ROCKERDAN
OCD Sledhead
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- '18 RTX 50th "Winder"
1st time on a 4 banger. Doesn't like the weight and the throttle is horrible. The tune has nothing to do with it.
Maybe by the time he has his 15000 kms in he'll have a different opinion but he's already going back to an 850 next year.
I would concur....
Bud had his 900t XRS last season, and I had my 850 XRS. Such a huge difference swapping back and forth. Biggest issue when swapping instantly is the iTC. It takes getting used to, and is very jerky in sport mode, but if you go down to standard mode, it feels sluggish, so you need to keep in sport mode to feel snappy, but if riding in any type of tight or rough trails, or god forbid need to stand up ride, the jerki-ness is impossible to modulate.
Next is weight....while its lighter then the Winder on paper, IMO it feels just as heavy, if not more then Winder in real life when swapping back and forth from the 850. XRS does have great shock package however. I found another huge thing when swapping alot that noone mentions. But if you really think about it when swapping, you will instantly notice the huge difference in how the steering feels as it goes through the arc. Reason is, BRP is dead seat on using their "post forward" mount position on their XRS(2 stroke) only! So the 900t steering post is rearward more at the top mount. This changes so much about the feel if you try to technical ride it standing up. Its much more meant to be rode sitting down, and touring IMO. This would be the first mod I would do, and its not easy as you need to hack up the steering post where it will hit/contact the frame.
So for me, I would not want to own a 900t if I only owned 1 sled, as my area is tight and can get rough, its not a fun sled at all around this type of trail system compared to any 2 smoker IMO. But for Qc wider open trails, it will be really nice IMO. I actually like the Winder for overall handling better when compared to the 900t, but they are similar overall. Front end works better on Winder for sure. Also the Winder throttle is normal, and perfect. The only reason I may consider the 900t, is that it would be a new project, and its dead nuts reliable. Winder/Cat 998s are a blast and make best power no doubt, but lets face it, we need to really keep up with all their issues to not get towed, and this would be a long term sled for me and mostly used for trips so Id like a reliable sled.
But the 2 smokers are so much more effortless to ride around my type of trail system.
2 sleds is exactly what I need.
Dan
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ROCKERDAN
OCD Sledhead
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2005
- Messages
- 7,503
- Location
- Huntsville Ontario & Niagara NY
- Country
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- Snowmobile
- '18 RTX 50th "Winder"
I'd love to test ride a 900T. I test rode a 900ACE N/A last weekend. Love the seat and rear skid. It felt light for sure. Power was better than I expected. The throttle took some getting used to. I rode it in sport mode. Very jumpy.
The front suspension and steering effort were not up to par with my SW.
I'm curious if the G4 handles better.
I love my Sidewinder, but for the second year in a row, I'm having to wait 3 weeks to get parts. That is absolute BS when the season is so short. When my Doo buddies have issues, they are back on the trail immediately.
Yeah there are some trade offs with the 900t. For me it comes down to where you ride. The iTC becomes a bigger issue when technical riding, which many dont ever do so its a NON issue for some. In reality, a 2smoker really is made for technical/tight/rough riding...just effortless when rode back to back with any 4stroke.
Winder really is the closest to perfect 4 stroke made today IMO. If it is strictly bout how they feel riding them. They dont fare as well if you start to take into account their reliability/longevity factor....this is where the 900t doo really shines. I have owned many Doos over the years, and after many miles they look showroom new. These procross, you just cannot say that.
Dan
number1kyster
TY 4 Stroke God
What are you waiting for?
I've been riding YAMAHA since 2002. It's very easy to talk the talk, but difficult to walk the walk.
74Nitro
VIP Member
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- Dublin Ontario
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- 2019 Sidewinder LTX
No, l mean what parts are you waiting for.I've been riding YAMAHA since 2002. It's very easy to talk the talk, but difficult to walk the walk.
TPAY243
Lifetime Member
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- Northern Wis
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- 2020 Yamaha Sidewinder LTX SE
Ya really what parts are you waiting for, if you ordered them online that's the whole problem. I have ordered a bunch of different parts already this year for different Yamaha machines through my dealer and never waited more than a week. I did although order a windshield for my Winder over the internet and I will never do that again it took 3 weeks and I did not receive it until I threatened to cancel my order and get my money refunded.
number1kyster
TY 4 Stroke God
No, l mean what parts are you waiting for.
Sway bar bushings and the metal brackets that hold them on.
I did order them online. I'll check with the nearest Yamaha dealer.
