Almost700
Extreme
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- Oct 7, 2010
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- Zeeland Michigan
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- www.jasonbakker.com
Well, I finally got done with "project RX". After owning an Apex in 06-07, I downsized because I had a hard time justifying having that much coin stuck in a sled I really don't ride a ton. A good year is 1000 miles. Lucky to see that this year.
So, last year I picked up an 03 RX bone stock. I was really disappointed in the overall feel as compared to the Apex and rightfully so. It was missing a lot of the updated Apex features.
So this year, I went through the whole thing and attempted to make it my own. Here is the list of updates:
08 F1000 skid (128")
Hacksaw with studs 128"
tunnel extension
Apex seat
Apex bars and risor
Hand Gaurds
Holzman springs (red)
Airbox mod with 165 mains and 20 pilot jets
Sly dog trail skis with Bergstrom triple points
Hauck quiet exhaust (not so quiet)
New style snowflap
Yamaha heater (simply amazing)
WHat a totally different animal!!! Though my goal was to get the sled to ride equivelant to an Apex, I actually feel that its better. After owning one, and riding with a buddy with an APex that I rode back to back, I feel that this sled now rides and handles better than the Apex. The only thing lacking now is some clutch work. The APex felt like it had much better clutching in stock form than my RX. My motor feels as responsive, but I am missing some belt squeeze which is noticeable riding both sleds back to back.
The Apex is faster no doubt. He pulls me pretty good all the way through, but especially on top end. At times I could hang till around 90 then it was lights out. Proper clutching will help this too I think. I think that there is a lot to be had on this sled with some clutch work. I have an Ulmer kit that I am going to throw in to see how that works. I am only reving at 10k and it just feels weak. I knew that before I even raced anyone.
Last Friday was my maiden voyage so I figured I had my work cut out dialing the suspension and handling in. Surprisingly, I didn't touch it. I set front end so Aarms were level, set rear up to my weight and proper sag, and it was fantastic. The terrible tippyness that was there in stock form completely went away even with the stock sway bar. A touch more ski pressure and I will have one really nice handling and riding machine here.
I hear of guys complaing about the RX all over this board and others, but I must say that with a little time and money, it can be a really nice trail machine. Pick up a used skid for $500 ish and a good set of skis, then its just a matter of getting it set up right.
If you have an RX don't hesitate to try some updates like this. Not hard to do, takes a little time, but at the end of the day, its can turn in to a pretty nice ride.
Last note, we hit a beat up section of trails where I could really put this set up to the test. It was tight, twisty, and bumpy. I loved it. Had a ball and didn't get my butt kicked while doing it. My buddy on the Apex who rides hard and is usually right on my tail, showed up about 5 minutes after we stopped. With fresh shocks all around on his Apex, he was getting his butt kicked to the point where he stopped more than once to make adjustments just to get through it. And the next day, he was sore. After 200 miles on my first trip, I had not one sore muscle or achey joint.
I will post some pics of the finished product soon and am happy to share install dimensions for the cat skid with anyone looking to do a similar mod.
So, last year I picked up an 03 RX bone stock. I was really disappointed in the overall feel as compared to the Apex and rightfully so. It was missing a lot of the updated Apex features.
So this year, I went through the whole thing and attempted to make it my own. Here is the list of updates:
08 F1000 skid (128")
Hacksaw with studs 128"
tunnel extension
Apex seat
Apex bars and risor
Hand Gaurds
Holzman springs (red)
Airbox mod with 165 mains and 20 pilot jets
Sly dog trail skis with Bergstrom triple points
Hauck quiet exhaust (not so quiet)
New style snowflap
Yamaha heater (simply amazing)
WHat a totally different animal!!! Though my goal was to get the sled to ride equivelant to an Apex, I actually feel that its better. After owning one, and riding with a buddy with an APex that I rode back to back, I feel that this sled now rides and handles better than the Apex. The only thing lacking now is some clutch work. The APex felt like it had much better clutching in stock form than my RX. My motor feels as responsive, but I am missing some belt squeeze which is noticeable riding both sleds back to back.
The Apex is faster no doubt. He pulls me pretty good all the way through, but especially on top end. At times I could hang till around 90 then it was lights out. Proper clutching will help this too I think. I think that there is a lot to be had on this sled with some clutch work. I have an Ulmer kit that I am going to throw in to see how that works. I am only reving at 10k and it just feels weak. I knew that before I even raced anyone.
Last Friday was my maiden voyage so I figured I had my work cut out dialing the suspension and handling in. Surprisingly, I didn't touch it. I set front end so Aarms were level, set rear up to my weight and proper sag, and it was fantastic. The terrible tippyness that was there in stock form completely went away even with the stock sway bar. A touch more ski pressure and I will have one really nice handling and riding machine here.
I hear of guys complaing about the RX all over this board and others, but I must say that with a little time and money, it can be a really nice trail machine. Pick up a used skid for $500 ish and a good set of skis, then its just a matter of getting it set up right.
