2014

[Paraclete]

If they bought shares it would be public knowledge. Publicly owned companies must declare it.

 

[Sg3540]

Do they also have to apply for naming rights? The reason I ask is I periodically check for names on motorcycles (namely Harley), to see what's new. And usually you can find the Harley code names in the CARB certs a couple weeks before the release. I've never seen pictures in there but you can see that the "fxstb-1450 cc etc". It's an easy way to see what's new by using the "code names" that Harley uses.

 

[yamajammer76]

Oh well... To heck with all these rumors... I'm taking the XTX out in the morning and just going to enjoy riding the hell out of it.

 

[journeyman]

this should be the new logo

Nice photo shop!!

 

[AKrider]

Reason I believe they will use a Cat chassis is because Cat already owns patents and is licensed to use patents Yamaha doesn't have. Same goes for engine patents that Cat doesn't have. Yamaha doesn't sell enough sleds to make it profitable to continue to build and develope their own chassis. Combining their strengths with Cat allow both companies to develop new sleds without as much financial burden. Yamaha can focus on its area of expertise, motors and Cat theirs, chassis. I would not be surprised if Cat comes out with a DI two stroke using some of Yamaha's patents.

To me it's a real win win, but a bummer that we'd be down to three sled makes. They could always find out they don't get along and go their separate ways. Cat is into sleds for the long run. I don't think Yamaha cares that much about them, particularly when they are such a small silver of their product line up. Their sled assembly line would be better used building scooters and motorcycles for Asia. I suscept that would be the real reason for even going this direction.

You might be right about all of this, but I think there are many of us who are not very excited about seeing a re-badged blue Yamaha coming out of the Arctic Cat factory because that means Yamaha's sled business is at it's end. If it is a re-badged Thief River Falls product then I would assume Yamaha will only keep a skeleton design crew at that point for new graphics and slowly phase out of the business. That is too bad because they have always been the ones that set the bar in assembly quality and fit and finish. They have also set the bar in engine technology as well.

I see some interest in a re-badged product for the first year or two and then like most re-badges people will simply move to the product from the original company. Something about buying "fakes" just never seems to set well with people in the long term.

So if their direction is a line of re-painted AC's then I would say it is a temporary solution until they can phase out of the sled business completely. Since I see you no longer ride Yamaha I doubt that would upset you much, but some of us however will really miss Yamaha because of their excellent build quality and wonderful engines. Going from 4 to 3 companies doesn't really help things and you have to wonder how long AC can hold up against the Giant 2 in a 3 way race.

The fly in the ointment for me about the Cat rumor is CR responded to a question in his blog that the new Yamaha's "wouldn't be green or yellow, blue is true". Still, to me, there appears to be too many benefits gained from partnering up. This is the most interested that I've been in a new Yamaha release since '08. I'd happily give up fit and finish and some chassis build quality for lighter weight, good handling and Yamaha engine performance. While a Cat doesn't compare to a Yamaha for build quality or fit and finish a Cat chassis offers better performance and I suspect there are a greater number of sled buyers who put more emphasis on performance than any other aspect. I believe if the opposite were true, Yamaha would have much better sales numbers.

 

[Supa Dexta]

One thing is 100% for sure here... Whatever the news ends up being - I'm not getting a new sled!

carry on.

 

[journeyman]

One thing is 100% for sure here... Whatever the news ends up being - I'm not getting a new sled!

carry on.

yeh same here. Just hoping it's good and it floods the market with some reasonable priced Apex models. I was totally with Olav Aaen's recent article in one of my snomo magz.....buy a nice used sled, maybe fix it up to your liking and ride it. Much cheaper than spending $$$$$$$$$$ of cash and getting very minimal use out of it. Unless you live in Canada, the winters in the former snow belts of the US just aren't there anymore. Our whole winter outdoors here reminds me of my indoor life with my wife. She can't keep her hands off the thermostat. Same for our weather. Temps have been up and down all winter like a yo yo.

 

[journeyman]

Reason I believe they will use a Cat chassis is because Cat already owns patents and is licensed to use patents Yamaha doesn't have. Same goes for engine patents that Cat doesn't have. Yamaha doesn't sell enough sleds to make it profitable to continue to build and develope their own chassis. Combining their strengths with Cat allow both companies to develop new sleds without as much financial burden. Yamaha can focus on its area of expertise, motors and Cat theirs, chassis. I would not be surprised if Cat comes out with a DI two stroke using some of Yamaha's patents.

