2019s

[MrSled]

I hear ya Mike.....

I do think though, there are plenty of STOCK winders out there that dont have great belt life, and some guys cant keep a belt on them at all....even stock. I know internet hype can make it look worse too, but it is happening. These aint no APEX belt life sleds you gotta admit.

Why not make a turbo belt? That seems like a no brainer...

You can go on HCS and barely find any posts much less threads, about blowing belts on 998s.....but here on TY, the entire forum can have a dozen threads all going at once on page one about belts/alignment, ect. That is never a good sign.

No doubt adding massive HP is asking for belt life to be reduced, and I get it. Maybe im asking for too much being a trail guy wanting the big power too.

Saying HCS on this site is like telling me to go screw off.. its like a swear word!! Dan, do you go ride or do you read and then change because the masses on this site make the change?

 

[ROCKERDAN]

The guys on HCS are used to the old belt blowing 1100's and used to belts blowing, the guys here are used to the Apex and never blowing a belt. The Apex has a rubber damped geared down output shaft taking vibes out. The twin and triple four-strokes have horrible harmonics and vibes transmitting all that directly to the clutches and belts. Not just Yamaha but Doo also.

The problem here is one guy says the offset should be at 61mm. So everyone set them at 61mm. Monkey see, monkey doo. One guys says oh, you gotta try this clutching, bang, monkey see, monkey doo. That clutch setup blowing lots o-belts and running super hot! One guy says, OMG, this spring is coil binding in the driven, you gotta buy this spring, bang, everyone goes out and buys that heavy spring. See how one guy that doesn't really know, but thinks he knows and others so too can really mess up a dang good machine?

If you have a stock winder you can get by with offset that is not perfect, it's making less power. The powerhouse tunes need alignment to be spot on and perfect. I finally pulled my clutch guard to have a look and could see for myself that 60mm on my sled was not in far enough at 1:1 shift. So I moved mine in after blowing a couple of belts. It takes a while to evolve these things at the high power levels, especially when the winters are so dang poor anymore.

Agree with all brother.....and I appreciate your work and input always, fingers crossed we are narrowing down the belt life!

It does suck that certain things got hyped here, and I think 98% of the members here took that advice and ran with it, and well....it seems to be turning out it was blowing more belts....

That is why im alot closer to stock now then I ever was, and glad to hear more and more everyday guys changing to a lesser offset with good results, it gives me hope as I love so much about this sled. There really is nothing even close to this kind of power offered by anyone. I dont need 3000 mile belt life, nor expect it at 270+hp....Just something I can hold when I want without worry, and I would swap them out at 700 miles if need be, For this kind of HP that is a small price to pay.

 

[ryama]

Well I thought about buying a new sled just for the adjustable shocks via the handle bar switch. But I would have to give up my present 17 with 2500 trouble free kilometres. I put the TD powertrail tune with there recommendations on clutching and have never touch a dam think.
Mind you I did the ROV bypass but other wise the best sled I have ever owned. Bravo Yamaha for a engenerring miracle .

 

[CooperT]

The more things you change, the more problems you have.

You change one thing, you have to change another to compensate and it never really ends...

Leave em stock...they made it that way at the factory for a reason, they’ve done all the testing!

 

[Doc Harley]

My stock winder did 1900miles on stock belt. 3/4k for sure. But i didn't need to prove a point.

I think belt blowers are a small number in the big picture. Jmho

 

[fatchance]

You're spot on here Knapp, i wished i read this thread before posting on another with the same sentiment. Many of these blown belts were self inflicted. We all have different set ups and there are way too many variables for one set up to work for the masses. I think while often times all this info can get us close it is ultimately up to each individual to figure out what works best for them and their particular setup, riding style and body weight. It doesn't bother me to blow a belt while learning, however it is a gut punch when you think you've got it figured out!

 

[Doowithblue]

I have to admit I should have just went with my gut since I've been clutching sleds for over 30 years. But no like others I read the forums and got sucked into what others did and now I have a toolbox full of junk that doesn't work. Thankfully I have a small group of riders like myself that test and share setups that actually work.

