2023 Yamaha Snowmobile line up

[earthling]

Honestly if Yamaha wanted to capitalize on selling the maximum number of units and being truly competitive it should of started last year. The ship has sailed on Yamaha stepping outside the box and charging ahead. They are just offering the sleds to keep people in the loop to buy their other products.

I read a article that the snowmobile demand is in the rise and expected to be its highest in 2026 plus.

Now Speaking specifically for the mountain segment. I feel the sidewinder mtx was the best handling mountain sled they could of built. There’s now way they were going down that direction on there own. Unfortunately it was too late , the 4 stroke fad was falling dramatically out west.

I’m still a fan and hopeful they will bring back the mtx if they are going to continue with sleds.

Really no different when they were hardcore into triples. The others where bringing out lightweight twins with more hp. Always a step behind.

TLDR;
It must be hard for the senior team in Japan to get excited about a sport where they are so disconnected. Its up to the NA team to create that interest/excitement. BRP and Polaris both are home based in the snowbelt, they have that required passion to forge ahead. I am not knocking Yamaha, I just bought another one, they build the best motors out there, they have some of the best engineers in the world, as a company they are being let down however by some facet of the NA team.

ROTS; (rest of the story)

Its not a surprise, Japanese companies have a culture of winning from behind. Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Hitatchi, Suzuki, etc, all have a culture of creating product for a proven market based on consumer feedback, that loop guarantees you are slightly behind the curve. Customers at a market level are not where you go to look for innovation, you look to individuals (its hard to be innovative by committee). Japanese companies do innovate but primarily when they can get really excited about a subject/product/direction but they must prove to themselves first on the business side that the risk is worth the reward, that the innovation still fits the existing market model. When you have to prove to yourself that a job is worth taking on, the act of proving it to yourself places natural limits on our willingness to move ahead in bigger increments. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. The top level management of these companies is almost forced into this risk-averse mentality by how tightly the companies are run so it would not surprise me that they will sit back to see which way the wind blows and react accordingly. Yamaha motors is a very successful company (way more than BRP, Polaris, Cat, combined). Yamaha Motors profits alone are nearly equal to BRP total revenue. I think the problem is that the NA team does not know how to deal with the Japanese mentality. Japanese people are very passionate about what they are interested in, the NA team seems to be failing to create the level of excitement and interest that they need in order to get the support they need. Someone in NA needs to be a little less bean counter and a bit more of an enthusiast, and an internal champion. Cat isn't far behind, their website is a disaster, the focus seems to be on more of the same. Neither company knows much about marketing especially in todays social media driven environments.

 

[RobX-1]

TLDR;
It must be hard for the senior team in Japan to get excited about a sport where they are so disconnected. Its up to the NA team to create that interest/excitement. BRP and Polaris both are home based in the snowbelt, they have that required passion to forge ahead. I am not knocking Yamaha, I just bought another one, they build the best motors out there, they have some of the best engineers in the world, as a company they are being let down however by some facet of the NA team.

ROTS; (rest of the story)

Its not a surprise, Japanese companies have a culture of winning from behind. Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Hitatchi, Suzuki, etc, all have a culture of creating product for a proven market based on consumer feedback, that loop guarantees you are slightly behind the curve. Customers at a market level are not where you go to look for innovation, you look to individuals (its hard to be innovative by committee). Japanese companies do innovate but primarily when they can get really excited about a subject/product/direction but they must prove to themselves first on the business side that the risk is worth the reward, that the innovation still fits the existing market model. When you have to prove to yourself that a job is worth taking on, the act of proving it to yourself places natural limits on our willingness to move ahead in bigger increments. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. The top level management of these companies is almost forced into this risk-averse mentality by how tightly the companies are run so it would not surprise me that they will sit back to see which way the wind blows and react accordingly. Yamaha motors is a very successful company (way more than BRP, Polaris, Cat, combined). Yamaha Motors profits alone are nearly equal to BRP total revenue. I think the problem is that the NA team does not know how to deal with the Japanese mentality. Japanese people are very passionate about what they are interested in, the NA team seems to be failing to create the level of excitement and interest that they need in order to get the support they need. Someone in NA needs to be a little less bean counter and a bit more of an enthusiast, and an internal champion. Cat isn't far behind, their website is a disaster, the focus seems to be on more of the same. Neither company knows much about marketing especially in todays social media driven environments.

