2 New Pure Yamaha Sleds In the Pipeline!

[Sasquatch]

Talked to Yamaha factory rep at sneak peak & was told 2 new pure Yamaha product releases are in the pipeline. Also said the Yamaha / Cat OEM Agreement is over & done in 5 years which stopped any further speculation on my behalf of what could happen with that. The OEM agreement served its' pupose to get Yamaha thru earthquake recovery & recession. Only speculation now is what will the 2 new sleds be? Replace what sleds? I said 2018 but sounded more like 2017 release and he thought I would like them riding a 2012 Apex XTX now.

Yep 5 years!

 

[biffdotorg]

If you read Chris' post on Sled Talk yesterday, it was the most optimistic post from him in a very long time. He talked of new components that could be retrofitted to any platform, and built into an all new platform. That sounds like suspension/skids to me. Or an engine and used in an AC chassis. He was at the test facility and saw some new prototypes.

So all said and done, I think we can keep hoping for an all Yamaha sled in the future as they have not quit developing. A good friend and Yamaha sponsored motorcycle racer is thinking a high performance two-stroke is in the works at Yamaha for sleds. But we have heard that rumor before.

This came up in conversation as he is waiting the delivery of his R1M race bike. I asked if he thought that engine may be a predecessor to a flagship sled engine like the R1 engine to the Apex. His opinion was no, and that a 800cc 2-stroke would be a better guess.

Who knows.

 

[vodoo child]

I'll believe it when I'm ""RIDING IT""!

 

[smokingcrater]

To all those that say that wont work I present: Polaris owning Indian and making Victory motorcycles, GMC and Chevy, Ebay and Shopping.com, Kia and Hyundai, BMW and Mini, Toyota and Lexus and Hino and Fuji (suburu) and Isuzu.

So in Japanese culture, it is very common for one company to own a small part of another company for technology sharing agreements. In your last case, Toyota doesn't own Subaru or Isuzu, they just have a certain percentage (non-controlling/minority) of stock, enough to work on projects together. (16% in Subaru's case, 6% of Isuzu) For subaru at least, the BRZ/FR86 was the end result of that, with Subaru developing the engine/drivetrain, and Toyota doing the fuel injection system and body. (That floating percentage of Subaru stock has also been owned by GM at one point, which resulted in some interesting projects. The Chevy Forester exists in some non-USDM markets, as well as the SAAB Aero in the US, which is a Subaru WRX that happens to wear SAAB badges, and a nicer SAAB interior.)


In any case, I wouldn't be shocked to see far more integration between cat and yamaha, up to the point of yamaha maybe getting a clean 2 stroke out of the deal.

 

[MadMax]

Well I've said this "BEFORE".. I'm waiting for a pure (almost any how) yammie from japan before buying again... I'm not holding my breath too long.. MM.

 

[IAVECTORGT]

I'm not holding my breath either! It'll come sooner or later. But as long as it says Yamaha on the sled, I'm riding it! Hence me ordering a Viper!

 

[Grimm]

I really thought Yamaha was going to come out this year with a Phazer motor powered AC chassis sled like the Viper, furthering their relationship with Arctic Cat. Because they haven't, I think Yamaha will be going it alone in the future, releasing their own sleds. But they have a long way to go to match the handling of the other OEMs.

 

[biffdotorg]

I really thought Yamaha was going to come out this year with a Phazer motor powered AC chassis sled like the Viper, furthering their relationship with Arctic Cat. Because they haven't, I think Yamaha will be going it alone in the future, releasing their own sleds. But they have a long way to go to match the handling of the other OEMs.

Arctic cat is not against late summer releases. They love to get folks hyped up and have releases at Haydays. Albeit, their releases are usually the race sleds. Cross country sleds, SnoPro's, Hibbert replicas. Hmm a 500 SnoPro 4-stroke? A 7000 SnoPro with a turbo. Who knows.

