Pictures from the trip:

 

Reserved

 

I too have a lot of time in diff lock at full lock and full compression, extension with sway bar disconnected as well. So far zero issues so it’s not a matter a cv joint bind. You can’t flex one beyond what I’ve put mine through either.
Looking forward to some vids!

 

Thats awesome man!!! Cool shit right there!!! Looks like an amazing time.👍👍👍

 

Looking forward to seeing the VID! Looks like a good time for sure.

 

Shouldn't those Rmax's be on showroom floors...?

Those don't look like stock tires and rims. Bring us back the inside scoop.

Inquiring minds need to know.

 

Shouldn't those Rmax's be on showroom floors...?

Those don't look like stock tires and rims. Bring us back the inside scoop.

Inquiring minds need to know.

4 vehicles had bead locks while the other 8 had stock RMAX2 LE wheels and tires.

 

...RMAX4 along with 11 other units... only damage were some scrapes and 2 bent tie rods (for the whole group)...

That's an impressive statement.

4 vehicles had bead locks while the other 8 had stock RMAX2 LE wheels and tires.

So stock LE's are Carnivores right, then the Yamaha offered EFX MotoHammer beadlock kit... was there any points where either tire stood out vs the other?

Were the IQS shocks a big benefit on that type of trail, we don't even get the option of them in Canada so wondering how much we're missing, or are they most valuable to high speed riders who would be switching in and out throughout the day?

 

Following.

 

fyi, there's a follow button at the top right, rather than commenting Following 🍻

 

Thanks Dan. I thought I clicked on it, but guess not 🤔

 

I'll follow up with my monologue later as I've rewritten it 3 times and FB or God doesn't want me to do it right now and it was deleted so I'll just show you the quick-edit version of my ride in the Yamaha RMAX 1000 on the Rubicon Trail. Stay tuned for the following video as this one doesn't cover half of the awesome sections of the Rubicon.

 

I'll follow up with my monologue later as I've rewritten it 3 times and FB or God doesn't want me to do it right now and it was deleted so I'll just show you the quick-edit version of my ride in the Yamaha RMAX 1000 on the Rubicon Trail. Stay tuned for the following video as this one doesn't cover half of the awesome sections of the Rubicon.

Awesome video man!!

 

I know you have to be there to see what's going on but I'm not wild about the line the spotter recommended in the second picture but I'm sure there is reason they were recommending it.

 

There was a lot of off-camber stuff and many times the lines chosen were so that you were being setup for the obstacle immediately following.........sometimes........many times the photos and even the video perspective doesn't show it.

 

That's what I figured. We can't see what's coming up.

 

This is why FB deleted my written monologue. I can't thank Yamaha Outdoors enough:

 

We are lucky to have you represent us. Thanks man.
Book of faces is where freedom of speech goes to die.

 

Would love to ride that sometime, good stuff Massive!

 

Looks like one hell of a opportunity. Can’t wait for more videos. This trail is on my todo list.

 

Did some of the more intense obstacles have by pass routes available?

 

I don't think so. We did Big Sleuth and I hear Old Sleuth is tougher, but I don't know of any more.

 

Finally got a chance to watch the videos. Very cool. Spotters make a difference. Without one I would have chosen a different line in some of those situations but you have to trust your spotter as they know and see things you don't from behind the wheel.

 

If you've never used a spotter before as I have, it's an uneasy feeling at first. You're not looking at the ground/terrain as you normally would but looking straight at him and depending on him to be your eyes.

 

Me and my brother spot one another but its different when its a stranger you have no personal relationship with. I trust my brother but someone else would be difficult.

 

Pictures from the trip:

 

Sure is some nice scenery along the way!

 

Note to self: Don't buy "1/8th" thick aluminum" bash plate and plastic fuel hub caps.

 

Great pics and great video. I too would love to drive someone else's Rmax up that trail. I don't think I could voluntarily take mine. Maybe in a few years.

 

I didn't drive mine like it was a rental. I mean I knew it was going to get beat up underneath, but that's why it had all the protection added on like the UHMW skids, bash plate, and rock sliders. It's set up very much like my personal RMAX4. The first day I barely used diff lock and had to be told to. After I got over my false fear of breaking an axle, the second day I used diff lock most of the ride. My follow up videos will cover this.

You'll notice that I only stomp the throttle where momentum is needed to get over an obstacle and never do I WOT stomp it. You'll see I bump the throttle to get over the first 'step', then bump it again to get over the next one. Rarely do I power it up all the way. No one wants to face the shame of gimping a machine, forcing a extended delay for everyone or possible tow out. Now that I've seen how easy it is to change a tie rod, I have no fear of that happening and have one ordered as a spare (should have ordered 2).

If you follow me or my groups on FB you'll see that my RMAX is always washed and waxed and if you happen to catch me with it muddy..........take a picture. I'm warming up to the fact that if I'm going to do CAMP 5 that I may get my rock sliders beat up and that I'll have some bead lock rings get beat up and will wear them as badges of honor if that does happen, but I'm still going to try to avoid it. I think maybe 1 or 2 units in the group had minor body work scrapes and no fenders were ripped off. I would remove center wheel caps if you know you're going rock crawling if they're not low-profile.

Throttle is your enemy in a situation where you're in a bind. It's how things get broke/bent. You need to pick a different line, use a spotter, or simply back off and try again, or admit failure and pull out the winch line if necessary. We didn't have to winch one vehicle. Get rid of the Just Send It!!! attitudes and you'll just likely get through unscathed.

 

A friend of mine was on that ride. He said it took all day to go 14 mi. I see why.

 

I like the campsite sign

 

Lets talk tie rods. Other than terrain, what was the most significate contributor to them failing? Diff lock? driver input? poor design? I know Yamaha reads these threads, but inquiring minds need to know...the truth. We all know that after market tie rods are usually beefier than stock. Going with 32" tires will only amplify this failure. Thanks for your input.

 

Physics. Going at speed and hitting an object where the suspension can't absorb it so the tie rod now takes whatever shock or load your suspension couldn't. Getting into a situation where your steering input is telling you: 'I am making the steering really hard to move for a damn reason you dummy!!' and you ignore it and try and force the wheel against the feedback you're feeling. Sometimes it could be coming off a steep obstacle and you're not slow enough descending and you have a wheel turned and once again, your shocks are no good because your suspension arms are near perpendicular to ground. Gravity is fighting you keeping the wheels straight.

Aftermarket tie rods are great. The RMAX's steering rack has been beefed up as well. You can fall into one of two camps:

• The steering rack is beefy enough to handle the added stress put on it from going with heavier tie rods, or
• You increase the risk of breaking a steering rack, which is much more expensive and harder to change out than a tie rod, which is cheaper and can be changed out in 15 minutes

Same logic above applies to CV axles. It's no fun changing out a diff.