TPAY243
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- 2020 Yamaha Sidewinder LTX SE
You would be better off ordering from Country Cat just look under 2018 ZR 9000 they usually have that kinda stuff in stock and you will have it in 2 or 3 day's
Sledroll
TY 4 Stroke Master
- Joined
- Dec 19, 2005
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- Muskoka , Ontario
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- 2022 SRX LE
2017 SW LTX LE
I ordered a rear suspension cross member bracket online , and after two weeks wait I was advised yesterday that it will now be May 14th !!!!!You would be better off ordering from Country Cat just look under 2018 ZR 9000 they usually have that kinda stuff in stock and you will have it in 2 or 3 day's
Really .
nbsledder
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Has anyone heard anything on the 22's from any of the Manufactures??
SledFreak
TY 4 Stroke God
- Joined
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- Current 2020 ThunderCat. - SOLD!
2021 TCAT Dan!!! Thats what you need!! I had my name penned to a 2021 900T and bailed on it. The TCAT is pretty good. Lets face it.... Every sled you ever had is a project, so you might as well get one where the handling is awesome and the motor is really awesome!!!I would concur....
Bud had his 900t XRS last season, and I had my 850 XRS. Such a huge difference swapping back and forth. Biggest issue when swapping instantly is the iTC. It takes getting used to, and is very jerky in sport mode, but if you go down to standard mode, it feels sluggish, so you need to keep in sport mode to feel snappy, but if riding in any type of tight or rough trails, or god forbid need to stand up ride, the jerki-ness is impossible to modulate.
Next is weight....while its lighter then the Winder on paper, IMO it feels just as heavy, if not more then Winder in real life when swapping back and forth from the 850. XRS does have great shock package however. I found another huge thing when swapping alot that noone mentions. But if you really think about it when swapping, you will instantly notice the huge difference in how the steering feels as it goes through the arc. Reason is, BRP is dead seat on using their "post forward" mount position on their XRS(2 stroke) only! So the 900t steering post is rearward more at the top mount. This changes so much about the feel if you try to technical ride it standing up. Its much more meant to be rode sitting down, and touring IMO. This would be the first mod I would do, and its not easy as you need to hack up the steering post where it will hit/contact the frame.
So for me, I would not want to own a 900t if I only owned 1 sled, as my area is tight and can get rough, its not a fun sled at all around this type of trail system compared to any 2 smoker IMO. But for Qc wider open trails, it will be really nice IMO. I actually like the Winder for overall handling better when compared to the 900t, but they are similar overall. Front end works better on Winder for sure. Also the Winder throttle is normal, and perfect. The only reason I may consider the 900t, is that it would be a new project, and its dead nuts reliable. Winder/Cat 998s are a blast and make best power no doubt, but lets face it, we need to really keep up with all their issues to not get towed, and this would be a long term sled for me and mostly used for trips so Id like a reliable sled.
But the 2 smokers are so much more effortless to ride around my type of trail system.
2 sleds is exactly what I need.
Dan
TrueBlue
Lifetime Member
and I disagree about the Apex... The Procross/sidewinder/TCAT is way ahead of the Apex in mostly every category.
Not break downs & too manny problems with sidewinder s
Motorhead
TY 4 Stroke God
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- 2017 SW LTX-LE
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- Augusta ME
Not break downs & too manny problems with sidewinder s
You’ll never hear me say that a Yamacat Sidewinder compares to an Apex or an RX1 for that matter, when it come to reliability, and maintenance time and money!
But also, since I have been on my 2017 Sidewinder since new, you will never hear me say that you can compare anything, ride handling or power to a Sidewinder or now the SRX! In fact if you ride like some of us do with a tuned Winder, we will have to wait for you because they are in their own class when it comes to speed.
They are a high maintenance ride, and that is indisputable, so choose your preference and enjoy whatever you bring, and do it safely.
tony2times
Newbie
I'm sure this wont be popular, but I loved my 850 XRS. It was very nice for a change, to just ride and not wrench. For tight trail systems that get pounded out from hi traffic, just cannot beat the XRS IMO. The Winder was always a handful on these types of trails. At end of the day I was always fresh on the XRS, while I was sore and beat up riding the 4 stroker, Be it my 1200 or 900t or Winder.
But, on our trips to Qc, those trails are wide open, and flat....the Winder is king up there and I got quite bored on the 850 up there. Always felt 2 sleds were needed for me, and hoping to go that route next year. This year with pandemic has been a real eye opener, not being able to head to my cottage for nearly a year has been really rough on me and the entire family.
