My Apex slider wear is absurd

[morg]

?Absurd Slider wear

I have a huge problem with slider wear on my 2007 Apex RTX with a 144" Tracks USA extension and a 1-1/4" Predator track. I have added the 4th wheel kit and the marginal snow kit with minimal difference. I have tried the track as loose as possible without it ratcheting as per Tracks USA and even tried it tighter on the recommendation of a couple guys who I'm sure were trying to be helpful. For the record the tighter track didn't make much difference as the wear when the track was slacked way off got maby and extra 100 miles.
Considering after 300 miles I'm checking them and looking to change them I am at my wits end. My dealer suggested changing the wheels to Polaris. Seriously?? I guess I will try it. But any other ideas anf help will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

 

[APEX 06]

Put a set of ice scratches the skis. I did it to my 06 apex RTX 144" two years ago and still on the same hifax. Or put a bolt in the ski so it run into the snow.

 

[Grimm]

Many posts on changing out idler wheels, many, however some modding of the inner mounts is necessary. Excell motorsports is coming out with a wheel that's larger and will fit stock mounts, however this may be a difficult find as they haven't come out with them yet.

Try a search on "idler wheels" or "slider wear" and be entertained and informed for hours.

 

[morg]

Thanks for the help. I will be adding scratchers and bigger idlers and post the results.
Thanks again.

 

[copo427ss]

morg, you can run doo mounts and wheels.

 

[kinger]

When your replacing the sliders are they worn thin and shot or about 75% worn?

 

[Burntlandsbandit]

I find the first three quarters of wear happens in a few hundred miles and then the last 25% lasts and lasts... on my first 4-sroke, an attak, the sliders looked pretty bad and i was going on a trip so i changed them, by the first time I stopped for gas they looked identical to the ones i just replaced and never seemed to get much worse over the course of the next 5 or 600 miles...

 

[sherlock29]

My RTX wears down to about 1/16 left and stays there.. and i have doo wheels... slides have been on for about 3500miles.

 

[dhkr123]

The material that the slides are made out of can make a big difference in rate of wear. If you are MELTING the sliders, then a graphite slider may last longer since they have a higher melting temperature.

I found, in one experience that I've never repeated, that colored plastic sliders are terrible. Lasted probably under 50 miles. They were red. Switched to black graphite and haven't changed them since -- and on that machine, that was about 12 years ago -- its seen THOUSANDS of miles since then, but fewer since upgrading to 4-stroke in 02. Still have the machine, still has the same sliders. Still nice and thick the whole length.

Note: don't expect that result to be typical. That particular machine has a very nicely designed suspension with a very low approach angle and a gradual ramping. Graphite will help, but typically not THAT much. At least not for a typical yamaha long travel suspension.

 

[morg]

Which wheels are better? Doo or Polaris?
My sliders are worn out. All the way to the rail the one time I left them to see if the wearing would stop at a certain point. They didn't. I'm using the same sliders that other guys at getting 2000 miles out of. I'm getting 500 if I'm lucky. That's a week of riding sometimes less

 

[rock doc]

Has anyone cracked a rail from running oversize idlers?

 

[Viper_Dave]

Nope! I had them on my 97 XTC for app. 5,000 mi, My 02 Viper for 9,000 mi., and on my Attak for 3500mi. MrSled has that skid in his mod sled now. Wouldn't expect he'll see anything either.

 

[snowbiscuit]

hyfax wear

Larger wheels or Pioneer Performace offset kit, both will do the same and rear heat exchanger will also help(snow melt on track). Had same problem with 06 RTX, made these changes and now over 3500 miles and maybe half worn.

 

[polcat]

I run the Marinal wheel kit from Yamaha in my Apex gt, I have 3700 miles on this sled & still have the original sliders, I put one set up in the front of the supension & another set in the back. PT#sma-8FP95-00-00

 

[kinger]

morq- where is the wear? In one spot or the entire slide?