Musky Hunter
Pro
First off, let me say I totally respect all the guys here who mod thier sleds with things like filters, evac kits, turbos etc. Seems like most of you guys have had these four strokers since thier inception and are looking for a little more than what they started with. Thats cool 
I, on the other hand, am totally sick and tired of fiddling under the hood and worrying about reliability. I'm coming off an 02 XC 800 and every year, the tweaking got worse and worse. Some of this was surely caused by my modding the sled, but many of these mods were an effort at greater fuel mileage and dependability. This year, I jumped to Yammie's four stroker (if it ever gets here
) and am looking forward to thousands of trouble free miles. I'd like to hear from the guys - if any - who have done ziltch to the engine - totally stock. Are you left wanting more power? mileage? How do you compare to the F7s, XCs, and Revs on the lakes? Maybe it's just me, but I don't hear all that much from these types of riders on the forum lately, just lots of mod chatter. After a few years, I'm sure I'll get that mod itch again, but for now I just want to turn the key and listen to that killer exhaust note - all stock , of course! 
I, on the other hand, am totally sick and tired of fiddling under the hood and worrying about reliability. I'm coming off an 02 XC 800 and every year, the tweaking got worse and worse. Some of this was surely caused by my modding the sled, but many of these mods were an effort at greater fuel mileage and dependability. This year, I jumped to Yammie's four stroker (if it ever gets here
) and am looking forward to thousands of trouble free miles. I'd like to hear from the guys - if any - who have done ziltch to the engine - totally stock. Are you left wanting more power? mileage? How do you compare to the F7s, XCs, and Revs on the lakes? Maybe it's just me, but I don't hear all that much from these types of riders on the forum lately, just lots of mod chatter. After a few years, I'm sure I'll get that mod itch again, but for now I just want to turn the key and listen to that killer exhaust note - all stock , of course! 
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2003
- Messages
- 6,539
- Location
- Hessel, Michigan
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- Sidewinder, SR Viper XTX, SR Viper XTX, 2016 Apex XTX and Pro-Line Pro Stock 1000
Hey Musky Hunter - I believe in what is yours, shall be yours, and what there is of others, shouldn't portray of what you need to do to your machine. Ride it the way you want too, and don't change what you don't want to change. Please don't think this is a bad insult, cause it is definetly NOT!
I like to run wide open at the track, and that is it. I get on the trail, and I become a grandpa with my tail between my legs. I am courteous, and let most others go before me, on rides, even if it is following the stinky 2-strokes. Mr Sled can vouch for me on this one, as far as courteous, I hope.
As far as reliability, I think you will not have any problems with this great sled! Do your checks now and then, and it should be trouble free. As for my 03 RX1, I have done absolutely nothing with the engine. Clutching, exhaust, filters, and nitrous, did not affect any part of the RX1, and I was able to trail ride it with the same exact setup as I ran on the pavement. Now you take any 2 stroke, and you will burn it down, or have problems. So I add this as a plus for the RX1, and still will ride the same RX1 all year round, with absolutely no changes to the motor. Last year, I didn't even change jetting, until I picked up some filters to try.
Again, this is NOT a bad response, but just my comment on what I have done, and was able to do with a 4 stroke, which would never have been done with a 2 stroke.
You will enjoy this RX1!
I like to run wide open at the track, and that is it. I get on the trail, and I become a grandpa with my tail between my legs. I am courteous, and let most others go before me, on rides, even if it is following the stinky 2-strokes. Mr Sled can vouch for me on this one, as far as courteous, I hope.
As far as reliability, I think you will not have any problems with this great sled! Do your checks now and then, and it should be trouble free. As for my 03 RX1, I have done absolutely nothing with the engine. Clutching, exhaust, filters, and nitrous, did not affect any part of the RX1, and I was able to trail ride it with the same exact setup as I ran on the pavement. Now you take any 2 stroke, and you will burn it down, or have problems. So I add this as a plus for the RX1, and still will ride the same RX1 all year round, with absolutely no changes to the motor. Last year, I didn't even change jetting, until I picked up some filters to try.
Again, this is NOT a bad response, but just my comment on what I have done, and was able to do with a 4 stroke, which would never have been done with a 2 stroke.
You will enjoy this RX1!
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2003
- Messages
- 6,539
- Location
- Hessel, Michigan
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- Sidewinder, SR Viper XTX, SR Viper XTX, 2016 Apex XTX and Pro-Line Pro Stock 1000
I forgot to add, that I even got a little better fuel milage than a couple RX1's, that went on 1 of the TY rides this last year. And that amazed some people.
Hi , Mine as of now is stock , I have about 4000 km's on her.
I have not hada problem yet (engine) , as for speed , I am right there with all the other sleds, they win sometimes and I win sometimes . The guy I ride with most of the time has a 02 MXZ 800 and I have beat him most times .
As for gas milage I kick his a$$
This year I have the ECP kit not because I need to go faster but I got a deal on it so I thought what the heck , I dont think this will hurt reliability
I have dont the handwarmer mod , studded it , changed the headlights to the blue ones added a mountain loop ( for the kid to hang on)
Hope this helps .
