Getting back into snowmobiling, which 4 stroke machine to buy?

[theCATman]

What year did the vector come out in? What are your thoughts about the early year phazers?

05 1st year Vector. Stay away. Had a CK skid, not Monoshock.

I personally think the phazers are underpowered, ill handling, freezing cold piles of $hit. And that's a kind description.

 

[theCATman]

Oh, and no, 10k miles is not high, AS LONG AS the rest of the machine has been well maintained. As into new track, suspension bushings, rebuilt shocks, driveline bearings, clutching components, etc, etc.

The engine is just good and broke in at 10k. There's Yamaha 4s sleds with 25,000+ miles on them.

 

[74Nitro]

Ya, I owned a Phazer before, but it's not what you want.

 

[SumpBuster]

Vectors! And you can 'fix' an 05 with an apex seat, and a monoshock, if desired. Super easy to make them like you want. And the motors are bulletproof and easy to drive. Almost zero maintenance.
Here we morphed a stock 05 vector into a nytro...apex seat, fox floats, riser, etc. Bone stock on the left. Almost 8000 miles...had the carbs cleaned and resynchronized. Just because.

 

[sxr70001]

I think the Vector got fuel injection in 2011 if you want that. Added a few horsepower.

 

[theCATman]

I think the Vector got fuel injection in 2011 if you want that. Added a few horsepower.

2010, we covered this. FI and bigger displacement. Detuned "Nytro" engine.

 

[DGZRT]

I can comply with everyone’s advice . Been running 2 Vectors for 10 years . Very cheap to run and very dependable. I’ve had very good luck with the carbs . The only thing I think should be done to make them wife friendly is a soft start spring and dual runners or snow trackers on the skis . Let us know what you come up with . There are many people on this site that will help you and assist with handling setup . Enjoy snow is on the way !

 

[STAIN]

The best things I did to my Vector was a wide front end kit and a Boss seat. That wide front end really changes the way they handle, had one an RX-1 also.

 

[maim]

And in 2013 the rs sleds got the eps as well. The apex had it from 2011. EPS=power steering.

In reality, any of the 4 stroke Yamaha sleds are pretty good and with members help, we can guide you into making your sled do what you need it to. As recommended, stay away from the fx series unless you plan on being an active rider as they tend to need quite a bit of body English to ride at the rate of the rs and rx series sleds on the same trails.

There are guys that hate the pro action suspension in the early rx/rs sleds but if you take the time to set them up right, they ride pretty well compared to the early 90’s sleds.

 

[White & Nerdy]

I am also getting back into snowmobiling and I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. Hopefully this isn't considered a thread hijack.

I currently have an '01 SRX and I have spent some time on an '02 Viper, but I have not ridden or even sat on anything newer than those. Handling wise, what can I expect from the 4 strokes? I ride mostly in northern WI, so I would like something that can handle the twisty stuff, yet be comfortable enough to ride all day on the bumps. My SRX does not meet these criteria anymore, LOL!

Does the Vector sound like a good choice? What should I pay for a like new '13 with 900 miles. Thanks

 

[Wannaviper]

I am also getting back into snowmobiling and I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. Hopefully this isn't considered a thread hijack.

I currently have an '01 SRX and I have spent some time on an '02 Viper, but I have not ridden or even sat on anything newer than those. Handling wise, what can I expect from the 4 strokes? I ride mostly in northern WI, so I would like something that can handle the twisty stuff, yet be comfortable enough to ride all day on the bumps. My SRX does not meet these criteria anymore, LOL!

Does the Vector sound like a good choice? What should I pay for a like new '13 with 900 miles. Thanks

A "like new" 2013 Vector would be an awesome groomed trail sled, very dependable and fun to ride, but IMO it is not the kind of sled that I would want to "ride all day on the bumps." I rode a Vector for several years, and my wife still has her 2013 (loves the power steering), but they are not rough trail sleds. I switched to a Viper, and now a Sidewinder, and if you are riding rough trails, there is no comparison. Set up right, the Pro Cross chassis is the sled you want to be on at the end of the day when the trails are beat.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Not sure of your age or how mechanical you are, with that being said I am 59 and a Master ASE mechanic and do all my own work.
If money not an big issue there are 3 must haves in my opinion, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI) and REVERSE!
Vector or Apex, miles a non issue on a 4s IF maintained!

 

[74Nitro]

I am also getting back into snowmobiling and I am having a hard time deciding what to buy. Hopefully this isn't considered a thread hijack.

I currently have an '01 SRX and I have spent some time on an '02 Viper, but I have not ridden or even sat on anything newer than those. Handling wise, what can I expect from the 4 strokes? I ride mostly in northern WI, so I would like something that can handle the twisty stuff, yet be comfortable enough to ride all day on the bumps. My SRX does not meet these criteria anymore, LOL!

Does the Vector sound like a good choice? What should I pay for a like new '13 with 900 miles. Thanks

Sounds like the four stroke Viper is more for you given your riding style.

 

[Yamajon1]

I had a 02 Viper that I loved and then I sold it in 08 and I took a break from sledding till 2016. I bought a 2016 Viper and I love it now but it took a while to learn how to ride it. You can’t put it into a corner like the old sled. I found my self over driving the corners a lot till I adjusted my style. Also the engine braking takes some getting used to but I would not go back now. Vectors ride a little more like the old sleds but my body feels so much better on the Viper at the end of the day cause of the riding position. I hurt just sitting on the old sleds now but I am 58 so not as flexible as I once was. Riding on the pro cross I feel just fine the next day.

 

[maim]

vectors and apex sleds are kind of the bridge between the rider forward sr and fx chassis sleds. they are more rider forward than the old sx chassis (srx viper) sleds but can be ridden either way.

i can ride either apex up on the bars hard into the corners or i can slide back and cruise as the day requires.