ahicks
TY 4 Stroke Master
Lenn, Wes, this is the skid I had in mind....
Mike Kroener said:
nate007
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- 1. '06 Apex -twin screw
2. '04 Redline Revolt 800
3. '09 Nytro XTX - twin screw
leepster,
Other than installing tunnel extension, swapping the track and fabbing a set of drop brackets (which I could make for you), putting an xtx skid in wouldn't be any harder than anything else. You may be able to find a good skid at a reasonable price, and prodbably do the swap in one long day.
Nothing will give you the big bump capabilities like an aftermarket skid will, but for the money, the XTX swap was the perfect choice for my sled. I don't use this sled for anything but the TY rides, and ride it on the high-mile days with a little bit of off trail.
If you are looking for something you can really beat on throught the rough stuff, you may have to look at an expert or something.
Other than installing tunnel extension, swapping the track and fabbing a set of drop brackets (which I could make for you), putting an xtx skid in wouldn't be any harder than anything else. You may be able to find a good skid at a reasonable price, and prodbably do the swap in one long day.
Nothing will give you the big bump capabilities like an aftermarket skid will, but for the money, the XTX swap was the perfect choice for my sled. I don't use this sled for anything but the TY rides, and ride it on the high-mile days with a little bit of off trail.
If you are looking for something you can really beat on throught the rough stuff, you may have to look at an expert or something.
leepster
Extreme
Man, any help would be great, I am gonna do this, there is a guy close to me who does custom sled work and I was saving up to get a skid and money to pay him to do it. Thanks nate007, I'll send you my address and who much for the drop brackets?
ahicks
TY 4 Stroke Master
<<<Nothing will give you the big bump capabilities like an aftermarket skid will,.......... If you are looking for something you can really beat on throught the rough stuff, you may have to look at an expert or something.>>>
Sorry, but I would have to disagree with this. The Mono may not be a real good plan for heavy play in the bumps, but skids by any of the other OEMs (Poo, Cat, and Doo) are extremely capable, much less expensive (to purchase or repair), and seen on cross country circuits/MX tracks much more often than ANY aftermarket skid. I'm not trying to take anything away from the guys running aftermarket skids, many are really happy with them. BUT, dealer level tech support, parts availability-including aftermarket, custom shock packages, and the durability of the OEM skids are not out done by any aftermarket skid out there. Not even close. The Nytro skids are still proving themselves. I think the jury's still out on them, but they are very similar in basic design to what the others are using. That skid may prove to be very durable as well. FWIW
Sorry, but I would have to disagree with this. The Mono may not be a real good plan for heavy play in the bumps, but skids by any of the other OEMs (Poo, Cat, and Doo) are extremely capable, much less expensive (to purchase or repair), and seen on cross country circuits/MX tracks much more often than ANY aftermarket skid. I'm not trying to take anything away from the guys running aftermarket skids, many are really happy with them. BUT, dealer level tech support, parts availability-including aftermarket, custom shock packages, and the durability of the OEM skids are not out done by any aftermarket skid out there. Not even close. The Nytro skids are still proving themselves. I think the jury's still out on them, but they are very similar in basic design to what the others are using. That skid may prove to be very durable as well. FWIW
Sorry for not getting back sooner, I've been offline for a few days. So to answer some questions:
I ride aggressively. I ride with 5 guys who have 07 Apex GT's. They all ride as aggressive as I do. There's no place where my CK skid is better than the Mono skid. Even jumping. And the Mono just flat out rides better than my skid. We are always trying each others sleds and everyone agrees that my sled is just harsh. The Mono just soaks up the bumps much better than the CK. We all had cracks and breakage in the 5000 miles we've owned the sleds. I've welded my skid twice, had to replace every bushing, had the shocks revalved by Bruce at Pioneer(so has everyone with the mono, and they are all very happy with the results), replaced my destroyed track once, and replaced the torsion springs once also. Nothing I do to this skid will ever make it ride like the Mono. I've tried all the suggestions this site has to offer regarding my skid. That's why I'm thinking it's time to upgrade to something else. I don't want to sped big money to do it. If I'm going to have to spend the money, then I'll just buy the ZX2 or something similar. I'm hoping Yamaha will have a replacement for the Apex next year. I'f they do, I'll be trading up.