TLDR but Gung Ho in an inspiring movie.

 

[super1c]

They'll likely sell every unit that Textron can build this year regardless of significant changes or not.

This exactly! Skidoo and polaris are mostly sold out already around here. Yamaha and cat will be the same, changes or not. No ones gonna stop buying because of changes or not.

 

[STAIN]

This exactly! Skidoo and polaris are mostly sold out already around here. Yamaha and cat will be the same, changes or not. No ones gonna stop buying because of changes or not.

Agreed, Hard to get some to understand this.
If another manufacture makes the sled you want , go buy it.

 

[SqueezeER]

Agreed, Hard to get some to understand this.
If another manufacture makes the sled you want , go buy it.

Yup. I checked a Renegade XRS, and selling the Winder. They just keep refining, and upgrading their product. They will be getting my business. Sad to see the winder go, for now. See what the other world is like.

 

[STAIN]

Yup. I checked a Renegade XRS, and selling the Winder. They just keep refining, and upgrading their product. They will be getting my business. Sad to see the winder go, for now. See what the other world is like.

Luckily I ride with a group that has all makes and am able to try out almost all brands. Spent some time on a 900T renegade and T-cat this week.
The opinions I express on other sleds are from personnel experience, not like some who just parrot what they see on Snowtraxx or read in a mag.

 

[Fast Lane]

Yamacat sleds need an update so bad. They are heavy pigs compared to the competition. I love my Yamaha but I can't for see myself buying a new Yamaha. Its an overpriced dated sled. Outside of the 998, there isnt anything great about them. 1049 has its share of starting and starter issues. The Viper is very heavy and makes the 1049 work hard. Anyone know what a Viper weighs now? A Sidewinder? I thought my sled at 540 is a pig when it gets stuck. I helped a guy pull out his Viper. That sled is heavier and slower than mine.

Polaris and Skidoo are at least constantly updating their machines. Its actually exciting. They are reinvesting in their products.

 

[Derek Fosbury]

Yamacat sleds need an update so bad. They are heavy pigs compared to the competition. I love my Yamaha but I can't for see myself buying a new Yamaha. Its an overpriced dated sled. Outside of the 998, there isnt anything great about them. 1049 has its share of starting and starter issues. The Viper is very heavy and makes the 1049 work hard. Anyone know what a Viper weighs now? A Sidewinder? I thought my sled at 540 is a pig when it gets stuck. I helped a guy pull out his Viper. That sled is heavier and slower than mine.

Polaris and Skidoo are at least constantly updating their machines. Its actually exciting. They are reinvesting in their products.

The weight-thing is over-blown, and in some cases mis-reported. My Dad's 2022 Renegade Enduro 900 ACE is 530 lbs.... So it's not like all these others are feather-weights .

Even the 2-strokes aren't that light anymore. My brother-in-law's 2017 ZR6000 is 475 lbs. - which actually surprised me when I saw that!

 

[Fast Lane]

The weight-thing is over-blown, and in some cases mis-reported. My Dad's 2022 Renegade Enduro 900 ACE is 530 lbs.... So it's not like all these others are feather-weights .

Even the 2-strokes aren't that light anymore. My brother-in-law's 2017 ZR6000 is 475 lbs. - which actually surprised me when I saw that!

But what is the weight? Ive heard this argument before. They are so heavy they don't list their dry weights anymore.

600+
700+

Weight makes a huge difference. Fuel efficiency. Top speed. Pulling the fat bastard out when it gets stuck.

I wish my sled weighed 475. Ever bit helps.

998 in the Renegade would be a fast ship thats for sure. My next sled will probably be a Renegade.

 

[Derek Fosbury]

But what is the weight? Ive heard this argument before. They are so heavy they don't list their dry weights anymore.

