What to do to minimize/eliminate track howl?

[4strokeluvr111]

1300+ miles on my new Vector LTX. Still has the stock 1.25" Ripsaw track. The track howl in the 40 mph area (+ or - 5 MPH) is really bad. I want to keep the sled and will do just about anything to get rid of the howl.

My 2005 Vector had the same howl. After I put an M10 in it it got a little bit better. Then I replaced the stock 1.25" Ripsaw with an "Arctic Cat Quiet Track" 1.25" Ripsaw that Tracks USA said would get rid of the howl....it got better but it didn't go away. I tried various types of materials stuck to the tunnel under the seat. These were failed attempts at changing the resonance frequency in the tunnel. So I just accepted "better" and rode on.

Just finished an 800 mile UP bag trip and have decided I have to try something. Please don't say "go faster"! I will install a different track, a different skid, more wheels.....pretty much whatever I have to do. Is getting rid of 75% of the howl too much to ask?

Any and all comments (except "go faster" OR listen to music) are welcome!

EDIT: we need Rockmeister's equivalent of the handwarmer fix here!

 

[scott32]

Back in '05 the 2up Venture had an incrediable howl. I ditched it the following year as the wife hated it. I always thought a 1" acrtic cat quiet track hacksaw would be the ticket but at the time it was not available in a 144". My better half seldom rides so I traded it on the Rage I then installed a hacksaw type ice ripper and found it a fair bit better. But without the wife I was riding faster. Now to loose 85% of the sound I choose to listen to music as I ride. Now, I really don't give a rats arse about the "noises". As long as the sled works like I want it to then I ride on. So yes Rockmiester has a fix, he's got trail jams for ya!!

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Back in '05 the 2up Venture had an incrediable howl. I ditched it the following year as the wife hated it. I always thought a 1" acrtic cat quiet track hacksaw would be the ticket but at the time it was not available in a 144". My better half seldom rides so I traded it on the Rage I then installed a hacksaw type ice ripper and found it a fair bit better. But without the wife I was riding faster. Now to loose 85% of the sound I choose to listen to music as I ride. Now, I really don't give a rats arse about the "noises". As long as it works like I want it to then ride on. So yes Rockmiester has a fix, he's got trail jams for ya!!

Nope....music is not the answer.

When one can't get rid of the howl using earplugs that means it not really a sound, it's a vibration. I can feel the "howl" in my jaws so it's a resonance (vibration). When a Vector/Apex/RX1 goes by me, I don't hear the howl, I hear the exhaust. When I'm on the sled what I mainly hear is the wind and to a lesser degree, the exhaust tone. I FEEL the howl.

 

[scott32]

Maybe your the guy that needs a performance dampener. I don't want my performance dampened (LOL) but for you it might be the difference your looking to feel????????????

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Maybe your the guy that needs a performance dampener. I don't want my performance dampened (LOL) but for you it might be the difference your looking to feel????????????

Sorry.....already have them on my sled. The Yamaha track howl issue has been around for a longgggg time.

 

[wavemaster]

Has it always done it?
Did it start getting worse gradually?
Did it start after an event?

Without changing anything major;

Is your track tension right?

Is your main drive bearing lubed/smooth

Is your track fully clipped? Fully clip it and then see if the noise/vibration is reduced or moved to a new speed.

If it was 1300 clean miles, the track and drives should still be in sweet shape, however if it was 1300 hard miles you could check those as well. Missing lugs or damaged drives will cause vibrations.

The new "Performance Dampers" from Yamaha will help battle this exact thing. Harmonics at certain frequencies like this will be reduced by the micro dampening. No idea if they will ever use them on the rails/driveline though.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Has it always done it?
Did it start getting worse gradually?
Did it start after an event?

Without changing anything major;

Is your track tension right?

Is your main drive bearing lubed/smooth

Is your track fully clipped? Fully clip it and then see if the noise/vibration is reduced or moved to a new speed.

If it was 1300 clean miles, the track and drives should still be in sweet shape, however if it was 1300 hard miles you could check those as well. Missing lugs or damaged drives will cause vibrations.

The new "Performance Dampers" from Yamaha will help battle this exact thing. Harmonics at certain frequencies like this will be reduced by the micro dampening. No idea if they will ever use them on the rails/driveline though.

Answers to your questions:

Yes, right from mile 1.
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes track is fully clipped stock
1300 clean miles
I already have Performance Dampeners on my sled. It was a Yamaha dealer demo sled.

As I said before, this is the same track "howl" (resonance) that many have mentioned on the Yamaha 4 strokes for years. I have it on my 2005 Vector and want to do SOMETHING to reduce or eliminate the resonance.

 

[scott32]

Sorry.....already have them on my sled. The Yamaha track howl issue has been around for a longgggg time.

Track howl isn't just a Yammi thing either. I guess those dampeners don't do their job worth #*$&@. All the hype and video of less vibrations and better chassis harmonics. This driveline vibration is travelling through the chassis. Like i said before, the best I could get was the 1' hacksaw quiet track. I'm sure the density of the trail has a large impact on this also, so lesser lug is the my best recommendation. hope you find what your looking for, good luck and cheers.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Track howl isn't just a Yammi thing either. This driveline vibration is travelling through the chassis.

I know it's not just a Yamaha thing but it's BY FAR the worst of the 4 brands of sleds. It's not the quiet motor, it's not that the exhaust exits out the back. I have read about single ply tracks maybe helping? The Ripsaw having to make such a tight turn in the back?

I dunno......I'm just looking for help!

 

[MikeWalters]

What materials did you use on the tunnel specifically

And are you able to ride with the plastics off and just put your hand on the tunnel when it howling at its worst? (too see if the tunnel or tunnel area IS in fact resonating)

 

[DGZRT]

I will have to ride my brothers Ski Doo 1200 next week and listen for track howl to see if it's any better. That would compare a different suspension with different Idler wheels and a single ply track. It would give you some idea if it's in the suspension or in the track.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

Jim,

I saw a post recently that got me thinking... It was questioned (not proven mind you) if the resonance, howling, drone... might be worse within certain helmets. This sounded interesting and I wonder if there might be something here to look into?

Have you been using the same helmet throughout your attempts to eliminate the annoyance?

 

[MikeWalters]

Jim,

I saw a post recently that got me thinking... It was questioned (not proven mind you) if the resonance, howling, drone... might be worse within certain helmets. This sounded interesting and I wonder if there might be something here to look into?

Have you been using the same helmet throughout your attempts to eliminate the annoyance?

I get a drone at about 9000rpm with my sled and it goes away when I flip my visor up on my modular helmet. I think you have a good point there.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

What materials did you use on the tunnel specifically

And are you able to ride with the plastics off and just put your hand on the tunnel when it howling at its worst? (too see if the tunnel or tunnel area IS in fact resonating)

3-4 different types of foam. Plastic, wood and aluminum strips. Glued or bolted on. When you say "plastics off" do you mean the front covers?

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I will have to ride my brothers Ski Doo 1200 next week and listen for track howl to see if it's any better. That would compare a different suspension with different Idler wheels and a single ply track. It would give you some idea if it's in the suspension or in the track.

13 Doo GSX with the 1200 didn't doo it when I rode it last year. Cat Z1 didn't do it either. Polaris Switchback = nope

EDIT - when I put the M10 in the 05 it got a little better. When I put the Quiet Track on it got a little better.