[Aaron6808]

Hi everybody New to the Forum, I’ve been reading these forms for months now, getting updates from massive and other big contributors. But I am having trouble finding the answer to my problem hopefully somebody more knowledgeable and experienced can throw me a bone. I drive a 2022 RMAX4 XTR on 32in Rockzillas. I’ve never had a problem or issue till this past week. It’s got 350 miles on it, Break in maintenance was done at 201 miles. This week I took it down the road to go visit some friends, as I was backing down my driveway, it started to grind and bogged down. It almost sounds like a Bad uv. And it also has the metal popping noise coming from the front end that everyone seems to have too! I bought it used from someone who couldn’t afford the payments, so it’s still under warranty till 12/1/22. But my local Yamaha dealer won’t touch it, because I did not buy it from them. Our next closest Yamaha dealer, is about an hour away or more. Advice or tips will be appreciated please! Love the machine but I’ve put 250miles on this thing and it shouldn’t be having these problems New!

 

[Aaron6808]

 

[Budro2]

My first hunch based on your explanation would be the transmission.
The few transmission failures have been at very low miles.
Get that thing to a real dealer no matter the distance and don’t touch it.

My dealer for instance is like any car or truck dealership, if it a Chevy under warranty it doesn’t matter where it was purchased. Yamaha will stand behind it through any dealership.

A dealer like your local one that does business in that manner is not one you want working on it anyway. They probably have a kid in high school turning wrenches instead of a certified Yamaha mechanic!

 

[jimclemjr]

Report the dealer to Yamaha. As Budro said take it to a dealer you trust. Before you do, put the stock tire size back on it or wait to see what others on here may say about their experience of oversize tires. Also you may want to check the fine print of the warranty. Maybe not a concern if there are Rmax's with OEM 32's. Sorry but also be prepared to not ride till next year depending on parts, hopefully not.

 

[jimclemjr]

I know it may be a little far but from Pikeville everything is lol, but reach out to Papasketta (sp?)or search some threads on here. He is around Chattanooga and has had some good experience out of a dealership in Knoxville I think.

 

[Budro2]

Lots of Rmax with lots of miles running 32s without issues but it’s a great point to not give any outs to Yamaha. If you have stock tires, put them back on before taking it in.

 

[PapaSkeeta]

I had really good service out of the Yamaha Dealership in Knoxville, TN. The thing I looked for when originally looking for a good dealership is the Gold Star certifications from Yamaha. Check on Yamaha's website to see what Yamaha dealers in your area have a Gold Star Certification for their Service Dept. I think the one in Huntsville, AL does also. The Gold Star certified Service Depts. are not very common among the total number of Yamaha dealerships.

Having said the above, from the work done on my recently purchased RMAX2 that I purchased used from the original owner who bought it from Mountain Motor Sports in Conyers, GA, I would not take a tricycle to them and let them work on it. They did inexcusable things when mounting Yamaha OEM accessories for the original owner. (4) Bolts left completely out on front glass window, roll cage bolts left loose from installing rear window, 3 of the machine screws left out when reinstalling the fire wall from installing the front glass window, and the list goes on and on as to their terrible quality of work.

 

[Budro2]

That’s how my dealer is, gold star rated by Yamaha with certified technicians.
I thought it was normal but I’m learning it’s not.

 

[jimclemjr]

Papa he is in Pikeville TN from his avatar or whatever it's called which is northeast of you and should not be too far a stretch to get to Knoxville. No further than you really except as modified by the plateau and lack of freeway.

 

[MassiveOverkill]

My first hunch based on your explanation would be the transmission.
The few transmission failures have been at very low miles.

While I'm not ruling out that possibility, the early 2021 models were the ones subject to the transmission SNAFU and 2022 and newer models really shouldn't be affected by this.

 

[Budro2]

While I'm not ruling out that possibility, the early 2021 models were the ones subject to the transmission SNAFU and 2022 and newer models really shouldn't be affected by this.

I agree, however the symptoms sound very similar.
Also the dropped valves on the 850 were supposedly taken care of on the assembly line but the next year it still happened at least once.
It’s entirely possible that human error on one machine could still cause a transmission failure.

Doesn’t mean it is but even if it’s something less serious, if it’s under factory warranty it should be Yamahas baby to take care of.

