Rear Suspension Maintainence '06 GT

[Yamahadj]

Hi, I bought my '06 GT last January with 890 miles on it. It now has 2100 on it. I haven't done anything to the rear suspension yet. I plan on pulling it out and checking the wheels and stuff, just wondering what all I should do. I've read a lot....about things like lowering the wheels with pioneer kit, revalve the shock (pioneer again), big boy spring (I'm 265 dressed to ride), shock eye saver, and on and on. Just looking to make sure it's reliable. I don't ride hard. Anything I'm missing? I did grease the two bearings on the clutch side last spring and changed the engine oil.

 

[Irv]

Hi, I bought my '06 GT last January with 890 miles on it. It now has 2100 on it. I haven't done anything to the rear suspension yet. I plan on pulling it out and checking the wheels and stuff, just wondering what all I should do. I've read a lot....about things like lowering the wheels with pioneer kit, revalve the shock (pioneer again), big boy spring (I'm 265 dressed to ride), shock eye saver, and on and on. Just looking to make sure it's reliable. I don't ride hard. Anything I'm missing? I did grease the two bearings on the clutch side last spring and changed the engine oil.

All those things you mentioned are great ideas. I didn't use any type of over sized idlers or drop down kit on mine and so far so good.
Yamaha's track specs are way too tight imo, I have 1-1/2 to 2" of free sag in mine and my sliders haven't worn much at all in the last 3 seasons after the initial wear period. (they wear quick to a point then stop)

Check, replace/re-grease all your idler bearings, check over your suspension real good looking for cracks etc.

Good luck.

 

[Metallicat]

You might want to consider sending the front arm to weltracer for reinforcements. A lot written here about the front arm breaking on pre 2008 models.

 

[Yamahadj]

All those things you mentioned are great ideas. I didn't use any type of over sized idlers or drop down kit on mine and so far so good.
Yamaha's track specs are way too tight imo, I have 1-1/2 to 2" of free sag in mine and my sliders haven't worn much at all in the last 3 seasons after the initial wear period. (they wear quick to a point then stop)

Check, replace/re-grease all your idler bearings, check over your suspension real good looking for cracks etc.

Good luck.

You might want to consider sending the front arm to weltracer for reinforcements. A lot written here about the front arm breaking on pre 2008 models.

Thanks for the replies.

One other thing, the driveshaft. I've read and heard they can break. Like I said I'm not a hard rider, don't drag race, just the occasional "peg it" for a few seconds. Something I need to worry about?

 

[Stubbs]

Yep. I've lost two drive shafts in the same sled. If your going to keep it a while an HD shaft is a good idea.

 

[Irv]

You might want to consider sending the front arm to weltracer for reinforcements. A lot written here about the front arm breaking on pre 2008 models.

I don't think he is doing that anymore, just the powder coating I believe?

 

[YammyRX1]

I replaced the ProAction with a Mono and here is the list of upgrades and replacements that I did at the time:
Shock revalve
New R/A cable
Replace grease zerks with the ones that have a check valve
Beef up the weak spots with gussets (they can crack) and add a shock rub preventer
Paint (or powder coat)
New bearings and/or wheels as required
New Hyfax
New Hyfax mounting nuts at front (to avoid using a tapped hole)
New bushing kit (Pioneer)
Pioneer low snow wheel kit

 

[thor452]

how many miles do you have on it?
the driveshafts last to around 10,000 miles for most even if hard on it and if not hard on it it may never break.
on an 06 you should need nothing more then stock oem slides they last a long time on that set up if at any time you can fit a 10mm wrench over the profile then change them.
them berings should be greased every season on the jack and drive shafts.

 

[Dinner]

You might want to consider sending the front arm to weltracer for reinforcements. A lot written here about the front arm breaking on pre 2008 models.

Agreed, while starting to check my sled over I found one crack in the middle right of the front arm. I don't do any sort of hard riding so I cleaned it and welded it back together....we will see if it lasts this season.

 

[Grunter]

Agreed, while starting to check my sled over I found one crack in the middle right of the front arm. I don't do any sort of hard riding so I cleaned it and welded it back together....we will see if it lasts this season.

I have an 06 - and the front arm let go within the second year I had it(bought new), the initial part number has been superseded twice I believe..never had a problem with the second arm(now at 10,000miles), I just sand blasted the entire skid to re-paint Honda Fiji pearl blue B529P color - nice! Still no cracks or stress signs..the Apex lives on! Shooting to do 20,000miles. Gave it to my son..Hope my cat is as reliable - I would of bought another Apex - but seat too low for an older fart like me! My hips can't take it anymore..I would buy in an instant if a higher seat and maybe a bit more hp! Will see how it goes in time..
My son is light at 140 pounds - this thing is going to rock! I'd do 115mph on radar/gps - I believe he'll do very close to 120mph!! Stock it beat the ZR9000 - though not by much..My minimum setting now is 220hp with the 4 map so took care of making sure my son don't beat me lol! But the part number should work for you and worth every penny

 

[APEX 06]

With 2100 miles the shaft is fine, do you have hifax problems if not you don't need the pioneer kit.vi would add the big boy spring check your shock to see if the eye is still good maybe worn out. Check your a - arms for play.

 

[Dinner]

I have an 06 - and the front arm let go within the second year I had it(bought new), the initial part number has been superseded twice I believe..never had a problem with the second arm(now at 10,000miles), I just sand blasted the entire skid to re-paint Honda Fiji pearl blue B529P color - nice! Still no cracks or stress signs..the Apex lives on! Shooting to do 20,000miles. Gave it to my son..Hope my cat is as reliable - I would of bought another Apex - but seat too low for an older fart like me! My hips can't take it anymore..I would buy in an instant if a higher seat and maybe a bit more hp! Will see how it goes in time..
My son is light at 140 pounds - this thing is going to rock! I'd do 115mph on radar/gps - I believe he'll do very close to 120mph!! Stock it beat the ZR9000 - though not by much..My minimum setting now is 220hp with the 4 map so took care of making sure my son don't beat me lol! But the part number should work for you and worth every penny

Haha sounds like you guys are ready to go! I'm on the lighter side as well, 170lbs so we will see how the arm lasts this season! I appreciate your input on the different arm however as well! I have 4900km on this 2006 Apex, just did all front oilites a few weeks ago. Just have a few inches of snow now for the first time this year where we are located...getting anxious, LOL.

 

[Yamahadj]

Well, since there's no snow in sight for the next couple weeks, I dropped the skid tonight. Shock got packaged up and will head off to Pioneer in the morning for a rebuild, re-valve, and a heavier spring. I'm going to add a 4th wheel to the rear axle, and replace the outer wheels with Pioneer Spoked wheels as well as the rest of the smaller wheels that aren't already Pioneer spoked wheels. Also going to put in the Pioneer shock eye saver and maybe some new hyfax. Bushings all seem tight still.