Why buying a viper was one of the worst decisions I've ever made

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

Wow they replaced your tunnel. With just a phone call. They apparently brought in a adjuster to look at mine... And he's the one that made the call but I feel as tho my dealer obviously isn't going to bat for me. As for the skid rail it was just a ovalled out hope cause someone forgot to put locktight in it. It still works tho just looks. There is nothing bent at all and the damage was all in the front from the accident but I had this all documented with the dealer before it happened.

I just gotta ask why me


I've contacted the head office many times. Ive asked to talk to people higher than I've talked to and all I get is they will not transfer me to anyone else nor will they let me talk to that adjuster

 

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

I'm done with this dealer that's forsire- he's actually further away than a other dealership I could of went through it went through him cause he guaranteed me warrantee with the turbo. How stupid am i

 

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

I'd live to pick it up but what am I going to do with it if yamaha void my warranty? No one will touch it

 

[Hammer 1]

I would take the dealer to court if you have a bill of sale stating 3 year warranty with the Hurricane turbo install! IT costs like $20-$30 in the states to do this. Glad this isn't my dealer! Yamaha is the Best sled reliability wise out there. You just need to find a good dealer. Good luck!

 

[ZachXSmith86]

I'm not trying to be a jerk here but sounds like you just need to chalk this up as a learning experience and move on... this is a very cheap lesson for you to learn. I also think it's rediculous for you to expect anything from yamaha or the dealer as far as warranty work after the sled was pretty much totalled. You should have known better to take that sled back to that dealer after the clutch issue you supposedly had... keep your sleds stock if you don't want to wrench on them.

 

[machzrobbie]

Yamaha had no reason to even ask about a turbo with your damage. Nothing is Turbo related at all unless engine goes. Feel free to send them pics of my tunnel and the cross shaft which my dealer did get covered under warranty. There were many others and they know it. If you still need a tunnel I may be able to get you a white one. PM me. This sucks. Hope when this is over that dealer makes it right somehow or get a different dealer. Sorry for your troubles and wish you luck.

I have the same issue with my tunnel and it was denied - cross shaft broke and pulled bolts through tunnel. Yamaha "REP" said it was abuse, the suspension was "G - ed" out, whatever that means. My dealer is helping me with reducing the cost of the tunnel. Pretty disappointed in Yamaha Corporate. For me, between the way they handled this, and the 16 engine fiasco, make's me thin twice about buying another.

 

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

I'm not trying to be a jerk here but sounds like you just need to chalk this up as a learning experience and move on... this is a very cheap lesson for you to learn. I also think it's rediculous for you to expect anything from yamaha or the dealer as far as warranty work after the sled was pretty much totalled. You should have known better to take that sled back to that dealer after the clutch issue you supposedly had... keep your sleds stock if you don't want to wrench on them.

I understand what your saying. Tho just to clarify all. I could see wrong after the accident was 3 bent a arms, part of the hood, the bracket holding the guage holding it to the Handel bars. I dunno why the estimate was so much.

I just may chalk it up as a life lesson and #*$&@ does happen but when your denied something you should be intitled to it stings that's all. Your right it's not a crazy expensive lesson to learn, but I should at least have it back by now. I just expect people to keep there word that's all.

 

[cannondale27]

I have the same issue with my tunnel and it was denied - cross shaft broke and pulled bolts through tunnel. Yamaha "REP" said it was abuse, the suspension was "G - ed" out, whatever that means. My dealer is helping me with reducing the cost of the tunnel. Pretty disappointed in Yamaha Corporate. For me, between the way they handled this, and the 16 engine fiasco, make's me thin twice about buying another.

That sucks! Must be a policy change or Canada rules. They demanded pics and questioned looking for any other damage. There was none so it was approved. I do have a dealer that will go the extra mile but I was there and it was a black and white yes or no type of questioning. Very cordial between dealer and yamaha. Pics sealed the deal. Based on that I guess I just assumed they would cover them all since it's a known weak design. Zachary the op is a rr type skid but those holes crack in either. Heck Cat even makes a repair kit now consisting of a ugly plate"

 

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

I have the same issue with my tunnel and it was denied - cross shaft broke and pulled bolts through tunnel. Yamaha "REP" said it was abuse, the suspension was "G - ed" out, whatever that means. My dealer is helping me with reducing the cost of the tunnel. Pretty disappointed in Yamaha Corporate. For me, between the way they handled this, and the 16 engine fiasco, make's me thin twice about buying another.

I feel your pain. Let me know what happens, hope they figure something out for you. I don't think they care they all ready got our money

 

[ViperRTX-Turbo009]

That sucks! Must be a policy change or Canada rules. They demanded pics and questioned looking for any other damage. There was none so it was approved. I do have a dealer that will go the extra mile but I was there and it was a black and white yes or no type of questioning. Very cordial between dealer and yamaha. Pics sealed the deal. Based on that I guess I just assumed they would cover them all since it's a known weak design. Zachary the op is a rr type skid but those holes crack in either. Heck Cat even makes a repair kit now consisting of a ugly plate"

Wow I didn't event kno they even made a plate to help brace it once it cracks ha...

 

[machzrobbie]

Almost done the install, this sled is going to my son as I bought a new 16 viper this year . The top picture is the new tunnel installed

 

[staggs65]

Heck Cat even makes a repair kit now consisting of a ugly plate"

Does this plate go on the outside of the tunnel or inside? I wonder if there's a way to do something inside the tunnel to keep it from happening in the first place

 

[cannondale27]

Outside. It's ugly but works. Yes inside can be reinforced. I did mine. The tin they use inside is very flimsy material. What I did was duplicate using better metal sheet and went all the way down and around the running board bolting it to the board plus I added 1/8 thick ugly plate on outside. It ain't pretty but it won't ever ruin a trip again! 5000 mi and no more issues. Why replace with same thing that failed? Also used all RR shafts and bolts which are bigger and stronger right from cat or LE Yamaha 15 or 16.

 

[STAIN]

Not to be a dink but you seem to have a dealer problem. Why would Yamaha corporate get involved with a implied warranty between you and your dealer? I would say that buying the Viper wasn't the poor decision, letting your friend ride it and trusting your dealer for too long was. Is your insurance company involved? Is the person who wrecked it offered any help?
I was in similar situation with an Artic Cat years ago. Engine failure and dealer wouldn't cover it. Took my sled to another dealer who would. Same with my Viper Turbo. Chaincase failed. Dealer in Maine wouldn't cover it. Took to another dealer who did, even gave me the parts to do it myself. Good dealers are hard to find.

 

[cannondale27]

I don't think his dealer is a bad dealer. The guy seems real happy with the Turbo the dealer recommended. Dealer was thinking with his Snowmobiling head instead of his Business head at time it was recommended. Why in this world do we have to curb enthusiasm for something we love over fear of being sued? The OP has a responsibility to research ANY mod whether to chassis,suspension or engine. My motto is don't say anything that I wouldn't try myself. I believe the dealer would have added that Turbo to his own sled. Warranty loss is always a possibility with any mod or neglected maintainence. I know my tunnel and suspension are my baby now since I heavily modded it. My choice. Very few dealers work on sleds in summer. You and I are not the only customers. Can imagine customer waiting for his mower coming in and seeing tech working on a sled in July! The OP did nothing wrong intentionally but neither did the dealer. This is just what happens in a bad situation that hopefully will never happen again. Good luck RTX.