Apex engine great but wowthe chases eats parts

[Paraclete]

I hope I have as good luck as grubf

 

[LJ 452]

It's funny, the guy posts some of the nagging problems he has had and compares it to sleds of his past. I'm assuming he did the same amount of maintenance to those. Everyone gets mad, or defensive. The bottom line is these sleds require a TON of maintenance. Not the engine but everything else. And the list of parts for the fall prep can get to be a bit overwhelming. I've certainly experienced the same thing the O.P. has. It became annoying enough (along with handling issues) that I decided to try something different. I would literally inspect my entire sled before every trip, pulling the skid rolling every bearing, checking every weld, looking at rivets, you get the idea. The motors are great, but lets not deny the fact that depending on how you ride you will do more maintenance (preventative or not) to these than any other. Just look at the list of aftermarket stuff everyone listed, that what over a grand, and that's if you do the work yourself.

To the O.P., your case is not unique, it's one of the trade offs of owning one of these. Something that can drive you nuts the more you think about it. I would say you have a decision to make as to whether or not you are willing to continue, most of the issues you can reduce the frequency of failures, some are just part of the deal.

 

[Ak Yammy]

In 4000 miles on my RTX 2 set of hyfax (too lazy to add wheels could probably do better), donuts (looked perfect but changed them anyway for preventative), spedo bearing, 2 inside wheels and that is it. After owning 13 sleds over the years (mostly Polaris) I feel I am doing pretty good. In that same mileage window with other sleds I've had countless blown belts, bad tracks, motors siezed, blown shocks, blown chain cases ect. All in all it's been a good sled for me.
I will say that new Cat Turbo has my eye but walking into my local Cat/Yam dealer yesterday and seeing one wih 0 miles sitting there with a fried ECU did not make me want it too much. On the other hand the Blue XTX on the showroom floor had the drool flowing.

 

[tbanzer]

It's funny, the guy posts some of the nagging problems he has had and compares it to sleds of his past. I'm assuming he did the same amount of maintenance to those. Everyone gets mad, or defensive. The bottom line is these sleds require a TON of maintenance. Not the engine but everything else. And the list of parts for the fall prep can get to be a bit overwhelming. I've certainly experienced the same thing the O.P. has. It became annoying enough (along with handling issues) that I decided to try something different. I would literally inspect my entire sled before every trip, pulling the skid rolling every bearing, checking every weld, looking at rivets, you get the idea. The motors are great, but lets not deny the fact that depending on how you ride you will do more maintenance (preventative or not) to these than any other. Just look at the list of aftermarket stuff everyone listed, that what over a grand, and that's if you do the work yourself.

To the O.P., your case is not unique, it's one of the trade offs of owning one of these. Something that can drive you nuts the more you think about it. I would say you have a decision to make as to whether or not you are willing to continue, most of the issues you can reduce the frequency of failures, some are just part of the deal.

Yes you two hit it right about the Maintainence requirement and aftermarket parts. Most of the small annoyances could have very easilly been supplied from the factory with supperior components vs what Yamaha used originialy for a next to no added cost.. Most noticable are the bearings, idler wheels, suspension bushings, skid design and its calibration.

 

[Blue Dave]

Willbust,

I am just curious as to what exactly you intended to type as the title of your post?

 

[Super Sled]

I think it's intended to say "Apex engine great, but wow the chassis eats parts"

 

[Blue Dave]

You must be really good at the Wheel of Furtune!

 

[Blue Dave]

Here are some pics of my 6,000 mile maintenance project. I figured that since there is no snow I may as well have some "fun" working on my sled!

Shocks sent to Pioneer, several bad wheel bearings to replace, slides, rear suspension bushings, Ulmer front end bushings, all driveshaft & jackshaft bearings, change the fluids, lube everything, etc...

This may be a bit extreme but I would rather take the time and spend some money now than to have a sled trip ruined because of a preventable break down.

 

[Paraclete]

Is that a garage or a museum?

 

[Blue Dave]

I call it my "Man Cave". My wife is threatening to put a bed out there and make me live in the garage LOL!

 

[Paraclete]

I have lived in a lot worse places (without a fridge)

 

[Blue Dave]

I have lived in a lot worse places (without a fridge)

No garage should be without a fridge full of beer LOL!

 

[Paraclete]

I agree, but I have taken a different approach I just hide my rum in my toolbox. LOL
Is the pic in your avy your garage too? If so how do you get the sleds ups there? I am thinking about building one for my Attak

 

[Super Sled]

Blue Dave's man cave is awesome!!!

 

[Blue Dave]

Is the pic in your avy your garage too? If so how do you get the sleds ups there? I am thinking about building one for my Attak

I made an aluminum platform that is lifted up and down on a four point harness by an electric chain hoist in the ceiling. I can get four sleds up on the storage loft by alternating them facing in and out.

When the platform is lifted flush with the storage loft then two bolts secure it to threaded mounting plates in the loft beam and then two legs on the other end of the platform swing down and lock in place.

Once the platform is bolted to the beam and the legs are locked in place then I can release the four point hoist harness and the platform is free standing flush with the storage loft.

The sleds are on rollers and they are rolled on and off of the platform and lifted up and down. In the winter I put the summer toys up there. It really saves on the floor space in my garage.