Rear storage

[Lman69]

Nice setup Lman, what brand shovel did you go with, looks like it is all aluminum for the exhaust deflection... I have similar ratchet straps, look strong. I like the Yamaha trunk, what PN is that item, i don't think I have seen it. Mine came with two Yamaha bags, one small one and one "waterproof" bag like I use boating. I am considering replacing the waterproof bag for a 1.3 gallon gas jug when on long rides as the Allagash where we go is 160 miles gas to gas. I have the trail tank and depending on how hard on the throttle my BOL used to put a 2.3 gallon gas jug on the back and came into camp one day "on fumes". Trade offs... but your setup is one of the cleanest yet, great job.

Running regular tank as I have never ran that low on fuel. Adding picture of bag from Yamaha Website, shovel is from Costco it is a Lifeline. Good for digging out sled when stuck but carry a high end one in Avi pack when mountain riding.

Mounted bag by bolting to tunnel, have an aluminum plate in side bag for mounting to tunnel and another for clamp.

 

[Hooray!]

Nice bag if you are overnighting and have to pack everything in with you. Nice not to have to worry about fuel, 90% of my riding I can make it on the 10 gallons in the trail tank, should be 130-150 miles again throttle dependent. I am hoping the 1.3 gallon jug is max I require as I don't want to carry that much extra weight on the back. I weigh 185 lb., geared up with full Yamaha leathers, helmet and boots I suspect I am pushing 205+ lb. Question, how much gear have you loaded on back as weight in the rear may reduce the heavy front so maybe a good thing?

 

[Lman69]

I carry ropes, food for the day, extra gloves, socks, emergency gear and drinks. In only carry my radio, probe, shovel and first aid kit in back pack as well as a extra shirt. Probably 20lbs in bag on tunnel. I am 270 and with gear 305. Run MTX skis on sled with carbide and front doesn't feel too heavy in powder.

Have learned would rather have weight on sled and not on my back.

 

[Hooray!]

Makes sense, keep the weight in the rear, are you still using stock skis as shown in your profile pic?

 

[Lman69]

Yep, these are from a MTX as the skis in 2009 on XTX were narrower. Installing a 2" lug track later this month.

 

[Hooray!]

Were the MTX skis 150mm? I know the stock 2009 XTX 144 came with were not "crisp" to say the least from my 18" ride last April in ME and the following day in compacted conditions. Coming off my 1998 VMAX XTC 700 I found the Nytro familiar with consistent idiosyncrasies going too hot into a corner or rocking the center of gravity into the "needed" point of direction to avoid the other side of the trail at speed. Eventually, you could keep her railed on the right side of the trail by adding power into and out of the corners to "adjust" the rear end position. What I liked about the 700, as I tell my 19 year old daughter in snow, the throttle can get you out of deeper problems than the brakes... Too much perfection in a lot of the current sled reviews, I remember riding my Father's Yamaha 440 Exciter with leaf springs and rubber bumpers, it smoked all the way to 90 mph and skis 6" off the snow was cool! I like the Nytro, a beast in some ways for sure, fixed 2009+, but all there... sweet.

 

[Lman69]

Were the MTX skis 150mm? I know the stock 2009 XTX 144 came with were not "crisp" to say the least from my 18" ride last April in ME and the following day in compacted conditions. Coming off my 1998 VMAX XTC 700 I found the Nytro familiar with consistent idiosyncrasies going too hot into a corner or rocking the center of gravity into the "needed" point of direction to avoid the other side of the trail at speed. Eventually, you could keep her railed on the right side of the trail by adding power into and out of the corners to "adjust" the rear end position. What I liked about the 700, as I tell my 19 year old daughter in snow, the throttle can get you out of deeper problems than the brakes... Too much perfection in a lot of the current sled reviews, I remember riding my Father's Yamaha 440 Exciter with leaf springs and rubber bumpers, it smoked all the way to 90 mph and skis 6" off the snow was cool! I like the Nytro, a beast in some ways for sure, fixed 2009+, but all there... sweet.

It does have its handling issues however the throttle and torque compensate for this. Will see how it handles with larger lug.

 

[Hooray!]

Agree, from my one ride on my 2009 XTX last season, I found I could counter any steering "sensitivity" with some timely throttle and braking... all aligns, mine has a new Camoplast 1.6, traction is great. With a new front end should be tight now too.

 

[alswagg2]

I just ordered a skins combo hard and soft for my XTX The sled bug has bitten again