AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
Lets start with what we've said is the most improved sled in the entire mountain market for 2010, the Nytro MTX SE. Yamaha went through the MTX and came up with changes that transformed the MTX from an average mountain sled into a very capable MTX SE. Although it looks similar to the '08 and '09 Nytro MTX, this sled is significantly different and better than the machine it replaces. The sum of all the small improvements results in an impressive upgrade.
Starting at the front, the Nytro MTX SE gets the improved FXG2 front suspension that was launched on the crossover XTX last year. The new front-end is 1.5 inches wider than the previous front-end and comes with Fox Float 2 shocks and no sway bar. The changes make the Nytro much more stable on the trail and, even though the sled is wider, the lack of a sway bar makes it easier to sidehill.
The Nytro also has a new tunnel that is tipped up 11 degrees as opposed to the previous 9 degrees. The tunnel has much improved running boards that offer better traction and are less prone to filling up with ice and snow. The boards taper off quicker and do not extend all the way to the rear bumper like before. This makes a huge difference in the deep snow because the old Nytro had a tendency to get hung up on the running boards and the track would wash out. The new sled stays up and out of the snow, improving the machine's snowmobility.
The Nytro MTX SE also gets an all-new ProMountain Air Suspension that uses two Fox Float air shocks. This new skid saves 11 lbs. and improves the approach angle of the track from 24 degrees to 18 degrees. To top it all off, there is a new Camoplast Mountain Light track with a stiffer durometer rubber, available in either 153- or 162-in. lengths. All in all, the MTX SE is 21 lbs. lighter than the 2009 sled. The standard Nytro MTX model also gets the new 11-degree tunnel but not the new front or rear suspension like the SE.
All our test riders were impressed with the new Nytro MTX SE, the changes allow the machine to climb about 4-5 sled lengths higher on the mountain than the previous 153 model, a huge difference. While the Nytro still doesn't quite have the ponies to compete with the 800 2-strokes in the mountains it will hold its own against any 600, and with an aftermarket turbo or supercharger it will beat almost any other machine on the hill.