ZX-2 performance review - bolt torking procedures

[Grimm]

My front 2 inner idlers are crumbling apart at the edges too! I've got over 2000km in and am running studs.

 

[stoutner]

The ones that are going bad on mine are the 4 outer bottom wheels. Inner wheels, top wheels, and rear wheels are fine. I think it was the 80 miles with the revolver bolt missing.

I assume the 120mm and 135mm wheels are common sizes?

 

[rxrider]

Have been running with this setup for a while now.
Revolver: 1-4
Limiter straps: 1-3 (stock)
Preload: 5

This set up is softer over the small bumps compared the same setup except preload at 4. ZX2 is better in the small bumps with more preload, gonna keep it like this.

If I do any more adjustments it will be trying the preload at 6 to what's happening.

Bolts have not come out, but they go down very minor from the tork spec. I check them every now and then, nothing to worry about.

 

[STAIN]

I have been running mine at revolver 1/4 and preload at 1. I can't run my preload any higher because the rebound is unacceptable. I will try to get someone to revalve as soon as possible or will sell or trade this skid for an Attack skid. This skid is just to stiff for groomed trail riding for someone my weight. Yes this thing gobbles up hugh bumps and g-outs but it's the trail chatter that that I want it to be better in. For my conditions [ 280 miles last 2 days --groomed trail] it's just not cutting it. The Attack I rode today was hands down a better trail skid. I believe this skid is tougher and hyfax wear is better than my mono but the ride so far is not.

 

[rxrider]

I will talk to Jeff about a revalve. I totally agree about the rebound dampening, unacceptable. I can live with it for the remainder of the season, it's not a big problem.

My take is that the shocks are valved to soft on the rebound and that it should be revalved for free, me only covering transportation cost, just a thought. Will contact ADBoivin about this when season is over, cannot affort any down time this time of the year.

 

[Shane]

Stutter bumps is not where this skid shines. I agree a re-valve will help alot. The rebound can definitely be brutal. I rode a brand new REV-XP 800 today for 35 miles and it is stiff as a brick!

 

[mdkuni]

I have been running mine at revolver 1/4 and preload at 1. I can't run my preload any higher because the rebound is unacceptable. I will try to get someone to revalve as soon as possible or will sell or trade this skid for an Attack skid. This skid is just to stiff for groomed trail riding for someone my weight. Yes this thing gobbles up hugh bumps and g-outs but it's the trail chatter that that I want it to be better in. For my conditions [ 280 miles last 2 days --groomed trail] it's just not cutting it. The Attack I rode today was hands down a better trail skid. I believe this skid is tougher and hyfax wear is better than my mono but the ride so far is not.

I am curious as to how much you weigh? I am at about 175 with gear and I run my preload at five. If I get down into the three range I get bucked pretty good. At five I do not get bucked at all. Still with that being said I will send out for a revalve at the end of the year (they will need to be rebuilt so there is no point in not having then revalved at the same time). I think this skid has the potential to run much smoother after a revalve. I still managed to bottom out the skid with the preload at 5.

 

[STAIN]

I go 210. If I run my preload a 5 the rebound will kick me off the seat. I have only bottomed this skid a handful of times even on preload 1

 

[mdkuni]

Have you tried 6 or 7. I found I needed to go higher then suggested to make the ride better. Might be worth trying as it only tasks a minute to test. I can't believe you are not getting beat to all heck riding at a preload of 1, you have got to be sitting in the firm part of the stroke all of the time.

 

[Shane]

I have been running mine at revolver 1/4 and preload at 1. I can't run my preload any higher because the rebound is unacceptable. I will try to get someone to revalve as soon as possible or will sell or trade this skid for an Attack skid. This skid is just to stiff for groomed trail riding for someone my weight. Yes this thing gobbles up hugh bumps and g-outs but it's the trail chatter that that I want it to be better in. For my conditions [ 280 miles last 2 days --groomed trail] it's just not cutting it. The Attack I rode today was hands down a better trail skid. I believe this skid is tougher and hyfax wear is better than my mono but the ride so far is not.

I am curious as to how much you weigh? I am at about 175 with gear and I run my preload at five. If I get down into the three range I get bucked pretty good. At five I do not get bucked at all. Still with that being said I will send out for a revalve at the end of the year (they will need to be rebuilt so there is no point in not having then revalved at the same time). I think this skid has the potential to run much smoother after a revalve. I still managed to bottom out the skid with the preload at 5.

I have been getting hit with rebound in the #*$&@ a lot. I weigh 230 in street clothes and find that the stutters are a bit more harsh than I expected they would be. I guess I will go up in Pre-Load. Been running at the 3, 4, & 5 settings. Guess I need to 6. Thanks!

 

[kinger]

I'm still at 4 and it does the same thing on the stutter bumps, maybe I'll just crank it all the way up and see what happens then at least I can calibrate my azz to the range of adjustment and find a happy medium from there.

 

[rxrider]

I have tried the preload at 6, way to stiff even in the largest moguls. The lack of rebound dampening became an issue, not good. I backed the preload off to 4, will give it a try and If I'm not happy with it at 4 I will return to 5.

The ZX-2 does hold snow, but only when the snow is soft and wet.

On cold days snow will not stick to the ZX-2.

 

[rxrider]

Overall I'm happy with the skid. It has a few to improve on. It need more rebound dampening to help keep the rear of the skid on the ground in the rough stuff. Compression dampening and spring combo works well.

The left side front tork arm bolt keep backing out. The last two times I have checked it, a few hundred miles apart, it took 1 turn to reach 50 FtLb or 68 Nm. Last night it took 1/2-3/4 turn to reach tork. I backed the bolt out and added lots of red loctite and torked to spec. This is the only bolt that is coming loose in my skid. The bolt was completely clean when I took it out, I hope the added loctite will hold it in place.

 

[rxrider]

I was out riding today, I rode 220+ kms or 136+ miles. I'm totally worn out :-(

I'm not satisfied with the spring shock combo as delivered. IMO the compression dampening is too firm which explains why some cannot get it to ride plush enough even on the softest spring setting. It will not bottom out tho :-(
I have 2200+ kms or 1350+ miles on it by now.


Yesterday I got email back from Denis Boivin on how to adjust rebound dampening, nice. I also got the G-Force shock rebuild manual

To be honest, my new '08 Apex RTX rides way better than my '03 RX-1 with a 136" ZX-2. Yamaha did something very right with the Apex RTX

My '03 RX-1 turbo sled is now up for sale!

 

[SnoWarrior]

rxrider, did you get the G-Force shock rebuild manual from Dennis?
If so, did he email it or did you have to purchase it?
I am interested as I have almost 3000 miles on the skid and want to service the shocks during the off season.
BTW Great post on your rebuild.