Ok, so I made up the XTX. Sort of has a nice ring to it though...
Finally here's some pics of my 07 RTX stretched to a 144" with ZX-2 suspension, Mufinworks tunnel extension, and 9T Wahl Bro's. Extroverts. Future mods may include 13mm sway bar and roller secondary.
Finally here's some pics of my 07 RTX stretched to a 144" with ZX-2 suspension, Mufinworks tunnel extension, and 9T Wahl Bro's. Extroverts. Future mods may include 13mm sway bar and roller secondary.
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VERY NICE!! Have you put any milles on it yet? Been thinking that my Attak might be getting 1 of thos ZX2's in a 144"!!
BlkNytro
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sweet lookin sled, just needs a lower windsheild IMO, or darken up the one you have now.
yamaslob
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Nice flow of yellow into it.
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Keep us posted on the zx2. It's always nice to see how the aftermarket stuff performs.
I have over 1000 miles on the ZX-2 so far. I talked a little bit about it in the aftermarket suspension forum, but I will re-iterate here.
Overall, I love the skid. I go all of 280+ in gear and I do ride hard occasionally. I don't like bottoming out period.
It's not good for me or the sled. I would really have to work hard to intentionally bottom out the ZX-2, and I am on setting 2 out of like 6 or 7 for preload, so I have a lot to work with. I think this skid is the perfect combination with the fox floats. They are both really good at resisting bottoming.
I did have a problem with bolts backing out and breaking like many others, and part of it was self inflicted, some was not. I eventually removed and cleaned every bolt on the skid that went into a threaded shaft of some sort, and used red (291 I think) Loktite. I have been checking and nothing has come loose since.
My first rides/impressions is that the skid was very stiff. I had the preload set at 4 or 5 like the instructions suggest. I found it way too stiff, so I backed it off. With miles, this skid definitely loosen up and transforms into a remarkable ride. I run extroverts and always keep my track on the loose side, so track tension was not a contributing factor to the initial harshness. I would run till I would ratchet with the extroverts, and then take the slack up one turn on the rear adjuster bolts. Seems to be just fine after the first 400-500 miles, and it was a new track so some stretch is expected.
I am no guru like some on this site, but I will try to speak semi intelligently about the ride. I can feel quite a bit of what I call stutter bumps. I really can not compare to the stock CK suspension since I only had 169miles on it last year. Also, that was a short track, and with the ZX-2 I am at 144", two different animals. I believe I have ridden other and brands that seemed smoother on said stutter bumps, but it is nothing unbearable. Some of the lake riding I did two weeks ago would shake just about anyone’s teeth out. Little snow and lots of early seasons slush = one rough lake. On this ride, there was another bone stock 07 RTX and he said the same thing, so I know it wasn't just my suspension.
When the trails get really rough and tend to seem more like a motocross track, that's where this suspension really shines. With the power of the Yammi's and the hookup of the new track, I find myself blipping the go flipper at the base of every bump/mogul and launching off of it. The faster you go, the better it sucks up the bumps. I tend to ride at the back of the groups I ride with(make sure no one else breaks down
), and the one thing I have really noticed is I do not tend to stand up nearly as much as I used to or as much as other riders do. It's is something you really don't think of till you actually see it happen in front of you.
As far at the infamous "G-outs", I have yet to hit one with the new suspension that hurts. You will naturally stand up when you see on e of them coming. Now as I clinch and brace for impact I'm like" Damm, that wasn't bad at all!" These are the situations why I got the suspension in the first place; it really shines in the G-outs.
I have the coupling set right where it came from the factory and haven't messed with it yet. I am very happy with the weight transfer. From a dead stop or rolling at any speed up to 65-70MPH, I can pin it and pick the skis up about 3 inches. It is controllable and consistent. When I see a bump coming I can blip the throttle and get the skis over it with ease. Again, I have an unstudded 144"ripsaw. Characteristics might be different with a different length.
