Riser and padded seat justifiable for '04 dinosaur?

[redrx1rkt]

I can't believe my shiny, technologically advanced 2004 RX-1, delivered just two autumns ago this year, is now a dinosaur. That's alright, I love it anyway.

Question(s): I may trade up to an '07 Attak after this season. Is it worth putting a handlebar riser and getting the seat padded? For just one riding season? If so, recommendations for a riser for someone who does only trail riding, generally on smooth trails but probably 25% rough?

Thank you!

 

[yamaslob]

Na it aint worth it spend all that money just to trade it next season na start saven up for the 07 my best guess...

 

[p0wd3rp1l0t]

depends on how much u ride..i just spend $160 on bars and riser and best thing that have done to my sled so far. i can stand up when the trail gets rough, or when i jump off the trail, and i can sit down comfortably without having any shoulder pains. but all depends on how much u ride..i put on 3600mi last year

 

[Red2003]

I absolutely think its worth it and I don't believe for an instant your 04 is a dinosaur. Yamaha's hype is getting to you. You have a great sled there and I'd run it until there's nothing left. I just put $1200.00 in my 03 (check out Summer Sled Project Done thread) and I am more then satisfied with the result. I've made it exactly what I wanted. Its easy for me to justify this amount on a great sled that runs mint and I know exactly what's its been through, what its good points are and what not so good ones needed fixing. A new sleds gonna depreciate $2000.00 in the first year, so take that money, update the 04, and save yourself another $3000.00 in trade in screwing.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

I put the Yamaha 1" riser on my 05 sled and love it. I am 6' 1" and found the extra inch to give your more leverage on the handlebars and it doesn't hit your knees when you turn. My hands did not get any colder due to the handlebars being taller. I don't remember the cost, but I would recommend you do this on your dinosaur.

Regarding the seat, several members took their seats to upholstery shops and had them stuffed with padding. I seem to remember it was pretty cheap.

On a serious note, I agree with Red2003 that your sled is not the old. I still have my 03 RX-1 and it runs great after 4500 miles. I would certainly invest a couple hundred in your 04 RX-1.

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

If I was you I'd throw the taller bars and seat on the '04. As others have said I see no reason for getting the '06 or an '07 for that matter (unless they do some major changes next year). The only real gain I see would be for mtn riders like me (I'm keeping my '03) not having to worry about performance loss caused by jetting as altitude changes.

Keep the '04 and mod it to what you want/can afford. This year it was longer track and more weight removed. Next season will be a MPI Super Charger.

As for Risers, I'm 5' 7" and have a 2" Sportech ABR along with mtn bars that are taller than the RX/Warrior bars. They are still too short for me but I do alot more standing up (at least 70%). My wife is 5' 4" with a Powermadd 2" plus a pivot adapter (3 3/4" total rise) and her bars are just right for her. She also stands up about 75% (maybe a little less).

If your a tall guy, for no more than you stand up; I would say a 2" riser from Sportech, Powermadd or ROX would work in conjuntion with at least a 2" taller seat. My BOSS High Rise (4" taller) is just perfect for stand up transitions that I repeatedly do as my hips are above my knees. It also puts the taller bars back down to a more cofortable position since I now sit up higher. Before the BOSS seat, I couldn't see the gauges and I felt like I was riding with ape hanger bars while sitting.

 

[redrx1rkt]

Thanks for all of the input...that's what is great about this site, among other things. I was just kidding about the dino comment, but it's amazing how quickly these sleds get outdated! An '07 will be outdated in '09 as well. I will still have two years of warranty left after next season, so I probably will keep it. It does have 6500 miles on it though, and I like to ride way out in the wilds of Quebec, so a reliable sled is a must.

As for the riser, I am 6'1" and like to sit about in the middle of the seat. I would like to be able to sit there w/o the bars being right in front of my chest, and it is hard to stand up with the standard Yammi bars. Is 1" enough? Or should I go 2"...and, if so, will the cables stretch that far?

I would imagine you can really lean forward and into turns with the riser in place.

Thanks, please share your input
Chris

 

[BlgsRX-1mtn]

With you being over 6' tall I would go at least 2". You should be able to throw a 2" rise on with no need for different cables. If you add the padding to your seat this should put you back in a similar seating as stock (bars won't be in front of your chest) with the difference being that your hips are now higher up in relation to your knees.

If you haven't seen what a 4" taller seat looks like go to the topic "My '03 RX-1 mtn LE" in the 4 stroke garage section. That is a picture of my "03 with the BOSS High Rise which is 4" taller than stock along with the stock mtn bars and a 2" Sportech ABR.

 

[4Fighter]

Consider that the '04, and '05 are just dinosaurs when they are compared to their successor. Engine-wise, even the '03's are still more advanced than the other brands.

If you can swing it, I'd get an '06 or save your money and stick it out one more season as is instead. I'm 11'-7" tall so I think it would be very hard for me to find the same comfort just by adding a taller seat and taller bars to my '04? I wish I knew what Yamaha had in store for '07 though.

 

[Phantom]

I'm 11'-7" tall .

Eleven ft Seven????

 

[4Fighter]

Yep, 11'-7" that is, if you ask YamablueRx1 anyway.

 

[monker]

I would say definately add them. Last year I put on a boss seat (added ride height) and 3" articulating riser and it's like a new sled. Much more fun and less tireing to ride.

 

[Swiss Sledder]

As for the riser, I am 6'1" and like to sit about in the middle of the seat. I would like to be able to sit there w/o the bars being right in front of my chest, and it is hard to stand up with the standard Yammi bars. Is 1" enough? Or should I go 2"...and, if so, will the cables stretch that far?

OK, so we are the same height and ride in the same position, although I tend to sit a little more forward on the seat near the gas tank. I found the 1" riser to be fine. It still allows you to stand up with ease, and ride sitting down with your hands in a comfortable position. Again, 1" doesn't move your hands outside the windshield protection area, which is a big plus on cold days.

The mountain guys will say you need more, and I would agree if you rode mountains. But given your location, I would go with the 1" riser. It will not affect your cables. Two inches or more, you need to address the cables because they will not be long enough or you have to re-route them.

 

[redrx1rkt]

Thanks for the info. and pic. I am surprised that 1" is enough to make a difference. Have you tried a 2" riser? If so, do you find it better/worse, and in which way? Seems as though when I stand on mine with it set up stock, I am bending way down to keep my hands on the handlebars...would 1" be enough to solve that? Also, have you padded your seat?

Thanks
Chris

 

[Swiss Sledder]

The 1" riser is on my 05 RX-1 that has more seat padding than the 03 or 04 models. I have let some traditional riders that normally seat towards the back of the seat ride my sled and they did not like the 1" riser because it was uncomfortable for them. Yes, you notice a big difference with the 1" riser. It is not like a snowcross sled, but it gives you more leverage than the standard bars.

I have ridden the Yamaha mountain sleds with the stock 2" riser. It is not bad, but I personally don't like this set up for trail riders because you can't read the gauges without leaning forward to see them, i.e. it blocks your view of the gauges. Not a big deal for those that ride the mountains or spend most of their time off trail.