600+
700+

Weight makes a huge difference. Fuel efficiency. Top speed. Pulling the fat bastard out when it gets stuck.

I wish my sled weighed 475. Ever bit helps.

998 in the Renegade would be a fast ship thats for sure. My next sled will probably be a Renegade.

I was just looking for that, but I believe someone weighed it on a scale, and posted on here something like 540-550, but could be mistaken. If anyone has weighed it, or has the shipping manifest, it would be on there.

That aside, driving the sidewinder does not "feel" heavy. I will say that my RS Venture "feels" heavy, that's for sure!

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Well the shootout did the comparison. The Mach z is 30lbs heavier than a xrs850. The thundercat with 1.25 track and power steering is 25-30lbs heavier than the mach. Which means we’re looking at best 60lbs heavier than a renegade xrs. Now load it down with the extra light plants luggage kits fuel caddy’s with shovels and whatever else skidoo riders think they need the sidewinder is probably lighter lol.

And the new turbo 2stokes are 20-25lbs heavier than non turbo version which they all say is negligible and not noticeable because it’s so little. Well now were within 30lbs of them

 

[SumpBuster]

TLDR;
It must be hard for the senior team in Japan to get excited about a sport where they are so disconnected. Its up to the NA team to create that interest/excitement. BRP and Polaris both are home based in the snowbelt, they have that required passion to forge ahead. I am not knocking Yamaha, I just bought another one, they build the best motors out there, they have some of the best engineers in the world, as a company they are being let down however by some facet of the NA team.

ROTS; (rest of the story)

Its not a surprise, Japanese companies have a culture of winning from behind. Sony, Panasonic, Mitsubishi, Yamaha, Hitatchi, Suzuki, etc, all have a culture of creating product for a proven market based on consumer feedback, that loop guarantees you are slightly behind the curve. Customers at a market level are not where you go to look for innovation, you look to individuals (its hard to be innovative by committee). Japanese companies do innovate but primarily when they can get really excited about a subject/product/direction but they must prove to themselves first on the business side that the risk is worth the reward, that the innovation still fits the existing market model. When you have to prove to yourself that a job is worth taking on, the act of proving it to yourself places natural limits on our willingness to move ahead in bigger increments. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut. The top level management of these companies is almost forced into this risk-averse mentality by how tightly the companies are run so it would not surprise me that they will sit back to see which way the wind blows and react accordingly. Yamaha motors is a very successful company (way more than BRP, Polaris, Cat, combined). Yamaha Motors profits alone are nearly equal to BRP total revenue. I think the problem is that the NA team does not know how to deal with the Japanese mentality. Japanese people are very passionate about what they are interested in, the NA team seems to be failing to create the level of excitement and interest that they need in order to get the support they need. Someone in NA needs to be a little less bean counter and a bit more of an enthusiast, and an internal champion. Cat isn't far behind, their website is a disaster, the focus seems to be on more of the same. Neither company knows much about marketing especially in todays social media driven environments.

Cats in the snowbelt too. Maybe more than Roseau, Mn.

 

[SumpBuster]

Got bored and tired of gubmnt lies, so watched another source of disinformation, stupidtrax, touting the new poo moderna boosted Vaccine r1, as the fastest production sled ever. So with few changes to the sw's and t cats, just make the srx and tcat 240 factry horsepower and blow poos bubble!! Maybe even a 2 speed chaincase, with a switchable high range, to reduce spin and increase top end (and bullet proof design) to absolutely devastate the mack z and poopy boost, for the lake guys?
How hard would that be?
Would they sell?
You betcha!

 

[74Nitro]

But what is the weight? Ive heard this argument before. They are so heavy they don't list their dry weights anymore.

600+
700+

Weight makes a huge difference. Fuel efficiency. Top speed. Pulling the fat bastard out when it gets stuck.

I wish my sled weighed 475. Ever bit helps.

998 in the Renegade would be a fast ship thats for sure. My next sled will probably be a Renegade.

And what would that weigh?

 

[1nc 2000]

SR Viper GT
I dont see eps on the hood. Hope I am wrong.