is handling that bad?

[AKrider]

You make good points. Sometimes I get fed up with the "shoot the messenger" attitude and wonder why I even bother posting on here? I rarely gain any new Nytro info off this site and there is really nothing new to talk about since the sled has not seen any major improvements since '09.

Unfortunately things will continue to stay that way unless people demand that want a better handling sled. Internally at Yamaha they are currently trying to get the higher ups at the corporate level to approve production of an improved front end. I've been waiting for the stupid thing since the spring of '08.

 

[mattyg1405]

Matt,
Just ride your sled when you get snow and post back with your findings. Since you bought it used there is no telling how tweaked the sled is from its stock set-up. The adjustments I'll suggest can be done by yourself with regular hand tools. None of it is very hard and you certainly won't want to pay someone to do it for you.

Let me know what conditions you ride in and how you ride them. FOr instance, when it gets really bumpy do you go slow or try to ride as fast as you can?

Here is what is wrong with the Nytro:
1. The '08 front suspension has too much bump steer. You can greatly reduce the bump steer for cheap here http://ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=107056
2. The skid transfer too much weight too quickly and lifts the skis right away. The Yamaha FAQ's will help you with this http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=67200
3. The Nytro features a stupid engine braking reduction feature that actually keeps a high idle when you let off the throttle. This can cause the sled to continue to push forward even after you let off the throttle in a corner. It is really noticeable at low speed maneuvering with lots of tight turns. You will adapt to it but ride something else and hop back on the Nytro you'll think the throttle is sticking.
4. The stock 5" wide skis do not float off trail or in unpacked snow. But they are not that bad on set up trails and deliver the lightest and most predictable steering feel in wide ranging hard trail conditions. That is what I've found in my testing and for how I like my sleds to feel. Skis are subjective and what works for one guy doesn't work for another. Don't buy new skis until you've exhausted every tuning option and know exactly what you want the sled to do. I don't care for super aggressive skis on the Nytro for on trail use because I feel they make it harder to ride fast because they increase steering effort and darting.
5. The sled is heavy and the weight is carried up high and in the front of the sled. This causes the sled to roll more in corners and feel clumsy in the whoops at speed. Lowering the front end of the sled helps but you then lose ride quality and capability for the big stuff.
6. The sled is not stable at high speed, especially in bumps or rutted trails. This is due to bump steer, too much weight up high, too much weight over the skis and the design of the front end, and the distance of the skis from the track. The front end needs to be pushed out further to better center the weight of the motor.

There are lots of ideas and ways to fix this and they range from free to expensive. Its a give and take proposition so for instance if you go with double skag skis than you will give up bite in the corners.

Overall the Nytro is a nice reliable sled that will run on cheap gas, produce lots of power and pull harder than a consumer 600 two stroke. It has a lot of good things going for it but chances are it will take work on your end to get the handling to where it is "okay".

my nytro is an 09 se ( i hope its a little better in the handling dept.)
as soon as i get some snow i will post back my findings for sure!

and as for my riding style, i race/raced motocross since i was 10 years old! so when the trails get rough i tend to ride harder and faster, since to me anyone can ride a good pace behind a groomer.

this is the reason i bought a nytro, i know they have some handling quirks, but i need a sled i could hammer and still get me home, and all the skidoos, i towed home in the past left me with a sour taste in my mouth.

that being said at 25 yrs old im not too concerned with having to put some "effort" into getting a sled to do what I want.

i know theres better handling sleds, and i hear what your saying, it may not be the most convenient thing do but im willing to sacrifice a little in one dept. to be able to be reliable. that being said if i find it to be untolerable i would undoubtedly let you know as i will probably be selling my 09 rtx se

ive also proved over a dozen times its about 90% rider input, and 10% what your riding. i enjoy putting a hurting on people on a dinosaur of a snowmobile, and now i plan on doing it on a NYTRO

as for the set-up of my sled idk what the guy was doing but he seemed like he was meticulous and from watching him ride he knew what he was doing , but theres things done that make no sense to me , the coupler block plastics are removed , the setup seems relatively soft, and the limiters are in the stock pos.
i also got a pair of slp slts im going to run depending on how they feel, i dont want too aggressive of a ski on any sled. ill be installing a oft relocator before my first trip.

 

[WNY PAT]

I hear you AKRider - and wouldn't disagree that the Nytro as it is doesnt seem to be able to compete in competitive SNO Xross. As you've pointed out tho making the Nytro competitive is gonna take more than a new front end. OTOH, almost every guy I know that bought a RR or Doo RS or some other version of a race sled spend the first year making it more trail friendly. Revalving shocks, installing bigger tanks, new springs, etc. They basically make it an X package and then still have to deal with the pre-mix BS. I think the Nytro can be a great trail sled if it is set up right. Sure it doesn't handle like a Doo XP - but I like that! It's firmer and more buttoned down. But then again, I'm not racing and jumping. Anyway, as I said, you add a lot here with race experience. That's really great and valuable info. Happy New Year! Wish I had snow to ride!

 

[raginyamaha]

Wish I had snow to ride!

X2!!!!

 

[Andyfreeze]

Wish I had snow to ride!

X2!!!!

X3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[09nytro]

Really? I take the time to provide info to not just him but anyone on this site and you complain about it.

Sounds to me like you are struggling with the fact your Nytro doesn't handle as well as you hoped. Good luck with the "stick your head in the sand" approach. Maybe you should try gluing a block under your throttle lever so you can't go as fast. That will also improve the Nytro's handling.

Hahahahaha....your funny...It works very well ....But thanks anyways

 

[dilligaf]

Really? I take the time to provide info to not just him but anyone on this site and you complain about it.

Sounds to me like you are struggling with the fact your Nytro doesn't handle as well as you hoped. Good luck with the "stick your head in the sand" approach. Maybe you should try gluing a block under your throttle lever so you can't go as fast. That will also improve the Nytro's handling.

AKrider, you have some great info to share, but the "stick your head in the sand" quote is getting old.

Mattpaige, I say ride it first and adjust accordingly. It took me 300 miles or so to get use to the sled mainly because the forward position. I spent a day tweaking the suspension in and still make small adjustments here and there. The sled really shines in the ruff stuff. Lots of good info on this site, just have to read between the lines on some. Enjoy.