F
fusion
Guest
Time to formulate a decision for next year regarding new sled. After much consideration I've about 95% decided to go back to a 2-Stroke for one of my sleds. The only thing I would consider would be an E-Tek. It's not that I don't like the 4-strokes. But a couple of things about them are really bothersome.
1.) Weight - although you don't feel it on the trail, when you have to pick these things up to get them on dollies to move in/out of garage, or pull or pick them up to get them on a trailer - WOW - backache. As much as you try, invariably you end up moving these things around on your own and they are a killer. But that alone wouldn't make me change.
2.) Oil changes - I'd love to hear feedback on this one. First of all, it sounds too complicated for me to do on my own. I know most of you are mechanically orented and this might not be intimidating, but for a guy like me, when it comes to basic disassembly and reconnecting things like air boxes and head-light pods, I go into anxiety attach mode. I normally wind up PO'd at some point, and the frustation isn't worth the time and effort. So what do I do? Take it to a dealer. I used a dealer for the Vector in the fall that saved me a bit, even though they quoted less, it still cost me approx. $105. The Apex was done this past weekend to the tune of $160 - at an authorized dealer. To me, this is just crazy for an oil change.
I could buy 4 gd gallons of oil for $160 and just ride an E-Tek for 5 years. Not to mention I'm never inconveniced with having to take my sled in for an oil change. For a guy like me that rides 500 - 1000 miles a year, I think a 2-stroke makes more sense. These E-Tek 600's go about 420 lbs., compared to the dry weight apex/vector at 575 - 590. That's a big difference.
The other two factors you have to consider are:
1.) Resale - the 4-stroke probably holds value a bit better than a 2, but if you trade or move to a 2 yr. newer model every other year, is the difference significant? Seems to me, the 4-stroke might make sense if you are keeping them for 4+ years.
2.) Quality: Yamaha 4-stroke quality vs. BRP 2-stroke. Don't know how to quantify this, but I'm looking for opinions. So far, other than a minor adjustment to the reverse mechanism on the Apex, I haven't had any warranty claims or any problems, other than lousy hand warmers, fixed with a $150 mod and 1 hr. labor. Looking back several years, I owned a few Doo's in the 90's, and many Poo's, with no warranty problems and no burndowns. For the way I ride, I don't see a difference, but again, looking for any/all comments.
One more thing - does anyone have feedback on the 4-Tek and if it's easier or possible to do an oil change on your own? How does oil change on 4-Tek compare to 4S Yamaha?
TIA
1.) Weight - although you don't feel it on the trail, when you have to pick these things up to get them on dollies to move in/out of garage, or pull or pick them up to get them on a trailer - WOW - backache. As much as you try, invariably you end up moving these things around on your own and they are a killer. But that alone wouldn't make me change.
2.) Oil changes - I'd love to hear feedback on this one. First of all, it sounds too complicated for me to do on my own. I know most of you are mechanically orented and this might not be intimidating, but for a guy like me, when it comes to basic disassembly and reconnecting things like air boxes and head-light pods, I go into anxiety attach mode. I normally wind up PO'd at some point, and the frustation isn't worth the time and effort. So what do I do? Take it to a dealer. I used a dealer for the Vector in the fall that saved me a bit, even though they quoted less, it still cost me approx. $105. The Apex was done this past weekend to the tune of $160 - at an authorized dealer. To me, this is just crazy for an oil change.
I could buy 4 gd gallons of oil for $160 and just ride an E-Tek for 5 years. Not to mention I'm never inconveniced with having to take my sled in for an oil change. For a guy like me that rides 500 - 1000 miles a year, I think a 2-stroke makes more sense. These E-Tek 600's go about 420 lbs., compared to the dry weight apex/vector at 575 - 590. That's a big difference.
The other two factors you have to consider are:
1.) Resale - the 4-stroke probably holds value a bit better than a 2, but if you trade or move to a 2 yr. newer model every other year, is the difference significant? Seems to me, the 4-stroke might make sense if you are keeping them for 4+ years.
2.) Quality: Yamaha 4-stroke quality vs. BRP 2-stroke. Don't know how to quantify this, but I'm looking for opinions. So far, other than a minor adjustment to the reverse mechanism on the Apex, I haven't had any warranty claims or any problems, other than lousy hand warmers, fixed with a $150 mod and 1 hr. labor. Looking back several years, I owned a few Doo's in the 90's, and many Poo's, with no warranty problems and no burndowns. For the way I ride, I don't see a difference, but again, looking for any/all comments.
One more thing - does anyone have feedback on the 4-Tek and if it's easier or possible to do an oil change on your own? How does oil change on 4-Tek compare to 4S Yamaha?
TIA
