How will my Nitro Compare?

[Billy Berru]

So I'm looking to buy a 08 FX Nitro. Super Clean with low miles. I had a SRX 700. How will it compare to my SRX in terms of speed? My neighbor has a 900 Polaris fusion stock. Is he going to stomp a Nitro? What simple up grades would you do if any? Exhaust? Thanks Guys

 

[Billy Berru]

So I'm looking to buy a 08 FX Nitro. Super Clean with low miles. I had a SRX 700. How will it compare to my SRX in terms of speed? My neighbor has a 900 Polaris fusion stock. Is he going to stomp a Nitro? What simple up grades would you do if any? Exhaust? Thanks Guys

Really 57 Views and nobody has anything to say.

 

[Keith1962]

Never raced an SRX, but I can spank an SX Viper.

 

[74Nitro]

It won't have the top speed of an srx, but they are pretty good in a 1/4 mile drag.

 

[74Nitro]

I would pay more and find an 09 or newer.
The front end feel and handling is horrible on the 08.
In all my years of riding, which is a lot, the 08 nitro was the only one that flipped me a$$ over tea kettle

 

[Hooray!]

Go 2009-2013, 2013 is best! 2008 suffered from a basic geometry issue on the front end spindles and had some first year issues they redesigned in 2009. I got a great deal on my 2009 XTX and found this forum to get me through a total rebuild. It is documented here on page 1 or 2 and details every step and selection process I used.

 

[Billy Berru]

Crap now you guys are making me second guess. All the talk about the handling and bad front end. So I’m a big guy will this make it worse. Crap!! it’s a great deal and super clean sled.

 

[Viper_Dave]

I'm 6'3" and 300 lbs. and been riding for years. Believed I could handle ANY ill handling machine.... what 74Nitro said!!!! I currently own what is titled and registered as an 08. Race team front end and a Cat 141 skid set back for 144 make it a hybrid lol! Awesome corner to corner, not so awesome top end. 87 octane fuel and regularly around 16 mpg makes it reasonable to ride. 2009 and up have better geometry but still suffer from a weak subframe. I could go on and on but all the information is found in multiple threads in this section of the forums.

 

[74Nitro]

I rode the 08 for more than a season with stock configuration. When you pushed it, it always felt like it was about to catapult you - and then it did(a few broken ribs later)!
I then bought 09 and up used A arms and the knuckle. Large improvement.
Also note the ball joint in the lower A arm, are known to wear prematurely and cause ill handling and stiff steering.

 

[Keith1962]

The 08 handling issues are easily solvable.

 

[RobX-1]

I too had an 08, wanted the 40th anniv edition to go with my Apex, and yes that year had its problems but like Keith stated, they can be addressed. If the 08 has the Star Suspension relocate kit like I did on mine where it has a 128 track, that helped tremendously. I also had a RTX which meant it had a very stiff suspension so also had all the shocks re-vavled when doing the relocate kit. Did not change the front geometry but did add the OFT steering relocate. I also added Ulmer Racing's primary/secondary clutch kits and CR10EK plugs which was a huge improvement over stock. That year, I had a riding buddy on his Fusion 900 stop and ask what I had done to it as he stated he had to give his everything just to keep up. Now, I did have to replace the sub-frame and when doing so, purchased the updated model that had the extra gussets added. If the deal is that good, maybe check and see if any of the updates mentioned have been done and if so, pull the trigger.

 

[Hooray!]

I too had an 08, wanted the 40th anniv edition to go with my Apex, and yes that year had its problems but like Keith stated, they can be addressed. If the 08 has the Star Suspension relocate kit like I did on mine where it has a 128 track, that helped tremendously. I also had a RTX which meant it had a very stiff suspension so also had all the shocks re-vavled when doing the relocate kit. Did not change the front geometry but did add the OFT steering relocate. I also added Ulmer Racing's primary/secondary clutch kits and CR10EK plugs which was a huge improvement over stock. That year, I had a riding buddy on his Fusion 900 stop and ask what I had done to it as he stated he had to give his everything just to keep up. Now, I did have to replace the sub-frame and when doing so, purchased the updated model that had the extra gussets added. If the deal is that good, maybe check and see if any of the updates mentioned have been done and if so, pull the trigger.

You are 100% correct, make sure alot of the "to dos" have been done as everything can be corrected but when you see 2013's out there with a few thousand km on them for low $$$, I am only saying worth looking for exactly what you want. I would go XTX for longer track, black edition, low mileage and then do all the adders even a 2009+ requires: Star or Hygear rear suspension, WRP seat, OFT or other steering relocate, MountainTech A-Arms & skid plate, Bergstrom setup on your desired ski type (Tuner IIs, Curves, PowderHounds), Schimdt Brothers block off, airbox, steering pins, QuietClutch or one of the other great clutch kits, TrailTank, HIDs... The list goes on! That is the beauty of the Nytro in my mind. Key to a 2009+ is you can buy a low mileage version and stop for a season or two and do nothing. With the 2008 you have to fix the front end in my opinion at a minimum if you ride with any speed. Regardless, for the money, hard to beat a low mileage version with this triple at the heart!

 

[74Nitro]

You are 100% correct, make sure alot of the "to dos" have been done as everything can be corrected but when you see 2013's out there with a few thousand km on them for low $$$, I am only saying worth looking for exactly what you want. I would go XTX for longer track, black edition, low mileage and then do all the adders even a 2009+ requires: Star or Hygear rear suspension, WRP seat, OFT or other steering relocate, MountainTech A-Arms & skid plate, Bergstrom setup on your desired ski type (Tuner IIs, Curves, PowderHounds), Schimdt Brothers block off, airbox, steering pins, QuietClutch or one of the other great clutch kits, TrailTank, HIDs... The list goes on! That is the beauty of the Nytro in my mind. Key to a 2009+ is you can buy a low mileage version and stop for a season or two and do nothing. With the 2008 you have to fix the front end in my opinion at a minimum if you ride with any speed. Regardless, for the money, hard to beat a low mileage version with this triple at the heart!

Sheesh, by the time you do all that, you may as well buy a good used sidewinder!

 

[Hooray!]

Sheesh, by the time you do all that, you may as well buy a good used sidewinder!

You are probably right! I have not ridden a sidewinder. My Nytro list is not nearly as large as some here. Key is you buy a Nytro that the original buyers did the suspension and gas tank upgrades back when the sled was new, that is how mine came. I suspect the original owner put $4-5000 into the new sled. Now 11 years later, you would not do the same thing as you point out.

 

[Gone Blue]

The 08' handling issues are over rated. I have an 08' Anniversary edition with stock suspension except 144" tipped rail extensions in the skid. I am very happy with how it rides and handles. I did swap out the front Fox float shocks with a set of GYTR clickers and had Schmidt Brothers go thru and custom valve the skid shocks. I am also running Pilot 6.9 skis. The 08' Nytro's had the weakest front sub frames so I would recommend welding in a set of Grizztracks reinforcement plates. G.B.