Looking at purchasing a Sidewinder, need opinions and advice!

[KnappAttack]

Stock Winder LTX-LE with Doo 6.9's and it steered really quite easy. I then added the BOP MPS steering arms and can't believe the ultra light feeling. This is so welcome coming off 1200 Doo's that required I run Snow trackers to make it steer half way decent.

With the 1200 Doo's it required tightening up the limiter strap to keep inside ski lift at bay and keep the skis down somewhat decent, which of course makes for even harder steering effort. My winder can run stock limiter settings and keep inside ski lift down. The front end on the Cat/Winder is SOOOOOO much better than the Doos and steers way way lighter and does not kill my tendonitis like the Doo's did. Its one of the only things I didn't like about the Doo was it's front end and hard steering effort.

As for an APEX. I had many and they were great in the day but time has past them up so long ago. Great on smooth trails and thats where it ends. If I had to go back to an Apex I'd give up riding. I would however go back to a 1200 Doo again in a heartbeat, too bad they dropped it from the lineup for the 900t. I'm sure the 900t will be a great machine for what is, but its not enough to get me off a Winder yet. I'll wait till they bump it to a real MachZ.

 

[SumpBuster]

Have to try my friends sw with the 6.9s again...but some of the young crazies I ride with...well, the curves seemed to keep me out of trouble, with sharp steering at speed. Depends on the snow too...the looser the trail is, the better it steers and handles. Curves work well in looser stuff. At least for me.

 

[staggs65]

Not even the Apex gauges? I'm not a fan of the loose Cat tonka toy gauge package. Or the high beam switch...the yamaha switch was quality. The cat....well, I have better switches on my old tractor! LOL!

All the controls were better on the fullbred Yamahas. Can't argue that. But that's not enough to outweigh the rest for me. Ive had way too many 2 stroke Yamahas to list and an Apex and turbo Attack and I can't imagine going back to any of them as my fulltime ride.

 

[staggs65]

Mine (sw) was unpredictable at slower speeds and off the gas so my straps are pulled up and with the curve skis it bites, plus I have shims in the back for reduced darting, so I caused some of it....but at speed, I'm not worried if it's gonna make the next corner, and I can lighten the steering by staying on the gas. The Apex steers easier with curves than the stock skis or tuners, with gytr (floats gone) and a 13mm bar, and hygear dual rate spring, 200 mile Saturdays were no problem.

Curves are heavier steering for sure, at least on the ltx le they steer heavier than they did on my 15 ltx se viper

 

[staggs65]

Have to try my friends sw with the 6.9s again...but some of the young crazies I ride with...well, the curves seemed to keep me out of trouble, with sharp steering at speed. Depends on the snow too...the looser the trail is, the better it steers and handles. Curves work well in looser stuff. At least for me.

I wish I could try one with pilots in my snow conditions. I run into loose snow a lot too and the Curves give confidence in those conditions.

 

[cannondale27]

I wish I could try one with pilots in my snow conditions. I run into loose snow a lot too and the Curves give confidence in those conditions.

If that serious about it in the loose and tight then nothing steers like CA Pro. Nothing. But you pay for it everywhere else.

 

[SumpBuster]

All the controls were better on the fullbred Yamahas. Can't argue that. But that's not enough to outweigh the rest for me. Ive had way too many 2 stroke Yamahas to list and an Apex and turbo Attack and I can't imagine going back to any of them as my fulltime ride.

All the controls were better on the fullbred Yamahas. Can't argue that. But that's not enough to outweigh the rest for me. Ive had way too many 2 stroke Yamahas to list and an Apex and turbo Attack and I can't imagine going back to any of them as my fulltime ride.

I hear you! I love my sidewinder! Just that nagging thing in the back of my head that it's not pure yamaha...never worried about getting back with them. First time in history, I carry a tow rope in the sw...lol. My ski Doos always got me back..even the modded mach z that ate a piston skirt 2 miles from home....by the time I limped it back the crank was full of aluminim....lol.

 

[staggs65]

If that serious about it in the loose and tight then nothing steers like CA Pro. Nothing. But you pay for it everywhere else.

Yeah my riding buddy has C&A on his but his is a xtx so it's not an exact comparison to try his. Ive blown way more money over the years than what skis cost but for some reason I'm beating the bush on this decision. Lol

I guess he'd probably let me put his on mine for an afternoon

 

[staggs65]

I hear you! I love my sidewinder! Just that nagging thing in the back of my head that it's not pure yamaha...never worried about getting back with them. First time in history, I carry a tow rope in the sw...lol. My ski Doos always got me back..even the modded mach z that ate a piston skirt 2 miles from home....by the time I limped it back the crank was full of aluminim....lol.

I rode my Viper quite a ways with a half dropped valve. Half the retainer came off and was wedged between the lifter and valve keeping it open.

 

[SumpBuster]

I wish I could try one with pilots in my snow conditions. I run into loose snow a lot too and the Curves give confidence in those conditions.

I felt they pushed a little too much for me. But did steer nice. I even took off my slim jims and went to single runner. The few people I ride with really roll...lol...just rhe way we all grew up around here...pushing each other, running on the bumper
.etc....passing....not endangering others just ourselves sometimes. I have to have an advantage as I'm getting old..lol. The curves give me confidence, but are not perfect, but pretty good all around. Especially when you venture too far to the right and get sucked into the powder ..the curves float really well.and can pull you out of the weeds!

 

[SumpBuster]

Yeah my riding buddy has C&A on his but his is a xtx so it's not an exact comparison to try his. Ive blown way more money over the years than what skis cost but for some reason I'm beating the bush on this decision. Lol

I guess he'd probably let me put his on mine for an afternoon

Yeah, you really need to run them in different conditions. I got curves for my apex from the guys dad's barn, when they first started out ..Nick maybe? Sean?...bad with names, so I know what they can do.
Sometimes I'll run laps around here, and just get pissed...put it away, change nothing and tomorrow it's handling great...! Worst conditions for my curves? First tracks on a groomed trail...sled is so tight in the front...but that's rare nowadays...

 

[SumpBuster]

I rode my Viper quite a ways with a half dropped valve. Half the retainer came off and was wedged between the lifter and valve keeping it open.

Wow.....that doesn't sound common....I did hit a log and broke my sump and blew the engine nascar style, on one of the brand new rx1's....no lights....nothing....just smoke and dead. But that was my fault.

 

[staggs65]

I was running 13 pounds of boost on the Viper about a 250ish tune. It was the first long ride after I was inside the engine so could have been something on my end but they do make better valve retainers aftermarket and it wasn't unheard of. Never had another problem with it after I put it back together. Sled was a beast actually. I was just at the end of the road on pump fuel. Next move was cams, headwork, and turbo work but for the cost it was cheaper to trade in and buy a tune

 

[SumpBuster]

At least the four strokes allow us to play!
The machz had milled head, vforce, etc etc...and jaws pipes....9300 rpm, when it hit 9 grand, it was time to hang on...what a blast and sound! And gas hog! Lol!
I guess I could say it was Doo's fault...they had those center dump triple pipes...I was getting roasted by 600''s until the pipes got hot. What an 8,000 dollar turd!!
The jaws pipes made it fun!

 

[marc001]

If I had to do it again, I would have put a turbo on my Apex. I love my Sidewinder but the Apex is easier to do maintenance on, it has the chain case plug and the bottom panels already come with bolts and screws for easy access. You can get to the chain tensioner bolt without taking everything apart, and it has a pigtail out in the open to charge the battery in the summer. That being said I would ride anything as long as it had a yamaha motor in it, not a piece of Doo though.