Things I do notice, is that the rear of the sled sits up 3-4 inches higher than stock. (I had it side by side with a stock 07RTX). This obviously raises the center of gravity. I am thinking of going to a 13mm sway bar next year to help compensate with the additional height and the inside ski lift the sled is notorious for. For me, the damping seems to be pretty good; however I would personally like to see a separate rebound adjustment. Lighter riders say the sled seems to kickback a lot more than I notice.
There is an issue with bolts coming loose, and A&D has issued a service bulletin about it. Some bolts that the consumer doesn't touch have come loose on me, and this is something that could be cured at assembly with a little better thread locking compound IMO. My only other concern is durability. I have had no problems so far, but again I only have around 1000miles on it. I hope this skid will last 4-5 years till I get a new sled. If it does, I certainly have no qualms with buying another one for my next sled.
At some point if I get the time, I'll try to do a more complete write up on it. No promises though. In the mean time, if you have specific questions, post or PM me and I will try to answer as best I can.
Overall, I love the skid. I go all of 280+ in gear and I do ride hard occasionally. I don't like bottoming out period.
It's not good for me or the sled. I would really have to work hard to intentionally bottom out the ZX-2, and I am on setting 2 out of like 6 or 7 for preload, so I have a lot to work with. I think this skid is the perfect combination with the fox floats. They are both really good at resisting bottoming.I did have a problem with bolts backing out and breaking like many others, and part of it was self inflicted, some was not. I eventually removed and cleaned every bolt on the skid that went into a threaded shaft of some sort, and used red (291 I think) Loktite. I have been checking and nothing has come loose since.
My first rides/impressions is that the skid was very stiff. I had the preload set at 4 or 5 like the instructions suggest. I found it way too stiff, so I backed it off. With miles, this skid definitely loosen up and transforms into a remarkable ride. I run extroverts and always keep my track on the loose side, so track tension was not a contributing factor to the initial harshness. I would run till I would ratchet with the extroverts, and then take the slack up one turn on the rear adjuster bolts. Seems to be just fine after the first 400-500 miles, and it was a new track so some stretch is expected.
I am no guru like some on this site, but I will try to speak semi intelligently about the ride. I can feel quite a bit of what I call stutter bumps. I really can not compare to the stock CK suspension since I only had 169miles on it last year. Also, that was a short track, and with the ZX-2 I am at 144", two different animals. I believe I have ridden other and brands that seemed smoother on said stutter bumps, but it is nothing unbearable. Some of the lake riding I did two weeks ago would shake just about anyone’s teeth out. Little snow and lots of early seasons slush = one rough lake. On this ride, there was another bone stock 07 RTX and he said the same thing, so I know it wasn't just my suspension.
When the trails get really rough and tend to seem more like a motocross track, that's where this suspension really shines. With the power of the Yammi's and the hookup of the new track, I find myself blipping the go flipper at the base of every bump/mogul and launching off of it. The faster you go, the better it sucks up the bumps. I tend to ride at the back of the groups I ride with(make sure no one else breaks down
), and the one thing I have really noticed is I do not tend to stand up nearly as much as I used to or as much as other riders do. It's is something you really don't think of till you actually see it happen in front of you.As far at the infamous "G-outs", I have yet to hit one with the new suspension that hurts. You will naturally stand up when you see on e of them coming. Now as I clinch and brace for impact I'm like" Damm, that wasn't bad at all!" These are the situations why I got the suspension in the first place; it really shines in the G-outs.
I have the coupling set right where it came from the factory and haven't messed with it yet. I am very happy with the weight transfer. From a dead stop or rolling at any speed up to 65-70MPH, I can pin it and pick the skis up about 3 inches. It is controllable and consistent. When I see a bump coming I can blip the throttle and get the skis over it with ease. Again, I have an unstudded 144"ripsaw. Characteristics might be different with a different length.
