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First Year Model, Pro's and Con's

Sodes

Extreme
Joined
Nov 8, 2004
Messages
116
Location
Elmhurst, Illinois
Website
www.sledovations.com
In 1980 I purchased a Yamaha SS440. In it's time it was cutting edge with innovations that made it unique and state-of-the art. Unfortunately, it was a first year model and plagued with nummerous suspension and clutching problems; being 20 I was sold by Yamaha as it being better than the enticers, exciters etc....it wasn't. The SS went on to be a transitional model for the SRV and Phazer. As I got older and hopefully wiser I have purchased countless cars, motorcycles, appliances and electronics reinforcing my earlier lesson to never buy the first year model. Last year I upgraded my sled from a V-Max 600 to the 05'Rx-1; what a quantum leap in technology and a wise move being a third model year for the RX. With the introduction of the 06's I realized that you need to spend a lot of cash to keep up with Jones in this sport.

I realized the transition from a 2-stroke to a 4-stroke was a leap for Yamaha and the intro of the 03' RX-1 was not without problems. Weight, oil consumption, an older suspension, inherent failures and all the same old crap that plagued sleds like the 1980 SS and subsequent first models.

I was at the dealer several days ago getting the RA boot repaired (1st year option) and a snot-nosed kid that worked at the dealer said that the RX-1 (that was cutting edge less than 9 months ago) is obsolete. When I took delivery on it in Nov 2004 they were sniffing around like dogs in heat. At that point I digressed to the life lesson 25 years earlier and realized that I can be cool only every 3-4 years.

Hey, I like the RX-1 and I actually prefer to sit six inches behind a taller windshield (it's cold at -100 wind chill). I will not be doing flips, snowcross (neither will Yamaha) and I certainly hope the trails are smooth where I plan on traveling to. Please note: I will be looking at the 2010's in fall of 2009 which I hope will not be a 1st model year.

Sodes
 

Sodes, Every manufacturer has problems with their first model year. SRX, Viper and RX1 all had problems with their initial rollout, but was quickly remedied the following season. For that reason, I too am waiting until next season for a new sled. I also keep my sleds for several years before selling and buying up. Just can't justify the dollars lost each season based on the length of each season. Snowmobiling is my weakness and there are other less significant hobbies we enjoy.
 
despite its minor short comings i love my 03 rx1.it is the best sled i have ever owned.products are constantly refined with each model and model year.other wise they wouldnt sell as much.my 1999 silverado was also a first year new model.best truck, no the best vehichle i have ever owned.so i am not afraid of buying a 1st year anything.just do your reserch as best you can and dont worry that the next model may have somthing better than the present one.cause it will!
 
I bought a 2000 mountian max. This was somwhat of a new model. But used some of the proven parts from older mm's . I had 0 problems. The apex is also a new model but many of the parts are already proven performers. The skid has been around now and has been refined. The engine has also been around for many years and is greatly refined. The front end has been proven in the vector series. Clutches are the same and are dead on. Gear box and jack shaft have had the bugs worked out. , Track proven. EFI has been used in bikes on this engine. Its not like this all just came off the line in a brand new never seen or tested sled.
 
Love the technology. At least Yamaha is moving forward. ;)!
Take a look under some of the other sleds (not bashing) hoods..... :moon:

I too will see what is out there for next year. I have enjoyed my Warrior, and have not had any problems the first season. :Rockon:
I had a SL-338 in the early 70's and it was so far ahead of the "other" brands...they are still trying to catch up. LaLaLa

I also have Yamaha outboards on my boat. Twin 1989 150 hp. They have almost 1000 hours on them and run like the day they were new. :D

:yam: :4STroke: :rocks:
 
1st year blues

I agree with SODES with the problems of first year models. I had an 05 warrior that was truely a great sled. so much so that when the attack came out i couldn't help but pull the trigger. I hope i am not dissappointed. I guess I wouldn't be surprised, but yamaha may lose this customer if it becomes serious.
 
I wouldn't say that it's a first model year in the traditional sense. And yes I would stay away from most 1st model years. But this is more of an evolution than a revolution.

The monoshock is beefed up, cable has been addressed. Front shocks of course are proven (both RTX and GT's as well) While the engine underwent some drastic changes its all tech that was built on. Not that something wont go wrong on a few but in 03 they had the challenge of adapting a bike motor to a sled. And while it IS the R1 motor in many ways it's not. I really think Yamaha learned a lot building the 3 cylinder vector motor. So really the only "innovation" "unproven" feature is the riding position. And that is all of a couple test rides to realize that it's miles ahead. Don't get me wrong my 05 RX is an awesome machine and I had no intention of upgrading this year. But the things that did bug me, riding position, no efi, ect. have been changed and I couldn't not upgrade. So thats a little from the other side of the coin.

I know you probably felt angry at the guys who said the 05 was obsolete. I'm sure they didn't meant to anger you they're just very excited about their new sled.
 
