yamaha expands nytro lineup for 2009
Amsnow
Yamaha is playing rough for 2009 with a new crossover version of its popular 130-horsepower Nytro.
The company says its engineers' aim was to create a kick-butt snowmobile that's better on AND off trail, keeps its reliability and improves its comfort. Tall order!
The solution - the 2009 FX Nytro XTX.
What makes it special, and early AmSnow test rides confirm this one is a winner, is its 144-inch track. But there's a twist. The track, the longest currently in the crossover market, is tipped up 6 degrees at 121 inches, so it rides like a short-track snowmobile. Clever, and it works!
That longer track helps it bridge bumps better and the 144-inch length creates better flotation on deep snow. Again, the point is being able to take it off-trail for more fun, while still enjoying a great trail ride. We tested it on some of the bumpiest trails we've ridden all season, and the XTX performed well.
Yamaha goes further though. It has tweaks in the track approach angle and rear suspension which give it 1.5 mph more on top end than the 2008 Nytros. Naturally, we haven't been able to test that yet, but our dyno test put the original at 138.6 hp and our long-term tester did 96 mph top speed in our recent Real World testing. So, Nytro will scoot.
Additionally, there's an improved rear suspension with 40mm aluminum HPG shocks with the fully coupled rear suspension with adjuster block and tri-cam preload adjuster. Again, the aim is better ride. Adding more grip is a new RipSaw track with 1.25-inch lugs to boost you in the deep stuff.
Up front is a recalibrated suspension that vastly improves cornering. We likened our test to going from solid luxury sedan steering to BMW precision. The XTX corners flat and easy with much less bump-steer twitchiness compared to the previous model. It's a leap.
To accomplish this, Yamaha made 10 changes to the front suspension's geometry. Its engineers relaxed the caster 4 degrees and added a new spindle with slightly longer trail to it. Plus, the A-arms are shorter, there are new tie-rods and the rubber that sits between the skis and the saddle has been changed. Think of it as the cartilidge in your knee. You get stability and more predictable handling as a result.
Other changes on the XTX include a narrower 11-degree tunnel and steeper running boards with better snow evacuation holes and grip. The XTX will come in standard Yamaha blue and white and in a new white and silver combo that's quite sharp.
The XTX isn't the only thing new for 2009, but if we told you more we'd have to shoot you! Watch for the full Yamaha line reveal in the next 6 weeks, both on this Web site, and in the Spring 2008 issue that hits mailboxes in mid-March and newsstands shortly thereafter.