2020 Release

[Sasquatch]

All this talk of what Yamaha should have, a four stroke to compete with the 600-900 Ace. They had one a Phazer! They should have a two stroke, they have two a 600 and a 800! The Yamaha Cat partnership brings a 600 and an 800 into the mix in the same Yamaha chassis! I mean if you really want a two stroke the Cat partnership is readily available. Same chassis different two stroke motor and if you believe some, Yamaha even designed it.

The Yamaha Cat partnership is here yet no one embraces the two stroke side of that partnership. They believe that Yamaha should build a two stroke, not Cat! They want a smaller four stroke like doo has, because those sell! Again there is only one way all those things are going to happen and that is if Yamaha starts building sleds again, no other way! Yamaha does not build sleds, Cat builds sleds for Yamaha! Yamaha can't add a two stroke or a smaller four stroke to the lineup without their partner Cat/Textron! If you noticed Textron slashed Cats lineup and Yamaha's even more!

Stop all this wishing for two strokes and smaller four strokes ect! They have not even a snowballs chance in hell until one key thing changes and that is Yamaha gets back in the game! Till then Cat built Sidwinders and Viper is it! Bright side is Yamaha dealers only have to bring in two sleds and the lineup is covered! You love the Cat chassis then there are two different two strokes to choose from! If two strokes are what everyone really wants then why is that jump not obvious? Why have Cat and Doo not dropped their four stroke motors all together? No four strokes are here to stay!

I like how it was put riding an Apex is like driving a car! We swung in the direction of trail riding with groomed trails and built hundreds of thousands of miles of groomed trail to get around on! Now we are on the swing to the off trail and steep and deep crowd and ever diminishing land to ride on! I don't know where the future of snowmobiling is headed but I know I will be enjoying riding one of the last great snowmobiles (Car) that Yamaha built, riding (and touring) it to the best of its and my ability for years too come. Cause I'm a sledder and its all about getting out and enjoying winter! I think that is lost on some people even ME! I know there are many times I'm catching glimpses of the world flashing by, of those looking in with fear and loathing and I think how we have changed! It didn't start this way!

We advertise performance and racing, we don't show the fun of the ride other then the speed and that has scared a lot of people from the sport! We have driven the price up with high tech sleds beyond the reach of many, I'm all for a 250 or 340 or 440 fan cooled sled so light you can carry it under one arm and cheap by comparison to kick start a new generation like the one I came from that now rides hypersleds! I hope its not to late but fear it is!

 

[20/80]

The future of Yamaha....Hmm, I for one have faith in Yamaha, this company has stunned the snowmobile industry time and time again and these days are going to be know different, its patience that us as snowmobilers fall short of at times, make no mistake Yamaha will answer and they are NOT getting out of the snowmobile biz, Cat is just a hold over and a testing ground for Yamaha which has worked out good and bought them time, they are slowly inching away from the pro cross in their line up, what's to come? well pay close attention, Yamaha did not move their headquarters to the snow belt in Ontario and hired a new team of engineers for nothing, Yamaha is coming into alinement, you will see a new Yamaha cutting edge Jap built sled again in the near future..... just have some faith.

 

[TrueBlue]

All this talk of what Yamaha should have, a four stroke to compete with the 600-900 Ace. They had one a Phazer! They should have a two stroke, they have two a 600 and a 800! The Yamaha Cat partnership brings a 600 and an 800 into the mix in the same Yamaha chassis! I mean if you really want a two stroke the Cat partnership is readily available. Same chassis different two stroke motor and if you believe some, Yamaha even designed it.

The Yamaha Cat partnership is here yet no one embraces the two stroke side of that partnership. They believe that Yamaha should build a two stroke, not Cat! They want a smaller four stroke like doo has, because those sell! Again there is only one way all those things are going to happen and that is if Yamaha starts building sleds again, no other way! Yamaha does not build sleds, Cat builds sleds for Yamaha! Yamaha can't add a two stroke or a smaller four stroke to the lineup without their partner Cat/Textron! If you noticed Textron slashed Cats lineup and Yamaha's even more!

Stop all this wishing for two strokes and smaller four strokes ect! They have not even a snowballs chance in hell until one key thing changes and that is Yamaha gets back in the game! Till then Cat built Sidwinders and Viper is it! Bright side is Yamaha dealers only have to bring in two sleds and the lineup is covered! You love the Cat chassis then there are two different two strokes to choose from! If two strokes are what everyone really wants then why is that jump not obvious? Why have Cat and Doo not dropped their four stroke motors all together? No four strokes are here to stay!

