Slides, Am I missing something?

[SLEDSTART]

My dealer says the same thing. He says I keep changing them too soon and there is some material after the wear line. maybe 1/8th inch or so. I was changing them on my 05 RX every time they got close to the line. Just picked up an 07 Apex brand new. Rode the UP for a day and a half to break it in this week. Did 530 miles and they wore quick since it was hardpack early in the AM...but it seems like after I broke the sled in and ran some high speeds, they did not wear any further than that certian point rigt before the wear line, but I think if I were to hold it wide open long enough...I would smoke them down to the rails no matter what the dealer says. Some of those trails were flat and fast. I think if I rode the way I really wanted to I would have toasted them. I was not about to find out so I kept backing off the throttle and dipping in what fluff I could find. Suspension was bone dry the whole 500 miles I rode in the day and a half I rode. Well...wet but no snow pack in it thats for sure!

 

[SledderSteve]

I gave up looking at the wear line and got into the habit of monitoring the actual wear using the wrench method. It's quick, easy and takes away the guessing. I've found 12mm to be that "run forever" point described by many and 10mm as the "must change" point.

Once you make a habit of monitoring the wear in various conditions you'll have a pretty good idea of what does and doesn't wear your slides and you'll be able to make better decisions regarding the timing of your replacements.

 

[SharkAttak]

I gave up looking at the wear line and got into the habit of monitoring the actual wear using the wrench method. It's quick, easy and takes away the guessing. I've found 12mm to be that "run forever" point described by many and 10mm as the "must change" point.

Once you make a habit of monitoring the wear in various conditions you'll have a pretty good idea of what does and doesn't wear your slides and you'll be able to make better decisions regarding the timing of your replacements.

that is a great trick

 

[SLEDSTART]

I gave up looking at the wear line and got into the habit of monitoring the actual wear using the wrench method. It's quick, easy and takes away the guessing. I've found 12mm to be that "run forever" point described by many and 10mm as the "must change" point.

Once you make a habit of monitoring the wear in various conditions you'll have a pretty good idea of what does and doesn't wear your slides and you'll be able to make better decisions regarding the timing of your replacements.

that is a great trick

I agree. I'm gonna check it out with the wrench when I get back home.

 

[69redmach1]

4500 miles on the stock hyfax with no additional idlers. No problems and last year the conditions were terrible. 2007 RTX

 

[SLEDSTART]

4500 miles on the stock hyfax with no additional idlers. No problems and last year the conditions were terrible. 2007 RTX

And are they at just above the wear line?

I think you guys that are getting those miles are taking it easy in poor conditions. This break in trip I took, it was so hardpack in the morning that even the lake we were on was like ice yet it had a ton of snow on it. It gets soft during the day then freezes at night.

I was looking at 124 on my dream meter and saw 111-112 a number of times oh the lake and the trails. I just kept an eye on them...but they are at the point where they seemed to stop wearing but I will still replace them since I just don't feel comfy running them with the way they look right now.

 

[vice108]

Did you try the 12mm wrench trick yet? I went out and checked mine today and still can't quite get the 12mm wrench over mine. Thats with about 4,500 on original sliders with no extra wheels, 144 studs, and loose track. I can't measure much difference between now and at the begining of the season at 3150 miles.

4500 miles on the stock hyfax with no additional idlers. No problems and last year the conditions were terrible. 2007 RTX

And are they at just above the wear line?

I think you guys that are getting those miles are taking it easy in poor conditions. This break in trip I took, it was so hardpack in the morning that even the lake we were on was like ice yet it had a ton of snow on it. It gets soft during the day then freezes at night.

I was looking at 124 on my dream meter and saw 111-112 a number of times oh the lake and the trails. I just kept an eye on them...but they are at the point where they seemed to stop wearing but I will still replace them since I just don't feel comfy running them with the way they look right now.

 

[insane]

Hey Vice, do you have a mono skid? I think the 06 rtx has a mono. I got about 2000mi on my first set of hyfax. Put on new skis and changed my limiter to one hole up from center.(loosen) Now I am on my second set in less than 1000. Loosened the track and it ratchets under good hook, clamped wfo. Still smell slides burning off. Need to put oversized wheels and/or front and middle wheel kits. RockerDan has a pretty sweet set up. I would move the strap back to center, but I love the handling and the monster hook up. Just need to modify that f-ing skid a little. It is a give/take relationship for sure. Modifications always effect something else down the line.

 

[Blue Dave]

Every Yamaha that I have ever owned (13 so far) has done the same thing. Fast slide wear initially then they will last a long time looking almost worn out.

I am thinking of trying the graphite slides but my dealer said that they wear the track clips faster. Any thoughts?

