2020 Release

[STAIN]

also i think next year you will see ESP in the Viper & SideWinder.

Sweet!!! My Sidewinder already seems telepathic!!!!!Imagine if it has ESP?!?!?!?!

 

[mikextx]

Right!! Surely he meant power steering? I dunno cause I do not have ESP. LOL

 

[Sasquatch]

I think the question will Yamaha have a sled line in the future is answered - YES

The second question will future sleds be ALL Japanese made is also answered-NO.

Overall I think - after 4 thousand miles on Viper and over 20 thousand miles on Apexs (old and new, 121 and XTX Apexs as well as Vectors) as well as less than 100 on Sidewinders - we will have Yamaha sleds to choose from and they will be very GOOD.

Have a good day !

Ya I have to agree Yamaha is now an Arctic Cat manufactured sled! Where that will lead to is the question! It has already led to no more VK professional work sled and no more touring sled, they could have put Yamaha stickers on the Pantera and the Bearcat but probably better they didn't. Its now down to just two sleds build and designed by Arctic Cat with Yamaha motors because I won't count the VK540 just because its not even made in this century! Thats it, three sled builders as it stands now! There are no Yamaha sleds to choose from, just two motors! Some think 2020 will be the year and if I had a dollar for everytime someone said that in the last ten years, I could afford a 20,000 Cat!

I think my Apex will be my last Yamaha sled, I only say that because I just don't think they will ever build a sled again! I may buy a Cat at some point but still happy with my current sled! At my age Yamaha doesn't have to many years left to WOW me! I heard 2021 is the year! I'll buy one for my 65 birthday!

 

[yamadoo]

Ya I have to agree Yamaha is now an Arctic Cat manufactured sled! Where that will lead to is the question! It has already led to no more VK professional work sled and no more touring sled, they could have put Yamaha stickers on the Pantera and the Bearcat but probably better they didn't. Its now down to just two sleds build and designed by Arctic Cat with Yamaha motors because I won't count the VK540 just because its not even made in this century! Thats it, three sled builders as it stands now! There are no Yamaha sleds to choose from, just two motors! Some think 2020 will be the year and if I had a dollar for everytime someone said that in the last ten years, I could afford a 20,000 Cat!

I think my Apex will be my last Yamaha sled, I only say that because I just don't think they will ever build a sled again! I may buy a Cat at some point but still happy with my current sled! At my age Yamaha doesn't have to many years left to WOW me! I heard 2021 is the year! I'll buy one for my 65 birthday!

Hey OLD MAN I am right there with you. I just got to figure out this retirement thing- seems a few years off for me yet.
Maybe in 2021 you/we can celebrate my retirement by buying a new Yamaha powered Textron Sled LOL

 

[Rich Kay]

Glad to hear of a few guys going through the exact same thoughts.... I too am thinking about how to call it quits in a couple of years and what the future looks like for sledding ? That said, I will keep my apex just to hug her as it has been hands down the most reliable performance sled I have ever owned in 40 yrs as well as the by far the most miles EVER put on a sled that I have owned ( 20k) I would still jump on it and ride week back pack trip in Canada without a thought. I do more just cruising and off trail exploring for riding now as well as once in a while small group 150-200 day so I found a 2016 viper LTX-LE 137" (spring surge order) in very nice shape with a nice shock package and lots of extras like extended warranty and the motor has not been touch with performance add-ons .For what this sled offers me it will take me off into the sunset so to speak with sledding. Going to really try and make enjoying sledding as I have dreamed about for years with what is left …. so for what they might be up to with what is coming really wont mean much to me but have been lucky to see sleds like the apex and viper with the 4 stroke doing amazing things ! Thanks Yamaha for giving us what ya have done and hope they do what is best for the next generation. Cant wait to try the viper out this winter!

