Have you guys heard this news about Arctic Cat?

[whitedust1]

When Yamaha moved their head office to Ontario Canada a new team of engineers were hired, its been accouple of years now, as far as your Apexes drive shaft bearings sorry to hear that, I always use the proper grease and have had no problems as of yet.

What type of engineers were hired in Ontario by Yamaha and where what do they manufacture? I’m aware of Marketing in Ontario but not other activities. Please tell us more.

 

[SumpBuster]

In terms of reliability, it’s no doubt more reliable than the Pro Cross. You might have had some problems with your Apex but overall there are many many more that have issues with the Pro Cross chassis. You look foolish even making a statement like that.
It’s not even arguable, it’s fact.

Well maybe just my luck had 06 and 08 both let lose around 2500 miles. I did not have very good luck with the bushings in the a arms either I could go on and on but I won't not trying to rip on the Apex. I'm just saying all snowmobiles have issues not just the pro cross and I'll argue that every time the Apex is by no means superior to the Pro Cross.

I found from my 2003 rx1's, both new in the fall of '02, that sticking a grease needle in the front axle bearing is super easy, and some water always came out. Have done this ever since on all the sleds ever since, even the sw which is more involved to get to the bearing. Never, ever had an axle bearing, or bogey wheel bearing fail, even with my old ski doos...needle greased then all. Worst could happen is they wear out, but don't sieze. I have repaired a low mileage vector that did fry the axle bearing and take out the speed sensor, (that's how I found it....it ran then would quit, and refire, but gave a code and I saw his mileage was way off from mine) but did not harm the axle. It was low mileage and sat around for years. In any case, I never, ever worried about getting home on any of the Japanese built sleds. Broke suspension parts, but I still got back. I needle grease the tri hub too on the sw.

 

[STAIN]

another thread down the tubes........

 

[20/80]

What type of engineers were hired in Ontario by Yamaha and where what do they manufacture? I’m aware of Marketing in Ontario but not other activities. Please tell us more.

Seen it in a vid I think it was on Snowtrax, they were interviewing VP Peter Smallman at Yamaha's new head quarters in Ontario, he mentioned his all new team of young engineers dedicated to snowmobile development, that's all I can tell you.

 

[SqueezeER]

In terms of reliability, it’s no doubt more reliable than the Pro Cross. You might have had some problems with your Apex but overall there are many many more that have issues with the Pro Cross chassis. You look foolish even making a statement like that.
It’s not even arguable, it’s fact.

Can you quote the article you found these FACTS in? I'm interested to see how many 2 stroke motors blew up too, or Cat chain cases grenade, or how many sleds had to change carbides...do you have those FACTS as well? Finally we will get to see some facts and not more OPINIONS.

 

[cannondale27]

My Yamacat has been the most trouble free ,fun and most Capable Yamaha that I have ever owned by far. Not even close. I have yet to see a perfect Snowmobile made. They all require either work or $ to ride and sometimes both.

 

[SumpBuster]

My Yamacat has been the most trouble free ,fun and most Capable Yamaha that I have ever owned by far. Not even close. I have yet to see a perfect Snowmobile made. They all require either work or $ to ride and sometimes both.

They are fun! Even a riot! But I can't use that term now...

 

[cannondale27]

They are fun! Even a riot! But I can't use that term now...

You know Yamaha made the first Blaster. Hmm maybe ....

 

[Deeppow16]

I want to know how anyone can say the Arctic Cat Procross chassis and the Yamaha chassis can be any different when it comes to reliability? They are the same exact chassis made in the same factory by the same people. I have the Proclimb chassis and I love it. 850 miles and not a single problem except for some bent running boards(my fault). Its the strongest chassis on the market and wont fold in if you hit a twig like the Doo chassis and its not held together with glue like the Polaris chassis.

 

[cannondale27]

I want to know how anyone can say the Arctic Cat Procross chassis and the Yamaha chassis can be any different when it comes to reliability? They are the same exact chassis made in the same factory by the same people. I have the Proclimb chassis and I love it. 850 miles and not a single problem except for some bent running boards(my fault). Its the strongest chassis on the market and wont fold in if you hit a twig like the Doo chassis and its not held together with glue like the Polaris chassis.

And when something does go bad they are so easy and cheap to fix.

