds a bike? Or am I just naive... ?

Please help with me with what to do. I love the 426 and am willing to spend the time and money to treat her right, but I have little understanding...HELP!

Thanks!

Randy

[MikeOK]

Randy- don't fret, just give it the gas and hang on!! Seriously though, I would reccomend that you read the manual, and keep reading forums like here and the thumper forum at www.dirtrider.net

Also read the post titled "What really needs to be done to a new bike? " and especially read Hick's post, he makes a good point...

Mike

[Numpsy]

Hi there,

I have been racing bikes since I was 4 years old and next Year I will turn 30.

I have tried a lot of brands and styles from MX to Road Racing thru Trial.

I just want to say that I do not think that the YZ 426 demands a lot more work than anyothing else......

I allways say "If You buy a Tiger Tank it will break to if You do not take care of it".

I allways spend 2-2½ hours cleaning and re-greasing my bike everytime I have used it, and that´s the way I have allways done it.

Take care of Your 426 and it will be Your friend for life !!!

Numpsy

[uplate]

Kicks; the Vasoline is only hard to swallow if it has gotten dirty. Then the lumps... Ok I'll stop. Look at it this way, you are the manager of the production line(kind of ugly to think of my 400 this way). Today you will build 1000 of model ABC. Good grease will cost $Y800 (800Yen) and the stuff they use costs $Y200. Can you say bonus. Also, those of us who know the difference will lube it up right to make it last and those who don't ride it hard, maybe, put it away wet and it turns to a rag. And they still don't know the difference. During the early eighties I rode 250 expert and I would log 10-15 hours of maintenance and repair for every hour I rode. This must be why I have slowed down!!!

[Guest Guest]

You sound like a manager, what a load of BS.

Originally posted by uplate:

Kicks; the Vasoline is only hard to swallow if it has gotten dirty. Then the lumps... Ok I'll stop. Look at it this way, you are the manager of the production line(kind of ugly to think of my 400 this way). Today you will build 1000 of model ABC. Good grease will cost $Y800 (800Yen) and the stuff they use costs $Y200. Can you say bonus. Also, those of us who know the difference will lube it up right to make it last and those who don't ride it hard, maybe, put it away wet and it turns to a rag. And they still don't know the difference. During the early eighties I rode 250 expert and I would log 10-15 hours of maintenance and repair for every hour I rode. This must be why I have slowed down!!!

[Taffy]

why is it that every wanker who has to stick his cheap little comments in is "unregistered"?

this web site is what you-the people-make it. only you sir, ain't ****ing making it!!!

Taffy

[Guest Guest]

Ya, I got your taffy hanging SIR!!!!

Originally posted by Taffy:

why is it that every wanker who has to stick his cheap little comments in is "unregistered"?

this web site is what you-the people-make it. only you sir, ain't ****ing making it!!!

Taffy

[DaveJ]

Randy (and all),

This may help.

Keep in mind that today manufactures have to bring to production, bikes that are going to allow them to be competitive in their sport.

In order to do this, the nature and design of the technology is no longer one that will suit the recreational rider AND the pro racer. In other words, you purchased a full-on race bike, (not an XR or some old TT).

And unlike bikes of the past, today’s bikes are meant to take on one to two motos and then be brought in for some attention - just as I would assume you'll see at any dirt or road racing event via the factory teams and advanced privateers.

In other words, with today's arena, you cannot design a bike to be competitive and also be low maintenance.

In addition to this, it's expected that technology this advanced is also going to have its share of quirks. Things will fail, and things will break. Common place for everything from F-16 fighter jets to the top of the line Ferraris. And the harder you push them, the more you can expect them to fail. That's why nearly all top racers have full time mechanics.

As for the issues you see posted on this forum, don't jump to any conclusion until you have the full story.

For example, unlike older or recreational bikes, the rear suspension bearings and bushings on these things don't appear to be designed to hold a lot of grease. They do appear, however, to be designed to be taken apart and cleaned often, and lubed with a small amount of low duty grease. As one would expect from a bike designed to be nothing but competitive. And I doubt Yamaha has used Vaseline, but perhaps a mild grease that appears to look like Vaseline.

As for gear box and clutch failures, perhaps we would want to fully understand the circumstances and conditions that surround these cases before we form a mob and go after Yamaha. Yes, some of the clutch baskets may be too weak for those that work the clutch really hard. In these cases, talk gently with Yamaha about your issues or upgrade to a clutch more suited to your riding style.

