New Viper Owner

[Eric4440]

Just picked up an XTX yesterday with 3200 Miles on it, first time viper owner and first time 4-stroke sled owner, it has a full hurricane performance kit on it. Looking to make sure this thing is 100% mechanically sound before I start riding it, I have looked through the FAQ and plan on checking all the stuff listed there, Just wondering if there is anything new that I should check as the FAQ section seems to be from 14-15. Only thing I need to check into as of now is it sounds like it has an exhaust leak, It needs a battery, (hard starting) loose steering, and the reverse beeper is extremely quiet, have to really listen to hear it and Im sure thats not normal. Let me know and thanks everyone! cant wait to ride this beast Ive wanted a Yamaha 4 stroke for YEARS!

 

[blueironranger]

Just picked up an XTX yesterday with 3200 Miles on it, first time viper owner and first time 4-stroke sled owner, it has a full hurricane performance kit on it. Looking to make sure this thing is 100% mechanically sound before I start riding it, I have looked through the FAQ and plan on checking all the stuff listed there, Just wondering if there is anything new that I should check as the FAQ section seems to be from 14-15. Only thing I need to check into as of now is it sounds like it has an exhaust leak, It needs a battery, (hard starting) loose steering, and the reverse beeper is extremely quiet, have to really listen to hear it and Im sure thats not normal. Let me know and thanks everyone! cant wait to ride this beast Ive wanted a Yamaha 4 stroke for YEARS!

14’s were known for cracking headers and Mufflers, though if it’s a Hurricane kit it probably has full Hindle exhaust. Some of the aftermarket header gaskets are known to leak easy, many install headers with a new factory gasket. I’m sure the previous owner put a piece of tape over the reverse beeper to quiet it down, it’s pretty loud from the factory(mine has a piece of duck tape over it!). Loose steering, check the 17mm nut on the end of the steering shaft/bell crank under the Airbox, put some blue lock-tite on it.

 

[Eric4440]

Thanks for the reply. I’m definitely gonna check the header gaskets, it sounds like a single cylinder leak vs a full leak like it would be at the muffler gasket. I haven’t hardly looked at the sled yet, any tips on getting to the header? I don’t have any issue tearing into it but haven’t even looked to see what’s involved yet.

 

[ksviper]

Just picked up an XTX yesterday with 3200 Miles on it, first time viper owner and first time 4-stroke sled owner, it has a full hurricane performance kit on it. Looking to make sure this thing is 100% mechanically sound before I start riding it, I have looked through the FAQ and plan on checking all the stuff listed there, Just wondering if there is anything new that I should check as the FAQ section seems to be from 14-15. Only thing I need to check into as of now is it sounds like it has an exhaust leak, It needs a battery, (hard starting) loose steering, and the reverse beeper is extremely quiet, have to really listen to hear it and Im sure thats not normal. Let me know and thanks everyone! cant wait to ride this beast Ive wanted a Yamaha 4 stroke for YEARS!

If it has the Hindle exhaust it could be just a broken or stretched spring.

 

[Eric4440]

I pulled the seat and tank off and found EVERY header bolt was loose. Inexperienced installer I guess. I removed it all and filed the surfaces flat and reinstalled and now everything is good

Loose steering issue was the bolt that goes through the bell crank/pitman arm completely missing. It honestly looks like it was never there from the factory. Parts are ordered. Also fixed a coolant leak from a loose clamp. I will check all those now as well.

Basically I want this sled to be as bulletproof as I can make it. I know the chassis is cat and some of it isn’t up to Yamaha standards, So what can I do to make sure this thing is as good as I can make it besides what was stated? My REAL concern is the drivetrain. I have read a lot of issues with grenading chaincases, And bearings, premature bushing wear, are there any updated parts out there for the drivetrain to take care of these issues? I hate replacing bad parts with more bad quality parts.

Or are the chaincase/bearing/jackshaft issues few and far in between?

I’m orobably gonna wait till spring to take the case apart and inspect and replace parts, for now I am gonna grease the bearings that I can. Unless we don’t get some snow soon then I’ll have plenty of time to take it all apart...

Sorry that was long winded... first non-polaris sled I’ve owned so I’m very new to the different systems and very eager to learn.

 

[cannondale27]

Grease the bearings you can and I do recommend full inspection of gear case paying particular attention to the jackshaft wobble bearing and the top gear. How many miles are on sled?

