2014

[kingedwards99]

Also, IMO, the thought of a yamaha engine in an Arctic Cat makes me sick, and hopefully this is all simply rumors.. Arctic cat quality (everything) is on a totally different scale than yamaha[/quote]

I'm with you on this one, the quality of the cat chaisis is junk last year a kid bought one of those new 800s broght it out to the lake and it was cracked on the bulk head, brand new. They need yamaha more than we need them, way more. Read about there updates, there was alot of them. regardless i'll never buy a introduction sled after my 08 nytro, and have seen the first rush, the first year cat, the first year skidoo, the say they've been testing something for years (lie) and after the first year of production they change the front end, put on way better graphics, and you get updates. Will Never be the GINI PIG again no matter what they come out with plus i can't afford a 15000+ sled with hardley any sno this past couple years.

 

[Supa Dexta]

I also don't understand why they would need anyone elses suspension? They can buy one of each of the others top sleds, look them over and reverse engineer something themselves - they have a few smart guys working over there to come up with something that works... you would think.

 

[7 skulls]

I also don't understand why they would need anyone elses suspension? They can buy one of each of the others top sleds, look them over and reverse engineer something themselves - they have a few smart guys working over there to come up with something that works... you would think.

Patents really limit what can be done in that regard. Design something too close to the other guys stuff and its a lawsuit. Alternately, you could pay to use all or part of their patent. For instance, Yamaha/honda make a few bucks on every atv sold with power steering, regardless of brand.
Trading some patents can occur as well, which I believe will be the basis for any arctic cat/yamaha relationship.

 

[OVR4D]

I know some of you guys have asked if anyone is going to Minneapolis for the big unveiling, and since I'm close, the thought has crossed my mind ... But I was under the impression that this is going to be a dealer meeting and that the public isn't invited. What do you guys know about this ... Will they even let some schmuck off the street in the door, much less have a look behind the curtain?

 

[yamaha1973]

I know some of you guys have asked if anyone is going to Minneapolis for the big unveiling, and since I'm close, the thought has crossed my mind ... But I was under the impression that this is going to be a dealer meeting and that the public isn't invited. What do you guys know about this ... Will they even let some schmuck off the street in the door, much less have a look behind the curtain?

I believe there is a day for the public to go and look but not sure exactly what day, Ill find out and get back to you.

 

[RoyalBlue]

called

I know some of you guys have asked if anyone is going to Minneapolis for the big unveiling, and since I'm close, the thought has crossed my mind ... But I was under the impression that this is going to be a dealer meeting and that the public isn't invited. What do you guys know about this ... Will they even let some schmuck off the street in the door, much less have a look behind the curtain?

I believe there is a day for the public to go and look but not sure exactly what day, Ill find out and get back to you.

I called Pleasant Prarie ,,,the phone person did not know if it is open to public , I would go if I can get a flight 2 weeks before , maybe time for a TY meet and greet in the Twin Cities.

Maybe Tom has a ear , and could find out for sure.

 

[Grimm]

In the latest American Snowmobiler magazine, they even speculated a Yammy engine in an AC SnoPro 500 chassis. Now that could be quite interesting.

 

[jtssrx]

The only thing yamaha has over cat is quality. Which is the most important thing I've found since I've owned my cat. Being fast and fun to ride is zero fun when its broke all the time. My cat has broke every time I've taken a trip. It's a total drag worrying every time you go out to ride. I miss my yamaha a reliability.

I will say when my cat runs its the fastest best handling sled I've ever ridden . To bad it's a pile of garbage!!!!

 

[AKrider]

I also don't understand why they would need anyone elses suspension? They can buy one of each of the others top sleds, look them over and reverse engineer something themselves - they have a few smart guys working over there to come up with something that works... you would think.

Like was mentioned previously, patent issues. Ever wondered why the Nytro steering post doesn't just go straight down to tie in directly with the tie rods like on any ATV or a Ski-Doo? It's because Ski-doo has that patent. By working out an agreement with Cat, Yamaha sleds would become better, in the performance sense, IMO. I understand the reservations about Cat quality but I personally think its blown out of proportion as I have two buddy's with Cat sleds. They may not be the best built or most nicely finished sleds but they perform and their dealer took care of them on the issues. Plus they didn't seem to have anywhere near the problems I read about online.

To me its kinda like the Nytro. A few guys hit things and bend their sub frames and its a huge problem.

 

[ViperTurboPete]

My 90 500 SKS had 18000 hard miles on it. Sunk while running open water, beat it to death and I finally sold it. Apparently it ran for several years after. Those Fuji engines were unbeatable. Back then I was upset they changed the design and went to Yamaha when the SRX's came out. I was a huge Yamaha hater until then.

A lot of people have complained about Yamaha not changing for several model years to keep up with the pace. Looking back, they have really changed the game over the years from the 70's on. 2014 will be no different. These broad rumours sound pretty exciting actually vs years previous to rumours revolving around one sled.

 

[Daranello]

My 90 500 SKS had 18000 hard miles on it. Sunk while running open water, beat it to death and I finally sold it. Apparently it ran for several years after. Those Fuji engines were unbeatable. Back then I was upset they changed the design and went to Yamaha when the SRX's came out. I was a huge Yamaha hater until then.

A lot of people have complained about Yamaha not changing for several model years to keep up with the pace. Looking back, they have really changed the game over the years from the 70's on. 2014 will be no different. These broad rumours sound pretty exciting actually vs years previous to rumours revolving around one sled.

I had a 91 500 and it was Gas, shell oil and go....sled was amazing...love to buy my old one back

 

[Mighty]

The only thing yamaha has over cat is quality. Which is the most important thing I've found since I've owned my cat. Being fast and fun to ride is zero fun when its broke all the time. My cat has broke every time I've taken a trip. It's a total drag worrying every time you go out to ride. I miss my yamaha a reliability.

I will say when my cat runs its the fastest best handling sled I've ever ridden . To bad it's a pile of garbage!!!!

Wow, this is exactly what my buddy Dirk says about his.......I'm not kidding, word for word....

 

[Supa Dexta]

Im not talking about copying them exactly. Hell the others come out with all new suspensions every few yrs... Yamaha should be able to come up with something, especially after looking at all the others and knowing what works,

 

[AKrider]

You are right, I agree, I don't understand why they haven't? The lack of big changes, new models and major upgrades over the past few years just make me wonder if there is no money in sleds for them to meet their return on investment criteria?

Just read my latest issue of SuperTrax and Yamaha placed only once in their Best in Class awards and the Apex came in second place to the Polaris Switchback Adventure. Sad that they could only get recognition in one out of nine classes. Makes you wonder if the bean counters are running the show in the sled division and say "your sales don't justify putting more money into this division". Then each year the sales number slide further and further downward because of the lack of new stuff and the bean counters say "there is no money in sleds". There philosophy for the past few years seems like a downward spiral IMO. But maybe if they had Cat doing the chassis innovation and they just focus on designing and building motors (that could also be used in their other products like side by sides, ATV"s, etc) they could spur sales in the sled division? I don't know? They are a weird company.

 

[Sled Dog]

Sled magazines are a joke who ever places the most ads have the best sleds. I would not waste my money on them.