To me it's a real win win, but a bummer that we'd be down to three sled makes. They could always find out they don't get along and go their separate ways. Cat is into sleds for the long run. I don't think Yamaha cares that much about them, particularly when they are such a small silver of their product line up. Their sled assembly line would be better used building scooters and motorcycles for Asia. I suscept that would be the real reason for even going this direction.

You might be right about all of this, but I think there are many of us who are not very excited about seeing a re-badged blue Yamaha coming out of the Arctic Cat factory because that means Yamaha's sled business is at it's end. If it is a re-badged Thief River Falls product then I would assume Yamaha will only keep a skeleton design crew at that point for new graphics and slowly phase out of the business. That is too bad because they have always been the ones that set the bar in assembly quality and fit and finish. They have also set the bar in engine technology as well.

I see some interest in a re-badged product for the first year or two and then like most re-badges people will simply move to the product from the original company. Something about buying "fakes" just never seems to set well with people in the long term.

So if their direction is a line of re-painted AC's then I would say it is a temporary solution until they can phase out of the sled business completely. Since I see you no longer ride Yamaha I doubt that would upset you much, but some of us however will really miss Yamaha because of their excellent build quality and wonderful engines. Going from 4 to 3 companies doesn't really help things and you have to wonder how long AC can hold up against the Giant 2 in a 3 way race.

The fly in the ointment for me about the Cat rumor is CR responded to a question in his blog that the new Yamaha's "wouldn't be green or yellow, blue is true". Still, to me, there appears to be too many benefits gained from partnering up. This is the most interested that I've been in a new Yamaha release since '08. I'd happily give up fit and finish and some chassis build quality for lighter weight, good handling and Yamaha engine performance. While a Cat doesn't compare to a Yamaha for build quality or fit and finish a Cat chassis offers better performance and I suspect there are a greater number of sled buyers who put more emphasis on performance than any other aspect. I believe if the opposite were true, Yamaha would have much better sales numbers.

Yes it is still technically a rumor as we know but I am certain there is some tie between Cat and Yamaha beyond the 120 sled, but it could be just one model all the way to the Yamaha buying into Cat. That part is uncertain. If it was the ONE model scenerio then my instinct says it is a snocross sled.

 

[super1c]

Did anyone read Chris's blog today. 2014 Chinese year of the snake? Maybe a hint the vipers comming back this year and the snowwest guys are talking about a mtn viper for 2015. Maybe that 200hp 500 lbs sled from sled talk. Either way a yamacat? Just can't see it! But a new viper, now were talking. Just hope everything's not just 121's. I really like the cross over sled.

 

[low slung]

A yami/cat hybrid sled?Only one thing comes to mind.You can,t make a silk purse out of a sows ear(in arctic cats case,they can put all the lip stick on the pig,its still a pig).Bring on the 100% yamaha 2014 sled!

 

[blueironranger]

One thing is 100% for sure here... Whatever the news ends up being - I'm not getting a new sled!

carry on.

yeh same here. Just hoping it's good and it floods the market with some reasonable priced Apex models. I was totally with Olav Aaen's recent article in one of my snomo magz.....buy a nice used sled, maybe fix it up to your liking and ride it. Much cheaper than spending $$$$$$$$$$ of cash and getting very minimal use out of it. Unless you live in Canada, the winters in the former snow belts of the US just aren't there anymore. Our whole winter outdoors here reminds me of my indoor life with my wife. She can't keep her hands off the thermostat. Same for our weather. Temps have been up and down all winter like a yo yo.

A lot of truth to that, OR purchase a new 13' Nytro with the massive rebates + Factory boost kit for less then the "new" 14' is going to sell for. Some how I'm still leaning towards it being a Highly tweaked Nytro chassis (or new chassis) sled with the race geometry, one piece aluminum subframe, and a tweaked engine for a bit more HP. ALSO them having a NEW smaller triple OR twin in the same chassis to replace the current Phazer that pelts out 100-110hp and comes in under the current Phazers weight. That eliminates one chassis and simplify the lineup. They could also cram a turbo/super on the Nytro engine and have a 180-190 class motor and have all 3 engine classes in one chassis. I just don't see the 4 cylinder hanging around much longer, its a hard engine to design a chassis around that keeps the weight down.

 

[trailhed1]

For 2014
I'm hearing its a new revolutionary heated brake lever.

Get ready.

 

[YamaChris]

My brake finger was kinda cold yesterday!

 

[SteelerJim]

I personally think Yamaha will be buying Cat sled designs to be built in Yamaha factories and Cat will be building Yamaha designed engines for their sleds in 2014.

 

[BigShow29]

sledrumors.com/