 

[vice108]

Yes, I have the mono skid. I run the track loose and haven't had any ratcheting

Hey Vice, do you have a mono skid? I think the 06 rtx has a mono. I got about 2000mi on my first set of hyfax. Put on new skis and changed my limiter to one hole up from center.(loosen) Now I am on my second set in less than 1000. Loosened the track and it ratchets under good hook, clamped wfo. Still smell slides burning off. Need to put oversized wheels and/or front and middle wheel kits. RockerDan has a pretty sweet set up. I would move the strap back to center, but I love the handling and the monster hook up. Just need to modify that f-ing skid a little. It is a give/take relationship for sure. Modifications always effect something else down the line.

 

[SLEDSTART]

Did you try the 12mm wrench trick yet? I went out and checked mine today and still can't quite get the 12mm wrench over mine. Thats with about 4,500 on original sliders with no extra wheels, 144 studs, and loose track. I can't measure much difference between now and at the begining of the season at 3150 miles.

4500 miles on the stock hyfax with no additional idlers. No problems and last year the conditions were terrible. 2007 RTX

And are they at just above the wear line?

I think you guys that are getting those miles are taking it easy in poor conditions. This break in trip I took, it was so hardpack in the morning that even the lake we were on was like ice yet it had a ton of snow on it. It gets soft during the day then freezes at night.

I was looking at 124 on my dream meter and saw 111-112 a number of times oh the lake and the trails. I just kept an eye on them...but they are at the point where they seemed to stop wearing but I will still replace them since I just don't feel comfy running them with the way they look right now.

I did try the 12 & 10 MM wrench. Great trick!
Looks like even with the 10MM you still have some hyfax left but I would be changing them for sure. 10MM seems like that is where the wear line is located from the top of the hyfax. My dealer is right. There is a bit more material after the wear line, but that wear line gets hard to see when the plastic melts and hardens up again. You basically lose the visual line. This is where the wrench comes in handy!
I think I'll be carrying a 10 and 12 MM wrench from now on!

Thanks for the tip guys!!!
12 MM

10MM

 

[CaptCaper]

nice pic's .

Best to change and not take the chance at that point. no wear line for reference..I agree.
Simple enough to change and buy.

 

[Yamaholic22]

4500 miles on the stock hyfax with no additional idlers. No problems and last year the conditions were terrible. 2007 RTX

And are they at just above the wear line?

I think you guys that are getting those miles are taking it easy in poor conditions. This break in trip I took, it was so hardpack in the morning that even the lake we were on was like ice yet it had a ton of snow on it. It gets soft during the day then freezes at night.

I was looking at 124 on my dream meter and saw 111-112 a number of times oh the lake and the trails. I just kept an eye on them...but they are at the point where they seemed to stop wearing but I will still replace them since I just don't feel comfy running them with the way they look right now.

The point that you should be seeing from this thread, and also from the fact that I know you have owned other Yamaha's, is that the slides wear very quickly almost to the wear line, then stop if you are in decent conditions and have good idlers on the skid. MOST yamaha owners change their slides WAYYY too early. I have NEVER (knock on wood) had a pair of yamaha slides on one of my sleds for less than 3,000 miles. Had several sets (especially on my SRX's and SX 700R) that were at the wear line for over 5,000 miles. On my Attak, 3,500 miles at the wear line before running down a VERY long road side with no snow and wearing them through. The thing is, you put new ones on and they wear right to that same point within 200 miles, so what are you gaining?

Another good trick for you guys to try is to drill some 1/4" holes in your slides at the critical wear points. This will do two things: it will allow the slides to hold some snow in the holes which will melt out and provide some lube if you get to some shorter lengths of marginal conditions. Second, they provide a quick visual check of how much slide material is REALLY left in those regions. The wrench trick is also a good rule to know, but the holes give a visual instantly by tilting the sled up on its side quick.

 

[SLEDSTART]

Are you drilling the hole all the way thro the slide before yoiu insall it? Just a few down the center? Thats not a bad idea...

It just seems like when I am leaving for a trip and knowing I may have a 2000 mile week, I don't like leaving with hyfax that are at the wear line. But your right...they wear right down. This new Apex with 530 miles on really hardpack w/no fluff on the trails are still below the wear line so it's not as bad as I thought it would be with the conditions we rode in.

 

[Blue Dave]

I have tried the drilled hole idea in the past. I drilled only part way through creating a deep dimple. I have also seen aftermarket slides that are made with dimples over the entire wear surface.

One thing to keep in mind however is that these dimples or holes will also trap dirt & pebbles as well as snow. Therefore in certain conditions this may work to your disadvantage.

Anybody care to share opinions on the Yamaha graphite slides. My dealer thinks that they wear out the track clips. Any other opinions?