 

[CaptCaper]

Glad to hear of a few guys going through the exact same thoughts.... I too am thinking about how to call it quits in a couple of years and what the future looks like for sledding ? That said, I will keep my apex just to hug her as it has been hands down the most reliable performance sled I have ever owned in 40 yrs as well as the by far the most miles EVER put on a sled that I have owned ( 20k) I would still jump on it and ride week back pack trip in Canada without a thought. I do more just cruising and off trail exploring for riding now as well as once in a while small group 150-200 day so I found a 2016 viper LTX-LE 137" (spring surge order) in very nice shape with a nice shock package and lots of extras like extended warranty and the motor has not been touch with performance add-ons .For what this sled offers me it will take me off into the sunset so to speak with sledding. Going to really try and make enjoying sledding as I have dreamed about for years with what is left …. so for what they might be up to with what is coming really wont mean much to me but have been lucky to see sleds like the apex and viper with the 4 stroke doing amazing things ! Thanks Yamaha for giving us what ya have done and hope they do what is best for the next generation. Cant wait to try the viper out this winter!

Same feelings here... bought a left over 2016 Vector XTX 1.25.. saved me thousands of dollars .. this will last me my few years of riding left in my old age.. with reliability and parts galore every where when needed.

 

[Vmax]

As I mentioned in another thread, my belief is at Yamaha is gearing up, as we speak, to put the sled industry into a tail spin for 2020.
I can see a mid range HP/priced trail sled to take advantage of a huge market that has been lost for many years, "the family sled".
Also, finally getting back into a light weight 2 stroke trail/mountain sled with the thoughts of getting back into snow cross in the near future. I understand I will get a lot of laughs and understand why but I still believe Yamaha has finally realized they messed up by dropping the 2 stroke completely. All of the other manufactures have given there buyers both.

 

[1nc 2000]

Vmax what magazine do you work at?

 

[Vmax]

lol...…….it is called Vmax magazine
The comments are only IMO.

 

[mikextx]

Ya I have to agree Yamaha is now an Arctic Cat manufactured sled! Where that will lead to is the question! It has already led to no more VK professional work sled and no more touring sled, they could have put Yamaha stickers on the Pantera and the Bearcat but probably better they didn't. Its now down to just two sleds build and designed by Arctic Cat with Yamaha motors because I won't count the VK540 just because its not even made in this century! Thats it, three sled builders as it stands now! There are no Yamaha sleds to choose from, just two motors! Some think 2020 will be the year and if I had a dollar for everytime someone said that in the last ten years, I could afford a 20,000 Cat!

I think my Apex will be my last Yamaha sled, I only say that because I just don't think they will ever build a sled again! I may buy a Cat at some point but still happy with my current sled! At my age Yamaha doesn't have to many years left to WOW me! I heard 2021 is the year! I'll buy one for my 65 birthday!

65!! Yikes,. Maybe a vk540 is right up your alley. Lol. Just kidding

 

[mikextx]

As I mentioned in another thread, my belief is at Yamaha is gearing up, as we speak, to put the sled industry into a tail spin for 2020.
I can see a mid range HP/priced trail sled to take advantage of a huge market that has been lost for many years, "the family sled".
Also, finally getting back into a light weight 2 stroke trail/mountain sled with the thoughts of getting back into snow cross in the near future. I understand I will get a lot of laughs and understand why but I still believe Yamaha has finally realized they messed up by dropping the 2 stroke completely. All of the other manufactures have given there buyers both.

You sir need to be president of Yamaha

 

[Vmax]

I agree 100% but they didn't accept my application...…….lol

 

[blueironranger]

I agree that a new "family" sled is needed but sales numbers say otherwise. 25 years ago the "440-500 class" was by far the biggest seller, now the 800+ class dominates the sales. Kind of surprised me that the 800 actually passed the 600 in sales for the past few years, but for the price of a 600 class you might as well pony up an extra 1500$ and get a 800 class sled. Yamaha could "slow down/cheapen" the Phazer engine to 8500 RPM, ditch the gear reduction, and use weaker internals and have a light 65hp "440" engine or tweak the 847 Wolverine twin for 85-90 hp for a "500".............. or both to go head to head with the ACE 600/900na, and with both being twins, could share a common/cheap "mid-size" chassis.

 

[biffdotorg]

I agree 100% but they didn't accept my application...…….lol

That was a mistake to get out of a highly competitive, low margin product line with declining sales, and smaller market due to riding conditions? And then become an engine supplier to the brands they competed with?

I see the reason they may have overlooked your application as you are probably the same as the rest of us, more passionate about the sport, than a good business man. Hell, you probably put a picture of your sled on your resume, or better yet, your fleet of yamahas!

 

[Vmax]

Dang it, I knew submitting my fleet was a bad idea...……