I ride aggressively. I ride with 5 guys who have 07 Apex GT's. They all ride as aggressive as I do. There's no place where my CK skid is better than the Mono skid. Even jumping. And the Mono just flat out rides better than my skid. We are always trying each others sleds and everyone agrees that my sled is just harsh. The Mono just soaks up the bumps much better than the CK. We all had cracks and breakage in the 5000 miles we've owned the sleds. I've welded my skid twice, had to replace every bushing, had the shocks revalved by Bruce at Pioneer(so has everyone with the mono, and they are all very happy with the results), replaced my destroyed track once, and replaced the torsion springs once also. Nothing I do to this skid will ever make it ride like the Mono. I've tried all the suggestions this site has to offer regarding my skid. That's why I'm thinking it's time to upgrade to something else. I don't want to sped big money to do it. If I'm going to have to spend the money, then I'll just buy the ZX2 or something similar. I'm hoping Yamaha will have a replacement for the Apex next year. I'f they do, I'll be trading up.
race24x
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I hate to hear that as I am waiting on my shocks to get back from Pioneer. I did talk to them first and they where very honest that it will never be as plush as the mono, but it would be a huge improvment over stock and and a much plusher ride. Better about bottoming and softer for small stutter bumps and get rid of the kick back when you come close to bottoming
copo427ss
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
lenn if you put in a poo, cat or doo skid, you will walk all over your friends with their monos. it wont even be a contest. they will be ditching their monos after you whoop em and thy ride yours. i wouldnt have gone this route on my sled im still paying for if i didnt have faith. if you go cat i can help. if you go polaris ahicks can help. and there are plenty on here that have done doo. my point is that the mono is not the best choice. since you have to redrill holes go with a better skid. look around, you can find skids for around $300 that are head over heels better than the mono. ask ahicks before you buy a mono. he will tell you first hand how well his sled works now.
race24x said:
The Pioneer revalve did work. Just wasn't enough of an improvement as I was hoping. I have to run the dampening adjustment on the rear shock at 1. Any more than that, it's just too stiff. I may send them back and have Bruce soften them up a little. My other issues are with the lack of reliability with this skid. I have to inspect it after every ride. I don't trust it.
copo427ss said:
Al did contact me regarding using a different skid. My problem now is lack of time. Although we have no snow here yet in NH, I don't want to get caught in the middle of a suspension swap when it does hit us. Thanks for the advice. I'm still considering everyone's suggestions. But you have talked me out of using the Mono Skid. If it was as easy as just bolting it in, I may have been tempted. But for all the work, I'd rather have a Doo, Cat, or Polaris rear skid.
copo427ss
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Lenn. It won't take long at all. An easy weekend. Especially if your not changing your track. Have you always ridden Yamaha.? If not what sled were you riding before. Al and I can help you and give you all the measurements you need for cat and poo skids. There are a couple good threads on here for a doo skid. Don't hesitate. Get on eBay. Start lookin around. Your a 121 track right? You'll be kicking yourself in the rear if you don't do this. And you'll be smiling at every stop sign while your waiting for your buddies lol.
Wes
Wes
Lenn, fWIW,
I have to agree with your decision. I had the Hygear mono that I was willing to sell you. I do beleive it is the best set up mono you can buy; far, far superior to stock. Never too stiff but doesn't bottom either, Ross from Hygear has it nailed....
BUT, I have a mono too sell because I put a cat skid in myself. It is an 06 Crossfire sno Pro with the zero pro large body shocks. This skid is a 136 as opposed to the 121 mono as well. The skid weighs 2 lbs LESS than the shorter mono and has two shocks and torsions springs as well as being coupled.
I ran it all last year and it is SUPERB. It handles Very well and takes all the bumps I can throw at it. It also handles the stutters perfectly, something the mono was good at for about 100 ft at 70 mph, but would start to buck after that...
