journeyman
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Yeh but I don't usually make predictions, only post if I know something.
polarisconvert
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Ted Jennety Clutching, jetting, air box mod.
Arctic Cat Z1 Turbo 128" Rear Suspension
128" Hacksaw 1" track.
Heated seat
While riding yesterday my friend talked to a co owner of a Yamaha dealership and he said the Sidewinder is 190 hp.
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Sasquatch
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Big_Phil
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I predict this is the beginning of the end of Yamaha making snowmobiles.
I think they will be solely an engine supplier for Cat, and prob continue to sell rebranded cats with the Yamaha name to keep their dealers happy.
Yamaha only sold like 10,000 sleds last year. Why would they continue to have an r&d department just for that. Sales teams, marketing teams, etc etc. Doesnt make sense financially. If they are just an engine supplier, they are basically garunteed profits. Dont have to worry about sled sales flopping, bad winter years, etc. They are just selling more of a motor they already make, and they have been making for 10 years or so.
I think they will be solely an engine supplier for Cat, and prob continue to sell rebranded cats with the Yamaha name to keep their dealers happy.
Yamaha only sold like 10,000 sleds last year. Why would they continue to have an r&d department just for that. Sales teams, marketing teams, etc etc. Doesnt make sense financially. If they are just an engine supplier, they are basically garunteed profits. Dont have to worry about sled sales flopping, bad winter years, etc. They are just selling more of a motor they already make, and they have been making for 10 years or so.
Last year at my local dealership more Apex,Vectors and Ventures were sold than Vipers so its not like that everywhere. Still hope they either make something awesome or buy Cat.
DeepFrz
Expert
Just got back from a weekend trip to Ely/Lake Vermillion and I couldn't believe how many Yamahas I saw up there! Nytros, Vipers, Phazers, RX1's, Apex's, Vectors, all of them. As Big_Phil just mentioned, Yamaha has had terrible sales numbers over the past few years, but clearly, they still have a strong fanbase. IMO, I think the low sales numbers are due to the fact that they haven't released a new chassis from Japan in 8 years and everyone currently riding Yamahas don't feel the need in spending money on BNG and small improvements. Especially when they're riding the most reliable sleds on the market.
morepower=morefun
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I agree! Perfect example; my buddy has an '09 Apex with 28,000 miles and never a problem, wanted to buy new sled for 2017, but 2017 Apex is basically same so he said he'll keep his money until 2018. How many 7...8... 9 year old sleds by other manufactures are still "one owner"...
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Big_Phil
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Maybe this is Yamahas problem. They actually build a sled that lasts. LOL They need to start building disposable sleds like BRP does. Then their sales numbers will rise.
Im convinced skidoo engineers their sleds to only last 10k miles and then ready for the scrap pile. They can make an evinrude etec outboard that runs in salt water, and they have 500 hours or 5 years warranty, you dont even have to change a spark plug. But they cant make an 800cc sled motor last more that 5k miles.
blueironranger
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The Iron Range has a strong Yamaha following for some reason, I think a lot of it is due to the Yamaha having long lasting dealers in the area, there have been many Doo and Cat dealers come and go in the past 20 years up here, and people are really loyal up here. The Only Yami dealer to go belly up in that time was Cliff Rue's
morepower=morefun
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Don't misunderstand me, this is a compliment to how well they are built, but this is also the "double edge sword" which limits units sold... IMO. If not broke why fix, right? I read earlier about a husband and wife with 2006's looking to add a Sidewinder, but will still keep their 2006's until they know for sure that this new sled is the way to go... that's correct... 11 model years newer and they are still content with riding what they have. How many Ski Doo or Polaris owners can say that?!?
However "bold new graphics" that are exact same colors aren't very bold so owners just hang on another year and then another year... Not sure about your areas and groups, but around here people are going absolutely nuts for the new Sidewinder orange option and are down right pissed that it is only available on the SE.
That will be the next hurdle to cross for Yamaha, to actually let us order the sled as we want... model, shocks, track, color... I mean if we preseason it, why can't they just reach into different bins along the assembly line. Tracks, for the most part, body colors and shocks are literally interchangeable so how hard would that be... let us check the boxes when "ordering" a preseason sled, PLEASE Yamaha PLEASE!
Sledroll
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2017 SW LTX LE
Yamaha should , in fairness to Poo and Doo , and all sledders in general , and in an effort to bring all 4 brands closer together , to create a more Harmonious industry , make a polarizing offer of , making available for purchase to all , the new and all powerful 998 TURBO !
The new catch phrase in the industry , and noted on the sled in BOLD NEW LETTERS , will be
POWERED BY YAMAHA
