Ok,
Let me tell you all a story. This is first hand experience.
Last Feb. I brought my '05 in to the dealer w/ the dreaded " tick". Some you you may remember my postings of the BS that I went through with both the dealer and YAMAHA.
The bike had 15,600 miles at the time. I was told that I had to pay for a valve adjustment and that it should take care of the problem. After calls the Cypress they told me they would pay for 2.5 hours of the labor and if that it did not fix the problem then they would foot the bill for replaceing the seals guides and exhaust valves. And that is what happend, they don't like to come out and admitt that there is a problem. You have to play the game, in the end you will be out your bike for four to six weeks, but Yamaha pays all.
Now for the best part. They have my bike AGAIN.
That's right. After another 12,000 miles (total mileage now 27,600) The tick is back. And again they tried to blow smoke up my ass and say I needed a valve adjustment. I think that is what the dealer says so they can make more diagnostic money from Yamaha. Yeah, I'm pissed off big time. They had my bike for three weeks now. After jerking me off with diagnosis you can imagine my surprise when they told me that the valves were in spec and now Yamaha is sending a complete new head assem.
My advise to anyone who may think they have a ticker is. RIDE the bike untill the noise gets so bad that even the biggest of all morons could tell that it is not a valve adjustment issue. Also call Yamaha immed. after you drop it off so they know where it is and what your problem is.
All I know is that if after another 12,000 miles, if this bike starts making noise again, I will have a good reason to make a cross country trip the Cal. to give them their bike back.
After being a loyal Yamaha customer for 20 years, I have gotten nothing but aggrivation dealing with their customer service. No love at all. I have nothing against the bike. I love everything about it as far as style, performance and comfort. But what good is it if I have have to have it repaired every 6 to 8 months.
Sorry, rant over.
Tim