I like how it was put riding an Apex is like driving a car! We swung in the direction of trail riding with groomed trails and built hundreds of thousands of miles of groomed trail to get around on! Now we are on the swing to the off trail and steep and deep crowd and ever diminishing land to ride on! I don't know where the future of snowmobiling is headed but I know I will be enjoying riding one of the last great snowmobiles (Car) that Yamaha built, riding (and touring) it to the best of its and my ability for years too come. Cause I'm a sledder and its all about getting out and enjoying winter! I think that is lost on some people even ME! I know there are many times I'm catching glimpses of the world flashing by, of those looking in with fear and loathing and I think how we have changed! It didn't start this way!

We advertise performance and racing, we don't show the fun of the ride other then the speed and that has scared a lot of people from the sport! We have driven the price up with high tech sleds beyond the reach of many, I'm all for a 250 or 340 or 440 fan cooled sled so light you can carry it under one arm and cheap by comparison to kick start a new generation like the one I came from that now rides hypersleds! I hope its not to late but fear it is!

I love my 2018 Vector with the new updated fox shock. I will not buy another sled unless it is a true yamaha. Had no major problems with the last 15 sleds that I have bought.

 

[Deeppow16]

The future of Yamaha....Hmm, I for one have faith in Yamaha, this company has stunned the snowmobile industry time and time again and these days are going to be know different, its patience that us as snowmobilers fall short of at times, make no mistake Yamaha will answer and they are NOT getting out of the snowmobile biz, Cat is just a hold over and a testing ground for Yamaha which has worked out good and bought them time, they are slowly inching away from the pro cross in their line up, what's to come? well pay close attention, Yamaha did not move their headquarters to the snow belt in Ontario and hired a new team of engineers for nothing, Yamaha is coming into alinement, you will see a new Yamaha cutting edge Jap built sled again in the near future..... just have some faith.

Yes we have a problem with patience for sure but 5 years now of nothing new but an engine? Yeah its an hell of engine but look at the other manufactures out there. It doesn't take them 5 years to bring something new to the table. Ski-doo and Polaris always have something new why cant Yamaha do that? You have a lot of faith in a company that hasn't shown much to the industry in over 5 years. Believe me I really hope your right but my faith is slipping.

 

[Wannaviper]

Playing "devil's advocate", why would Yamaha ever go back into the 2-stroke market? There are already three other manufacturers that are slugging it out for market share. Unless Yamaha came out with a 2-stroke engine that was a complete game changer (economy, durability and performance), or a totally new and radical chassis that is unlike. and better than, anything else on the market, the best that they could ever hope for is a small portion of the market share in an industry that seems to be on the downhill slant. Yamaha won't manufacture 2-stroke sleds unless they are convinced that there is enough of a market that they will make money for their investors. Honestly, if I were a Yamaha stockholder, I wouldn't want it any other way. Yamaha has a "niche" in the 4-stroke market, and hopefully they will do something new to expand and secure that niche, but don't expect them to go out on a limb with R & D and production of a 2-stroke sled without a reasonable expectation of profits in return.

 

[Deeppow16]

Playing "devil's advocate", why would Yamaha ever go back into the 2-stroke market? There are already three other manufacturers that are slugging it out for market share. Unless Yamaha came out with a 2-stroke engine that was a complete game changer (economy, durability and performance), or a totally new and radical chassis that is unlike. and better than, anything else on the market, the best that they could ever hope for is a small portion of the market share in an industry that seems to be on the downhill slant. Yamaha won't manufacture 2-stroke sleds unless they are convinced that there is enough of a market that they will make money for their investors. Honestly, if I were a Yamaha stockholder, I wouldn't want it any other way. Yamaha has a "niche" in the 4-stroke market, and hopefully they will do something new to expand and secure that niche, but don't expect them to go out on a limb with R & D and production of a 2-stroke sled without a reasonable expectation of profits in return.

Your completely right, Yamaha does have a niche in the 4 stroke market but look whats trending and look what the next generation wants because those are the sledders of the future that are going to be buying your products. The trends are leaning towards lighter weight sleds such as 2 strokes. Yamaha was at the top of the sled biz when the had 2 strokes around. Ever since they went away from that they have been on a decline. If they want to stay competitive then they need to either come out with a hell of chassis upgrade or a 2 stroke again or there done!

 

[Wannaviper]

Deeppow, I do not disagree with you at all. The problem is that whatever Yamaha does, it is going to have to be radical in order for them to gain market share. If Textron would let them, Yamaha could just "rebadge" AC 2-stroke sleds right now, and be back in the market, but the problem is that they would just be Arctic Cats with different graphics, and Textron isn't likely to let Yamaha do that because it would take away from AC's market share of the 2-stroke market.

For what it is worth (which is not much I know) I think that Yamaha's future in snowmobiling is dependent upon the development of a totally new chassis with a legitimate claim that it will outperform, any other chassis on the market. The other three manufacturers have "tweaked" 2-stroke engines to the point that you have to wonder if it is possible to significantly improve on what's available. But, if Yamaha can reinvent the snowmobile chassis and suspension, there is hope for our 4-stroke future.

