Sub-Frame Concerns

[macpat]

I have just purchased a 2011 Nytro XTX (arriving in the fall sometime) and have been reading a lot about the sub-frame issues some people are having with the other model years of the XTX.

Is this something that I should really worry about? Is the Nytro XTX sub-frame really that bad???

Some people say that they were going slow, never hit anything and still the sub-frame got bent? I don't really believe this but it still makes me wonder a bit.

Not sure what to believe, and I just don't know if I should be getting the welding done or adding some of the fixes suggested by people on this forum??? Should I try to fix this potential issue and spend money on fixing it (I am not a welder or fabricator) before I know there is an issue???

 

[SpecRTX]

I've ridden my 09 pretty hard and haven't bent anything. I would recommend a skid plate (just my preference). You shouldn't have any issues...unless you drive into a tree or rock.

 

[macpat]

I've ridden my 09 pretty hard and haven't bent anything. I would recommend a skid plate (just my preference). You shouldn't have any issues...unless you drive into a tree or rock.

Skid plate is the first thing I am going to add, Thanks!

 

[yamahaboy701]

I might have bad luck but after the 3rd bent subframe (one 08', two 10's) I don't think it was luck.
All nytro have the same subframe (FX, XTX, RTX, MTX) just updates every year since 08.

I would not worry about it, if you are scared to bend it you will not have much fun riding and its not like its a blown motor... you can ride all year on a bent subframe.

 

[Blue Hornet]

I havent bent mine after riding pretty hard and my theory is I will fix it when the time comes after the season is done. I would be aware of things like railroad tracks and manhole covers. These seem to take their fare share of subframes. People on this site keep coming up with good ideas on how to fix it and the ideas will only get better and easier to do over time.

 

[sleddingfarmer]

I've ridden my 09 pretty hard and haven't bent anything. I would recommend a skid plate (just my preference). You shouldn't have any issues...unless you drive into a tree or rock.

Skid plate is the first thing I am going to add, Thanks!

Hopefully you've read this thread,

http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... &start=120

I'd give it a read before you decide what skid-plate you purchase

As far as the sub frame...I wouldn't sweat it. I pounded on my 09 pretty hard, and hit some really nasty rocks, among other things, and never bent anything. I think you have to hit something "just right" to bend it.

My dad and my uncle were very slowly driving down a rail road track, and both hit something, but didn't think anything of it, cause it didn't feel like much...other than a little bump. My dad bent his trailing arm, and my uncle bent both right a-arms on his zr500.

Same story with the nytro I figure, sub frame is the weak point. But the good thing is you can keep driving with a bent one, or bend it back

 

[Zakre]

I have bent mine back twice now, the second time re-welding the gussets and adding two more cross members between the a arm mount, has helped a great deal but it still tweaks from riding hard and jumps.

 

[grizztracks]

It's hard enough trying to get these sleds to handle with a good frame. If the subframe is bent the ski alignment is knocked out and the spindle angles are lost. You can still ride with a tweaked frame but I found that it didn't handle as good. After I bent my first frame I had to realign the handle bars so they ran straight. I straightened my second bent frame with a pry bar but after a ride or two it just bent back. Before installing the 2010 updated frame I welded supports gussets in so hopefully I can make it through next season without bending it again.

I'll be starting out next season with a new reinforced frame, ball joints, spindle bushings, Ulmer a-arm bushings, and all 4 shocks revalved. I'm hoping I can get this sled tuned in early.

 

[macpat]

so basically any new machine whether its a yamaha, a bombardier, arctic cat or polaris, it will be easier to bend a sub-frame that the older models???

 

[SledFreak]

yes...

 

[yamahaboy701]

so basically any new machine whether its a yamaha, a bombardier, arctic cat or polaris, it will be easier to bend a sub-frame that the older models???

A lot easier! I just spent $150 on my new XP to beef up its front end, wish somebody made something proved to beef up the nytro front end. $150 was a no brainier for me rather then 5 hours of work, $200 for a new front section and a straight ride down the trail.

 

[macpat]

Beefing up a front of end any machine, will this void your warrantee???

 

[yamahaboy701]

Beefing up a front of end any machine, will this void your warrantee???

Gray area because it depends on the dealer. I had two of my sub frames warrantied, they just looked at my machine found no damage from a physical hit of anything. Then the dealer submits the warranty claim and in my case Yamaha denied both warranty claims but if you have a good dealer they can talk to yamaha about it more and get it approved. In my case yamaha did not pay for the labor just the new subframe. I had to install it which really is not that hard thanks to this site.

 

[eightpilot]

Not all new sleds have a subframe though. For instance the Apex and the IQ chassis from Polaris do not have a subframe too bend. So I agree that the Ski Doo and Nytros have subframe problems, but not all new sleds.... 8

 

[sleddingfarmer]

Not all new sleds have a subframe though. For instance the Apex and the IQ chassis from Polaris do not have a subframe too bend. So I agree that the Ski Doo and Nytros have subframe problems, but not all new sleds.... 8

A buddy has a 700 dragon, and his bulkhead cracked, for no apparent reason. But he probably hit something and didn't know it.

Sh*t happens.