ReX
TY 4 Stroke God
This applies to the short track RX-1/Apex mainly:
03 - very reliable sled, many complained that the handling wasn't the best and the ride was poor, many also complained that the 1" track didn't hook up very well, some became oil burners over the miles (as long as you kept adding oil the engines typically ran great still), jackshaft bearing on clutch side was prone to problems (an updated 04 bearing solved the problems), quite a few aggressive riders broke the front pivot arms (w-arm) over higher miles (fatigue failures), riding in very cold conditions caused the crankcase breather to freeze leading to oil leaks and increased oil consumption (a slit was added to the breather hose that mostly solved this problem).
04 - very reliable sled, handling was updated with new springs, sway bar & sway bar links, seat had more foam added, handle bar warmer controller was updated to have a memory, new 1.25" Ripsaw track, new jackshaft bearing on clutch side is much more reliable, many still complained that the ride was poor, some sleds became oil burners over the miles, quite a few aggressive riders broke the front pivot arms (w-arm) over higher miles (fatigue failures).
05 - new rear suspension (monoshock) was plagued with many first year problems, lots of effort was put into reducing the weight using magnesium and titanium components as well as the lightweight monoshock rear suspension, new piston rings greatly reduced the chance of having an oil burner, ride was very good (once bottoming out was fixed by adjusting the rear suspension or replacing the spring) as well as handling was much improved over previous years, remote shock adjuster allowed easy adjustment to rear suspension firmness, ride height was increased with a taller seat and taller handlebars, great sled for riding high mileage days, the rear suspension suffered from numerous problems including cracked front pivot arms, cracked slide rails, broken remote adjuster cables, premature bushing wear (not greaseable), failed idler wheels, and shock leaks and failures, Yamaha did provide major updates to the suspension for customers with problems by essentially addressing all of the issues prior to the next season (using the redesigned 2006 suspension parts).
06 - significant redesign (Apex), new layout provided a much higher and forward seating position, very good handling, very good ride/suspension (once bottoming out was controlled by adjustments or new rear spring), fuel injected engine made more power but used slightly more fuel than previous years, new crankcase ventilation system eliminates risk of freeze up, great sled for riding high mileage days, handle bar warmers were weak and didn't heat the hooks, idler wheel delamination was a very common problem (relatively easy to fix with accessory or aftermarket wheels), chaincase failures (new magnesium chaincase this year) occurred sometimes after many miles of heavy throttle (overheating, gasket shifting and oil leaking out), some fairly aggressive riders still broke front pivot arms (fatigue failures) and slide rails (cracks) over high miles (5000+), GT version (only) had problems with rear shock failures leading to buckled tunnels, Yamaha has new handlebars and warmers available for $30, overall a very good sled.
07 - updates from 06 include new handlebars & warmers, new chaincase cover, new idler wheels (look the same though...), new electronic ignition system, RTX (Rough Trail eXtreme) version uses a beefed up Pro-Active CK rear suspension instead of monoshock (Pro-Active was introduced in the 2005 Vector and has been very durable) with a remote reservoir main shock as well as a lower chaincase gear ratio, GT (Groomed Trail) version has new shock calibrations and spring rates plus extra tunnel reinforcements.
All of the above sleds have extremely smooth running engines, almost no handlebar vibrations, no clanking/popping engine noises, etc. - sortof like the "BMW" of sleds. They also are clean running (you don't smell like a 2-stroke when you get home) which is a major plus. They also all run on regular gas and get very good fuel ecomony.
Yamaha has made huge improvements over the years. Depending on what your looking for it might be worth considering the newer sleds.
03 - very reliable sled, many complained that the handling wasn't the best and the ride was poor, many also complained that the 1" track didn't hook up very well, some became oil burners over the miles (as long as you kept adding oil the engines typically ran great still), jackshaft bearing on clutch side was prone to problems (an updated 04 bearing solved the problems), quite a few aggressive riders broke the front pivot arms (w-arm) over higher miles (fatigue failures), riding in very cold conditions caused the crankcase breather to freeze leading to oil leaks and increased oil consumption (a slit was added to the breather hose that mostly solved this problem).
04 - very reliable sled, handling was updated with new springs, sway bar & sway bar links, seat had more foam added, handle bar warmer controller was updated to have a memory, new 1.25" Ripsaw track, new jackshaft bearing on clutch side is much more reliable, many still complained that the ride was poor, some sleds became oil burners over the miles, quite a few aggressive riders broke the front pivot arms (w-arm) over higher miles (fatigue failures).