I've bought six first year model sleds in the past from Polaris, Cat, and Yamaha. Maybe I've just been lucky, but I haven't had a single problem with any of them. I do hesitate a moment when thinking about a first year model sled, but I can't help it 'cause I'm kind of an 'instant gratification' kind of guy. Yamahnator said it well---the Apex is more of an evolution. The Attak is one I didn't hesitate on.
 
I can't agree more with the latter comments. The model names imply a new model but really it's just an upgrade in ride and performance.
 
I agree with Yamanator, the Apex is more of an evolution than a revolution.
I can understand your anger over the dealership guys, but they are in a business and if they can convince you that the Apex is so much better than your RX that you feel you MUST trade-up, they're going to do it.
Your RX-1 is obsolete, but its still a great sled. Id say that if your RX is obsolete, than any 2-stroke sled is REALLY obsolete!
Be happy, enjoy your sled and if you can afford it and want to trade-up in a few years, go for it. I certainly wouldnt want to be broke just for the sake of having the hottest, newest sled every year. Ive had just as much fun on the old beater sleds as Ive had on the shiny, new sleds.
Cap'n
 
Sodes said:
In 1980 I purchased a Yamaha SS440. In it's time it was cutting edge with innovations that made it unique and state-of-the art. Unfortunately, it was a first year model and plagued with nummerous suspension and clutching problems; being 20 I was sold by Yamaha as it being better than the enticers, exciters etc....it wasn't. The SS went on to be a transitional model for the SRV and Phazer. As I got older and hopefully wiser I have purchased countless cars, motorcycles, appliances and electronics reinforcing my earlier lesson to never buy the first year model. Last year I upgraded my sled from a V-Max 600 to the 05'Rx-1; what a quantum leap in technology and a wise move being a third model year for the RX. With the introduction of the 06's I realized that you need to spend a lot of cash to keep up with Jones in this sport.

Like the 1980 SS and subsequent first models.

I will be Looking at the 2010's in fall of 2009 which I hope will not be a 1st model year.

Sodes

SORRY.........BUT I SURE DON'T AGREE WITH U ON THIS 1

Lets Go Back Way Back............1969 2 b Exact

Yamaha Started Then .........By Which Today is MANY 1st or Standards 4 Todays Sleds.

#1969 SL 351 / 1st Manufacture & 1st Yamaha Sled with OIL INJECTION. SEEMS 2 B TODAYS STANDARD. ;)! ........Small problem with the Belt Drive 4 the Oil Injection unit, Belt stretch......went 2 a gear drive. Other than that No Real Problems

#1970 SS 396 / 1st Yamaha Sled with a "Pluse Tuned Muffler" ....Twin Tuned Exhaust, also Twin Tuned Pipes were available. NO Real Problems

#1971 SW 396 & SW 433 / 1st Yamaha Sleds with Reverse Gear, NO Real Problems.

#1972 EW 643 & EW 433 / 1st Yamaha Sleds with Electric Start & Reverse, No Real Problems.

#1973 SR 433 / 1st Yamaha Production Racer, STOMPED The Compition which happened 2 be a lot of 650cc sleds. No Real Problems... A WINNER ;)!

#1973 SM 292 / 1st Yamaha Lightweight Sled, they took the SL 292 Motor and dropped it into an ALL NEW CHASSIS. No Real Problems...AWINNER ;)!

#1974 GPX 433 & 338 / 1st Yamaha Forced Air Sled, 1st Yamaha with Front Mounted Engine & 1st Yamaha with Slide Rail Susp. No Real Problems.........Dominated Trail & Track...A WINNER ;)!

#1976 SRX 440 & 340 / 1st Yamaha Liquid Cooled Sled, 1st Manufacture to use Radiator & Heat Exchanger Technology. Dominated the Trail & Track, No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1979 Excel V / 1st Yamaha Wide Track Sled 16.5", No Real Problems

#1980 SRV / 1st Yamaha With TSS Front Susp, No Real Problems

#1982 Bravo 250 / 1st Yamaha Super Lightweight Sled, set the Standard 4 todays lightweight sleds, 1 of Yamahas Longest Running Models. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1983 SRV 540 / 1st Yamaha With Pro Action Rear Susp, set the mark 4 up comming Yamaha models. No Real Problems

#1984 Phazer / 1st Yamaha Sled with a Fairing, Lightweight Powerful Fan Cooled sled, Was the #1 SELLING SLED IN THE WORLD this Turned the Pages of History 4 Yamaha making them a leader in the Snowmobile Industry. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1986 Inviter / 1st Yamaha with a Unique SIT IN RIDER POSITION, Yamaha was already thinking of better ways to be on a sled.

#1988 Sno Scoot / 1 Yamaha Manufactor to run a Full Production of Concept Sleds, Yamaha was trying to Attract New Riders To the Industry. No Real Problems. Even though they were around only 80cc, Ride 1 and you won't want to GET OFF....2 MUCH FUN ;)! ...A WINNER ;)!

