2012 Yamaha's

[RageX2]

After years of refining Apex and Vectors, and having EZ handlebar and tunnel adjustment for the rear and comp and rebound adj front shocks that where industry leaders, they go backwards by eliminating these important features. How about an on-board air pump for the air shock on the Apex SE? Perhaps they should ask SD how to do that. Musta had to balance the cost for EPS . I'm just not thrilled with this trade-off. I'll just keep my 10 Vec gt ltx, thank you.

 

[yamahabandit]

Well I guess after today's letdown, it's time to move on with life. We should consider ourselves lucky that we can discuss such trivial matters, with all the mess happening in the Middle East these days.

 

[Yammerhead]

Zzzzzzzzzz. Good thing we have been conditioned to expect it. I sure home Yamaha has reduced market share built into their business plan. The low hanging fruit is gone now that Cat and Doo are making some good 4 strokes now. You won't see very many switching to blue just to get a 4 stroke any more.

I'm sure I will still be on my Nytro next year any way, but geeze, it would be nice a have a little something new to trash talk aboot with your buddies.

 

[7 skulls]

I was as wound up about 2012 as anybody and kinda disappointed. But after a few hours thinking about, it just means I can feel better about sinking some more aftermarket money into my current ride knowing yamaha isn't gonna leapfrog the technology. The 2012 Vector EPS is a real nice sled but underneath the skin, its chassis is essentially the same as my 06 nytro. The 2012 FX nytro's chassis maybe newer but its no lighter than my sled with mods. EPS would be sweet but not enough to trade for. There's just not alot of incentive for me to replace my current ride which is good, financially.
RX-1 to Apex to Vector its been 10 years on the same chassis and that tooling has payed for itself many times over. That and the money from the EPS patent sharing to other manufacturers should give a nice boost to R&D on the next chassis which should be used all across the model line for cost and simplicity.
Yamaha, I'm out there and I'll be waiting.

 

[Sibola]

I think the writing is on the wall. With in 5 years there will be no Yamaha sleds built anymore.

 

[woolyviper]

I think the writing is on the wall. With in 5 years there will be no Yamaha sleds built anymore.

in five years new sleds will be $40k and gas will be $10/gallon so does it really matter?

 

[Yamaporn]

This is the 3rd year with virtually no changes to the lineup. My 09 Nytro XTX has 6000 miles and is getting tired, but there is nothing new to make me buy. I've had to replace the center shock and had other suspension issues twice. Had to replace the clutch. The 7 gallon tank means I need gas way before my Rev & Cat buds - why can't we at least get a 10 gallon tank when an aftermarket option exists? We need a suspension that can handle the weights of these machines. And the exhaust donut issue happened to my 07 Apex and my Nytro. Come on Yamaha - I'm a LIFELONG fan and you're FORCING ME to look elsewhere.

 

[NY AttakGT]

I agree...nothing earth shattering the last few years from Big Blue. After being on my Attak since '07 and numerous mods, skis....suspension (which I have busted just about every part of)...clutching, etc..etc.. and hopping on my riding buds new '11 Apex SE..even THAT did not make we want to go out and drop $ on a new sled.

The '11s are not leaps and bounds better than an '06 or '07....some things refined? yes. But nothing that made me want to go out and buy...no "gotta have it" feel. Same goes for the '12s...just some mior refinements. Looks like another year on the Attak.

And if everybody would take off the Blue Googles for just a second to see what it is, in an UN-biased view. I can appreciate the loyalty to the brand...but come on! It is what it is....slight refinement and BNG...nothing game changing and nothing saying they are trying to capture market share with their new line-up.

 

[09nytro]

I think the writing is on the wall. With in 5 years there will be no Yamaha sleds built anymore.

Oh bull sh## they will be makin them for a long time to come they been thought the hard times before so i'm sure they got a game plan

 

[yamahabandit]

At all the sled shows this spring, Yamaha should just bring samples of their new graphics. No need to bring the sleds, they're the same as last year! Just think how much cash the factory will save. While the other sled makers have to haul the new sleds in trucks from town to town , all yamaha needs is a compact car full of graphics.
Way to go Yamaha

 

[Grimm]

You know how to let Yamaha know that you are let down by the 2012s? By not buying one.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

Well I guess after today's letdown, it's time to move on with life. We should consider ourselves lucky that we can discuss such trivial matters, with all the mess happening in the Middle East these days.

Good point, I like that perspective! Just this morning while watching the news, my wife commented on how thankful we should be to be living here.

 

[extreman1]

what a let down!

yamaha droped the ball in 2012, a new proformance model with a stock turbo or supercharger would have been nice. very disappointed will not be buying this year. i hope the Yamaha family doesnt jump ship to another brand!! but I think a lot may buy other brands to get somthing "new"

 

[yamame]

does the ol' "if it aint broke, dont fix it" apply here? i dont know? i'll be updating my 05 rage, likely with the vector. overall reliability goes along way.

 

[joelness]

My $.02: Still the best sleds

I'm sure some common complaints could be addressed and probably were. However, they are still the best built sleds on the market by far. Want a cheap throwaway sled? Buy a Polaris or a Cat. Yamaha's are built to last.

As far as weight goes, come on, they are 4 strokes! One is automatically going to have a 50-100 lb disadvantage. Also, compare Yamaha with Polaris's feeble 4 stroke attempt and Arctic Cats heavy beast ZR (heavier than an APEX). I wouldn't waste my money on either of them. The Doo is nice and does have a decent 4 stroke but they just jury rig the 4 stroke into a frame built for a 2 stroke. So from an engineers (I am one) perspective, that brings durability into question.

I'm a 4 stroke convert and will never buy a 2 smoker again. I've replaced a few too many jugs and pistons on Poo's and Cat's and would rather ride my sled than be fixing them. Since buying my Yamaha's, that is what I do. I also don't smell like a fricken chain saw after a days ride.