05 - new rear suspension (monoshock) was plagued with many first year problems, lots of effort was put into reducing the weight using magnesium and titanium components as well as the lightweight monoshock rear suspension, new piston rings greatly reduced the chance of having an oil burner, ride was very good (once bottoming out was fixed by adjusting the rear suspension or replacing the spring) as well as handling was much improved over previous years, remote shock adjuster allowed easy adjustment to rear suspension firmness, ride height was increased with a taller seat and taller handlebars, great sled for riding high mileage days, the rear suspension suffered from numerous problems including cracked front pivot arms, cracked slide rails, broken remote adjuster cables, premature bushing wear (not greaseable), failed idler wheels, and shock leaks and failures, Yamaha did provide major updates to the suspension for customers with problems by essentially addressing all of the issues prior to the next season (using the redesigned 2006 suspension parts).
06 - significant redesign (Apex), new layout provided a much higher and forward seating position, very good handling, very good ride/suspension (once bottoming out was controlled by adjustments or new rear spring), fuel injected engine made more power but used slightly more fuel than previous years, new crankcase ventilation system eliminates risk of freeze up, great sled for riding high mileage days, handle bar warmers were weak and didn't heat the hooks, idler wheel delamination was a very common problem (relatively easy to fix with accessory or aftermarket wheels), chaincase failures (new magnesium chaincase this year) occurred sometimes after many miles of heavy throttle (overheating, gasket shifting and oil leaking out), some fairly aggressive riders still broke front pivot arms (fatigue failures) and slide rails (cracks) over high miles (5000+), GT version (only) had problems with rear shock failures leading to buckled tunnels, Yamaha has new handlebars and warmers available for $30, overall a very good sled.
07 - updates from 06 include new handlebars & warmers, new chaincase cover, new idler wheels (look the same though...), new electronic ignition system, RTX (Rough Trail eXtreme) version uses a beefed up Pro-Active CK rear suspension instead of monoshock (Pro-Active was introduced in the 2005 Vector and has been very durable) with a remote reservoir main shock as well as a lower chaincase gear ratio, GT (Groomed Trail) version has new shock calibrations and spring rates plus extra tunnel reinforcements.
All of the above sleds have extremely smooth running engines, almost no handlebar vibrations, no clanking/popping engine noises, etc. - sortof like the "BMW" of sleds. They also are clean running (you don't smell like a 2-stroke when you get home) which is a major plus. They also all run on regular gas and get very good fuel ecomony.
Yamaha has made huge improvements over the years. Depending on what your looking for it might be worth considering the newer sleds.
kinger
VIP Member
Nice write up ReX, thought I knew it all till I read through! Good Job!
Reverse
Extreme
Awesome information
Fantastic information guys; really appreciate it. Got more information from here than after talking with the dealers. Anything else to be added still appreciated.
Agree with LB on the FI. Any MAJOR problems related to fuel were with sleds with FI.
ReX, you're just a wealth of info; just the kind of info I was looking for
Overall a great forum site
Fantastic information guys; really appreciate it. Got more information from here than after talking with the dealers. Anything else to be added still appreciated.
Agree with LB on the FI. Any MAJOR problems related to fuel were with sleds with FI.
ReX, you're just a wealth of info; just the kind of info I was looking for
Overall a great forum site
Bob Miller
TY 4 Stroke Master
- Joined
- Apr 19, 2003
- Messages
- 1,322
- Location
- New Milford CT
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- Present Sled: 2011 Yamaha Apex 128
Sled Dog said:
New Rings in 05, Part# 8FU-11603-00-00
03 and 04 have the same Part#5LV-11603-00-00
Mark O
Expert
Some people just don't like new technology, even when it's been around for over 20+ years. Fuel injection maybe reletively new to the snowmobile market, however, every automobile manufactured in these past 20+ years has been fuel injected. My '02 FX140 PWC, has fuel injection as well as my '96 Mercury V6 outboard & there have been zero problems with both. Today, carburetors are mainly relegated to the small engine industry & that's where they belong. A modern EFI engine starts easier, runs cleaner, & gets better milage than a carbureted engine. Why Yamaha waited so long to adapt it to the RX snowmobile engine, especially when they have it in their PWC line, is beyond me. Call me a person of "the fairer sex", but personally, I welcome EFI just as much as I welcomed the 4 stroke engine in this hobby.
