Picking up my brand new 03 RX-1 ER on friday :)

[kimoajaj]

Hey everyone !

First a little "off topic" information .

Since this is my first post in this forum, I will tell you alittle about my self first. First of all I come "from far away" , I live in Norway and I`m 19 years old and my name is Joakim Steinmo Pedersen. I`m very interested in bikes, snowmobiles, cars and I love to wrench on them. I`m studying to become a motorcycle/snowmobile mechanic in the future.

Until recently I have been riding this sled, built it myself

The chassis was from the first model of the Yamaha V-Max 540, 1983. The engine is a Rotax 583 RAVE and the track/shocks comes from a 2000mod Artic Cat Thundercat 1000 with 40mm "knots". The sled climbes like hell, but I got sick of all the wrenching, so this year I bought a 1996 V-Max 600 XT in top shape, I bought it only two months ago.
Here`s a pic of me and the sled

I went in the bank and got a loan to buy this sled, sleds are more expensive here in Norway, so buying a pretty new sled was like heaven to me. I payed around 4000$ for it. After riding 300kms it turned out that my primary sheave needed overhaul, not a big deal, but when I went to the dealer to order the parts, I got my eyes on a 2003 Yamaha RX-1ER. The sled had been sitting in the box that it left the factory in, until a month ago when it was mounted and put in the showroom in the shop. A new 2005 RX-1 costs around 24.000$ here in Norway, the RX-1 I was looking on costed 16.400$ . The sled hasn`t lost it`s virginity, it`s brand new and hasn`t been driven more then a few meters (inside the shop hehe), so I`d say it`s an very good offer. (It also has reverse, but I guess that`s what makes the ER at the end of it`s name?)

Knowing that a friend of mine was interested in buying my V-Max, I told him that he could buy it, and the I went to the bank and got a bigger loan and purchase this awesome machine.

I don`t live at home as a result of the school which I am attending being to far away from home, to go back and forth every day. I have very little money, but I am willing to lead my self into hunger and starvation to be able to ride this sled every weekend when I go home

Anyway, enough off-topic stuff.

I am wondering how I should break in my new ride?.
Do you have any tips for a new RX-1 owner, what to do and not to do?.
I`ve read that it`s recommended to shut the choke off as soon as the engine is able to run by itself, to avoid fouling the plugs.
Are there other things to look for except checking oil level and put fuel in the gas tank ?

Gees, I cannot wait till friday. I will quit school early and then go to the dealer with a neighbour/friend who also will be picking up a brand new sled, a 2005 RS Venture TF. I feel like the happiest boy in the whole world !

By the way, these are my other rides:

(1996 V-Max 600 XTC)
1983 Homebuilt sled Yamarotacat?
1986 Volkswagen Golf 2 GTI 16V
1993 Kawasaki KX 125
1981 Suzuki GSX400E
1987 Suzuki ZR50SK
1986 Honda PX 50

I hope I didn`t exagurate the "unessesary" part of this post, but I like to present my self since you don`t know me

Joakim, Norway

 

[RX1 Yooper]

Welcome Kim,
I also have an 03. I know you will like it. Let us know about your first impression.

Yooper

 

[Blue Me]

Welcome to it Lad!! You'll learn alot around here and don't ever be afraid to ask a question. Now first things first you bought the right sled!!

 

[kimoajaj]

Wow didn`t take long before I got some replys
Thanks guys, yes I am sure I will love it. Just knowing that I have a sled like that sitting in my garage is "enough" for me Gees I`m counting hours, minutes & seconds, if they only could pass faster so that friday would be here

 

[Indy]

Welcome aboard. Nice to see such enthusiasm.

 

[Happ]

Loved the post, break it in per the owners manual so you don't have warranty issues. Sounds like repair would be expensive. Also switch to the Yami Synthetic oil after the first change. The motor will eat a little oil but That appears to be normal. Yer going to love the sled!