I would imagine there might be things a ZX2 or Expert could do better (but I am not sure what) but for the cost difference, a transplant from another brand is a GREAT way to go...No regrets here at all.... I would not be afraid of a Poo, Doo, or Cat skid in my sled. They are ALL big improvements over the stock Apex skids....
There is also a huge amount of support here on TY to get your project done. Nate has volunteered to make brackets, and one long weekend or two weeks part time you could have this done. Al (Ahicks) is very good at talking you through tight spots. He is very well versed on suspension geometries and function. I had dimensions from a guy that were incorrect and Al talked me through how to set it up, and it is dead on.
Sounds like you have your decision made other that getting started....If you have basic mechanically ability, you should be able to get this done in a short period of time, just remember to measure like 5 times before you drill your first hole......
Mike out
I have to agree with your decision. I had the Hygear mono that I was willing to sell you. I do beleive it is the best set up mono you can buy; far, far superior to stock. Never too stiff but doesn't bottom either, Ross from Hygear has it nailed....
BUT, I have a mono too sell because I put a cat skid in myself. It is an 06 Crossfire sno Pro with the zero pro large body shocks. This skid is a 136 as opposed to the 121 mono as well. The skid weighs 2 lbs LESS than the shorter mono and has two shocks and torsions springs as well as being coupled.
I ran it all last year and it is SUPERB. It handles Very well and takes all the bumps I can throw at it. It also handles the stutters perfectly, something the mono was good at for about 100 ft at 70 mph, but would start to buck after that...
I would imagine there might be things a ZX2 or Expert could do better (but I am not sure what) but for the cost difference, a transplant from another brand is a GREAT way to go...No regrets here at all.... I would not be afraid of a Poo, Doo, or Cat skid in my sled. They are ALL big improvements over the stock Apex skids....
There is also a huge amount of support here on TY to get your project done. Nate has volunteered to make brackets, and one long weekend or two weeks part time you could have this done. Al (Ahicks) is very good at talking you through tight spots. He is very well versed on suspension geometries and function. I had dimensions from a guy that were incorrect and Al talked me through how to set it up, and it is dead on.
Sounds like you have your decision made other that getting started....If you have basic mechanically ability, you should be able to get this done in a short period of time, just remember to measure like 5 times before you drill your first hole......
Mike out
copo427ss said:
I traded an '06 Dragon for my Apex. I've had over 10 sleds in the last 25 years. You guys are brutal! Now I won't be able to sleep at night thinking about this!
Mike Kroener said:
I'm going to start looking for a used rear skid. I have a 121" track. I'm thinking I'm partial to Poo because most of my sleds have been Polaris.
Thanks for twisting my arm into this...you and AL!
copo427ss
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Lenn. Al is your goto guy for this setup. You'll want either a edge, pro x, or IQ skid. Try and find something with good shocks. I believe Al says the IQ skids need to be shimmed as they are narrower. We're brutal cause we didn't want you to go through all the trouble of swapping in a mono. Just to be disappointed, and never get the ride you were truly looking for. Your buddies are not gonna be happy with you. They'll be begging you to help them swap there's out. Ha ha. So if you you don't want to help them I would suggest not beating them to bad and especially don't let them ride yours. In the mean time We'll help you find a skid.
turbine man
VIP Member
MONOSHOCK
I HAVE A O7 RTX CHANGED THESKID TO A ELT. MONO SHOCK LOVE THE SOFTER RIDE, I AM A GROOMED TRAILER RIDER, I HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 BRACKETS IN THE TUNNEL , WAS NOT FUN, THE WIRING PLUGGED RIGHT IN. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE JEFF
I HAVE A O7 RTX CHANGED THESKID TO A ELT. MONO SHOCK LOVE THE SOFTER RIDE, I AM A GROOMED TRAILER RIDER, I HAD TO CHANGE ALL 4 BRACKETS IN THE TUNNEL , WAS NOT FUN, THE WIRING PLUGGED RIGHT IN. LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE JEFF
