Yamaha has decided its time to play rough for 2009, so its Nytro is getting nasty for rough-trail riders!
The engineers' aim was to create a hardcore snowmobile that's better on AND off trail, while keeping its reliability, and improving its comfort. Tall order!
But Yamaha thinks its FX Nytro XTX is just the ticket, and early
AmSnow test rides confirm this crossover with a 144-inch track is a winner. That track makes it the longest currently in the crossover market, but it's tipped up 6 degrees at 121 inches so it rides like a short-track snowmobile. This is not the first sled to come with this technology, but it's clever, and it works!
Yamaha says the XTX's longer track and bigger footprint, plus a shallower track approach angle and tweaks to the rear suspension, make the XTX more efficient and should make it about 1.5 mph faster than the 2008 Nytros. Naturally, we haven't been able to test that yet, but our long-term tester, the 2008 FX Nytro, did a 96 mph top speed in our recent Real World testing. So, the new Nytro should really 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. There's also a recalibrated front end that shows a vast improvement in cornering and controllability in stutter bumps.
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 longer trail to it. Plus, the A-arms are shorter and there are new tie-rods. You get stability and more predictable handling as a result.
The FX Nytro RTX also gets the front suspension changes, and Yamaha offers a Spring Special Edition Nytro RTX SE in blue and white with white handguards to mimic its race sled's appearance.
Yamaha adds race-tested Fox Float X shocks (worth $1,400 says Yamaha) to further its handling abilities and also includes that lighter, narrower tunnel with more aggressive boot grips, new front-end tuning and all the other improvements that other Nytros feature this year. There's also an upgraded Dual Shock Pro rear suspension with reinforced arms and rails, plus a Soqi 46mm rear shock with fully adjustable rebound. (Yamaha says this is worth $700.)
The Spring-only SE is available March 13-April 15 only.
Yamaha also announced its Spring Power Surge Plan will offer $600 in free accessories to buyers, plus an industry leading 4-year total machine warranty for U.S. buyers only. A fifth year also can be added for $100!
Also, look for a new RS Venture GT, the ultimate cruiser for two-up riders. It features a huge windshield and better, taller seating position that's easier on the legs. It also has a general rider-forward position and taller bars that make it more comfortable. That's because it rides in the Deltabox II chassis, same as the Apex.
Other improvements include a new generation 120 Mikuni fuel-injected 1050cc 3-cylinder engine that's 2.2 lbs. lighter than last year's. There's a new stator plug to boost the electrical juice, and the engine offers better torque, especially at the low end, a real benefit on a two-up. Fuel economy also is predicted to improve 5%, while horsepower increases by 6 ponies.
Premium members can see the full 2009 Yamaha product lineup here.