SXR x-metal handpole install tips

[jlane330]

I understand what you mean. Yes, it's true that there are not many straight bar system with pads on them. I am 100% sure you can get a A/M steering system that will work for your UMI bars.

I have seen those steering system one time but I have not heard much about them. I keep hearing a lot of people recommending RRP, Cold Fusion, and xmetal all the time. I had to drill/tap the x-metal pole for my RRP steering plate and only took me 20 minutes. I can ask some people around for a steering system that will work for your UMI bars. Is your UMI bars a straight bar? You are a mechanical engineering? No kidding, I'm an mechanical engineering student.

The RRP system you have will mount my bars, just like the Kommander set-up. I think I had my terminology wrong. I have 0 degree bars. It would appear that straight bars are, well, a straight piece of tubing. Mine is like the stock bar arrangement with a crossbar/pad. Either set-up would work fine (heck, they look identical in the pics). No kidding, I have an MSME and appreciate good product design. How far through school are you? Any idea what kind of work you want when you're done?

I have never seen anyone using dual pivot bolt method. It could work well and won't be in the way for the cables to go through. I'm using the stock bolt and not using a spring on the x-metal pole. The stock spring has way too much tension and the x-metal pole stay straight up. I am actually looking for a lower tension spring just in case. I have old pain on my lower back, I fractured four of my vertebrae in a ATV accident five years ago.

I'm going to do the same, reuse the stock bolt and bracket. No sense in reinventing the wheel if the stock parts work fine. I hadn't come across any info about the stock spring being too tight yet though...hmmm. I guess I'll look into that when I get there.

Thanks for your input on my other thread (sanity check). After much thought, I think I'm going to just do both the FW and pipe at the same time. Those FW are super expensive (not sure why exactly, not much to them), but after searching for hours...a lightweight flywheel is mentioned a lot. It's just money right...haha!

 

[Texan33]

The RRP system you have will mount my bars, just like the Kommander set-up. I think I had my terminology wrong. I have 0 degree bars. It would appear that straight bars are, well, a straight piece of tubing. Mine is like the stock bar arrangement with a crossbar/pad. Either set-up would work fine (heck, they look identical in the pics). No kidding, I have an MSME and appreciate good product design. How far through school are you? Any idea what kind of work you want when you're done?

Is this what your UMI bar looks like? If yes, my bar is completely different and the tube is 100% straight and is thicker in the center. My RRP steering system is made for the specifically type of bar I have (My bar is called straight fat bar). Maybe RRP make a different steering system that I am unaware of. I just saw the Kommander system on Blowsion.com and they are very similar to RRP and the prices are very close.

I have two more years left at college. I'm an extreme sports enthusiast and off-road is my main passion (ATV/quad and motocross). I have been riding dirt bike and four-wheeler since I was 7 years old, I'm almost 22 and I just got into the jet ski sport last year and I'm getting more interesting in it. I want to get a job that involve off-road sport or water sport like working for a Yamaha Company designing a quad. I have built a lot of stuff since I was a kid and I made a lot of custom changes on my ATV to make it a better suitable machine.

I'm going to do the same, reuse the stock bolt and bracket. No sense in reinventing the wheel if the stock parts work fine. I hadn't come across any info about the stock spring being too tight yet though...hmmm. I guess I'll look into that when I get there.

Thanks for your input on my other thread (sanity check). After much thought, I think I'm going to just do both the FW and pipe at the same time. Those FW are super expensive (not sure why exactly, not much to them), but after searching for hours...a lightweight flywheel is mentioned a lot. It's just money right...haha!

No problem, if you have any other questions feel free to ask me anytime. I'm going to move this to your other thread because I don't to go off topic on this thread haha.

 

[jlane330]

For those with X-metal poles on their SXR's, maybe you can help answer a few questions, please?

1. I received two sets of bushings with my pole. I installed the longer versions, but there is still a 1/16" gap on each side between the bushing and the mounting bracket. Anyone else have this problem? Not sure why, seems like the bushings are too short by just a tad. I could use washers I guess, but should I have to?

2. What did you do about the rubber bellows that the cables run through? Mine is compressed all the way with the pole half way up. Do I need to cut it down? Run it as is? Clearance the handlepole with the "U" groove?

