40th Anniversary Book: What's up with the EX440?

[john_the_fisherman]

When I was growing up, the first sled to put Yamaha on the map in my area was the 1st generation Exciter 340s and 440s. It seemed like everyone had one and in 1979, who wouldn't want one? A GPX chassis with a peppy little leaf blower under the hood, it seemed a no-brainer.

Well, I read my new Yamaha 40th anniversary book cover-to-cover the other night and there was barely a mention of the 'ol EX. What is Yamaha embarassed? The I referenced my 1997 epic sleds poster in my garage and they don't give the EX Gen 1 any props on there either. What gives?Any company who could brag about the Inviter, should devote a whole chapter to the Exciter!

 

[RTXs]

I agree. I remember a good friend had a '78 (i thnik) Exciter 440 and that was the fastest sled in town. I always wanted a yamaha back then, they always ran, and had oil injection, way cool. I was bombing around on a '76 ski-doo Olmpique 340, what a POS! It never ran more than 2 days in a row and had about half the speed of the exciter. One fatefull day I was put out of my misery when a spark from a little ski welding started a small flame in the engine bay that turned into a raging fire and burnt the entire sled, nothing left, even the track was completely gone. I then had to ride the rest of the year on an Elan 250 whoppie, but it was reliable and would go anywhere.

 

[john_the_fisherman]

The Elan 250 was my first ride! I had a 1973 250 Twin and we called it the Llama because one of my friends had a hard time saying Elan (?)! Talk about a POS, but it was a good POS if that makes any sense. It didn't start, it didn't steer, but once running it would go anywhere and do anything. It's kind of like a GEO Metro, not exactly your first choice, but after owning one, you have a soft spot in your heart!

 

[Kevin Garceau]

My first was 73 yamaha 338 gp - my dad bought it new in summer of 72 and when I started riding it in 90 it had 300 miles on it.

My brother and I p retty much destroyed that thing.

 

[Throttle Jockey]

Why don't ya ask the author (82SRX500)

 

[Phazernut]

As far as i'm concerned everyone should spend at least one season on a 12 elan

 

[baknblk]

We just picked up 3 440's (not sure about the years) 2 exciters and 1 GP for the kids and are these things fun. They lift the skis for quite a distance and we got all 3 for 700.00, I had finally given up on sno scoots just to much money.

 

[RTXs]

Hey Phazernut is that what they call the elan in Canada "12 elan" I think they did have 12 hp. We had a '72 and '73 and drove them both into the gorund! I towed many much "cooler" sleds back home with those little things... to think we now drive sleds with 150hp, its crazy.

 

[john_the_fisherman]

LONG LIVE THE LLAMA!!!!