Suspension on Vector vs. IQ
- Thread starter Hoosier
- Start date
Poo 4s
Mark: I know you have had good luck with your weber engine no question about it but I think you blew a bearing recently which is not a big deal either after many miles. I want Poo to use a high quailty Poo 4s engine because I know they can do it very well. I would not like Yamaha as well if they were using a Weber engine either. I like a compelete package from from OEM because I think QC is better. Just me & how I buy sleds. I'll check back later going riding now. :>)
Mark: I know you have had good luck with your weber engine no question about it but I think you blew a bearing recently which is not a big deal either after many miles. I want Poo to use a high quailty Poo 4s engine because I know they can do it very well. I would not like Yamaha as well if they were using a Weber engine either. I like a compelete package from from OEM because I think QC is better. Just me & how I buy sleds. I'll check back later going riding now. :>)
srt20
Active member
06 Apex and 10 vector are not the same chassis?
I dont want to get into a big argument about which company is better. I just stated my opinion and my experinces. Polaris doesnt pay me a penny to praise thier sleds. Me and my group havent had good luck with Yamaha. We still ride the same and we dont break the Polaris sleds. I honest to God dont care what anybody buys.
But I highly advise that whoever is looking to buy a new sled, get some seat time on all the models and brands that fit your riding style. If you chose a Yamaha, I hope you have good luck. If you chose a Polaris, again hope you have good luck. If you buy an Arctic Cat, well your gonna need all the luck you can get........... J/K kitty cat guys
srt20
Active member
Sorry off topic but, how the trails holding up by Phelps? We rode up that way last weekend from Antigo. My first time riding by Phelps and Lando. You guys got some very nice trails up that way. Cant wait to get back.
Yes, they fixed all the small issues with it. I had an 08 Apex and switched to this machine. I miss the top end but as far as ride and comfort this sled is second to none. I also have a 2009 Vector and it is also very good. The resale should be good with them making the new Apex $15,000. I will get one of those in a couple years when the price drops around $8500.
Not to rain on the parade, but after my experiences last week with my 2007 Rage, my opinion of Yamaha has changed a bit. Basically after just 4200 easy miles, I am looking at a $500-800 repair to have the driveshaft bearings replaced. I had heard the bearings were a weak link in the DB1 and DB2 Yamaha chassis and was hoping to get 5000 miles. Not so. Was riding Trail 45 NE of Newberry noticed a medium to high pitched noise that increased with speed. Spied a bit of oil leaking from the lower chaincase seal. Nursed it back to the trailer, about 40 miles back and by the time I reached the trailer it was noticeable at any speed (kept it under 40-50 coming back, was afraid it might lock up).
Gave the dealer a quick call and they said driveshaft bearings, 5+ hours labor to pull chaincase, suspension, secondary, driveshaft, replace bearings. So $400+ in labor and $100+ in parts.
After returning home and reseaching the issue on totallyamaha, I also read that these sleds are having a high proportion of driveshaft failures (more so the RX1 but also the Vector/Rage). So we'll replace that when we're in there, too for another $100+.
The revised 2010 chassis has a bigger diameter, redesigned driveshaft along with a DOUBLE bearing on the chaincase side, so it would appear to be a weak link on the pre-2010 Yamaha 4-strokes.
If I were in the market for a new sled right now I would NOT buy another pre-2010 Yamaha. Hard to accept a sled with 4 years and 4200 miles needing a repair like this. After it's fixed I'm probably going to ride it 1-2 more years and trade it in.
FYI I do not jump/ditch-bang this sled. All groomed trail miles. Stored indoors off the ground and serviced each spring. No way to access the chaincase bearing during normal maintenance - pulled seal and greased PTO side driveshaft bearing every spring. (Noise coming from chaincase side.)
The only bright spot is I have 6-7 months to fix it so I may do it myself. Nothing super-hard about doing it, just need a few tools and a shop manual, and maybe a six-pack (or two). Oh and a hydraulic press to press the drive cogs on the new axle.....
Gave the dealer a quick call and they said driveshaft bearings, 5+ hours labor to pull chaincase, suspension, secondary, driveshaft, replace bearings. So $400+ in labor and $100+ in parts.
After returning home and reseaching the issue on totallyamaha, I also read that these sleds are having a high proportion of driveshaft failures (more so the RX1 but also the Vector/Rage). So we'll replace that when we're in there, too for another $100+.
The revised 2010 chassis has a bigger diameter, redesigned driveshaft along with a DOUBLE bearing on the chaincase side, so it would appear to be a weak link on the pre-2010 Yamaha 4-strokes.
If I were in the market for a new sled right now I would NOT buy another pre-2010 Yamaha. Hard to accept a sled with 4 years and 4200 miles needing a repair like this. After it's fixed I'm probably going to ride it 1-2 more years and trade it in.
FYI I do not jump/ditch-bang this sled. All groomed trail miles. Stored indoors off the ground and serviced each spring. No way to access the chaincase bearing during normal maintenance - pulled seal and greased PTO side driveshaft bearing every spring. (Noise coming from chaincase side.)
The only bright spot is I have 6-7 months to fix it so I may do it myself. Nothing super-hard about doing it, just need a few tools and a shop manual, and maybe a six-pack (or two). Oh and a hydraulic press to press the drive cogs on the new axle.....
L
lenny
Guest
I hear tons of good reports on Polaris sus's, Yami has great motors.
indy_500
Well-known member
5 hours of labor to change driveshaft bearings? i'm not even 15 and i can do it in an hour or 2
rsvectordude
New member
I did all drive bearings at 5000 and it was $130 in parts and a day in the garage. The only bearing bad was the lower pto side but I replaced them all for a precaution. No big deal.
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
My bearing went on my FST Classic at 9,000 miles this year on a trip to the UP. Replaced all the bearings for $519. Most of it was labor.
G
G
Guest
Getting back to Pol, the front of an IQ soaks up bumps better than most Yamis. However they do not turn well under power. They turn great if you are going slow like at a gas station. There is some undesirable weight transfer that is not easy to get rid of without screwing up the ride of the rear suspension. I ride with 2 guys that have spent a lot of time messing with both the front and rear suspensions on their Pols. There is nothing WRONG with the IQ but there is room for improvement. Just like any other suspension system there are trade-offs. Yamis have a lot more weight over the skis to begin with. They are famous for having really crappy stock skis. They feel tippier than an IQ. After riding with my IQ friends I have to say that a properly set up Yami monoshock rear is at least as good as the IQ rear. The best thing you could do would be to ride each for yourself before you make the call.
Also I will tell you that dad has a 800 IQ and I have a 800 Dragon the walker Evan shocks make a huge difference, at first I was whatever but driving the IQ the past years was good but the beating the walker Evan shocks can take is great, they don't fade over rough trails, just by having them side by side the front shocks of the walker Evans has 2 more inches of travel plus a reserve same with the back shocks. All I can say is that over the years I need the best ride because I hurt my back 2 years ago.