 

[cannondale27]

I want to know how anyone can say the Arctic Cat Procross chassis and the Yamaha chassis can be any different when it comes to reliability? They are the same exact chassis made in the same factory by the same people. I have the Proclimb chassis and I love it. 850 miles and not a single problem except for some bent running boards(my fault). Its the strongest chassis on the market and wont fold in if you hit a twig like the Doo chassis and its not held together with glue like the Polaris chassis.

Nobody is saying that. Some are saying the Japan sleds are more reliable chassis and drivetrains. I believe some things are better some are worse. Either way it’s a snowmobile just waiting to break.

 

[Deeppow16]

And when something does go bad they are so easy and cheap to fix.

The Proclimb chassis is SOOOO much better to work on then my nitro nytro was. Part of that is because I now have a 2 stroke s I have tons of room to work.

 

[cannondale27]

The Proclimb chassis is SOOOO much better to work on then my nitro nytro was. Part of that is because I now have a 2 stroke s I have tons of room to work.

Yes there is no doubt the chassis was designed to house a 2 st. I have one too but have you changed reeds yet? Not fun. Especially with electric start! Sure enjoyed simplicity of chaincase on it though.

 

[Wannaviper]

The endless debate goes on over Japan build vs. Pro Cross. I am not an engineer, and I am not a mechanic; I just like to ride snowmobiles. Based upon my admittedly limited experience, I have drawn several conclusions: 1. The cost of routine maintenance of my DB sleds and my Pro Cross sleds is the about the same, no more, and no less. 2.The DB sleds and Pro Cross sleds are no more or less reliable one way or the other; I have lost riding time to equipment failures on both types of sleds. If you went on a "per mile" basis, my Pro Cross sleds have actually been more reliable. 3. As much as I loved my DB sleds, and I still do, the Pro Cross chassis provides a better riding and better handling sled than the DB chassis.

The DB chassis was reasonably competitive @10 years ago, but the competition evolved while Yamaha did not. I will be 69 years old by the time there is enough snow to ride this year, and I plan on riding 200+ mile days with my riding buddies, all of whom are at least 10 years younger. If I am going stay at the front of the pack, I am going to do that on my Sidewinder, not my Vector.

 

[ClutchMaster]

I want to know how anyone can say the Arctic Cat Procross chassis and the Yamaha chassis can be any different when it comes to reliability? They are the same exact chassis made in the same factory by the same people. I have the Proclimb chassis and I love it. 850 miles and not a single problem except for some bent running boards(my fault). Its the strongest chassis on the market and wont fold in if you hit a twig like the Doo chassis and its not held together with glue like the Polaris chassis.

You miss read the post bro. We are talking about previous Jap built Yamaha snowmobiles.

I am not an engineer, and I am not a mechanic; If you went on a "per mile" basis, my Pro Cross sleds have actually been more reliable .

You just ride slower?

That’s great you have had that experience, but you are viewing the issue from a limited perspective using only “your” experiences.

I am a mechanic in my spare time and wrench on a lot of sleds and vehicles. Yes anything mechanical will eventually break down, DUH really? Snowmobiles have always been high maintenance, always will be. Over the past 25 years I have seen a lot of machines and I can tell you, the quality has dropped.
Some examples are tiny little bearings in hollow junk boggie wheels, thinner aluminum tunnels, quality bearings replaced with cheap China bearings, poor untested designs that fail prematurely, poor craftsmanship/quality control.

It’s currently the world we live in, disposable everything. Manufacturers have figured out that building high quality, reliable machines puts you out of business and costs more money. Make it look shiny and cool, forget about reliable.

Example; I just went through an M10 suspension, every wheel was in excellent shape, only one bearing was needing replacement. The upper shafts are solid 1.25” aluminum and showed very little wear, 14K miles on the original wheels!!

My Viper has absolute garbage wheels on the entire skid. The bearings in the rear axle wheels are smaller than idler wheels on the M10. Also I’ve broken 3 idler wheel mounts right off the skid, hollow garbage held on with tiny 5mm fasteners, the M10 uses 8mm bolts with a solid aluminum mount.
I’ve bent both the upper and lower cross shafts also. Many have broken the upper shaft and ripped a giant hole in the tunnel.

Anyone who says the reliability on the procross chassis is better than the DB simply has not worked on both extensively. Talk to some old school Yamaha mechanics, see what their answer is.
M2C

This sled has never had one issue, nothing has ever broken on it, just regular maintenance. Do $100 set of rings at 10k miles and your good to go to 20k. Gotta love those red heads!

Oh yea I almost forgot, it has real paint!
Since when did colored plastic look better than paint?