Viper XTX SE Upgrades

[jlevandoski]

It's that time of year again where the sled comes out of the trailer for maintenance. My Viper XTX SE was a fantastic sled last season and I'm looking for subtle improvements.

1. The factory carbides are SHOT. Any recommendations?

Note: I'm going to change the front skid shock spring to the 135# and reduce the strap to 1/3​

2. I'm installing the hand guards with aluminum clamp and removing the grab strap in the middle of the bars
3. I'm having issues with the rear FLOAT 2 holding air. It seems to sag, even when I put air in it. Is anyone else seeing similar problems?
4. I'd like to install MBRP's headers and Trail Canister, but am worried about an increase in noise. Has anyone run this setup yet and what have you noticed?

Thanks!

 

[wavemaster]

I run simmons gen3 skis. I was never able to get the tuners to steer the way I like. Before you go spending 100-200 just for carbides, take a look at some other skis - JMO.
I run a 145lb spring in the rear front with 5 threads (showing) of pre-load. It makes a big difference. I just added the hygear XTX coupling kit so I will have to see how the spring acts with it now.
I had a leaky float2 on the front of my nytro a couple years ago, it had to be sent out.
I run the stock header with the MBRP trail can. I think it sounds great and would have no issue riding by the "man" with it.

 

[Yamadog]

It really depends on your riding style and type of trail vs off trail you ride. My 14 now has the hygear XTX skid linkage system in it and I love it. I have big HP and the nose at 80 mph would rise to 3' before, now it pulls the skis 12" on launch and they stay there to 104. I gave up on the fox floats. I have the hygear axis shocks on the front and the rear skid shock. The sled is now so predictable I can jump road approaches and berms like on a dirt bike. I ran simmons skis for 1 season with 4 - 8" carbides but with the limiter strap shortened 1-1/2" gave so much ski pressure in the turns I got terrible arm pump. I went back to the stock skis with dually 8" runners. anything will be better than the factory carbides and if you ran an entire season on them ...well your nuts! HAHA!

I have the Skins soft hand guards on the 14 and feel they give better protection from the wind than the others mounted out from the bars, I am running the stock mini windshield and there is no wind protection at the bars. I have not decided yet on the 15 what is going on it.

In my opinion the header and can is a great idea but the gains are subtle. Save up and get a turbo these sleds are just unbelievable. I sold a brand new Polaris 2015 Pro s 800 and bought another XTX.

I was in love for years with my rx and apex sleds. The pull of power from start to WOT was just unlike anything I had ever ridden. but this sled with the 190 hp turbo is incredible. Now at 252 hp down right insane. I am know taking the 14 to 320 + hp for lake and radar racing and the 15 to 190 and 230 hp switched for trails. I believe I will have these sleds for a long time.

I went through 5 rx's and 3 apex's in 12 yrs due to headers and suspensions not holding up but I truly believe that these are long term chassis and motor combos.

 

[jlevandoski]

I'm so close on pulling the trigger for the MPI Trail Turbo, but the changes to the warranty make me a little hesitant. I have the Extended Warranty on the snowmobile, but Yamaha won't cover everything if there's an issue even if the dealer installs the turbo.

I've heard extremely good things about the stock skis with a pair of dually runners (I'm thinking Stud Boy Deuce Bars). The factory carbides didn't last me long (not surprising), but there was enough snow where this handled pretty well anyways!

Any idea on how to adjust the high beams? Right now, they shine into the trees and I'd like to lower the beam. I had a 2010 Phazer GT and that was a mess to adjust the headlights. I'd prefer not to screw up what is OK now, but it definitely could be better.

 

[4StrokeAddict]

There is a small bolt, left of center next to the back of the lights. I had to take the windshield and plastic coverings off of the pod down to the headlight assembly to access it. Not a hard task, but its in a tight spot. I did mine when I installed a HID system from sled start. Nice kit!

 

[4StrokeAddict]

There is a small bolt, left of center next to the back of the lights. I had to take the windshield and plastic coverings off of the pod down to the headlight assembly to access it. Not a hard task, but its in a tight spot. I did mine when I installed a HID system from sled start. Nice kit!

Edit: There is a yellow plastic cover over it from factory...

 

[InRBigness]

I'm so close on pulling the trigger for the MPI Trail Turbo, but the changes to the warranty make me a little hesitant. I have the Extended Warranty on the snowmobile, but Yamaha won't cover everything if there's an issue even if the dealer installs the turbo.

That is not correct. They have said that they have the right not to cover something if it is deemed caused by the turbo charger or installation.

 

[jlevandoski]

That's more or less what I meant. Having the turbo on the snowmobile alters the wording of the warranty because components are known to fail because of it.

 

[yamahaguy]

I agree with InRbigness on the warranty. I think the reason the small print disclaimer was added so that guy's leave the factory turbo alone and not try to modify it for more power. Who on TY would try that?? Haha.. If the factory trail kit is left stock it's pretty much bulletproof if you have heard about the torture testing that yamaha and mpi did with these. Personally I'm more worried about the rest of the sled holding up not the motor/turbo.

I am not sure about the 16s but the 15s didn't loose warranty after adding the mpi. Both our sleds retain the 5 year warranty after the turbo was installed.

 

[jlevandoski]

I know the motor and clutches will hold up (those are Yamaha parts after all). It is the rest of the chassis that does have me a little bothered. Have you had any issues running the turbo on warmer days, such as end of season March riding when it's 30°F out and the snow is crusty/hard?

 

[Yamadog]

I know the motor and clutches will hold up (those are Yamaha parts after all). It is the rest of the chassis that does have me a little bothered. Have you had any issues running the turbo on warmer days, such as end of season March riding when it's 30°F out and the snow is crusty/hard?

There is no problem with the clutches at all once you get them dialed in with the turbo. I am running much higher HP than the 190 kit and put over 2000 miles on it last season. Heat has also not been a problem< I rode many miles last year and the season prior when the temps were above freezing. I did have an issue with the temp censor telling the ECU that it was over heating once or twice but that seems to have gone away.

I am in the middle of pushing the 14 to over 300 hp and changing gearing and a host of other parts. I am having Allen Ulmer check the bearings in the drive train as preventative measures but the last time I checked mine I was not having any issues. I did swap out the stock hyfax for duponts and found that the melting plastic issues on hard pack snow with warmer temps and high speed runs went away.

 

[jlevandoski]

Now it's just a test of time, which is good news! Maybe a turbo kit will be in my sled's future!

 

[Yamadog]

Now it's just a test of time, which is good news! Maybe a turbo kit will be in my sled's future!

If it is in the budget it is a must. It just makes this sled go from a good sled to fantastic. Be careful though it is very addictive and at 190 ish you will say that's nice but another 40 would be great, then after another season you find yourself saying it was awesome but 300 hp would make it perfect

 

[jlevandoski]

Have you changed any gearing? I will say this sled runs out of top end a little too fast for a 135HP machine, but again it's all in the gearing. The MPI kit has more than enough power do displace any gear changes.

 

[yamahaguy]

We didn't change gearing. Some guys do if you're worried about top end speed. Just depends on how you ride. I want the low end torque for boondocking. We all ride differently.