New Viper Owner. What are must do mods?

[FrozenTows4]

Battery tender, with quick disconnect.

Keeps battery topped off and extends it's life drastically.

Taller windshield and wind protection for the hands.

I went with the Cold Guards.

GPS mount would be optional, I guess.

Sure is nice knowing where we are.

With 454 miles, last season, I'm waiting to do suspension mods until I have a little more saddle time. So far, I'm very pleased. Nice ride, decent power, and pretty good handling. But we're still getting acquainted. I barely made the first oil change

 

[hibshman25]

I'd recommend our fuse box relocate kit. In the stock location its nearly impossible to change a fuse and let alone see them.

If you get a little snow in your 12v accessory outlet when plugging in your heated shield it will likely blow the fuse. The instrument cluster is on same circuit so when the fuse blows the cluster goes dead.

 

[Joe ltx-le]

i just picked up my new ltx le. with mpi turbo

I have the ulmer clutch kit( clutching is a must for the turbo)
I geared the sled taller, and will be installing boost and afr gauages.

as far as accesories. im going to start with a taller windshield, fourth wheel kit, ice scratchers and im going to look into new carbide options.

 

[yamahaguy]

Why not just buy the new STAGE 25 MOD KIT. Come's with every mod you can think of for Vipers. $11,999.99 and TY members get 5% off.


Ok now back to reality , congrats on the new sleds, they are excellent right out of the box. I was very impressed my first ride before any mods. Of course I like to tinker with stuff so that didn't last long.

 

[rebmo]

Throw the Yamaha original useless wear bar/carbides in the trash and get some quality real ones. Really, they are poor to start with and lucky if they last 1-200 miles. I added Skinz knee pads and they really help on longer rides. The fuse box relocate is something I'd do right away and add the fan reverse adapter. I also added a 12v cable/plug from the accessory plug just inside the right side cover (for heated helmet visor. Frees up the other 12v cigg lighter plug in socket for GPS etc.. A decent front bumper might be on your list also, the stock one provides very little front protection. I just studded my 129 with 90 stud boy studs for this year. I rode last year on trails and lakes and the stock track is decent, but having studs on a previous sled I'd add them on the viper if riding on any packed/icy trails for safety stopping and better hookup.

Enjoy the new sleds!

 

[SnoNinja]

Get 'em, ride 'em, and then think about mods. You will want real carbides day 1. You'll be itchy to get on them as soon as there's enough snow to lube the slides, so the stock carbides will likely not last the day. I think I got about 70 miles on mine and they were toast. I ran 6" shapers inside a 6" round outside. It turned like it was on rails in hard pack but still pushed more than I'd like in loose or soft snow. If I was purely a trail rider, I would work with that set-up, but the Tuners are not good off trail so I have switched to Sly Dogs. At least a mid windshield with ears to deflect wind over your hands, or hand guards or gauntlets. No fun riding with cold fingers. I have done a lot to my sled since buying, but those were not must do's. They were wants given the type of riding that I do, and the fact that I like to tinker with my sleds.

There are lots of things you can do, but few that are must dos. Carbides are the only thing I would consider a must do until you see what else you think you might want to add to suit your riding preferences.

Congrats and enjoy.

 

[InRBigness]

I have not even seen my sled yet. That being said I have a Larson Racing 4th wheel kit, OSP belt tensioner, 8Dn Belt, Ulmer Clutch kit (Due to MPI turbo being installed), Dupont Sliders, a Four Strokes Solutions Roll over Kit (cause I will probably roll it all due to my own stupidity), Fan reverse and fuse box relocate kit and a Yamaheater power supply ready to install. I still want a real front bumper and I assume I will need different skis. This is all sitting in my garage at the lake ready to be installed. NONE of this is mandatory but I have only so much time to ride and insist on getting the most out of every journey.

 

[I'mAllIn]

Thanks for all the good info so far. I'll add carbides to both sleds, but feel free to chime in with which set to go with. We're mostly, if not 100%, trail riders with these sleds.

