In the last article on our Yamaha Nytro project snowmobile we installed a stage 2 supercharger system from Mountain Performance. The supercharger has completely transformed the way the machine rides making it a very capable in the mountains. With supercharger dialed in and working well it was time for us to move on to some more modifications.

The stock Nytro MTX does not come with a pivoting riser block, so the amount of adjustment available with the stock bar/riser set-up is very limited. Although the stock set-up works fairly well, we wanted to have the ability to rotate the riser forward and back to find the ideal riding position. After doing some research, we found that the cheapest and easiest method for a rotating riser block was with a Fly Racing steering post adapter and risers. The steering post adapter bolts onto the four bolt flange on top of the steering column, the short-track Nytro and Nytro RTX already come with a different style steering column that already has a horizontal tube for a pivoting block. With a horizontal tube on the end of the column we could now install our 7” Fly Risers.

While we had everything apart we figured it would be a good time to install a 1 1/8” aluminum handlebar to replace the stock steel handlebars.
Fly does offer the same riser in 7/8” so the stock bars could be used.

With such a tall riser we went for a zero riser handlebar to maintain a reasonable height. We decided on Fly Aero Tapered Carbon Fiber handlebars in a Sno X Mountain curve. We also got some 45 degree bar hooks and ODI grips. One of the major drawbacks to the rider-forward riding position of the Nytro (and other manufacturers machines) is that it really exposes the rider to the wind and snow when riding fast. The stock windshield helps slightly but not enough to matter, and after a couple of purple-fingered rides we decided enough was enough and it was time to invest in some handgaurds.

A pair of PowerMadd handgaurds were ordered and installed onto the new Fly handlebars.

When working on the handlebars and controls we installed a lightweight parking brake from Mountain Performance. It saves a few pounds from the machine by removing the second parking brake caliper and the parking brake lever. The parking brake is achieved with a modification made to the brake lever that allows it to be locked into place using basically the same system that is used by Polaris, Arctic Cat, and Ski-Doo. We also installed a polished billet master cylinder cover from Mountain Performance.

With the bar/riser project completed we went to work on some aesthetic modifications. We wanted to give the machine a unique look that resembled the factory graphics. So we ordered a white Nytro hood (used on RTX and 40th Anniversary models) from our local Yamaha dealer and had some custom graphics made. We basically used the same design as the graphics on the stock blue hood but had them printed blue on white vinyl. Mountain Performance also hooked us up with some FX Nytro Supercharged stickers.

The stock windshield also needed some immediate modifications - it looks terrible and is not very functional. We tried removing the windshield completely but it left several open holes and made the sled look unfinished. So we took the stock windshield and cut it down to a similar shape as the chrome shorty windshield that comes on the RTX. After cutting the windshield with a jig-saw we cleaned up the edges with a file and re-installed the rubber trim. We also removed the two metal grills on the side panels and spray painted them white.

The bars, riser, and hood made a huge difference to how the front of the machine looked but left rear looking stock. So we went back to Mountain Performance for a pair of 8” big wheels. We went with a two inner wheel configuration, although this configuration wouldn’t work so well on trail machines, the conditions we ride in typically have more than enough snow to keep the runners sufficiently lubricated. Plus the extra wheels just add weight and we don’t need any more weight than is absolutely necessary.

By increasing the size of the rear wheels from 7” to 8” the track should be able to turn easier, increasing the amount of power transferred to the snow. After running the sled with the big wheels for a couple of hundred miles we can’t really tell any performance difference. Nevertheless, the polished billet big wheels look awesome and save weight over the stock plastic wheels.

So how does all our modifications work out you may ask, are they worth the time, money, and effort? The handlebars and riser are fantastic, the handlebar is slightly wider than stock and makes the machine easier to maneuver. Having the option to easily rotate the riser up and down is also very handy. The only downside is that we have had a hard time getting the riser to clamp the steering post and handlebar tight enough, we keep rotating the handlebar or riser when riding aggressively. It’s not a problem with the clamp bottoming out or getting enough tension on the bolts, it’s more of an issue of the mating surfaces not gripping correctly.

The handguards are great, the handguards coupled with some HMK Action gloves keep my paws warm and dry. The MPI billet big-wheels give the machine a great look and help shed a few valuable pounds. As for the windshield and hood modifications, while they don’t help the machine run any better, they do give it a subtle but different look. All in all I am really happy with the Nytro so far and with all the modifications we've done. Next on our agenda is to improve the suspension, so check back to see what we figured out.

Sources:
Mountain Performance
www.mountainperformance.com

Fly Racing
www.flyracing.com

Powermadd
www.powermadd.com