What good is our warrantee?

[Guest 2mike2]

I just talked with a service tech supervisor at yamaha.

 

He said that none of the items i have brought up are warranty issues.

 

He said it is not unusual to have to replace rotors at some time - 34,000 miles and a heavy rider -- normal wear and tear issues. it is my fault they have worn so much and are well below factory specifications. - not covered

 

lower farings - not a factory defect norrmal wear and tear not covered

 

antenna - not covered

 

rear-end whine not covered

 

they are replacing the trunk lock though.

 

I talked with two people at yamaha - Erika xt 7692 and her supervisor mark xt 7442 their attitude was so sorry to bad go away.

 

Yes, i am frustrated, i have tried to get the brake issue dealt with since the first months.

 

Anyone know of anyone else at yamaha i can call or deal with? please let me know if you do.

[Rich99]

I just talked with a service tech supervisor at yamaha.

 

He said that none of the items i have brought up are warranty issues.

 

He said it is not unusual to have to replace rotors at some time - 34,000 miles and a heavy rider -- normal wear and tear issues. it is my fault they have worn so much and are well below factory specifications. - not covered

 

lower farings - not a factory defect norrmal wear and tear not covered

 

antenna - not covered

 

rear-end whine not covered

 

they are replacing the trunk lock though.

 

I talked with two people at yamaha - Erika xt 7692 and her supervisor mark xt 7442 their attitude was so sorry to bad go away.

 

Yes, i am frustrated, i have tried to get the brake issue dealt with since the first months.

 

Anyone know of anyone else at yamaha i can call or deal with? please let me know if you do.

My antenna's were covered, but that was with the 99, and I think 2000, the design was bad which made them break, so they replace mind with 2003 antenna's.

[Trainwreck68]

I know for a FACT that there is a technical service bulletin that they put out about the rear end noise. I just had mine fixed and got it back today. The fact that they put out a bulletin is admission by Yanaha that they know they have a problem.

 

If you have another Yamaha dealer near you that you haven't delt with yet maybe you could stop in and talk to their service department and ask them about any service bullitens on the Venture.

[WIKD]

Sorry you're having these problems with your warranty. Besides the pulsating, which has been addressed, it would sound like everything else should be covered. just out of curiosity when does your warranty run out. I see you have a 2003 so it should be some time this year. Could your sale date have already been passed. In other words if the bike was first sold in 2-03 the warranty expires in 2-08.

Also I have found the reps at Yamaha customer service extremely helpful in the past. might want to try again.

[Freebird]

I would never recommend this except as a last resort but it sounds like you are about there. I would be contacting an attorney. The rear rotor is questionable but everything else on your list should absolutely be covered. At the very least, get an attorney to send them a letter. That may be all that it takes and shouldn't cost you much. I know for a FACT that they DO respond when you get an attorney involved.

[dynodon]

As has been mentioned, talk to another dealer. Also, talk with an attorney. I am not saying sue everyone under the sun, but if Yamaha won't cover items that are supposed to be covered, as in the final drive, then maybe a letter from a lawyer will get things moving. Do this as a last resort, because sometimes it can really harden attitudes, but it can work when nothing else is going to.

[1BigDog]

Sounds like a call to a lawyer is needed........We all had one or more of those issues dealt with through the warranty. Maybe some members can locate some Yamaha TSB's for ya.

[1BigDog]

Dang, you guys are quick!!! I thought i had the lawyer thing down but you all beat me to it....

[Freebird]

The TSB on the rear end is posted right here:

http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1705

[RSTDRIDER]

2mike2, I notice your from Spfld. Did you get your bike at cyclesports in salem or at ramsey? I have had problems with both not wanting to do warranty work. Sometimes cottage grove is easier to work with but they have new owners. Cycle sports in Eugene will do warranty work on Yamaha even tho they don't sell em there. C/C in Eugene has greased the rear end on mine and they know the problem. Ask for Kenny if you go there.

[Condor]

I know we have a bunch of 2ndGens on this site, but geeze, I'm begining to wonder... or is the light bulb going on?? What is the deal with all these warantee issues with 2ndGens?? I know a lot of you ride machines that are flawless, but it seems like every time I turn around I'm reading about someone with another problem, and duking it out with the Yamaha factory. Buy an RSV and take your chances. All I gotta say is I'm glad I ride a 1stGen, at least I know what to expect, and if I ever look at a newer bike it's not going to be an RSV. I can see why riders are looking at Honda GW's more and more. Even a Victory Vision..as ugly as it is.. is starting to look good. It kinda grows on ya... like the old '58 Chevy. Think I'll go look at one up close and personal.....

[Black Owl]

OK, not to hijack the thread, but... "where the he77 you been Spud?

 

It just ain't been the same without you here.

