2009 Nitro vs 2010

[Bob the Builder]

Considering purchasing a left over 2009 Nitro 162, pretty smokin deal I think...$8,400 + -. Looking at the price of a 2010 $12,500 +-. I would like input as to the significant differences. If I make modifications...ie: Timbersled skid, fox shocks, etc. will I get similar results? Seems like in the end I will have just as much $$$ into the 09.
I am one of the Polaris bunch that has been loyal for 20 + years....looking for a more dependable sled, I hear + and - about the change and can honestly say I have never riden a Yamaha but riding buddies I have say they like their Yamaha sleds. My issues are weight but honestly considering apples to apples, lets say on a 100 mile ride, with what you pack on a 2 stroke, fuel 2.5 gallons 30lbs, and add a starter, battery (true apples to apples) is the wet weight that much different?
My next issue is horsepower, my sled with mods is slightly above 160 hp, advertised hp for the Yamaha is 130 hp, what can I expect with this difference in hp?
I am really looking for positive input not making judgement of either sled.
Thanks

 

[Hrt Offroad]

Considering purchasing a left over 2009 Nitro 162, pretty smokin deal I think...$8,400 + -. Looking at the price of a 2010 $12,500 +-. I would like input as to the significant differences. If I make modifications...ie: Timbersled skid, fox shocks, etc. will I get similar results? Seems like in the end I will have just as much $$$ into the 09.
I am one of the Polaris bunch that has been loyal for 20 + years....looking for a more dependable sled, I hear + and - about the change and can honestly say I have never riden a Yamaha but riding buddies I have say they like their Yamaha sleds. My issues are weight but honestly considering apples to apples, lets say on a 100 mile ride, with what you pack on a 2 stroke, fuel 2.5 gallons 30lbs, and add a starter, battery (true apples to apples) is the wet weight that much different?
My next issue is horsepower, my sled with mods is slightly above 160 hp, advertised hp for the Yamaha is 130 hp, what can I expect with this difference in hp?
I am really looking for positive input not making judgement of either sled.
Thanks

I never knew that they had a 162 Nytro in '09

 

[Bob the Builder]

My bad....your right, guess my comparision just got more expensive! Any other input?

 

[motojunkie101]

for 2009 they still were 153" crap camoplast maverick tracks...That being said, you can pick up the holdover for 8400, put roughly 2200 into it and have a sled that will perform better than a 2010, and come out about 2k ahead. The 2010 sleds have a better approach angle, supposed stiffer track, and lost about 20lbs...all of which you make up for and then some with a timbersled mtn tamer.

On the 09 if you swap the track for a power claw or challenger extreme, and put a timbersled on it you'll absolutely love it! The stock suspension was bottoming going over 8 inch bumps (I weigh about 240-250 geared up). In revelstoke I was doing 40mph through 12-18 inch bumps with absolutely no problems after i put the mtn tamer under it. while climbing it stays planted and I can out climb the 700's I was riding with, but cant quite make the marks of the 800s. Talk to JW SNOW on here, he got me a smokin deal on my mtn tamer and 162" ice age rails

The issue of weight...you can cut a lot of weight off this sled pretty easy...38lbs on the rear suspension alone, replace the battery and exhaust and you are down close to 50 pounds. When you ride this sled you really can not tell that its heavy, its very well balanced and carves like a DREAM. There is a slight learning curve on its balance point but is a blast once you've put a few miles on it.

As far as going 100 miles you'll have to pack extra fuel since around 60 miles is all you are going to get on the 7 gallon tank. The issue with this is the exhaust pipe will melt any fuel can you strap on the rear...the solution is a turnout on the pipe or an undertunnel setup. I believe there is also a trail tank available as well.

yamaha claims 130HP, but the Nytros that have been dyno'd show up to 138HP on stock sleds. That is shy of 160 for sure, but the Nytro has a ton of grunt down low that makes the sled a kick to ride. You can cruise around at half throttle and have plenty of snap when you stab the flipper.

