2011 Nytro XTX 500 mile review...

[MCApex44]

Hey guys, thought I would share some of my thoughts on my XTX...so far.
I made the switch this year after 4+ yrs and 6,500 miles on a 06 Apex to the XTX. I can tell you I am quite impressed so far and glad I made the switch. This machine is what I should have been on in the first place. I seem to like it more and more each time out and I feel I almost have it dialed in to my liking.

I am 6'1 230lbs. I ride both semi-aggresive/aggresive for the most part. Our trails are a mixed bag of tight twisty (in the woods), alot of corner to corner blasts and open farmer fields.

Before I rode it, I had Bruce at Pioneer revalve the rear shocks. 1st time out...I rode it at the factory settings but equipped with 114 studs and pilot ski's (6" center, 4" outer). Man I thought this thing was stiff at first. Big change from the Apex ER in that department and also felt the steering felt wierd to me (so went with the OFT steering relocator and have to say I feel this is a great add-on for sure). I read alot of info provided by many of you guys here on TY (FAQ) and started making some adjustments quickly. I just wanted to soften things up a bit so I pretty much went to full soft on everything and adjusted up from there. One thing I will add (IMO) for new owners is that this sled (even with just under 500 miles) softened/loosened up quite a bit since my first time out.

Present Set-up--
Front shocks with 2.5 inches of threads showing.
Compression at 6 clicks (from full soft)
Rebound at 3 clicks
Limiter Strap(s)..stock or first hole.
Center Shock...couple of turns stiffer than stock.
Springs...medium
Rear Shock...1 from soft
Transfer Rods...I had them set at full transfer but just turned it back to half but I havent rode it yet on half.

Handling/seating position--
The seating position for a taller guy (like me) is absolutly perfect. The Apex would strain my knees/hips and it was tough to transition from sitting to standing. The OFT relocator was a major improvement IMO. As well as location of the bars for sitting/standing it seems like it gave it a tighter turning radius and flattened out the steering. Great benefit in the tight twistys. This thing rails the long looping curves at high speeds but I still have some work to do on adjustmets because in the tight turns she will often push through them and I also get some inside ski lift. Again, I adjusted the tranfer back to half hoping this will keep some weight on the front and will allow the skis to grab and help with the pushing.

Engine--
I will def miss the Apex engine that is for sure but the Nytro is no slouch by any means. The acceleration is very smooth and consistent. One advantage is the sound and tone or the Nytro's engine/exhaust (drone) doesnt wear out the ear drums as the Apex did.

Handwarmers and wind protection--
Handwarmers are much better than the Apex (even with updated 07 bars/harness and low expansion foam). Rode 150 miles on Sat. with single digit temps and my hands were warm/hot. I ditched the stock windshield and had the accessory windshield put on with side deflectors and this did the trick for wind protection.

Storage--
Needs more storage for sure. Added the bigger windshield bag but the sled still needs more storage.

Reverse--
Could be improved...not the easiest thing to get in and out of reverse.

With my present set-up (listed above)...I feel I have my XTX (almost) dead-on set to where it fits me and my riding style (except for the pushing in the tight corners). I guess at this point I am just looking for some thoughts/advise on addressing the pushing in the tight corners. I am hoping setting the tranfer rods back to half (from full transfer) will help? Or possibly shorten the limiter straps one hole as well?

 

[Schlorven]

interest reading.
I got to make the revalving on the rear shocks. I will try to revalv the front shocks to, softer from start and harder in the end.

 

[mewaschuk]

Stud Boy Deuce carbides helped a lot for me.

 

[stopdropanroll]

Stud Boy Deuce carbides helped a lot for me.

X2

 

[Grimm]

I found Skidoo Pilots pushed too much for my liking. Kimpex Arrows rail much better.

 

[MCApex44]

Instead of starting a new thread I figured I would just expand this one from the 500 mile review. It seems things change with more seat time and for me things sure have gotten better than before.

1,000 mile findings...Not a ton of info (cause the the wife and kid just got home and I am taking crap for being on the 'TY site' AGAIN..lol

You can see the set-up I am running in my first post. The only thing I changed was taking away some transfer. I went back to half (from full) and it seemed to make the rear suspension stiffer but definitely helped out with the pushing in tight corners at slower speeds. At half I felt there wasnt enough transfer for my liking so I since put the transfer back at 3/4 and this is the sweet spot for me. Still a bit of push but only when there is loose snow on the tight turns/trails (the pilot ski's are known for this). The trade-off is worth it cause I just flat out like the feel of more transfer. Plus, getting used to the clutching and throttle plays a big role as well when it comes to the tight corners.

Overall this sled ROCKS! We rode Tug Hill Thurs-Sat (450 miles) and the XTX performed great in all conditions the Hill could throw at us. I ride with my buddy(s) on a RTX SE, xp 800r, 600etec and 600 rev x (clutched and geared...I tell u this cause the only race was a from rolling start and the xtx just walked away from it and I was 3-4 sled lengths ahead after about 700ft).

Our group 'hauls the mail' when we ride. I hope some of you dont take the wrong way but If you are not happy with your XTX (in any way)...YOU either dont have it set-up right or YOU are not riding the sled correctly. The 800r was always the lead guy since he knows the trails. I have no problem keeping right on that sleds bumper whether we are in the woods, whoops, chatter, studders, long staights, long winding curves...you name it. We ran alot of high speed turns and the XTX holds the turn without pushing, corners flat and without any ski lift. For those of you who know the trail...we rode that long rail bed to Onieda lake and it was miles of studders (one/two footers). I found that the sled took them better at 70mph then compared to if we were only going 40mph. The faster I pounded through the junk the better. If you take the time and get this XTX set-up correctly it will perform great.

One thing I will throw in was it was down right cold Thurs and Fri and it wasnt the Yamaha guys that had trouble with the hand warmers. The 09 RTX SE has Rocks Yamaheater (great job Rock!) and my 2011 handwarmers were toasty. I wear the Klim Togwotee gloves.

Overall it was a great trip and each time out on the XTX gets better and better. I love this sled. Best sled I have ever owned...it will do anything you want it to if you set her up right and ride it right. You just cant sit on this sled and ride it...you have to include some rider input...but IMO that is how the sled was designed and was put on the market for...for the aggressive rider.

Ok...gotta go...the wife is pissed. Maybe I will add some more info later. This TY site rocks as well...if it wasnt for you guys I would probably still be trying to set up the sled still..lol

 

[couch]

Re your reverse issue - check to see that the linkage is not hitting on the footwell brace - our two Nytros had this problem - I just used a 1/2" drill bit to punch another hole at the top of the brace where the linkage rubbed and now reverse is almost effortless.

 

[MCApex44]

Re your reverse issue - check to see that the linkage is not hitting on the footwell brace - our two Nytros had this problem - I just used a 1/2" drill bit to punch another hole at the top of the brace where the linkage rubbed and now reverse is almost effortless.

Thx couch. I'll take a look.