Clutch Kit or Yamaha Update kit? 2018 Sidewinder

[CTGT2005]

2018 sidewinder LTX se. Last year I blew two belts. One was the original belt at around 500 mi and the other was a Gates belt that only lasted about 150 mi. Plan to go through the clutch and check alignment, clean and make sure nothing's hanging up in the weights or rollers. Since I'm going to be in there I may as well update to the latest clutching from Yamaha 8MA-W002H-00-00.

I couldn't find reports if this update kit actually improved belt life or if it was more of a performance enhancing update. Either way if I'm going to be in the clutch I may as well do the update or put a basic clutch kit in.

I don't want to spend a ton of time messing around with clutch tuning this year. My machine is stock and I don't plan to modify the engine anytime soon. For the same $$$ should I do the Yamaha update kit or is there an off the shelf clutch kit that folks here have seen enhanced belt life but doesn't necessarily change the characteristics of the shifting.

 

[baggs66]

I think the helix in the update kit 35/39 reverse angle as compared to the stock 35 works well on stock sleds, but would run dalton black orange spring with it, would have to see where rpm's end up with stock primary, the update came with softer spring and lighter rivet I believe

 

[CTGT2005]

I'm happy to swap the helix but I was wondering if there's an easier remedy that is just primary and secondary springs. And if so what is a off-the-shelf kit that people are having good luck with.

I do a lot of lake riding and high speed with the sidewinder so I imagine that it's a little harder on the belts than cruising around trails. Machine has plenty of power in stock trim I wouldn't mind giving up some of that performance for a handful of reliability.

 

[Sledroll]

I'm happy to swap the helix but I was wondering if there's an easier remedy that is just primary and secondary springs. And if so what is a off-the-shelf kit that people are having good luck with.

I do a lot of lake riding and high speed with the sidewinder so I imagine that it's a little harder on the belts than cruising around trails. Machine has plenty of power in stock trim I wouldn't mind giving up some of that performance for a handful of reliability.

First I had the update kit installed and noticed a difference out of the hole .
Then I had the 240 tune added and noticed an even greater difference .
My next step would be to add the SS tune or skip that step and go right to the 270 SS tune , and hang on tight !
Being a 17 LTX LE the sled is getting to be a "little long in the tooth ". Hell I'm much longer in the tooth than the sled !
I've used up my warranty, and was considering getting a newer version , but probably won't get around to it ty.
Just getting on the sled and taking it for a little spin on a little bit of snow we had , quickly reminds me how peppy AND comfortable this sled is .
Can't wait to get back on the trails !!!!
Heard there is 18klms of open trail in Cochrane !!!
I've trailered farther for less before !

 

[Fleecer]

I'm happy to swap the helix but I was wondering if there's an easier remedy that is just primary and secondary springs. And if so what is a off-the-shelf kit that people are having good luck with.

I do a lot of lake riding and high speed with the sidewinder so I imagine that it's a little harder on the belts than cruising around trails. Machine has plenty of power in stock trim I wouldn't mind giving up some of that performance for a handful of reliability.

This question should have pulled a hundred replies, as it has been discussed/debated heavily over the years. I'll start by throwing in my 5 cents to get the conversation going.

There is such a variation in sidewinders such as track length, horsepower, tunes, gearing, location/elevation etc, that you will be hard pressed to find a "fix all" clutch kit imo.

First and foremost, no one here, me included, can get a 8jp belt to last. They're cheap, they slip, they heat up, they blow, then the cycle repeats itself, over and over.

Here is what I would do: Gather all your 8jp belts, and cut them in half with a saw. (They will end up that way anyway, you are just speeding up the process.) Next, carry all the 8jp belts you just cut in half to the nearest garbage can, drop them in there, piss on them, and close the lid. Find someone with a fully automatic AK-47, purchase 5000 rounds, and fire every round into that garbage can you just pissed in! Once all 5000 rounds are expended, walk away with a smile, and dont ever look back.

Go on Ebay and purchase an Ultimax XS 825 belt, which has a 1 year replacement warranty. These belts do not slip or generate heat/issues like that POS 8jp. Unfortunately, because they dont slip, your rpms will drop 4-500rpm. Therefore, you will need some lighter weights.

