Suckur
Pro
So as most of you know, I jumped ship and bought a Renegade last year and a new Highcountry Cat this year. I won't get into the BRP because it has no relevance on the Viper chassis although I will say I had no troubles with it. I bought a new Limited Highcountry 800 this year and these are my inpressions.
Ride: Outstanding. This chassis (141) is amazing. The front suspension is the best I've ever ridden. The rear is really good as well, mine has an air shock and no springs so it can't take really rough trails but its meant for backcountry. Still, its incredible. The first time I rode it I thought "this thing rides just like my old phazer". There's a bit of ski lift and you gotta hang off it but there is no tippiness like the Yamaha.
Engine: 800 Suzuki. Bulletproof, 165 HP: Nuff said
Fit and Finish. Not bad. Some sharp edges and the side panels could be easier to fit, but overall acceptable. Not Apex-like, but comparable to Phazer.
Powdercoating: Not impressed. Rust showing up on the front A-arms and some flaking off the rear skid mount.
Guages: Excellent. Easy to read, Metric to Imperial, Didgital to ANalogue, Altimiter, Clock, records Max RPM. Fuel guage is crap, always reads 1/3 tank less than is in there.
Assembly: Garbage. First ride I noticed the rear axle was loose, the track slackened and the clips ground down the H arm. Ratcheting so bad I barely got it on the trailer. Noticed a bunch of other nuts and bolts not tightened from the factory, including front suspension, steering column, handlebar controls. Only 3 of 4 spark plug caps installed. Pull cord handle fell off, rope got tangled in brake, then proceded to tear up the starter cup and internals. Finally a coolant hose chafed through, lost the coolant and then the engine after it wouldn't shut down on the trail (dieseling). There were more issues, but were more of an annoyance (hand warmers, thumb warmer, emblems) all in less than 400 miles.
I don't regret my purchase, all items were covered under Cat's 2 year warranty and the local dealership is awesome. They even came and got the sled after it broke down. It is truly amazing to ride and is probably the best handling and most powerful snowmobile out there.
I am thinking about trading for a Viper, but I want to know how much of it is going to be Cat. Mine wasn't a belt blower and the chain case never gave me any problems. I would sacrifice a little weight and power for Yamaha reliability in this amazing chassis. I am probably going to ride out the warranty and let Yamaha figure out the 2014 MY before I get a 2015. You guys expecting Yamaha quality better hope there is a team of Japanese inspectors keeping a close eye on the factory floor at Thief River Falls!
Ride: Outstanding. This chassis (141) is amazing. The front suspension is the best I've ever ridden. The rear is really good as well, mine has an air shock and no springs so it can't take really rough trails but its meant for backcountry. Still, its incredible. The first time I rode it I thought "this thing rides just like my old phazer". There's a bit of ski lift and you gotta hang off it but there is no tippiness like the Yamaha.
Engine: 800 Suzuki. Bulletproof, 165 HP: Nuff said
Fit and Finish. Not bad. Some sharp edges and the side panels could be easier to fit, but overall acceptable. Not Apex-like, but comparable to Phazer.
Powdercoating: Not impressed. Rust showing up on the front A-arms and some flaking off the rear skid mount.
Guages: Excellent. Easy to read, Metric to Imperial, Didgital to ANalogue, Altimiter, Clock, records Max RPM. Fuel guage is crap, always reads 1/3 tank less than is in there.
Assembly: Garbage. First ride I noticed the rear axle was loose, the track slackened and the clips ground down the H arm. Ratcheting so bad I barely got it on the trailer. Noticed a bunch of other nuts and bolts not tightened from the factory, including front suspension, steering column, handlebar controls. Only 3 of 4 spark plug caps installed. Pull cord handle fell off, rope got tangled in brake, then proceded to tear up the starter cup and internals. Finally a coolant hose chafed through, lost the coolant and then the engine after it wouldn't shut down on the trail (dieseling). There were more issues, but were more of an annoyance (hand warmers, thumb warmer, emblems) all in less than 400 miles.
I don't regret my purchase, all items were covered under Cat's 2 year warranty and the local dealership is awesome. They even came and got the sled after it broke down. It is truly amazing to ride and is probably the best handling and most powerful snowmobile out there.
I am thinking about trading for a Viper, but I want to know how much of it is going to be Cat. Mine wasn't a belt blower and the chain case never gave me any problems. I would sacrifice a little weight and power for Yamaha reliability in this amazing chassis. I am probably going to ride out the warranty and let Yamaha figure out the 2014 MY before I get a 2015. You guys expecting Yamaha quality better hope there is a team of Japanese inspectors keeping a close eye on the factory floor at Thief River Falls!
grader
TY 4 Stroke Master
good review. some of your issues sound like dealer setup or lack of issues, track tension, controls. you could build mercedes or bugatti cars but if the lug nuts on the wheels are not tight and the wheels fall off it dont mean the car is junk. it sounds like final inspection is missing from the assembly line. i hope for everyones sake that the stupid/simple stuff is taken care of, locktite and a torque wrench can do wonders in the right hands.
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
Things do get missed on the line.....but the dealer has someone doing the set up and that goes over the sled , there is a check sheet that we used and it pretty much goes over everything checking every bolt......I don't trust anyone so I always take them all apart and check everything .
But thanks for the heads up on this suckur .
But thanks for the heads up on this suckur .
Suckur
Pro
Dealer said Cat pays nothing for PDI. Only thing they do is install skis and bars. My good friend is Manager at a local Yamaha dealer and said the same about Yamaha. I would be insisting that someone looks it over in its entirety before it leaves the shop. I basically did my own PDI after the track issue but I wasn't able to see the coolant hose. They rebuilt the motor in mine but since it only has 400 miles, they agreed to put in a whole new crate engine. I wasn't happy with a brand new sled with a rebuilt engine. I have to say the Cat takes care of its customers but I wonder how much money they would save in warranty issues if they had a higher level of initial quality control?
09nytro
TY 4 Stroke God
Your right they don't pay you (the dealer) for that...but you (the dealer) is the last one to touch it...been burned by it before so would rather pay someone to do it than have pissed off people.....bad word of mouth goes around faster than good
