NEED ADVICE ON SIDEWINDER

[Gyukonrick1]

I am looking to pick up a new sled and need some advice. Many 4 stroke sled have a droning noise at certain speeds. Usually around 50 to 70 KPH ( 30-40 mph). I had a 1040cc Yamaha and a 1200cc Bombi and they both had it. My last sled was the Skidoo 900 ACE and it was great but now I am looking for more power.

I have very sensitive hearing and the noise causes me headaches and some nausea.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone

 

[DMCTurbo]

I've had mine since they were introduced and I don't notice drone with the stock muffler. It's actually very quiet. I have however ran a couple different aftermarket mufflers and they both had drone. Hope this helps.

 

[Kuzzy]

I run with the ski-doo Oxygen helmet and find it to be pretty quiet. It does however get a bit annoying not being able to hear other riders talk, i always want to pull my helmet off lol. Its probably the best thing Skidoo makes lol.

 

[Carbide]

Ear plugs.

 

[vmxrdr]

Sidewinders are really quiet, I assume turbo helps muffle noise. I have never picked up a particular speed drone with stock muffler. My last one had TD super quiet muffler which was okay until silly speeds for trail riding, doesn’t sound like you would be a muffler change candidate anyways.

 

[sailor joe]

I know what you're talking about with the drone, I got rid of a sled because of it..drove me nuts..Not sure what Sidewinder you are looking at but I Have a STX-GT 2up...it's a very quiet sled...no drone and powerful. This sled rides excellent with 2up or single...I highly recommend this sled.

 

[KnappAttack]

I am looking to pick up a new sled and need some advice. Many 4 stroke sled have a droning noise at certain speeds. Usually around 50 to 70 KPH ( 30-40 mph). I had a 1040cc Yamaha and a 1200cc Bombi and they both had it. My last sled was the Skidoo 900 ACE and it was great but now I am looking for more power.

I have very sensitive hearing and the noise causes me headaches and some nausea.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks everyone

A stock SideWinder is very quiet with no drone. Ski-Doo 900 turbo is even quieter. The Yamaha is faster, better riding and better handling than the Doo turbo, however not as well engineered or built and heavier. The Sidewinder will need some work to make it reliable like welding of the chain tensioner bolts, a Barn Of Parts driveshaft saver and a close eye on the top gear bushing and possible replacement every season, or just install the DMC top sprocket to provide much better bushing life. A sidewinder is a bit more maintenance and work than the Doo.

IMO I'll take the Sidewinder, but if you are a hands off guy do the 900 turbo.

 

[yamalou]

I know what your talking about, I had that problem with my 2008 Apex at about 30-40 mph very annoying just tried to stay out of that speed range as much as I could. I wore a bombardier modular 1 and 2 helmet not sure if the helmet had anything to do with it. I now run a 2017 sidewinder xtx 141 and until I saw your post forgot all about that drone noise, never once at any speed and have over 5800 miles so far. IMO Buy the winder or at least go test ride one, now is the time of year to do so.

 

[sailor joe]

today I rode from Rangeley to bosebuck...on this trip saw no less that 6 ski doo's at different places with the side panel open, to me that's proof enough ski doo has problems. in fairness there are allot more ski doos on the trail than Yamaha's but didn't see one yamaha or Cat with side panels open.

 

[KnappAttack]

today I rode from Rangeley to bosebuck...on this trip saw no less that 6 ski doo's at different places with the side panel open, to me that's proof enough ski doo has problems. in fairness there are allot more ski doos on the trail than Yamaha's but didn't see one yamaha or Cat with side panels open.

Because the side panels are open you think there are problems? I've always got the side panels off checking things over and more often then not changing clutching sometimes belts. Side panels open mean nothing.

 

[fatchance]

today I rode from Rangeley to bosebuck...on this trip saw no less that 6 ski doo's at different places with the side panel open, to me that's proof enough ski doo has problems. in fairness there are allot more ski doos on the trail than Yamaha's but didn't see one yamaha or Cat with side panels open.

I'm guessing it was pretty thin in the Rangeley area until you got over on the other side of the ridge?

 

[sailor joe]

Because the side panels are open you think there are problems? I've always got the side panels off checking things over and more often then not changing clutching sometimes belts. Side panels open mean nothing.

I stand corrected and enlightened..I don't recall seeing smoke coming from the sleds..just people looking inside the left side. Any chance you could give me some advise on setting the spring and shocks, I have a 2up SW with the Tuner 3 skis..on hard pack they rail but any loose snow riding is like a controlled slide...no good grip. Joe

 

[sailor joe]

I'm guessing it was pretty thin in the Rangeley area until you got over on the other side of the ridge?

just got back, there is fantastic riding on the outside of town, the ride to Bosebuck was really good and today I went on 84/89 trail towards Phillips...the riding was fantastic. The groomers are amazing, they are working with thin snow and there are allot of big paddled sleds that tear it up..it is what it is but outside was very good...certainly not sorry I went, had a great time.

 

[fatchance]

That's good to hear.

 

[20/80]

today I rode from Rangeley to bosebuck...on this trip saw no less that 6 ski doo's at different places with the side panel open, to me that's proof enough ski doo has problems. in fairness there are allot more ski doos on the trail than Yamaha's but didn't see one yamaha or Cat with side panels open.

Maybe they were checking their hotdogs in their Muffpot, lol.. just a thought.