Anyone ridden both of these sleds and can compare the handling, suspension, etc. I love the IQ suspension, and I'm thinking about a 4 stroke, and I'm not crazy about the idea of the turbo engine they put in the IQs. Seems like the new Vector would be a good choice, but I'm wondering how it handles.
Suspension on Vector vs. IQ
- Thread starter Hoosier
- Start date
I have the 2010 Vector GT LTX and have snowtrackers, 108 studs and it handles like a dream. You can ride all day and not feel it. Great sled. I have an 2009 vector for the wife and I also like that sled. The FI is great on the 2010. You should be able to get a good deal on one right now.
srt20
Active member
I have ridden both newer style and older style vectors. And I currently own a 08 IQ. I am 35 and I am an aggressive trail rider. And I sometimes have to ride in some pretty rough trails. Most trails I ride are tight and twisty.
IMO there is no comparison. The IQ is WAY WAY better than the Yamaha's. The Yamaha's I have ridden are tippy, they easily push, the rear skid bottoms out way to easy, and have way to much weight transfer.
Now before any Yammi guys jump me, I have ridden for many years, and know how to set up a sled. I revalved the rear shocks 2 or 3 different times. I bought a pioneer 13mm sway bar, I bought the big boy springs. I spend approx $1500 just trying to make this sled handle. I also cracked one of the skid rails, and Im not a jumper.
It at best was a decent slow to moderate speed cruiser. If thats what your looking for, then maybe you should test ride one of these sleds.
My current IQ, I added skydog skis(arent that much better than stock), I changed the RRSS to my liking, I loosened the front track shock, and changed the limiter straps one hole. All of this minus the skis cost me nothing. I wouldnt recommend the slydog skis. Stock werent that bad. I have 4500 miles on this sled and completely love it! It is the most predictable sled I have ever ridden.
So if you ride like I ride I would suggest the IQ.
If you ride slow and easy, pick either, though I will say, the Yamaha's tend to have more reliable engines. The Polaris 600 and 700 are great motors. Stay away from the 800. The 4 stroke Polaris seem to be good now too.
Just my opinion, and this is what works for the way I ride.
IMO there is no comparison. The IQ is WAY WAY better than the Yamaha's. The Yamaha's I have ridden are tippy, they easily push, the rear skid bottoms out way to easy, and have way to much weight transfer.
Now before any Yammi guys jump me, I have ridden for many years, and know how to set up a sled. I revalved the rear shocks 2 or 3 different times. I bought a pioneer 13mm sway bar, I bought the big boy springs. I spend approx $1500 just trying to make this sled handle. I also cracked one of the skid rails, and Im not a jumper.
It at best was a decent slow to moderate speed cruiser. If thats what your looking for, then maybe you should test ride one of these sleds.
My current IQ, I added skydog skis(arent that much better than stock), I changed the RRSS to my liking, I loosened the front track shock, and changed the limiter straps one hole. All of this minus the skis cost me nothing. I wouldnt recommend the slydog skis. Stock werent that bad. I have 4500 miles on this sled and completely love it! It is the most predictable sled I have ever ridden.
So if you ride like I ride I would suggest the IQ.
If you ride slow and easy, pick either, though I will say, the Yamaha's tend to have more reliable engines. The Polaris 600 and 700 are great motors. Stay away from the 800. The 4 stroke Polaris seem to be good now too.
Just my opinion, and this is what works for the way I ride.
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anonomoose
New member
I agree with the above poster (SRT) as I have owned both Yamaha and Polaris sleds and the suspension on the Polaris is quite a bit nicer. It is predictable and the rougher it gets the more dramatic it becomes.
Personally I like the new cat suspensions best tho...they have it right for all but a straight powder machine....and not having ridden one of those, I am not sure they don't shine there too.
Personally I like the new cat suspensions best tho...they have it right for all but a straight powder machine....and not having ridden one of those, I am not sure they don't shine there too.
skdoo500adr
New member
Vector vs IQ
I have an 07 Polaris FST and a 09 Vector ER. Both 4 stroke shorty's.
IMO the IQ is a better overall ride. It is a more forward riding position and easier to stand up. It has more wind protection. The rear suspension soaks up bumps better and front suspension just plain is flatter in corners. And performance is superior.(only because of turbo)
The Vector frame seems to be shorter and has lower seat height. It is a more traditional riding position. The engine is silky smooth and pulls well throughout power band. I do like the RA type suspension for ease of adjustments using the external dial on the tunnel. Gas mileage is very good. The sled is well balanced and feels lighter than the FST IQ. They both weigh about the same.
I mainly trail ride in Wisconsin and the U.P. Both sleds will run flawlessly all day. I would buy either one again and smile all day long!
I have an 07 Polaris FST and a 09 Vector ER. Both 4 stroke shorty's.
