newbie with a not so newbie question

[Siberjon]

Hey There,

Before i get going i just wanted to introduce myself! My name is Jonathan and i live in Calgary, AB, Canada. I am 21 years old and am a parts person at an RV dealership.

I have been reading this forum for going on two years but with the great search functions never found the need to become a member until now.


I bough a brand new 2003 rx-1 last October out of the crate. Love the machine but with two exceptions and that is why i need your help.

1. As many people have said the machine is to heavy!
2. The machine has horrible hookup and suspension.

Now i have gone over the search functions a hundred times and think i have figured out what to do but i need your opinions.

I don't find the handling too bad but i want more suspension so i can jump and play a little. Also since i have bought it i find myself playing more in the deeper snow and less trail riding.

I made the common mistake of putting on a ripsaw...didn't help much.

What i want to do is:
Put on either a 144 or 151...most likely 144 expert x with a 1.5" track, and non ratcheting drivers.

However, i need to upgrade the front too....i need recommendations on that

I would also like to drop a little weight and add some power...probably nos and clutching for the power and exhaust, battery, a-arms for the weight.

What i need to know is:
Is this going to be a good setup?
Also where can i find some used parts for this...i am 21 and funds are not as great as i would like them to be.

Also what would you guys recomend...I know the best choice is probably...and don't get mad for this...but ditch the sled and buy a different one. The problem is i saved up for this sled for just under two years and can't handle the fact that i will only get half of what i payed for it...plus i love the sled!!!!!!!!

Thanks, any and all recommendations are very appreciated!!!

 

[Red2003]

You can sell it for $4000.00 USD, I hope that's more then half what you paid for it. Also for the money you are talking, you could have an 07 Apex mountain and not need to add anything to it. What you are suggesting makes no sense to me at all. Its still gonna be a heavy, ill handling (compared to an Apex) modded up RX1.

 

[Siberjon]

Well from what i hear they don't let machines cross the border too easily. I can get roughly 4000-4500 for it here in Canadian Dollars. When i bough it brand new i had the track switch to the ripsaw negotiated into the deal. I paid 8000 plus tax.

An apex mountain up here is 14000, so for much less then 10'000 i would hope i can make the sled 30-40 pounds lighter, and have a better suspension. I have the suspension right now diled in awesome for trail handling it just it terrible on bumps and for hookup.

This may also sound dumn but i like doing wheelies and i would really like to be able to do some on this sled.

 

[BURMAD69]

Find yourself an 06 mono skid, update your front sway bar, shim your skis and let er rip.

I found a used skid for $650.00 us best money i spent on it yet.









===================== ------------------------------

 

[craze1cars]

This may not help you much, but here's my take on mostly the financial aspect of this quandry.

Going to 144/151 track/suspension is going to make your already heavy sled heavier, plus it will cost a lot of money. And dropping 30 to 40 lbs in addition to all the power adding features you are hoping for will probably cost you thousands of $$$ more. By the time you spend all this time and money, the value of the sled will increase very little if not actually drop (mods scare off a lot of buyers). So you'll still have a $4,000 sled if you were to try selling it or needed to make an insurance claim on a total loss with it.

If you're able and willing to spend the thousands of $ on these upgrades, I think you'd be better served spending the thousands of $ on a newer sled that has all these things already installed, and would be worth a LOT more money in terms of resale/insurance value.

If 07 Apex mountain is not affordable, look for used. How about an 06 Apex Mountain for a few thousand less? Or an 06 Attak? Or cheaper yet an 05 RX1 Mountain (advertised 22 lbs lighter from the factory compared to the 03's and 04's)?

Just an idea...Whatever you decide, good luck and have fun with it!

For used parts, Ebay is king...

 

[low slung]

You could stick a set of FOX FLOATS up front(trust me,these shocks take alot to bottom on jumps on my BROs NYTRO at 55psi) but there not cheap($959 canadian at yamaha).

 

[Crewchief47]

Find yourself a good used rx mountain in the states, here's some info on importing.

http://www.riv.ca/

 

[chrishall]

Hi Jonathan,

I would have to agree with RED2003, sell this machine and buy a new one. For the money you’re looking to spend, it will be close, but you will have a new sled with a waranty.

Sled to bring over from the States are easy. I've done it. An APEX RTX with reverse is going for $9575.00 US. You have to pay about $138.00 fee at the boarder and GST then when you get your plates you pay the remaining PST. It's that easy. I should know, I only buy my sleds from the US now.
So a new APEX RTX ER will cost you $9,575 X 1.14(Exchange) X 1.07(PST) X 1.07(GST) + $138.00 = $12, 635.00 If you buy from a dealer here in Canada, expect to pay $14,000.00 X 1.07 X1.07 = $15,960.00. A savings of over $3,000.00 is to be had.

I have also had no problem with warranty issues. I do have to take it back to the dealer in the US for this, but so what.

Either stick with what you’ve got, or buy a better machine.

Cheers,
Chris

 

[4Fighter]

I also have to agree with RED, Chrishall, and Craze1. BTDT. At the very most, I would put a new seat on it, and pivot riser. It's not designed for sno-x style riding. Save your $$$ and get something that is (RTX, Nytro, ???)

 

[Siberjon]

Ok, so that is kinda what i had though.
I defenetly do not have the money right now for a new sled...sooo
If a slow down and just do a few things to get me through this season i can give this sled to the girlfriend next year and buy a new one.

My priorities are some kind of upgrade on the rear skid so i don't kill my back on the bumps.

And i love to do cat-walks...yamaha-walks. what do i need to do to accomplish this?

What is a good option for the rear skid?

If i tune it back and only go with an ecp kit, better seat, upgraded skid, and possibly a new track i can keep this resonable. Then get a new sled next year....120hp phazer....i sure hope it is not just a rumor.

So which skid option, which track, and how do i buy and ecp kit from freddy?

 

[Siberjon]

ohhh for anyone who has upgraded the front suspension, what springs did you go with. Ski lift is not so much a problem i just would like it to take the bumps a little better.

 

[JDKRXW]

I also have to agree with RED, Chrishall, and Craze1. BTDT. At the very most, I would put a new seat on it, and pivot riser. It's not designed for sno-x style riding. Save your $$$ and get something that is (RTX, Nytro, ???)

I'm going to disagree with all these guys.
For $1200-$1500 (CND), you can build an awesome boondocker.
Track - $500 (or less used).
Skid - I got a 06 Crossfire skid for $299 USD ... you can get an M7 skid if you want to go longer for the same price.
Skis - I got Cat mountain skis (Non Parabolics) for $100 USD
Rider Forward - WildChild's kit is $160 USD (and he will add whatever extra height you want)
Swaybar and straight rate springs for front - $200 (I think you'll change your mind about replacing the shocks after doing this)
After doing all of the above, I'd think about a lightweight battery, seat and under tunnel exhaust (this will cost about another $700)

 

[Tork]

agree with Red2003 and Craze1

Find a year old mountain Apex here in the states for say $9000,
people here will help you get it across the border