Safety Sean
Extreme
I have been reading the posts on the RS Venture as it is one of the sleds that I am considering. Actually I just spent my lunch break at the Yamaha dealer checking them out. I was telling him about some of the problems that I see listed on this board and asking them what fixes Yamaha had put in place. Well he wasn't very knowledgeable so I will ask you people - has Yamaha done anything to rectify the problems with the 08 RS Venture that I see on this board...hyfax wear, idler wheel wear, track squeel, etc.
Thanks from a guy who will probably be moving from DOO to Yamaha after 25 years.
Thanks from a guy who will probably be moving from DOO to Yamaha after 25 years.
hondo
VIP Member
Hi Sean,
Since 05 Yamaha has made some nice improvements to the sled. I have a basic 05 sled.
I know Yamaha added an extra set of wheels ahead of the rear axle which has greatly help improve the hyfax wear issue. Hopefully it has also helped the track howl issue as well.
I'm running the Kimpex / POO wheels which have significantly reduced hyfax wear and the track howl issue.
I ride with a guy that has an 07 Venture and has not mentioned a track howl problem.
I know the pivot arm gussets have also been reinforced.
Front shocks are better and easier to adjust. The GT model has it all.
I am running DOO precision ski's which are better than the stock ski's, in my opinion. This year I am switching to Simmons ski's to find a little more floation for off trail / deeper snow conditions. Providing we get snow. LOL...
I know the motor is absolutely 100% reliable and plan to run this sled a few more years.
Bottom line: Since 05, I have the sled set up just the way I like it. Yamaha has improved a few features that some of us in the past have really had to struggle with.
Sorry I don't know more about the newer models.
You are doing the right thing by looking around and doing your own due diligence.
If possible, I would also try to find another Yamaha dealer that may be more knowledgable.
Good luck in finding a sled that suits your needs!
Hopefully some others with newer sleds will provide some better input regarding their experiences.
Hope this helps!
Since 05 Yamaha has made some nice improvements to the sled. I have a basic 05 sled.
I know Yamaha added an extra set of wheels ahead of the rear axle which has greatly help improve the hyfax wear issue. Hopefully it has also helped the track howl issue as well.
I'm running the Kimpex / POO wheels which have significantly reduced hyfax wear and the track howl issue.
I ride with a guy that has an 07 Venture and has not mentioned a track howl problem.
I know the pivot arm gussets have also been reinforced.
Front shocks are better and easier to adjust. The GT model has it all.
I am running DOO precision ski's which are better than the stock ski's, in my opinion. This year I am switching to Simmons ski's to find a little more floation for off trail / deeper snow conditions. Providing we get snow. LOL...
I know the motor is absolutely 100% reliable and plan to run this sled a few more years.
Bottom line: Since 05, I have the sled set up just the way I like it. Yamaha has improved a few features that some of us in the past have really had to struggle with.
Sorry I don't know more about the newer models.
You are doing the right thing by looking around and doing your own due diligence.
If possible, I would also try to find another Yamaha dealer that may be more knowledgable.
Good luck in finding a sled that suits your needs!
Hopefully some others with newer sleds will provide some better input regarding their experiences.
Hope this helps!
151tf
Extreme
Hi Sean
I moved from Doo to Yamaha last year after almost 30 years, and I have no regrets. I have a 07 RS Venture TF that I put about 2500km on last season with no major issues. I had the hyfax replaced at the end of the season because one was down to 10.5 the other was ok only down to 16mm and the dealer doesnt know why so we changed a few other things in the suspension set up and put on new limiter straps so hopefully this will work. The motor is great easy starting. The rear skid does have the extra wheels mine has 2 sets because its the 151" track. I also have the Yamaha mountain ski which works well in the powder but got a small push on hardpack,but nothing bad.
Its a great sled for what I need.
Have a good one!
