Apex XTX Star Suspension - revisited

[bix96]

I know this has been discussed several different times & I found a lot of comments through search. I am just making plans for off-season set-up on my 2012 XTX that I recently added to the stable. Looking for any opinions from guys that have their own experience with Star Suspension. I weigh around 250 in gear. I spoke with Robert's partner with Star yesterday for quite some time regarding set up on my XTX for me. Of course the Star kit @$300. He also recommended a different spring on the rear shock and re-valving the front...another $250 for that. I am looking at all of these prices X2 as I am also going to set up my wife's Nytro XTX with a similar set-up.

Looking for opinions on: For those that have done this, should I just start with the $300 Star kit first? I have seen through search that there are very good results on just that. The other part of me thinks "well, it is off-season, so maybe better to do it all and not have to F with it during the season if it really will make a significant difference". The guys at Star really seem like stand up guys and were very informative on talking to me at length. Just looking to get some opinions from you guys that have gone down this road to see if the re-valve and re-spring per their recommendations is equally worth it and makes a significant like the original kit.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

X2.

I'm thinking of going to an XTX for next season and going along these same lines. Interested in hearing opinions.

 

[trailhed1]

Just my 2 cents, i installed the kit on my 14 Apex XTX and had both rear shocks re-Valved and changed to heavier center spring. I believe to get the most bang for the bucks it is the only way to go. To me just doing the kit and no shock work would be like buying one new carbide and just dealing with the old worn out one. You need both.

They are great people there at Star and I will be having my front shocks done this summer to complete the package.

Just do it.

 

[sx7001]

You should talk to Robert himself. The rear shock does not have a spring, the center shock does. The center shock is to soft and you will blow right through it in stock form. Star re-valves, installs a 10mm shim to reduce the drop out and a stiffer spring (all on the center shock). I take my kid on the back and that's 320lbs on the sled. All I do is go to medium on the rear spring adjusters and it rides awesome... Robert told me to leave the rear shock alone.

 

[bix96]

You should talk to Robert himself. The rear shock does not have a spring, the center shock does. The center shock is to soft and you will blow right through it in stock form. Star re-valves, installs a 10mm shim to reduce the drop out and a stiffer spring (all on the center shock). I take my kid on the back and that's 320lbs on the sled. All I do is go to medium on the rear spring adjusters and it rides awesome... Robert told me to leave the rear shock alone.

Yeah, my mistake on that one. He did say re-spring the center shock. Robert's assistant did tell me to that they make alterations to both shocks and that I should send center and (i believe front) in when doing the kit. I will talk to Robert and verify before sending shocks to him.

 

[bix96]

So from what I can see, to do this properly it is more of a $550 mod when you combine the shocks and kit. Anyone just do the $300 kit without doing the shocks? If so, what was your impression of that versus stock?

 

[icebreaker]

So from what I can see, to do this properly it is more of a $550 mod when you combine the shocks and kit. Anyone just do the $300 kit without doing the shocks? If so, what was your impression of that versus stock?

I run just the kit {copy} no shock change and a huge difference in ride qaulity.

 

[painter]

So from what I can see, to do this properly it is more of a $550 mod when you combine the shocks and kit. Anyone just do the $300 kit without doing the shocks? If so, what was your impression of that versus stock?

I run just the kit {copy} no shock change and a huge difference in ride qaulity.

Ditto, just the kit alone is a huge difference!

 

[Caveman]

Just my 2 cents, i installed the kit on my 14 Apex XTX and had both rear shocks re-Valved and changed to heavier center spring. I believe to get the most bang for the bucks it is the only way to go. To me just doing the kit and no shock work would be like buying one new carbide and just dealing with the old worn out one. You need both.

They are great people there at Star and I will be having my front shocks done this summer to complete the package.

Just do it.

After 2 seasons on the Apex XTX that I bought new, and deciding after about 10 demo rides on different Vipers that it wasn't for me (maybe the turbo doesn't have the power, push and sound of a tractor) I decided, because I love the feel, power steering and top end pull to improve the ride of the Apex as best I could until it's time for a new sled. The stock CK rear suspension on the XTX describes the last 2 letters of what Yamaha should really call it when we have a $12,000 sled that when you push down on the rear it stays there and you have to pull it back up...unbelievable.

I found a discontinued heavy spring for the stock center shock on ebay and sent to Star for the recalibration and shim. I installed the rebuilt center shock and the Star kit and sure enough, you push down on the rear and the suspension rebounds all the way back up, feels great and I can't wait to ride it. However, I did nothing to the rear clicker shock. So to my question for the guys running the Star kit....

Bouncing on it, there appears to be a 1/2" of play up and down inside the rear clicker shock before it engages and I wonder how that's going to feel in the light bumps. Do you guys feel the same thing? Is it normal? Am I only feeling it because the suspension is now working as it should? Do you think the shock is defective...maybe a warranty item? Has anyone re-valved the clicker? Should I bother? If so, did Star, HyGear, Pioneer or someone else do it? Thanks for the help!

 

[pay2play]

I put the star kit with the stiffer center shock spring and rebuild of the center shock be star on my nytro XTX. I am satisfied with my front gytr shocks in stock form. One full season and and no complaints. I'd do it again.

 

[Caveman]

Got that, center shock with heavy spring and kit, did that. It's the very rear shock, the clicker that seems to have about 1/2" of free play/slop up and down at the beginning of the stroke before it does anything. I didn't notice it before i did the kit. Guys with or without, does your REAR shock do that, is it normal, did you do anything to the clicker when you installed the star kit?

 

[sx7001]

I have the star kit with over 4000k now. Only problem I have had is the rear shock pull rod bushings were worn giving a metal rattle sound when you grab the rear bumper and jiggle it. I just installed a set of pull rods from star to try. I would say your shock has issues but that could be how the skid reacts is in stock form. When I bounce on mine the shock moves normally, no play.

 

[Caveman]

I have the star kit with over 4000k now. Only problem I have had is the rear shock pull rod bushings were worn giving a metal rattle sound when you grab the rear bumper and jiggle it. I just installed a set of pull rods from star to try. I would say your shock has issues but that could be how the skid reacts is in stock form. When I bounce on mine the shock moves normally, no play.

Thanks for checking and the heads up about the pull rods and photo. I felt the shock when my son bounced up and down and definitely it's sloppy inside, maybe just the way it is.
I'll do the same to a new on at the dealer and see how it is. Thanks for the picture, same sled, same color. How do you like the WRP seat so far?.. it looks good!

 

[sx7001]

No miles on the seat yet but it sure feels nicer. I put on the mountain apex riser also to keep my arms at the same level. Won't be long before I get to try it.

 

[larsd]

Where can I buy the star pull rods and suspension kit?