Yamaha Flotation Plate on 2011 Nytro does not fit

[rock doc]

I have heard about the icing problems with this flotation plate, but it looks like Yamaha has updated their template and hopefully it will address the issue. Mine came with a cutout already in it and overall it seems to be well contoured to adds protection to belly pan and side panels. Some of the local riders are using them with good success.

The problem is with the the mounting brackets that go on the frame. My 2011 xtx seems to have a lot of gussets and bracing that must not be present on older models. There is no place to install a round bracket on the frame in the front. So far I only have the 4 brackets on the stock bumper installed, but really want to mount the plate well so it does not come off. Any ideas on how to strengthen the mounting system? I definitely do not want it to pull them metal tabs off that hold the stock skid plate in place.

 

[nitris223]

Take some pictures of what you are talking about so we can see the problem. Wife's 2011 had a float plate and I just installed in on a 2009 XTX with no problems.

 

[rock doc]

On the road until Thursday. Will post a few when I get back. I see that others have installed the brackets on newer models. There is a plate with a hole cut in the center that reinforces the frame that is impeding the bracket on mine - perhaps their is a gap I could not see in the lousy lighting in my garage. I know a few folks on here went to the hardware store to make better mounts as this plate is susceptible to failure due to icing. Not sure what the ended up suing though.

 

[nitris223]

The one that was on the wife's sled was held on with the 4 regular skid bolts and in the front the guy had rubber type hose clamps that went around the front bumper. Off hand I can't remember the correct name of them but they are used on pipe and both holes line up so a bolt can be put through them. I will see if I can get a picture of them tomorrow.

 

[ViperTurboPete]

Nitris...when are you going mod out your wife's sled a little more? Afraid she is going to beat you??

 

[nitris223]

Nitris...when are you going mod out your wife's sled a little more? Afraid she is going to beat you??

She kicks my a$$ now at times. I swear that sled is a little sleeper. I think it got broke in the right way, WOT off the bat. She has a super Q pipe and a Hauk fuel controller and that 153 hangs right next to me on my 162 with a full Hindle exhaust. On a good flat trail I can pull away slowly but I have a extra 100 pounds on her. The only other difference is our helix numbers are different. I think she has a 43 and I have a 45 or vise versa. Also she has a 20 tooth top gear and I have a 19. Tried a 20 tooth in mine and lost 10 mph. Go figure.

Out this past weekend and she was riding through the rough stuff faster then me and I asked her how the hell she was doing it and her response was that she could see better with the HID lights. We both have the same lights. I did take a hard jolt to the back earlier in the day from a deep hole in the trail that I planted right into the bottom while standing and it made me sit down on the seat, so I wasn't feeling the best. I gave up trying to tell her to slow down a bit, she just squeezes the throttle harder and flips me the bird.
It's awesome how she rides the Nytro but I would hate to see her get hurt and miss the rest of the season. I would hate to see her on a super or turbo charged sled.

I think I might give Ulmer a call and order up a clutch kit.

 

[nitris223]

Here is a picture of the float plate mounting to the front bumper. Not sure if this is a Skinz or Yamaha float plate. Came with the wife's sled and is now on the neighbors sled.

 

[rock doc]

Here are a few pics of the bracing that is in the way of the stock mounting brackets for the plate.

 

[rock doc]

Close up and pic of bracket that goes around the tubular frame. This bracket will not go around the flange. The hole in the plate is where it is supposed to be mounted.

 

[rock doc]

Here is a picture of the float plate mounting to the front bumper. Not sure if this is a Skinz or Yamaha float plate. Came with the wife's sled and is now on the neighbors sled.

Thank-you for the pictures nitris223. According to the installation instructions there is supposed to be another set of brackets installed down lower on the frame underneath the a-arms on the black tubing on my sled. These brackets keep the belly from sagging. Perhaps they are not needed, but I've heard of some pretty serious icing in this area, which can sheer the brackets off. I installed the 4 brackets that attach the plate to the stock bumper.

 

[nitris223]

The wife's sled never had any in that place you are showing or even a hole in the skid plate and her sled is a 2011. No way it would even fit on any sled I have seen unless a 2008 never had that plate in there. Mine are welded closed with plates like the grizz gussets to beef up the sub frame. Only other place I can think of that might have clearance is where the sub frame starts to widen but I don't think you could get at it with the side and belly plastic on. I also don't have those aluminum crush nuts , I replaced them with steel u-nuts, but we run the aluminum skid plates that I made like mountaintech skids, and the long plastic nytro skid plate.

Here is a picture of that area welded up and a picture of a bare sub frame upside down to give you a idea what is there.

 

[nitris223]

The skid plate we have has no hole in the bottom , unless the guy didn't cut them out. Never had any freezing issues but our sleds get melted down every night so I can't really say if it would cause a issue or not.

 

[rock doc]

Wow! thank-you for taking the time to post those pictures nitris223. Sure doesn't look like there is room in there for the brackets that came with the yammi float plate. I am a little surprised as I expect more from yammi when it comes to fit and finish. Normally their stuff fits pretty nicely. I was considering running some cable ties through the holes to support the plate, but I doubt I can find any that would be strong enough for that purpose. In any event, the brackets are not going to work.


Thanks again!! This site is soo helpful. I should have searched the forum before I bought the darn thing. Seems to be a lot of folks on here that recommend against them. However, I know of one person locally who runs this float plate and he is happy with the added floatation and he hasn't steered me wrong yet!

 

[nitris223]

We ran it all last year and we had great snow. It did build up with a bit of ice around the a-arms but nothing serious and never affected the riding at all. We usually put in 120 miles a day trail and off trail. Only reason we took it off is because she did a decal kit and wanted a white skid plate. Other then that it would have stayed on. There is a post somewhere where guys have trimmed them around the a-arms for more clearance and less ice. That's another option but it kind of sucks cutting up a new skid plate.

 

[nitris223]

Rock Doc sent you a PM.