NEED HELP!! Survey from John Dee Sledders!

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mjkaliszak

New member
Weight is a determining factor.... in EVERY sled I have ever purchased. I won't even consider a heavy sled, ever !
A did ride a XTX ( liked it ), did ride an APEX ( OK for plowing over sapplings but don't get it stuck ) and did ride a vector.... 3 totally different rides.
I personally think that sled prices have reached a MAX... Yammi needs to do what BRP is doing with their $5K Seadoo.
I can afford the high end sleds ( of course... i'm 50 and established ) if I was in my 20's and still in the acquisition stage of my life ???? I could not afford the BIG $$$ sleds especially for 3 months of season.
Just my .02
I would love to try a yammi-cat.... but definately wouldn't buy 1.
My armada has been reduced to 2 sleds, limited usage, and don't look to upgrade every 2-3 years like I did before....
They need ( all sled manu's ) cheaper sleds....
 
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ss440

Member
If Yamaha built a 137" sled as good as my current sled then yes. I grew up riding yamahas. But IMO everything they have put out since 2000 doesn't interest me.

Needs to be sub 500lbs dry.
130 hp or more
137" track
handles like my current yellow(hint) sled
Has awesome suspension like my yellow one.
 
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Deleted member 10829

Guest
whitedust said:
Yep if Yamaha or Polaris wanted to get out they would just say done snowmobiles PITA market for both. I have been involved in many OEM agreements & my thinking is AC passion is rubbing off on Yamaha opening their eyes a bit. It is all about making money & looks like the Viper did that for both companies so now OEMS get closer or further apart & for now looks like they will be closer the beautiful new girlfriend with big boobs you can't get enough of approach. lol Now Polaris is sitting there thinking no 4s.... I wonder if Yamaha would be interested very logical for them too.....you bet! Very possible & that is how OEM agreements grow when you become the standard no internal mfg can beat. Polairs & 4s engines from Yamaha would not surprise me at all to jump start Poo 4s program.:)
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Even though I'm not a huge fan of manufacturers sharing major technology, such as chassis' and engines, I have to admit a Yamaha 4s in a Poo chassis would get my blood flowing! The only thing better may be a Honda engine, but that's debatable too as I see and hear how reliable these Yamaha engines are. I've just always loved Honda products.
 
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arcticgeorge

New member
I have been use to heavy sleds so i guess i dont know what i'm missing with a light weight sled(besides my old Exciter's and SRV's)...... I think people would put up with some extra weight if the machine would last longer and be more dependable. Like Nick Keller put 20,000 miles on a 4 stroke in one season with no rebuild. (43,000 in 130 days of riding a Yamaha 4 stroke) I love 2 strokes but it would nice knowing your engine will handle long trips. I have had good luck with my 2 stroke twins and triples but many friends have not. Long track for sure if you know you will be hitting the deep stuff.
 
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momoney2123

New member
whitedust said:
I don't want to get off Kip's topic but you have had reasonable doo 2s luck although installing wiseco pistons and rings in an doo engine to make it right not my opinion of a good engine. I get the feeling you have not owned a Yamaha 4s so don't really have hands on experience with both engine brands to really know how much better yamaha 4s engines are. Yes I get it you like very light sleds with 2s engines so doo fits you best. I ride alone a lot so for me I have to get home without help & doo 2s let me down too often & found Yamaha 4s as the answer for me. Doo 2s meltdowns have been the case for us run great until they don't. I also have a 2010 150 etec outboard, ok engine, but does throw wierd faults from time to time so I'm like here we go again you dummy for buying a 2s again. lol:) I guess I never learn to a point.:)
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Haha I mean yes in 2003 there was known ring flaking issues, ski-doo made everyone well aware of it. If you kept riding the sled without making any changes and expected to just oil gas and go, well then thats your own fault for being stranded. every manufacturer at some point has made a mistake along the line as far as a 2s engine, just the nature of the beast. It seems you hold 2s and 4s to the same standards as far as reliability. Just realistically not possible. We all know yamaha 4s are extremely reliable and go for miles and miles, but so do skidoos 4s and so does any 4s basically on the market as far as im aware. Our dealer in fact has said he has yet to have one 1200 doo 4s come back for any type of warranty work, so id like to say doos 1200, 600 ace, or 900 ace will go just as long as any yamaha, only time will tell. Some people are much better fits for 4s and some 2s. I get u like heavy no maintance 4s, and thats why your sled fits you, i personally am willing to accept that my 800 2s is not going to run a million miles without some kind of top end refresh/rebuild and am completely fine with that for the weight, handling, ride, and 2s stroke smoke. To each his own.
 