I moved from Doo to Yamaha last year after almost 30 years, and I have no regrets. I have a 07 RS Venture TF that I put about 2500km on last season with no major issues. I had the hyfax replaced at the end of the season because one was down to 10.5 the other was ok only down to 16mm and the dealer doesnt know why so we changed a few other things in the suspension set up and put on new limiter straps so hopefully this will work. The motor is great easy starting. The rear skid does have the extra wheels mine has 2 sets because its the 151" track. I also have the Yamaha mountain ski which works well in the powder but got a small push on hardpack,but nothing bad.
Its a great sled for what I need.
Have a good one!
I have the 07 Venture GT with no issues...I have only 2200kms on but my Hyfax wear has been minimal ( should get another 2-3 seasons out of them)..I don't find my track noisy..I put some Woody Dulies on to help the darting..Love the sled..It's easy to adjust the suspension, great on gas, I was impressed in deep snow and slush....Great sled you will like it ...
Safety Sean
Extreme
Thanks for the replies guys.
My type of riding is old railway beds, abandoned logging roads, bogs, marshes, ponds, powerlines & picking through the trees in snow that ranges from a few inches to monster drifts. I do not ride groomed trails at all & most of the time I am breaking my own trail. The reason I am looking at another touring sled is to take my kids with me. How much weight will the machine handle comfortably?
I really appreciate the info.
Sean
My type of riding is old railway beds, abandoned logging roads, bogs, marshes, ponds, powerlines & picking through the trees in snow that ranges from a few inches to monster drifts. I do not ride groomed trails at all & most of the time I am breaking my own trail. The reason I am looking at another touring sled is to take my kids with me. How much weight will the machine handle comfortably?
I really appreciate the info.
Sean
hondo
VIP Member
Hi Sean,
With my fat butt @ 250 lbs and my wife with gear 140 lbs, we never had a problem.
Rode my brother home one time when his 05 Mach Z pooped the bed. He is 165 lbs. Dropped the sled of at the Doo dealer and rode 30 miles to the house. He hated that ride, because I dogged his a$$ all the way home. Now he's riding an Attak. LOL...
The white pre-load spring blocks may need to come up if you are riding a heavier double. With kids, maybe not.
In addition, You may want to up grade ski's if you are riding in powder deeper than 24 inches. I just don't like the stock ski's.
Photo taken after a snow storm near Grand Valee, Gaspe', Quebec, Canada.
Hope this helps!
With my fat butt @ 250 lbs and my wife with gear 140 lbs, we never had a problem.
Rode my brother home one time when his 05 Mach Z pooped the bed. He is 165 lbs. Dropped the sled of at the Doo dealer and rode 30 miles to the house. He hated that ride, because I dogged his a$$ all the way home. Now he's riding an Attak. LOL...
The white pre-load spring blocks may need to come up if you are riding a heavier double. With kids, maybe not.
In addition, You may want to up grade ski's if you are riding in powder deeper than 24 inches. I just don't like the stock ski's.
Photo taken after a snow storm near Grand Valee, Gaspe', Quebec, Canada.
Hope this helps!
Thats exactly what I do with my Venture, I wanted the Apex but I have 2 young boyz that LOVE to snowmobile ( It is so hard to get out with my buddies alone, when they find out I am going for a ride they start getting dressed up and are devastated when I say I am not bringing them ) ..I ride a lot of lakes, bush trails, and groomed trails..With my kids we are around 300+ pounds and I haven't had an issue with the weight..Make sure you go with the wider skis (not sure if all the Ventures come with them now ) they will keep the front up in the deep stuff....
Doesn't the Venture GT come with wider skis? Even if it doesn't, the GT seems to be worth the extra few hundred just for the front clicker shocks.
Yes the GT comes with the wider skis, I wasn't sure if the others did, I aslo think the GT is worth the extra bucks.......