#1988 VK 540 / 1st Yamaha Wide Track...20.0" & A 156" Long Track, 1st Yamaha with a HIGH / LOW Gear Selection. #1 selling Utility Sled...STILL MAKING THEM TODAY. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1991 Exciter II / 1st Yamaha With Plated Cyclinders & Digital CDI. nO Real Problems

#1992 VMAX 4 750 / 1st Manufacture to Run Full Production 4 Cyclinder, 1st Yamaha production 4 Cyclinder. Yamaha WON Lots of Awards 4 this Baby. Dominated the Trails & Track, The Benning of A LEGEND. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1995 VMAX 4 800 / 1st Manufactor to Run Full Production 4 Cyclinder 800cc Sled , 1st Yamaha 800cc 4 Cyclinder. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1997 SX 700 / 1st Yamaha Trailing Arm Sled, 1st Yamaha 3 Cyclinder, Yamaha Set A NEW BENCH MARK, Dominating The Trails Again. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#1998 SRX 700 / 1st Manufacture to have Self Cleaning Power Valves on the Exhaust, 1 st Yamaha to have S.C.P.V.'s. No Real Problems...A WINNER ;)!

#2000 Mountain Max 700 / 1st Yamaha Deep Powder Sled. No Real Problems.

#2000 SXR 700 / Yamahas Best Handling Trail Sled Ever ;)! . No Real Problems. A WINNER ;)!

#2001 SX Viper / #1 Selling Sled Ever By Any Manufacture ;)! This Yamaha Had It All. No Real Problems. A WINNER ;)!

#2002 SRX 700 / 1st Yamaha With DCS, By Far 1 OF THE FASTEST RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX SLEDS EVER MADE PERIOD. No Real Problems.A WINNER ;)!

#2003 RX1 1000 / 1st Manufacture HIGH PERFORMANCE 4Cyclinder 4 Stroke, 1st Yamaha 4 Cyclinder 4 Stroke, Lots of Issues with this sled as to refinement. Still.......A WINNER ;)!

#2004 RX & RX Warrior 1000 / Over a Hundred Changes To This Sled & Miles apart in Refinement. Yamahas Not Quite There Yet. Still...A WINNER ;)!

#2005 RX & RX Warrior 1000 / More Changes & Again a Better Sled, Yamahas Refinement is good.....BUT..Not Quite There Yet. Still A WINNER ;)!

#2006 Apex & Attak 1000 / 1st Yamaha Sleds With EFI, 1st Yamaha Sleds With Rider Forward Positioning. So Far ...........LOOKS AWESUME ;)! More Refinement From Yamaha As We now go TOO THE SECOND GENERATION OF THE RX SERIES. ;)!


Too sum all of this up, There were Years that YAMAHA Had some Big Issues 1981 SRX 440's, the Late 80's V MAX's up to 1991 Had No Refinement or GROWTH. Yamaha HAS BEEN A LEADER in So Many Categories I've lost count. They have never been afraid to go where NO ONE ELSE WILL GO. They bar none ARE A LEADER IN TECHNOLOGY, and ALWAYS will be. No ones Perfect and they STILL have more Refinement to go, But ..........THEY ARE YEARS AHEAD of the COMPETITION right now.

As much as we all would love too see a PERFECT SLED, I'm really not sure if there is just a beast..............I Can Only Wish. It could be hard to stand up for a company who continues to stay stagnant and has no growth or runs or hides from their problems or issues. There are no Perfect Anythings In This World we live in........Just Look Around You.

But it is very easy for Me to Stand Up For Yamaha, as we have been Together from the start. I have Watched them Grow like my own children and shared in the good times as well as the not. Yamahas Blood; Black, Red, White & Blue flows through my veins and will continue to do so. Yamaha has never had to Run or to Hide, as they continue to grow and look too the future. I as well look forward to what Yamaha has and will bring forward for all of to share in.

For those that share this common bond ;)!

For those that Don't..........JUST BRING IT :yam:

............Larry D Lagergren

............BOUNTYHUNTER :flag:
 
RX-1 obsolete

Well said Sodes. :Rockon: I too have an 05 RX-1 that's obsolete compared to the 06's. Was gonna trade, but ride at temps below 0 and when I saw the windshields on those 06's barely covering my bellybutton I decided to wait.
 
BOUNTYHUNTER said:
#1991 Exciter II / 1st Yamaha With Plated Cyclinders & Digital CDI. nO Real Problems

Not really a 1st year sled. Its slightly modified from the older Exciters... '87 was the first year. It did have a slight problem... it was hard to start. So they changed the carbs on them... and the new carbs resonated weird and bubbled out the gas causing engine burn downs which is where they got the name "Exploder" from. Eventually solved by adding a weight to the bowl. It was mainly the '88's and updated '87's that had this problem. My '87 has the original carbs, and yes, it is really finnicky to start, but that motor is indestructable.
 
Well said, Bountyhunter. Its funny that a lot of non-Yamaha owners think that Yamaha is a 2nd rate sled company, yet Yamaha was the first to come out with a lot of things that are now standard equipment.
Cap'n
 


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