Here is the very nice email I sent to Yahamaha Australia yesterday:

I recently had my 2008 XT660R serviced by Geoff Taylor Motorcycles in Dandenong - this was a standard scheduled 15,000 kms check. Based on comments from a Broken Hill Yamaha Agent who had previously fitted a new rear tyre at around 11,000 kms I asked that the rear cush rubbers be checked during the service and if appropriate be replaced - I did also suggest that my expectation was that this would be a warranty replacement.

The Geoff Taylor Service Department indicated that the cush drive rubbers had indeed started to disintegrate and that they had been replaced but this would be to my cost because Yamaha Australia consider these parts to be a "wear" item and as such would not cover the cush rubbers under a warranty claim.

I have carefully checked the Yamaha Service and Warranty booklet supplied with my bike and can find no such exclusion for these items. As a member of the xt660.com web site I am also aware that many members around the world have had these specific items replaced under warranty. Furthermore, problems with cush rubber wear and disintegration have been well reported around the world with many riders stating that they do seem to be a specific XT660 model weak spot.

I must state that as a repeat customer of the Geoff Taylor Service Department I am in no way dissatisfied with the work performed or the service provided but just the Yamaha Australia Warranty position on parts that do seem to be somewhat deficient.

Can I ask that Yamaha Australia formally state their warranty policy for these items and indicate what they consider to be a reasonable service life expectation when the bike is used for its intended purpose.

And here's the (not so) nice reply from Yamaha Australia received today:

Consumable items are not covered by Yamaha warranty, as outlined in the owners handbook (extract attached - this was the standard page in the Warranty book that while it mentions just about every other part on the bike does not mention cush drive rubbers).

Cush rubbers to wear out at 11,000kms would be considered normal wear and tear and not a warranty repair item.

Regards,
Duilio Pianca - Customer Relations Department
Yamaha Motor Australia

So there you have it folks Yamaha look like they expect the service life of cush drive rubbers in a XT660 to be around 10,000 kms - seems any more than that and you're just being very lucky or simply overly expectant !!!

The hurt part - I note that the price that has tended to be mentioned here is around the GBP 20 ~ 25 mark so why in Oz do they cost $100 (or approximately GBP 60). Gee it must be a long boat ride from Japan

__________________
Regards
Pete

expat Kiwi - now living in Melbourne - now riding a XT660R and a XT1200Z