gogebic_sledder

gogebic_sledder

Member
Tell yamaha light is right. If yamaha can build what the other 3 are building in the crossover department to yamaha standards it would sell.
It's got to be light and handle like a Doo.
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
momoney2123 Your are dead wrong on doo standing behind cranks & flaking rings on 2003 800s. Yes they did recall rings on 600s but not the 800s Valcourt did not care when I called them + the dealer told me doo would not care & they didn't. Doo said "Out of warranty tuff nuts to you BUT ironically we do have a block 800 trade-in program that we can offer have you back on the snow in a week". No 2s will ever hold up like a4s but with the cost of sleds I have to get at least 8000 trouble free miles from a 2s or just not worth it to me otherwise. I do think Ace engines & the doo 135 1200 are pretty good 4s but to think those engines are equal to proven Yamaha engines Well you will have to prove that to me...let me know in 11 years or so.lol Anywhoooo fun talking to ya but not what Kip had in mind for this thread so feel free to PM me but let's keep it off here.:)
 
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momoney2123

New member
whitedust said:
momoney2123 Your are dead wrong on doo standing behind cranks & flaking rings on 2003 800s. Yes they did recall rings on 600s but not the 800s Valcourt did not care when I called them + the dealer told me doo would not care & they didn't. Doo said "Out of warranty tuff nuts to you BUT ironically we do have a block 800 trade-in program that we can offer have you back on the snow in a week". No 2s will ever hold up like a4s but with the cost of sleds I have to get at least 8000 trouble free miles from a 2s or just not worth it to me otherwise. I do think Ace engines & the doo 135 1200 are pretty good 4s but to think those engines are equal to proven Yamaha engines Well you will have to prove that to me...let me know in 11 years or so.lol Anywhoooo fun talking to ya but not what Kip had in mind for this thread so feel free to PM me but let's keep it off here.:)
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We had a 03 800 that doo gave us rings for but when compression starting lowering again we just went to wisecos, as with the 600 and 440. Outa warrantly meltdown is bad luck but happens, never had skidoo be cold hearted and just say tuff sh**, but thats disapointing that they did that too you. I hear ya on getting off topic a little, but he did say more the better haha , but as a life long doo guy i was always interested in SRX 700 triples when yamaha made them, as they just had a sound that was a little different ,but that was great, and they ran really hard especially for a 700. I would like to see what they could come up with for a 800 twin for crossover and mountain. As of now if I ever went away from skidoo for whatever reason yamaha's current lineup has nothing i would consider buying. But if they had a 150+ hp 2s twin crossover it would get my attention. Would like to see yamaha make the engine instead of taking AC's current 800. Not a knock on AC as there 800 runs really hard, would just like to see something different and something to add to competition.
 