 

[Guest tx2sturgis]

So I'm gonna take a demo ride on a Rocket 3 Tourer, at Sturgis in a few weeks.

 

I'll let yall know how that goes.

 

 

 

 

[Freebird]

Geezzz .... the first gens had their share of little quirks also. Frames breaking, 2nd gears going out, cooling problems on the early models. Yes, SOME of the RSVs do have some quirks also but most are frustrating but not serious. I've owned my '99 as long as I've owned any type of vehicle and though have thought about trading it a few times, have still not found anything that I like well enough to do so.

 

There are thousands of these bikes on the road and you hear complaints from a very small percentage of owners.

 

Spud, that is a nice bike and I hope you are very happy with it. There is not much worse than owning something that you hate. As for comparisons though, it is a far cry from being equipped anywhere near the Venture. No stereo, intercom, cruiser control, had bags, travel trunk.......I could go on and on. That's not to say that it's not as good a bike and a better choice for some folks but sure wouldn't cut it for me. I love all the extras that came with the Venture.

 

I don't plan on doing anything until I see what Yamaha does with the 2010 Venture. If they go with the 1700 engine and keep the cruiser stying, I'll finally think seriously about trading but otherwise, I'll probably be riding my RSV for a while.

[Condor]

Geezzz .... the first gens had their share of little quirks also. Frames breaking, 2nd gears going out, cooling problems on the early models. Yes, SOME of the RSVs do have some quirks also but most are frustrating but not serious. I've owned my '99 as long as I've owned any type of vehicle and though have thought about trading it a few times, have still not found anything that I like well enough to do so.

 

There are thousands of these bikes on the road and you hear complaints from a very small percentage of owners. .

 

Ran into a beautiful '06/7? Black Cherry in Markleyville last Saturday while on the Tahoe ride. Older couple, and they had never heard of this site. Loved the bike...except for the damn whine. Mentioned the I basket and they had never heard about it either. Not all 2ndGens owners are members of VR.ORG... we did invite them to join BTW... I think there are a lot of folks out there with 2ndGens with issues we never hear about.... I've found over the years that the best of anything, is the one that a person currently owns. Don't hear to many folks running around admitting they are unhappy.

[davecb]

I think the main problem is that there are no trained mechanics on the Venture. I have had the same problems at KC Powersports in Huntsville. I spoke to (in person) Al Harper (regional Yamaha service mngr). Hopefilly he will set them straight. My new clutch basket is in, and he even told them to order 2 gaskets in case I wanted the old one reinstalled. I had to print out the TSB for the rear end and bring it to them. It seems they never received it. I'm taking the bike in monday...We will see how they do...

[pegscraper]

1st gens don't have any problems, eh? I hear that Squid's '86 is having a wee bit of trouble and he's sick of wasting his summer screwing with it instead of riding. He's ready to go back to a 2nd gen, after how few weeks? That sure didn't last long.

[Sleeperhawk]

I think the main problem is that there are no trained mechanics on the Venture. I have had the same problems at KC Powersports in Huntsville. I spoke to (in person) Al Harper (regional Yamaha service mngr). Hopefilly he will set them straight. My new clutch basket is in, and he even told them to order 2 gaskets in case I wanted the old one reinstalled. I had to print out the TSB for the rear end and bring it to them. It seems they never received it. I'm taking the bike in monday...We will see how they do...

 

I am surprised you are going to the one in Huntsville, instead going to Decatur.

I just heard way to many issues with Huntsville dealer.

 

Goodluck.

[Freebird]

OK, fair enough but I still love my RSV. That's why there are so many different bikes on the market though. We won't all have the same experiences.

 

I would like to see the total cost though. You say that it will cheaper and more reliable. I don't think that statement is all together true. It may be more reliable than YOUR RSV and I'm truly sorry about that. Mine has never let me down anywhere. As for being cheaper? You get it equipped exactly like a Venture and report the total. Stereo, CB, Trunk, Hard bags, fairing, electronic cruise, hard lowers.........add all the options to make it the same as a Venture to the selling price of that bike new. From what I've seen on the cost of aftermarket fairings, bags, trunks...etc. from companies like Corbin and others...I doubt it will be cheaper and then remember to custom paint everything so that it all matches.

[davecb]

Hey George,

 

Thats where I bought it, so I figured I would make them fix it. I guess I'm a glutton for punishment, but it irks the heck out of me when I can't get the service I should. Therefore, I am going to make them make the bike right...You shoulda seen em when I brought in the TSB...

[gibvel]

I don't know but then friends of mine that have Hondas have never had to go through this as they just don't have problems with their bikes.

 

Ummm Goldwing... Frames crack, Stator failures.

[Freebird]

Yea, Honda is sure not immune to problems. They have had their share of them over the years. Don't misunderstand, I think that they are great bikes and would not hesitate to own another one if they come out with one that I like but they have their issues like anybody else and I can tell you from personal experience, they are no more eager to admit and correct the problems than Yamaha is.

