Sick Reverse On Venture Lite

[BombaPolaYama]

The reverse engagement (or lack thereof) on my '08 VL has become a real nuisance. Was out for a ride on April 18th and it failed to engage ~ 9/10 just like it has been doing all winter and this is after Yamaha has done its updates (new belt and shim)! This is a VL, therefore much heavier than a Phazer so it is difficult to get it to engage just by rocking or jumping it - usually I have to get off and tug up on the rear and it works. Also, sometimes it does not engage when switching to forward gear either. I like this machine but this issue and Yamaha's lack of ability to fix it has become a real frustration and embarrassment. I have tolerated this for 2 seasons and almost 7500Km.

How are the '09's; do they work any better? Has the update worked for anyone else? Has anyone found another solution to this issue?

Thanks,

 

[Bugbear]

I noticed that if I use the brake it always engages. Also, I have tightened the chaincase chain finger tight with no back off, contrary to what the book says. I agree this should be unnecessary but these things helped me. Yeah, really frustrating when you're stuck in 2 feet of snow. It's a heavy sucker.

 

[Ruckus]

How's your idle? I dropped mine down a bit to 1700 and found that reverse was a hell of a lot easier to engage.

 

[17Rambler]

Hit the button, jerk up the rear end. Works for me.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

Hit the button, jerk up the rear end. Works for me.

That is exactly the way it works for me ("usually I have to get off and tug up on the rear and it works") but unfortunately not the way it is supposed to work.

As for the idle, it is ~1850. The dealer idled it down to ~1300 but it didn't improve the reversing so I turned her back up.

Thanks for the tips,