 

[Eric4440]

3400 miles on the sled.

I knew the Polaris chaincases and drivetrain (basically the whole sled front to back) like the back of my hand, so having a new design/brand is a little intimidating because it’s all new to me.

 

[Kkurz]

3400 miles on the sled.

I knew the Polaris chaincases and drivetrain (basically the whole sled front to back) like the back of my hand, so having a new design/brand is a little intimidating because it’s all new to me.

Eric, one thing I suggest you check is the bars that come together to form the pyramid of the chassis. 2 that go from the tunnel to the cast piece up at the top. All the bars are bolted at both ends, including the one that goes side to side at the upper shock mount. I think there's 10 or 12 bolts going into nyloc nuts, and almost all of mine were loose! I loctited all of them. Pretty easy job and good for chassis stiffness.

Enjoy the sled, I love mine!

 

[YukonMP]

Just a note since you are new to four strokes, when working on the primary do not turn it backwards, only in the direction that it turns when the engine is running.

 

[cannondale27]

Up at top of Viper section FAQ is stickies. Lot of info in there. Don’t be intimidated we are here to help. #1 priority is riding. Just remember that and Welcome!

 

[Eric4440]

Definitely going to look into all the suggestions here. I have had the airbox off and tightened every bolt I could find under there, and will continue with the other ones.

I just ordered a 160lb front spring from Zbros as the steering on this thing is ATROCIOUSLY heavy, and this sled also has a Hygear 141 linkage kit on it which I want to remove, but I didnt get any parts or bolts from the PO that (based on the hygear instructions) get removed when installing, so im guessing I need to order all this. Anyone have any insight on doing this?

 

[cannondale27]

Definitely going to look into all the suggestions here. I have had the airbox off and tightened every bolt I could find under there, and will continue with the other ones.

I just ordered a 160lb front spring from Zbros as the steering on this thing is ATROCIOUSLY heavy, and this sled also has a Hygear 141 linkage kit on it which I want to remove, but I didnt get any parts or bolts from the PO that (based on the hygear instructions) get removed when installing, so im guessing I need to order all this. Anyone have any insight on doing this?

Pm’ed u

 

[Wannaviper]

Definitely going to look into all the suggestions here. I have had the airbox off and tightened every bolt I could find under there, and will continue with the other ones.

I just ordered a 160lb front spring from Zbros as the steering on this thing is ATROCIOUSLY heavy, and this sled also has a Hygear 141 linkage kit on it which I want to remove, but I didnt get any parts or bolts from the PO that (based on the hygear instructions) get removed when installing, so im guessing I need to order all this. Anyone have any insight on doing this?

I can tell you from experience with both my, and my grandson's XTX's that they ride like buckboards unless you do something to the rear suspension. My solution was to install coil-over QS3 shocks in the rear skid replacing the factory shocks, and it made a huge difference. My grandson is still a teenager, so he doesn't mind the stiff suspension, but my stepson has the same 141' skid in his Arctic Cat with the Hygear linkage, and it rides great, in fact it rides so good that my wife wants one just like it! There are older threads on this board about the linkage kit and how much it improves the ride, so you might want to think about keeping it.

 

[cannondale27]

I can tell you from experience with both my, and my grandson's XTX's that they ride like buckboards unless you do something to the rear suspension. My solution was to install coil-over QS3 shocks in the rear skid replacing the factory shocks, and it made a huge difference. My grandson is still a teenager, so he doesn't mind the stiff suspension, but my stepson has the same 141' skid in his Arctic Cat with the Hygear linkage, and it rides great, in fact it rides so good that my wife wants one just like it! There are older threads on this board about the linkage kit and how much it improves the ride, so you might want to think about keeping it.

This has got to be either a setup or rider weight issue. I havent ridden 141's much but I sure liked NosPros ride. It was all stock suspension also.

 

[Wannaviper]

This has got to be either a setup or rider weight issue. I havent ridden 141's much but I sure liked NosPros ride. It was all stock suspension also.

I am sure set up is huge and knowing how to tune your suspension would also be important, but I assume that Hygear developed the linkage to compensate for the harsh ride of the stock suspension? Maybe there is another reason and the ride quality is just a side benefit, but I remember reading other threads where a lot of people swore by the Hygear linkage as the cure for the harsh ride.

I replaced the stock shocks with QS3’s and there was a huge difference in the ride right out of the box. If I really knew how to tune my suspension I probably could even improve on it.