Lastly, I don't think I have seen a Supercross or Motocross track in any part of the world that requires a bike to go through 2 feet of water. Again, not a bike designed for all things for all people so don't expect it.

If you find something in the design that you don't like, then modify it to suit your needs, (I hang out with guys that race Vipers and Ferraris that constantly have to do this...not to mention replace clutches all the time). If you think you have to modify too many things, or expect lower maintenance, then perhaps you did purchase the wrong bike.

Lastly, 5 to 6k for a bike that puts out this level of performance is actually a great price, even with the occasional gear, clutch, and hub failure. In looking at what it has taken Cannondale to build theirs, I can't imagine that the 400/426 was a walk-in-the-park for Yamaha either, ($$$).

The bottom line is this. After many years in motorsports, I have learned that failures and design flaws are part of the business. How you deal with these issues (this includes diplomacy) is really what separates the amateurs from the pros, and the amount of riding time we get in.

Best of luck.

Dave

[Derwood]

I couldn't have said it any better myswlf.

Thanks

------------------

Derwood,

trapped in IL.

I've escaped! I'm heading back to Cali and beautiful Jawbone and Glamis......

99YZ400

[Hick]

DaveJ,

Well said. It wouldn’t surprise me if Yamaha actually loses money on the YZ/WR line because the sales can’t cover all the R&D and testing they do to continually update the line. Of course some of this technology will eventually migrate to downstream models but that still may not count for enough. I think you get an amazing amount of performance for $5,700 (or whatever they cost).

I bet the lions share of Yamaha bike profits come from Banshees and TTRs etc. when the original R&D outlay is fully depreciated (which, for the Banshee, probably happened about 10 years ago).

[daveyg]

This is for Randy:

Randy, I will post this in both of the forums on this issue. So also read in "A Message Should be sent to Yamaha."

But for this, all I can say is that anyone out there that is bashing Randy for his inexperience in the sport and his curiousity behind the problems that are documented, shame on you. I have been in this sport since 1979 and I've seen every troubling year of every manufacturer on just about every model since then. I have lived and breathed this sport for 21 years, and I'm only 32.

So, with that, I will say that my 426 woes with my gearbox failure and having to upgrade parts that cost big bucks just because of possible future problems is very upsetting. I raced Honda 2-Strokes since '85 and have done so up until last year. I've seen Yamaha come from the dumps to producing some of the finest motorcycles around. Why do you think I switched? My brother had a 98 and 99 400, and after riding both of those my mind was made up. I figured, they made so many changes from the 98 to 99 and then many from 99 to 00, that I would be pretty much out of the woods from serious 'first year' defects. Not So! Anyone of you guys or girls out there can say "your going to have your share of failures" in every model year of any manufacture is correct. BUT, the amount of failures and the consistency of the failures is too common for my tastes. I can't ride my 426 with any confidence now. My brothers is now making the same chain/gearbox noise that mine made prior to exploding 4th gear. And no, the c/s sprockets aren't turned around backwards and there is the specified chain tension that I've seen throughout the industry. I maintain my bike like a girl would her Barbie Doll set. I'm maticulous about everything and I too do oil changes with exteme frequency. I ride motocross and I'm at the A level, so I don't pussie foot around on the bike. I ride it hard and expect it to perform well with the necessary maintenance. When I go out for a day of riding after all of the necessary maintenance, I want to know that I can hit the big doubles and the uphill triple without having "possible failure" in my vocabulary. I NEVER, EVER, EVER, had that feeling with my Honda's. I'm not saying that the 426 is a bad bike. It's an awesome bike, when it is working like a competition motorcycle is designed to work. But, if I made two more turns when my gearbox failed, I would have hit a 60 foot tabletop that could have ended with serious injury or death.

This sport is in my blood and I will love it till the day I die, but I won't take unnecessary risks in an already risky sport. In my opinion, Yamaha should be inquiring into these cases and Yamaha should be accountable for numerous failures in a given year of manufacturing. It was posted in MXA or Dirtbike that Yamaha will have 50 of 5000 (1%)clutch failures for the YZ426's. Since there were 5000 produced, then 1% is acceptable in the eyes of corporate. Well, in my opinion, I believe there are many more than 50. Our forum will find that out. And for any other major failures, I personally would like them brought to the surface at least to make Yamaha aware of this problem and to make the future of the sport safer. Enough said. Read more in Randy's "Forum".

