1. The 99 - 03 R* have a transmission recall out. It is a safety recall and Yamaha will repair the problem at no cost you. A cir-clip in the trans can come loose and lock the trans up. The engine has to be torn down to fix it. Contact any dealer local to you and give them the VIN number and they can check the database and tell you if the recall has been done. If it hasn't been done then have them do it. You don't have to be the original owner. Any question just open a new thread and we will give you more information.

2. The front pulley nut on the R*'s are known to back off from reverse torque. The 99 - 05 models have a tab washer that has one tab bent over the nut. It doesn't hold very well and the nut can back off. The 06 and newer they did away with the tab washer and put a conical washer under the nut and changed the nut to have a flange that is staked into a channel on the shaft. It is also found not to hold very well on some but is better than the older tabbed version. If the nut comes off you will not be able to move the bike under its own power. The splines in the front pulley and the output shaft can be stripped. There is no recall on this and it is up to you to check and fix it. If you want more information on this open a thread and we will answer your question.

Seat Removal

It is not electronic. Push down on the nose of the seat while turning the key to the left. Don't push the key in and turn it, just turn it. Then lift up on the nose of the seat

The gas smell after a ride on a hot day (known as gas spuke) is cause but the float bowl being under pressure and the cure is 2 folded:

1) shut off the fuel pet-cock a block or so from you destination

2) Go Pumpless

the rear gard can crack from low idle speed and there is a tech article to fix this

Aussie John wrote:
the rear gard can crack from low idle speed and there is a tech article to fix this

I like to refer to that as the, "happy Roadstar tail wag".

You can see the rear fender "wag" from side to side while idling. Over time the sheet metal will crack. It's only cosmetic but still an issue. Read the tech article like Aussie John recommended, to learn how to brace the fender and prevent it from cracking.

Also, the seat can become difficult to remove after a while, be sure to cheek the mounting bolts for the latch under the seat. They can become loose and it makes it near impossible to remove the seat.

Lastly, check the screws in the bottom of your gas cap… they can come loose and you're gas cap can come flying off in to about 20 pieces, with half of them ending up in the tank.

There is of course the insatiable apatite of these bikes to consume large amounts of $100 bills faster than they can grow in your wallet

If your handle bars wobble or the front end feels loose in the turns, check the neck bearings to see if they need to be tightened or replaced. Easiest way to find out if it is the bearings; raise the bike and perform a flop test. If it bounces off the tank, time to check the bearings.

HK45 wrote:
If your handle bars wobble or the front end feels loose in the turns, check the neck bearings to see if they need to be tightened or replaced. Easiest way to find out if it is the bearings; raise the bike and perform a flop test. If it bounces off the tank, time to check the bearings.




If you ever hit a bump while its loose you will check it really quickly. What a unnerving feeling.

HK45 wrote:
If your handle bars wobble or the front end feels loose in the turns, check the neck bearings to see if they need to be tightened or replaced. Easiest way to find out if it is the bearings; raise the bike and perform a flop test. If it bounces off the tank, time to check the bearings.



(I don't want to get off the thread subject, but thought this would be another good time to ask someone to do a video of a successful flop test.. )

Check your tire pressure (40 rear 38 front) and CHECK THE TIRE WEAR. If the tire is over 7 years old, it's junk. If it's AT the wear bars, it's junk. If there are anycracks in the sidewall, it's junk. If it's a Dunlop 404 it's junk. If it's an original fitment ANYTHING it's junk.