thinking about making the jump next season

[trplxj]

I'm thinking real hard about going to a 4 stroke next season......but, I'm just not 100% convinced that I should. So I'm looking for some advice on what 4 stroke will best fit me and my riding style. I ride in Utah at 7,000 to about 9,500 feet maybe a little higher or lower depending on where I go. I'm about 6 feet tall and 170 lbs. I like to spend as much time off the trail boondocking through the trees and up and over the hills as I can. I really could care less about high marking and sitting at the bottom of the same hill all day long. So I want a easy to handle, lite (could be a problem here) sled with the power there when I need it. My first thought was a phazer, but after some reading it sounds like they don't do so well in the deep powder, and are a little under powered. So now I'm thinking a nytro. Would a Nytro work for me? I curently ride a 2000 Arctic Cat power special, so naturally the nytro is going to have more power and likely better performance. Also would you recomend boosting a sled that spends most of it's time boondocking? I really like the idea of 200+ ponies at the tip of my thumb to get me up and out of the nasty little spot that I just got into. I already know that I will need to ditch the rear suspension in favor or a timbersled set up, and probably the front as well.

I guess what I'm really asking for is help making the decision to go to a 4 stroke. I'm about 99% of the way there I just need that extra little push to spend the extra cash over buying a M7 or a Snowhawk. And if someone in Northern Utah has a 4 stroke that you would let me ride for a minute or two that would help a bunch.

Thanks for the help.

 

[apache]

I hope this helps. I bought a turbo apex 1 year a go. I put 3000km since.
a couple of days ago I rode an 800 xp for an hour. while riding it I kept thinking, how do people sled with this little power. it was almost not fun. If I had to go back to stock I would seriously consider quiting sledding. sorry guys, but its the truth.
there are turbo rx1's and Tapex's for as little as 7k in the swap meet, cost is not an issue anymore. anyone that owns a sled can afford a turbo.
with regards to the weight, I can boondock in the thickest trees with the xp's without breaking sweat.
I don't mean to brag, just help others make the switch.

 

[SNOW JW]

Right now is the time to do it prices will not be this low this fall trust me last fall it was hard to find any turbo Yamaha.

 

[MTdream]

I'm thinking real hard about going to a 4 stroke next season......but, I'm just not 100% convinced that I should. So I'm looking for some advice on what 4 stroke will best fit me and my riding style. I ride in Utah at 7,000 to about 9,500 feet maybe a little higher or lower depending on where I go. I'm about 6 feet tall and 170 lbs. I like to spend as much time off the trail boondocking through the trees and up and over the hills as I can. I really could care less about high marking and sitting at the bottom of the same hill all day long. So I want a easy to handle, lite (could be a problem here) sled with the power there when I need it. My first thought was a phazer, but after some reading it sounds like they don't do so well in the deep powder, and are a little under powered. So now I'm thinking a nytro. Would a Nytro work for me? I curently ride a 2000 Arctic Cat power special, so naturally the nytro is going to have more power and likely better performance. Also would you recomend boosting a sled that spends most of it's time boondocking? I really like the idea of 200+ ponies at the tip of my thumb to get me up and out of the nasty little spot that I just got into. I already know that I will need to ditch the rear suspension in favor or a timbersled set up, and probably the front as well.

I guess what I'm really asking for is help making the decision to go to a 4 stroke. I'm about 99% of the way there I just need that extra little push to spend the extra cash over buying a M7 or a Snowhawk. And if someone in Northern Utah has a 4 stroke that you would let me ride for a minute or two that would help a bunch.

Thanks for the help.

Your issues were very similar to mine...and having made the leap, and buying a Nytro and doing some mods to it to lighten it up...it is INCREDIBLE!!!!!

Here is what I have done so far...

TimberSled Mountain Tamer- shaved 38 pounds
Timbersled Bark Buster- Shaved 10 lbs.
Pulled Sway Bar, stiffened front shocks (INCREDIBLE handling now)
Simmons skis
Articulating riser, not really needed if you are under 6'2"

Put gas in it, and go!!!!

this sled is infinitely easier to handle than my rev, am way way WAY less tired after each day of riding....sidehills better...holds a line better...

You will NOT be disappointed!!!

if you buy a hold over (they are going for around $7k now) and put the extra money (that you would spend on 2009) into the mods above, you will be into the sled for less than 09 price and have a LIGHTER sled, and will handle better, and the fun factor will be OFF the charts!!!

 

[upnover]

u wont be sorry

Your issues were very similar to mine...and having made the leap, and buying a Nytro and doing some mods to it to lighten it up...it is INCREDIBLE!!!!!

Here is what I have done so far...

TimberSled Mountain Tamer- shaved 38 pounds
Timbersled Bark Buster- Shaved 10 lbs.
Pulled Sway Bar, stiffened front shocks (INCREDIBLE handling now)
Simmons skis
Articulating riser, not really needed if you are under 6'2"

Put gas in it, and go!!!!

this sled is infinitely easier to handle than my rev, am way way WAY less tired after each day of riding....sidehills better...holds a line better...

You will NOT be disappointed!!!

if you buy a hold over (they are going for around $7k now) and put the extra money (that you would spend on 2009) into the mods above, you will be into the sled for less than 09 price and have a LIGHTER sled, and will handle better, and the fun factor will be OFF the charts!!!

had a dragon 8 snowchecked and the dealer upped the price when i went to pick it up, told him to shove it and bought a nitro with stage 2 supercharger. soooo glad i did, for you, stage 1 is probably a great fit, they have awesome power down low and low engagement with sc. turn key, go! dont need fuel upgrade for stage 1, and if 170-180hp is enough, you can swap pulleys and run premium gas too. and if you want more, switch pulleys back and run 230hp with 50/50 race fuel mix. they have clutching and problems they originally had worked out now and they flat out rock. turbo's claim no lag but they put in a heavy spring in the primary to engage at high rpm, not great for trees, but lots of guys swear by them as well. your gonna love boost!

good luck.

 

[trplxj]

Thanks for all the good replies, this is exactly what I'm looking for. I wish that I could pick one up right now, but $$$$ flow won't allow it until this fall.

Upnover, you've not had any problems with your SC? What brand is it? I've been reading here on snowest about the turbo's and the SC's and it seams that most people like the turbo over the SC. I think for my style of riding a SC would work better, but from what I read there are lots of problems with the SC's.

 

[upnover]

problems

Thanks for all the good replies, this is exactly what I'm looking for. I wish that I could pick one up right now, but $$$$ flow won't allow it until this fall.

Upnover, you've not had any problems with your SC? What brand is it? I've been reading here on snowest about the turbo's and the SC's and it seams that most people like the turbo over the SC. I think for my style of riding a SC would work better, but from what I read there are lots of problems with the SC's.

problems were more with the clutching and pulleys, and the fuel system with stage 2. ive had no problems with mine, runs great pulls even better. i do however check my pullys as part of my daily check, blower oil level, engine oile level, coolant level, and pully bolts. the dealership here has installed 8 sc's and only 1 stage 2, mine. the first one they did, one pulley came loose, lots of miles on these things now and they really do run great, my biggest problem was keeping the front end down.

and put on a shockwave helix

you wont be sorry, im sure of that.

very clean install, no grinding or cutting of anything, just one rivit.

good luck, oh, by the way, im sure my dealership would sell their sc nitro, they had two demo units a sc nitro and a sc apex, and they sell them end of season every year. mountainside sales and rentals in edson, ab.

good luck

 

[ridehard1212]

If your coming from a 2000 Powder special you dont need to do anything because there is no comparing. but if you have the money, start with the light weight parts that you should or would have to add to add the boost:
Timber sled front+rear
Tunnel?(depending$$$$)
Exhuast if your going S/c(if your going turbo it will be different)
and track.

Good luck and u will love it just turn key(if you go S/C make sure they know what they are doing, dont have a first timer install, because they either work awsome or cause headaches)

 

[trplxj]

Thanks for all the help, I found out that my old bosses friend has 2 nytro's and he is going to let me ride one for a weekend. I can't wait.

 

[Timberwolf1050]

IMO you can't really go that wrong with the Nytro. It's an awesome boondocker even in stock form but it definitely benefits from some weight loss mods. I abosolutely love mine especially now since I have dropped about 70 pounds off of it and swapped for a camo extreme track. All the mods to my sled were done for under 4.5k. It was money well spent. An already good boondocker got a whole lot better.

 

[Alaskan]

More Details Please....

IMO you can't really go that wrong with the Nytro. It's an awesome boondocker even in stock form but it definitely benefits from some weight loss mods. I abosolutely love mine especially now since I have dropped about 70 pounds off of it and swapped for a camo extreme track. All the mods to my sled were done for under 4k. It was money well spent. An already good boondocker got a whole lot better.

Can you give some more details on your non boosted Nytro, clutching, gearing, track size, what exactly did you do to remove the 73 lbs?

 

[trplxj]

Can you give some more details on your non boosted Nytro, clutching, gearing, track size, what exactly did you do to remove the 73 lbs?

I would like to know this as well. It's going to be a while before I could boost one, I will have to ride it "stock" for a while.

 

[Timberwolf1050]

Can you give some more details on your non boosted Nytro, clutching, gearing, track size, what exactly did you do to remove the 73 lbs?

My unboosted nytro has the stock gearing. I haven't run into any need to change it. The clutching was updated with a clutch kit from Xtreme Performance in Castle Rock CO. It involves some heavier weights to keep the RPMs up in the deep stuff and at altitude. That alone made a huge difference. Other than this, I haven't touched clutching.

Here is the weight loss program:

Timbersled Mtn Tamer (rear skid)= -38 lbs.
Lightweight Battery= -10 lbs.
Timbersled Barkbuster (front end kit)= -8 lbs.
Fox Floats (front shocks)= -6 lbs.
Rear Exhaust (Excell)= -10 lbs.
Sly Dog Powderhound Skis= -8 lbs lighter than stock skis
Total diet= 80 lbs
Camo Extreme track is a little heavier than the maverick according to Camoplast's website so + around 10 pounds = - 70 lbs (Give or take a couple) Still a 153 as I'm more of a boondocker than a hill climber. The 153 handles better in the trees IMO.

I will likely boost this sled for next year but only because boost is so addicting.

(By the way, the cost of mods was right around 4300 so the under 4K thing from my other post is a typo)

 

[DOCKERDUDE]

I'm thinking real hard about going to a 4 stroke next season......but, I'm just not 100% convinced that I should. So I'm looking for some advice on what 4 stroke will best fit me and my riding style. I ride in Utah at 7,000 to about 9,500 feet maybe a little higher or lower depending on where I go. I'm about 6 feet tall and 170 lbs. I like to spend as much time off the trail boondocking through the trees and up and over the hills as I can. I really could care less about high marking and sitting at the bottom of the same hill all day long. So I want a easy to handle, lite (could be a problem here) sled with the power there when I need it. My first thought was a phazer, but after some reading it sounds like they don't do so well in the deep powder, and are a little under powered. So now I'm thinking a nytro. Would a Nytro work for me? I curently ride a 2000 Arctic Cat power special, so naturally the nytro is going to have more power and likely better performance. Also would you recomend boosting a sled that spends most of it's time boondocking? I really like the idea of 200+ ponies at the tip of my thumb to get me up and out of the nasty little spot that I just got into. I already know that I will need to ditch the rear suspension in favor or a timbersled set up, and probably the front as well.

I guess what I'm really asking for is help making the decision to go to a 4 stroke. I'm about 99% of the way there I just need that extra little push to spend the extra cash over buying a M7 or a Snowhawk. And if someone in Northern Utah has a 4 stroke that you would let me ride for a minute or two that would help a bunch.

Thanks for the help.

I ride in utah also, probably the same areas you do and it sounds like We like to ride about the same terrain. I rode a nytro this year and had a blast. It did almost everything I asked of it except deep deep powder. I too am worried about getting down in a deep powdery canyon and not be able to get out. Here is my solution. I am going to shave about 82 pounds by changing the rear and front suspensions, light weight batt, lighter muff, lighter drop down brackets, remove sway bars. The sled also needs a different track { I still can't believe Yamaha put that piece of garbage on a new model sled. At this time for me I don't believe I need a turbo, and I hear that for about 1,300 clams you can gain 30 hp with a boondocker brand nitrous kit to get out of the tough spots. Total bill will be approx 5 gs. with turbo 9 s.

 

[trplxj]

I ride in utah also, probably the same areas you do and it sounds like We like to ride about the same terrain. I rode a nytro this year and had a blast. It did almost everything I asked of it except deep deep powder. I too am worried about getting down in a deep powdery canyon and not be able to get out. Here is my solution. I am going to shave about 82 pounds by changing the rear and front suspensions, light weight batt, lighter muff, lighter drop down brackets, remove sway bars. The sled also needs a different track { I still can't believe Yamaha put that piece of garbage on a new model sled. At this time for me I don't believe I need a turbo, and I hear that for about 1,300 clams you can gain 30 hp with a boondocker brand nitrous kit to get out of the tough spots. Total bill will be approx 5 gs. with turbo 9 s.

I ride on Monte Cristo, and this year I have spent very little time on the trail. I will likely ride the sled stock for the first season and then add the mods as money allows.

There has been a few times in the past that I have got down in the bottom of some nasty canyon and wondered if the little old 600 was going to get me back out.

I think it's time for a clean burning, worry free four stroke, turn the key and go.

 

[ridehard1212]

i have a hard time with loosing 10lbs from the skis IMO

 

[Timberwolf1050]

It's actually a little closer to 8 lbs. The sly dogs weigh around 6 lbs each with mounting hardware and carbides according to the manufacturer. I weighed the stockers at home so it may not be 100 percent accurate but they weigh a little under 10 lbs each. A four pound difference per ski. It isn't that much but every little bit helps

 

[2000TCMC]

I got to ride a SC Nytro RTX (shorty) a stock XTX and an MTX this last week. The XTX has by far the best suspension handles bumps and rough trails night and day better. I would be tempted to put a longer track on the XTX and ride it handling much better.

With that said I also got to ride the 09 M8 162 I am a big guy and this sled just flat works great. Good power, excellent suspension (I know in the past this was an issue) beat it down bumpy trails and it works better than any other mountain sled I have ever ridden down a trail including the MTX. The new track just plain works. And it feels lighter than the advertised weight just think about what you want to carve a turn around and it does it.

I really wanted the four stroke to be the best sled in my mind when I went and test rode them, its why I tried them first. This may be only my opinion but the M8 is way more mountain sled for the money and there are few if any mods needed to make it perform.

That being said add a SC to the equation and man the power is just straight up addicting electric linear power from just cracking the throttle all the way to the bar. If money was no issue I would by the Nytro and do all the light weight and suspension work and add boost. But you can own 2 new M8's for the same money. I did get to ride the Crossfire 1000 141x1.5 and it was a blast too but the 8 had good power and was so easy to throw around.

I got off of a 2000 Tcat to ride em so from a chassis perspective I know what it would feel like for you to ride the new sleds.

 

[trplxj]

I got to ride a SC Nytro RTX (shorty) a stock XTX and an MTX this last week. The XTX has by far the best suspension handles bumps and rough trails night and day better. I would be tempted to put a longer track on the XTX and ride it handling much better.

With that said I also got to ride the 09 M8 162 I am a big guy and this sled just flat works great. Good power, excellent suspension (I know in the past this was an issue) beat it down bumpy trails and it works better than any other mountain sled I have ever ridden down a trail including the MTX. The new track just plain works. And it feels lighter than the advertised weight just think about what you want to carve a turn around and it does it.

I really wanted the four stroke to be the best sled in my mind when I went and test rode them, its why I tried them first. This may be only my opinion but the M8 is way more mountain sled for the money and there are few if any mods needed to make it perform.

That being said add a SC to the equation and man the power is just straight up addicting electric linear power from just cracking the throttle all the way to the bar. If money was no issue I would by the Nytro and do all the light weight and suspension work and add boost. But you can own 2 new M8's for the same money. I did get to ride the Crossfire 1000 141x1.5 and it was a blast too but the 8 had good power and was so easy to throw around.

I got off of a 2000 Tcat to ride em so from a chassis perspective I know what it would feel like for you to ride the new sleds.

I rode a 07 M8 snopro earlier this year and it was a blast. I took it out through an open meadow with about 16" of new fluff. I threw my leg over the sled and stod on the rightside rail, gave it a handfull of throttle and pulled it over to carve a turn just like I would do on my powder special, and I just about rolled the sled over on top of me. The M8 is a awesome sled, and I would ride one, but I still think I want to go 4 stroke. Honestly it's going to come down to what I can find when I'm ready to buy a new sled. But that being said my first choice will be the nytro, second the M8.

Thank you for your honest opinion.