I did not want to lose a bunch of money on my 850, so I sold it a few weeks ago as sleds are pulling in some big dollars. Got the money back pretty much that I paid for it brand new, so i don't regret it. I will be on another 2 smoker for sure, and also aiming to buy another turbo for Qc.
Just keeping open mind to which sleds I want to try next. I like trying new things and get bored fast with same ole sled. I've been on a 2 yr buying plan for the last 10 yrs or so, and keeping eye on the Matryx 850(840cc) for my next 2 smoker to try out, unless Doo brings some changes. Certainly cannot beat the Doos for quality and engineering, turn-key sleds that dont need anything for the most part.
There is a part of me that still has an eye on the 900t for a Qc sled, iTC is my biggest worry, but that becomes less of an issue on the big trails where you are running 70+MPH most the time. I feel i know the Winder so well, it may be abit boring to do it all over again, so the 900t may be something I try, and it would be between the B.E. Tune(possibly stage 2) or the WS Tune(uses Pv3). These are the two tuners that seem to have the most satisfied iTC owners. And the 900t, is a DOO which needs nothing, engineering is good. Just needs a tune and iTC help, but very little concern of being towed home like my Winder. LOL.
In the end, the Winder/Tcat 998 is king tho.....so if the big power is really wanted, there is no way you are gonna get that kind of grunt with the 900t, without big dollars.....But the 998s are more money then a 900t, since you can get several models of 900t....I dont need the great shocks for the Qc sled at all, heck i dont think ive ever seen a bump up there..haha.
Lots to think about, Will make decision once 22s are released on paper, and I can get pricing from Michigan dealer, since my local dealer is gone now.
Dan
Dan speaks the truth, listen to Dan.
I bought a Polaris Matryx 850 this year and kept my Viper as a backup. What I've found though is that I end up bringing both sleds with me, and depending on the system we are riding that day, I swap them out. You can't beat a 4stroke Yama-cat on the expressway trails in the UP of Michigan. As great as my shiny new Matryx is, I'm still taking the Viper if we are on any big mileage power touring type rides. In the lower peninsula and ditch banging - I'm taking the Matryx all day. I have a messed up back and wrestling the Viper around leaves me pretty gassed for the following days ride.
One thing is certain though Arctic Cat/ Yamaha are are behind Doo and Polaris in the features department. The Polaris 7s display with GPS, handle bar controls for your phone, helmet to helmet comms. and ability to track other riders right on your dash, sure is nice. I know that some of the tech is not for everyone, but for me it makes a big difference. If Yamaha or Cat had included something similar to the new Polaris or Doo displays and features I would have bought another one.
I've come to the same conclusion as Dan, the Polaris is awesome in the tight trails - and the tech is awesome, the 7" display w/ GPS has been great!
SledFreak
TY 4 Stroke God
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There is no doubt in mind and as crazy as it sounds.. You really need 2 sleds. A 2 stroke and a 4 stroke.. Three, if you go off trail as well.
jonlafon1
Lifetime Member
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- 2022 Sidewinder LTX_SE
2024 Catalyst RXC
2017 Sidewinder LTX-SE. 11750 miles (SOLD)
Great points here.. I recently purchased a 21 8000 Cat and have been on a 17 Winder for 10500 miles.. I recently drove this sled for a day and honestly would agree with what you wrote.. ONLY problem I have is its the other halves sled! LOL .. But its been since 2015 since I was on a 2 smoke, and it was a nice refreshing change.. I would describe it as a "easy lighter feeling" Not saying I'm going back but it was fun.. I run UPPER Michigan and the Turbo rules most trails up.Dan speaks the truth, listen to Dan.
I bought a Polaris Matryx 850 this year and kept my Viper as a backup. What I've found though is that I end up bringing both sleds with me, and depending on the system we are riding that day, I swap them out. You can't beat a 4stroke Yama-cat on the expressway trails in the UP of Michigan. As great as my shiny new Matryx is, I'm still taking the Viper if we are on any big mileage power touring type rides. In the lower peninsula and ditch banging - I'm taking the Matryx all day. I have a messed up back and wrestling the Viper around leaves me pretty gassed for the following days ride.
One thing is certain though Arctic Cat/ Yamaha are are behind Doo and Polaris in the features department. The Polaris 7s display with GPS, handle bar controls for your phone, helmet to helmet comms. and ability to track other riders right on your dash, sure is nice. I know that some of the tech is not for everyone, but for me it makes a big difference. If Yamaha or Cat had included something similar to the new Polaris or Doo displays and features I would have bought another one.
I've come to the same conclusion as Dan, the Polaris is awesome in the tight trails - and the tech is awesome, the 7" display w/ GPS has been great!
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