Did I make a mistake with an '08 RTX

[bobber]

Last Yamaha sled I owned, or my dad did, was a 433GP... way back when... been Ski-Doo ever since. Last week bought a heldover '08 RTX ER after a year or so of saying enough 2-stroke.
Watched the DVD with Yamaha's product brochure and a lot of emphasis is put on the geometry/parts changes to the front end. After reading quite a bit here on the poor handling of the machine.
I haven't picked up the machine (mid-Nov about when I want) so wondering if I should upgrade to the '09 version? The '08 was about $2000 less and an extra years warranty.

 

[lucky_7]

That is a very good question! Newer doesn't always mean better, but there are some major handeling issues with the 08. The front end and the suspension is just not where it needs to be. If you bend the front end it is very expensive and Yami isn't doing anything to help. The suspension can be fixed, but at a cost.

If it were me, I would 100% wait to get an 09. $2000 really isn't that much, especially if they got some of the handling and strength figured out.

 

[SledderSteve]

Welcome to the site, please fill in your location in the profile.

If you end up keeping the '08 with the extra year warranty and $2k savings you'll want to follow the setup tips found in this thread: http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... sc&start=0

Out of curiosity, what made you leave Ski-Doo after all of these years for a Yamaha 4 stroke at the very time Ski-Doo is introducing what appears to be some very nice 4 stroke sleds?

 

[TurboJamie]

Last Yamaha sled I owned, or my dad did, was a 433GP... way back when... been Ski-Doo ever since. Last week bought a heldover '08 RTX ER after a year or so of saying enough 2-stroke.
Watched the DVD with Yamaha's product brochure and a lot of emphasis is put on the geometry/parts changes to the front end. After reading quite a bit here on the poor handling of the machine.
I haven't picked up the machine (mid-Nov about when I want) so wondering if I should upgrade to the '09 version? The '08 was about $2000 less and an extra years warranty.

I would start searching and reading on this site. You might get lucky and get a free update on your 08 from Yamaha, some of us are still holding our breath. If you don't there is a very good chance you will bend it.

 

[Superman]

If I bought a 09 this year it would be because I loved my 08 so much. I have one friend with a 08 RTX who says he doesn't like the handling. I know 5 other guys who liked their 08 Nytro's enough that they bought 09' XTX's this year. (by the way most all of these guys had to make some adjustment to their 08's and nobody broke anything on their front suspensions) IMO you have to take any post on here with a grain of salt. Mine included. A very small percentage of snowmobilers actually come onto these sites. If you go by the majority of stuff posted on here you would think the Nytro is a P.O.S.. In truth the majority of guys I ran into at gas stations and watering holes over last winter had not even heard about the problems and really liked their Nytro's. Hell 60 to 70% of the people you talk to don't even know what Totallyamaha is.

If you buy the 08.
1. check the toe out is correct
2. don't go with to aggressive of a ski/carbide set-up. I shimmed ski bumpers but some guys flipped them 180°
3. Keep a close eye on ball joints.

The 08 geometry is aggressive in that it responds very quick to handlebar input. This was very nervous at first but I ended up loving it the more I adjusted and rode it. If I was a lawyer I could argue that the changes to the 09's was to "water down" the handling for a higher % or riders. good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[arteeex]

I know this guy that wrote a review describing his experience with an '08 RTX. It's a brilliant review. Obviously, the author is brilliant as well.

This review is at the end of the link below.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=60230

 

[theCATman]

There is nothing wrong with the '08 Nytros, other than they were/are a purpose built race sled and their "nervous" handling charecteristics are because they are intended for track conditions, not trail conditions.

The average rider certainly does not need razor sharp handling at all times where every little imput from the handlebars is put to the ground, throwing the sled all over the place.

Do yourself a favor & flip the ski rubbers around 180* & turn in the stock wear bars for scrap metal in favor of a good set of dual runners.

 

[bobber]

"Out of curiosity, what made you leave Ski-Doo after all of these years for a Yamaha 4 stroke at the very time Ski-Doo is introducing what appears to be some very nice 4 stroke sleds?"