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IN Canada this true. The US models come with the standard ski.
asrx600guy
Extreme
sounds like you'd be better off with a RS Viking
its not too much more and will be better for what you have in mind
its not too much more and will be better for what you have in mind
venture2
Extreme
Rs Venture Upgrades
Hello-
I own a 2006 RS Venture, purchased new and now have just over 1000 miles logged. So far, I really like the machine as far as comfort, power and engine performance. Even though I rode in good snow most of the time my sliders are almost worn out. I was sent the set of extra idlers that are attached to the rear of the suspension and they were installed before I ever rode the machine so I cannot say what effect they had on things. The machine is a little tippy; seems to come up on one ski easily. The gas mileage is great, machine starts easilyand runs cool even in packed snow. They have done a good job with the heat exchangers, especially being so long along the foot rest. My biggest complaint is the tunnel or track noise that hits your senses at 30 to 50 mph. I have called & written to the factory and all they will say is to bring my problems to the dealer. I have also attended several factory demo events and asked the service people about this problem and they seem as though they are not aware of any noise problem with this machine, so I'm a little perplexed, especially since I see the same complaint written all over the web. If not for the noise problem I would say this machine is all I could ask for, but the grinding noise really wears me out and takes away from an otherwise nice experience. I'm ready to try some of the modifications people have mentioned on various web sites, but not sure what to do yet. It would be nice if the factory would offer an upgrade but nothing has happened yet.
dc
Hello-
I own a 2006 RS Venture, purchased new and now have just over 1000 miles logged. So far, I really like the machine as far as comfort, power and engine performance. Even though I rode in good snow most of the time my sliders are almost worn out. I was sent the set of extra idlers that are attached to the rear of the suspension and they were installed before I ever rode the machine so I cannot say what effect they had on things. The machine is a little tippy; seems to come up on one ski easily. The gas mileage is great, machine starts easilyand runs cool even in packed snow. They have done a good job with the heat exchangers, especially being so long along the foot rest. My biggest complaint is the tunnel or track noise that hits your senses at 30 to 50 mph. I have called & written to the factory and all they will say is to bring my problems to the dealer. I have also attended several factory demo events and asked the service people about this problem and they seem as though they are not aware of any noise problem with this machine, so I'm a little perplexed, especially since I see the same complaint written all over the web. If not for the noise problem I would say this machine is all I could ask for, but the grinding noise really wears me out and takes away from an otherwise nice experience. I'm ready to try some of the modifications people have mentioned on various web sites, but not sure what to do yet. It would be nice if the factory would offer an upgrade but nothing has happened yet.
dc
151tf
Extreme
hi
you ride the same has me,75% of my riding is of trail in powder and I've never had a problem.If your in Canada get the tf model it is geared lower for riding the powder and pulling loads,you only loss about 15 kmh of the top end.And the last 8" of track flip up to help when backing up and when loading on a ramp.
SC
you ride the same has me,75% of my riding is of trail in powder and I've never had a problem.If your in Canada get the tf model it is geared lower for riding the powder and pulling loads,you only loss about 15 kmh of the top end.And the last 8" of track flip up to help when backing up and when loading on a ramp.
SC
Attachments
Safety Sean
Extreme
Actually 151tf I am only a matter of hours away from where you are. I am on the Avalon Peninsula in Bay Roberts.
Asrx600guy - some of my buddies are running VK Pros & they are beasts. While I know that they are hard to stick I wouldn't want to be the one to try & muscle one out of a drift.
I think the RS Venture GT would fit the overall bill quite nicely. For 08 they have put the TF skid on all Ventures and the dealer was showing me that for tippiness they change the bushing placement where the skis are mounted & that gives an extra inch on either side.
What are you guys getting for top speed out of these sleds - level hardpacked pond.
Thanks for all the info.
Asrx600guy - some of my buddies are running VK Pros & they are beasts. While I know that they are hard to stick I wouldn't want to be the one to try & muscle one out of a drift.
I think the RS Venture GT would fit the overall bill quite nicely. For 08 they have put the TF skid on all Ventures and the dealer was showing me that for tippiness they change the bushing placement where the skis are mounted & that gives an extra inch on either side.
What are you guys getting for top speed out of these sleds - level hardpacked pond.
Thanks for all the info.
Safety Sean
Extreme
I am almost ready to sign for the Venture over the GTX but I am curious as to what people are getting for top speed out of these machines - level hardpacked pond/lake.
