April 16, 2008
New Duties – Nytro Fuel Capacity
It was one busy week for me at the office. I returned from Revelstoke all set to wind down the sled season and shift gears into some new research projects and planning for next year. Last Wednesday started off like any other day with a hot ‘cuppa Joe‘ and a long column of e-mail, when Pete (my boss) stepped into my office and pushed the door shut. Deep breath- ‘whats up?’….
…Lots! We implemented some internal organizational restructuring to better meet the needs of our rapidly changing business environment. Some jobs were modified, some posts were altered and some new positions have opened up. I won’t get into the details of the changes suffice to say they are quite pro-active and positive in response to our growing business. In the end I have assumed some additional responsibilities and been challenged to manage a new division with a focus on motorsports product planning and development. Change is good! I am not clear at the moment, on how this will play out over the next few months but I am committed to keep the blog alive with regular updates and new content of interest to snowmobiler’s from a Yamaha perspective.
Currently we are working hard to maintain our line-up, developing updates and new accessories to further enhance our snowmobiles performance and customer satisfaction. I will confirm as much of this as possible moving forward. For example the new Nytro XT-X will have some nice customizing options. It appears an accessory, 1.75in track is in the works and our gas caddy system is improved to work with the new tunnel. I have seen samples of some other very cool new accessories Tom and Terry are working on which will add both function and ‘bling’ to your ride. While on this topic, I received a sample of the Nytro trail tank from Creation Composites and I’m very impressed with the appearance, 
workmanship and design that has gone into this 39 liter after-market, replacement part…
I decided to stay on board the Apex next season, then waffled a bit in Newfoundland after riding the XT-X. I drifted back
to the Apex at my cottage in Ontario during a little lakeside meditation . Well after riding the new XT-X again and seeing the pending 3-cylinder accessories, I am near about ready to pull the trigger on riding a Nytro next year. Yep, I’m thinking I may have finally fallen off the 4-cylinder band wagon. Did I mention ‘change is good’?
The new Venture GT is getting rave reviews from the demo ride ‘test pilots’. The accessories guys are busy on this one as well. We already have a sturdy rack and luggage system designed for it. Another note for the new Venture, the Canadian (and European) versions get a special re-enforced rear bumper which includes a four point hitch plate for towing.
Jon and Pete are currently in Japan and have taken a lot of data with them to discuss our future direction as well as current issues with our engineers. I am told the snow is not holding up so well in Shibetsu but they will be riding some early, new model prototypes and a couple of variation models. I will have more on that later.
Don’t forget to keep an eye on the blog over the off-season. I do have some ideas for entertaining content and will seed things with update information as it becomes available. Also if you have any ideas which you would like to see addressed here please let me know and I’ll do my best to fulfill your requests. On another note, I have been invited to sit in on a panel of -ahem -’experts’, at an upcoming social media business conference being held in Toronto. My subject focus is on the topic of corporate blogging and the things I have learned hosting Sled Talk with you all. Hmmmm- you never know, perhaps some of our competitors will have a rep or two in the audience 
Did I mention ‘change is good?’
cheers cr
Chris,
In your own opinion, what is it after riding the xtx for the second time makes you want to jump off the 4-cylinder band wagon?
Tough question George… I spoke at length with my cousin Brian last night who rides an Attak and is thinking of an XT-X, in the end I believe my comments helped his decision to remain on board the Apex for another year at least. In my case I think my job position has something to do with my decision (which I might add is not final). The XT-X ‘cross-over’ trend is something I want to understand further especially the real effect of the tipped up rails in different conditions. The last ‘long track’ I had was a turbo Warrior’ and it was a bit of a wrestling match in the tight stuff… the XT-X doesn’t feel as cumbersome to me as I thought it would and I love the ergo’s and ease of standing transition. The straight line stability and confidence through larger bumps is nothing short of amazing. I am thinking with some different carbides and some suspension tweaking I can make it carve up a groomed trail to my satisfaction and am willing to compromise some of the above terrain-ability to achieve it. I also see it as a candidate to evaluate a lot of our new accessories to cover storage, wind protection, fuel range and durability. In conclusion with some time and money spent, I think I can make the Nytro almost as good on the groomed trail as an Apex and have superior big bump capability. Now if I could just buy some new knees and the immortality of a 30 year old, I might be able to put it to use…
April 16th, 2008 at 5:34 pmHello CR!
What, you´re giving up your 4-cylinder? Nooooo…. I´m still keeping mine LOL
That 1,75 inch track option on the XT-X would be sweet. Big discussion has gone over and over on that subject here in Finland (along side with the too small tank). 1,25 inch track on that sled isn´t really what it needs IMO. Even a choice to get taller lugs when buying the unit is good. Saves a lot of work for the customer if it comes ready installed.
I got to hand it Yamaha : I loaned my V-4 to them for Yamaha´s 40th anniversary celebrations. All the european dealers were at Rovaniemi Snowstar races + they got to see and ride 09 sleds too. Anyway long story short, I received a call later with them thanking me about loaning my sled for their displays and they wanted to know my riding gear size. Yesterday I got a package trough mail: FX team replica gear + 40th anniversary collector´s edition book. Class act I say!!
