05 Yamaha mountain sled perceptions. What's your take?

[Frostbite]

Alright, the wait is finally over. Are the 05 Yamaha's what you had hoped for or is it another "well, you just wait until next year"?
Frankly I'm happy that the resale value of my sled didn't take the hit I thought it might if a turbo was introduced.
Then again I'm sad that there's really nothing to hang my hat on as a real revaltion for 05. Yes, there's a new suspension but frankly suspension talk really doesn't turn my crank.
What the 05's have done for me is give me some more part numbers to order for my 03. Just like the aluminum upper A arms and the 04 helix rub buttons some of the 05 part WILL find their way onto my sled.
The prime examples are the 05 Seat, the taller and wider handlebars, magnesium chain case cover (if it's under $60). I'd also like to roll the rear of my slide rails up a few degrees if possible to increase weight tramsfer. Perhaps I'll have to change them?
Honestly, I'm pretty tickled with my 03 with a few modifications and lightweight parts.
The vector sure looks like a sled designed to house a future turbo. By the time Yamaha finally does it I will probably have one on my RX-1.
I wonder what the NEW IMPROVED clutch calibration might be for 05? It's supposed to be better at holding engine speed under a load. Hey, maybe they are using Heavy Hitters? Just kidding. PB

 

[spray25]

I don't see a reason to rush down and trade off an '03 RX Mtn for an '05. There are some nice upgrades, but for less than you would lose by trading in you can upgrade. Which is exactly what it looks like you are going to do.

At the same time I think it is encouraging that Yammie has made some good changes for '05. Yammie has been known for waiting several years to make any REAL changes. Maybe this is a sign that Yammie is going to start doing more upgrading year to year instead of waiting so long.

I beleive you are correct, a factory Yammie turbo is coming. It is only a moatter of when.

 

[Tom-RX1]

I kind of dought that you will see a turbo from yammy . They have a muscle sled the RX1 , now they have introduced a motor that will be in the 600 2stroke class . The next thing will be something for the 90 - 100 hp class . I don't think that efi will be introduced unless epa demands it .
Tom-RX1

 

[tmk50]

I was happy with the new mountain sleds -

It looks like Yamaha is listening to us and updating alot of the same things guys do on this forum -

Rear Heat Exchanger
WIDE Mountain Specific Skis (those things look alot like powder pros!!)
Taller and Wider Bars
Rear Skid that transfers weight better (just like Holz and MPI ones do)
Weight Reduction (I would like to see more - but they are at least doing something about it)

I know my dad (52 years old) will probably snow-check at least one (probably two) vector mountains. He likes my RX1 - but doesn't want/need the additional 20 hp. I think the vector will work well for him - it should be around 50lbs less then my 2003 RX1mountain. I think yamaha will sell alot of Vector Mountains to guys/gals upgrading MM700s and Vipers.

 

[link]

A freind of a freind,tells me that the new 05's are guite a bit better in the deep snow than even the
mtn.Viper.As well the 05 Rx1 mtn.is way better in the deep stuff than 03-04.I personally think the Vector is going to be the hero in this line up,esspecially turbo'd.Can't wait to ride them,soon.Linc.

 

[Snow Fever]

Please read my post "I smell a New Turbo project" in the general forum. The part relating to H.P. verses Weight. I to like this new 3 banger but there is some things to consider. I do agree with Spray25.

 

[Kachess]

I agree that although Yamaha addressed alot of the rider's little gripes, I'm happy that I see no reason to rush out and upgrade. The weight reduction is a start, but there definitely is need and room for more, and you don't need to use magnesiun and titanium to get it. My skidoo buddies finally climbed on my sled this weekend for a few climbs and they were universally impressed. A 70lb lighter RX1 compares favorably with the 800cc two stroke competition. They all agreed that my sled had far more, and instant, power, and was easier to throw around than their's. The fact that I go through 7 gallons for every 12 of theirs, and the fact that I'm running the same belt and plugs for 2200 miles also impresses them. Converts in the mountains hard to win, but I think they will come.

 

[My RX-1 Works]

05 Mountain Sleds

Yamaha has dropped the ball in the mountain segment. A stock RX-1 can't compete with the competitions sleds . The Yamaha's have less power and weigh more and are running on a track that Polaris was using in 2001. As a consumer I will not buy another sled that has to be worked on from top to bottom!! Yamaha has to start building these sleds like it is a moto-cross bike , looking at every parts weight , its function and location on the snowmobile. To regain market share Yamaha must build a mountain machine that has a superior power to weight ratio compared to the competition. Yamaha please build one light weight ultra high performance mountain snowmobile for us!!! I have a dream sled. It would be a 4 stroke , 3cyclinder engine based on the YZ450 engine with a factory TURBO model. The YZ450 engine already exists, so I believe it wouldn't cost that much money to develop an engine like that. Just imagine a base model with 185HP, and a factory turbo with a few pounds of boost producing 250HP. What a dream!!! A sled like that would turn the industry upside down and that would put Yamaha and its customers on TOP. Please tell me does anyone share my dream ?

 

[Kachess]

I agree that Yamaha hasn't taken the mountain sled market seriously, and they definitely have to shed some REAL weight. I don't agree that the stock rx1 engine doesn't compare favorably with stock 800 two-strokes for power. I have yet to have a 800cc stock sled come close to beating me in an airport drag race and my engine and clutching are stock. I beat them off the line and top end. In the mountains we are neck and neck. An RX1 less 70lbs (holtz susp, whitknuckle exhaust, battery, etc.) can compete. Now, if Yamaha would just build them that way.