AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Lets start at the top. The new Genesis 130 FI powered MTX SE was stretched to a 162-inch length from a 153-incher and received the new-last-year FXG2 front end to "slow the steering down." This front end has all the updates we saw last year, including a relaxed (increased) castor angle, new ski mounting rubber, increased trail, new spindle, new A-arms, new tie-rods and more.
MTX SE's front end eliminates the sway bar as well, dropping 3.5 lbs. It also comes with new Fox Float 2 shocks, which have more maximum air volume, a specifically tuned negative spring, and high-flow aluminum piston. The Float 2s are said to provide flatter cornering and more plushness through the initial shock stroke. They also shave an additional 3 lbs. off the front end and provide better stability when climbing through rutted out off-camber areas.
Under the MTX SE is a new Pro Mountain Air rear suspension. This skid was developed in a partnership with Fox and features a Fox Float 2 center shock and Float 2XV rear shock with extra air cylinder, as well as a lightweight, machined out rail. The rail and the skid's mounting also combine to give the sled a shallower approach angle, just 18 degrees, down from 24 degrees.
The suspension also is semi-coupled from the rear to center and there are new lightweight wheels with replaceable bearings as well. These bearings reduce the cost of routine maintenance and the wheels simply look cool with their spoked design. Ice scratchers, mounted on the front of the rail, also will be standard on the SE.
Additionally, the new rear skid eliminates the torsion springs and their mounting hardware, control rods, and more. All told, this new, more versatile and longer rear skid lost 13.5 lbs. compared to the former 153-incher. In its own testing, Yamaha says the SE out climbs the 2009 Nytro MTX by 8-10 sled lengths and will out climb the horsier, but heavier Apex MTX by 2-4 sled lengths.
There's more to like too. The SE has big slashes on the running boards for easy snow evacuation and the tunnel angle changes from 9 to 11 degrees of tip. Churning the snow is a new single-ply 2.25-inch lugged, 3-inch pitched, Camoplast track with a new durometer and new clip design.
The new MTX SE should not have the "trenching" issues the Nytro MTX had in the past and it should have increased track speed that will get the sled up on plane in the powder more easily. Yamaha says the new sled also will sidehill more easily and not have hang-ups on the boards like the old sled did.
Overall the longer 2010 162-inch MTX SE is said to be 17 lbs. lighter than last year's 153-incher and the 2010 153-inch MTX SE with the new Fox Floats up front and Fox Float rear skid will be 21 lbs. lighter than the standard 2009 MTX. The new 153-incher also getting all the suspension and handling upgrades of the SE.