 

[Aaron6808]

While I'm not ruling out that possibility, the early 2021 models were the ones subject to the transmission SNAFU and 2022 and newer models really shouldn't be affected by this.

What snafu is that? I’ve read a ton of forums on this the last few days. I only heard that grinding noise the one time. But I’d rather be safe than sorry. The popping noise in the front that EVERYONE seems to have is disappointing too. Bran new machine and these things popping up is just sry. That local dealer in crossville is Lansford Yamaha and Kawasaki. Pitaful. We got in contact with Yamaha yesterday. Filed a complaint and they are gonna contact me and they say, so will Lansfords. But we shall see. I saw no gold star on the website either. Thank all of you for your comments and thoughts. I did talk to my Mobile Mechanic. He use to work for Yamaha. He said the tires won’t affect the warranty. Since I bought it from another individual not a dealer. He said I “may” have a 6 month warranty transfer fee. Anybody know anything about that? I bought a 4 week old machine from somebody who couldn’t afford to keep it. Regardless if there is/or isn’t something wrong with it. I saved almost 10k getting this one, and it still had 5 months of warranty. I just need to get it in a shop asap lol. I do know, NO Yamaha dealer will fix something NOT broken. So my Mechanic said raise hell for now. And if it breaks in the next month or so it’s covered. If not, just enjoy. Talk about rock and hard place for a decision. That being said we just went for a cruise anyway and it does fine. Hell better than fine. It’s amazing. No grinding at all today. But the popping noise continues at road speeds. Not 10mph climbing/trail speeds

 

[jimclemjr]

check fine print of the warranty, you are on record as to logging a compliant but the warranty may say you have to deliver it asap or something without using it further.

 

[Crow]

I’m northeast of Crossville an hour and north of Knoxville an hour. If those were my only 2 dealer choices I’d push mine to Knoxville before I’d let that Crossville bunch come pick mine up for me. Steer clear of that bunch at all cost. If your will to drive to Corbin KY there’s a great dealer up there also if Knoxville can’t get you took care of but I’m sure they can no problem.

 

[Aaron6808]

After talking with papaskeeta hearing about the Knoxville shop I may try calling there Tuesday. I’ll probably go for that YES warranty too while it’s still under factory warranty. $850 now may save me thousands in the future. It would almost be dumb not too. Hopefully I’ll hear something from Yamaha first of the week. They assured me they would get to the bottom of the Local dealer situation and make this right no matter what happen. So now, I’m just kinda waiting on standby. Thank you all for your time and advice. 🙏🙏🙏

 

[Crow]

After talking with papaskeeta hearing about the Knoxville shop I may try calling there Tuesday. I’ll probably go for that YES warranty too while it’s still under factory warranty. $850 now may save me thousands in the future. It would almost be dumb not too. Hopefully I’ll hear something from Yamaha first of the week. They assured me they would get to the bottom of the Local dealer situation and make this right no matter what happen. So now, I’m just kinda waiting on standby. Thank you all for your time and advice. 🙏🙏🙏

I actually had the Knoxville dealer (not Alcoa good times but the dealer in Knoxville near merchants drive) quote the 4 year Y.E.S. For $800. Others have reported $850-$900 was the best price from them so your mileage may vary. I had already purchased mine from Big Pine when they got back to me though.

 

[Aaron6808]

Can you do that yes warranty over the phone? Lol I may do it Tuesday. Or is that in house in person only?

 

[Aaron6808]

Btw, I’ll tell you guys this. If you have the ability or the need. The Milwaukee pack out cleats on eBay, the Milwaukee coolers and storage box are a must have! No bungee cords. No sliding around. Makes a good use of space.

 

[Crow]

Can you do that yes warranty over the phone? Lol I may do it Tuesday. Or is that in house in person only?

Over the phone. Takes less than 10 minutes. Give them your VIN and they’ll look up the info but since you bought used might be more info over the phone. After that just give payment info. I’m guessing you’ll need to provide some sort of proof of purchase as the Yamaha database will have the original buyers info linked to the VIN I’d imagine.

 

[Old man]

Can you do that yes warranty over the phone? Lol I may do it Tuesday. Or is that in house in person only?

Yes you can do it on the phone. Just did mine with Jared at big pine last mounth $850 all he needs is your vin # But before taking it in so they can't come back on you l would get it back to stock form.