IMO the IQ is a better overall ride. It is a more forward riding position and easier to stand up. It has more wind protection. The rear suspension soaks up bumps better and front suspension just plain is flatter in corners. And performance is superior.(only because of turbo)
The Vector frame seems to be shorter and has lower seat height. It is a more traditional riding position. The engine is silky smooth and pulls well throughout power band. I do like the RA type suspension for ease of adjustments using the external dial on the tunnel. Gas mileage is very good. The sled is well balanced and feels lighter than the FST IQ. They both weigh about the same.
I mainly trail ride in Wisconsin and the U.P. Both sleds will run flawlessly all day. I would buy either one again and smile all day long!
snobuilder
Well-known member
Sounds like the guys who own both like the Poo susp. better, not a big surprise Poo has VG ride and handling....I personnally know of 3 weber motors that blew up early on and 2 were still under warranty. The 4th one I saw was a few weeks back ,on the trail,...as we approached the 2 sleds ,one with the hood up...IQ Turbo,..the owner attempted to start it and tons of blue smoke rolled out from the engine bay, it definately was oil and looked to be comming from the turbo.
Good luck with your choice.
Good luck with your choice.
Sounds about right. I have a Fusion 600 right now that I bought used and seems to be prone to problems. I probably won't buy anything until next year. I'm leaning towards an IQ, because I love how it drives, but I would like a 4 stroke if I could find one that handles the same. Maybe I need to get out and drive a vector and an IQ FST.
That somone doesn't know anything about what they are talking about. You change the oil once and drive it all year and then change it at the end of the year and you are good to go for next year. I ride with a 900 confusion and he really likes the Vector GT LTX. You can't beat a yamaha for trail riding. If you want to boondock and ride deep powder then I would look at another brand because Yamaha is not the sled for you but if you want the best trail riding sled on the market. The Vector GT LTX is second to none and the new 2011 Apex SE if it wasn't $15,000 would be another great sled but wait until they are selling them for $8500 in two years. The Ski doo 600 E-Tech is also a great trail sled and is good on fuel and oil.
srt20
Active member
05 RX-1 had to replace chain and case 2 times. 04 RX-1 had to replace chain and case once, had to replace driveshaft once. 06 Apex broke driveshaft once. 06 Nytro broke skid rails once. All sleds had under 5000 miles. So Yamaha's can break down and strand you on the trail too. I dont worry about my 2-stroke Polaris. If it breaks, it breaks. The main thing is I am having a blast when I ride it. 4500 miles on my 08 Polaris since March of 08 when I bought it.
Test ride the Vector 121 & 136. 2010 Vector LTX is a sweet trail sled & good bang for the buck. I really would be nit picking any Vector faults & best 4s engine & fit & finish in the biz. Yam sleds built strong & for many miles & years of trouble free riding. I agree with you about Poo Weber engine I never liked it. Now if Poo puts a Poo 4s in a 2011 sled that would be worth considering but would wait until 2nd year. GSX 4tek a good sled as well but no hooks or clicker shocks up front like the Vector.
Yes, you can change it yourself. Check out the yamaha website for questions.
I just have the dealership do it with the 3 year service package.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/index.php
I just have the dealership do it with the 3 year service package.
http://www.ty4stroke.com/index.php
That depends on you but yes sure you can change oil yourself. Dealers don't change much for oil change so I get my hyfax changed ,chain case, oil , engine oil /filter, clutch cleaned, zerks greased, in Spring & don't touch until Nov & then just throw charge in battery. I'm thinking $150 for all that maybe less. The hyfax change is a "just because" thing I have done probably could go 5000 miles on hyfax but I change at 2500. I use Pat's Yamaha for all my service & M&M very good too. Make sure you are getting info on Apex Platform for Vector not older platforms. Apex much better riding platform than older sit in Vector. You may want to PM Fusion as he had Poo IQ & now has Vector & Apex LTX & he is very open & honest about both platforms. The new 2010 Fuelie Vector is a very sweet bullet proof sled.
He isn't talking about a used sled. Sounds like you are hard on sleds more than an issue with sleds. I didn't see any engine problems.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
What don't you like about the Weber engine and have you spent any time driving one? I have almost 10,000 miles on mine and the engine has been flawless! I've had a few issues with the sled, but that engine has been problem free. It's running as good as ever right now. I agree that the Yamaha engine is top notch!
snobuilder
Well-known member
If I'm buyin a Poo its gonna be a 2 stroke, the 600 liberty (I Think) has been a good solid mill
snobuilder
Well-known member
I just posted what I have observed among ppl I know who own the Poo/Weber...
Since the in warranty fix was done the one I see the most has been OK,....probably 3000 miles later
snobuilder
Well-known member
If you change your car oil you surely can change the oil on the Vector....which is the 3 cyl.
You may have heard it is a PIA, because the Apex, 4 cyl. takes more disassembly to get to the filter.
With the Vector you remove 5 bolts on the bottom panel to reveal the drain plug, and filter right there!
So easy a caveman can do it,....i prove it every year!