Overall I absolutely LOVE my sled for boondocking and climbing. On the trail it feels a little tippy in the corners, but I didn't buy this thing to ride the flatlands

 

[adrenaline junkey]

The 162 wasn't available til 2010 unless the dealer installed it. If your considering a 2009 why not go 2008 and save even more. Ive seen them for 6700 in the crate. I think your going to be some what unhappy going down in hp numbers. But with the mods your have looked at i think it would be better than a 2010 nytro

 

[Swelly]

If it were me, I would buy the 09. Then Timbersled, Change the track, and like motojunkie said, you would be money ahead. Even enough left to lighten the front, and consider iceage rails. I bought a 09 late in the season and love it. Yea the track sucks, but that can be fixed. I got a similar deal, maybe a hair better. Still not a bad deal for you though. My track will get changed this fall, still undecided on the skid. Will make a choice. One thing I am thinking, is waiting to see if the floats from the 2010 Se in the skid will work, then I might try that, with the iceage rails. And look into a trail tank for 10+ gallons of fuel. Your 2 stroke pals will start hating you, cause you do not need to carry fuel. They start asking at the end of the day to siphon some out for them.

My dealer even told me that the price I paid was not worth waiting for a 2010.

One thing to remember, they are all heavy when stuck. I ride with New IQ's and they seem to be just as heavy when stuck.

A Yamaha factory guy told me, Ride it, don't carry it. And when you tell you buddies that one, they stop and think. Then ask to ride yours.

Good luck in your decision. Once you come to the dark side, you will love it.

Also check out TY4stroke. Great Yamaha forum, loads of info and a bunch of nice folks.

 

[Hrt Offroad]

Don't forget that if you do a 162" on the '09 that you'll need a tunnel extension or something! It all starts to add up pretty fast...

 

[sledheadd]

Don't forget that if you do a 162" on the '09 that you'll need a tunnel extension or something! It all starts to add up pretty fast...

Am I missing something or is the 09 different then the 08 ?
I ran a 162 for almost 2 seasons with no extension and no problems.

 

[Bob the Builder]

Thanks for the input...I recognize the up and down sides, cost, hp, etc. seems like the 09 would be the best alternative and do as much weight reduction as possible. I like the comment about riding the sled vs carrying it, makes perfect sense. I would like to think that a person my age (51) would be re thinking climbing and attempting Himarking a hill that some 30 and 40 year olds would attempt (keep in mind I still give them a run for their money), possilbly not hucking the cornice either, age brings wisdom in most cases (wish my wisdom kicked in this season when I broke my leg!!!!) #1 on my list is dependability, #2 is handling, #3 is weight and #4 is horsepower.
I will be moving to the dark side....funny that I was told this 3 years ago when I went to a Dodge w/Cummins from a Ford Power Stroke...I have no regrets.

 

[Hardass]

So do the 2010s have such a good track and suspension that you do not need to change them like the 09s?

 

[mattymac]

not trying to hyjack this thread but what about the diffrences between the 08's and 09's?

Just like adreniline junky said, I to have seen some brand new in the crate 08's for dirt cheap! How much diffrence is there between those model years?

 

[ruffryder]

The 09's got better front ball joint bushings, different colors, and better rear shocks (compression adjust rear, aluminum center).

That is all that I know of..

 

[ruffryder]

Am I missing something or is the 09 different then the 08 ?
I ran a 162 for almost 2 seasons with no extension and no problems.

There was not a 162 version for 08 or 09. You are talking tunnel extensions not rail extensions?

 

[mattymac]

The 09's got better front ball joint bushings, different colors, and better rear shocks (compression adjust rear, aluminum center).

That is all that I know of..

What about the whole subframe thing? Didnt that get addressed in 09? Did Yamaha do anything to fix the 08's?

 

[ruffryder]

What about the whole subframe thing? Didnt that get addressed in 09? Did Yamaha do anything to fix the 08's?

Crap... you are right, I think they put in a plate on the bottom of it to try and make it a little stronger..

 

[MarinePowerSports]

2009 upgrades from 2008

upgrades from 2008 to 2009 MTX are:

1) Front shocks have different valving and springs to stiffen front end
2) Rear shocks were upgraded with resi clickers
3) Subframe has gusset stiffeners
4) lower a-arm bushings were upgraded (recall on the 2008's)

2010 MTX Se have XTX front end geometry (a-arms and spindles)

My sugestion would be to get the 2009, add a steering relocation kit, set suspension on stiff side, ride for a while and then upgrade as desired

Latest action pic attached

 

[AkHockey10]

If your considering a 2009 why not go 2008 and save even more. Ive seen them for 6700 in the crate.

Wow! put my name down on one!