Maintenance Costs

[RSVECTORFREAK]

Well after tallying up this years maintenance costs this year I am a little over $1200 this year after replacing the entire rear skid with another from a Nytro, a new track + all drive bearings (Ripsaw was shot at 5100 miles), and exhaust donuts. That doesn't include normal wear items such as new hyfax, carbides, a belt, and an oil change. So I guess my theory of buying a 4 stroke to save money in the long run isn't quite working out so well....

 

[pat the rat]

in your cost,take the suspension and track out cuz its not something you replace every year,and its not costing you too much for a season

 

[SlowPoke]

My sled didn't cost me a dime this season. Changing the oil this spring and that is about the extent of maintenence costs.

 

[kyzer]

3 seasons and 4000miles my sled cost me oil changes and a set of sliders.........

 

[mightyroo12]

06 Vector maintenance

8000 miles, Sheaves on Primary clutch grooved which cause blowing the tops off the belts, 10 belts until I figured the problem, replaced clutch with a used one with 450 miles on it. Donuts gone at 4000 miles and sound like they are going again. Oil tank gone cracked at 3800 miles. Shock adjusting cable gone at 3800 miles. Shock gone at 7000 miles. Left side front suspension (bushings) gone at 4000 miles. Installed new spring in secondary. Many items were covered under YES, still under warranty until 1/11. All and all, I am still happy with this sled, if I didn't have the warranty I don't think I would be happy with the costs to keep it going. As far a ride and performance, I am happy with it.
p.s. have 4000 miles on my slides, ran them on solid ice the first 100 miles and burned them half off, they have been good ever since.

 

[HeyBrownDog]

My sled didn't cost me a dime this season. Changing the oil this spring and that is about the extent of maintenence costs.

I was thinking the same thing as SlowPoke, but I shouldn't talk as my machine only has 1500 plus miles on it. Original owner, but hardly rode a couple years when my twins were born. Held onto it as it's been a great machine for me.

The first year I owned the sled, I put a $150 bucks in it to let the dealer go through it after the break in period. That wasn't just a $150 oil change, but they adjusted the track, sync'd the carbs...etc. Basically I was told end to end on the sled and it only had 600-700 miles. Thought that was a good investment since it was my first sled, and hadn't a clue about them. This past fall, I change my oil, plugs, and carbides. About mid-season, I sprung for a new set of Curve XS skis as an upgrade (major improvement over stock skis), so other than that the machine has been the basics. I'm planning on going through it with a fine tooth comb this off season so it should be interesting to see what I find.

How long does Ripsaw track typically last? Was replacing your skid a necessary or an upgrade? Most of the people I ride with are 2 smokers, and it was a season of blown belts, brand new machines suddenly dying trail side, and even a tow back home. All I did is turn the key, provided a tow rope and maybe some emotional support while they were cursing out their machine.

 

[quebecmoutainrider]

your forgetting some things...like the smell of a 2-smoke....stopping to change plugs...pulling someone back to the truck,when a 2-smoke dies....no more oil at the gas station in the middle of nowhere...for me...no smell and dependabillity ...is what i like...

 

[HeyBrownDog]

your forgetting some things...like the smell of a 2-smoke....stopping to change plugs...pulling someone back to the truck,when a 2-smoke dies....no more oil at the gas station in the middle of nowhere...for me...no smell and dependabillity ...is what i like...

Very good point. I forget at times since I ride with so many 2 smokers, until the last time we went up to the Tug Hill. Since I was the only one who truly knew where we were going, I rode in the first position leading the pack. Aaah....the smell of fresh air instead of burning oil. I think I'll lead more from now on......the view is much better and the air is much cleaner.

 

[Groomerdriver]

You guys and your "two smokes" kill me.

You make it sound like riding a 2 stroke makes the person inferior to you. Well...guess what....not everybody can afford to have a newer 4S...or maybe they like the tunable nature of a 2 stroke better. Bottom line is that they are able to enjoy the sport like we do, and oh yea I forgot...maybe they don't want to wrestle with the weight of our 4S sleds. They are PIGS you know.

My other sled is a 2 stroke....wanna know why?? It's all I could afford when it came time to buy my oldest kid a sled. And next fall when it's time to buy my 2nd son a sled, I hope that I can afford to buy him a sled PERIOD...any sled will be fine. Dad (me) wants a new sled and would do the hand me down thing to my kids, but with the economy the way it is, I'll be happy with another $1200 late 90's Polaris 2 stroke.

