2018 sleds

[thelake]

2018 is the 50th anniversary of Yamaha sleds.
In terms of a utility sled, what is on your wishlist?

I'd like to see a trapping machine that's nimble and built for deep snow. Still want a strong 4 stroke, but would like to see a weight reduction. Better handling, but good towing power. No more ice build up and reliable reverse.

I would also be happy if yamaha came out with an oil/fuel sipping low smoke 2 stroke.

If such a dream vehicle came along, id wait until it had 2 seasons of guinea pigs before purchasing.

 

[Mooseman]

Well, they did make a 2 smoke VK540.

Definitely need a better seat and sitting position for taller guys. Rider forward is supposedly great for handling but not for the knees. Give a choice between Tuners and those new light wide skis. And yes, it does need to go on a serious diet. Instead of a $1000 ripsaw, how about a good Crossover track, possibly longer. A better suspension in the form of adjustable GYTR shocks or Fox Floats. Definitely a plastics redesign to make it less "love it or hate it" but just "love it". Hand warmers that are not RPM dependent.

And a Darth Vader colour scheme.

 

[YukonMP]

This should be fun but we may not get this thread over 200 pages like the others.

I haven't studied the VK540 but it should be the trapping machine because it should be lighter, simpler to fix in the bush and a more reliable cold starter, hopefully with a pull start.

My real wishlist is for the MP and if they were to do it (and they won't) it would just make me want one while hurting my resale. I'm with Mooseman, at 5-8 the MP fits me perfectly so I know the rest of you can't be doing well. It would be so easy to move the seat back a couple inches, up an inch or two, and make whatever adjustments to the riser and bars required for you big apes.

I don't know enough about suspensions to say much about upgrades there but I will say my utility sled averages 15kph in the bush when the trails are good so my the demands aren't great. I'm loving the 8 inch Powderhounds and obviously the Tuners have no place on a utility sled. I've said before I was OK with the headlight ... well I'm full of #*$&@. They are adequate for my purposes but I can see they wouldn't cut it for a lot of you.

Again the Moose made my point for me, the MP plastics are unnecessarily quirky, both in looks and complexity of fastening. I'd like the rear seat removal to be simplified. To be honest both the icing and reverse have been non issues for me. I only miss riding a couple days a month and I can't remember the last time reverse screwed up since I did the Moose-fix.

I don't ice up more than I can handle while I'm out and I can get it all off easily each morning with the rubber Yammy-Whacker. If she calves really big chunks that aren't going to pass I spin the track in reverse before she comes down off the stand.

Weight - schmeight, I don't really care. I can't see where the MP could be trimmed with reasonable expense or without hurting durability. For comparison I'd go back to the Doo Expedition Sport 600 ACE. That is 537 pounds dry and the MP is 580. Considering they are both about 90 heavier wet, add me and my gear and that 43 pounds is irrelevant. ps. half of the difference is in our awesome rear rack that Doo would want $500 for.

As I said in my original MP Experience thread the Expedition has a longer track, which brings me to my greatest wish for the new MP. I want a longer articulating track. That would give us more floatation and be nearly impossible to get stuck. I've seen the articulating track on Tundas and Scandics and if those guys can back up an inch they aren't stuck. Another reason why I don't care about the weight. At my age I'm better off driving out than stroking out.

I think that would make the MP pretty unique in the market. I truly enjoy the rider forward position that most of you have to take my word for. The MP has lots of power ... useable, predictable, steady. I can go into the powder with a six hundred pound skimmer and just crawl along picking my way around hazards, not the least bit afraid to start and stop as necessary. That beats having to pin it and pray.

Thanks for starting this thread, I enjoyed this opinionated rant and the opportunity to call you all Big Apes ... in a nice way. Enjoy the remainder of your seasons and stay safe.

Edit - A utility sled needs a temp gauge.

 

[Jason Harrell]

You guys are right on:
-articulating track
-eps
-longer track
-free option for wider skis(7 or 8")
-run the exhaust all the way out the back
-10 more hp than my MP
Quick release 2-up seat

I love my Venture mp, but these additions would have me looking to upgrade soon.
On the other hand, I did buy it for its simplicity, durability, and to put it to work, and it is accomplishing all I ask of it.

 

[YukonMP]

An addition to my wish list, the item which is missing from most or all Yami 4 strokes (drum roll here) ..... a roll over valve. What's with that? Who can roll one of these things over themselves, especially in the loose stuff. I ride alone and have to carry oil and a comealong and other stuff just to cover that off. By the time I get her upright I'm already having a bad day and then I have to try to remember every thing I read on this forum if she doesn't want to go. Every sled is going to be on it's side at least once in its life.

Why not address that from the factory on all models? Toys like sleds are supposed to be hassle-free. That is why I ride a Yamaha.

 

[Mooseman]

They did add one to the Sidewinder. They even did a demo video.