3. My pole hits the rubber strip at the front of the bracket (not exactly sure what it's for, it's not a stop for the stock pole), such that the pole can't go down all the way and lay flat. Did you guys remove the rubber piece, cut it for clearance, or ?

4. Anyone running the stock counterbalance spring? Any tricks to getting it installed?

5. Anyone reinstall the stock limiter bumper after removing the latch for keeping the stock pole up? What did you use for a spacer? It needs about 1/4".

6. When turfing the chinpad, should I put some padding (i.e. 8mm) under the diamond pad? Anyone have some pics of their chinpad close-up? Seems like it needs something more than just diamond turf...

Thanks in advance for all the help! I ordered the Kawi handlepole and am surprised by how poorly it actually fits the ski. It's nothing major, just a bunch of little things that don't fit, which is a bit aggravating considering the cost of these things.

 

[Texan33]

For those with X-metal poles on their SXR's, maybe you can help answer a few questions, please?

1. I received two sets of bushings with my pole. I installed the longer versions, but there is still a 1/16" gap on each side between the bushing and the mounting bracket. Anyone else have this problem? Not sure why, seems like the bushings are too short by just a tad. I could use washers I guess, but should I have to?

2. What did you do about the rubber bellows that the cables run through? Mine is compressed all the way with the pole half way up. Do I need to cut it down? Run it as is? Clearance the handlepole with the "U" groove?

3. My pole hits the rubber strip at the front of the bracket (not exactly sure what it's for, it's not a stop for the stock pole), such that the pole can't go down all the way and lay flat. Did you guys remove the rubber piece, cut it for clearance, or ?

4. Anyone running the stock counterbalance spring? Any tricks to getting it installed?

5. Anyone reinstall the stock limiter bumper after removing the latch for keeping the stock pole up? What did you use for a spacer? It needs about 1/4".

6. When turfing the chinpad, should I put some padding (i.e. 8mm) under the diamond pad? Anyone have some pics of their chinpad close-up? Seems like it needs something more than just diamond turf...

Thanks in advance for all the help! I ordered the Kawi handlepole and am surprised by how poorly it actually fits the ski. It's nothing major, just a bunch of little things that don't fit, which is a bit aggravating considering the cost of these things.

1. I had the same problem. I just pick up some stainless steel washers to fill in the gap. Each side has one washer in it.

2. By the "U' groove, are you referring to the "BigFish Mod"? I don't the idea of cutting off a small chuck of that pole. I just cut the rubber spiral tube in half and it works perfect.

3. Yes, I removed that off.

4. Not using a spring for my x-metal pole. I like tighten pole better than spring pole. It feels just right for my backbone.

5. I don't use that latch anymore. The pole can stand upright just fine without the latch.

6. I was going to put some padding on the chinpad but decided not to. I just turfed it and call it good.

I can post some pictures of the whole setup later. Yeah, it was kinda pain in the arse doing some of those work to get it to fit but it was well worth it. I love my x-metal pole on the sxr.

 

[jlane330]

Thanks Texan! I'm surprised by all these little things...

1. I'll pick up some washers. Note sure why they didn't just make the bushings the right length to begin with...

2. I don't know what the "Bigfish mod" is, haven't heard of it. Is that here on the X? I was just looking at how to deal with it. Cutting the bellows looks like it should work fine too, and is easier.

3. I'll remove the rubber piece. It's STUCK on there good!

4. Not sure on spring yet...I was thinking that someone else was using their spring. I'll play with that.

5. Did you remove both stops then? With the right stop still in the place the pole can't stand up on it's own. Maybe it's time for a limit strap...

6. I cut some padding for it last night, but was then started second guessing it. HT alone isn't very soft, I think I'll try some padding under. Worst case is I have to redo it.

Some pics would be great, if you don't mind. I'm going to work on mounting the steering kit to the pole tonight (drill and tap, chamfer bore). After riding with the stock pole this weekend, I'm excited about having a shorter pole. The stocker felt way too long. Thanks for all the help!

 

[jetskidude1113]

no tip, just pictures of mine. just picked up the ski a week ago and it came with it.

 

[two81's]

Any updates on this pole install?

 

[jlane330]

Any updates on this pole install?

Asking me? I have my X-metal pole installed and overall I like the pole versus stock, but I do have some complaints.

Pros:
1. Looks great on the SXR
2. Seems strong (no reason it shouldn't be)
3. AM steering is nicer than stock Kawi.