Unless that is you "2 smoke jokers" are wealthy and want to buy a 4S for me? Heck I'll take a late model used 4S....I'm not picky.

RSVECTORFREAK and others like me went through the growing pains of the early Vector years. TORS problems, jackshaft problems, multiple wheel problems, cracked suspensions (never had that happen on my 2 strokes) and assorted other issues. Some of these problems caused us to limp our sleds in and ruined trips.

In 50,000+ miles of owning and riding 14 2 stroke sleds (84 - 03) I never had one ruin a trip....or even had a major breakdown. Heck..if you forget about the broken gear bolthead which lead to a broken chain, I haven't even had a minor breakdown.

I love my Vector, but it's been in the shop more times than all my other sleds combined, and if I didn't have the extended warranty, it would be a very costly sled to own.

Respectfully submitted,

GD

p.s. I think that replacing a track after 5000 miles isn't unusual. The kind of conditions you ride in + if your track is studded will play a major role in how long it lasts. I have 7000+ on my track and if it wasn't for stud pullouts, I could go several thousand more miles. But I'll probably get one more year out of mine.

 

[mightyroo12]

Forgot about the two sets of idler wheels,( complete set of small idlers, 6 total both times) first set done at Yami's expense, I put on aftermarkets for 1/3 the price and replaceable bearings.
8000 miles on unstudded track and it still looks like new.

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

You guys and your "two smokes" kill me.

You make it sound like riding a 2 stroke makes the person inferior to you. Well...guess what....not everybody can afford to have a newer 4S...or maybe they like the tunable nature of a 2 stroke better. Bottom line is that they are able to enjoy the sport like we do, and oh yea I forgot...maybe they don't want to wrestle with the weight of our 4S sleds. They are PIGS you know.

My other sled is a 2 stroke....wanna know why?? It's all I could afford when it came time to buy my oldest kid a sled. And next fall when it's time to buy my 2nd son a sled, I hope that I can afford to buy him a sled PERIOD...any sled will be fine. Dad (me) wants a new sled and would do the hand me down thing to my kids, but with the economy the way it is, I'll be happy with another $1200 late 90's Polaris 2 stroke.

Unless that is you "2 smoke jokers" are wealthy and want to buy a 4S for me? Heck I'll take a late model used 4S....I'm not picky.

RSVECTORFREAK and others like me went through the growing pains of the early Vector years. TORS problems, jackshaft problems, multiple wheel problems, cracked suspensions (never had that happen on my 2 strokes) and assorted other issues. Some of these problems caused us to limp our sleds in and ruined trips.

In 50,000+ miles of owning and riding 14 2 stroke sleds (84 - 03) I never had one ruin a trip....or even had a major breakdown. Heck..if you forget about the broken gear bolthead which lead to a broken chain, I haven't even had a minor breakdown.

I love my Vector, but it's been in the shop more times than all my other sleds combined, and if I didn't have the extended warranty, it would be a very costly sled to own.

Respectfully submitted,

GD

p.s. I think that replacing a track after 5000 miles isn't unusual. The kind of conditions you ride in + if your track is studded will play a major role in how long it lasts. I have 7000+ on my track and if it wasn't for stud pullouts, I could go several thousand more miles. But I'll probably get one more year out of mine.

I was one of those people that passed on the YES program and have been paying for it. The track I can live with even though I never stud any of my tracks I am hard on them as far as spinning goes

The suspension really got me going having to replace the entire skid. The nytro skid is holding up so far after reinforcing the arms and the clicker shock in the rear is worlds above the stock junker that came on the vector.

What bothers me is the fact that I bought this sled for longevity and less headaches and it has been by far the most expensive sled to maintain than any other I have owned.

I would love to keep it as a spare as I'm upgrading next year but now I worry about the cam tension adjuster going rendering the motor useless and the stator has been in the back of my mind. Also both of my sheaves on the primary are basically grooved out and junk and need to be replaced along with the front bushings in the suspension but I had enough of working on it this season so I'm leaving those items for fall and going on my last trip this weekend and putting the old girl to rest until hunting season..

