rx1, how to make it more nimble?

[cjrama]

i had traded a skidoo rev for an 03 rx1 last year. thing is very vast, but not very comfortable or easy to ride. i find it difficult to stand up on it. also not very good in the bumps. and alot of work is needed to corner. i have a boss seat on order and have put 3 inch bar risers on. What else will improve the ridability of the sled?

 

[04rxw10]

13mm Sway Bar will help on the cornering plus take the preload off the front springs.

 

[Turk]

This sled was specifically made as a smooth long distance trail machine. It is horrible in the bumps.
It,s like wanting to make a Corvette into an off-road machine.

 

[suprfst]

You should look at getting shocks serviced and revalved by a competant company. I had my rear shock redone on my 05 by pioneer performance with a stiffer spring and its WAY better in the rough stuff than it was stock.

 

[kinger]

Yeah the 03 was the worst year for anything resembling sporty and nimble handling however there are things that can help.

Number one the seat - you got the fixed with a boss. 3" rise will be perfect

Number 2 front springs should be changed from progressive to straight rate from pioneer performance.net

Number 3 get a 13mm sway bar from pioneer

Number 4 rear suspension, the proaction sucks. I have a Zx2 and it made the RX1 literally feel about 100 lbs lighter it was so much more nimble feeling. That is a $$ cant afford that look into a doo or polaris rear suspension and swap it in, you will lose over 10lbs with the seat and as much as 20 lbs with the doo suspension over the heavy yamaha one, that would be 30 lbs lighter, plus it was transfer better, ride better, and give you more confidence in the bumps and overall change the feel of the sled.

Lastly push those bars as far forward as you can and ride hugging the tank like your hanging off a cliff and it will rail corners, and you can sit to stand over the big bumps much easier.

Welcome to 4 stroke and ENJOY that engine

 

[the kitchen]

Kinger is spot on! I would only add to this by replaceing the skis to a set with an agressive keel and it will rail the corners. I used USI tripple threat x2, awsome ski.

 

[Bluebullet]

RX 1 Ride

I agree with all improvements so far, I have the Ohlins shock with heavy weight spring in rear, Ripsaw 1.25 track, 186 pics. Mine came with dooly carbides and pushed bad through corners so I went to a standard 6" carbide with the shi shim trick and now corners much better. Seat foam added toward end of season ( much better ride and more rider forward feel) I added ECP filter kit this year and will get carbs syncronizied and she will be ready for snow!

 

[websledder]

On my 04 RX1, I found the 13mm Sway Bar definately helps. Taking the pre-load off the front springs helped as well. I put 8" doolies on and they eliminated the "darting" I used to get at low-med speeds. No matter how I set up the proaction, I didn't like it. I broke down and bought an FAST M-10 skid. I was lucky enough to get a (used) factory rebuild from FAST Enterprises. They did an awesome job of the build. Looks like a new skid! Saved some $$$. Installed it this weekend. Haven't had it out yet, but from everything I've heard, it should improve ridability and handling big time! Come on SNOW!!!

 

[Bigblue1]

Everyone is right here. Also put a clutch kit in it. While it may be fast the kit gives it amazing pull out of the corners which if driven aggressively can make the sled feel much lighter and more in control. I have had an 05 mono-shock with the beef up kit with HY-Gear valving and I ride it as hard and fast through bumps as well as groomed trails well under control. Kinger is right get up on the bars knee in low and it will rail around the corners. The guys I ride with are consistently amazed at how I can push this sled compared to all the new tech iron that is out there. It is one of the reasons I haven't purchased an Apex ....Not all that different when you set your RX up to your liking. Make the changes you will have perma-grin when you do.

 

[rxrider]

You can remove a lot of weight from the sled, that helps as well, in addition to the suggestions so far.
Have a look in my rxrider's turbo garage thread, you'll find the link in my signature. My sled rides pretty decent with the mods I have done to it.