What is a 4th wheel kit and why do we want it?

Well also add all the comfort features, such as mid-height windshield, handguards, etc.

My Turbo will come from Ulmer, so he'll tune it, with proper clutch and gearing, so no worries there.

What's the concensus on studs? Definitely want them on both sleds, but apparently there are a number of trails around here that prohibit studded sleds.

 

[yamamarc]

Thanks for all the good info so far. I'll add carbides to both sleds, but feel free to chime in with which set to go with. We're mostly, if not 100%, trail riders with these sleds.

What is a 4th wheel kit and why do we want it?

Well also add all the comfort features, such as mid-height windshield, handguards, etc.

My Turbo will come from Ulmer, so he'll tune it, with proper clutch and gearing, so no worries there.

What's the concensus on studs? Definitely want them on both sleds, but apparently there are a number of trails around here that prohibit studded sleds.

Hi Steve the 4th wheel kit eliminates the trihub! If you lose a bearing in the trihub you will not be able to limp your way home or to your destination! Some people run the trihub with no issues others ended up in a jackpot when a bearing goes! My wife and I do long trips so it's a good peace of mind!
here is a thread about it http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/4th-wheel-kits.119685/

 

[csederlund]

The best bang for you buck IMO is a new set of skis and studs. I ran 2200 miles my first year without any mods except an aftermarket muffler and dually carbides with no problems at all. Other than that I suggest an OSP belt adjuster and a 4th wheel kit just for piece of mind. I ran the tri-hub for the first year and it was fine at the end of the year. It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

 

[jlevandoski]

The best bang for you buck IMO is a new set of skis and studs. I ran 2200 miles my first year without any mods except an aftermarket muffler and dually carbides with no problems at all. Other than that I suggest an OSP belt adjuster and a 4th wheel kit just for piece of mind. I ran the tri-hub for the first year and it was fine at the end of the year. It all comes down to how much you want to spend.

Have you noticed a difference with the 4th wheel kit? I couldn't imagine it would make a huge difference, other than looks.

 

[NOS-PRO]

Have you noticed a difference with the 4th wheel kit? I couldn't imagine it would make a huge difference, other than looks.

4th wheel kit is a good choice for "a must do mod"
Not only will it be beneficial if the tri-hub goes out, but it keeps your track from folding over in the corners which keeps slide wear to a minimum and centers the track better. Also keeps the ghosts from throwing snowballs at you.... (if you don't run the 4th wheel kit, the track catches big balls of snow and throws them at you....mostly in corners)

 

[csederlund]

Have you noticed a difference with the 4th wheel kit? I couldn't imagine it would make a huge difference, other than looks.

None at all. I put on just in case. I added tunnel flares, no more snow chunks thrown at you. Plus they are a cheap add on.

 

[nherbst454]

Have you noticed a difference with the 4th wheel kit? I couldn't imagine it would make a huge difference, other than looks.

Like has already been mentioned I didn't notice a performance difference but I met another Viper rider at a gas station that was riding B!%@& because his tri-hub failed. It's also nice not having ice chunks whacking the back of your helmet.

 

[titanrcr]

Thanks for all the good info so far. I'll add carbides to both sleds, but feel free to chime in with which set to go with. We're mostly, if not 100%, trail riders with these sleds.

What is a 4th wheel kit and why do we want it?

Well also add all the comfort features, such as mid-height windshield, handguards, etc.

My Turbo will come from Ulmer, so he'll tune it, with proper clutch and gearing, so no worries there.

What's the concensus on studs? Definitely want them on both sleds, but apparently there are a number of trails around here that prohibit studded sleds.

For the Turbo sled I would run Woodys carbides, 6" inside and 4" outside and 144 / 1.325 Woodys Gold Digger or Megabite studs. On the stock sled I would go with Woodys 4" carbide inside and out and 96 / 1.325 megabite studs. The 144 studs won't provide real holeshot traction on the turbo sled but will do just fine for trail riding.