2020 Release

[pdiddy]

If they put a 998 na from the sidewinder in the Viper that would be totally lame. They might as well take the turbos off the unsold sidewinders and change a few decals. They have to have a new engine in the works.

 

[20/80]

I would say we will see a teaser vid soon.

 

[blueironranger]

If they put a 998 na from the sidewinder in the Viper that would be totally lame. They might as well take the turbos off the unsold sidewinders and change a few decals. They have to have a new engine in the works.

The whole reason is 4 digit engine sizes scare insurance companies, and have a higher import tax. 998na could be marketed as Venom and 5000 series and be only down 10hp from the Viper/7000. Yamaha trademarked the Venom name again a few years ago and Cat hasn’t reused the 5000 since the 1056 Suzuki left.

 

[SRXSRULE2]

I believe the reason for the 998 cc is because the side by side world limits them to under 1000cc and with hp wars the turbos came to life. It maybe an insurance thing as well. I have zero claims, nearly 29 years old and I’m paying nearly $1000 up here for a 2018 800... quite ridiculous but when I see half the idiots out riding these days it makes perfect sense.

Back to the 2020 deal. With cat releasing their Riot and Riot x as what looks to be their flag ship model for next year, I don’t see much coming down the pipe this year from Yamaha. Yamaha had the SRX this year and cats IACT to create excitement for 2019. Skidoo didn’t really have anything new as i expected, just refined models. Polaris has a history of something new every 5 years so they might have something big but I doubt it. I think this is another inventory clear out year for Yamaha and Cat. With no pricing from CAT it would seem Yamaha will have a similar model to the RIOT in their 2020 lineup. I’m going with the exciter for a name, seems to fit well with riot. It’s kinda weird that there is more time between Yamaha and Cats release than there has been the last few years but I feel the only new chassis we may see is something to compete with the Indy evo maybe in the 60-80hp range. A sled to bridge the gap between the 200cc sleds and the full sized sleds. They both have done well with the kids sleds and with neither of the big 2 (until the Indy evo) jumping in on the market, they definitely have it cornered. They are going to build what sells. I see the viper disappearing because just that, sidewinder is likely outselling it. They would still need a 120hp sled to compete on the market and im thinking maybe we will see a cat 600cc cross over to a Yamaha. They are already doing it in Europe, why couldn’t they do it here? Yamaha said they are done building 2 stroke sleds, technically they wouldn’t be building it. The dirt bike world got 2 strokes back, build and sell what the people want. Anyone that thinks the newer 2 strokes are still “dirty” and that the 4 strokes are much cleaner are oblivious anyways.

 

[nbsledder]

I would say we will see a teaser vid soon.

No teaser video because there is nothing new coming!

 

[Deeppow16]

I have mixed feelings on AC release. I'm not really sure what to think. I have also heard that AC with drew the "Spring order only" now so what does that mean? Also they have no 600's for any models in the 2020 lineup. That seems strange also. Either they are waiting for Yamaha or they are getting rid of the 600 which I see as a huge mistake. Another one I don't understand is the only skid you can get in a mountain model now is the monorail. I also see that as a mistake. Yes the monorail is amazing but I also still see a need for twin rails. I have many unanswered questions that I hope get answered with the Yamaha release.

 

[sk-rx1]

I have mixed feelings on AC release. I'm not really sure what to think. I have also heard that AC with drew the "Spring order only" now so what does that mean? Also they have no 600's for any models in the 2020 lineup. That seems strange also. Either they are waiting for Yamaha or they are getting rid of the 600 which I see as a huge mistake. Another one I don't understand is the only skid you can get in a mountain model now is the monorail. I also see that as a mistake. Yes the monorail is amazing but I also still see a need for twin rails. I have many unanswered questions that I hope get answered with the Yamaha release.

They still have ZR600's, snopro and limited I believe.

 

[biffdotorg]

What's that I smell? teaser of a new King Kat, updated cooling system and possibly more carbon fiber, and possibly more boost? NA998 is more than likely because if the Viper 7000 was not changing, the 7000 would have reared it's ugly head last week. Phazer engine, or something similar on the low end could be expected. But the Lynx was released. So it may not happen.

 

[sxr70001]

139 Pages and still a week to go. Come on guys more endless speculation. I have no idea, but that shouldn't stop anyone. I say Yamaha still in the sled business, but not much in the way of new sleds or offerings. That's not really their style. I would be shocked if they put a 2 stroke in the lineup and other sleds will just be minor tweaks to things like shocks and colors. It makes sense the the 998 replaces the 1049.

 

[DeepFrz]

Theories:
1. Yamaha 'surprises' us once again with BNG and minor enhancements.

2. Yamaha officially retires the 1049 and releases a 998 NA to take it's place.
- Arctic Cat announces additional sleds with the same motor.

3. Yamaha dives back into the 2s game head first and unleashes an 880 motor.
- Arctic Cat announces additional sleds with the same motor.

4. Yamaha releases a Sidewinder with the Alpha One skid and dubs it the "Mountain Max".

If I were to rank these theories based on odds, I'd say '4-1-2' with '3' being an absolute pipe dream. It's sad, I love Yamaha so much, but after riding a 600Etec Summit out west, I think it may be time to jump ship soon

 

[staggs65]

No teasers yet.......I'm going with BNG

 

[soldi]

5 - Yamaha is Arctic 4 stroke devision..

 

[Farmer 73]

I don't believe they are getting out of the sled business. I believe they will do one of two things. It will be BNG or they will create an all new segment of sled. A sled that will appeal to the new adult sled owner.

 

[sk-rx1]

I don't believe they are getting out of the sled business. I believe they will do one of two things. It will be BNG or they will create an all new segment of sled. A sled that will appeal to the new adult sled owner.

They cold just keep the lineup as is. BNG for the Sidewinder, update the Viper with the new bodywork and the new controls like AC did last year for the 7000. Then we can start 2021 predictions. Sad but that is probably the most likely, and cheapest, way to go.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

So is this AC 998 the Apex 4 holer? We can wish/dream