Just installed the pioneer 45" wide front end kit

[otis]

The directions from pioneer sucked big time. Essentially they said take the old ones off and install in reverse order. Without the help of the Totally Yamaha website from the Maxx Performance install I would have been lost. Their kit is much lighter than my 2003, but at the same time the bushing tolerances are a touch looser than the stock bushings. Once all bolted up the front end felt tight, but some of that is from linking everything together. I didn't like how the A-arms mounting bolts are inside of the arms which made tightening them a bitch. You have to own a thin walled socket set to get the bolts tight. The sled sits about 1 to 1 1/2 inches lower and definitely wider. I also discovered how much toe out the factory skis were set at. I upgraded to the Simmons flexi skis and thought they tracked very poorly on icy roads or lakes. That might have been the problem with poor tracking. Now they are nearly straight without the large amount of toe out.

I cannot wait to get it out and see if the ski lift problem is gone. I really had trouble keeping up with my friends in the tight twisties. I could not power out of a turn kicking the rear end out with out lifting the skis badly. The sled needs so much body english to keep it down that I got fatigued quickly. I at first thought it was from the great hookup of the ripsaw track that I added. I then upgraded skis then stiffer springs then 13mm sway bar and still had too much ski lift. I hope the is the answer.

I just heard I am the proud owner of a 2005 mono RA skid. Next winter is going to kick some arse!!!!

Otis

 

[Turbo Tim]

You might try pulling in the limit straps a little too.

 

[RedRX1]

I installed a set late in the season as well on my 05 RX1. The recessed bolts suck for sure, I hope i have them tight enough, I couldn't find 2 sockets that would fit. other than that it's a nice complete kit.

I rode it a few miles.... the lift situation is a lot better, but it's not on rails like the old Yamys were.

You will like the monoshock for ride quality. If you are on the heavier side, 200+, I would pay the big bucks for the optional heavier spring. Otherwise you will be bottoming out a lot.

 

[Red2003]

Hey Otis,

I love my 03 shorty but agree with everything you've just said. I've done the Simmons skis, 13mm bar, links, 2.3 S.R. springs and adjusted the read skid every imaginable way, including as suggested on this site, and it is still a tank in the twisties. Compared to any other sled I've owned or driven it is a man killer in the woods. It seems like the slower you go, the MORE fatigued you get. I have two 96 v-maxes, completely stock, that'll smoke my RX-1 in the tight twisties. Of course, the RX1's weren't made for that, but I hear you on the dissappointing off trail performance. Even as heavy as they are, you'd think they'd comply a little better.

 

[MrSled]

Otis, add the 13mm bar a it will handle even better....

 

[otis]

already added the 13mm sway bar...

Fortunately I ordered the 2.3SR springs and 13mm sway bar from Bruce at Pioneer and rode it all season before the wide front end kit. It helped, but wasn't what I was looking for in terms of handling. He gave me the according price off the kit and saved me a bunch or work during the install since I had already been there.

The only thing I never really tried was messing with the limiter straps up front. I'll probably never know what that'll do since I'm adding the 2005 skid this summer. I hope that helps some too.

Otis

 

[snowbeast]

Re: already added the 13mm sway bar...

Fortunately I ordered the 2.3SR springs and 13mm sway bar from Bruce at Pioneer and rode it all season before the wide front end kit. It helped, but wasn't what I was looking for in terms of handling. He gave me the according price off the kit and saved me a bunch or work during the install since I had already been there.

The only thing I never really tried was messing with the limiter straps up front. I'll probably never know what that'll do since I'm adding the 2005 skid this summer. I hope that helps some too.

Otis

Pioneer sells the adjustable transfer rods for about 120 bucks,by far the best bang for the buck,when i had my 03 rx1 i installed these from pioneer and already had the 12mm straight rate springs and longer links with ski-doo precisions on,and the best thing i had done was the rods,they are so adjustable,so quickly and far more adjustment than stock you wont believe it,once i started playing with them my handling came around to where i had almost no ski lift,because it would allow the front to stay flat and bite,and it made the rear wash out enough so you could drive thru the corner on the power..

 

[RedRX1]

I had my 03 dialed in great for handling, but the ride was for #*$&@... Installed an expert x and helped the ride but lost the handling.... gave up and left yamy for a year.

Back for 05 with the monoshock... ride is great, handling so so, added the wide kit for some improvement.... Looks like we wait for the Nitro like update kits to come out or but an Apex!!!

 

[STAIN]

do you believe the kit is worth doing? I was thinking about a pioneer kit also

 

[RedRX1]

Yes I would use the wide kit, it is a great improvement butt still not up to the old yamy chassis. This combined with some future rider forward mods will make the sled everything I am looking for.

By the way, the Pioneer kit includes stiffer straight rate springs and a 12mm or 13mm bar (don't remember which).