Thanks for listening.

Daveyg

[thebray]

Randy:

The best thing to do when OEM parts wear out/fail is to upgrade with aftermarket stuff.I put a Hinson basket on my 400,problem solved.As for maintenance,you bought a race bike so try to set up a schedule.Trust me,it gets easier after the 1st 100 times then it becomes automatic.

Daveyg:

If your not satisfied with th YZ's reliability I hear Cannondale has an MX bike!!! ?

[daveyg]

Hey, thanks brat man. I didn't know Cannondale built motocross bikes....They wouldn't happen to be very rare, over 8 grand out the door, and not proven as far as longevity goes. But, hey, I just love to throw away the 2 grand that I spent in upgrades and repairs chief. Thanks for the advice buckroy.

Daveyg

[thebray]

That was sarcasim.The YZ's bugs are nothing from what I here about the Cannondale.

Maybe the extra money is for the "BIKE OF THE YEAR"title Dirt Rider gave it.(more sarcasim)

[daveyg]

Bratman,

Daveyg here. I'd be delighted to hear what Cannondale failures or glitches that are happening. Can you show me anywhere that they are having gearbox failures or clutch failures.....? I don't know about you, but these kinds of problems aren't acceptable to me and shouldn't be to you. Besides, Cannondale's are expected to have certain glitches because it's a first year bike, but I will guarantee you that they are standing behind every one they sell. The only glitch that I heard about was a fuel injection problem and they sent out new kit to all the dealers so the owners could bring their bikes in for the service. I'd love to get that same phone call from Yamaha saying, "Uhhh, sorry to tell you this but your 426 may explode a clutch basket and oh....4th gear is slightly defective...., but we will stand behind our products 100%." How likely is this? Not very. Do I wish I bought a Cannondale? Maybe. At least they wouldn't read a script when I got customer service on the line.

[wy4tt]

now i know i'm not "registered". so i suppose all i have to say truly means nothing. unfortunately you, randy, are not the first to make such a mistake. perhaps next time you buy a bike, you should think about the neat little orange bikes. boy am i glad i didn't buy a 426 now...i mean, i considered it for sure. but now that i see what real owners have to say, i'm glad i went with ktm. then again, i do like to work on my bikes, and mine does disappoint me in that department. oh well, good luck randal.

[MXOldtimer]

WY4TT

I understand your disappointment for not being able to work on your KTM,,,,,being on "BACKORDER " is a bitch huh

Doug

[wy4tt]

oh dear ole doug...let us not bicker and argue. btw, i love my ktm. and i will love the 520 i pick up on thursday. hey, it's alright. the yz's ruled the roost for 2 whole years! and that's something to be proud of. peace.

[YZ426_Kicks]

Originally posted by wy4tt:

now i know i'm not "registered". so i suppose all i have to say truly means nothing. unfortunately you, randy, are not the first to make such a mistake. perhaps next time you buy a bike, you should think about the neat little orange bikes. boy am i glad i didn't buy a 426 now...i mean, i considered it for sure. but now that i see what real owners have to say, i'm glad i went with ktm. then again, i do like to work on my bikes, and mine does disappoint me in that department. oh well, good luck randal.

Hey WYT44,

With all my heart, I apologize for making you feel insignificant with my " unregistered" comment. I was 100% wrong.

Please understand, I was extremely frustrated with being bombarded with negative replies. Unfortuately, I allowed my anger to get a hold of me. This is not an excuse. I am responsible and accountable for my actions. I humbly ask for your forgiveness.

*** EVERYONE HAS SOMETHING TO OFFER EVERYONE ELSE ***

I admit, that purchasing this bike has been an experience like no other. There is a lot more to purchasing a dirt bike than anyone really ever knows. I hope that anyone who reads thumper or any other forum uses it wisely to help determine his or her " perfect bike ". I really care for my Yammie, and I won't give her up for any other. Just know my motives are for everyone's protection in their investment, and more importantly their lives, regardless of riding skill level.

Im only human...

Again, my humblest apologies for offending you ( y'all )!

God Bless!

Randy

[This message has been edited by YZ426 Kicks (edited 10-04-2000).]

[Guest Guest]

Talon hubs and a little grease never hurt anyone, well maybe your wallet. My 99yzf still runnin strong. What a bike!!!!!!! Hinson nuff said.