Latest News from North American Yamaha Snowmobile and Minocqua, WI R&D July 15, 2021

I just ran across the latest Yamaha news release from Snow Goer Magazine's website:

Yamaha Shifts More Focus To Canada-Based Snowmobile HQ | SnowGoer

2022 Yamaha Sidewinder L-TX GT with power steering More control of Yamaha's global decision-making related to snowmobiling is being shifted to the brand's

snowgoer.com

Thoughts and Comments?

 

The beginning of the end was when they went 100% 4 stroke...it was a slow death.

Agree 100%
I like my ZR 7000 but on boys only trips I mostly take my wifes ZR 6000. Light, snappy and as good on fuel. Folks need to have engine options

 

Maybe I am a glass half full guy but I just dont read all the doom and gloom into it that you guys do. They are moving main operations to Canada, Moving the decision making process to the same place and closing the Wisconsin base.

""The objective is to streamline Yamaha’s snowmobile business operations and fully utilize the flexibility offered by technology and remote work. As the Wisconsin facility transitions, key personnel are invited to remain with the company, working remotely across the US and Canada as part of the North American Division.""---
How is this different than what a lot of companies have been doing since the covid debacle? It is a different business world out there now boys, more and more companies have done similar things.

It seems some on this site WANT Yamaha to fold the snow division just so they can say " I told you so" about the Cat merger. Life is too short. Dont be such a kill-joy all the time.......

 

I am not surprised, nearly all companies are ‘streamlining’. Also not surprised with the negative twist to some of the TY response, I personally have loved the Yamaha 4stroke move.

I trail ride and love the ease and reliability of these 4 strokes. I am not in the steep and deep and don’t mind that my sled weighs more than a 2 stroke( I have 10s of thousands of miles on two strokes Doo Poo and Yami to compare to) and anyone that knows me knows I weigh a lot more that that average guy. LOL.

I always think its funny when I ask the 2 stroke weight conscious rider if “he ever rides his sled FULL of gas?’ When he says yes, I say geeze your adding >80 pounds to your sled, heck you weigh close to what I do when I’m empty. Are you still having fun?.

The best TY quote on weight, I believe was attributed to TURK was, “Where I’m from we ride our snowmobiles we don't carry them.” Cant say it any better.

 

Well Cat is talking about a new platform, hopefully Yamaha will have their hands in on the development, not sure if it will be the Pro Cross 2 but maybe this platform will house the Winder engine better, designed for it to fit and more balanced, hopefully the few issues will be addressed that they had problems with on the pro cross so riders don't have to put any more money into a already pricy sled. see what happens

 

platform will house the Winder engine better, designed for it to fit and more balanced,

I find this statement puzzling, and often made by people who don't own or never ridden a Sidewinder, but maybe have just looked at pictures.

I was sitting in my Garage last night having a beer with a friend. We where looking at my 2017 Sidewinder RTX. He owns a 2020 T-cat, his first Cat after years of ski-Doos and a few Polaris. Between us we have owned nearly 60 sleds of all brands. He has 50 years of riding under his belt and I have been riding for 45 years. We also have the opportunity to ride all the newer models from all brands as our group we ride with is pretty diversified as far as makes and 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
We both agreed the newest version of the Pro-cross with the 3 cylinder turbo was the very best sled we had ever ridden.
It is , by far, the flattest cornering sled on snow. As a trail sled, balance is very good. Mountain sled? Probably not, but I cant speak to that as I have never ridden one in the hills or ride off trail.
I know it isnt for everybody, but they are VERY good. All it takes to convince some people is a test drive.....an an open mind.

 

I find this statement puzzling, and often made by people who don't own or never ridden a Sidewinder, but maybe have just looked at pictures.

I was sitting in my Garage last night having a beer with a friend. We where looking at my 2017 Sidewinder RTX. He owns a 2020 T-cat, his first Cat after years of ski-Doos and a few Polaris. Between us we have owned nearly 60 sleds of all brands. He has 50 years of riding under his belt and I have been riding for 45 years. We also have the opportunity to ride all the newer models from all brands as our group we ride with is pretty diversified as far as makes and 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
We both agreed the newest version of the Pro-cross with the 3 cylinder turbo was the very best sled we had ever ridden.
It is , by far, the flattest cornering sled on snow. As a trail sled, balance is very good. Mountain sled? Probably not, but I cant speak to that as I have never ridden one in the hills or ride off trail.
I know it isnt for everybody, but they are VERY good. All it takes to convince some people is a test drive.....an an open mind.

Well said!

 

I find this statement puzzling, and often made by people who don't own or never ridden a Sidewinder, but maybe have just looked at pictures.

I was sitting in my Garage last night having a beer with a friend. We where looking at my 2017 Sidewinder RTX. He owns a 2020 T-cat, his first Cat after years of ski-Doos and a few Polaris. Between us we have owned nearly 60 sleds of all brands. He has 50 years of riding under his belt and I have been riding for 45 years. We also have the opportunity to ride all the newer models from all brands as our group we ride with is pretty diversified as far as makes and 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
We both agreed the newest version of the Pro-cross with the 3 cylinder turbo was the very best sled we had ever ridden.
It is , by far, the flattest cornering sled on snow. As a trail sled, balance is very good. Mountain sled? Probably not, but I cant speak to that as I have never ridden one in the hills or ride off trail.
I know it isnt for everybody, but they are VERY good. All it takes to convince some people is a test drive.....an an open mind.

Stain....you've got me thinking now about how good the ProCross chassis really is. I've been seeing rumors the last few seasons of an updated ProCross platform in the works. Maybe for the 2023 season?