 

[impalapower]

Welcome aboard, hope you enjoy your new sled. I see you have been riding some older stuff, so you will like what Yamaha has changed over the years. The engine will more than likely outlast the chassis. Have fun.

 

[marc w]

good luck. i just got my 03 RX1 this fall and already put 1100 miles on in snow starved N.H. Do yourself a huge favor and put the Simmons Flex ski on it you won't be sorry.

 

[Frostbite]

Welcome aboard! My ancestors are from the "old country" (Norway) as my grand father used to say.

Congratulations on your new sled! I hope you got a blue one! They are little faster than the other colors due to the elegant contrast the blue create when matched with lilly white snow

Now seriously, you'll soon find the best thing about an RX-1 is the motor. Even with the stock clutch weights it's got big torque you'll feel your first ride.

Next you'll notice the engine braking. The first few times you let off the gas it will feel like you have left the parking brake on (don't do that, by the way). Be very careful, if come into a corner and let off the gas the track may go into a engine braking induced slideif you let off abruptly. I bet most of us on here have felt that. I lost it and flipped mine once when it happened, be careful; at least until you get used to the engine braking.
Once you are used to it you will use it coming into corners in place of braking.

Next you will notice that the sled tends to have what feels like body roll in the corners. The front end dives a bit also. Believe it or not loosening up the front springs to the maximum setting helps this a bunch. You'll also need to set your limiter straps to best suit your weight and riding style.

Best of luck to you. We're always here if you need us.

Frosty

 

[LazyBastard]

If you feel like getting agressive on the front end settings, I would recommend that you buy factory 04 swaybar links and bushings, pioneer 13mm swaybar, and pioneer straight-rate 2.3 springs. As is, 03rx is somewhat silly in the corners.

 

[kimoajaj]

Hey guys ! Nice to see that there is alot of activity on this forum, always nice to have contact with other enthusiasts.

marc w: I don`t have the money to buy new skis, I intended to buy wider skis with the sled, but the price wouldn`t let me :? But I did order some "ski plastic" that I can mount on the skis to make them wider, the dealer said it worked perfectly but it maybe didn`t look as cool. I`m not sure what`s most humiliating, wierd looking skis or getting stuck.. we`ll see

Thanks for all the tips frostbite ! Nice to know about the engine braking, as I often ride somewhat fast in the woods and the trail is pretty tight with lot`s of turns so thanks for the tip. I`m sure I will be pleased with it, I wount me messing around with suspension settings and such, atleast not in the beginning, I don`t know why, but I like/try not to mess with new rides, why fix something that already workes?

Thanks for welcoming me aboard impalapower. I thought my V-Max was great so I guess I will enjoy the RX-1.

Happ, what oil does the manual say that I should use?. I`ve read a few posts about RX`s burning oil so I`d like to do everything right, but I guess I can trust you

I will be able to change the oil/filter myself?? I read that it was a "fiddly job" , but it can`t be that hard since its a such important/"daily" thing to do.

Well Friday is getting closer, and it`s snowing like hell outside. I just can`t wait to pull it off the trailer at home and take it for a spin Having in mind that I have to break it in though

Wellwell I guess that`s all I had to say for now, later guys!

 

[4Fighter]

Welcome aboard. I have an '04, but your not too far from having one either. There's a wealth of info here and if you get fed up with the skid - give Yamabluerx1 a PM. He helped me out a BUNCH!

BTW: You looked happier on the XTC - was that a Mag-light :shock: on the Yamadoocat?

 

[kimoajaj]

Thanks 4fighter Yeah I guess the 03/04 are pretty much the same. What kind of changes were made to them?

What is "skid" ? . I probably know what it is, but not in english

Hehe it wasn`t a maglight, is was a "lense-light" from a car, those used in bumpers etc. very good light infact

 

[Mighty]

Welcome to the site. "skid" is the rear suspension.

 

[Mighty]

The most significant change was the addition of the Ripsaw track.