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Break-in impressions of 2009 Yamaha RS Venture GT

Hi Rit,

Great photo!

I haven't done anything to this sled yet.

This sled is brand new and I am learning as I get some miles on the sled.

On the 2005 RS Venture, it was a combination of larger kimpex wheels and a marginal snow wheel kit.

On my 2005 RS Venture, Yamaha didn't have the wheels that are now about 10" ahead of the rear axle. Since 05 the have added the larger wheels ahead of the rear axle.

Snow conditions also play a big factor in slide wear.

Many times slides will quickly wear down to a certain point and then not wear much after that. Be patient and see how the slides are wearing.

Hope this helps! ;)!
 

initial impressions

picked up the 09 this weekend, got to ride 50 miles or so. Need to make some changes - this thing is TIPPY! Suspension changes already covered here and possibly the Curves from my RX1 are in order. Stock skis & suspension settings as delivered are not the ticket for 200lb solo. Jury is still out on track howl - at some points(35-38 mph light throttle) it seemed as loud as the 06 :o| need more time to say for sure.

I really like the windshield, backrest, ride, trunk, ergos, FI motor feels great. I'll try to make some changes & test this weekend -


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Thanks Hondo, I'll just wait and watch them as I rack up the miles, I have 260 on it right now.

Also thanks for your intial evaluation of the sled,,,,,,,,,,,now I know the "clunk" I hear on acceleration and coasting is normal.

millstreet, I also agree on the "tippy" feeling when making a slow turn, I'll also play with the springs and shocks this coming weekend.

Does anyone know if Yami is trying to force you to get your service done by them, based on About 30 - 60 minutes to do the following: chnage oil & filter, change light bulb, change some fuses, change battery? (this is based on what I read in the book and not actually doing the work)
 
Millstreet and Rit,

Nice sleds!

The GT's certainly have a higher CG. It takes some time to get used to riding it. With the 2" Rox Riser installed and the riders seat lip moved back approximately three inches gives me a real comfortable riding position.

The sled does have a track humm to it but nothing like the 2005 track howl. The motor and exhaust certainly is noticeable. I do like the sound of the motor though.

I took my sled in for it's 500 mile oil change and filter change. I was able to do some more suspension tweaking. For me the sled will be set up for solo touring. I softened the front shock clickers from 7 clicks to 9 clicks soft.

I set the black spring block to (M) and will ride it for awhile with these settings

One note: My mechanic mentioned to me that he has seen most sleds come from the factory with the ski spindles set a neutral or (0) zero. We took the Curve skis off and checked the spindles with an alignment tool.

The spindle inserts need to be removed so the bar can fit through the spindles. Sure enough the spindles were set (0) zero or neutral.

With the bar through both spindles which holds the spindles straight, the handles bars can be more easily adjusted if required. I straightened and aligned my bars because they were off just a touch.

We then put the skis back on and then turned the ski control rod in 1/2 turn with the lock nut loosened.

Basically turn the lolly-pop or trunion bearing over 1/2 turn in, this will give you a 1/4 inch toe out on the ski you are working on. Repeat this step on the other ski for a 1/4 inch toe-out on each ski. This method is more accurate since the front end is aligned before any adjustments were made.

Curve skis or any ski needs to have the 1/4 inch toe-out on each ski in order for the ski to work effectively. I rode the sled home and noticed a nice difference.

I forgot my camera. I'll try to get some photos within a couple of days.

If you take your sleds into a dealer ask them if they have an alignment tool. Basically the spindle bar is used more in the event of crashed sled that has a bent front end. I found it very useful to check the spindle alignment before any ski adjustments were made.

Hope this helps! ;)!
 
Got to ride & tune some this weekend

-turned blocks from M to S & reduced preload on front skid shock

big improvement, more stable

-reduced preload on front ski shocks

more improved, more stable

-installed Curves

got rid of the "push" (understeer)
& helped with the darting

-Next step - further soften front skid shock & tighten limiters up 1 hole

But thats next weekend - Thanks for the help ;)!
 
Hi T.J.

We got 6" last night. Temps have warmed to plus 5

I rode each sled 45 miles today. The 05 sits lower to the ground.

I like the 09 better. It's much more comfortable with the seat and bar mods.

I do need to put 3,900 miles on the 05 though. I need you to be a rabbit for me. Hopefully we can kick out 1,000 miles when you get here.

Knowing you 1,200! LOL...

With Curves on the 05 it handles much better than last year in this time frame.

Looking forward to your visit. ;)!

Good report millstreet!

Curves are a great ski!

I need to start working on the middle shock too! ;)!
 
Suspension update. 1200 miles on sled. Have ridden in almost every condition you can think of. My impression of the suspension is that it was not setup to be ridden hard or with only one rider. Here's where I am now. Front springs 2 turns softer than stock. Center track shock stock. Rear torsion spring softest. Rear shock compression softest. Slydog Powderhound skis with Berstrom triplepoint bars. Still needs more bite up front to balance front and rear traction. Today, I'm going to pull in limiter one hole. Thanks for all your posts they are very helpful. P.S. Yamaha should have provided all this info up front. George
 
hondo said:
After the break in period I’ll be using Yamaha’s new 0w40 full synthetic oil which will provide 3,000 miles between oil changes. After the initial break-in oil and filter change I will follow the owner’s manual recommendation and keep the oil filter in for 12,000 miles.



Chris from Yamaha Canada (blog) says he doesn't recomemd switching to synthetics till after 2000miles....I'll try to find his post, it was about this new 0w40 oil

http://snowmobiles.yamahablogs.ca/2008/ ... /#comments

Darren says:

Hey Chris,

Can we change to the fully synthetic right after break in? or do we have to wait till over 1000 miles? (seating the rings?)

Hey Darren, that’s a good question and one that will be hard to find a definitive answer to. I’m old school and would wait until the motor was well broken in to be sure.(second oil change) but that’s just my opinion

September 21st, 2008 at 10:24 pm
 
I do respect Chris's opinion.

There is more than just rings to break-in; Cams, cam lobes, cam chain, timing chain, bearings, crank etc. The motor is like a Swiss Watch.

The first oil change was been completed at 534 miles.

I'm riding with Yamalube Full Synthetic 0W-40. Currently have 800 miles on the motor.

Hope she holds together.

I think she will.

I'll certainly share my results. ;)!

Riding off into the sunset today. ;)!
SunsetJan202009.jpg



Thanks for sharing your findings Studdog!

I'll be doing the same as well as soften the rear suspension a little more ;)!
 
1486 miles. Best thing I did was pull up limiter one hole. Now fine tuning front ski springs and ski shimming. Rear suspension set full soft. Sled has never bottomed out. Need to find way to soften some more. Maybe weaker rear spring? This sled is a dog in twisty oe uneven trails. I'm not sure it can safely be driven hard on tight trails. Great sled in many other ways. George
 
More miles on sled handling much better except tight trails. Stiill feels like it needs more bite up front. Sled wants to lift inside ski on tight fast turn. I have lossened the front springs 3 full turns to lower front end 1/2 inch or so. This worked on the Apex attak's I drove. Overall it's a great running package. Motor strong and smooth. Windshield and seat are wonderful. I have rest od suspension full soft and haven't once bottomed out the suspension. Fuel economy about 18 mpg except when pushing deep snow. Range 150 miles easily with puny 9.4 gallon tank. Any input from other owners of this sled would be appreciated.
 
I'm enjoying the Old Man sled - read the sign in the background ;)!

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Handling is getting better with changes - need to figure out how to soften up the mousetrap spring - I'll post with results ;)!
 


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