Anyone trail ride a 141" viper?
Have a buddy that is thinking about buying one for a trail sled
Opinions?
Have a buddy that is thinking about buying one for a trail sled
Opinions?
Wannaviper
Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2014
- Messages
- 865
- Location
- West Gardiner, Maine
- Country
- USA
- Snowmobile
- 2016 Viper XTX SE; 2019 Sidewinder DX LTX; 2013 Vector LTX; 2014 Viper XTX SE; 2013 SRX 120
If you search this site, you should find a lot about the XTX'S. They are a "cross-over" sled, at least as much as a 4-stroke can be. I don't have the off trail experience, and my age is against me, but I still love to play in the powder with my XTX when I get the chance. It may be a 4-stroke, and heavy, but it has a lot of low end power that rips up the powder and gives me a huge smile when I ride it.
"Cross-over" equals "compromise". I think that the uncoupled suspension with the Float shocks that come on the sled ride like a buckboard on rough trails, but my 16 year old grandson rides a stock 2014 XTX, and he loves it on the trail, with no complaints about the ride. On my 2016, I added the Hygear dual pressures to the front Float 3's, and I couldn't ask for better. I replaced the Floats on the rear with Fox QS3's because of their adjustability, and it made a huge difference in the harsh ride. On full "soft", the sled floats over the bumps. Other options are to get the Hygear dual pressure for the rear float, or to go all the way and get Hygear's linkage kit. My stepson had that kit on a 2013 1100 Turbo Cat and it gave a very good ride on the trail. I know that the new top end Sidewinder XTX's come with the QS3's all around, so Yamaha apparently recognizes the benefits of those shocks in its high end sleds.
Finally, ditch the Tuner skis. If you are only going to ride on trails, you could get Snow Trackers for the Tuners, and they work very well; however, if you are going to do any off trail riding, you want an aftermarket ski, Curves or Mohawks, etc. I have Mohawks, and love them. Let's face it, if you get an XTX, you are going to try it in the powder even if you aren't an off trail rider. It is just too much fun not to.
The bottom line is that the 141" is a cross-over, and it is not going to handle like a 129" or even a 137", but if you tune it to the way you like it, it can be a great trail sled too. If I only had one sled to ride, I think the versatility and flexibility of the XTX would make me choose it as that one sled.
"Cross-over" equals "compromise". I think that the uncoupled suspension with the Float shocks that come on the sled ride like a buckboard on rough trails, but my 16 year old grandson rides a stock 2014 XTX, and he loves it on the trail, with no complaints about the ride. On my 2016, I added the Hygear dual pressures to the front Float 3's, and I couldn't ask for better. I replaced the Floats on the rear with Fox QS3's because of their adjustability, and it made a huge difference in the harsh ride. On full "soft", the sled floats over the bumps. Other options are to get the Hygear dual pressure for the rear float, or to go all the way and get Hygear's linkage kit. My stepson had that kit on a 2013 1100 Turbo Cat and it gave a very good ride on the trail. I know that the new top end Sidewinder XTX's come with the QS3's all around, so Yamaha apparently recognizes the benefits of those shocks in its high end sleds.
Finally, ditch the Tuner skis. If you are only going to ride on trails, you could get Snow Trackers for the Tuners, and they work very well; however, if you are going to do any off trail riding, you want an aftermarket ski, Curves or Mohawks, etc. I have Mohawks, and love them. Let's face it, if you get an XTX, you are going to try it in the powder even if you aren't an off trail rider. It is just too much fun not to.
The bottom line is that the 141" is a cross-over, and it is not going to handle like a 129" or even a 137", but if you tune it to the way you like it, it can be a great trail sled too. If I only had one sled to ride, I think the versatility and flexibility of the XTX would make me choose it as that one sled.
InRBigness
Lifetime Member
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2014
- Messages
- 735
- Location
- winnipeg, manitoba
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2016 Viper XTX-LE w/ MPI turbo
I have two of them. They ride great on the trail as far as I am concerned. Off trail they are not mountain sleds but very capable.
SaskAttack
Expert
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2006
- Messages
- 304
- Location
- Corning,SK.
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 17 Sidewinder XTX-SE
- LOCATION
- Corning, SK. Canada
WannaViper said it and said it well. Would just add that Pilots work good too. Skis make these sleds a whole better thing!
Thanks for all the input!
greenenvy1
Newbie
- Joined
- Nov 1, 2016
- Messages
- 21
- Location
- Nova Scotia
- Country
- Canada
- Snowmobile
- 2016 SR viper mtx 141
2013 Apex eps (wife's current)
2007 Attak (mine last season, sold to oldest son)
1994 vmax 600 (middle son)
2005 Venture RS ( now a rental unit)
2009 Phazer RTX (wife's, sold)
I have a 2016 mtx 141 that I trail ride. Stock other than an OSP can. 1000 kms with it this season and I have no complaints.