Damn good question... considering all the tooling/gear/clothing thats no longer any good to me. Why, why, why?
Last year I bought a FJR1300 to give the tired CBX's a well deserved rest. That bike I LOVE. The dealership sales are, well, typical sales people. But the Parts dept, espicially the Manager is an AWESOME guy. He was probably the swaying factor.
I've ridden Ski-Doo for many years, a hint at my age, but was done with tweaking looking for every scrap of power. I'm a mechanic by trade and am tired of wrenching... no longer fun. Couple of years ago I made up my mind to get a 4-stroke. If I end up somewhere with poor gas.... don't want to worry about taking out a piston. You guys and gals know the story.
Cat and Polaris.... sorry.... I have some pride.
As for the 1200 4-tec...... Few years ago my son and I were in Mcbride with a side trip to Prince George where we popped in to a local Doo dealer, who had a new XP... just back from demo. It was pitiful with the blown belt peices and dust imbedded in the insulating foam... and some other issues we had about the machine. It didn't impress us like the original REV did. The 4-tec is too new. Rotax knows its engines.. don't anyone dispute that... but the surrounding package I question.
So that left Yamaha. I ride a MXZ800X so want something with similar riding characteristics but start and go. At my age it'll probably be my last machine so reliability a big factor.
As for the '08 vs '09. The Yamaha product DVD truely has me worried. People can type what they want on Internet but when the manufacture starts touting changes.... different story. But rest assured it will be a Yamaha Nytro of some sort. Already got a bunch of accessories.. cover, tow hitch, high windsheild. Am looking at the low snow condition wheel set for the sliders, wind deflectors, different front bumper and couple other items found on Yamaha accessories.

Thanks for the welcome and info!!!

 

[bobber]

I know this guy that wrote a review describing his experience with an '08 RTX. It's a brilliant review. Obviously, the author is brilliant as well.

You can find it at the end of the link below.

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=60230

Don't know definition of 'brilliant' but an excellent write-up... very helpful
thanks

 

[Removed User]

I have an 08 and love it. The 09 handle with less edgy feeling. The feeling is not hard t o get used to and can be mostly eliminated with some setup changes.

I would recommend the oil lite bushings from Ulmer for either the 08 or 09.
I would also ensure they change the ball joints on the 08. Tell them you know about the recals/issue's and if they screw up on you within 2000 miles your coming back to raise hell.

The reason for bending stuff is due to heavy front hits with combination of sloppy front ends. Because when the front end is slopy the alignment is off and it puts stress on spots not normally stressed.

I have an 08 and have shown it no mercy in a some extremely rough trails. NO BENDS- so they all DONT BEND

To be safe I am gusseting the front bulkhead, I would do this to an 09 also, after a year. Its cheap insurance. And you get to change the colour.

$2000 is close to worth the upgrade though, you should be able to find an 08 for less then that, I'd think. What was your actual sale price.?

 

[yamstock1]

I have an 08 and love it. The 09 handle with less edgy feeling. The feeling is not hard t o get used to and can be mostly eliminated with some setup changes.

I would recommend the oil lite bushings from Ulmer for either the 08 or 09.
I would also ensure they change the ball joints on the 08. Tell them you know about the recals/issue's and if they screw up on you within 2000 miles your coming back to raise hell.

The reason for bending stuff is due to heavy front hits with combination of sloppy front ends. Because when the front end is slopy the alignment is off and it puts stress on spots not normally stressed.

I have an 08 and have shown it no mercy in a some extremely rough trails. NO BENDS- so they all DONT BEND

To be safe I am gusseting the front bulkhead, I would do this to an 09 also, after a year. Its cheap insurance. And you get to change the colour.

$2000 is close to worth the upgrade though, you should be able to find an 08 for less then that, I'd think. What was your actual sale price.?

You said there's a recall from Yamaha on the ball joint????

 

[bobber]

Decided to go with the '09. Too many upgrades identified in Yamaha's product brochure and DVD to argue otherwise.
Ordered a whack of stuff with it:
cover, tow hitch, high windshield, low snow wheel kit, Fox Float shock guards, console knee guards, windshield deflector kit, ultra skid plate, front bumper.

 

[Snowman07]

Good Choice!!!! Kinda wish I held out one more year before jumping on a 08 Nytro. But none then less, I love my Nytro!!!!

 

[mark]

There is nothing wrong with the '08 Nytros, other than they were/are a purpose built race sled and their "nervous" handling charecteristics are because they are intended for track conditions, not trail conditions.

The average rider certainly does not need razor sharp handling at all times where every little imput from the handlebars is put to the ground, throwing the sled all over the place.

 

[bobber]

At dealership today.... may be an oppurtunity to get the SE version. Whatever, it will be an '09 model. Asked for the 'blue' one. When they checked stock found only black were ordered so they made a call to get me a blue one.
Also bought the 39 liter fuel tank for it.