for all the griping, consider This for a second

[Tork]

117-118 Japanese yen to the US dollar last year about this time

right now
about 100 Japanese yen to the dollar

with a 17% less exchange rate it is amazing that prices look like they only went up about 3%

amazing amazing amazing, a lot to be thankful for right there!!!!

but how did they do it?????????????????????

By getting another year out of the Apex
By removing the painted tunnels (which I dont like anyway)

On top of the exchange rate problem, sled sales are dropping every year, and this spring order could be the worst yet......for everybody.

If you are not affected by the housing bust, the recession, the higher fuel prices, you are still bombarded by these problems on the news every single night.

The other plus is one more year on the Apex I really really think is going to give us an absolutely BRILLIANT 2010 model.

I think Yamaha did the right thing for the current conditions.
Smart people, smart company....and that is why the sleds are generally overall quite good.
I know my 06 Apex has exceeded ALL my expectations, it is still a blast to ride.

 

[yammi4ever]

While I don't disagree with what you are saying, I too was disappointed with the line-up. My great 06 Attak now has near 5000 relatively trouble free miles on it, and with everyone else cutting weight I was hoping for a updated, lighter Apex so I could trade for a newer 150hp or up sled. Now I am forced to either settle for a FX XTX(perhaps not a settle) or ride my great Attak another year. I realize that both of these options are not all that bad.

What we probably should do is ask the moderators to strike any posts about rumors of new sleds, as that is probably what has disappointed me (and lots of others) the most since I have been hearing of the GREAT 2009 release for months now.

Since they decided not to WOW us this year I really do believe that they could have put a little effort into fixing some of the small problems with the current line-up. Handwarmers, skiis, just to name a couple. While not real big things in my book, would have probably helped to stave off some complaining from the masses and would have not taken too much effort on their part.

And by the way stop teasing with that "BRILLIANT 2010 model" that may never come to be I cannot stand another year of anticipation LOL.

Just a few of my thoughts

Kirk

 

[IFlyEm]

The sleds aren't being imported from Japan. Does the exchange rate really make much of a difference on products produced and manufactured here? If anything I think it would be exact opposite.

With the yen so strong to the dollar then Yamaha's funding of R+D here in the states would be extremely cheap compared to years past.

 

[SnoXer470]

The sleds aren't being imported from Japan. Does the exchange rate really make much of a difference on products produced and manufactured here? If anything I think it would be exact opposite.

With the yen so strong to the dollar then Yamaha's funding of R+D here in the states would be extremely cheap compared to years past.

What do you mean they aren't being imported from Japan? Last time I checked EVERY snowmobile Yamaha sells in North America comes across the ocean on a boat? I don't mean for this to come across in a negative tone,but I have never seen a North American made Yamaha snowmobile before.

 

[Tork]

The sleds aren't being imported from Japan.

Yamaha sleds are now being made in Alabama?
Not hardly a handfull of sled R&D guys here either, components/prototypes are airfreighted over from Japan I mean Oklahoma. Some arent even tested here, they are tested on Mount Fuji, the highest point in J.... I mean Texas!








.

 

[IFlyEm]

Well then I stand corrected. I thought for sure they were making them here in the states or Canada by now. My Tundra is ;-)

 

[SnoXer470]

Well then I stand corrected. I thought for sure they were making them here in the states or Canada by now. My Tundra is ;-)

Honest mistake dude...But hey, isn't your Tundra made in Mexico now?? Ohh wait thats just their atv's....Ha ha..jk man

 

[snirt]

The sleds aren't being imported from Japan.

Yamaha sleds are now being made in Alabama?
Not hardly a handfull of sled R&D guys here either, components/prototypes are airfreighted over from Japan I mean Oklahoma. Some arent even tested here, they are tested on Mount Fuji, the highest point in J.... I mean Texas!


is that good or bad? ha ha ha !!





.

 

[IFlyEm]

Gibson County, Indiana

 

[IFlyEm]

The sleds aren't being imported from Japan.

Yamaha sleds are now being made in Alabama?
Not hardly a handfull of sled R&D guys here either, components/prototypes are airfreighted over from Japan I mean Oklahoma. Some arent even tested here, they are tested on Mount Fuji, the highest point in J.... I mean Texas!
.

Tork,

I am not THAT far off. Have you heard of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Newnan, Georgia? I thought they built sleds. Looks like they only Golf Carts, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), Personal Watercraft and side by side utility vehicles. You are making it seem outragous to think that something Yamaha is built here in the states. I don't think its as big of a stretch as you are making out to be.

 

[berge75]

117-118 Japanese yen to the US dollar last year about this time

right now
about 100 Japanese yen to the dollar

with a 17% less exchange rate it is amazing that prices look like they only went up about 3%

amazing amazing amazing, a lot to be thankful for right there!!!!

but how did they do it?????????????????????

By getting another year out of the Apex
By removing the painted tunnels (which I dont like anyway)

On top of the exchange rate problem, sled sales are dropping every year, and this spring order could be the worst yet......for everybody.

If you are not affected by the housing bust, the recession, the higher fuel prices, you are still bombarded by these problems on the news every single night.

The other plus is one more year on the Apex I really really think is going to give us an absolutely BRILLIANT 2010 model.

I think Yamaha did the right thing for the current conditions.
Smart people, smart company....and that is why the sleds are generally overall quite good.
I know my 06 Apex has exceeded ALL my expectations, it is still a blast to ride.

I'm with you on this one. With the tough times rite now,I didn't see much coming from any manufacture this year,and with the exception of the 4str.doo, nothing much has changed.

 

[Tork]

I am not THAT far off. Have you heard of Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corporation in Newnan, Georgia? I thought they built sleds. Looks like they only Golf Carts, All Terrain Vehicles (ATV's), Personal Watercraft and side by side utility vehicles. You are making it seem outragous to think that something Yamaha is built here in the states. I don't think its as big of a stretch as you are making out to be.

yes sir, I am very familiar with Japanese owned plants operated in the United States, California for the Geo/Toyota, The Honda Goldwing motorcycle in Ohio are some original examples.

No biggy, I have a reputation for clowning around, in a good hearted way I hope.

 

[IFlyEm]

ah ok

 

[RedRX1]

Tork, your spot on...This is belt tightening time for most companies. No sales spikes for big new changes can be expected if buyers aren't buying.

 

[FLYBYU]

just wait till you see how many of those cat 4 strokes sell this year. Not many i'm sure. $14,000.00 msrp. Its an election year, gas is going to be at $4.00 a gallon soon, no ones buying homes, you can't sell them either. I went to a dodge dealer the other day, they said they sold 6 cars in the month of feb. My point being, yamaha wants to keep everything affordable for us to buy. Here's an example- who's going to sell more. 1.a sled with 150hp proven with close to the same previous price or 2. a sled with new engine, redesigned and not proven hp yet. this year their playing it smart. Being a former cat mechanic theirs probally already recalls or service bulletins for the new one. Guys save your money and spend it wisely it's going a tough year for all of us