I guess if you want to play you have to pay is all it comes down to.

 

[mightyroo12]

What is it with those sheaves?? I have never had that happen to my other 6 sleds I have owned. 3 Yamis and 3 DOOs. Yami says this is a wear item and is not covered under YES,. Ya right.

 

[buddah]

What is it with those sheaves??

The 8DN belts are an EXTREMELY hard compound. Running one speed (or having a favorite cruising speed, etc.) causes slippage in that one area which causes the grooves in the sheaves. On the back sides of the clutch weights too, if you haven't checked. ANd how do I know, you might ask.....been there, done that......had to replace all four sheaves (P & S). The good news is I have over 9K mi. on the sled (06 Nytro)

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

What is it with those sheaves?? I have never had that happen to my other 6 sleds I have owned. 3 Yamis and 3 DOOs. Yami says this is a wear item and is not covered under YES,. Ya right.

I don't know what's going on. I always check alignment and offset, make sure the belt is shimmed properly and they are grooved bad. I think I am going to try and running a Polaris P-85 with the engine bolt shimmed. Most of my racer buddies are running them on their Doo's also. I just don't want to replace them and have the same thing happen..

 

[Groomerdriver]

You guys and your "two smokes" kill me.

You make it sound like riding a 2 stroke makes the person inferior to you. Well...guess what....not everybody can afford to have a newer 4S...or maybe they like the tunable nature of a 2 stroke better. Bottom line is that they are able to enjoy the sport like we do, and oh yea I forgot...maybe they don't want to wrestle with the weight of our 4S sleds. They are PIGS you know.

My other sled is a 2 stroke....wanna know why?? It's all I could afford when it came time to buy my oldest kid a sled. And next fall when it's time to buy my 2nd son a sled, I hope that I can afford to buy him a sled PERIOD...any sled will be fine. Dad (me) wants a new sled and would do the hand me down thing to my kids, but with the economy the way it is, I'll be happy with another $1200 late 90's Polaris 2 stroke.

Unless that is you "2 smoke jokers" are wealthy and want to buy a 4S for me? Heck I'll take a late model used 4S....I'm not picky.

RSVECTORFREAK and others like me went through the growing pains of the early Vector years. TORS problems, jackshaft problems, multiple wheel problems, cracked suspensions (never had that happen on my 2 strokes) and assorted other issues. Some of these problems caused us to limp our sleds in and ruined trips.

In 50,000+ miles of owning and riding 14 2 stroke sleds (84 - 03) I never had one ruin a trip....or even had a major breakdown. Heck..if you forget about the broken gear bolthead which lead to a broken chain, I haven't even had a minor breakdown.

I love my Vector, but it's been in the shop more times than all my other sleds combined, and if I didn't have the extended warranty, it would be a very costly sled to own.

Respectfully submitted,

GD

p.s. I think that replacing a track after 5000 miles isn't unusual. The kind of conditions you ride in + if your track is studded will play a major role in how long it lasts. I have 7000+ on my track and if it wasn't for stud pullouts, I could go several thousand more miles. But I'll probably get one more year out of mine.

I was one of those people that passed on the YES program and have been paying for it. The track I can live with even though I never stud any of my tracks I am hard on them as far as spinning goes

The suspension really got me going having to replace the entire skid. The nytro skid is holding up so far after reinforcing the arms and the clicker shock in the rear is worlds above the stock junker that came on the vector.

What bothers me is the fact that I bought this sled for longevity and less headaches and it has been by far the most expensive sled to maintain than any other I have owned.

I would love to keep it as a spare as I'm upgrading next year but now I worry about the cam tension adjuster going rendering the motor useless and the stator has been in the back of my mind. Also both of my sheaves on the primary are basically grooved out and junk and need to be replaced along with the front bushings in the suspension but I had enough of working on it this season so I'm leaving those items for fall and going on my last trip this weekend and putting the old girl to rest until hunting season..

I guess if you want to play you have to pay is all it comes down to.

Ahhhh yes....sheaves, bushings and stator...forgot about those. I also could use new sheaves and bushings. Stator? = that's going to hit me on the trail. I too am worried about the costs of ownership once my warranty is out. I have lots of miles on my sled, but if a valve train part breaks, the motor is junk.

Yup...gotta pay to play!!!!