Alatalo
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We had warm weather middle of this week followed by cold weather this weekend, so conditions changed from one meter of powder to one meter of rock hard ice...No point using the mountain sled. Instead, I borrowed the demo AC XF 1100 from the local dealer (who happens to be Yamaha as well as AC dealer). I know this is not a SR Viper, but this is probably as close to a test ride us swedes are going to get. Yamaha will demo the SR Vipers late this spring and they have already told the dealers there will be no customer test rides...thank you Yamaha Motor Scandinavia.
Anyway, me and the old man took the above mentioned XF 1100 on a trail ride together with my 09 RTX SE 136". The XF is a "non-high country" model with a 141" Cobra 1.5" track. The RTX SE is extended to 136" with a Back Country 1.75" track. Both sleds happened to have identical SLP PP skis. Because of the conditions, both sleds were equipped with ice scratchers.
Basically, the only advantages of the FX Nytro is the engine character, the suspension bottoming resistance (it has got Ohlins shocks all around, pretty similar to the current scandinavian model FX Nytro TTX) and the brake. I hate to say it, but everything else is better on the XF. The engine character and especially the engine sound / noise of the XF is nothing short of terrible. Both engines are pretty similar power, but the AC twin is just...super boring...? Anyway, this is not an issue for potential SR Viper buyers. The XF 1100 is quite soft sprung. Quite good comfort as long as the pace is not too high, but no bottoming resistance compared to the Ohlins sprung RTX SE once the pace picks up. The brake of the XF feels like an old Polaris brake. Super stiff feel at the brake lever, but once you use it you kind of get the feeling that nothing happens...you squeeze and pull but the sled still does not stop...I would take the Yamaha brake eleven days out of ten...!
In my opinion, the ergos and the front end of the XF is the things that stand out the most. For sit down trail riding, the relationship between handlebar, seat and floorboards is superior. The seat is slightly higher and you can also position your feet more forward. Feels much more relaxed for long distance riding, agreed by myself as well as the old man. Also, the standard front end of the FX Nytro is very well known because of the nervous behaviour. Side by side to the XF, this is obvious. The XF feels much more calm, still with a steering response and steering effort on par with the FX Nytro.
My summary would be the following - the only thing I am worried about (regarding the SR Viper) is the Arctic Cat brake.
Anyway, me and the old man took the above mentioned XF 1100 on a trail ride together with my 09 RTX SE 136". The XF is a "non-high country" model with a 141" Cobra 1.5" track. The RTX SE is extended to 136" with a Back Country 1.75" track. Both sleds happened to have identical SLP PP skis. Because of the conditions, both sleds were equipped with ice scratchers.
Basically, the only advantages of the FX Nytro is the engine character, the suspension bottoming resistance (it has got Ohlins shocks all around, pretty similar to the current scandinavian model FX Nytro TTX) and the brake. I hate to say it, but everything else is better on the XF. The engine character and especially the engine sound / noise of the XF is nothing short of terrible. Both engines are pretty similar power, but the AC twin is just...super boring...? Anyway, this is not an issue for potential SR Viper buyers. The XF 1100 is quite soft sprung. Quite good comfort as long as the pace is not too high, but no bottoming resistance compared to the Ohlins sprung RTX SE once the pace picks up. The brake of the XF feels like an old Polaris brake. Super stiff feel at the brake lever, but once you use it you kind of get the feeling that nothing happens...you squeeze and pull but the sled still does not stop...I would take the Yamaha brake eleven days out of ten...!
In my opinion, the ergos and the front end of the XF is the things that stand out the most. For sit down trail riding, the relationship between handlebar, seat and floorboards is superior. The seat is slightly higher and you can also position your feet more forward. Feels much more relaxed for long distance riding, agreed by myself as well as the old man. Also, the standard front end of the FX Nytro is very well known because of the nervous behaviour. Side by side to the XF, this is obvious. The XF feels much more calm, still with a steering response and steering effort on par with the FX Nytro.
My summary would be the following - the only thing I am worried about (regarding the SR Viper) is the Arctic Cat brake.
Bluebullet
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Good review, I have a buddy that has the 12 snopro 1100 T And I feel the same way when riding his machine. Sit to stand transition is perfect, Handling is predicable and rear suspension is comfortable on the soft side. I hated the motor sound ( even though turbo-ed) I though it was just boring! My apex is faster on the lakes and long runs. We are close on short drags depending on who get the hole shot. ( Cat is geared lower) I don't remember how the braking was? overall if the Viper gets the nitro motor I think it will be an awesome overall sled but once again what doe the motor sound like a lawn mower or sport bike? We are spoiled on that rear exhaust sound and that great Yamaha motor!
Still hearing that guys test riding here have had some reverse issues though. Understood there will be quirks with new machines but Cat had these issues for 2 years now.... really? My buddys failed twice the 1st year and had to be towed home.
Blue
Still hearing that guys test riding here have had some reverse issues though. Understood there will be quirks with new machines but Cat had these issues for 2 years now.... really? My buddys failed twice the 1st year and had to be towed home.
Blue
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
So what you are saying is put some ohlines on the thing and it would be awesome...
Anyways very good write up "thanks "
Anyways very good write up "thanks "
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
Or are you saying to get all the shocks revalved and it would work better
Alatalo
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No, not really. I am just reporting my observation - this particular XF is softer sprung than the Ohlins sprung Nytro (which is stiffer than any OEM Nytro). If you do need to improve the bottoming resistance of the XF, I am sure you can find re-valves as well as aftermarket parts. But I would test ride the SR Viper before making any decisions about this, the suspension spec is not necessarily the same as this particular XF.09nytro said:
Took both of them for another trail ride yesterday and the impressions remain. I would pick the ergos and the front end of the XF any day, but the brake is terrible. If you ride a really twisty trail where you are on and off the gas and the brake every other second, I can see this becoming an issue. I would pick the single finger operated brake from the Yamaha, any day.
