Spent a Week on new Atack - Hmmm?

[xcr5]

Well I just got back from a week long trip on my new Attack and have some mixed reviews. When I took delivery of the sled I was checking the belt deflection and noticed when running the sled on a jack stand sometimes the belt wouldn't come back to the top of the secondary??? Sled would squeel the belt as it was acting like it was starting in second gear. This happend almost everytime I would rev the sled up and lift the throttle, the belt would get stuck 3/4 the way up in the secondary. The secondary didn't appear to be very free rolling almost acted like the brake was on? I set my track tension pretty loose and this didn't seem to help any. I called the dealer and they said don't worry about it, it will behave differently under load - WTF??? Never had this happen with any other sled I've owned?

Well took the sled to the UP (my buddy showed up with a new Apex ER as well) and put 700mi on it last weekend. Motor is definately SWEET - but we all know that here. Sled was very nervous in the trail (liked to hunt and dart) but was aggressive in turns. However; sled displayed some serious body roll in the turns also - definately reminded you the sled is heavy. Spent a couple of days with the darting then decided to try some brand new Simmons skis I brought along. Fixed 90% of the darting, but created a heavy feel on the front end and sled got squirly on deceleration. At trail speeds and high speed the sled tracked awesome. Picked up a little bit of push in the turns but very controllable. Prefer the light feel of the stock skis to the Simmons but prefer the handling of the Simmons (niether is the correct fit IMO). Dually's or SlyDogs next. Pace was quick on the trails and Attack found its self in the air as much as it was on the ground. I push 250lbs and with the clicker all the way up on the side and spring load at max - mono shock set up wasn't getting it done. Bottomed hard on any type of high speed whoop of a few feet in height or when launching off of big rollers. Interesting note - rode my bud's ER through similiar terrain clicker on Med/ spring on med and didn't bottom the sled! His ER felt much firmer then my Attack??? When going slowly over choppy trails the suspension sounds like it's falling apart! Big banging sounds from the rear skid (both Apex's did the same thing).

Slow speed clutch engagement stinks - very jerky trying to move the sled slowly. Trail speed and high speed is a rush! Sled pulls hard, yet I don't think it has a very big top end (speedo is way off other brands). Milage was just ok, 12 - 13mpg the first few fills but I have to admitt first few fills it was difficult to stay out of the loud lever! Once I settled in to sane trail speeds sled picked up to approx. 14 - 15mpg. However; if the speedo's are off by approx. 10mph (high side) this would be indicating an improper distance traveled when computing MPG. So who know's what I really got for MPG???

By the end of the trip I had my transfer bar at max and it still didn't transfer as much as I would like (I like my sleds to transfer hard and lift the skis a good distance) wasn't able to achieve this as much as I would have liked to with the Attack. Sled only did one very wierd thing all week. We were approaching a driveway that had approx. a 4' snow bank to climb to get into the lot. My bud climbed the bank but then stopped to negotiate sleds in the parking lot. This caused me to stop my sled right in the middle of the incline. When I tried to accelerate to climb the rest of the incline the sled wouldn't move? Gave it more gas then I would have liked and started to squeek the belt, so I got off pulled it backwards down the hill and tried again. This time no problem it went right up? I would hate to have this happen when trying to cross a road or something! I grabbed my buddies ER and tried the same approach stopping in the middle of the incline and it took off no problem on three different attempts. I definately think Yammi has some issues with low speed clutching on this thing.

In a nutshell I'm not really sure where I stand with this sled. I love the motor (it's addicting), suspension is M10 like when trails are decent, but when the trails turned to sheet the suspension wasn't able to keep up. Sled didn't take big hits well either and I like to catch air when I can. I have to admitt I did feel the weight of the sled, but feel Yamaha does an excellent job of hidding it. I loved being able to just start the sled in the mornings and not have to worry about filling the 2 stroke oil resivoir, no 2 stroke stink, etc. However; I'm not sure I'm ready to give up big bump performance or deal with the weight. Hmmm - what to do, what to do??? Guess I have all summer to figure that out...

L8TR,

XCR5

 

[Mighty]

In a nutshell, Jumping off the Attak and onto the Apex what differences were noticed or really stuck out?