 

[Deeppow16]

Deeppow, I do not disagree with you at all. The problem is that whatever Yamaha does, it is going to have to be radical in order for them to gain market share. If Textron would let them, Yamaha could just "rebadge" AC 2-stroke sleds right now, and be back in the market, but the problem is that they would just be Arctic Cats with different graphics, and Textron isn't likely to let Yamaha do that because it would take away from AC's market share of the 2-stroke market.

For what it is worth (which is not much I know) I think that Yamaha's future in snowmobiling is dependent upon the development of a totally new chassis with a legitimate claim that it will outperform, any other chassis on the market. The other three manufacturers have "tweaked" 2-stroke engines to the point that you have to wonder if it is possible to significantly improve on what's available. But, if Yamaha can reinvent the snowmobile chassis and suspension, there is hope for our 4-stroke future.

Yeah that's about the only thing they can do but first they need to get out of the agreement with Cat(Textron) otherwise there wont be any new chassis being built. I really feel like Yamaha has gain much from this agreement. They have been using the same chassis since the start of it so if that's the only thing they have gotten out of it then man that looks bad. Arctic cat has gained much more. I believe the agreement was for 5 years so that means 2019 is the last year so maybe they will have something big for 2020 who knows.

 

[20/80]

Your completely right, Yamaha does have a niche in the 4 stroke market but look whats trending and look what the next generation wants because those are the sledders of the future that are going to be buying your products. The trends are leaning towards lighter weight sleds such as 2 strokes. Yamaha was at the top of the sled biz when the had 2 strokes around. Ever since they went away from that they have been on a decline. If they want to stay competitive then they need to either come out with a hell of chassis upgrade or a 2 stroke again or there done!

Yamaha has made one of many cutting edge motors including the Sidewinder engine, will it be the last.. not a chance, there is one more market share that no brand has entered yet and I believe Yamaha will soon fill, a Jap cutting edge designed chassis built in North America along with a Jap built H.O 4 Stroke that is every bit as light and powerful as a 2 stoke with all the reliability and power true blue's are used to, this will be the future and the direction Yamaha is heading.

 

[cobrajet ltx dx]

We all know Yamaha has and can produce 2/4 stroke motors that can out preform Polaris/ skidoo/cat. IMO.

The KEY factor in all this is.....

They need a fully developed CHASSIS
with cutting edge technology and ergos
To be in the game for the long haul.
God knows they had plenty of time to develop.
Hopefully they will and spank the other 3.

 

[Sasquatch]

We all know Yamaha has and can produce 2/4 stroke motors that can out preform Polaris/ skidoo/cat. IMO.

The KEY factor in all this is.....

They need a fully developed CHASSIS
with cutting edge technology and ergos
To be in the game for the long haul.
God knows they had plenty of time to develop.
Hopefully they will and spank the other 3.

Yep never argue that they are a great engine builder, they need a sled to go with the reliability of the swiss watch engines we know they can build!

 

[mikextx]

Saying that yamaha has a couple 2 strokes in the form of cats is dellusional. The only thing yamaha builds for the snowmobile industry anymore is engine, clutch, and ecu. The rest is cat/textron. Calling the new SW and Viper a yamaha is no different than calling my F250 an International pickup, cause thats who made the engine. Out of all the 2strokes made right now, AC would be dead last on my list. Just my opinion

 

[Sasquatch]

Saying that yamaha has a couple 2 strokes in the form of cats is dellusional. The only thing yamaha builds for the snowmobile industry anymore is engine, clutch, and ecu. The rest is cat/textron. Calling the new SW and Viper a yamaha is no different than calling my F250 an International pickup, cause thats who made the engine. Out of all the 2strokes made right now, AC would be dead last on my list. Just my opinion

You are correct they only build engines, they no longer build sleds! It is a partnership and if you love the chassis, if you embrace the partnership, if having a two stroke is top priority, you have that option! Cats two strokes seems fine, as reliable as anything else out there, but any two stroke would be dead last on my list! As a side note the ecu in the Viper is Cat's! I think though trying to school me on the International/ford or Cummins/Ram, Fiat/Ram or Suzuki/Cat twist would be preaching to the choir!

Delusional however would be calling a F250 a pickup! Just my opinion!

 

[stevewithOCD]

Delusional however would be calling a F250 a pickup! Just my opinion

OUCH!
That one stung a bit.
Good thing i drive a Chevy or i'd take offense to that.
Don't forget the GM/Duramax(Isuzu) marriage

 

[mikextx]

Lol. It does the job pretty good for a 15 year old truck. And your right about partnerships. Gotta love them Susuki snowmobiles