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I think Yamaha must have an abundant supply of exhaust gaskets lying around!
Did my first service on the RoadLiner today (not mine, a customers ) Yamaha just loves for you to take off exhaust sysems to change fluids. In order to change the transfer gear case oil, you guessed it, you have to remove the muffler and the rear cylinder exhaust pipe. And for added amusement, you have to deal with the EXUP Valve cables plus an oxygen sensor wire. Luckily I could just set it to the side without having to totally disconnect everything.
I know everyone is familiar with the V-Star 1100 exhaust pipe removal to change the oil filter.
I just don't understand why the manufacturers insist on doing crazy dodo like this. Especially on common maintenance items.
Yamaha is still my favorite brand to ride and wrench on. You should see some of the other manufacturers crazy ideas!!
I will say that theRoadLiner is a beast and handles itself very well. It is one huge girl.

I know what you mean , I started an 1100 late yesterday and finished it up this morning . A bagger with Windshield . You have to remove the light after dismanteling it of course in order to get all the brackets in the right place then re-torque and I don't even like baggers
What really cracks me up is that there is no consistency at all from one model to another .
Regards, Wizzard

Wizzard wrote: I know what you mean , I started an 1100 late yesterday and finished it up this morning . A bagger with Windshield . You have to remove the light after dismanteling it of course in order to get all the brackets in the right place then re-torque and I don't even like baggers
What really cracks me up is that there is no consistency at all from one model to another .
Regards, Wizzard

Are you referring to installing the light bars?
No consistency between one model to another? Of course not!! Otherwise they would all be Harley's.

I know what you mean man - It's all about the customer though - style before ease of maintenance.

BMW airheads were dead relaiable and probably some of the easiest bikes to work on in the world. And they had a sales run of more than 30 years. Maybe BMW had something there, but they lost it now. Technology sucks!

CORSCO wrote:Are you referring to installing the light bars?
No consistency between one model to another? Of course not!! Otherwise they would all be Harley's.

No , I'm talking about installing the windshield and having to remove half of the front end in order to make it happen .....
Light bars are easy in comparison .

TechTMW wrote:I know what you mean man - It's all about the customer though - style before ease of maintenance.

BMW airheads were dead relaiable and probably some of the easiest bikes to work on in the world. And they had a sales run of more than 30 years. Maybe BMW had something there, but they lost it now. Technology sucks!

Are you saying they don't make airhead boxers anymore? Say it ain't so! I just rode a Rockster the other day (fun bike, btw) and I seem to recall it was fairly new (2005?).

I can't think of any bike that's easier to work on.

They still make airheads, but are now also building inline 4's.

I thought they were "oil heads" now?

dieziege wrote:I thought they were "oil heads" now?

So if they ever use a radiator, would it be politically incorrect to call them "Water Heads"?

They're Oilhead boxers now. They stopped making airheads in 1995.

The oilheads are OK but have not proven as reliable as the airheads (Though we still have to wait quite a few years before the oilheads are around that long ...) Bmw is integrating it's anti-lock brake systems and is now taling about automatic traction control - both great safety features but not exactly simple systems. They also are now using a CANbus "one wire" electrical system which controls electrical components through a computer. It's wonderful in that it simplifies troubleshooting and saves weight, but it can be quirky in its own right.