Ride Report 2005 RX-1

[Swiss Sledder]

I spoke with a good friend that was able to ride the 2005 RX-1. First, this guy is a Viper owner and loves two strokes. He had a 2002 Viper, then upgraded this year to the 2004 Viper S. After riding the 2005 RX-1, here is what he had to say:
- Cornering was almost if not as good as his Viper, which surprised the hell out of him (and me)
- Shock adjustment switch was very easy to adjust on the fly while riding the sled
- The new skid works very well; high speed through the rough stuff was no problem on the new skid and it never "kicked" him in the butt
- He didn't like the 2003 RX-1, but absolutely loves the 2005 RX-1 and will be trading in his Viper S for one
- From his perspective, the 2005 RX-1 is a very different riding and handling sled versus the 2003 and 2004 models, meaning better

 

[JWL600CC]

thanks for the report.....i will be jumping from AC to RX-1 next season so i feel even better about my decision when i hear about the improved ride and handling... .....i also want to take this opportunity to compliment the excellent posting on this board....i will be full of questions when i get my machine this fall :roll: .........good rest of the season to everyone....Jeff

 

[Tfin]

I'd be curious to know how the 05 compares to the 04. From what I understand the 04 handeled and rode much better than the 03 due to the thicker sway bar and upgraded shocks and springs.

Any direct comparison between the 04 and 05?

 

[Dukester]

Sledder! I guess I owe you a quarter to cover our bet. :twisted: Remember I bet you a quarter that you didn't have any friends other than us Wisconsin guys.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Dukster, maybe my "good friend" was one of those 'sconsin guys.

Tfin, the guy that rode the 2005 RX-1 has ridden the 2003 and 2004 models. Yes, the 2004 updates to the front end made a difference, but this guy rode the 2004 model before buying the Viper S. So I think it was interesting that he thought the 2005 RX handling was that much better. His actual words were "The 2005 RX is not an updated and improved model but really a whole new sled". Music to my ears.

I failed to mention that he also rode the Vector. His impressions were that:
- felt like the advertised weight of the Vector being about the same as the Viper ER was close, but the Vector probably weighed a little more
- power was very smooth, but didn't have the kick of the 4-cylinder motor
- hard core Viper owners would be better off with RX-1, i.e. they would be disappointed with the power of the Vector
- normal trail riding Viper owners will be happy with the Vector

The guy originally planned to buy the Vector and add a turbo to get the power he wanted, but after riding the RX, he changed his mind.

Hope this helps out ...

 

[Tfin]

Sure did Suisse, thanks for the info!

 

[srx600]

One of the big questions yet to be answered is how the Vector and the 05 RX-1 compare to the Warrior with it's 136" track. My dealer called and i've been invited to give the 05's i try this Sunday. I'll have my Warrior on hand to do some comparisons...The warrior bridges the bumps, and now that i've got her dialed in it rides great!!! The Vector would be consiberably lighter and with the redesigned front end may be sweet, if 120 hp is enough. If the RX shorty in candy apple Red rides as good as the Warrior it will be hard to keep me from ordering one...but if the Vector rips pretty good it will be a tough one...I'm not leaning towards the Rage, only because of the small weight savings and less HP...........Hmmm, i'll let everyone know my opinions next week.

 

[SnowBandit]

I am still tosing between a warrior and a rage.. I ride a 02 viper now... Ride mainly trails and weigh in at 300 pounds.. You guys think the rage will have enough go for me? I want the long track of a warrior or the rage.. No shorty for me..

 

[Swiss Sledder]

Depends on how hard you ride your Viper. Be honest with yourself. Do you hammer on it often or just occasionally across a lake? Is it important to you to have the fastest sled or being first across the lake to the bar? Is it important that you can keep up with your buddies when they have really fast sleds? Some Warrior owners (certainly not the people on this site except maybe Dukster) don't really need all the power in the 4-cylinder engine because they rarely use it. So you really have to decide what is important to you to justify spending $1100 for an extra cylinder and 25hp.

 

[SnowBandit]

Depends on how hard you ride your Viper. Be honest with yourself. Do you hammer on it often or just occasionally across a lake? Is it important to you to have the fastest sled or being first across the lake to the bar? Is it important that you can keep up with your buddies when they have really fast sleds? Some Warrior owners (certainly not the people on this site except maybe Dukster) don't really need all the power in the 4-cylinder engine because they rarely use it. So you really have to decide what is important to you to justify spending $1100 for an extra cylinder and 25hp.

You read my mind.. I realy never get above 50 to 60MPH.. The 120 should handle that easly... I have hit 105 on the viper once(on the speedo)... I am thinking of saving the extra money... I could careless if my sled is the fastest.. I just want to trail ride..