New to me 04 RX-1 ER

[Bigfish]

New to this forum and with a new to me 04 RX-1 ER.

Just made the switch to 4 stroke having previously owned a MachZ and and AC EXT.

Couple of things, my new sled has 7700Km on it and is in almost new condition, totally stock (not even studded, yet), but I'm looking for advice on what changes to make on it to improve the rideability.

I'm 6'5" about 290 lbs, mostly trail ride, with a little lake running. Don't want a drag machine , but rather looking for handling improvements, suspension setup etc.

One thing I've noticed is a slight rattle in the primary clutch at idle (I understand this is a common problem). What is the best solution, an aftermarket custom clutch? Or would a primary from a later year, say an Apex clutch solve the issue.

Any advise that anyone can provide would be appreciated.

 

[yox185]

Clutch rattle is normal, but annoying. You can lessen the noise with a kit from Yamaha which replaces the sliders in the clutch, or the quick fix is to turn up the idle speed a little.

 

[Turk]

let me know if you want to sell that rattly old clutch.

 

[Bigfish]

let me know if you want to sell that rattly old clutch.

Uuuh, not just yet! LOL

How about a swap for for one that doesn't rattle??

 

[maim]

welcome to the site.

12 or 13mm sway bar will be a large improvement handeling wise.

call allen ulmer and put his stage 2 kit in it. awsome set-up if you do not wish to make your own.

cv springs are a good improvement for trail running.

a good re-valve on the shocks will also improve trail ride if you do not want to invest in olins or some gytr shocks.

anything else you want to know, others will chime in with.

 

[Bigfish]

welcome to the site.

12 or 13mm sway bar will be a large improvement handeling wise.

call allen ulmer and put his stage 2 kit in it. awsome set-up if you do not wish to make your own.

cv springs are a good improvement for trail running.

a good re-valve on the shocks will also improve trail ride if you do not want to invest in olins or some gytr shocks.

anything else you want to know, others will chime in with.

Thanks Maim, tht's the type of info I was looking for

 

[shanksyamaha]

Sounds like you are about the same size as me, I had an 05 rx-1, you will love the torque of this sled. makes a great machine for haulin on groomed trails... I put a full power performance stage 2 turbo on mine but sold it last summer for a down payment on my new house. Now Im looking to get another rx or apex, gunna leave it stock this time. I need that reliability for some of these long solo runs I go on..

 

[sledheadgeorge]

Wide front end will improve cornering. First thing I did to mine for ride.

 

[gunmaker]

Another new guy here. I just bought a 03 RX1 with 684 miles. I pick it up Sunday. The owner said he changed the exhaust, clutch and it does have studs. He lives in Conn and never got up north to ride it. Now i'm a little kid at Christmas staring at the presents under the tree. My old sled was an 02 800 Pantera so you can see why i can't wait.

 

[maim]

congrats on the up-grade gunmaker. just throw the sway bar i mentioned in there and you will have an awsome sled to run this season.

 

[kinger]

On the 03 you'll want a larger sway bar and possibly swap out the front springs for straight rate springs vs the progressive ones stock. They lean like a 80's cadillac all stock in the turns otherwise.

The 04 you have straight rate front springs but they are softer so see if you like them.

The number one favorite mod I did to the sled on my old rx that had a ton of mods (nitrous, Zx2 suspension, etc) was fitting a apex seat to it. You get a trunk and a taller seat.

For the tall guy add a 4" bar risor (you'll need a moutain throttle cable) and you will like the ergos better.

The rear suspension is the next best mod I loved the Zx2 but its too expensive for most, swap in a polaris edge and it will ride so much better and handle the twisties much better as well.

Once you get it dialed in for handling the next couple seasons add a dash of boost via a supercharger or turbo kit (buy them used they are so cheap now) and if your mechanically inclined you can have reliable boost and nothing will touch you on a trail or lake.

Best part of these sleds if you can mod or change things every year and its like a new sled each time.

I have lots of RX parts and mods for sale yet if your interested, including a Zx2 rear suspension and RX1 mounting kit if you want the best trail suspension on the market.

Have fun, the engine is intoxicating! You'll want to be running at 10,000 rpm all day once you feel the surge!

BTW FYI the 03 had a straight cut gears for the gear reduction and have a louder rattle at idle then the 04s where tehy want to angle cut gears. 03's are stronger but there haven't been any failures of the 04 so either are durable. Only cure for rattle is raise idle to 1500-1600 rpms and its quiet.

 

[rxrider]

X2 on the rattling primary clutch. They rattle but they are still very durable, in fact the Yamaha primary will survive past 300 HP in a boosted sled.

At 7000 km I would change out the speedo side drive shaft bearing. While at it I would recommend you checking all driveline bearings for your piece of mind.

 

[Bigfish]

Thanks again for all the great replies, I will definitly be checking them out over the next couple of years.

 

[sledheadgeorge]

X2 on the rattling primary clutch. They rattle but they are still very durable, in fact the Yamaha primary will survive past 300 HP in a boosted sled.

At 7000 km I would change out the speedo side drive shaft bearing. While at it I would recommend you checking all driveline bearings for your piece of mind.

Mine only lasted 15000 miles till it let go on my Turbo up northern Ontario doing 100mph all day.

Now there is a thresshold limit to set your standards to.

 

[rxrider]

Somewhat durable I would say