Purchase some QAY 66 gram weights from Dalton Industries and install in primary clutch. These are adjustable, so start empty first, then add weight if needed after testing. Leave all other components stock, and wrap the stock secondary spring at 60 degrees. Test drive and report back with rpm readings. The Gurus on this site will be able to dial you in based on your rpm readings.

Good Luck!!

 

[PowderFalcon]

This question should have pulled a hundred replies, as it has been discussed/debated heavily over the years. I'll start by throwing in my 5 cents to get the conversation going.

There is such a variation in sidewinders such as track length, horsepower, tunes, gearing, location/elevation etc, that you will be hard pressed to find a "fix all" clutch kit imo.

First and foremost, no one here, me included, can get a 8jp belt to last. They're cheap, they slip, they heat up, they blow, then the cycle repeats itself, over and over.

Here is what I would do: Gather all your 8jp belts, and cut them in half with a saw. (They will end up that way anyway, you are just speeding up the process.) Next, carry all the 8jp belts you just cut in half to the nearest garbage can, drop them in there, piss on them, and close the lid. Find someone with a fully automatic AK-47, purchase 5000 rounds, and fire every round into that garbage can you just pissed in! Once all 5000 rounds are expended, walk away with a smile, and dont ever look back.

Go on Ebay and purchase an Ultimax XS 825 belt, which has a 1 year replacement warranty. These belts do not slip or generate heat/issues like that POS 8jp. Unfortunately, because they dont slip, your rpms will drop 4-500rpm. Therefore, you will need some lighter weights.

Purchase some QAY 66 gram weights from Dalton Industries and install in primary clutch. These are adjustable, so start empty first, then add weight if needed after testing. Leave all other components stock, and wrap the stock secondary spring at 60 degrees. Test drive and report back with rpm readings. The Gurus on this site will be able to dial you in based on your rpm readings.

Good Luck!!

lol good report fleecer! don't forget to get some mr clean magic erasers to clean all the 8jp belt dust that has caked on your panels! dirty pieces of sh!t!!! Also pick out the pieces of belt stuck in your brake rotor protector before they catch on fire!! (a lesson a bud of mine learned the hard way!)

Only thing i would change is to buy your xs825 from hurricane rather than ebay! site sponser and wicked deal on those belts!

 

[CTGT2005]

I did some reading on this topic before posting, I already have an XS825 belt in my possession. I made sure that I got one of the new timken branded ones.

Trying to avoid messing with helix angles replacement clutch weights and all the variables on a stock machine. It also sounds like from what I have read, part of the issue is the stock secondary spring gets coil bind at high speeds. That was when I blew out my second belt while going flat out on the lake.

The update kit, and correct me if I'm wrong, comes with a 35/39 helix which if anything would give less up top belt grip. I don't think I really want that, so the Yamaha update kit is out of the question. Unless someone can explain otherwise?

I'm going start by swapping to the XS825 , get a spring only clutch kit from one of our vendors here and adjust as needed to get the shift out correct. Adjust as needed with primary spring shims, clocking the secondary, adding it subtracting weight rivets etc... That plus the alignment and new rollers will probably go a long way.

Hopefully get some snow soon and the lake freezes over so I can do some top rpm testing.

 

[justinator]

Pick up some lighter rivets for your clutch weight from your dealer. The stock weights on pre 19 models have a 4.5 gram tip rivet. Because you are stock( no tune) you wont have a drastic rpm drop with the ultimax belt but you will none the less have a drop. Yamaha has rivets starting from .85 gram to 4.5 gram. Youll likely need something in the middle all said and done. You should not have coil bind with stock secondary if you keep your spring at 3- 3 wrap or less. 3-3 with stock spring works fine with ultimax belt so no need for spring change there. Make sure your off set is 58-59mm and clutches are in proper working order and say good bye to blown belts. As fleecer suggested, dalton weights would be a wise investment as they are easy to tune and have a better shift profile over the stock weights so youll improve response, acceleration and top speed while your at it.