Forgot just what a blast these Winders are!

[ROCKERDAN]

Thanks Mike I didn't want to come across as basher of the Winder but I guess that's the way guys are taking it. I won't be posting anymore about it and if guys go on DooTalk I have never posted anything negative about the Winder even though many there would love if I did.

The problem we have is we are used to the big power now....and nowhere else to go without the 1200 being boosted. G4 is a nice ergo chassie to ride though for sure. Id like to see better looks, LED headlight, new cluster, 129". And a boosted engine that is 200 stock to directly compete to the 998. But I dont think BRP will or even cares.

BRP is very happy milking all their customers for every dollar IMO....I think Yam is only surviving due to the 998. As Mike mentioned, YAM would be smart to address several of the items we have all addressed here, to make it more reliable. Their 'stick head in the sand' attitude needs to change, if they want to get the Winder name back on track with the public.

Heck, why doesn't YAM just hire Knapp as a consultant! I can guarantee the Winder would become reliable and gain alot of sales, it would be a very wise investment for YAM!

Dan

 

[1nc 2000]

I think Joe's concerns are valid. No doubt the Ski-Doo is much better engineered and a much better gas and go machine. These Cats need constant attention and re-worked to be reliable where you feel comfortable with them. It's a concern for me too. I have gone from one end of the machine to the other to improve the things Cat missed or botched. If you don't, it could leave you stranded or with a real big repair bill. Thanks to this forum I have been able to drastically improve the poor Cat engineering and weak points. It has taken a great deal of money and time to get it there too. Most people don't have the time or knowledge to re-work these things properly, nor should we have to. Doo does the engineering up front and theres a reason they are #1 in sales by a long shot. They just have a flat out better product. That said, they have nothing I want right now, if I went back to Doo it would be a 1200 and not the weak 900t. Only thing keeping me on a Winder is I finally have it where I want it and I really like the power, ride, handling and ergos on it. It's tested my patience I can tell you that, it's not been easy.

IMO Cat will not survive long term if they don't make a big turn around. Not sure where Yamaha will end up, but if they stick with Cat they too will fail. Power can't hold off the inevitable forever. Also the three-cylinder 998 has some issues that can not be solved, harmonics is the big one with eating clutches for breakfast. Yamaha needs that four-cylinder back in the lineup to survive, and they have to get it in a light chassis that really works other than the Cat. Thats the bottom line. Doo is too good right now for some of the others to survive. If you don't bring a quality product to market, you'll fail to thrive in this internet age.

I enjoy reading about the improvements you guys do to this sled. I will improve some of them when a problem arises. I have a five year warranty and will use that for it also.
Today I am going riding to test out the 8dn belt with heavier secondary spring. Hopefully my rpm's will be consistent.

Xp123, my brother has a doo 900 turbo with about 1000 miles on it. I get to see that sled first hand as it is kept at my house. Looks like a fun sled.

 

[ApexXTX/Viper]

No doubt the sidewinder performs awesome and puts a big smile on your face. Another thing is it flat out rides and handles awesome. The Cat chassis works as good as any and the Yamaha engine is the best in the biz. I just think it needs more Yamaha and less Cat DNA.

EXACTLY!

 

[ApexXTX/Viper]

I think Joe's concerns are valid. No doubt the Ski-Doo is much better engineered and a much better gas and go machine. These Cats need constant attention and re-worked to be reliable where you feel comfortable with them. It's a concern for me too. I have gone from one end of the machine to the other to improve the things Cat missed or botched. If you don't, it could leave you stranded or with a real big repair bill. Thanks to this forum I have been able to drastically improve the poor Cat engineering and weak points. It has taken a great deal of money and time to get it there too. Most people don't have the time or knowledge to re-work these things properly, nor should we have to. Doo does the engineering up front and theres a reason they are #1 in sales by a long shot. They just have a flat out better product. That said, they have nothing I want right now, if I went back to Doo it would be a 1200 and not the weak 900t. Only thing keeping me on a Winder is I finally have it where I want it and I really like the power, ride, handling and ergos on it. It's tested my patience I can tell you that, it's not been easy.

IMO Cat will not survive long term if they don't make a big turn around. Not sure where Yamaha will end up, but if they stick with Cat they too will fail. Power can't hold off the inevitable forever. Also the three-cylinder 998 has some issues that can not be solved, harmonics is the big one with eating clutches for breakfast. Yamaha needs that four-cylinder back in the lineup to survive, and they have to get it in a light chassis that really works other than the Cat. Thats the bottom line. Doo is too good right now for some of the others to survive. If you don't bring a quality product to market, you'll fail to thrive in this internet age.