Take care and ride safe.
Ike
Sounds like you’ll be ‘styling’ next year Ike… good on you!!… thanks cr
April 17th, 2008 at 12:29 amI agree,change is good as long as we don’t loose our blog,I check it every day.Keep up the good work.
Thanks Guy, always good to hear the efforts are appreciated… cheers
April 17th, 2008 at 7:30 amHey Chris
Have you guys come to any sort of update or agreement to help the 08 nytro owners struggling with their sleds? I for one was left holding the bag 1/2 the season waiting for a subframe for mine. I was hoping you guys might know if an update kit or replacement front ends are in the works?
Hey Jamie, I have been following your posts, trials and tribulations over the season, I also speak with Andy regularly as I hold him in very high regard, (small world eh
) I can tell you we are looking into all the feedback we have received on the Nytro from our dealers and trying to separate the ‘wheat from the chaff’ so-to-speak. We have no conclusion from factory at this time. Initially it appeared the front end parts could be easily sub’d up to 09 to achieve the new geometry. We are now discovering this could be more extensive than originally thought but again there is no conclusion at this time.
April 17th, 2008 at 7:39 amThere appears to be a lot of confusion in the market between the geometry changes for 09 and actual 08 durability (bending from impact) and the question of counter measure requirements. There was an issue with some back-ordered parts for the 08′s which is now under control. I’ll try to keep you posted as the info trickles in. cheers cr
STILL LOOKING FOR A fIX FOR PROFESSIONAL vK ,RELAY RODS-yOU SPOKE ABOUT NEEDLE BEARINGS ON A FORMER REQUESY–WHERE DO I GET THEM-ANY THOUGHT ON HELPER SRRINGS AS USED ON THE ARTIC CAT BEARCAT??BY THE WAY CAIN’S QUEST IS ON FOR NEXT YEAR??WHY NOT TRY IT OUT-RACE OF A LIFETIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
April 17th, 2008 at 10:07 amHAVE A GOOD SUMMER ,.THANKS cYRIL.
Thanks Chris much appreciated. I know you talk to Andy and Im really glad you know who I am. I just want to make it right and enjoy the sled, couldn’t ask for a better motor, or a more comfortable seating position.
April 17th, 2008 at 10:38 amHey chris,how did yamaha do in European sno-cross this past season?And do you guys still test sleds down in the andes mountains of chile?
Far as I know we did very well in both Euro and Japanese snowcross, I’ll see what I can find for results and post.
April 17th, 2008 at 2:05 pmRe: testing in the Andes, that hasn’t happened for several years. We have been using a facility in New Zealand which I had the pleasure to visit two summers ago to do a little sledding in July. It was quite fascinating. I’ll see if I can get clearance to post about the experience if you like… cheers cr
Hi Chris;
Like you said change is good, but then again when something works good Don’t Screw With It. Having you run this Blog was good for both Yamaha and us the consumer. Those surveys you set up at Totallyamaha plus your input there was Always Appreciated. I hope to still be able to read your weekly posts here on the Blog as it wouldn’t be the same here without you.
Good Luck with your new projects.
Cheers
…Larry
Thanks man! I’ll do my best… cheers cr
April 18th, 2008 at 11:34 amGlad to hear that you guys took my track option suggestion to heart. Now can we get it on the 121′s?
April 19th, 2008 at 3:45 pmWell now I don’t know what to do. Keep my 07 attack gt or order a xtx. My buddy ordered himself a rtx se and is pressuring me to buy; just so he doesn’t have to break his in by himself, I am pretty sure about that. If I did order one I was wondering if I could get the deeper lug track? Or is that only going to be offered next fall.
I am fairly new to this site and hope it stays around. I value yours and every body elses opinions and ideas. Thanks for now.
Kim
Welcome on board Kim, re: the 1.75 track on the XT-X, it will be available as an accessory part later this summer. I understand it requires the removal of the tunnel protectors to gain the req’d clearance (and you won’t be able to add studs). Your dealer may negotiate an exchange deal with you so you might want to quiz them about it when discussing the purchase. Then again you could always throw a few upgrades into the Attak or just continue to enjoy it stock and ride your buddies XT-X a bit to help him with break-in
cheers cr
April 19th, 2008 at 6:56 pmYou mentioned the new 1.75″ track for the XTX. Wouldn’t this affect the benefits from the tipped up rails? Would be great option but I’d hate to lose the trail benefits.
Sorry for posting this in the wrong spot.
Thanks
Rod
Rod IMHO, the guy who opts for the 1.75 shouldn’t be spending a lot of time on hard pack, which is where the tipped rails make a difference. The 1.75 will have hy-fax issues and break down the lugs if run on hard groomed trails at higher speeds… there is a compromise here and it boils down to choosing the track which is best for the majority of the conditions where you ride… theoretically, the higher lugs wouldn’t effect the rails angle as the lugs would lift the whole machine .5 inch- cheers cr
April 20th, 2008 at 7:20 pmGood Reading Chris…. I hope we don’t lose the blog…
Also in Yamaha’s Technological/engineering vision and look into the Future, that we are headed in the direction and that we as snowmobilers will be happy with their change. I have changed from DOO to Yamaha and like what I see overhere… But, as you know if an OEM starts to slip or let the competetion start to get away which Yamaha has done in the past, the piece of the pie, that Yamaha has taken away from the rest can easily be taken back. I hope this does not happen, because I truly love the Power and sound of my Apex GT. IMO, it is the best motor I have ever run and heard in my 30 years of riding.
