Bigger wheels vs new mounts

[YammyRX1]

If someone wants to improve slider life, what are the pros and cons of buying the bigger wheel kits vs buying the modified mounts that allow you to use your existings wheels at a lower position. It seems that the end result would be about the same but the mounting kits are much cheaper. The kits also add a second bolt for more strength but does that weaken the rails?

 

[snowbeast]

If someone wants to improve slider life, what are the pros and cons of buying the bigger wheel kits vs buying the modified mounts that allow you to use your existings wheels at a lower position. It seems that the end result would be about the same but the mounting kits are much cheaper. The kits also add a second bolt for more strength but does that weaken the rails?

I dont know why guys do this,just go get a set of srx sliders,they are thinner than stock apex/attak slides,and work awsome,and you can get aftermarket ones as well,in case your local yammi dealer cant get them.

 

[YammyRX1]

How does thinner work better? Seems you would be better with more surface area to distribute the weight and reduce friction....but still want some info on the wheels.

 

[Mooseman]

I would say using a bigger wheel that uses the same original bearing (Excell's) is a straight swap at all positions, including those that share the mount with the suspension. Less hassle.

I have not seen such lowered mounts so if you have a link, please post if you can (or say where they're from). Even if they do exist, you would only be able to use them where the wheel mounts by itself. Those that share the mount with the inner suspension will remain at the stock height.

 

[YammyRX1]

Pioneer is a sponsor so here is the link, first item under rear suspension.

http://pioneerperformance.net/

 

[snowbeast]

How does thinner work better? Seems you would be better with more surface area to distribute the weight and reduce friction....but still want some info on the wheels.

All you are doing with bigger wheels is taking pressure off the slides,most people do this so the track rides on the wheel more than the slides,and when you start with a thicker slide,on stock wheels,you have to wear in the slides so they dont stick,but most complain,of them wearing to fast,so alot toss them out just when they are almost done wearing,and will last for thousands of miles,but alot dont want to do this,so they install larger wheels,but what i dont like about this,is the feeling of being on marbles,when running hard thru turns,plus the fact you stress the rails more,much easier solution is to install thinner slides,you come up with the same end result,and its much cheaper,and easier. But because of crappy wheels yamaha has been using on there apex line sense 06 have driven alot of us to get differant wheels to keep them from delamanating,and some of the benefits are run stock slides and larger wheels,your choice.

 

[Mooseman]

That may be true for the most part except for the front bend where there are normally no wheels at all. There may also be other factors such as a heavy sled, heavy rider and/or 2 up riding that will further add to that wear. For example, if you start with a total of 5mm of usable hifax your first 2.5mm wears out fast, then you only have 2.5 left to take on the extra weight, then it will wear down to the rail. Now add an extra 2.5mm of wheel, now you have 5mm of hifax to use.

Even if you don't change the wheels and left the hifax to wear, eventually, it will be the same as changing the wheels since you've worn 2.5mm of the hifax off, at which point, the wheels take over.

As for the mounts vs. bigger wheels, Pioneer doesn't show what the mount itself looks like but I suspect it's like the two bolt Doo mount. Anyway, I would go with the Excell 135mm wheels. Direct swap, no drilling, no fuss. I installed Doo mounts and wheels on mine last year and I would have like these instead. At least I can order them to use on my suspension mounts.

 

[tender33]

I run the Pioneer mounts and they work great. From what I read they won't work on the 2010 or 2011 apexs. Four off the mounts use 2 bolts and 2 use 1 bolt.

 

[greenmntpass]

I second the pioneer performance mounts. I put them on 2 1/2 years ago
when I had the suspension out, easy install. No notta nothing as far as slider wear. I'm in central vermont and up untill this year, the past two have been crap. I've ridden in some rough conditions for extended periods where snow kind of vacated the trail and still no wear. To me the 85 dollars was well worth it. I still cant believe Yamaha still has slider issues with the new sleds. Its moving a mount hole 2.5mm no serious retooling. Very sad.

 

[kkraus]

I ride with a guy who has the same XTX as I do. He put the bigger wheels on and I didn't. They both wear to the same point and quit wearing for miles and miles. If you keep changing slides I think you are just stressing out your track clips faster with all the heat the thicker slides produce. Save your money and ride till they get thin and keep an eye on them. I know it's hard to do but I have about 1000 miles since they got thin with no further wear. Keep a spare set on hand just in case though. Just my experience with over 5000 miles on my sled. Put the money in the tank and ride!

 

[RageX2]

X3 on the Pioneer mount kit. works great. i do alot of big mile tour rides and 'keeping an eye' on my slides when thin doesn't cut it. OR,how about when you put on new slides and the trail is icy and dry and they burn and stick until they 'wear in', not fun. '10 and 11 mono kits are available now, just not on website yet. I think I got the first one a couple weeks ago.

 

[YammyRX1]

My slides wore to metal in 300 miles so keeping an eye isn't an option. Sounds like the wheel kits work just as well as the larger wheels so why not save some cash? Thanks for all the info.

 

[tender33]

RageX2 whats changes were made for the 2010 and 2011 kits. I will take mine off my 08 apex when I trade it in. Could the older kit be changed to fit?

 

[RageX2]

no it could not be changed to fit. the 2010 and up models use a wider wheel bearing, also the newer kit is machined to fit thr updated rail braces.