Vmax700sx5
New member
Hey guys, I own a 1997 Yamaha Vmax 700 SX with 5234mi., and I have owned it for 2 years now, so far I like It. But I was wondering what are some good mods that are commonly good and effective on these sleds? I already have plans to order a new track. preferbly I'd like to get a 1.25" or 1.50" Camoplast Ripsaw (not studded of course). but anything like clutch kits, gearing techniques, motor upgrades, anything at all that has been known to wake these sleds up? Ive heard that piping and some cans have done some good. Because it came stock with only a single pipe on a 700 triple. Of course I'd like anyone to answer, but If you have owned this particular model or have done any modding to it? this would be helpful. And overall can anyone give me an opinion or "short review" on this model/sled. Thank you so much ahead of time.
I have an '00 Sxr that has the same engine design. The possiblites are endless as what you can do to make your sled run/perform better. All it takes is $$$, what are you going to do with your sled trail ride, drag race, etc? If your going to trail ride it and want better performance you may want to gear it down one step (meaning go closer to a 2:1 gear ratio), These sleds respond well to reed spacers or reed stopper notches (in the tech section), the subject of spacers and notches have been beet to death on the site so do a search and you should find some info.
Clutching- look/browse the tech section alot of good set ups. There is room for improvement on a stock sled.
Triple pipes work well but you will require to retune the clutch on your sled as it will make alot more power. Pipes to look for will be Bender Racing, Hauck/Simmons-CPR, and Power inc end dumps<-VERY HARD to find @ times.
Head gasket mods or having the head shaved to help raise compression, but this may not be wise to do on such a high mileage machine unless you go through the motor first.
Porting is also a great power adder and will give great gains to performance and will work with a stock pipe for now if money becomes an issue while in the process of building your sled.
Clutching- look/browse the tech section alot of good set ups. There is room for improvement on a stock sled.
Triple pipes work well but you will require to retune the clutch on your sled as it will make alot more power. Pipes to look for will be Bender Racing, Hauck/Simmons-CPR, and Power inc end dumps<-VERY HARD to find @ times.
Head gasket mods or having the head shaved to help raise compression, but this may not be wise to do on such a high mileage machine unless you go through the motor first.
Porting is also a great power adder and will give great gains to performance and will work with a stock pipe for now if money becomes an issue while in the process of building your sled.
YAM182
New member
I had a 99 SX 700.
Put Power Inc pipes on it and was a tad too loud.
Tried a Bender silencer again a little too obnoxous.
Finally got the pipes and silencer thing out of my system.
Use Turks recommended clutching.
I put on a 1" full clip track-no studs.
Do the silencer mod to get a little gain and its not too loud at all.
Sled was just fine after that.
I regret selling it.
Put Power Inc pipes on it and was a tad too loud.
Tried a Bender silencer again a little too obnoxous.
Finally got the pipes and silencer thing out of my system.
Use Turks recommended clutching.
I put on a 1" full clip track-no studs.
Do the silencer mod to get a little gain and its not too loud at all.
Sled was just fine after that.
I regret selling it.
Vmax700sx5
New member
SRX700Bandit, thanks for the reply. I live in Michigan so the things I mostly do with my sled is trail riding, and drag racing. I have come to learn in heavy powder these sleds are VERY low slung to the ground so when your going through powder, it can be very cold, long, snow shower. haha. Going back to the drag racing section, when I first got my sled everything was in in great mechanical condition and still is, the only downfall was the track condition it was the stock track and studded, the lugs and studs were all chewed down to prolly no more than .25", and they still are, this is why im getting a new track. My first drag races I was wasted by a 99' XC 600 and a 07' Phazer 500 because the track just spun like no other from start to finish. So I have yet to see my sled at peak performance. So id like any mods that can launch me better off the line, and a little top end also. should I drop a tooth to get better take off. And also how much better are the plastic skiiis than the steel ones with the plastic skins?
I also live in MI (North of Detroit). I run a Camoplast 9830 track, I have yet to stud it.
If you go with the Plastic skis you will gain some handling as the plastic ones flex and the steelies dont, they should also be a few pounds lighter. You are correct when it comes to powder that these machines don't float well, also a new deeper lug track will help out paddling you through the deep stuff.
Doing some clutch work will get you off of the line better, but you will need that track first as you said, all you do is spin and you need to get the power to the ground hooked up. If you do the gear change you will notice that your sled will respond off of the line better but you will also notice better top end and fuel economy as this sled(and most sleds) was overgeared from the factory, again getting a new track is crucial.
If you do the headgasket mod this will help along with the reed spacer/notch.
If you go with the Plastic skis you will gain some handling as the plastic ones flex and the steelies dont, they should also be a few pounds lighter. You are correct when it comes to powder that these machines don't float well, also a new deeper lug track will help out paddling you through the deep stuff.
Doing some clutch work will get you off of the line better, but you will need that track first as you said, all you do is spin and you need to get the power to the ground hooked up. If you do the gear change you will notice that your sled will respond off of the line better but you will also notice better top end and fuel economy as this sled(and most sleds) was overgeared from the factory, again getting a new track is crucial.
If you do the headgasket mod this will help along with the reed spacer/notch.
Vmax700sx5
New member
Is this "Headgasket mod" your reffering to the one in the tech center where i can split my triple head gasket into three seperate head gaskets? have you done this? I also saw the one about the can bore, have you done this too?
TopGunnSrx
New member
Thin the gasket, knotch the reeds, triple pipe it (psi modblaster are nice) itll run good. Nice track and transfer rods you'll love it.
Yes, The gasket mod is in the tech section. No, I have not personally done this, ALOT of others here have, one thing to remember is, if you do the head gasket mod you WILL NEED to run premium fuel as you will run a risk of burning a piston from detonation if you dont. I purchased an aftermarket head that has interchangeable domes. I run Bender triple pipes.
If you want to drag race the sled, go with the smallest lug, and lightest track available. It takes more horsepower to turn bigger lugged tracks. If you are going to trail ride it, go for a 1" lug trail track. Any track with lugs larger than 1" will require modifications to the sled, and removal of the front heat exchanger guards. I have a 1 1/4" paddle on my sled, and the sled is night and day better in the deep than the factory track! I did lose about 5mph on the topend measured on radar with that track. Don't really care though as 99% of my riding is basically ditch banging. With my sled on the hoist I can see that some of the lugs are rubbing on the front exchanger guards by about a quarter to half inch. I also have a bender trail can, and bender helix on my SX700R. It works real well for it's intended purpose.
YAMMIEGOD3:16
Active member
GREAT GREAT SLED AND ONE OF THE BEST MOTORS YAMAHA EVER MADE. FLY WHEN SET UP RIGHT. BIG POWER FROM TRIPLE PIPES AND A GOOD CLUTCH SET-UP. I RUN A 99 WITH MY NEIGBOR ON TAR, SLED IS LITE, BUT WE HAVE RUN IN THE NINE,S WITH IT. 3:16 (yammie tony)
Excitabletom
Member
I have a 97 with about 6400 miles. I was amazed at the crisp throttle response after I had the carbs sync'ed.
For downstate riding, you really should consider studs for both acceleration and braking.
Great sled!
For downstate riding, you really should consider studs for both acceleration and braking.
Great sled!