 

[xcr5]

Attack

Well when I did this sleds weren't set up the same ie. the attack was running Simmons skis and had picks - the ER was bone stock. I prefered the lighter feel in the front end of the ER with the stock skis but didn't like the twitchyness. Performance and handling when both had stock skis are extremely similiar. I did stick the attack off trail in some deep snow (pulled off trail to allow groomer to go bye) and when I tried to regain access to the trail I definately felt the weight of the big 4 stroke. However; the attack crawled out of the fluff and onto the trail without any serious issues.

If both sleds were sitting side by side and you had to pick one or the other - I would pick the sled that's color you like most or has any price advantage because there isn't enough performance or handling differnences to pick one over the other IMO.

XCR5

 

[xcr5]

Attack

Almost forgot - handwarmers SUCKED on both sleds! Very unlike Yamaha to miss the boat on that one...

 

[dirkdiggler]

You should have Read the Forum prior to leaving. I weight about the same as you. You flat out need the Bigboy spring. The body roll your feeling an be eliminated with a Limiter strap adjustment. I run Slydog skis with 9 inches of Carbide and I have zero inside ski lift. You do get body roll at slow speeds in deep snow but on a groomed trail it corners like a dream.

My skid settings

1. Big Boy spring set at C clip position 2
2. Limiter strap pull all the way up to the second to last hole.
3. Zero Clicks on the Cam adjuster
4. Full soft on the RA tunnel adjuster.

I've bottomed my skid twice.


The Slydogs will eliminate the darting by you should square your skis and then set them to have a 1/16 of an inch of toe out. They will track awesome!!!

 

[xcr5]

Attack

Did read the post - however needed to experience the sled before going out and making changes.

Big Boy spring - Why the difference in the ER I rode? Didn't bottom this sled in softer settings???

If I keep the sled I will be trying the SlyDogs (tried the simmons first).

Lifting the limiter will reduce my weight transfer even more.

Bigger sway bar seems like the way to go to me???

If I keep the sled there will be changes made....

 

[Yummy]

"My bud climbed the bank but then stopped to negotiate sleds in the parking lot. This caused me to stop my sled right in the middle of the incline. When I tried to accelerate to climb the rest of the incline the sled wouldn't move? Gave it more gas then I would have liked and started to squeek the belt, so I got off pulled it backwards down the hill and tried again. This time no problem it went right up? I would hate to have this happen when trying to cross a road or something! I grabbed my buddies ER and tried the same approach stopping in the middle of the incline and it took off no problem on three different attempts. I definately think Yammi has some issues with low speed clutching on this thing."

Under HARD breaking the secondary clutch is still engaged. They was an post on that suject too.

Agree with you; low speed clutching need improvement.

 

[dirkdiggler]

Re: Attack

Did read the post - however needed to experience the sled before going out and making changes.

Big Boy spring - Why the difference in the ER I rode? Didn't bottom this sled in softer settings???

If I keep the sled I will be trying the SlyDogs (tried the simmons first).

Lifting the limiter will reduce my weight transfer even more.

Bigger sway bar seems like the way to go to me???

If I keep the sled there will be changes made....

The reason the 121 didn't bottom was leverage. the 136 has more leverage and needs a stiffer spring at your weight.

Pulling up the strap helps with handling. If you want good handling you will sacrifice transfer. It's a trade off. You can increase transfer by using longer studs or a different track. How long of a stud do you run now?

The bigger sway bar gives a ton of feed back through the handle bars. i road an attack with a 13mm bar and my hands were numb after 10 miles.

 

[xcr5]

Attack

I could see that under hard breaking but we were going very slow when this happened. I do agree the belt was probably down in the secondary, clutching really seems wacked on the sled...

 

[LazyBastard]

sometimes the belt wouldn't come back to the top of the secondary??? Sled would squeel the belt as it was acting like it was starting in second gear. This happend almost everytime I would rev the sled up and lift the throttle, the belt would get stuck 3/4 the way up in the secondary. The secondary didn't appear to be very free rolling almost acted like the brake was on? I set my track tension pretty loose and this didn't seem to help any. I called the dealer and they said don't worry about it, it will behave differently under load - WTF??? Never had this happen with any other sled I've owned?

