Well, I went ahead and brought my bike in for the recall. I went to a dealer 40 miles away since they said they already did the recall on two vmaxes without any problems instead of the dealer 3 miles away that hasn't done the recall yet on any vmax, but I am still a bit nervous after reading so many negative posts. Is there anything I should check when I go to pick up the bike, I was planning on letting it run for a while at the dealership b4 riding it home, just in case.

The service tech said depending on the vin # the oil pump would require either just a check or a replacement part, he also said that the recall notice has an expiration date so if I don't get it checked by that date and something does go wrong I'm liable for the repair bill. I guess I'll see what happens soon enough.

Relax.. It's a simple procedure if you have a reputable dealer with seasoned techs. That expire date is Nov 2014 I think, so don't let that worry you.. Just get ti done where you think they'll do the best job.

Well the dealership called, they checked my oil pump and it needs to be replaced. New pump on order but probably won't be in till next Monday.

I don't understand why your dealer told you that some just need to be checked. As far as I know they all need to be replaced, even after they check them. Would have saved you down time if he had the new pump there. Anyway good luck on the process.

Advice from one who didn' and paid the price.


Have the dealer hook up a oil pressure gauge to the bike prior to start up. At minimum look in the oil level sight glass before start up. With oil level at the full mark when bike is started it should draw the oil level almost to the bottom of the glass at idle. If it drops just slightly stop engine and have them check oil pump gear.

The second time I had it done I physically pulled off the side cover and inspected the oil pump gear to satisfy myself that it wasn't broke.

Thanks for the good advice!

v4design, I think you chose the best option. Had mine done and the tech had changed 2 other Vmax's oil pumps before. All good so far, covered a few thousand k/m since then.

As stated by maxout, " At minimum look in the oil level sight glass before start up." then watch the oil level as you start it.

Maybe better still, would be to get the tech to start it while you watch the sight glass, B'cos it is hard to see the oil level while your sitting there balancing your bike.

Good luck on it turning up a bit earlier for you.

Pokey.

---update---
Picked up the Max today after having the recall done and all is well. The service guy was well aware of the bad recall issues and explained to me how they double checked there work, I also checked the oil window on start up and it looked good. Rode 40 miles home without a problem.

If anybody is in my area and needs the recall done I highly recommend these guys.
Ray's Yamaha
5560 Perkiomen Avenue
Reading, PA 19606
(610) 582-2700