 

[ClutchMaster]

 

[74Nitro]

No, but it worries me.lol

I was just asking because I did. I was out for my first big ride at the end of December when all of a sudden, the sled stop driving and was making a grinding noise. It re-engaged once, but then did it again only half mile from home. Looked at the chaincase and saw that the sight glass was missing. So I walked the rest of the way.
I guess it hadn't been installed far enough into the case, and there it was laying in the bottom of chaincase. Oil got low, then melted the nylon pucks on shift fork , causing the gear to move over far enough to dis-engage and grind.
Everything was covered under warranty, but Yamaha in Toronto did request the parts be sent in. Had less than 100 miles on.
Loading up tonight, heading for New Liskard for my last ride!

 

[74Nitro]

The guys on HCS are used to the old belt blowing 1100's and used to belts blowing, the guys here are used to the Apex and never blowing a belt. The Apex has a rubber damped geared down output shaft taking vibes out. The twin and triple four-strokes have horrible harmonics and vibes transmitting all that directly to the clutches and belts. Not just Yamaha but Doo also.

The problem here is one guy says the offset should be at 61mm. So everyone set them at 61mm. Monkey see, monkey doo. One guys says oh, you gotta try this clutching, bang, monkey see, monkey doo. That clutch setup blowing lots o-belts and running super hot! One guy says, OMG, this spring is coil binding in the driven, you gotta buy this spring, bang, everyone goes out and buys that heavy spring. See how one guy that doesn't really know, but thinks he knows and others so too can really mess up a dang good machine?

If you have a stock winder you can get by with offset that is not perfect, it's making less power. The powerhouse tunes need alignment to be spot on and perfect. I finally pulled my clutch guard to have a look and could see for myself that 60mm on my sled was not in far enough at 1:1 shift. So I moved mine in after blowing a couple of belts. It takes a while to evolve these things at the high power levels, especially when the winters are so dang poor anymore.

Mike, I agree with your thoughts. I'm on my 3rd belt at 1300 miles. I'm Ok with that considering I'm running 250hp plus, and the belts are rather cheap compared to competitors.
Hard to find fault with this machine, they are rockets, but I think a couple things in the chaincase could be slightly better.

 

[Big_Phil]

Well I thought about buying a new sled just for the adjustable shocks via the handle bar switch. But I would have to give up my present 17 with 2500 trouble free kilometres. I put the TD powertrail tune with there recommendations on clutching and have never touch a dam think.
Mind you I did the ROV bypass but other wise the best sled I have ever owned. Bravo Yamaha for a engenerring miracle .

Be alot cheaper to just buy new shocks for your sled. Those QS3 shocks are overhyped IMO. Mine just always stay on 2. 1 is too soft for any conditions and 3 is too hard.

 

[Doowithblue]

Be alot cheaper to just buy new shocks for your sled. Those QS3 shocks are overhyped IMO. Mine just always stay on 2. 1 is too soft for any conditions and 3 is too hard.

I revalved mine for #1 setting. Way better.

 

[Big_Phil]

I revalved mine for #1 setting. Way better.

But then 2-3 are useless settings now? Mine work quite well, I was just commenting on how the qs3 valve is a gimmick. You’re better off having the regular 20’clicks of compression

 

[ApexXTX/Viper]

4200 km's plus on the original belt - bone stock. $100 belts that last longer than any competitors $200 belts with 200 hp factory warrantied. This was a pipe dream a few short years ago. The most hp with the least expensive and longest lasting belts should be applauded. As Mike said, you want to play be prepared to pay. When you add 30-50% more power, belt life has to be adversely affected.

 

[Doowithblue]

But then 2-3 are useless settings now? Mine work quite well, I was just commenting on how the qs3 valve is a gimmick. You’re better off having the regular 20’clicks of compression

Yes 2/3 I never use. I just knew what it needed for the type of riding I do and went with that. I rarely turn a dial. The most I will adjust is the front ski springs these days.