Things I do notice, is that the rear of the sled sits up 3-4 inches higher than stock. (I had it side by side with a stock 07RTX). This obviously raises the center of gravity. I am thinking of going to a 13mm sway bar next year to help compensate with the additional height and the inside ski lift the sled is notorious for. For me, the damping seems to be pretty good; however I would personally like to see a separate rebound adjustment. Lighter riders say the sled seems to kickback a lot more than I notice.
There is an issue with bolts coming loose, and A&D has issued a service bulletin about it. Some bolts that the consumer doesn't touch have come loose on me, and this is something that could be cured at assembly with a little better thread locking compound IMO. My only other concern is durability. I have had no problems so far, but again I only have around 1000miles on it. I hope this skid will last 4-5 years till I get a new sled. If it does, I certainly have no qualms with buying another one for my next sled.
At some point if I get the time, I'll try to do a more complete write up on it. No promises though. In the mean time, if you have specific questions, post or PM me and I will try to answer as best I can.
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Thank you sir! Sounds like something I'll have to seiously consider this summer. I broke my collarbone in early January, and have only put about 800 miles on for this season. With 2,200 on the sled, I figure the chances of breaking something next seaso is very likely. I go 300+ geared up, and have broken every Yamaha rear suspension I have owned. I think the attack angle and length of the 144 ZX2 would be great for boondockin in the UP, with an occasional trip West to the mountains. Thanks again for your write up.
Dave
Dave
Viper Dave, I spent many an hour in the U.P. and it sounds like our riding style is very similar. I love boondocking myself. I have always been dissapointed with the approach angle of the Yamaha machines save my 2000MM700 (shown in avatar).
I think the ZX-s has certainly helped in this aspect and moving the skid farther back may be an option as well. I'll be mounting my 2" challenger early next week. Then on Friday it is off to the mountains (Togwotee). I'll get a good chance to see how it works out in the steep and deep! I'll be sure to post on its performance after I get back.
I heard about your little mishap earlier in the year. Glad you weren't damaged any worse. Here's to a speedy recovery.
I think the ZX-s has certainly helped in this aspect and moving the skid farther back may be an option as well. I'll be mounting my 2" challenger early next week. Then on Friday it is off to the mountains (Togwotee). I'll get a good chance to see how it works out in the steep and deep! I'll be sure to post on its performance after I get back.
I heard about your little mishap earlier in the year. Glad you weren't damaged any worse. Here's to a speedy recovery.
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Thanks! My riding partner and I are headed to the Lodge in March. Probably the first week. I won't be completely healed, BUT, I am going anyway! We got about 16" of snow today and the wind is blowin' some serious drifts in the fields. I REALLY wish I was healthy NOW
GYTRules!!!
Extreme
That thing looks awesome! Thanks for the review.
I happened upon and old post of mine in the sled garage and thought I would add a little more to it. My trip out to Togwotee last year was an absolute blast, and I couldn't have asked for the sled to perform any better. I put on a 2"x144" I kept from my MM700 days. I also put on a set of "Dumbo" skis I purchased originally from a Viking Professional. I have a picture of my ski right next to a 07 600SDI ski. Talk about clown feet! Yes, I can still get the sled stuck, but usually I would get stuck where no one else could get to me or was willing to try. Other sleds in my group were (2) 600 renegades, crossfire 700, crossfire 800, RMK700 and a fusion 900. Part of it may have been snow conditions as it was warm during the days, but I feel the 4-stroke really shined in the following situation: I would get mired down in 3-5 feet of powder and no one else saw me or could get to me. First, I do let off before I dig to China. I know I need to be able to lift the rear of the sled out of the trench by myself. I would walk down the snow in front of and behind the led about 10-15 feet. Once I got the rear up and to the side of the trench a little, I would pack snow in the trench and slide the track sort of over where the hole was I had filled in. Now, here is the real neat part. I went down one or two teeth from the stock RTX gearing on my upper sprocket so I was definitely geared down. If I was very careful with the throttle I could move the machine forward a few inches without spinning the track, then put it in reverse and did the same. Working it back and forth gaining a little every time, I was able to get about a 10-15 foot total groove with enough solid base where I could pin it and get enough momentum to break out. I would have to say about 85% of my recoveries were done this way. I was amazed that I had the control with the 4-stroke to creep the machine back and forth without busting the track loose every time and digging deeper. I know I didn’t have that kind of control with my old MM700. In summary, I am very happy with the performance of the ZX-2 in deep snow.
