sixes in the ditches

AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com

Yamaha Nytro
Looking like it was custom made for the ditches, the Nytro is one of several image-changing machines from Yamaha this season. Rough trail performance add-ons, stylish graphics and a new demeanor should have a totally new group of riders looking at Yamahas.

The Nytro has a higher and farther forward seating position than the Vector with basically the same Deltabox chassis. Taller, re-located hooked handlebars pull the rider 3.5 inches up and farther forward. The redesigned seat also puts the rider 2 inches higher and 4.25 inches further forward.

The underside of this new Yamaha wasn't neglected, as it features a ProActive CK rear suspension with HPG 20-click adjustable remote reservoir rear shock. Tuning the compression dampening for your own riding style is easy enough and with 11.5 inches of travel, you shouldn't have any problems in behemoth bumps.

Up front the Nytro was given air pump adjustable Fox Float shocks like those mentioned earlier on the F-6 Sno Pro. AmSnow riders were big fans of these shocks and they work well on both the Nytro, and F-6.

In addition to Nytro's performance aspects, it's also a comfortable ride. Standard electric start w/optional reverse makes riding a little more enjoyable. The sled also comes with wider running boards and handguards, both major pluses.

Sled Sentiment

This is not your grandfather's sled, and Yamaha definitely has the most improved sled in this class. Although it has all the benefits of Yamaha's smooth-running 4-stroke, it does not look or act like a tourist machine. Clutching and gearing give the Nytro great out-of-the-gate power and it's especially strong between 20 and 50 mph, where much of the ditchbanging fun takes place. Power is right at the upper-lower and lower-middle rpm range. The ripsaw track, combined with the sled's excellent balance, make it easier to move around off-trail than many of its brethren.

Note, you won't beat many sleds on the lake with the Nytro. It isn't designed for top-end speed and you can really feel the difference in gearing for low-end torque on the Nytro vs. the continual pull of its cousin, the Vector.

To end, the Nytro is not a Snocross machine, and although it works well in bumps it's not a 440-type race sled. Also, the 973cc Nytro still weighs in heavier than the rest of the 120-hp class at 533 lbs. Nevertheless, even our 110-lb. test rider felt more comfortable on it than any other sled in this group. In fact, most of us felt great on the Nytro.