Help with new Yamaha

[Yamaha81]

Hi guys
Just came back from a 4 day snowmobiling trip in New Brunswick Canada. Was driving my 2014 Viper Ltx. Sled was running pretty good until the last day. My front shock arm broke and got jammed into my track, tore through it and damaged the heat exchanger. I ended up selling my sled to the gentleman who towed me out of the woods. He also happened to be a Yamaha Mechanic. So with that said I’m without a sled. This is my second Yamaha sled. My first was a 2006 Apex then the 2014 Viper. I rode two skidoos for a little ride on this trip and to be honest I just like the feel of the Yamaha. I was thinking of possibly looking into a used sidewinder but the mechanic that towed me out of the woods told me to stay away. He said if I want another Yamaha to go back to the apex. I really don’t want to go back to an apex but I don’t want a sled that I’m going to have a lot of issues with. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

 

[74Nitro]

If you liked the Viper then you will love the Sidewinder.
Just find a clean Winder. I recommend 2020 or newer.
They really only have a couple minor issues that need to be addressed(assuming the used one you find hasn't already).

 

[Sevey]

The ride of a procross sled vs delta box is night and day.
The yamaha sleds were built very robust - maybe too robust. The procross sleds arent as strong but if you keep an eye on things can give you long service. I am 17k and planning to run for awhile yet.

The winder is a fun sled. It has the most phenomenal engine ever to be placed in a sled.
Lots of the little gremlins are posted here on how to get a handle on them
The drive shaft spinning on the bearing is the worst in my opinion. But there are fixes for that (Hi Tech).
Good luck
MS

 

[Turboflash]

You'll thank yourself later when you get a 2020 or newer Sidewinder. Once you've addressed the main issues, it'll give you many years of trouble free service. Read the Master issues list at top of this forum and address those things and you're good to go.

 

[actionjack]

A Sidewinder is way better than the Apex. And at least as reliable.

 

[Yamaha81]

If you liked the Viper then you will love the Sidewinder.
Just find a clean Winder. I recommend 2020 or newer.
They really only have a couple minor issues that need to be addressed(assuming the used one you find hasn't already).

You'll thank yourself later when you get a 2020 or newer Sidewinder. Once you've addressed the main issues, it'll give you many years of trouble free service. Read the Master issues list at top of this forum and address those things and you're good to go.

 

[Yamaha81]

Thanks for the replies everyone. So I did come across a 2018 sidewinder ltx. It looks very clean and in good shape. Seller says 1600 miles on new gauge cluster and the secondary clutch sounds a little Noisy. Why would there be a new gauge cluster? Am I definitely better staying with a 2020 or newer?

 

[fatchance]

Secondary should not be noisy at all as there is nothing there that would make noise. The noise comes from the primary.
Highly recommend a newer model with EPS, which varies from model to model., but the LTX LE will offer the best shock package hands down with EPS starting in year 2022 i believe.

 

[74Nitro]

Thanks for the replies everyone. So I did come across a 2018 sidewinder ltx. It looks very clean and in good shape. Seller says 1600 miles on new gauge cluster and the secondary clutch sounds a little Noisy. Why would there be a new gauge cluster? Am I definitely better staying with a 2020 or newer?

2020 and up have improved front suspension and the start/reverse button at your left thumb control.
But as fatchance says, if you can swing the power steering, do it.

 

[Teamblue4]

Hi guys
Just came back from a 4 day snowmobiling trip in New Brunswick Canada. Was driving my 2014 Viper Ltx. Sled was running pretty good until the last day. My front shock arm broke and got jammed into my track, tore through it and damaged the heat exchanger. I ended up selling my sled to the gentleman who towed me out of the woods. He also happened to be a Yamaha Mechanic. So with that said I’m without a sled. This is my second Yamaha sled. My first was a 2006 Apex then the 2014 Viper. I rode two skidoos for a little ride on this trip and to be honest I just like the feel of the Yamaha. I was thinking of possibly looking into a used sidewinder but the mechanic that towed me out of the woods told me to stay away. He said if I want another Yamaha to go back to the apex. I really don’t want to go back to an apex but I don’t want a sled that I’m going to have a lot of issues with. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

Thanks

Go with what the Yamaha Mechanic told you! Apex is the best trail sled on the market and the most reliable! There is a reason the mechanic told you to get one. You cant give me a sidewinder.

 

[sideshowBob]

Forget the Apex and go with a Sidewinder as new and with as low mileage as possible.
I was a big SRX 700 triple triple fan until I bought my Apex and then the 700 just sat collecting dust.
The Apex is a great sled but since I bought my Sidewinder my Apex has since mainly sat unused.

JM.02c

 

[STAIN]

I just traded my 2022 LTX GT or I would have given you a whale of a deal on it.
EPs is a game changer for sure.

 

[Simplespeed]

I have two sidewinders and a Apex and it really depends on where and how you ride.. In my opinion the Apex has the best motor ever put in a Snowmobile hands down.. The short fall with a Apex is the suspension. The winders have a great motor also and the chassis and suspension are far better than the Apex. Any year winder is fine if low mileage and in stock form.. Stay away from tuned sleds as thats something that is hard on parts and you won’t know the true shape of things unless your buying from a knowledgeable tuner or you know the history of the sled… Buying stock gives you the ability to install a tune and learn to do the work yourself then you know what you got and you can be sure its not all beat up…

 

[fatchance]

I used to jump on the ATTAK once in a great while and it feels like a tank compared to the Winder. I agree the motor is nice but honestly I felt like the Apex needed much more"Fixing" than these Sidewinders where 90% of the work is modding or preventative maintenance for things that may never be a problem. I actually think they did a decent job at addressing allot of the known issues in the later years, however i was disappointed in the actual build when i found minor things that just weren't right. That said i wouldn't shy away with a newer model.
If you're planning on tuning the sled anyway I wouldn't shy away from a tuned sled because you'll be getting all the parts at $.50 on the dollar. Just look at the punch list of known issues listed on the sticky and ask about them from whom you are buying. There's plenty of people on this site that have been turned before ever running out of the garage myself included.

 

[jonlafon1]

Plenty of 24,25 sidewinder that are cheap! If I was going to buy it would be a leftover 24 as they are going cheap. Don't have to worry about potentially buying someone's problem sled. Some of these used sleds were tuned and ran hard without proper maintenance and or components for the power being applied(tune). Especially big tunes.