Factory Turbo Yamaha
- Thread starter srt20
- Start date
dfattack
Well-known member
Well I don't need to go 125+ mph. I ride on the trails of Wisc and the U.P. All the money of R&D was spent on a factory turbo costing as much as $17,000...really? I know it sounds like I'm trashing Yamaha a little bit but I can. I have owned 13 or 14 Yamaha's since 2002. I lost count actually so I'm definitely brand loyal. There are so many sidewinders and vipers...I don't get it. It's starting to look like Yamaha is in the powersports engine business and have been able to slap on their name to the new cat sleds. Last year I told my son I would buy him one more sled and then He will take over the costs of maintaining it and any new sled in the future. The ONLY sled I have ever had in the shop for a "problem" other than normal maintenance was his...A VIPER. Yes warranty but ironic. As it turned out the parts were part of the Cat section of the sled. go figure. I have three sleds, 4 if you count my sons so being able to afford one isn't an issue...but $17,000 for a snowmobile is getting slightly ridiculous. The core lineup of Yamaha Purebred sleds have almost been neglected the last couple of years. Yes I know a few tweaks here and there and to be honest maybe they didn't need anything more...so I'm still riding a 2011 Apex XTX. I was hoping for some updates to their venture lineup since I am riding more with my wife on the 2 up but NOTHING. I'm now going to get the Doo SE Model of the 2up next season. I waited for the March 1st announcement from Yamaha but they didn't deliver anything for this customer. I hope the sidewinder pays off for yamaha so they stay in the snowmobile business...so maybe just maybe they offer us purebred Yamaha customers something that can create some excitement to upgrade our sleds. Until then I stay on my 2011 & 2012 Apex XTX and my new Doo Grand touring SE.
journeyman
New member
They definitely need to revamp the Phazer. With their motor technology they could easily up the HP output to get it close to 100 hp too or somewhere in between. Probably would be a nice machine in the Cat chassis for a certain type of rider.
To each their own but the smell of a two stroke snowmobile is one of the things I love about snowmobiling.
The sidewinder may not be for me either....but non the less...I think it's a very impressive engine, and shows what Yamaha is capable of.
As a Yamaha owner/fan...we have to admit Yamaha has had short comings in ride, and handling...this partnership with cat has given Yamaha a capable chassis with good handling and ride...far better than the current apex, or vector...and the fit and finish continue to improve.
As much as I want to see a new 100 percent Yamaha...I can't sit here and be a hypocrite...they have now given us two machines that are class competitive in ride, handling, and performance (and yes, they are lighter).
The viper, and now sidewider, are sharp looking machines....I'm not upset with the cat partnership...the only thing I question is if or when will it become ONE BRAND...and if it does...oh well. I guess I will be riding cats in the future. Give me Yamaha power in that cat chassis....I can live with that.
As a Yamaha owner/fan...we have to admit Yamaha has had short comings in ride, and handling...this partnership with cat has given Yamaha a capable chassis with good handling and ride...far better than the current apex, or vector...and the fit and finish continue to improve.
As much as I want to see a new 100 percent Yamaha...I can't sit here and be a hypocrite...they have now given us two machines that are class competitive in ride, handling, and performance (and yes, they are lighter).
The viper, and now sidewider, are sharp looking machines....I'm not upset with the cat partnership...the only thing I question is if or when will it become ONE BRAND...and if it does...oh well. I guess I will be riding cats in the future. Give me Yamaha power in that cat chassis....I can live with that.
sweeperguy
Active member
X2 even my wife somewhat likes it. Its okay for me to start my sled in attached garage.
groomerdriver
New member
Started and ran a new 600 etech in an enclosed trailer over the weekend. It's almost scary how much the thing DOESN'T smoke. And it's in break-in mode!
All the manufacturers tried this once before. Meaning the higher HP race. They were all over themselves trying to outdo each other just to have the baddest beast on the trail. It worked for a couple years then they got way too expensive to sell all those big dogs and dealers got to sitting on them and insurance companies got to thinking that they were paying out way too many claims and decided not to insure them. Then the manufacturers were falling all over themselves to make the best entry level and the best all around riding sled that everyone could afford. I would bet it will happen again this time. There is I'm sure a group on this web site that can go out next week and put down the $16,000 for one of the new sleds, but there is a **** of a lot more on here that will be lucky to spend half that much. The only concern is which company will go down this time. Of course I might be all wrong and in 2 years you can't by the cheapest new sled for $13000 but I doubt it. You can only be 20 something with no wife and no kids and money in the bank for a short time in your life. My .02 and enjoy the snow while it lasts.
dfattack
Well-known member
Well, Yamaha didn't give us two of their machines...they gave us two of Cat's machines with their engines. Fine, maybe a clutch or this or that but the bottom line (I believe) is they could have figured out how to make a purebred viper and sidewinder but they chose not to. That is the question I have. WHY???
Their engineers are smart so I wonder why they are choosing the easy way out and just buying Cat machines and throwing their engines in them. I realize some people like it and that's ok. My son is one of them. I even bought the sled. BUT, based on being in the shop 3 or 4 times (in ONE YEAR) due to problems that were not normal maintenance I will not buy another Yamicat.
groomerdriver
New member
It's called "Yamaha Snowmobile Divsions X Year Strategic Plan". Being #4 in the market and so far behind #1 and #2, the higher ups at Yamaha must see no ROI on investing the money needed in ONE completely new chassis, much less two.
In the long term, they must see this sport is going downhill and not worth the investment that could be put to better use elsewhere.
C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
I sat there 3 weeks ago looking at a dealer with a '13 Vector, owners demo, (700 miles) 1st service done and duelies, for $6999- screaming BUY ME - couldn't do it. Love the Vipers look and motor, but no way with Cat quality. Check the horror stories on TY. Deals all over on Vipers for a reason. Can't do that either. Sorry to P on parade - off soap box and yield the floor.
groomerdriver
New member
Do you know if it's still for sale? If so, PM me please!
C
Cirrus_Driver
Guest
Bought last Vector there, and know the owner. It was for sale at that price for about 2 weeks and gone while I considered it. Wife pretty much nixed it or I might of got weak and done it.
How many 900 Ace's have been sold? It's a little under-powered for my taste but, MAN what a nice pkg! Why don't the others build one like this; light weight, Quiet, torque motor w/stellar fuel economy. I now own two and picked the last one up for a little over $8000 ('16 Ren. Adren.) This is where the future of 4-strokes lies.
groomerdriver
New member
Ok thanks. Know of a few people who are looking and might have jumped. With a WRP seat and some other adjustments, it's a damn fine trail sled IMO!. Just don't get it stuck! LOL!
Supposedly there's a clutch kit that really wakes these up too.
One of my relatives bought that same sled a few weeks back too. Retired and rides in northern wisconsin/Western UP all Jan and Feb. Replaced a Poo 2 stroke. Would buy a Poo 4 stroke if they make one. Also has a Yami 4 stroke but prefers the higher seating position.
groomerdriver
New member
And a reflash too?