 

[Heritage]

This new machine was already seen running trails west of minocqua near the pier-willow region this winter...I did not personally see it...a friend did...he's a polaris rider, and has no reason to lie...he was riding with his son...both said it was totally different looking than the current apex....but it did say apex on the hood, and it didn't look like a viper either...he said it was hard to explain ..it had sharper lines to it, and seemed more aerodynamic..."cool looking"...he talked to the guys, who were parked on the side of the trail...they said they were doing snow density tests (for testing tracks)...and after some prodding about the sleds they were riding...the guy said " new apex"...and then they took off...he didn't see them again....so take it for what it's worth...this sighting took place within 20 miles of the yamaha test and research facility on great bass lake.....again the guy had no reason to lie...he's a loyal polaris rider and could careless about any new yamaha...though he did say it was rather sharp looking...lol. I think whitedust is spot on with what he heard...and it makes sense...release a couple new sleds in a new platform next year...dial them in for a season...and then release the 50th anniversary sleds (with another new model or two)...with special limited graphics....this is the way yamaha does things...think back guys...they released new suspensions three times now the year before a new platform....and as I just said...it has been seen....and I believe the guy

 

[Heritage]

Btw....I also believe the arctic cat deal is done in 2018....the viper served a purpose for yamaha....and the triple 1050 is serving it's purpose for cat.

The reason I think the 5 year deal will be over is...my source...says cat is currently developing their own 4 stroke engines...and will have them ready by model year 2018....which is also why the new 800 di engine hasn't been released yet...they are waiting to release them both in a new cat chassis...this might happen in 2017 (di 800)...but cats 4 stroke won't be ready until 2018...knowing this and the fact that a new apex has been out and running in northern Wisconsin...then the 5 year hand shake deal...looks just like what it is...don't u agree ??

New chassis from both yamaha and cat coming...and I don't think the relationship between the two continue past 2018.

I was also told there is ZERO truth to the rumor that Yamaha was buying cat. ..or planning to become a majority share holder...simply a rumor...nothing more.

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Yes new stuff coming, Apex replacement 2 years and not sure if one or both but phazer and viper replacement was mentioned for this coming year.

Yes Yamaha has been doing tests on tracks and finding out which work best and what their limits are.

Doo and poo have so many patents currently that to even approach doing something similar would get huge lawsuits, however cat took the plung a few years back and took the suit and fine from skidoo. Cat then gained rights to the patent. Few years ago Yamaha enters agreement with cat to use viper chassis, Yamaha now has rights to those patents. Now Yamaha can take their new motor tech and develop new props and do what japs do best and refine develop and improve on what's out and kick @33 with it once done. Think refined lighter more compliant viper chassis, with chassis dampner and power steering. Remember 97 sx release and the 98 srx release and that's what's gonna be done here too. Everyone sit back and enjoy what unfolds!

 

[Pstn head]

I will be first in line for a new pure yamaha snow machine, my first yamaha sled was a nitro rtx se and now I own a viper, but man there's something about a pure yamaha built snowmobiile. The attention to detail, quality of materials used, paint and fittment of all the parts and pieces used, in short the overall quality. And the sound ohh how I miss the sound and ride quality. I'd like to get one more season on the viper and if nothing new comes available I just might give the apex a try.

 

[TRUE BLUE SINCE 1980]

I hope we are talking about '17 not '18 .... do you think under this agreement, Yamaha cant release anything new till the 5 year deal is done! Or can the new "SRX "overlap with the last year (s) of the Viper. Cause we may be looking at '19 for a new ride.
I wonder if Yamaha reads the demographics of this sport.....Cause the Core Group will be what 2-3 years older.

 

[whitedust1]

I hope we are talking about '17 not '18 .... do you think under this agreement, Yamaha cant release anything new till the 5 year deal is done! Or can the new "SRX "overlap with the last year (s) of the Viper. Cause we may be looking at '19 for a new ride.
I wonder if Yamaha reads the demographics of this sport.....Cause the Core Group will be what 2-3 years older.

Yamaha would never sign an agreement like that simply because they don't have to. Seems to me AR&D needed to be kick started after the earthquake & now has had time to deliver new products & will. If Yamaha doesn't repalce the Viper which they probabaly won't until the 5th or 6th year the logic of new products would be to update the Vector & Apex. Yes I think Yamaha knows exactly what the core wants & age not that much of a factor for Apex & Vector. A 25 year old & under wants something different than Vector & Apex but ages 30 -90 fine with Apex & Vector. Viper is still there & something new for Phazer sooner or later but not bread & butter market. When Viper leaves a complete overhaul of Yamaha line up ,2018, will happen as a Viper overlaps powder, touring & banger now. I think lines will be blurred between some models of Viper & Vector or Vector will morph into what ever 130hp sled you want much like MXZ.

 

[Grimm]

Pretty sad that we are speculating on a new sled(s) that "might" just be available for the 2017 season. That's nearly 2 years away.