April 25th, 2008 at 11:52 amI just sringchecked a 09 rtx apex. After doing so All i read about is the nytro nothing on the 09 apex rtx. I know its in its third season of production but it is brand new to me. Have they recalibrated the rear skid so it does not bottom out like previous rtx models that I read about constantly in ty 4s
May 4th, 2008 at 7:33 amI’m looking for where Yamaha Explains why they are price gouging the Canadian consumer.
With the Canadian Dollar just under par with the US Dollar for over nine months, Why has this not been reflected in the pricing??
May 16th, 2008 at 7:53 pmHEY CHRIS, CAN YOU TELL ME IF THERE ARE ANY PLANS FOR PERFORMANCE EXHAUST FOR THE FX NYTRO? OR CAN YOU RECOMEND A MANUFACTURER THAT MAKES AN EXHAUST THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE HACKING APART THE REAR PLASTIC ON MY SLED. EVERYONE IVE SEEN REQUIRES REMOVAL OR CUTTING THE REAR COVER AND IT MAKES THE SLED LOOK SO CHEAP!! ANY HELP YOU MAY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.
THANKS
Hey Elliot, I can’t offer much on this one. We made a decision to avoid exhaust mods on all our products a few years ago. The main reason is most raise the sound level output. I won’t rant about how many problems we have encountered over the years due to loud pipes and land access. You might google ‘Hindle Exhaust / Performance’.
cheers cr
September 1st, 2008 at 1:38 pmHello Chris,
Remember me? I was your first blocked post. HeHe OK I sold the 08 Apex LTX-GT. Purchased the 09 XTX. I understand about the ski’s because of patents. I’ve been complaining about hifax wear since I first purchased a 2006 Apex GT. My problem is why does Yamaha still use those old drivers? You need to run the track snappin tight or it will ratchet with all that torque. Then you get 300 miles on a set of slides. I know all about heating and cooling cycles to cure the slides. Thats fine when you go for a first ride but in mid season it is a big pain in the butt having to play around like that. I know the other 3 do not have this problem. BRP actually runs antiratchet drivers. If you look at TY4stroke.com you’ll see where the guys are swapping for BRP drivers or getting the Avid or Whal Bros ones. Why has this not been fixed? It seems like to me Yamaha could at least help this problem with only a driver change? With the 1.75″ track you would be definately wanting better drivers for your sled. I never heard if a 1.75″ track was avaliable through Yamaha? I purchased a Camoplast crossover 1.5″ track and new antiratchet drivers. Another issue I have is the bogie wheels. Why can’t we get ones where you can replace the bearings? It would be a lot better customer service if we didn’t get the ones you just throw away every year. Yes Yamaha makes a great sled but they could easily make them a lot better. To me it would have made a world of difference having better drivers and not having to run the track so tight. I’m already putting aftermarket ski’s on but changing drivers is not a small job…
Thanks Chris,
Murray Donovan
Hey Murray,we are looking at the drivers and tracks and also considering other areas that you mentioned for improvement. We also have returned to replaceable bearing idlers this year on some models and I expect you will see more of this moving forward. Can’t elaborate but hopefully the near future will see positive change. cheers cr
December 17th, 2008 at 9:16 pmChris,
December 18th, 2008 at 6:05 pmThat is good news to hear. I think Yamaha has gone in the right direction with 4 strokes. Only BRP has a fuel efficient 2 stroke and I think realiability will be an issue for a few more years. With the Nitro being over 100 lbs less than an Apex, I think the fun factor will be increased on this model. I think last years release of the FX/RTX Nitro might have been a bit early. The problems encountered really brought a lot of bad talk about Yamaha. Many new to 4 strokes bought Nitro’s and many were disappointed. I realize the testing needed to bring about a sled like this is immense. The bad talk effects me as I promote Yamaha. Keep up the excellent work as Yamaha has come so far in such a short time. I talked 4 people last year onto Yamaha’s from other brands. Luckily two were Apex RTX’s and they loved them!!! Only one was a Nitro. He was not so impressed. The 4′th was also an Apex but he threw a stud on his first tip out and it drained the antifreeze and cooked the motor. No warranty for thrown studs… I tried to tell him it could happen to any sled… I see that it won’t happen with my new XTX! I put on 4624 KM last year which isn’t too bad, the guys I drive with double that. This forum is very good for Yamaha, I love the idea of it. I’m a critic at heart but I also like to give credit. You seem to be doing an exceptional job doing what you do. Yes I suppose you do love your job…I would LoL If Yamaha take guys like you and listens then it won’t be long before Yamaha takes over #1 spot. They say perception becomes reality. Everybody perceives Yamaha’a as #1 for quality and value. Thanks Chris!
PS. My 09 Rhino does a great job plowing the snow.