What Shocks Do I Want??

[Vmax4]

I am going to buy a new sled this year (2008), but and really unsure about shock packages. Before Sunday, I was going to buy a leftover 2007 Attak GT. Now I am thinking either the new Apex LTX GT with the ohlins or the new FX Nitro.

But I am really confused as to what shocks I want on my sled. Fox Floats, Ohlin Clickers, or GYTR Clickers?????

What are the advantages?

What rides the best?

Here is what I have it narrowed down to:
2007 Attak GT
2008 Apex LTX GT
2008 FX Nitro
2008 FX Nitro RTX

Just as comparision, I currently hae a 2003 RX-1 and a 2007 Phazer FX (I call this my wife's sled, but I have ridden it more than my RX-1 this year!!!)

Thanks,
Steve

PS, since I collect old sleds, the 40th Anniversary Paint is appealing.........

 

[Kråkan]

2007 attack GT or 2008 FX Nitro RTX....

The attack is so much cheaper than the 2008LTX GT that u can buy 3 pair of Ohlins extra.... the rest is the same sled with different colors...

I want an FX Nytro RTX and i think it is an amazing sled!

 

[RedlineViper]

i personally have th fox floats on my RTX, my father has the GYTR's on his GT. The fox floats seem to take a lot more in the trails, if you are out to hit the hard stuff. just my .02

 

[ReX]

Riding my 07 RTX with Floats and swapping back to back a few times with my buddies 06 Apex ER I can give you a little comparison between the standard coil overs and the Floats...

The Floats have a sortof "riding on air" sensation. They are very soft and soak up the bumps very well. As they compress they smoothly become firmer and firmer and seem virtually impossible to bottom out. They really shine on rough trails. The variation from soft at full extension to firm when heavily compressed is extreme - almost too extreme (which is why some guys are opting to add external reservoirs since they make the "stiffness" more consistent through the travel).

The standard coil overs ride well, but where they shine is cornering. Because they are firmer right from the start, they control body roll a lot better than the Floats. The air pressure can be dropped right down with the Floats to get back some cornering, but you then loose the "riding on air" sensation along with the extremely smooth bump absorption.

I would say for an aggressive rider who puts pounding the bumps at a high priority, get the Fox Floats.

If high speed cornering is the #1 priority then get some coil over shocks. Which coil overs to get I don't know. I've read many reports that claim the standard coil overs are most of the time better than the GYTRs (because the GYTRs aren't adjusted as well as they could be). I've also read when the GYTRs are tweaked just right they are superior to the standard coil overs. I can't tell you anything about the Ohlins.

If you're the type of rider who wants it all (like me) - high speed cornering and bump handling then the Fox Floats combined with a very stiff sway bar (13mm+) makes a good compromise. With my 13mm bar I still find a little too much body roll, but I haven't tried lowering the air pressure below 50 psi yet. The bump absorption is extremely good at 60-65 psi which is where I've ridden with it most of the time.

 

[Bakemono]

IMO, Ohlins is the only way to go.

 

[pro116]

I have drove with ohins,gytr's and floats and for my riding style I prefer the floats.If your and agressive rider go with the floats.The front end soaks up all the bumps and moguls with the floats.

 

[Ike]

There must be a reason why Yamaha´s are equipped with Öhlins here in (Finland) Scandinavia. Rough trails only... ALL big bump sleds here (like LYNX 600 RE, best of them all) have Öhlins here.

Ike

 

[YAM182]

I briefly rode a friends 06 RTX last year and had to have the Floats this year for my 06 Apex GT.I was not thrilled with GT's ride last year.

Revalved the Ohlins and added dual rate spring kit.
Floats on the front with air chambers added by Hygear.

Both working good so far.Much better than last year.

 

[welterracer]

I wouldnt get the GT.. simply because the wire on the Rear shock is expossed to the elements including ice and snow and will eventually break (mine has broken three times)

I would stick with the standard.. and if you want you could always sell the front shocks and buy floats or GYTRs