Nothing wrong with EFI but they should go all out and put a o2 sensor and finish it off. Then when we add filters or a airbox mod one does not have to worry about fuel mixture.
Mark O
Expert
Sled Dog said:
Agreed.
QCRider
TY 4 Stroke Master
I think EFI is the only way to go, but I can understand how a guy who likes to work on his sled might not feel the same way. You lose control of things and rely on someone else to do that portion of the work for you.
Len Todd
TY 4 Stroke God
Lots going on in this post! Whew!
I was always under the belief that the new rings started with the '04 model. However, the on-line parts catalog does in fact say the change was made in 05? However, ... Maybe the on-line book is wrong? The '04 tech manual shows 5 rings (3+1+1) and the on-line parts catalog shows only 3 total. At any rate, as I understand it, the word is; get '05 rings, if you need replacements.
As I recall, there were 113 changes made from the '03 to the '04. Do a search and you will see a lot of talk about that model year change over and why yamaha did not offer an upgrade kit, etc. Bottom line: They didn't just change the graphics and call it good!
Yes, they went from a 10 MM to 11 MM stablizer for the '04.
Personally, I did not go to the '05 casue they didn't change that much that appealed to me enough to take the $ beatin'. Same for the Apex.
However, I do like FI on Sleds. I hate screwin' with Carbs and they are, in my view, more prone to failure. (I have shelf full of old burnt pistons and busted cranks to prove it!) But really, I guess it is a question of whether you like messing with Mechanical problems or Electrical problems. Personally I prefer the Electrical problems. You put a meter on it, and replace it if it does not read right. But, I NEVER buy first year production models with a change this big. So no Apex last year. I almost loaded a Nytro though. However, the Dealer must NOT have been keepin' an eye of the prices flashing on this site. So it stayed in the showroom!
So there you have my take on this topic. That and 4$ will get you a Starbuck's.
I was always under the belief that the new rings started with the '04 model. However, the on-line parts catalog does in fact say the change was made in 05? However, ... Maybe the on-line book is wrong? The '04 tech manual shows 5 rings (3+1+1) and the on-line parts catalog shows only 3 total. At any rate, as I understand it, the word is; get '05 rings, if you need replacements.
As I recall, there were 113 changes made from the '03 to the '04. Do a search and you will see a lot of talk about that model year change over and why yamaha did not offer an upgrade kit, etc. Bottom line: They didn't just change the graphics and call it good!
Yes, they went from a 10 MM to 11 MM stablizer for the '04.
Personally, I did not go to the '05 casue they didn't change that much that appealed to me enough to take the $ beatin'. Same for the Apex.
However, I do like FI on Sleds. I hate screwin' with Carbs and they are, in my view, more prone to failure. (I have shelf full of old burnt pistons and busted cranks to prove it!) But really, I guess it is a question of whether you like messing with Mechanical problems or Electrical problems. Personally I prefer the Electrical problems. You put a meter on it, and replace it if it does not read right. But, I NEVER buy first year production models with a change this big. So no Apex last year. I almost loaded a Nytro though. However, the Dealer must NOT have been keepin' an eye of the prices flashing on this site. So it stayed in the showroom!
So there you have my take on this topic. That and 4$ will get you a Starbuck's.
Swiss Sledder said:Thanks LB
LMAO love the emoticon Matt
LB is right as usual a few minor changes here and there and a name change but it's still in the RX1 familyReverse
Extreme
Great information
Thanks to all of you for your input. Based on all of the information that you provided I am going to bite the bullet and spend an extra few bucks more than I originally planned and look at 05's and 06's. Again, what a great forum.
Thanks to all of you for your input. Based on all of the information that you provided I am going to bite the bullet and spend an extra few bucks more than I originally planned and look at 05's and 06's. Again, what a great forum.
Neonblue
Newbie
- Joined
- Aug 17, 2006
- Messages
- 9
I just picked up a 04 rx1 with 1800 miles last summer. What should I watch for on the oil burning? Is there an upgrade kit to prevent this?
Reverse
Extreme
From all of this information it seems you either keep a close eye on oil level as they aren't all oil burners or stick a set of '05 rings in