If you have an RX don't hesitate to try some updates like this. Not hard to do, takes a little time, but at the end of the day, its can turn in to a pretty nice ride.
Last note, we hit a beat up section of trails where I could really put this set up to the test. It was tight, twisty, and bumpy. I loved it. Had a ball and didn't get my butt kicked while doing it. My buddy on the Apex who rides hard and is usually right on my tail, showed up about 5 minutes after we stopped. With fresh shocks all around on his Apex, he was getting his butt kicked to the point where he stopped more than once to make adjustments just to get through it. And the next day, he was sore. After 200 miles on my first trip, I had not one sore muscle or achey joint.
I will post some pics of the finished product soon and am happy to share install dimensions for the cat skid with anyone looking to do a similar mod.
DV8
VIP Member
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- Attack and Axys
Great job, I still have the stock skid in mine and I have adjusted and adjusted and adjusted, I feel its 10X better than stock, But still going to swap out to a cat or polaris skid, going longer also, I do a lot of off trail.
Info on the skid swap would be great, Any pictures??
Info on the skid swap would be great, Any pictures??
Almost700
Extreme
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- Oct 7, 2010
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- Zeeland Michigan
- Website
- www.jasonbakker.com
Pics and specs to follow shortly. I am going to stretch this one to 136 I think. I am starting to do more and more off trail stuff as well. Thinking of going 136 cobra or possibly 144" if I can find someone that makes a 128-144 extension. The Cat and Polaris skids are remarkabley similar if you look at them side by side. The other guy that rides with us has an XCR with an edge and his is great too. I'd go with whichever you can find a deal on. Either would be a big improvement IMO.
DV8
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- Attack and Axys
Still looking for skid, have the stock 136 now, with ripsaw, goes ok in the deep but definatly not the track of choice for off trail.
Soon as riding is over, Its coming apart.
Where do you guys ride? I see your from Zeeland.
Soon as riding is over, Its coming apart.
Where do you guys ride? I see your from Zeeland.
Fullback
Expert
Get some heavy hitters or other adjustable weights in there and she what she'll do. I come out of the hole at 10200 and pull to 10500. With the transfer that I have using the T-cat skid I've no problem pulling mono equipped Apexs or Attaks out of the hole.
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Almost700
Extreme
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- www.jasonbakker.com
Fullback said:
Thanks, I have some super tips that I will try. Your sled looks remarkably similar to mine.
DAGE
Expert
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- 06 Attak
how's the skid holding up, I found a 128" out of a Z1 but I can't seem to find rail ext. to make it a 151"
MT.man
Pro
I dont get it, If it was the cost that led you down the rx-1 route , how much have you spent and how many hours have you worked on it to get to this point. Could it be that you have worked more hours than ridden and spent like mony to a apex ? I put 14000 miles on a 03 rx-1 ( with a rear suspension change ) and I still think that my 06 apex is a much better sled. Last week I traded the rx-1 in for a 2011 apex and that is a much better sled than the 06. Sorry am I missing something?
ViperTurboPete
TY 4 Stroke Master
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- 2015 Viper XTX LE MPI Turbo
2022 Expedition Extreme 850
I threw in a Cat M8 141 skid with stock 151 track and the sled is much better and not to mention lighter. I just changed my sliders on my 4th winter.
I put a 09 Nytro XTX under my 03 RX1, and the sled is a trail machine.
To RX1MPete, how did you get the right measure to fit the 141 to 151 track?
I think alot of the 03-04 RX1 will get a new life with a newer suspension.
To RX1MPete, how did you get the right measure to fit the 141 to 151 track?
I think alot of the 03-04 RX1 will get a new life with a newer suspension.
ViperTurboPete
TY 4 Stroke Master
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2022 Expedition Extreme 850
Cilius66...the 141 Cat skid simply bolts in the stock front holes and then I fabricated new aluminum drop down brackets to the correct measurement. It is a little further set back than the stock Yam Mountain skid. The 151 track fits right in with the 8 inch rear wheels. This is well documented in the RX Mountain forum, many of us have done it.
The attack angle is much better (much more of a gentle slope) and the sled doesn't trench as much in deep snow.
The attack angle is much better (much more of a gentle slope) and the sled doesn't trench as much in deep snow.
Thanks for the feedback, lots of good info in the mountain forum. Should the M suspension be 06 an newer?
Adrenaline Rush
Newbie
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128 cat skid swap
Hey Almost 700. I am considering same swap for my 03 RX-1 121 Have a line on 2009 Z-1 turbo 128 skid and 1 inch Hacksaw. Any other information such as measurements and photos would be a great help, also you think you lost any top speed on this swap ? Do a lot of lake running so this a consideration. Thanks Stan
Hey Almost 700. I am considering same swap for my 03 RX-1 121 Have a line on 2009 Z-1 turbo 128 skid and 1 inch Hacksaw. Any other information such as measurements and photos would be a great help, also you think you lost any top speed on this swap ? Do a lot of lake running so this a consideration. Thanks Stan