Since Yamaha seems to be back in the 2-stroke game once again (although using Cat motors) it will be interesting to see if there will be anything really new released for the 2023 season.

This is what I would really like to see: A improved and more refined ProCross chassis using a brand new 650cc 2-stroke motor. This could be a awesome handling, lightweight sled, and have enough jam for most hard core trail riders.

One can always dream, but if they ever did release something like this I'd be all over it....

 

I find this statement puzzling, and often made by people who don't own or never ridden a Sidewinder, but maybe have just looked at pictures.

I was sitting in my Garage last night having a beer with a friend. We where looking at my 2017 Sidewinder RTX. He owns a 2020 T-cat, his first Cat after years of ski-Doos and a few Polaris. Between us we have owned nearly 60 sleds of all brands. He has 50 years of riding under his belt and I have been riding for 45 years. We also have the opportunity to ride all the newer models from all brands as our group we ride with is pretty diversified as far as makes and 2 stroke and 4 stroke.
We both agreed the newest version of the Pro-cross with the 3 cylinder turbo was the very best sled we had ever ridden.
It is , by far, the flattest cornering sled on snow. As a trail sled, balance is very good. Mountain sled? Probably not, but I cant speak to that as I have never ridden one in the hills or ride off trail.
I know it isnt for everybody, but they are VERY good. All it takes to convince some people is a test drive.....an an open mind.

I can't for the life of me see why you find this statement puzzling, the Pro Cross was never designed to house a three cyl for stroke engine, it was in 2014 when the viper came out where Cat and Yamaha shoehorned the Viper engine in the pro cross, yes with some shock adjustments and suspension upgrades got it to handle good, than the turbo winder engine with some chassis changes and body work changes made a great handling sled with lots of power, but as anyone that owns a winder knows you have to do few of upgrades to keep them reliable on the trail, yes I have driven a viper a few times but couldn't see with the steam hitting you in the face, also had a chance to throw a leg over a tuned winder, not for the meek of heart by any means, road and handled nice and liked the rider forward position, but my buddy had over 30 grand into his sled so it wants work and ride good, I will stick to my trusty Apex XTX and do my regular maintenance every year, may not handle as good as a winder but I don't have to put another 3-5 grand into it to keep it reliable either, I guess my point is that the next pro cross platform will be more and better fitting for the turbo engine and Viper engine with a even better handling and ride.

 

I can't for the life of me see why you find this statement puzzling, the Pro Cross was never designed to house a three cyl for stroke engine,

Because IT IS well balanced. It handles well from the factory. It rides well from the factory. Who cares if the motor was not around when the chassis was designed. It is far from "shoehorned" in the chassis
Ever heard of a small British car company called AC? Their chassis was never designed for a Ford V8. Then Carroll Shelby called. Seems to have worked out pretty well.


A/C Cobra---Sidewinder-----a pair of snakes,------ coincidence? best factory hot rods of their era!!!!!!!!!
.

 

Because IT IS well balanced. It handles well from the factory. It rides well from the factory. Who cares if the motor was not around when the chassis was designed. It is far from "shoehorned" in the chassis
Ever heard of a small British car company called AC? Their chassis was never designed for a Ford V8. Then Carroll Shelby called. Seems to have worked out pretty well.


A/C Cobra---Sidewinder-----a pair of snakes,------ coincidence? best factory hot rods of their era!!!!!!!!!
.

I would say the 800 2 stroke motor in the pro cross is better balanced and suited for then the winder engine, its the power of the winder that's addictive, without that turbo element it would be just another heavy 4 stroke trail sled, the new Ski doo turbo would be closer to the A/C Cobra from Shelby then the winder, we will see which stock sled is better balanced when they are lined up, and yes the winder engine IS shoe horned in the pro cross.

 

I would say the 800 2 stroke motor in the pro cross is better balanced and suited for then the winder engine, its the power of the winder that's addictive, without that turbo element it would be just another heavy 4 stroke trail sled, the new Ski doo turbo would be closer to the A/C Cobra from Shelby then the winder, we will see which stock sled is better balanced when they are lined up, and yes the winder engine IS shoe horned in the

I would say this whole statement is completely wrong and misinformed.

 

Sidewinder - AC Cobra? Really? Don't forget that the Cobra initially had a small block Ford engine. Big block cobras had many modifications to make it work! I enjoy my "big block" winder. Stick with your Apex - buck board ride. PS, I don't mind doing maintenance /upgrades on it and let's not forget that high powered vehicles need more frequent maintenance. Enjoy what you have.

 

Yep, I will stick with my Apex. may not ride as nice as other sleds but I don't go fast enough to get buck boarded off, I just cruise the trails and help support the clubs, seen a few winders when I took a trip to the highlands this past winter, had a chance to talk to them on the trailside, they liked the sled the ride and power, they seemed to have alot of money invested in them though, first day out going up the mountain struck me funny where I rag on you guy's about the yamicats all the time, one of them big Ski Doo expeditions was towing a Winder down the mountain, owner was not a happy camper where the winder was new, I took it as a good omen, lol, lots of doo's and 2 stroke cats everywhere, few poo's, winders and Apexes were few and far between, Yamaha and Cat when they put together a new platform for their snowmobiles will be cutting edge for sure, Yamaha may just stick with the dated Pro Cross to set themselves apart from Cats new platform.

 

Future is OEM relationships says so in black and white. We all knew that already but good of Yamaha to state it. Want a Yamaha engine they’ll sell you one.

 

Sounds to me like they would like to put their engines in any snowmobile. That would be cool.