You've got some rolling resistance on the back end. When the track stops too suddenly, the secondary clutch doesn't get a chance to roll the belt back to the outside. Will happen with ANY sled.

Fixed 90% of the darting, but created a heavy feel on the front end and sled got squirly on deceleration.

You've got simmons skis on there now, that means you need to make a few adjustments for optimal performance.
#1: Alignment. Stock, you're way TOED OUT. With simmons skis, you need to be EXACTLY PARALLEL.
#2: Shim the back of the rubber to move the weight bias to the BACK of the ski rather than the FRONT.
#3: Loosen the ski springs a bit.
-- Once thats all done, simmons skis are the BEST fit.

Slow speed clutch engagement stinks - very jerky trying to move the sled slowly.

Thats what you get for buying a high powered sled. They're geared high to keep the engine speed down.

By the end of the trip I had my transfer bar at max and it still didn't transfer as much as I would like (I like my sleds to transfer hard and lift the skis a good distance) wasn't able to achieve this as much as I would have liked to with the Attack.

Let the limiter strap out some.

Sled only did one very wierd thing all week. We were approaching a driveway that had approx. a 4' snow bank to climb to get into the lot. My bud climbed the bank but then stopped to negotiate sleds in the parking lot. This caused me to stop my sled right in the middle of the incline. When I tried to accelerate to climb the rest of the incline the sled wouldn't move? Gave it more gas then I would have liked and started to squeek the belt, so I got off pulled it backwards down the hill and tried again. This time no problem it went right up?

Belt was sitting low in your secondary. Must have been partially shifted out and you stopped fast.

Your secondary could be a little loose. Might want to take a look at it.

 

[xcr5]

Attack

LazyBastard, let me start out by saying I haven't owned a Yamaha since 97 but I'm very familiar with snowmobiles.

I figured I had some rolling resistance in the skid that's why I loosened the track considerably but saw no improvement - I dissagree that this is common in all sleds as I've never seen it in any of mine.

I'm very familiar with Simmons skis as I have them on 4 of my other sleds - never had to shim them before, but there's always a first time - alignment is fine.

Jerky engagement at slow speeds (that's what I get for buying a high powered sled) - I don't think so - I have a XCR800 making mid 170hp and it's smooth as silk at slow speeds same with the past Tcats I've owned. This is unique to this sled IMO.

Haven't checked the limiter yet as it's in the stock position - definately on the "to do" list.

Belt sitting low in the secondary makes sense if I stopped fast but I didn't stop fast we were at slow speeds. Clutch might be loose???? Not sure where you're going here?

Thanks for the suggestions - Always open to new ideas...

XCR5

 

[Mighty]

The low speed jerking insn't your clutching but the rubber area's of the track where the clips would normally be comming into contact with the front of the rails at the bend. I had the same problem with my Warrior and thought it was clutching untill I let a buddy ride it and noticed the track buckling at the front of the rails. Installed slp anti wear pads and the problem was solved. I never noticed it on my Attak because I installed the Anti wear pads immediately.

 

[welterracer]

Well I just got back from a week long trip on my new Attack and have some mixed reviews. When I took delivery of the sled I was checking the belt deflection and noticed when running the sled on a jack stand sometimes the belt wouldn't come back to the top of the secondary??? Sled would squeel the belt as it was acting like it was starting in second gear. This happend almost everytime I would rev the sled up and lift the throttle, the belt would get stuck 3/4 the way up in the secondary. The secondary didn't appear to be very free rolling almost acted like the brake was on? I set my track tension pretty loose and this didn't seem to help any. I called the dealer and they said don't worry about it, it will behave differently under load - WTF??? Never had this happen with any other sled I've owned?

Your dealer is right!! without any load on the track it will not return to the top.. Mine does this also..

