Track damage issues!

[Snow Fever]

I have been reading about some guys damaging their tracks from it hitting that cast aluminum muffler bracket. This bracket was designed for the short track and was not up dated for the long tracks, not even on the RX-1s since 03'. It takes 5mins or less to cure this and as a bonus it will then flow air better as well and not collect as much snow. I did my 03' RX-1, my 05' RX-1 as well as my buddies 06' Apex. I used my plasma cutter so it took 20 seconds but you could do it with hand tools in 5mins. Just cut off the bottom piece just below the corner bend. The bend will help keep the strength in the bracket. Yes I do think Yamaha should have done this at the factory but they never. I feel bad for the guys that have already damaged tracks and I hope Yamaha helps you guys out. For those of you that have not damaged your track yet, do this mod. Yea I know we all spent alot of money on our sleds and you shouldn't have to do this, but hey they are the BEST sled, just not perfect This mod is simple, free and easy as well as having other benifits. My sleds were all done before they ever hit the snow and I have had no issues Here is a picture of my 05' RX-1 and my buddies 06' Apex.

 

[KbxSrx]

if you cut it off, is there any chance that Yamaha will void warranty? I think its a valid question, "structual integrity", all that. I bet guys could talk their dealers into trimming it back, then it may bypass the issue altogether?

 

[Snow Fever]

If something screws up because of this its becuase you crashed and you probably have bigger issues then this I would think this would be good for them rather then having a bunch of pi$$ed customers with ripped tracks. This mod has over 4000 miles of testing on 3 diffrent sleds and NO issues.

 

[EhPex]

My thoughts exactly. I am removing mine as well. been hearing alot of bad things about it. Also i do not like how low the Exhaust brackets way up in the tunnel are. I tightened my track and suspension so it doesnt hit anymore but the track was WAY too loose from factory. I believe alot of problems stem from guys believing the extrovert drivers allow them to run the track ridiculously loose.

 

[errol]

I don't have any damage yet but I will cut mine as per SnowFever recommendation!

 

[rideblue]

I would agree. Make sure the track tension is set to specs. 30-35mm @ 10Kg, 1 1/8 - 1 3/8in @ 22lbs. Too loose of a track cause it to balloon out and hit the tunnel. You also run a greater risk of stabbing the tips of the rails through a window in the track. This seems to be more common to the 3" pitch tracks because of the extra length of the windows. Loose is not always better.
Track tension is not set at the factory. It is the dealers reponsability to set the tension right.
I also cut out back part of the cast muffler support on the rx and then totally removed it later (pain in the butt). The cast peice is there to support the muffler. Guys with aftermarket tunnels seem to have no problems with out that peice.

 

[slymax]

The tracks stretch and loosen up really quickly on these sleds. Set to spec for first ride and had to tighten after 150km as track would hang 4" below rails. I ran the track really loose on my turbo vector with a 159 and never had a problem with it caving in the shield under the turbo or hitting that casting?

 

[viperbusa]

My dealer said not to modify the sled myself for warranty reasons. In the case of people thinking the track is too loose, that isn't the problem. I have pictures of the sled compressed, and the lugs of the track are overlaping the bracket by at least an inch. It isn't from a loose track!!!