to stud or not to stud new apex xtx and tunnel protectors?

[rx1 man 04]

pick up the new machine this week, not sure whether to stud it or not, I have run studs on my machine for years, never rode a long track more than 136 inch for any long period of time, do you really need studs on a 144 inch track or should I try it out for a couple of weeks and stud it later, also can anyone tell me if you need to shim the tunnel protectors to allow for studs, kinda confused on this topic, some say you have to and others say no, I think the length of the stud is the issue, longer ones hitting the exup ehaust component

 

[smitdog55]

Hey there, I have done a bit of research on here and have the same sled. I have 171 woodys megabites 1.325 ready to roll and my plan is to drive it for a few weeks til it broken in then stud it with no shims or anything and watch it extremely close. There looks like plenty of clearance and quite a bit of room with the existing tunnel protectors. Some are adding extra protecters and some have said there is no issue so I will keep you posted. No snow here yet and rain!!!

 

[IH8CROWS]

Use google to search this site. It's on here many times.

 

[02ViperMody44]

I just studded my '12 Apex XTX. I bought rubber stoppers(in the speciality drawers in the bolt sections) from Lowes and siliconed them inbetween the C-stye mounts that the factory tunnel protecters set on. I drilled out holes in the top of the stoppers, so that the factory bolt that comes down from the top of the tunnel, that projects into the top of the C-mounts, set into them and I bent and installed an aluminum plate that sets across the bottom of the mount and then using stainless steel screws, drilled the plate into the stopper. Everything was siliconed together and the rubber stopper was sanded to fit the proper contour and sanded just enough to just squeeze into the opening between the bolt and the plate I added to maintain a tight fit. After everything set up, they appear to be in there very tight and secure. I also bought some hyfax and on a table saw cut them down to 1/4" and riveted them onto the bottom of the tunnel protectors. So I should be set for my 1.34" roetin hornets!
I came up with the rubber stoppers after doing research on this site and somebody else was using furniture style bumpers and I just adapted it from there, and put my plates inside the C-mounts, instead of under them.

 

[machzrobbie]

Do a search. That question has been gone over many times.

The search on TY sucks - I get better results from google.

 

[IH8CROWS]

.nevermind!

 

[Terminator]

Re: to stud or not to stud new apex xtx and tunnel protector

pick up the new machine this week, not sure whether to stud it or not, I have run studs on my machine for years, never rode a long track more than 136 inch for any long period of time, do you really need studs on a 144 inch track or should I try it out for a couple of weeks and stud it later, also can anyone tell me if you need to shim the tunnel protectors to allow for studs, kinda confused on this topic, some say you have to and others say no, I think the length of the stud is the issue, longer ones hitting the exup ehaust component

Went thru this last year, as I remember Yamaha sent out a bulletin to shim the tunnel protectors if studding the track (they will not warranty any issues due to studs shims or no shims). As I remember it the SE and base model were the ones more Susceptible to exup damage. Studs on the XTX can also damage your rear heat exchanger. I decided not to take any chances and had the dealer shim and stiffen the tunnel protectors just to be safe. There are several methods discussed on this site. Studs are a must for me for safety alone. Good luck.

 

[smitdog55]

just a quick update, i studded my 2012 xtx (1.325) and had no issues for 2000kms then adjusted the limiter strap and now noticed a couple of marks on the rear exchanger, so will be added extra protectors in the offseason. I love the feel of the machine with the limiter strap adjusted and the fact that when you squeeze the throttle before a bump the front end likes to lift up!