Ski-Doo wheels on 08 Venture GT?????

[snow4me]

Should I Doo the Ski-Doo wheel trick to my 08 Venture GT? It looks from the pictures that Yamaha has added wheels to it since the 05's like Hondo's sled. My sled is up north so I can only verify using the website photo. Also, Do we run our tracks as loose as possible without ratcheting like I did on my Poo's?

Thanks for a great site!!!

Daryl

 

[maddogjeff]

I would hope that Yamaha has the issue resolved by now, just keep an eye on them. It's more of a problem if you stud. Yes run the track loose.

 

[snow4me]

Thanks for the reply! It looks like I couls add an extra set of wheels to the rails, should I? Is there any reason not to? Our snow isn't the best.

Thanks, Daryl

 

[kyzer]

I have not had any issue with my hyfax wear, with the extra set of wheel and the bigger windows in the track helped the issue ..........

 

[hondo]

Concur with maddogjeff,

The bigger wheels were for the track howl issue. Hopefully Yamaha has addressed that issue.

Since 05 Yamaha has introduced a slide rail that incorporates the two outer wheels about 9 inches ahead of the rear axle, this is what you have. Hyfax wear should be greatly reduced.

I will be running the newer slide rails with the outer wheels.

I would also just keep an eye on it.

Keep us informed snow4me, how the sled is performing.

We are always interested!

 

[snow4me]

I will. I have a nice new digital camera and will be taking lots of pictures this year of our rides. The only thing I hate about my new sled is the mirrors. I am sure the work great but I sure think they look ugly sticking out there. Are they removable so I could use a windshield from another model on it? This is not a big deal, just an idea. On my Polaris I used the cat mirrors that mount to the windshield, looked way better than the ones that bolt to the hood.

Thanks, Snow4me

 

[hondo]

There should be some way to remove them. Never had it apart.

 

[Metallicat]

Hondo - from the pic you posted, it appears that your A-arms can actually sit flat (parallel to the snow). I know on my 2008 Vector, with all of the preload taken off of the front springs, the front end is still pretty high, with maybe 2" of set-in. Even with my 180lbs pushing on the front bumper I still don't think my front end would sit as low as yours. I assume they are using stiffer springs on the newer models. Do you know the spring rate on your sled? Are your shocks take-apart or sealed?

Looks like I'll be taking my first ride next weekend IF the snow continues to accumulate in northern Michigan!

 

[hondo]

This picture is more normal.

The photo in the last post I backed into some loose snow on a grade which made the A arms squat like that. There was a bunch of leverage on the A arms.

I run the shock spring setting soft. I do like the weight shift forward as you let off the throttle and enter a turn. I believe they are a sealed shock.

I run the front soft all the time.

These shocks have never been rebuilt.

They work ok for me.

Hope this helps!

 

[Metallicat]

Thanks Hondo. I was wondering how your got your front end so slammed to the ground in the first pic. LOL! So those sealed shocks have 20,000 miles on them?

 

[hondo]

Yup,

My mechanic is wondering the same thing. How long are they going to last.

In the first photo, backing into the snow on an incline the skis turned into anchor points and sucked the front down...

What a photo op... "Yeah this is what I ride".

I'm sure someone else is thinking the same WTF is that???... LOL..

 

[Paul_C]

Hondo, if you ever decide to sell your sled you should contact Yamaha's marketing agency. It would make a nice centerpiece for an ad campaign touting Yamaha longevity.

 

[Paul_C]

I have just 110 miles on my '07 RS Venture GT and so far it's pretty quiet at all speeds. A buddy of mine owns two '07 Non-GT Ventures of similar mileage and they are also quiet.

 

[hondo]

I also have a friend with last years RS Venture. It seems that the track howl issue is not a problem anymore.

I'll ride his sled this year and compare it to my "05 dinosaur".

Yamaha has made some nice improvements since 05.

In addition, I do know Yamaha and Camoplast were pointing fingers at each other regarding the track howl problem.

Last year I replaced my track at close to 16,000 miles. I swear this newer Camoplast track is quieter. I have asked myself many times, was it the sled, or was it the track? The rubber on the new track seems to be a softer compound. Just a guess, I don't have a clue...

Never-the-less, It's good for business if in fact the noise issue has been resolved!

I have the same longevity, reliabilty, and durability thought in mind Paul_C. When the time comes, I'll give them a call, and see what they will do.

It has a nice ring... "Venture twice around the world".