I have only gotten out twice this year so far, but overall I am still impressed with the skid. After getting back from out west last year I changed back to my 1 1/4" and put the sled away for the season. When I had the skid out, I did not notice any excessive wear. I believe I did chance the slides because I had the skid out. The old ones still had better than half life to them. I did not notice any play in the skid bushings, but after seeing some posts on this site, I will do a tear down at the end of the season this year and inspect everything. I did loose one of the rubber stoppers for the revolver, contacted A&D, and they send me a new set of them. I have yet to install them.
The only semi major issue I am concerned with is with what I call the track departure angle. Because I took a 121" sled and stretched it out to a 144", I get some rubbing of the track at the aluminum frame reinforcement of the stock tunnel. It is a little difficult to explain, but I have attached some pictures. I also covered this in the aftermarket suspension group. Just something to watch out for if extending a 121" out this long.
Overall I am still very happy with this skid and sled combination. For a big guy and heavy sled, I can ride with the best of them. I haven't gone to a 13mm sway bar yet, and still have some ski lift prevalent in corners. I think it is more noticeable now with a new set of 8" carbides than it ever was before, but then again I did not but this sled for railing around corners.
Well have to see what the rest of the season brings. I'll try to get a end of 2nd season summary typed up, but work might interfere with that, and the rest of my snowmobiling season.
Thanks for all the great comments from members. Have a safe and happy season, and let's have some fun out there!
I have only gotten out twice this year so far, but overall I am still impressed with the skid. After getting back from out west last year I changed back to my 1 1/4" and put the sled away for the season. When I had the skid out, I did not notice any excessive wear. I believe I did chance the slides because I had the skid out. The old ones still had better than half life to them. I did not notice any play in the skid bushings, but after seeing some posts on this site, I will do a tear down at the end of the season this year and inspect everything. I did loose one of the rubber stoppers for the revolver, contacted A&D, and they send me a new set of them. I have yet to install them.
The only semi major issue I am concerned with is with what I call the track departure angle. Because I took a 121" sled and stretched it out to a 144", I get some rubbing of the track at the aluminum frame reinforcement of the stock tunnel. It is a little difficult to explain, but I have attached some pictures. I also covered this in the aftermarket suspension group. Just something to watch out for if extending a 121" out this long.
Overall I am still very happy with this skid and sled combination. For a big guy and heavy sled, I can ride with the best of them. I haven't gone to a 13mm sway bar yet, and still have some ski lift prevalent in corners. I think it is more noticeable now with a new set of 8" carbides than it ever was before, but then again I did not but this sled for railing around corners.
Well have to see what the rest of the season brings. I'll try to get a end of 2nd season summary typed up, but work might interfere with that, and the rest of my snowmobiling season.
Thanks for all the great comments from members. Have a safe and happy season, and let's have some fun out there!
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Gone Blue
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Wow, that yellow ZX2 looks awesome on your RTX. G.B.
Thanks. I really like the way the color scheme turned out. The excellent ride is a bonus!
Dano
TY 4 Stroke Master
Nice job! You’ll really like the 13mm sway bar combined with the taller skid. The only downfall is that it makes it harder to pull sled on its side when sidehilling or playing in the fluff.
Dan
Dan
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thegrizzly1 - we had that happen on the 136" ZX-2's as well. Only solution is to cut out 25 millimeters or 1" to make more room for the track. Because of the 8" rear idler wheels the track rides 1" higher in the tunnel. I cut down rear end of the rear bulkhead (where yours is bent) frame and problem was gone.
