Questions before I buy

[sandcamper]

Going to get a Blaster for my son. Don't have one picked out yet but thought I would find out some more info on the bike. What are good years to consider? Known problems to look for? Mods to look for or stay away from. Any help would be great.

[02yamahablaster]

88-02 are the same. 03 and up changed the front end plastics and disc brakes were added. Only real problems is the oil pump is driven by a plastic gear. Install a blockoff on it and premix yourself. Most of them will have a blockoff kit on it already( its a common mod). Hope this helps you.

[Mert]

yup, exactly what he said, oil block off kit, then theres the mods, once you start you just cant stop, but at least parts are cheap. If you can get an 03 up they have hydraulic brakes front and back compared to the 88-02 that had problems with the rear caliper freezing up, although mine works great and its never been serviced. The 88-02 also had drum brakes up front that blow, but you can modify the a arms to accept warrior or banshee spindles/brakes

[wrench man]

If the brakes don't work it's been DIPPED! in the mud and never taken care of, the ones out here should work just fine, I have absolutely NO!!! issues with my brakes! and I think the '03 and later ones are UGLY!, they look just like the Raptors.

[ROCKSTAR]

you dont even need a block off kit. take the cover off, remove the pump, thne take out the drive gear and shaft, reinstall the pump, and put the cover back on. you will also ned to remove the oil tank, and hose(s). rtv or silicone seal the hole(s) in the cover to cure any leaks. at most you will need a couple of gaskets...dont waste your money on a block off kit. this is the same thing. the pump won't run. i'm sure everyone knows why this is a common mod. blaster are prety much the same accross the board, newer ones have as mentioned...ugly plastics and better brakes. older ones are cheaper and you can install better brakes. older blaster rear brakes are known to have failed. i had a brand new one where the rear brakes never worked. other than that, pretty much teh same as any other quad. easily upgradable, new exhaust is a night and day difference.

[lalla666]

ya the rear brakes suck on the 88 til 02 suck the dont stop for crap but the good thing about the blaster is its cheap reilable fun and easy to work on and the parts are a dime dozon

[sandcamper]

Thanks for the input. Just picked up an '03. It's stock except for a FMF silencer. My Kids excited as can be. I'll Get a set of rear rims to mount a set of sand stars I have laying around and let him get used to it. Maybe this winter I'll start modifing it. Now I have three pingers and one 4 poke. Almost perfect.

[climb any hill]

Does have the header as well? I have the FMF Fatty on mine. Rips pretty good too!
Just remember they're air cooled and gotta keep em movin! Let's see those pics!