07 RTX ER - the ultimate setup for cross country riding?

[ReX]

While my buddies are out sledding on one of their last rides of the season, I'm stuck with a broken down sled again - two years running. So I've been mulling over - what's the best sled and setup for next season?

Today I carefully inspected my 05 RX-1's drive-train and found that the 9955H144 track I bought last summer is starting to see broken fibers that hold the lugs on - right at the base of the outer lugs. From 1 foot away the track looks mint, but looking closer it isn't really. There are also two new cracks in the front pivot arm and the slide rails are cracked...

I want the most reliable, high performance, functional sled that can handle high miles with minimum breakdowns. A true "cross country race" capable sled (durability wise). It would be great to be able to post on here at the end of next season that my sled has something like 10,000 miles on it and hasn't had any major problems.

Here's what I'm thinking of:

- 2007 RTX ER
- Tall windshield
- Replace the chaincase with a 2005 RX-1 case
- Machine the suspension to replace all 6005 bearing based idler wheels with 2004 Yamaha RX-1 wheels (6205 bearings)
- Bergstrom 8" carbides (Type IV), ski shims and ski savers
- 13mm sway bar
- Skidoo's mounted helmet visor plug wired to lighter socket
- Windshield bag
- Reinforced RX/RS saddle bags (from the 05 RX-1)
- Reinforced RX/RS trunk bag (from the 05 RX-1)
- Some sort of additional fuel storage in the nose for those long trips (wonder if tour buddy will make one)
- 144 Gold Diggers
- Replace the Ripsaw track with a ??9837H144??9860??9955H144?? (not sure)

I was planning to go with the pre-punched Ripsaw (9955H144) but with it showing structural issues at 6,000 miles maybe there's something better...

I checked out my 1997 Storm's track today with over 6000 miles on it (on the track) and it truly looks mint. It's running the snowcross 9860 which is basically a beefed up 9818 (1.25" Predator 6-pitch). The problem is the 9860 isn't available anymore and the 9818 isn't available pre-punched. I also closely inspected the skid again and after 10,000 miles of my riding there isn't a single sign of a crack starting anywhere. Hopefully the RTX will hold up as well...

The 9837H144 is a fully clipped 1" version of the Predator 6-pitch that is pre-punched for 144 studs. This might be the ultimate compromise...

The 136" version of it is the 9838H162. I know LB swears by the 9838 for 136" sleds. I installed one of these on my wife's Venture 700 last season and even unstudded it hooks up well on hard packed trail. It also works very well (compared to the 121" Ripsaw) in deep snow.

Has anyone tried the 9837H144 on an Apex or RX-1? (machzed & LooseCannon, how do you like it now that you've got some miles on it?)

Other suggestions?

 

[Yamahammer485]

Id go with a new six pitch, I really dislike the Ripsaw, especially when mine is no good already, while with low power, driving easy in mint condtions.

I persnally would go with an Attak becuase thats the only way your really going to get that torque and hp planted without studs.

Id maybe keep an 05 chaincase on the side but not install it right away, I mean, it is a brand new sled.

Also, is the 9838 136" a six pitch track?

 

[ReX]

The 9838 is the 136" 6-pitch with a 1" lug and is fully clipped.

The 9837H144 is the 121" 6-pitch with a 1" lug, is fully clipped and is pre-punched for 144 studs.

If I go away from the Ripsaw next season it will be to the 9837H144.

Based on everything I've read and my experience with the 1.25" version (9860 and 9818) I believe this would be the most durable track of the ones listed above. It would also be an excellent performer on the trail (with 144 studs).

What I still don't know is if I'd have to give up anything over the Ripsaw in deep snow.

 

[pro116]

I ran a 136x1.25" six pitch track this past year and loved it.I highly recommend it.

 

[welterracer]

how about a 4th wheel kit and lowering the pickup in the gas tank!

also take all the boggy wheels and add grease to them using a needle greaser.. (just not enought grease in them)

I cant believe you didnt throw the 13mm swaybar from your RX-1 into your apex.. Makes a huge difference and totally eliminates the ski poping up in hard corners..

 

[ReX]

I don't own an Apex yet...

Good points on the things I missed.

The 13mm swaybar would definitely go on.

4th wheel kit for sure also.

If the idlers still use the light weight 6005 bearings (I expect they will) machining and swapping them for 6205 based idlers is the plan. They last much longer in my experience (bearing and wheel) and can be purchased just about anywhere.

Some spec's:

6005: OD 47mm, ID 25mm, thickness 12mm, load rating 11.9, mass 80g

6205: OD 52mm, ID 25mm, thickness 15mm, load rating 14.8, mass 130g

 

[Mighty]

Cross country you say? I say Attak for the longer skid. There are only a few things I would consider changing; a different track if you really feel the ripsaw isn't that durable and different ski's for better flotation. As far as the chain case and rear skid goes I would trust that Yamaha will fix the issues for 07. Since I joined the Yamaha camp for the 03 model year I have seen Yamaha correct every single shortcoming they had from the previous year

 

[ReX]

I probably shouldn't call it cross country. I mean aggressively riding accross the country on the trails...