Alot of guys say I beat this sled or others say I can blow away a rx but you know some of it will be conditions, driver ect . Just ride it and enjoy the trouble free winter , and when you friends put in $30 worth of gas and you top up with $18 , just smile
Ger
I have not hada problem yet (engine) , as for speed , I am right there with all the other sleds, they win sometimes and I win sometimes . The guy I ride with most of the time has a 02 MXZ 800 and I have beat him most times .
As for gas milage I kick his a$$
This year I have the ECP kit not because I need to go faster but I got a deal on it so I thought what the heck , I dont think this will hurt reliability
I have dont the handwarmer mod , studded it , changed the headlights to the blue ones added a mountain loop ( for the kid to hang on)
Hope this helps .
Alot of guys say I beat this sled or others say I can blow away a rx but you know some of it will be conditions, driver ect . Just ride it and enjoy the trouble free winter , and when you friends put in $30 worth of gas and you top up with $18 , just smile
Ger
Mighty
TY 4 Stroke God
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2003
- Messages
- 4,794
- Age
- 62
- Location
- Grand Ledge Michigan USA!
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 22 Mach Z
23 Sidewinder SRX
The beauty of this sled is you can't hurt the engine. Try to find a post on any forum on the net talking about an engine failure of the Genesis extreme, you won't find one. Most guys like me that mod their sled simply want it to run as well as it possibly can.
You will be very pleased with it's bullet proof reliability, modded or not
You will be very pleased with it's bullet proof reliability, modded or not
Tom-RX1
Expert
I run mine totaly stock the only changes were the ripsaw track and the main shock in rear now a viper er shock . both were covered by warrentie . Over 9,000 klm on it without a problem . For me it is plenty fast . been the fastest on the straitaway , f7 , doo800 , and turks cluched rx1 as well . Runs great and will not be putting any mods on .
Tom-RX1
Tom-RX1
Musky Hunter,
As a reformed "tweaker", I can honesty say that I was in the same spot as you describe when I ordered my '03 RX1 the day after it was announced. Family and business demands on my time pretty much took the fun away from tweaking, not to mention the worries about reliability and whether or not I would have enough fuel to make it to the next stop where I then worried about the quality of the fuel coming out of the Tavern owner's pump.
The RX1 turned out to be everything I had hoped regarding trouble free operation. I changed the oil at 500 miles, then again at 2,500 miles. I traded it for a Rage after this past season with just under 4,500 miles.
That's all I ever had to do under the hood of that machine. If I kept it for another season I would have changed the belt along with the oil and may or may not have looked at the sparkplugs.
Performance wise, it held its own on the lakes but was a bit of a handfull that first year in the tight and twisties and off trail. Fuel mileage was excellent and I no longer worried about carrying a bottle of octane boost along with extra oil in the saddlebags.
Most importantly for me, it was the first snowmobile I ever owned where I didn't lug half my Craftsman toolbox along for the ride. Much to the dismay of some my riding buds who used to count on me for tools. :lol:
The best advice I can give for when you bring yours home and fire it up to listen to that killer exhaust note is to make sure you bring it up to full operating temperature (warm heat exchangers) before shutting it down. This allows everything to dry out and probably helps explain why I never had to change one of those $10 spark plugs.
I think you'll be pleased with your choice.
As a reformed "tweaker", I can honesty say that I was in the same spot as you describe when I ordered my '03 RX1 the day after it was announced. Family and business demands on my time pretty much took the fun away from tweaking, not to mention the worries about reliability and whether or not I would have enough fuel to make it to the next stop where I then worried about the quality of the fuel coming out of the Tavern owner's pump.
The RX1 turned out to be everything I had hoped regarding trouble free operation. I changed the oil at 500 miles, then again at 2,500 miles. I traded it for a Rage after this past season with just under 4,500 miles.
That's all I ever had to do under the hood of that machine. If I kept it for another season I would have changed the belt along with the oil and may or may not have looked at the sparkplugs.
Performance wise, it held its own on the lakes but was a bit of a handfull that first year in the tight and twisties and off trail. Fuel mileage was excellent and I no longer worried about carrying a bottle of octane boost along with extra oil in the saddlebags.
Most importantly for me, it was the first snowmobile I ever owned where I didn't lug half my Craftsman toolbox along for the ride. Much to the dismay of some my riding buds who used to count on me for tools. :lol:
The best advice I can give for when you bring yours home and fire it up to listen to that killer exhaust note is to make sure you bring it up to full operating temperature (warm heat exchangers) before shutting it down. This allows everything to dry out and probably helps explain why I never had to change one of those $10 spark plugs.
I think you'll be pleased with your choice.
