Custom 2-up Sled

[nhrxrider]

Due to being out of work and financial problems, I had to sell my beloved RX-1 last year. But I'm not back at work, and making a lot more money than I used to. Its time to start looking to the future, and decide what to do for a sled.

My wife wants to ride with me sometimes, so we have discussed whether to get her a sled of her own again, or to get a 2-up sled. We pretty much decided for a 2-up sled. It will save the cost of the extra sled, an extra registration (not cheap here), and we'll use less fuel than 2 sleds.

Now to decide on the sled. My wife and I are both larger than average. Figure 500 lbs. between us, plus gear. When I'm alone I ride fairly aggressively, and when 2-up I want plenty of power for hills and to keep up with our friends.

Before selling my old sled I had thought about the possibility of building a custom Yamaha 2-up using an RX-1 as a base. Would an RS Venture seat fit on an RX-1? The front of the seat looks the same where it meets the plastic. I just don't know about exhaust clearance. For length, I could either start with a Warrior or use custom tunnel extensions. For the skid I'm going to skip Yamaha entirely, after owning my Arctic Cat suspended RX-1. Cat and Ski-Doo both have some very good 2-up long track suspensions. I might even just go with Doo, after having ridden a couple 2-up Doos.

Obviously cost isn't the bottom line here, as this won't be a cheap sled to build. On the other hand, if I start with a low mileage used RX-1 or Warrior, get a used skid and shop carefully for the rest of the parts, I should be able to keep the costs within reason.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this? Obviously the RS Venture or Venture GT would be the simpler way to go, but they have less power and less aftermarket following than the RX-2. There are other brand's 2-ups that are good, but I'm in love with the 4-cyl. RX engine. Essentially I want an RS Venture or Venture GT with the RX-1s 4-cyl. powerplant.

Oh, and by the way...I'm a professional mechanic, have the tools and the technical ability to do major projects. Obviously this wouldn't be a project for a novice with a few hand tools. Mainly I'm looking for advice about part's interchange, since I don't have access to these sleds right now to be able to take measurements and do direct comparisons.

Jim

 

[Maxout01]

As far as the sled goes i think your thinking all backwards.
From what i read of your wants and needs i think you need to buy a newer venture gt and stick the apex motor into that chassis and be done with it.

If you have all the skills and tools needed this should not be that bad a job.

The newer suspensions in the ventures are pretty sweet in ride actually and with some shocks valving you should be good to go.

Or do yourself better and buy an apex for yourself and a venture gt for when you guys want to ride together. That way you get apex power, she has her own sled with less power if she rides alone, and you both can just take her sled altogether if need arises.
Used prices on these machines i think would be decent, you could probably buy both of these used with low miles for the price or less then ONE new 2011 apex..

These are just my opinions. To me the rx-1 has waaayyyy been improved and you can start with much nicer stuff all around... Starting a build with the rx-1 makes no sense to me when the apex has sooo many improvements over the rx-1. Fuel injection alone is worth its weight.

 

[APEX 06]

As far as the sled goes i think your thinking all backwards.
From what i read of your wants and needs i think you need to buy a newer venture gt and stick the apex motor into that chassis and be done with it.

If you have all the skills and tools needed this should not be that bad a job.

The newer suspensions in the ventures are pretty sweet in ride actually and with some shocks valving you should be good to go.

Or do yourself better and buy an apex for yourself and a venture gt for when you guys want to ride together. That way you get apex power, she has her own sled with less power if she rides alone, and you both can just take her sled altogether if need arises.
Used prices on these machines i think would be decent, you could probably buy both of these used with low miles for the price or less then ONE new 2011 apex..

These are just my opinions. To me the rx-1 has waaayyyy been improved and you can start with much nicer stuff all around... Starting a build with the rx-1 makes no sense to me when the apex has sooo many improvements over the rx-1. Fuel injection alone is worth its weight.

I'm with you on that. Or fine a apex gt and build from there.

 

[nhrxrider]

How much power does the Venture GT have? I was browsing the Yamaha site last night and thought it looked like a very good sled, and I see the displacement is up a bit from the RS Venture. If the power is up a bit, maybe it would be what we are looking for.

If I were to find a used Venture and swap engines, it would seem to me that the entire bulkhead area would need to be swapped, which the parts alone would kill the budget. I can buy a used rear skid, a used seat, and tunnel extensions for under $500. A couple pieces of the bulkhead alone would cost that. It does seem like a good way to go though if its feasible to swap the 4 cyl. into it.

I, too, would much rather have injection. But I won't be buying 2 sleds to make this work. There are other hobbies where I want funds to go, such as the new Suzuki V-strom I plan to buy in the spring, and after having to sell my Jeep to help during my unemployment, I'll be building another one at some point. We are also going to be living off my check for a while because my wife is in school. So although my funds are much higher than they have been in the past, there are limits.

Thanks guys, some good suggestions to think about.

Jim

 

[Maxout01]

I own an apex and test rode the venture gt's at the demo and i thought it was fast as hell for what it was. I was happy with it!

Just buy a nice leftover venture gt in the apex style chassis i think you'll love it personally, but thats just me.

 

[Super Sled]

Good advice everyone!



I completely agree about the Venture GT -- a friend of mine in our snowmobile club has one and he can rail on it. He actually never rides with a passenger -- he's just like 300++ lbs. and likes a HUGE sled. He also like the huge built in saddle bags (for beer stops). And he can ride with the best of them.


Another hobby he has is racing old school buses. I'm not joking about this either........




Mike

 

[Maxout01]

Yea at the 2011 demos i got stuck on the venture gt first before i got to any of the apex's. I beat the hell out of it and it was a blast. I'm definitely not a two up guy but i loved the sled. I was a sick sled all around for sure.

 

[nhrxrider]

Thanks, excellent advice. It sounds like the Venture GT would be a lot of fun and probably perfect for what we want. I'm a very big guy myself- 6'4" and a hair over 300 lbs. I could throw around the original RX-1 when others thought they were large, overweight pigs. I don't mind losing a few ponies by ditching the RX engine, I just don't want an obscenely oversized, overweight, underpowered slug. I want a sled that I can ride pretty hard when alone, and still be comfortable for 2. This sounds like it.

Jim

 

[Maxout01]

Thanks, excellent advice. It sounds like the Venture GT would be a lot of fun and probably perfect for what we want. I'm a very big guy myself- 6'4" and a hair over 300 lbs. I could throw around the original RX-1 when others thought they were large, overweight pigs. I don't mind losing a few ponies by ditching the RX engine, I just don't want an obscenely oversized, overweight, underpowered slug. I want a sled that I can ride pretty hard when alone, and still be comfortable for 2. This sounds like it.

Jim

Yea i think so for sure. And like i said if you want more power in the future and your a mechanic i dont se why you couldnt put the apex motor into the sled for a summer project. They are the same chassis now with vector/venture gt/apex (06-10), the vector and ventuire just have a smaller motor.
The new motor in the venture gt/vector was updated for 2010 (09?) with more ponies, fuel injection and some other add ons also and the motor plain hauls now more then before. I think its still rated at 120hp but realistically they are in the range of 135ish according to what i've read, and felt while riding the sled.

I beat the hell out of the 2011's and the apex was the best fun of course, but for 5,000 more then the vector/ventures line up those two sleds were sic and fun as hell with plenty of power, and ALOT cheaper, lol!

I've seen new left over venture gt's in dealers for around the $8,000-$9,000 mark. SO try that route first before used since you said budget is no problem.

Heres a pic of me waiting for the demo to start on the venture gt. I weigh at least 240 with all the gear on and you can see the sleds holding me no problem.

 

[Sasquatch]

Jim

Before selling my old sled I had thought about the possibility of building a custom Yamaha 2-up using an RX-1 as a base. Would an RS Venture seat fit on an RX-1? The front of the seat looks the same where it meets the plastic. I just don't know about exhaust clearance.

The front seat will fit. The rear however won't as the muffler is in the way even on the warrior. Venture tunnel is way longer!

Cat and Ski-Doo both have some very good 2-up long track suspensions. I might even just go with Doo, after having ridden a couple 2-up Doos.

The Pantera (cat) two up rear skid is awesome for both single and two up riding.

Obviously cost isn't the bottom line here, as this won't be a cheap sled to build. On the other hand, if I start with a low mileage used RX-1 or Warrior, get a used skid and shop carefully for the rest of the parts, I should be able to keep the costs within reason.

I have thought about turning my Warrior into a two up more then once. Hitch one is finding a two up seat from an RX venture. Hitch two is you need a custom under tunnel exaust. Hitch three is a rear skid. As I have the ZX2 and am working on a custom undertunnel muffler all I have left is finding a venture two up seat.

Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions on this? Obviously the RS Venture or Venture GT would be the simpler way to go, but they have less power and less aftermarket following than the RX-2. There are other brand's 2-ups that are good, but I'm in love with the 4-cyl. RX engine. Essentially I want an RS Venture or Venture GT with the RX-1s 4-cyl. powerplant.

So do I but Yamaha won't build a Apex powered two up. I have looked at the Venture but it does not have the top end power I wish for. I would say all things equal buy a used Venture GT and Buy a used Apex. Swap the engines from one to the other and sell the Venture powered Apex. This would probably be the best solution to youir problem.

Oh, and by the way...I'm a professional mechanic, have the tools and the technical ability to do major projects. Obviously this wouldn't be a project for a novice with a few hand tools. Mainly I'm looking for advice about part's interchange, since I don't have access to these sleds right now to be able to take measurements and do direct comparisons.

As far as I can tell and by comments on here the engine swap with all the electronics and wiring should work. You will need to custom lengthen the exaust. This would probably be my best bet as well but my sled is still 7,000 miles away from 20,000 miles. Thats my goal before I get ride of her. Good luck!