I thought about the Attak, but I don't think I need the 136", I like how nimble a 121" is in the tight, twisty trails, and I really don't trust the monoshock skid for high mileage aggressive riding (although I haven't heard of any failures with the 136" monoshock skid).

I'm sure Yamaha will improve the chaincase somehow, but will it be as durable as the 05? My preference right now is to go with tried and true technology (unless I'm totally convinced it will be as durable as the 05). The chaincase from 05 was just about bulletproof and the Pro Active skid was just about bulletproof in the 05 Vector and the 06 Nitro.

The ripsaw this season hasn't done too badly, but if I really want the ultimate in durability I think the 9837H144 is worth considering - especially since I plan to run 144 studs again. For trail use I don't expect much of a downside and it might actually be quieter. I'm still a little concerned about deep snow though. I don't ride in it too much, but once in a while end up on a non-groomed trail with several feet of powder. The 121" ripsaw was always adequate but I don't know how the 9837H144 compares.

 

[craze1cars]

I thought I wanted a tall w/s myself. But I've heard more than one comment from those that have tried the tall, that the accessory mid windshields give better protection than the tall, and happens to look better too. I hope those comments are correct, because they changed my mind. I will be getting a mid for mine.

 

[ReX]

Did you manage to get any pictures with the tall windshield installed?

Did it need the reinforcement brackets posted here?

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=24746

I haven't seen any pictures that really show how it looks, nor what the reinforcements attach to.

 

[**sj**]

quick question...on an 07' attack gt...do you think it'll have the 13mm swaybar?
if not where does one obtain it?

also..needle greaser ? where how?
and lowering the pickup...is this a tough one?

.... I've semi decided to go to the 9838h162 (1") six pitch with 1.340 studs...what about the tunnel protection for this....I heard another 1/2 in of protection is needed...

all this makes me doubt my decision on this sled now...

 

[welterracer]

SJ

No it wont have a larger swaybar.. stock is 11mm.. you can obtain a 12mm or a 13mm swaybar from PIONEERPERFORMANCE.NET

Needle greaser is a a sharp needle looking object with a grease Cert on the end, available at your local hardware store or automotive parts store! you can use it to inject grease under the seal of the bearings!

Dont worry about the sled.. its is awsome.. just needs some tweeks.. for some reason yamaha overlooks some obvious things this year!

 

[ReX]

quick question...on an 07' attack gt...do you think it'll have the 13mm swaybar?
if not where does one obtain it?

I expect it will come with an 11mm swaybar. The 11mm gives a smoother ride, especially on side to side bumps and is probably more in line with what the average rider wants (I think 12mm is a better compromise though - at least it would have been for the 05 RX-1). The 13mm really stiffens up the roll, makes the sled somewhat kick sideways on side to side bumps, but also makes it corner much flatter at high speeds.

Aftermarket swaybars can be purchased at:

http://www.pioneerperformance.net/

also..needle greaser ? where how?

Needle greaser?

and lowering the pickup...is this a tough one?

Probably difficult to do. I've been talking to "Tour Buddy"

http://www.tourbuddy.com

and they are going to work on an auxilliary tank for the Apex/Attak sleds. If they can put something together (maybe in the nose) this should increase the fuel range quite a bit. I'm hoping they can squeeze about 10 liters (2.5 gallons) in. This would provide a range of about 280 kms (175 miles) in typical riding and probably over 300 kms (190 miles) if you take it easy. Stock the tank only has about 35 liters of useable fuel (completely out of gas you might get 37 liters, but they start stalling when it's down 35 liters).

.... I've semi decided to go to the 9838h162 (1") six pitch with 1.340 studs...what about the tunnel protection for this....I heard another 1/2 in of protection is needed...

The stud length isn't a problem. The problem is the tunnels protectors use the track to stop the studs getting too close to things. If you shorten the track by 1/4" and run the same studs, the studs can move 1/4" closer when the track flexes over bumpy trails. If you run the recommended stud length for a 1" or 1.25" track you won't have any problems.

all this makes me doubt my decision on this sled now...

These sleds are very nice sleds. The engines are incredibly smooth, power is seemless, they are fast, don't stink, get decent fuel economy, handle well and the suspension soaks up the bumps as well as anything else out there, etc. Overall they are very, very good.

The only area that I feel these sleds are lacking (believe it or not - for a Yamaha) is durability. In 06 the major problems were chaincase and idler wheels. Both of those are big enough problems to keep you at home while your buddies are out riding. Hopefully in 07 the problems will be resolved - or you can take the problems into your own hands and install an 05 chaincase and 04 RX-1 idler wheels (some simple machining required). With these two modifications I don't think there will be a sled out there that can touch them for durability, especially with this kind of performance.

One other problem that some find very annoying is the hand warmers didn't work well in 06. 07's are supposed to be better.