Well took the sled to the UP (my buddy showed up with a new Apex ER as well) and put 700mi on it last weekend. Motor is definately SWEET - but we all know that here. Sled was very nervous in the trail (liked to hunt and dart) but was aggressive in turns. However; sled displayed some serious body roll in the turns also - definately reminded you the sled is heavy. Spent a couple of days with the darting then decided to try some brand new Simmons skis I brought along. Fixed 90% of the darting, but created a heavy feel on the front end and sled got squirly on deceleration. At trail speeds and high speed the sled tracked awesome. Picked up a little bit of push in the turns but very controllable. Prefer the light feel of the stock skis to the Simmons but prefer the handling of the Simmons (niether is the correct fit IMO). Dually's or SlyDogs next. Pace was quick on the trails and Attack found its self in the air as much as it was on the ground. I push 250lbs and with the clicker all the way up on the side and spring load at max - mono shock set up wasn't getting it done. Bottomed hard on any type of high speed whoop of a few feet in height or when launching off of big rollers. Interesting note - rode my bud's ER through similiar terrain clicker on Med/ spring on med and didn't bottom the sled! His ER felt much firmer then my Attack??? When going slowly over choppy trails the suspension sounds like it's falling apart! Big banging sounds from the rear skid (both Apex's did the same thing).

Loud banging sound is normal.. RX-1s and Rx warriors do the same thing (its the transfer rods banging when off the ground)

Slow speed clutch engagement stinks - very jerky trying to move the sled slowly. Trail speed and high speed is a rush! Sled pulls hard, yet I don't think it has a very big top end (speedo is way off other brands). Milage was just ok, 12 - 13mpg the first few fills but I have to admitt first few fills it was difficult to stay out of the loud lever! Once I settled in to sane trail speeds sled picked up to approx. 14 - 15mpg. However; if the speedo's are off by approx. 10mph (high side) this would be indicating an improper distance traveled when computing MPG. So who know's what I really got for MPG???

Speedos are off but trip meter is DEAD ON.. (measured this with other sleds) Never heard of any problem with cluch engagement.. they should engage easy!

By the end of the trip I had my transfer bar at max and it still didn't transfer as much as I would like (I like my sleds to transfer hard and lift the skis a good distance) wasn't able to achieve this as much as I would have liked to with the Attack. Sled only did one very wierd thing all week. We were approaching a driveway that had approx. a 4' snow bank to climb to get into the lot. My bud climbed the bank but then stopped to negotiate sleds in the parking lot. This caused me to stop my sled right in the middle of the incline. When I tried to accelerate to climb the rest of the incline the sled wouldn't move? Gave it more gas then I would have liked and started to squeek the belt, so I got off pulled it backwards down the hill and tried again. This time no problem it went right up? I would hate to have this happen when trying to cross a road or something! I grabbed my buddies ER and tried the same approach stopping in the middle of the incline and it took off no problem on three different attempts. I definately think Yammi has some issues with low speed clutching on this thing.

Maybe your track is too tight!!

In a nutshell I'm not really sure where I stand with this sled. I love the motor (it's addicting), suspension is M10 like when trails are decent, but when the trails turned to sheet the suspension wasn't able to keep up. Sled didn't take big hits well either and I like to catch air when I can. I have to admitt I did feel the weight of the sled, but feel Yamaha does an excellent job of hidding it. I loved being able to just start the sled in the mornings and not have to worry about filling the 2 stroke oil resivoir, no 2 stroke stink, etc. However; I'm not sure I'm ready to give up big bump performance or deal with the weight. Hmmm - what to do, what to do??? Guess I have all summer to figure that out...

Once you get the BIG BOY spring you will think differently about the sleds suspension.. (my gts stock spring bottomed all the time.. almost never with the 5.5 spring.)L8TR,

XCR5

Dont forget... pulling up the limiter strap is going to give the sled a HEAVY steering conditon ..(i saw you were already complaining about heavy steering)

CHECK YOUR TOE OUT.. Like LB said.. That makes all the world of difference!

Brian

 

[byoffcr]

The low speed jerking insn't your clutching but the rubber area's of the track where the clips would normally be comming into contact with the front of the rails at the bend. I had the same problem with my Warrior and thought it was clutching untill I let a buddy ride it and noticed the track buckling at the front of the rails. Installed slp anti wear pads and the problem was solved. I never noticed it on my Attak because I installed the Anti wear pads immediately.

Good INFO

 

[Puffdaddy]

My Attak had the same low speed jerking and it really sucked. I put a Hauck clutch kit in it and now its awesome. Just a primary and secondary spring installed in about 20 min and it solved the problem. I run simmons as well. Once I shimmed them and adjusted to parallel they work great.
2500 miles on it and still the best sled I've ever owned.