 

My last experience was with the Honda Shadow Ace. I used to have a discussion forum for that bike and a LOT of our members started noticing that the batteries were overheating and spewing acid out onto the frame. The acid was eating up and corroding the frame in that area. The Ace used a specially designed battery that was offset, narrower on one end. It was about 4" wide on one end and then about 3 inches from the other end, offset to about 2" or so wide. We contacted the battery manufacturer, Yuasa, and they told us that it was NOT a good battery design and that it was overheating but they had designed it to Honda's specifications to fit in the area they had. They said that we needed to contact Honda about it because they had told Honda that it was not a good design. Honda then claimed that it was the problem of the battery manufacturer and that they were not responsible. We went round and round on this and after MANY letters and threats of lawsuits, Honda finally admitted the problem, got a new design for the battery and replaced them. They also paid to have the frames cleaned, sanded and repainted. They did not do it willingly though.

 

Before that, my last Honda as a V45 Magna. The problem with those bikes and also the V65 I THINK, was that the cams were made of too soft a material and wore down prematurely. I don't think that Honda ever owned up to and offered any resolution to those owners.

[WIKD]

Not to turn this into a Yamaha vs Honda but I do believe, like everything else, its an opinion and depends on the bike you get. My 06 RSV cost me 13,500 OTD and I now have almost 9,000 miles on it. Not much you may say but since I bought it in 2007 I have had a major surgery that kept me off motorcycles and mileage is split between the RSV and my Warrior depending on where I'm going. I have had two things repaired under warranty, the inner fairing and exhaust elbows, and have had no out of pocket expenses. The bike is fully loaded and comes equipped and ready to take on the loads of a tourer.

When you add all the extras to the VTX you still don't make up for less cruising range since it holds over a gallon less gas or the payload capacity since it's maximum payload is almost 100 pounds less. Plus you have taken up a lot of the payload by adding all the extra baggage and such.

I have nothing against the VTX it's just that even if you add all the accessories to the VTX you are still comparing apples and oranges. You are taking a bike that is not designed for long distance touring and making it able to do it. I did the same to my Vmax before I bought a cruiser. Adding new suspension, forward controls and side bags yet I wouldn't compare that to a stock VTX 1800 and say it was a better choice. It would just be my opinion.

[Guest cwil2988]

I know we have a bunch of 2ndGens on this site, but geeze, I'm begining to wonder... or is the light bulb going on?? What is the deal with all these warantee issues with 2ndGens?? I know a lot of you ride machines that are flawless, but it seems like every time I turn around I'm reading about someone with another problem, and duking it out with the Yamaha factory. Buy an RSV and take your chances. All I gotta say is I'm glad I ride a 1stGen, at least I know what to expect, and if I ever look at a newer bike it's not going to be an RSV. I can see why riders are looking at Honda GW's more and more. Even a Victory Vision..as ugly as it is.. is starting to look good. It kinda grows on ya... like the old '58 Chevy. Think I'll go look at one up close and personal.....

Saw one of these on American Thunder the other night. looked really cool. The windshield is electric, and the thing is built to avoid tipovers, via the driver and passenger board placement.

 

[Guest 05RSMVTEXAN]

Man, I can sympathize with you!!!! If I had to pick one headache with Yamaha, and I'm talking down to the dealers all the way to the top, it would be warranty issues. I remember when I purchased my 2005 RSMV. I purchased it barely used from a dealer (not Yamaha) out of town. When I got to my hometown I went to my local Yamaha dealer, Eddie Hill's Fun Cycles in Wichita Falls, Texas, to have the bike inspected and the warranty changed over in my name as the manual tells us to. The SUPERVISOR over service and maintenace comes out and says," What warranty? Your bike has NO warranty unless you purchased an extended warranty." I said," Man the RSTD and RSV both come with a 5 year warranty upon purchase that is transferrable." I even tried to show this dude the manual! He says, " No bike has a 5 year warranty." Then the OWNER of the place walks out there. He says, " We've never heard of this (THEY HAD 2 SITTING ON THE SHOW ROOM FLOOR!!!!!!) we'll have to check on it." That was on a Saturday. That next Tuesday the owner calls. He says," We're sorry your bike does have a warranty, come on back and we'll take care of it." THE OWNER NOR THE SERVICE/MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR KNEW THAT IT HAD A 5 YEAR WARRANTY!!!!!! If they didn't even know that, what else didn't they know? Needless to say, I never went back. At one time I did call Yamaha and ask them what the warranty covered. I was told that it covered the whole bike except tires, battery, lamps, & brakes. The bike I love, service and getting help is so frustrating. All you have to do is walk into most Yamaha dealers and just whisper "warranty work" and everyone gets real dumb real quick. I don't get it.