August 31, 2007

Gettin tanked with a buddy?

I was riding into work this morning on the same hi-way I travel every day. There is a spot where the local sled trail crosses the road, the pavement is lightly grooved and discolored from many carbides and studs. For some reason today it registered in my sub-conscious and I found myself thinking about snowmobiling… soon. I figure there are a whole lot of us who have had a thought triggered recently, maybe it was a breath of brisk morning air, a glimpse of a trail sign at the edge of a farm field, a pick-up truck with a sled in the back… In a fraction of a second it is no longer summer, it is almost winter. That’s one great thing about being a Canadian, our seasons change so quickly its hard to get bored with anything done out of doors. It’s time to start preparing for winter, GAME ON!

I walked down the hall to see what’s new in sled accessories. Terry our development guy is off on vacation this week but I was told he has several new offerings in the works with Tom down at YMUS, which were not included in our 2008 accessories brochure (out last spring). We plan to have a supplemental flyer out in the next few weeks. In the meantime I’ll get an update and post some details here.

The FX Nytro received a lot of attention regarding its potential fuel range last spring. Based on the feedback we received from both this blog and Totallyamaha, several programs have moved forward to develop additional fuel carrying capabilities. Here’s a brief update.

Creation Composites in the USA have developed plans and a mock-up for a larger fuel tank to replace the OE item. At this writing they are waiting to check all the dimensions against a production unit before moving to hard tooling and manufacturing. Seth has an active post going on over at Totallyamaha.

‘Tour Buddy’, makers of the original snowmobile auxiliary tank, have also been very busy modeling a ‘tidy’ unit for the FX Nytro. I visited Chris Bullerdick, president of Tour Buddy at his hanger facility in Norland earlier this week. His background is in small aircraft specializing in float plane upgrades, conversions and maintenance. This is where the auxiliary fuel tank was born. We all know how disconcerting it is when you are in the middle of ‘buktoo’ on a sled with no idea where the next gas stop is, or if it is even open. But the same situation in an airplane can be a real bummer!

Chris is an avid sledder as well as a very experienced pilot. He decided about 10 years ago to bring his auxiliary fuel tank product across to snowmobiles and has been quite successful selling hundreds of Tour Buddies since. The unit he has developed for the Nytro will fit all models including the MTX. Fitted at the back of the seat, below the muffler area it will require the removal of two existing pop rivets to relocate the tail light a couple of inches back. The fuel line routing appears very simple and protected. The installation is a snap.

He uses a rotational molding process to yield a very strong (aircraft quality) uniform product with no seams. This cross-linked, polyethylene tank feeds the main tank through the vent system using high-grade connectors. This empties the Tour Buddy first before pulling the remaining fuel from the main.

Right now Chris estimates the capacity will yield 15 liters over and above the stock fuel tank (thats almost 4 US gallons for the metrically challenged) and will retail for $179.00 Canadian. He expects to start shipping by the end of September. Feel free to contact him at tourbuddy@sympatico.ca or check out his web site

On another front, we have been working with one of our local vendors to develop a soft bag system, which has built-in aluminum support brackets that fasten to existing holes in the Nytro tunnel. Each bag holds a plastic 5 liter Jerrycan carried securely, above the running boards, at the back of the seat. The nice thing about this set-up is you have the option to carry gear, gas or a bit of each. At first blush the estimated retail of a pair of these bags and hardware will run about $140.00 Canadian and should fit most of our models including Apex. I’ll have some more info on this and the other new accessories within a couple of weeks.

I hope you have a good long labor day weekend, now I feel compelled to go and rub some ‘Dubbin’ on my boots… cr

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9 Responses to “Gettin tanked with a buddy?”

1. SNOBLOWR says:
   

   Hey Chris,

   Thanks for the update on the extra fuel capacity, it’s welcome news. Seth is waiting for some confirmation pics and dimensions. The soft bag system is a great idea for carrying all the important gear that should be with us when we head out, or optionally the extra fuel.

   Do you know if any of these items will be ready for the Toronto Snowmobile show?

   On an off topic item there is substantial concern as witnessed by the forums regarding US vs. CDN. pricing of sleds.

   Would you like to shed some light on this from Yamaha’s perspective?

   My 1st question is easy, my 2nd is dangerous.

   For once I won’t bring up the 13_”, naw never mind…..

   Tks,
   SB

   Hey SB, There are two trade shows in Toronto this year, The manufacturers are in support of the OFSC and their new ‘GoSnowmobiling’ Show. We’ll make every effort to have samples of the products on display, the soft bags are a no brainer as Yamaha Canada is developing directly, Tour Buddy and Creation Composites however may not have samples ready at that time or may choose not to support the OFSC show as it presents a ‘risk’ being an unknown…seems to be the case with several of the after-marketers.

   I have tried to shed a little light on what I know about about the pricing and exchange issues but I am afraid it is beyond my scope and ability. As you know this isn’t just a Yamaha thing or even a snowmobile industry issue. The exchange rate is effecting practically everything sold in Canada. So far I, personally, have continued to spend my $$ here in Canada even though it stings when I do the research. I don’t want to venture too far into this topic and jeopardize the privilege afforded me in writing this blog if I were to blunder… now what about that 136 incher? cr

   September 1st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
2. Justin says:
   

   Sounds good. I’m happy to see these options out there and think they will deffinately help people who want that longer ride. Thanks once again (and always) for keeping us up to date.
   mon plaisir, mon amis cr

   September 2nd, 2007 at 11:14 am
3. Kent says:
   

   I think the Nytro looks very exciting and has great potential. But at $10,000+ a person shouldn’t have to spend another dime on a larger/auxiliary gas tank! I would not buy a Nytro because of the tiny fuel tank. Yamaha needs to fix this problem, not the customer.

