Looking for a no BS evaluation of '05 RX-1

[ontariof7]

Okay guys I am looking for honest opinions of the '05 RX-1 the Good, Bad and the Ugly. how is the mono shock? how does it compare to other sleds you have ridden? is it easy to set up? the power, what would you compare it to, 800CC class? 900cc? any other comments are welcome, but only from those that have milage on an '05 RX1


thanks for your feedback

 

[Thumper1000]

I would rate mine as great on power in the 800+ class, smooth, ride is good so far on par with the other mfg. do need new skis as stock suck other than that I think it is a very good machine, best of the 6 Yamis I've owned.

 

[wolfie]

I have 250 miles on mine from two days in Quebec early this week. I love the sled, and it's probably the nicest sled Ive ever owned in terms of the overall package. I rode a REV600 for the past two seasons, a ZR800 with some tweaks for 2 years before that, and 2 SRX's in 3 years. It's not a snocross sled, but probably the best trail sled by far I've owned. If you like to put the saddlebags on and do big miles, I can't see owneing any other sled right now. Conditions I rode in were fresh groomed packed powder. I don't know why some think the skis are bad, mine tracked good and didn't dart. My sled isn't studded yet, but honestly, this is the first sled I've ever owned where I didn't want to go right out and buy longer carbides. The suspension felt good on the first day, but not the magic ride that some described in the magazines. After it cracked a 100 miles, I noticed that the skid loosened up a bit, and was more responsive. I suspect that by 500 miles and one more adjustment to my preload, it will be everything that ALL the mags have been raving about. The Ripsaw track is super in loose powder, and the suspension transfers WAY better this year. This is now a holeshot capable suspension. By far the most impressive part though, is the motor. The only comparison I had when riding it was my old REV 600, which is now the wifes sled, but it wasn't even close. From about 1 foot out of the hole, the RX is GONE. The power is extremely broad, from 4000 to over 10,000, much wider than any two stroke. Punchy is an understatement. While I didn't do any real extended WOT with it yet, this thing feels like it would spank my ZR no problem, and that was a fast ride. I should mention that I have the ECP kit on with HH clutching, tuned to ECP specs. I'm certain that given the huge midrange boost it gives the motor, alot of my enthusiam for the motor can be traced to that. I'm sorry to sound like a Yamaha/ECP commercial, but I really am very jazzed with this sled, and I've owned alot of them, going back to 1970.

 

[number1kyster]

the 05 is amazing. It is not even the same sled as an 03 or 04. Much more comfortable, corners a lot flatter and is jus an all around much better sled.

 

[suprfst]

Compared to my 02xc 800 ,the rx1 front end is a little firmer rear is softer and plusher.Weight transfer on the rx is best of any polaris ive owned.Mid to top end power feels stronger than my xc800 but with out being able to run side by side I cant say for shure.The rx darts a little but not as much as my xc800.

The rx definatly pushes more than the xc 800, im hoping more agressive carbide(stock wear bars on it now ) and or better skis will help.

I was supposed to pick up a 900 fusion thanksgiving but changed my mind and got the rx 1.Im verry happy with my choice ,everyone i let ride it loves it.

 

[wolfie]

the 05 is amazing. It is not even the same sled as an 03 or 04. Much more comfortable, corners a lot flatter and is jus an all around much better sled.

I remember riding it pretty aggressively on Mon-Tues and thinking to myself, everyone says these things are tippy and the skis suck. Bull$hit. Mine steered good, stayed flat like my SRX's used to, and I couldn't be more impressed with the ride, handling and power, for a 1000cc 4 stroke snowmobile.

 

[Indy]

I love the candy apple red, but so does everyone else. I bet the red outsold the blue 4 to 1. And sorry if I offend anyone, but I don't like the flat black. They should have offered more color schemes.

 

[BIG BLACK WARRIOR]

Put another 80+ miles on my 2005 RX-1 today on Tug Hill. (12 new inches around the Highmarket area). Not that impressed with the new suspension. With the shock on next to highest setting, and the hand adjustment on side of tunnel,at max, the sled bottomed out over medium bumps. Don't know what it will do when the 4' moguels develope on tug hill. But I weigh 255 lbs. Must be the Mono shock setup is for those skinny riders. Other then that, I love the sled. Corners alot better then my warrior and the skis stay pinned to the ground in the corners. The new seat is better then last years. Awsome power, seems a little stronger then my Warrior. Ran neck to neck with a fussion in a 1/2 mile run. We were pretty even the whole way. Total miles on sled now is about 220.

 

[ontariof7]

I appreciate your insight

I appreciate your insight, especially from those that own and have hidden thier '05 RX-1's. I agree with "Indy" the Candy Red is the most popular. In fact I cannot find one here in Central Ontario Please keep the posts coming.

 

[wolfie]

Put another 80+ miles on my 2005 RX-1 today on Tug Hill. (12 new inches around the Highmarket area). Not that impressed with the new suspension. With the shock on next to highest setting, and the hand adjustment on side of tunnel,at max, the sled bottomed out over medium bumps. Don't know what it will do when the 4' moguels develope on tug hill. But I weigh 255 lbs. Must be the Mono shock setup is for those skinny riders. Other then that, I love the sled. Corners alot better then my warrior and the skis stay pinned to the ground in the corners. The new seat is better then last years. Awsome power, seems a little stronger then my Warrior. Ran neck to neck with a fussion in a 1/2 mile run. We were pretty even the whole way. Total miles on sled now is about 220.

You're probably on the high side of stock calibrations. Id go to a stiffer spring, and consider a revalve. The reset of the sled is just too good to have the suspension not workign for you. Granted, Tug is a test of any sled, and you're a big boy, probably an extreme situation for most riders.

 

[Mighty]

Ran neck to neck with a fussion in a 1/2 mile run. We were pretty even the whole way.

What happened with the RX-1 supposidly having its hands full with a 500-600 class sled

 

[Thumper1000]

That came from the 5-600 riders lol. wannabees

 

[Kren]

there clealy seems to be 2 schools of thought on whether this sled is tippy or not. I have not ridden it yet so I dont have an opinion but I am really trying to figure out if this sled wants to roll or if its an issue of some guys needing to adjust there weight a bit in the corners.

 

[timebomb]

well 1st of all, i have never rode an 03 or 04 rx1 or warrior so i cannot compare to those and i own a 02 viper. my mother got the 05 rx1 candy red and the past week i've been able to put about 100 miles on it. its the 1st 4 stroke i've ever been on and i'd hafta say its different and i LOVE it! def. ordering an 06'. The 1st time i rode it we had about a foot of powder so i didn't get to race anything. the skis are probably fine for trail but remind me of my viper skis in the powder(don't float on the snow) as for the suspension, its awesome compared to what i'm used to(viper) but all i've really done is ride it in the fields. it has the potentional of what the mags say i just haven't had the chance to adjust it to get the most out of it. the engine pulls like a freight train, seems to have endless power. as for racing other sleds, the powder snow condions limit that unless there is 2 good packed trails side by side. i have a friend with an 04 zr 900 and from what little riding i've done on the rx i don't think it will get by it. we took off in the powder at about 30mph and then he sneaked by me and kept gaining. we raced once from a dead stop but of course he is the type to line up on the good packed trail in the field and leave the rest of us in the powder to try and make our own trail to race so it wasn't a comparison. once we get some good racing conditions i'll post the results, but for now the 05 rx1 is pretty sweet.

 

[Mighty]

timebomb, race that 900 again after moms sled has about 1,000 miles on the speedo. Once that Genesis loosens up it's a different animal.