Snowmobile Yamaha RX1 (2003 year). Manual - part 12

7-6

Hard-packed snow

It can be more difficult to negotiate on
hard-packed snow as both the skis and
drive track do not have as much traction as
when the snowmobile is operated on fresh
snow. Avoid rapid acceleration, turning, or
braking.

Operation on surfaces other than
snow or ice

Operation of your snowmobile on surfaces
other than snow or ice should be avoided.
Operation under such conditions will dam-
age or result in rapid wear of the ski run-
ners, drive track, slide runners, and drive
sprockets. Operation of the snowmobile
under the following conditions should be
avoided at all costs:

1. Dirt 
2. Sand 
3. Rocks 
4. Grass 
5. Bare pavement

Other conditions that should be avoided for
the sake of drive track and slide runner life
are:

1. Glare ice surfaces 
2. Snow mixed with a lot of dirt and sand

All the above conditions have one thing in
common in regard to drive track and slide
runners; little or no lubricating ability. Drive
track and all slide rail systems require
lubrication (snow or water) between the
slide runners and the slide metal. In the
absence of lubrication, the slide runners
will rapidly wear and in severe cases, liter-
ally melt away, and the drive track will be
subjected to damage or failure.
Also traction aids such as studs, cleats,
etc., may cause further track damage or
failure.

WARNING

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Drive track damage or failure could
result in loss of braking ability and
snowmobile control, which could cause
an accident. 

●

Always check the drive track for
damage or maladjustment before
operating the snowmobile. 

●

Do not operate the snowmobile if
you find damage to the drive track. 

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CAUTION:

@ 

Ride on fresh snow frequently. Operat-
ing on ice or hard-packed snow will rap-
idly wear the slide runners. 

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7-7

ESU00251

Maximizing drive track life

Recommendations

Track tension
During initial break-in, the new drive track will tend to
stretch quickly as the track settles. Be sure to correct the
track tension and alignment frequently. (See pages
8-26–8-28 for adjustment procedures.) A loose track can
slip (ratchet), derail or catch on suspension parts caus-
ing severe damage. Do not overtighten the drive track,
otherwise it may increase the friction between the track
and the slide runners, resulting in the rapid wear of both
components. Also, this may put an excessive load on the
suspension components, resulting in component failure.

Marginal snow
The drive track and the slide runners are lubricated and
cooled by snow and water. To prevent the drive track and
slide runners from overheating, avoid sustained high-
speed usage in areas such as icy trails, frozen lakes and
rivers that have minimal snow coverage. An overheated
track will be weakened internally, which may cause fail-
ure or damage.

Off-trail riding
Avoid off-trail riding until there is sufficient snow cover-
age. It generally takes several feet of snow to provide a
good overall base to properly cover debris, such as
rocks, logs, etc. If snow coverage is not sufficient, stay on
trails to avoid impact damage to the drive track.

Studded track
In general, track life will be shortened when studs are
installed. Drilling stud holes into the drive track will cut
the internal fibers, which weakens the track. Avoid spin-
ning the drive track. Studs may catch on an object and
pull out of the track, leaving tears and damage around
the already weakened area. To minimize possible dam-
age, consult your stud manufacturer for installation and
stud pattern recommendations. 
Yamaha does not recommend track studding.

7-8

ESU00245 

Strap

For RX10M/RX10MS
The strap 

1 should be used only by experienced opera-

tors to assist them when traverse (side-hill) riding.

WARNING

@ 

Improper use of the strap on the handlebar can
result in severe injury or death. 

●

Use the strap only as an operator grip point when
needed to shift weight uphill to maintain balance
during traverse (side-hill) riding. Only experi-
enced operators should traverse slopes steep
enough to require strap use. 

●

Keep the right hand on the right handlebar grip
for steering, and grip the strap with the left hand
to shift weight uphill for balance during traverse
riding. 

●

Ride cautiously while using the strap. Do not
accelerate or decelerate abruptly while holding
onto the strap. 

●

Do not use the strap to lift the snowmobile. 

●

Do not use the strap as a mounting point for
cargo or accessories. 

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7-9

ESU00347

Driving

WARNING

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Be sure to read the “SAFETY INFORMATION” and
“Riding your snowmobile” sections carefully before
operating the snowmobile. 

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NOTE:

@ 

Make sure that the engine is warmed up enough before
riding. 

@

For RX10/RX10S/RX10M/RX10MS

1. Release the parking brake by moving the parking

brake lever to the right. 

2. Press the throttle lever slowly to move the snowmo-

bile. 

3. Turn the handlebar in the desired direction. 
4. Squeeze the brake lever to stop the snowmobile. 
5. Apply the parking brake by moving the parking brake

lever to the left.

For RX10R/RX10RS

1. To select the desired operating position, pull the shift

lever out, slide it to “FWD” or to “REV” until it stops,
and then release it.

1 Pull out 
2 Slide to “FWD” (Forward) 
3 Slide to “REV” (Reverse) 
4 Release

WARNING

@ 

●

Make sure that the throttle lever is fully released
and the snowmobile is at a full stop before shift-
ing. 

●

Be sure to slide the shift lever to “FWD” or “REV”
until it stops completely and only while the
engine is idling. 

●

Make sure that the area behind the snowmobile is
clear before reversing. Watch behind. 

●

Reduce speed and avoid sharp turning when
operating the snowmobile in reverse. 

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