   Kent your comment was voiced earlier to our factory. Bottom line the sled is what it is, the target for the Nytro is a rough trail, ‘bump-sled’ and engineering developed on the basis that 160km was the minimum range requirement, the Nytro is reported to exceed that number.
   I don’t disagree with your comment and I believe the fuel tank size will have some negative impact on our sales. The good news is, for those that want to trail ride and tour the Nytro on Canada’s finest, we have been able to offer up some very affordable solutions with-in a very short time frame. Thanks… cr

   September 3rd, 2007 at 8:59 pm
4. Mark Johnson says:
   

   Chris,

   Thanks for the update on the soft bags from Yamaha. Will these new upgrades be available at the OFSC show on the last weekend in September??

   Mark

   Not sure when we will have product available to ship but we’ll have samples to view at the OFSC ‘GoSnowmobiling show’ (not to be confused with the other powersports show note: those guys registered a url under the OFSC show name with a redirect to their site to confuse everyone… nice move!

   September 3rd, 2007 at 9:02 pm
5. scott says:
   

   Hi Chris,
   Is the 160KM of range a very conservative estimate? That works out to 99.4 miles out of a 7.5 gal tank or 13.25 MPG. My Vector gets 13 mpg in XC races and it goes up to 14-16 for off trail playing and riding in the mountains. I’m assuming the EFI will provide better mileage than the carbs on the Vector or does the Nytro’s power increase cause a reduction in mileage?

   Scott

   Scott the actual data I was given indicated the sled will go upwards of 120 miles (190km) under ideal conditions. I believe the numbers, but this came from testing a pre-production sled. There is a chance something could change in production (for better or worse). Fuel mapping, ignition curve etc… I would rather under promise and over deliver so I am not going to confirm much more than 100 mi / tank for real world trail riding, in racing you can cut it a little finer… to answer your question; Yes this is a conservative estimate. Chances are good that a nicely broken-in engine and slippery set-up will yield some bigger numbers, consistently. Cheers cr

   September 4th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
6. David says:
   

   Hey Chris !

   I just thought I’d chime in here since everyone seems to be on the topic of fuel consumption and range with regards to the new FX Nytro. In April of this season past, my local dealer had the opportunity to test out the RTX in our Cape Breton Highlands, and I saw first hand how well this sled performed in some very deep snow levels with a variety of obstacles in front of it. Not only did the sled endure the toruture test with straight A’s, it also travelled over 180 km’s total distance that day on the stock fuel levels. We were all wondering what kind of range the Nytro would offer, and needless to say, given the conditions we were subjected to (2-4 feet of powder, and HUGE 5-10 foot drifts) we were more than satisfied, we were quite impressed ! I’d say a well broke in model will even get better range, so I’ll definitely follow up and keep you updated. Now, can anyone tell me where MY FX NYTRO RTX IS ?!?!??? LOL !!!

   Dave

   Thanks Dave, you bring up a couple of very good points, the first being conditions, it’s easy to forget sleds operate under vastly different range of conditions mileage figures will reflect the same, it was good also to mention a well broken in engine, I’ll add to that a good v-belt, aligned clutching and properly tensioned track (preferably without 20 pounds of nails in it). The best data is when you fill up with some pals you are riding with and compare the numbers and it’s only fair to factor in the two stroke oil for the ones that are close cheers cr

   September 14th, 2007 at 11:16 am
7. Terry says:
   

   Hey Chris

   Do you have an update on the soft bag system and when it will be available? Are there any other new accessories in the works for the FX Nytro?

   Terry

   October 10th, 2007 at 6:28 pm
8. Jim Gallagher says:
   

   I’m a proud owner of an 08 Nytro MTX. Last weekend we ran from Sault Ste Marie Canada up to Wawa, overnighting at Half Way Haven, a great spot for sledders and Quads in the summer. It is 140 km’s into Half Way and my fuel light was on for the last 20 km. I had used 26.4 litres of the 29 capacity. Conditions were good and no off trail was done. The whole weekend, with 10 sleds in total mine was always the limiting factor on range. I get the same mileage as my friend and his 06 Apex but he carries 10 more litres. It is the tank size. Especially for a mountain sled this is not good. On the way out from halfway I did a little boon docking along the power lines and then had to pull another sled for the last 20 K’s. I ran out of fuel.
   Tour buddy here I come.

   January 26th, 2008 at 10:06 am
9. charlton heckman says:
   

   hello, im from alaska and just recently purchased a 09 fx nytro xtx, and i was wondering about the aftermarket fuel tank that trail tank sells from creation composite. my question was if the tour buddy tank will adapt to that aftermarket tank. thanks

   Hey Charlton, I see no reason why it wouldn’t. The Tour Buddy sits between the main tank and atmosphere, in order for the main tank to ‘vent’ it must pull the fuel from the TB, the only thing you might need to do is mess with the fuel line lengths… once installed you should be able to pack enough fuel to make it to Russia… cheers cr

   April 14th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

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