hahler2
Extreme
Ok, I asked this question over on the RS side of the forum, and now I'm just curious to get input from guys that ride RX-1's. I'm currently riding an F7 and would like to make the switch to a 4-stroke. I ride the trails pretty hard, and I also do a bit of ditch banging. How do you guys like the new RX-1's with the lighter weight and new suspension? Do they handle ditch banging and aggressive riding through moguls a lot better now? I can't decide whether I would rathe have a Vector or an RX-1. I like the Vector because of the lighter weight, but I really don't want to give up the kind of power the RX-1 is making. As I said in the RS forums, I'm probably just going to have to wait and see what yamaha brings out for 06.
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I love the New 05 RX...just have to get the spring set higher then spec for the rider weight, dial the RA and just hang onto her...its a blast in the nasty crap 
RX-1 Liter
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hahler,
There is no comparison between the old proaction and the Monoshock. I have both, and IMO the monoshock is the best riding OEM suspension on the market. The RX-1 is only 15 lbs heavier than the Vector so don't base your decision on weight alone. The 05 RX-1 handles light years better than the previous two years. While Yam has shaved considerable weight off the RX-1, it still weighs almost 100lbs more than your F7. However, you really don't feel it unless you like to be airbourne. If you just like to ditchbang and ride agressively, you can't go wrong with either the vector or RX-1. I would wait until February, because the rumor is that Yam will be coming out with a "ditchbanger" 4-stroke for 06.
There is no comparison between the old proaction and the Monoshock. I have both, and IMO the monoshock is the best riding OEM suspension on the market. The RX-1 is only 15 lbs heavier than the Vector so don't base your decision on weight alone. The 05 RX-1 handles light years better than the previous two years. While Yam has shaved considerable weight off the RX-1, it still weighs almost 100lbs more than your F7. However, you really don't feel it unless you like to be airbourne. If you just like to ditchbang and ride agressively, you can't go wrong with either the vector or RX-1. I would wait until February, because the rumor is that Yam will be coming out with a "ditchbanger" 4-stroke for 06.
hahler2
Extreme
That's what I have been hearing too. If Yamaha does come out with that I will have one ordered so fast it'll make your head spin! 
Especially if it has EFI. That was the other thing I'm nervous about. I've never owned a sled without EFI so I've never had to mess with jetting. It would be a new experience for me. As far as being airborn, I do like to catch air time, but I'm not as bad as a lot of people that I know. About the worst that I do is if I get bored riding around then I'll go jump the highway, so that's not a lot of air. Other than that I just like hitting approaches and 2 to 3 foot moguls that you'll encounter on the trails and in the ditches pretty hard.
Especially if it has EFI. That was the other thing I'm nervous about. I've never owned a sled without EFI so I've never had to mess with jetting. It would be a new experience for me. As far as being airborn, I do like to catch air time, but I'm not as bad as a lot of people that I know. About the worst that I do is if I get bored riding around then I'll go jump the highway, so that's not a lot of air. Other than that I just like hitting approaches and 2 to 3 foot moguls that you'll encounter on the trails and in the ditches pretty hard.
ReX
TY 4 Stroke God
Between the Vector and 05 RX-1 I'd go with the RX-1 if you want the suspension to handle big bumps stock.
I've ridden a friends Vector on some semi-rough trails and even with the main spring cranked up all the way it (lightly) bottomed out a few times just on the trail - no air. The Vector did ride very nicely. For the average (less aggressive) sledder it would be excellent.
With the 05 RX-1 with the suspension setup for comfort it bottoms out easier than the Vector, but you can crank up the spring preload much more than the Vector and the RA shock has lots of compression damping if you turn the knob far enough.
Two buddies and I hit some rough trails a few days ago. Their sleds all have custom (very firm) valving in their skid shocks to handle their riding style. With the RA cranked 3 clicks away from full stiff and the shock spring preload on position "12" (5th position out of 7 with clip in 2nd position) not only could I ride faster than them on these tight rough trails, my sled didn't bottom out once.
These trails were filled with 3 foot moguls and my sled spent lots of time off the ground. Some of the landings were on upslopes and the RX-1 handled them like a champ. Well damped, easy to control and very stable.
I'm still a little worried about Yamaha's reputation for breaking W-arms, but I (and my Cat and Poo buddies) were very impressed with the 05 RX-1 on this day.
One awesome feature was after riding 500 kms and all of us getting a little tired and riding at slower speeds I was able to crank down the RA to a softer position and ride home in comfort while my buddies were being bounced around with their stiff shocks. By the time we got home both of them had aching backs and necks while I was ready to keep riding.
I've ridden a friends Vector on some semi-rough trails and even with the main spring cranked up all the way it (lightly) bottomed out a few times just on the trail - no air. The Vector did ride very nicely. For the average (less aggressive) sledder it would be excellent.
With the 05 RX-1 with the suspension setup for comfort it bottoms out easier than the Vector, but you can crank up the spring preload much more than the Vector and the RA shock has lots of compression damping if you turn the knob far enough.
Two buddies and I hit some rough trails a few days ago. Their sleds all have custom (very firm) valving in their skid shocks to handle their riding style. With the RA cranked 3 clicks away from full stiff and the shock spring preload on position "12" (5th position out of 7 with clip in 2nd position) not only could I ride faster than them on these tight rough trails, my sled didn't bottom out once.
These trails were filled with 3 foot moguls and my sled spent lots of time off the ground. Some of the landings were on upslopes and the RX-1 handled them like a champ. Well damped, easy to control and very stable.
I'm still a little worried about Yamaha's reputation for breaking W-arms, but I (and my Cat and Poo buddies) were very impressed with the 05 RX-1 on this day.
One awesome feature was after riding 500 kms and all of us getting a little tired and riding at slower speeds I was able to crank down the RA to a softer position and ride home in comfort while my buddies were being bounced around with their stiff shocks. By the time we got home both of them had aching backs and necks while I was ready to keep riding.
vtrxrider
Extreme
I just put the 05 skid in my 03 and rode 130 miles with a friend and his brand new zr900 efi with the act drive= close to top of the line...The place we trailered to is a mostly perfect almost 40 mile loop through the vt mtns but we couldnt get out due to lack of snow so round and round. My point is after about 75 miles he was sore but the fact that we came in my truck and I was still daisy fresh so we ended up staying for another run.. Now to the point we switched sleds shortly before the roughest section and my rx-1 absolutely ruled over the cat in the rough stuff. The cat is nice but it is not my P.O.S.Y
Mighty
TY 4 Stroke God
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You would only need to mess with jetting if you did something like add K&N's. There's a Very broad spectrum of temps and altitude that the jetting is good for.hahler2 said:
JDKRXW
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
vtrxrider said:
OK, I'll ask the question that everyone is wondering about...... how much did this cost, and how much time did this take to do?
vtrxrider
Extreme
Cost would be hard as the skid is not available yet from yam anyway. Like anything the second one would be really quick. All 4 brackets have to be changed but I would figure a few hours. Sorry so slow of a reply.