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ss440

Member
whitedust said:
momoney2123 Your are dead wrong on doo standing behind cranks & flaking rings on 2003 800s. Yes they did recall rings on 600s but not the 800s Valcourt did not care when I called them + the dealer told me doo would not care & they didn't. Doo said "Out of warranty tuff nuts to you BUT ironically we do have a block 800 trade-in program that we can offer have you back on the snow in a week". No 2s will ever hold up like a4s but with the cost of sleds I have to get at least 8000 trouble free miles from a 2s or just not worth it to me otherwise. I do think Ace engines & the doo 135 1200 are pretty good 4s but to think those engines are equal to proven Yamaha engines Well you will have to prove that to me...let me know in 11 years or so.lol Anywhoooo fun talking to ya but not what Kip had in mind for this thread so feel free to PM me but let's keep it off here.:)
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Sounds like fighting words Jk. I think there is alot of people on here would beg to differ wether the Doo 1200 compares to a yamaha engine. Guys love them and the sell alot more than yamaha could ever dream of. I think that's what this thread is about, what should yamaha do to sell more sleds?
Basically copy the other brands crossovers and build it tougher. The best yamaha ever built is being built by cat
 
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(TK) Mustard Bucket

New member
It sounds like the epa is going to continue their quest to cripple the 2 stroke industry by introducing more strict mandates in 15. That being said I would not be opposed to a 2 cylinder 4 cycle if it was turbo. Cat is on to something but still too heavy.
 
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towtruck

New member
step one: yam engine in cat sled (done) step two: cat mountain sleds (2stroke) sold as yams at yam dealers - step three: yam writes check for cat - cat faithful won't like it but it's the stock holders of cat that decide- step one may have been the beginning of the end for cat as we know it
 
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polarisrider1

New member
Never install a windows 8 mouse to an XP machine. strange things happen. who would of known??? hey! microsft!!! you listening??
Skylar said:
Quit being a negative Nelley!
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I know. But being in Business, I get asked from vendors and manufacturers reps and supplier reps from time to time what would we like to see, then it has to go up the ladder. The bigger the ladder the less likely it will get done. Even Polaris don't get it. We test their stuff and they still don't listen. But if Burandt say's it then it is law. (they hired him). But it is good to dream!
 
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yoopermike

New member
Dear Yamaha Santa-

I have been a very good boy for the last 20 years and for Christmas 2015 I would like the following:

2015 Mountain Max
165 hp 800cc HPDI 3 cylinder 2S motor, capable of adding a turbo
Electronic reverse
Triple tuned exhaust
Mountain lite tunnel, heated running boards, with gas rack and shovel pouch, AND integrated tow hitch (for ice fishing and buddy's sled retrieval)
CMX belt drive, 15 deg approach angle
Mountain lite seat, with integrated storage
7" wide skis, you choose the flavor
37-39" adjustable ski stance
Trail tank, 11 gal
Chromoly front A-arm suspension
Mountain lite rear suspension (i.e. Timbersled, Fabcraft)
155" x 16" x 2" Camo Track
Butter-smooth shocks all around
Lightweight hood and body panels
K.I.S.S intrumentation
12 volt accessory plug ins
Dry weight of 475 or less
Price..wait it's supposed to be a present, right?
 
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MNBlizzard

New member
As a yamaha faithful and a recent boondocking convert on my 2009 Nytro XTX after years of mostly trail riding, I can say that I'm learning to appreciate/envy the ability of light weight 2-strokes like that of my riding buddy on the switchback assault. Riding in the power line powder this weekend I really felt like I couldn't control the Nytro direction, maybe just from being off a few months but really the weight makes it all a bit more difficult. I would never accept a less durable sled from yamaha, most of the reason I didn't get the viper.

I would like to see the nytro xtx 1.75 go on a massive diet, snowless boards, 42-40 adjustable ski width, 7" skis, adjustable riser, smaller seat, tunnel dump exhaust, and more naturally aspirated HP. Let the aftermarket world handle the rest as they are now.
 
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yamahauler

Active member
Need 4s, light weight, & dependable(not burning down or bending something at the slightest thing it bumps against). I would also like to see if there is a different design in the sled market that would work the same or better as well.
On a side note, I think the cost also needs to come down, it is getting ridiculous to be paying as much for a sled as you do for cars. I think that part of the
problem in the sled market is cost and many more people would do it if that cost could be brought down.

It sounds to me that the engineers over there in Minocqua have finally realized that the bump sled (Nytro) isn't what everyone wanted, it's about time.
 
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