Did you notice that Textron dropped their name this week from all the ATV's and UTV's? They are now back to being badged as Arctic Cat. They failed to gain the market share and sales they were hoping. Easier to sell off the "weak sister" under one name? What's up with the Cat/Yamaha agreement?

 

[sideshowBob]

I have gone from one end of the machine to the other to improve the things Cat missed or botched. If you don't, it could leave you stranded or with a real big repair bill. Thanks to this forum I have been able to drastically improve the poor Cat engineering and weak points. It has taken a great deal of money and time to get it there too.

This has not gone unappreciated as I may end up yet on a SW, unless YamaCat brings out something new soon.
With the help of the TY forums and members, I have done every imaginable upgrade to my Attak and now have it right where I want it for my personal taste and usage.
I have been following the SW forum now for a couple years and have already formed my plan of upgrades[short of buying parts] that I will do to a SW, if and when I aquire one.
The work and shared information KnappAttak, Rockerdan, and others have done to improve these sleds has actually changed my opinion on owning a Sidewinder and has dramatically lessoned my concerns of dealing with its manufacturing deficiencies.
Thanks Guys

 

[TurboAddict]

Damn you likely passed right in form of my cottage! Unfortunately it isn't winterized :'( I need to work to that next summer!

Trails there look nice!

Is your cottage in Sundridge area?

 

[Mototown]

135 miles yesterday from Magnetawan to Sunridge to sprucedale about10 miles ruff trail. The rest was excellent. This sled is by far the most fun to ride once you have the steering figured out . Came up on some younger guys that do the stand up thing going down the trail . Made short work of them with in a couple miles lol

 

[PowderFalcon]

They sure are fun sleds.... when they run right!
Blowing 3 belts in 1500 miles and being scared to squeeze the throttle to blow another one is not my kinda fun

 

[RAMSOMAIR]

Mine is all stock including clutching except for BOP secondary adjuster and rollers and I just changed my belt for the first time today just because! 7050kms.

 

[rnusr01]

I was getting pretty frustrated with all the upkeep, but I rode my buddies 850 and it felt like a SLUG and didn't handle as I would have thought. When I went back to the Winder I was smiling. Like anything there are trade-offs

 

[fourload]

Did you notice that Textron dropped their name this week from all the ATV's and UTV's? They are now back to being badged as Arctic Cat. They failed to gain the market share and sales they were hoping. Easier to sell off the "weak sister" under one name? What's up with the Cat/Yamaha agreement?

My dealer heard from a very good source on Friday that Yamaha came to an agreement with Textron and they are purchasing Arctic Cat. We shall see!

 

[SumpBuster]

My dealer heard from a very good source on Friday that Yamaha came to an agreement with Textron and they are purchasing Arctic Cat. We shall see!

That could be good! I keep hearing about a 2 stroke that says genesis, but I would believe it's the cat motor rebadged. After all, the cats call the yamaha motors ctec4, so why can't yammy call the cat motor a genesis 2 or something? Some cat guys swear the 800 is a reliable engine...interesting!

 

[RAMSOMAIR]

View attachment 146403 View attachment 146404 View attachment 146405 135 miles yesterday from Magnetawan to Sunridge to sprucedale about10 miles ruff trail. The rest was excellent. This sled is by far the most fun to ride once you have the steering figured out . Came up on some younger guys that do the stand up thing going down the trail . Made short work of them with in a couple miles lol

Hey Moto, you live up in the McKellar area or just riding through?

 

[fourload]

That could be good! I keep hearing about a 2 stroke that says genesis, but I would believe it's the cat motor rebadged. After all, the cats call the yamaha motors ctec4, so why can't yammy call the cat motor a genesis 2 or something? Some cat guys swear the 800 is a reliable engine...interesting!

Also maybe Yamaha would step up the quality control and poor engineering on these Yamacats.

 

[SumpBuster]

I'm sure they would. Kinda like the new Toyota Supra....it's a BMW. Great engineering, but the supply chain of parts is usually the issue. Cat also has assembly qc issues, that can be solved pretty easily.
Like my missing turbo bolt. Wasn't loose. It was never there..lol. Too hard..probably said leave it for first shift...!