Cons:
1. PITA to install. NOT happy with steering cable install (way too long).
2. I "D" cut my pole at the bottom so the cables had some clearance when the pole is down. It's better, but again the cable routing is not great.
3. I cut and rethreaded my steering cable at the turnplate. This was a royal hassle given the Metric thread, SS rod, and space. It worked, but wasn't easy.
4. I used my torch to bend my pole spring. Many don't use a pole spring. I did. The pole just lays on the hood with minimal pressure now, but that took several tries to get the bends right.
5. The ski now turns turtle much easier. I need to put a pool noodle in the pole to hep this. MY GF couldn't get the ski turned back over the first time...luckily I was out there able to help.
6. The pivot bushings aren't very well sized for the Kawi install, even though it's intended for a Kawi. I bought some SS washers to help take up the gap, but it still has a sloppy fit.
7. I personally think it's too short in length. Mine is as long as possible, and my bars are 0 deg (not straight, but the V style which moves them back some). I'd like it back 2-3" more. My back never used to feel bad after riding, but after this pole, it does now. The adjustability part is useless, NO WAY I'd want to go shorter yet!
8. Does not accommodate a standard UMI style steering set-up without drilling/tapping the adjustable plate.
9. Had to remove the large rubber piece on the bracket. A simple design change to the pole could have easily avoided that.

Overall it's a nice pole, but could use several refinements that would make it outstanding. Very simply, it's not designed to be a direct bolt-on with a Kawi even though it's advertised to fit Kawi's. I won't be going back to my stocker (it's in great condition, but too long), but I might machine a new adjustable plate that is longer to solve some of the shortcomings. I could also accommodate a stock steering cable in the design (no need to cut). Maybe this winter I'll get to work on it.

Are the AC and RRP poles direct fits, or do they require as much modifications to work?

 

[SxrMau]

The RRP is a straightforward installation, except for a little grinding on the pivot bushes. I feel it is too long in the shortest position, so I had to cut the tubes a little. I had also to cut and rethread my Blowsion heavy duty steering cable. I feel it's OK with the OEM spring without a tensioner. Also with this pole, the ski has a tendency to turn turtle; I had NEVER experienced before this annoying situation, so I ended up to come back to the stock pole.

 

[SxrMau]

Asking me? I have my X-metal pole installed and overall I like the pole versus stock, but I do have some complaints.

Pros:
1. Looks great on the SXR
2. Seems strong (no reason it shouldn't be)
3. AM steering is nicer than stock Kawi.

Cons:
1. PITA to install. NOT happy with steering cable install (way too long).
2. I "D" cut my pole at the bottom so the cables had some clearance when the pole is down. It's better, but again the cable routing is not great.
3. I cut and rethreaded my steering cable at the turnplate. This was a royal hassle given the Metric thread, SS rod, and space. It worked, but wasn't easy.
4. I used my torch to bend my pole spring. Many don't use a pole spring. I did. The pole just lays on the hood with minimal pressure now, but that took several tries to get the bends right.
5. The ski now turns turtle much easier. I need to put a pool noodle in the pole to hep this. MY GF couldn't get the ski turned back over the first time...luckily I was out there able to help.
6. The pivot bushings aren't very well sized for the Kawi install, even though it's intended for a Kawi. I bought some SS washers to help take up the gap, but it still has a sloppy fit.
7. I personally think it's too short in length. Mine is as long as possible, and my bars are 0 deg (not straight, but the V style which moves them back some). I'd like it back 2-3" more. My back never used to feel bad after riding, but after this pole, it does now. The adjustability part is useless, NO WAY I'd want to go shorter yet!
8. Does not accommodate a standard UMI style steering set-up without drilling/tapping the adjustable plate.
9. Had to remove the large rubber piece on the bracket. A simple design change to the pole could have easily avoided that.

Overall it's a nice pole, but could use several refinements that would make it outstanding. Very simply, it's not designed to be a direct bolt-on with a Kawi even though it's advertised to fit Kawi's. I won't be going back to my stocker (it's in great condition, but too long), but I might machine a new adjustable plate that is longer to solve some of the shortcomings. I could also accommodate a stock steering cable in the design (no need to cut). Maybe this winter I'll get to work on it.

Are the AC and RRP poles direct fits, or do they require as much modifications to work?

You solved with the pool noodle?