Stock thats my middle name, I have 3300 miles on my 03 have never touched the spark plugs carbs or anything else the only updates I have done is to help in the handling dept. 13mm sway bar, longer links and front springs. Other than that it's the same as the day I bought it. I have been so happy with the first one I just got another for the wife. YOU will not be sorry you bought an RX1. Oh yeah I have had the oil and filter changed regularly and keep a battery tender on when in storage. 
black john
TY 4 Stroke Guru
stk
the only stk sled is one on the dealer floor. hell i even got tossed out of mod stk 2 at eagle river some thing about wrong moter and fuel injction or was it the wrong frame aw i think it was a bad hair day for the tec well the list was long veary long its all in fun any way
the end result was i was gone and he was up set
the only stk sled is one on the dealer floor. hell i even got tossed out of mod stk 2 at eagle river some thing about wrong moter and fuel injction or was it the wrong frame aw i think it was a bad hair day for the tec well the list was long veary long its all in fun any way
the end result was i was gone and he was up set
snowmotion
Expert
My Sled is Stock But I will Mod it Soon
I have Ran a mostly Stock RX1 mountain Just to try be reliable But in reality it did not work great. I Finally added New Carb throttle Springs and my Sled came to Life. as far as REAL MODS
most of the Turbo Guys I Saw never had that many problems
( Unless They Crashed)
Where We ride out here I think Stock 2003 2004 sleds are a little underpowered for the wieght they carry so to add extraverts and better throttle springs at least can help, with out without big engine or clutch mods. Other Sled mods to make a Sled Fit your style like risers different tracks seats etc wont change much in reliability. Losing Wieght often Costs Strength But that may not affect Reliability.
I have Ran a mostly Stock RX1 mountain Just to try be reliable But in reality it did not work great. I Finally added New Carb throttle Springs and my Sled came to Life. as far as REAL MODS
most of the Turbo Guys I Saw never had that many problems
( Unless They Crashed)
Where We ride out here I think Stock 2003 2004 sleds are a little underpowered for the wieght they carry so to add extraverts and better throttle springs at least can help, with out without big engine or clutch mods. Other Sled mods to make a Sled Fit your style like risers different tracks seats etc wont change much in reliability. Losing Wieght often Costs Strength But that may not affect Reliability.
Swiss Sledder
TY 4 Stroke God
I am in the same boat as Convert. Engine is totally stock and I plan to keep it that way. The only tweaks on my 03 were the longer links, thicker sway bar, 96 studs, and a set of Simmons skis. That's it and the only problem I had was ice in the breather hose at -40 (didn't have the slit in the hose at the time).
The stock engine is very fast. You will be amazed at how much better it will be than your 800 XC. The only XC I ever got beat by was lakercr's backup stock 700.
The only caution I have is that the Edge rear suspension is better in the rough stuff than an 03 RX-1. The 05 RX-1 rear suspension reports indicate it is much improved.[/i]
The stock engine is very fast. You will be amazed at how much better it will be than your 800 XC. The only XC I ever got beat by was lakercr's backup stock 700.
The only caution I have is that the Edge rear suspension is better in the rough stuff than an 03 RX-1. The 05 RX-1 rear suspension reports indicate it is much improved.[/i]
monker
TY 4 Stroke Guru
My engine is also totally stock. Anything I have done to the sled is just for helping the ride or ergonomics. Although I did do clutching, I wouldn't consider that anything that would affect the reliability. I had modded my previous sled and would always get nervous riding, espically riding alone if I had a problem. The RX motor is bullet proof though, and any mod that I would consider doing wouldn't affect the reliability. I've had no problem with a piped XC800, so until he catches up I'll hold off on the mods. That's what the old sled is for anyway.
Snorover
Expert
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2003
- Messages
- 366
- Age
- 88
- Location
- Kittery/Fayette,Maine
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2017 Viper
My 2003 RX-1 is stock. I have only updated the suspension. I have 6697 miles on it.
Only maintenance has been oil,lub a new set of slides at 6600 miles. I also greased the jack shaft bearing and the drive shaft bearing and at the end of this last season I pulled the skid and greased all the boggy wheel bearings.
I don't touch the engine as I go cross country=solo= and I want the reliability. (Been cross country to Minnesota and back twice).
I now have a 2005 RX-1ER on order, but would have stayed with the 03 ( I have a very bad back and the Doc wanted me to give up snowmobiling==it will be a cold day in hell before I do that) I think the ride may be a little better with the 05. 
Only maintenance has been oil,lub a new set of slides at 6600 miles. I also greased the jack shaft bearing and the drive shaft bearing and at the end of this last season I pulled the skid and greased all the boggy wheel bearings.
I don't touch the engine as I go cross country=solo= and I want the reliability. (Been cross country to Minnesota and back twice).
I now have a 2005 RX-1ER on order, but would have stayed with the 03 ( I have a very bad back and the Doc wanted me to give up snowmobiling==it will be a cold day in hell before I do that) I think the ride may be a little better with the 05.
QCRider
TY 4 Stroke Master
I will not modify my RX-1 ER when it gets here either. I put a clutch kit on my last sled and hated it. I lost top end with it, and it engaged WAY too hard for normal driving. Might have been good for a drag race, but sucked for loading on a trailer and backing up into a garage or anything like that.
Suisse, why the italics? :shock:
