UNDECIDED - RX or RS

Y

YAMABUS

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Feb 28, 2005
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I'm new to posting questions or comments on this forum but have been a long time follower of conversations held here. Great site - lots of helpful information! :rocks:
My question - I'm convinced that I will be buying one of the new models. I've ridden an SX Viper for the last couple of years. Stock suspension - Bender pipes. In my next sled, I'm looking for similar (or better) engine performance and better bump handling characteristics but really do not want to sacrifice alot of one benefit for the other. Also while on groomed trails, it would be nice to sit back and cruise.
From what I've read so far, it seems that the Nitro would be the best for rough trails but because of lower gearing and setup you'll suffer in opportunity to cruise and travel at higher speeds (80-90 mph). The other sleds I'm considering are the Apex GT or the ER. These sleds will definitely travel at higher speeds - I just don't want to sacrifice alot of the big bump handling. This may be asking alot - but
1. Am I right in thinking that the Nitro is simply a play sled and not a sled you would wish to ride for extended periods?
2. Is going to the RX line going to sacrifice alot of big bump ride quality.

Any thoughts or comments on your part would be greatly appreciated.
 
IMO - going from a viper 3x3 to a nitro will being going backwards. The Nitro is only around 120hp and coming from a snappy 145ish I believe you will be unhappy.

I agree that you will want an apex of somesort.(either one)
 
i think the ride between the apex and the viper wont even be comparable. Those apex's are going to ride sweet, and also will have just as much or a little more power than the piped vipe.
 
I think you would be very happy with a Vector GT.
Granted, its only 120 hp but anyone who has ridden one can tell you they feel a lot faster than any 120 hp sled. They have lots and lots and lots and lots of low-end torque, something that even a piped Viper doesnt have. You really cant even compare the power of the Vector to any 600 2-stroke. Its got the hp of a 600 but off the line it accelerates like an 800. Also, the powerband is so wide that the power is always there. It doesnt matter if you are running at 5000 or 7000 rpm, the powerband is very wide and linear. In fact, off the line the Vector pulls just as hard as the RX-1 does. The difference is that the Vector starts to run out of steam at 80 mph and tops out at about 100 mph whereas the RX-1 pulls hard up to 110-115 mph @ 10,000 rpm.
As far as big bump performance, the Vector GT has the Monoshock, so you know it can handle the bumps.
As for the Nytro, I classify that as pretty much the same as a Polaris Pro-X. A nice sled for messing around and "play" riding, but not something that you would want to ride 200 miles a day. Not that you CANT, but the high handlebars will wear you out faster than a sled with lower handlebars.
Hebi
 
I haven't really given the Vector GT a whole lot of consideration just yet. I know that it does come with the Mono shock rear suspension and the piggyback front shocks but I don't believe the rider forward design has been incorporated with this model. I think if this model was offered with the Apex chassis, I would be sold.
Also, does anyone know how much top end speed is lost with the the Nitro's lower gearing?
Thanks!
 
I currently ride a stock Viper ER (2003), and was able to ride the new sleds in Brainerd MN with my dealer. My personal favorite was the RS Vector. This had plenty of power and rode better than my Viper. It was the most similiar to the Viper in handling. The RS Rage had the best ride of all of the sleds. The Attak was the most radical and powerful of all that I rode - you felt high in the seat and the power was enormous. The sled pulled from start right up to top speed. It also had a light feel to it that none of the other sleds had.

but, all in all if I was buying new tomorrow, it would be a Vector or a Rage.
 
YAMABUS said:
Also, does anyone know how much top end speed is lost with the the Nitro's lower gearing?
Thanks!
Click to expand...
For what it's worth, I saw 97 mph on the Nytro prototype dreamometer during the same run where the guys running the Apex machines saw 122 and 124 mph. I may or may not have broke 100 if I crouched down. The guys on the Apex machines said they were trying to make themselves as small as possible.

As for bump handling, the best comparison I can make is the Nytro launched off bumps while the Apex machines just ate them up. I followed NosPro with the Apex RTX while he was riding the Nytro. It seemed that he could launch off anything that even looked like a bump while the RTX simply soaked up the exact same bumps as if they weren't even there. In retrospect, I might have adjusted the RA to a harder setting to launch better but there simply wasn't that much time to fool around.

All that being said and considering your stated parameters, I'd also suggest one of the Apex models. ;)!
 
Thanks SledderSteve - I think that was the best explaination of a comparison between the Nitro and Apex that I've read yet. Thanks for all responses though.
I think I am definitely leaning towards the Apex line. Does anyone feel through their rides on the Apex that the RTX is that much better than the ER? The biggest difference that I notice is the air shocks on the RTX. In my opinion, I am not that high on the air shocks for reasons of adjustability and mantenance. It seems that more ride quality could be gained with the GT for the reasons of the Ohlins rear and the HPG front shocks. As well, was there a noticable improvement in the ride quality from the ER to the GT line?
 
i am not sold on those air shocks either, i would take the GT for that ohlins rear and HPG front.
 
SledderSteve said:
As for bump handling, the best comparison I can make is the Nytro launched off bumps while the Apex machines just ate them up. I followed NosPro with the Apex RTX while he was riding the Nytro. It seemed that he could launch off anything that even looked like a bump while the RTX simply soaked up the exact same bumps as if they weren't even there. In retrospect, I might have adjusted the RA to a harder setting to launch better but there simply wasn't that much time to fool around.
SS, Ive read that the Nytro has a "rising rate" suspension and that with it you can preload before a jump, ditch edge or whatever and get more air than you would with the other Yamahas.
Your story would seem to support this claim.
Im personally looking foreward to Cruiser Fest on Feb 12, 2005 so that I can ride a Nytro and find out for myself.
Hebi
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
YAMABUS said:
I haven't really given the Vector GT a whole lot of consideration just yet. I know that it does come with the Mono shock rear suspension and the piggyback front shocks but I don't believe the rider forward design has been incorporated with this model. I think if this model was offered with the Apex chassis, I would be sold.
Click to expand...
Hebi - I do believe that I misstated the rider forward design availability on the Vector. In further research, it appears to me that the Nitro DOES NOT have the Deltabox II chassis as I had previously thought. It appears that the Nitro simply has more aggressive gearing/cluthing and a higher seat and handlebar height but not a chassis any differently designed than that of the Vector GT, ER, etc. Maybe with this in mind, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to spec a Vector GT with high handlebars, etc. and have the suspension that I would prefer (avoiding the air shocks).
Just airing some additional thoughts.
 
i am considering upgrading, mine would be an apex or attak.... wife has a 05 victor and wow that thing is awesome... excellent power and feel, and the ride is great, with some clutching it would be a contender in speed runs....

i would recommend the new chassis, if it is half as good as the guys that were lucky enough to ride them say, it is by far the best snowmobiles yami has ever had.... it would be worth my $$
 
YAMABUS said:
Hebi - I do believe that I misstated the rider forward design availability on the Vector. In further research, it appears to me that the Nitro DOES NOT have the Deltabox II chassis as I had previously thought. It appears that the Nitro simply has more aggressive gearing/cluthing and a higher seat and handlebar height but not a chassis any differently designed than that of the Vector GT, ER, etc. Maybe with this in mind, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to spec a Vector GT with high handlebars, etc. and have the suspension that I would prefer (avoiding the air shocks).
Just airing some additional thoughts.
Click to expand...
Yamabus, I was told by the Yamaha reps that I talked to on Febuary 12th at Cruiser Fest in Minocqua, WI that the Nytro IS rider-foreward.
I do agree with you though, it looks like a Vector with a different seat and taller handlebars.
I did sit on a Nytro and it felt different than a Vector. Perhaps it was the seat and the bars but it felt a lot different.
Personally, Id go with the Vector GT. Its got the lower handlebars that I think would be better for all-day comfort. However, the Polaris Pro-X was a very popular trail sled and it had high handlebars just like the Nytro.
In any event, you could always buy the Vector GT and if you wanted high bars like the Nytro you could put a riser block on it. Granted, you wouldnt have the same seat as the Nytro but you would have the Monoshock RA suspension. Id rathar have the Monoshock than to have the new, "flattop" seat.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy whatever you end up buying...
Hebi
 
Viper to Rage

I recently went from Bendered out Viper to stock Rage. The ride on the Rage is second to none but I miss the 2 stroke pull. I must admit I can jam with an Ipod now! it's hard to compare the two as it has become a whole new experience. I now ride 600 miles in a weekend in the UP and don't have gas/oil anxiety. We back pack from town to town and plan our trips while on the trail. (seat of our pants!) The 2 strokers have to stay home on these trips as we usually ride distances beyond the 2 strokes fuel capacity. If I was to buy a new machine this year, I would buy the 4 cyl as the powerband is definitly an experience.

Skidog
 
Don't be afraid of the 120 motors. they are way ahead of the 600cc class that everyone compares them too. On the TY Muni ride#2 last year there were vectors and a rage that could run with and out run, my piped 700sx, and even some of the vipers. They are a very fast sled for 120 hp. Oh Yeah and they where way quieter than my PI end dump sled, way quieter. LOL Maxdlx
 
If you want to keep the power go with the Apex ER. If you want to keep the good ride go with the Nytro. If you want both the Apex GT is the best solution. Electronic Ohlins and KYG, like cmon you cant get any better, and you still get the 150hp FI engine. APEX GT APEX GT APEX GT APEX GT APEX GT APEX GT!!!!!!!
 
sleddersteve remember though the nitro is geared way down for corner to corner acelleration so that's why it dosen't have the mph.I consitantly seen 116-118mph on my 05 vector on the lake.
 
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