Get me back on a Yamaha

[yamahaboy701]

Well I am at a point in my life that I am ready to come back to my Yamaha roots and trail riding. Been riding the mountains for 10 years now and have owned many mountains sleds and ridden all over the Rockies. I am ready to purchase a trail sled for trail riding in WI/UP and just rent a mountain sled for the 1-2 trips a year. I have been out of the Yamaha game since 2009 when I built very custom Nytro Mountain sled but prior was on Triple trail sled since 2000.

So I have been lurking on this site and am caught up enough that AC quality is not what Yamaha quality was and that Yamaha even with the partnership with AC still needs tweaks for ride comfort and handling. But being a DIY guy I have no problem making adjustments on sleds for suspension or handling. Also a huge fan of reliability which is why I am here and a trail sled means 10,000+ miles without having to rebuild the engine IMO. Also, am a slightly aggressive trail rider that prefers turns over grade when picking trails.

So with a budget just short of 10k and a plan to purchase in the April-August time frame what Yamaha sled should I purchase? Used Sidewinder, Apex, or Viper?

Miss TY too, TY is the best forum out there as I have been on plenty others.

 

[snobill]

Well I really like my 12 apex xtx for trail riding it’s my second apex and with proper maintenance it will last dam near forever.

 

[snowhite]

Well I own two older Yamahas, 340 enticer, ‘99 VT600 redhead with 17,000 km. Regular work on them relatively easy to work on and dependable! Now move forward to 2015 my first new sled in 32 years, SDXTX,the hard part was the 4stroke move, I still debating if I like it!Secondaly this is a CAT! I’m in the process of replacement bearings and seals on the chain case and have been at it for 4 days, not long hours but still have to take most of the sled apart to remove the case!Just got it this morning. Parts are still expensive but I believe that they make everything today so we cannot work or repair without taking to a shop and be prepared then for hours of cost not so much the cost of the parts! I don’t know what to say about the other models Yamaha has but they sure have changed for cheaper parts that break way to soon!

 

[sxr70001]

You can pick up a used Viper for around 6 grand nowadays and a Sidewinder for around 10. Just depends on how fast you need to go. I love my Viper for what it is, a good riding trail machine with lots of grunt from 0-70. It would be nice to have a Sidewinder for the extra legs though. The procross chassis needs regular maintenance but for a bigger guy you cant beat the riding position and bump handling ability.

 

[yamahaboy701]

Well I really like my 12 apex xtx for trail riding it’s my second apex and with proper maintenance it will last dam near forever.

I see you went from a 09 Gt to a 12 XTX. Was this a big improvement or just a step or two besides the longer track? Better ride or handling?

 

[snobill]

Had a 07 attak the longer track on the xtx helps but the ride and handling is a lot better It sits higher but not too high , they updated a ton between 7-12

 

[yamahaboy701]

You can pick up a used Viper for around 6 grand nowadays and a Sidewinder for around 10. Just depends on how fast you need to go. I love my Viper for what it is, a good riding trail machine with lots of grunt from 0-70. It would be nice to have a Sidewinder for the extra legs though. The procross chassis needs regular maintenance but for a bigger guy you cant beat the riding position and bump handling ability.

Thanks,
I think I could find a 17 and maybe 18 sidewinder in my price range, most seem to have a warranty on them as well which is attractive. Have you rode a sidewinder and compared it to your viper? I test drove a 16 Viper with a 141 on it, I think it was DLX? I like the sled but wanted more power. The handling and ride seemed pretty good. I have not tried a sidewinder yet but if the handle is as good or better than the viper I would be happy.

 

[rbell14]

I came from a Nytro to a Viper and the chassis is fantastic! I still love the 4 stroke engine and with a few mods you can have a great trail sled with updated ergo's.

 

[sxr70001]

I have not ridden a Sidewinder yet, just know what I have read here and talked to some guys on the trail. I was talking to a guy a few weeks ago on a Sidewinder and he said it's just ridiculous. I probably don't need that much power, but it's always nice to have.

 

[DooZ]

I have not ridden a Sidewinder yet, just know what I have read here and talked to some guys on the trail. I was talking to a guy a few weeks ago on a Sidewinder and he said it's just ridiculous. I probably don't need that much power, but it's always nice to have.

Too much power is almost enough...lol

 

[maim]

on the 2011-18 apex you get power steering and on the 2012-18 vectors/ventures. the xtx sleds are not too bad off trail and have good trail manners too.

 

[Snorunner]

on the 2011-18 apex you get power steering and on the 2012-18 vectors/ventures. the xtx sleds are not too bad off trail and have good trail manners too.

Based on our ride tonight the XTX Vectors are good in deep snow if you use your head. Wider skis would not hurt as well for deeper snow. But of course the old harder harder to steer would kick in. It's like Goldilocks to cold too hot Lol!

 

[Deeppow16]

If I were you I would look for a sidewinder XTX. I'm in the same boat as you. I currently ride in the mountains/backcountry but I live in Minnesota so not much backcountry riding here beside ditch banging and I don't do that any more(hit to much crap). So if It was me I would be looking for a sidewinder. The extra power is nice to have. I rode a viper and its fine up to about 70mph but after that it takes awhile to gain some speed. That's where the sidewinder comes in. Yes there are some bad designs with it but that's anything you buy with a motor in it. A guy like you that can build a fully custom sled should have no problem working on a sidewinder.

 

[biffdotorg]

I see you went from a 09 Gt to a 12 XTX. Was this a big improvement or just a step or two besides the longer track? Better ride or handling?

I did the same move. Everything is better on the XTX for us bigger guys (240lbs) Lighter riders would say it's too stiff, but can be fixed. For me, it's about perfect. Easy steering, tough as nails chassis and more power than the viper. Taller seat, and 2.5" riser makes the ergos much better than any apex. 1.6" track and it will pound the deep snow as well. While staying hooked up on the trail.

I have no idea what I would replace it with if I had to. Possibly one of these sub $10,000 sidewinders that are popping up. But after switching back and forth on our viper, or my buddies Doo's, I will stick with the Apex for now. They are all good sleds, and it's all in what you get used to.

Our Viper is very well setup with about every go fast, ride well goody you can buy (other than turbo) and I will go back to the Apex XTX.

 

[Wannaviper]

I had an LTX Viper, and still have an XTX Viper. I got rid of the Tuners, and changed the skid shocks to QS3's. I got Bill Mohr's front skid shock spring, and added Hygear dual pressure chambers to the front Floats. Now it rides and handles great, and it really is a fun trail sled that has the capability to do some off trail riding. I bought a Sidewinder LTX this winter, and I still enjoy riding my Viper, but the power and acceleration of the Sidewinder just put a constant smile on my face.