Just a reminder check frame welds periodically.

[Michael499]

It can happen on any bike.  But on our 15 practice bike, we found a cracked weld after a fun day of pounding laps.  Yamaha acknowledges it happens and is standing by the bike and sending a new frame.   Just posting this to remind people to take a good look at their frames.   When you ride a good, solid bike it's easy to overlook things.   

 

Be safe.

 

Michael

 

 

[1snotrocket]

How many hours are on the bike?Glad Yamaha is standing behind there product.

[Jon-D]

some of the 03-04 KTM's had the same issue.  I had a welder make the repairs since KTM would not replace the frame. 

[naughton666]

Where was the crack?

[anthony_1978]

got pix?

[Michael499]

Steering stem.  Yamaha has been great.  My rider is 150 lbs.  Bike had less than 10 hours.   

 

 

[naughton666]

Yikes!

[yz250f30]

. Frame cracked then welded and cracked on the welds once again

 

[MartyMOOSE]

Seen a few 15 ' s with poor welds. Was looking at a mates new fx it was bad.

[Michael499]

Our newest 2016 practice bike just cracked in the weld at 20 hours.   Keep an eye on them.  

 

[Goatse]

Jesus... 2 of them to one person? Different model years and all.

[Michael499]

There is definitely an issue with certain welds.  Having said that we've got a lot of hours on a 15 practice bike that has not yet shown any cracks.  And my nephew is a pretty aggressive racer.   Still, it's wise to keep an eye on the welds.  

[muthathumpa]

Yikes, 06 FZ1's had issues too. Not a fan of Yamaha welds myself.

[Goatse]

I just checked my FX, and it's good. It's actually what I do for a living. The welding wasn't terrible, but it also wasn't incredible. Some areas could have been tied together better, and I think the problem this is stemming from is penetration.

[Michael499]

I used to do arc welding and I agree with you Goatse.   My nephew told me that the other Yamaha riders at his training camp checked theirs, and 2 others were cracked as well.  

[bring the rain]

Yamaha is getting away from the bullet proof legend. Crank,water pump,piston pin,starting issues when wet. now frames.not sure i want to keep mine ,its at 25 hrs.

[muthathumpa]

I weld as well, my FZ1 bothered me, but I got over it.

I wish they still used steel frames, or aluminum tubing. It seems like this formed stuff is crappy to weld, and looks bulky.

They should look at mountain bike frames, then learn how to weld.

Edited October 31, 2015 by muthathumpa

[ubu]

My FX has 28 hrs on it. Just gave it a once over. The welds don't look great, but no cracks.

Just curious. But on these bikes wirh cracks, was the steering stem bearing preload adjusted/torqued properly?

[fgrote]

I know of 3 more people with cracked frames, 2 250's and 1 450's all 16's

[Swapper265]

I know of 3 more people with cracked frames, 2 250's and 1 450's all 16's

Yep, this definitely seems to be more than just a remote problem which has been exacerbated on the internet. Seems to be way to many instances of this happening for it not to be a big problem.