stevewithOCD
Yamaha, Make me Come Back
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2006 Apex RTX
Went to show in NH last night to look at what i hope is my next expensive toy; the SIDEWINDER. I went with open eyes & gave all 4 factories their due. Here are some observations on all. I was VERY impressed with Polaris & Doo. Except for the view from the front, i like every thing about MXZ 850. LOTS of great features including adjustable handlebars, adjustable carbides & new footwells for different positioning. Their display was very impressive & they knew their chit. New motor is tempting, but my friend had to punch me in arm to remind me how much i DON'T want a 2-stroke. Took 2 punches, but still tempting. The cutaway motor explains a lot of the new tech, but also made me realize they may be pushing the 2-stroke to the edge. Polaris was also nice display with all models including 174' Mountain animal. VERY impressive piece right there. Lots of great graphics/colors & prices were best at the show. The cutaway motor claims all this new tech, but to be honest, looks like a 90's motor with new gadgets on it. 2 more punches to arm & off to Cat section. Lots of alcohol consumption in this area. I thought of grabbing a beer so i could co-habitat with these fellows, but i was driving 2 hours home. Needless to say after a lot of slurring & bragging about their sled, I came away un-impressed. Didn't like the colors, price was as high if not more than Yamaha's & they could't explain how this self adjusting clutch works. That brings me to the WINDER! Well first of all, the display was bland. Dealer just got this sled so they knew very little. I knew more from being on this site. THANKS MR. SLED!! Make no bones about it, this a VIPER with a new motor. Shame on Yamaha for throwing a sled at a guy with no info about their product. I had to go back to Cat section to find things out. Makes me start to wonder when Poo & Doo knew every little screw on those sleds & Yamaha had no clue how to drain chain oil. Cat guy knew also, i just could't understand him. Back to the WINDER. You have to suck chain case out like an inboard motor. I DON'T like that. I blew 2 chain cases on my 1st Ape & i'm a stickler. I drain flush drain & flush again every year. I don't like the footwells & i feel like my knees will hit the cowling & un-like Doo & Poo I don't have much of a choice to adjust. I don't trust this cooling system yet. I'm a little skeptical. Just feels like i'm going to be pulling over a lot to let cool down. I'm putting my faith with Yamaha with these clutches. They say they're new, but look EXACTLY like mine with rollers on it. Belt is very loose & is easily changeable, but awfully weird. Again i hope they know what they're doing. ALSO Yamaha is the ONLY one I can't get an "ice-ripper" track. MO' money. IN CONCLUSION: If Polaris & Doo would give me a 150hp 4-stroke, I would buy it. Cat & Yam are EXACTLY same except for ski's & clutches. THAT'S IT! I will continue to do more research & ask more questions in Viper section. It will come down to pricing & dealer & track options, but i feel in my gut......I"LL BE BLUE...i just hope i won't be "blue"...
Buran
Newbie
Thanks for observations!
Your last sentences is interesting to think about.
If Poo and Doo would come with 4stroke N/A power in the 150-160 league, that would be an intriguing development!
I mean, they have both a lot of really great chassi/suspension tech, they just need the proper engine.
I´m sure a lot of todays Apex-owners would check an extra time if such a machine would appear.
Yamaha have owned this segment with the Apex for years, but with a bit out-dated driver position, and suspension not up to par with todays standard, we are many who are waiting for a replacement for the Apex.
Now with this new Turboed Viper (aka Sidewinder) the big question are, if Yamaha is going to come with something new in this "150-class", or leave it?
Not everybody needs or wants 180hp in a sled.
If Apex goes next year, and nothing comes instead, and then Polaris or SD (or both) would fill up this segment...that would feel rather strange...
Maybe, the best that could happen would be a new top-performance N/A 4stroke from Poo/SD, so Yamaha would feel the pressure!
Your last sentences is interesting to think about.
If Poo and Doo would come with 4stroke N/A power in the 150-160 league, that would be an intriguing development!
I mean, they have both a lot of really great chassi/suspension tech, they just need the proper engine.
I´m sure a lot of todays Apex-owners would check an extra time if such a machine would appear.
Yamaha have owned this segment with the Apex for years, but with a bit out-dated driver position, and suspension not up to par with todays standard, we are many who are waiting for a replacement for the Apex.
Now with this new Turboed Viper (aka Sidewinder) the big question are, if Yamaha is going to come with something new in this "150-class", or leave it?
Not everybody needs or wants 180hp in a sled.
If Apex goes next year, and nothing comes instead, and then Polaris or SD (or both) would fill up this segment...that would feel rather strange...
Maybe, the best that could happen would be a new top-performance N/A 4stroke from Poo/SD, so Yamaha would feel the pressure!
Not e
But once you have it you will not want to go back.
stevewithOCD
Yamaha, Make me Come Back
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2006 Apex RTX
That's exactly why i can't go below 150hp. I've been running 150hp for 10 years in Ape & had 150 in the 90's on ZRT. 150 for me
excallibur101
Pro
I think this new Sidewinder is going to fill the void most were looking for.Its not an Apex but a has all the features checked off to bring it up to par to today's standards,the power,the handling,rider forward positioning ,sharp looks and a variety of choices that will accommodate your type of riding.Although it's a upgraded Viper,which is fine,Yamaha gave it what was needed,its own turbo powerplant and the right electronics it needed.All the other manufactures basically only improved certain characteristics of what the already carry as well with just certain upgrades needed,Yamaha went a step further adding a kick #*$&@ engine to make the 4 stroke market more appealing which I would have to say they trumped it,they are the leader in this category hands down.
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Pstn head
TY 4 Stroke Master
RIGIDONE
TY 4 Stroke Master
Attachments
thanks for the pics
bleedyamaha
TY 4 Stroke Master
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Holy crap water bottle sets on top of belt shield. How strong is that aluminum
thought the same thing but it's just the overflow so there shouldn't be much weight in it or fluid. not sure what kind of mess there would be if you blew a belt though. i've never had a problem with a Yamaha belt blowing on these newer sleds but this is a different animal with more torque and horsepower. time will tell
fxnytrortxkid
TY 4 Stroke God
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Power isn't much different than any the mpi vipers. Just delivered differently and more useable and safer?
superfan75
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Looks cool to me.
Pstn head
TY 4 Stroke Master
Thank you, great pics 
Snake
Extreme
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Password for my gallery is freedomsledder:
http://s301.photobucket.com/user/snakebit999/library/Snapbucket?sort=3&page=1
Took some shots as well, of all the brands. Cat was AWOL, so...
http://s301.photobucket.com/user/snakebit999/library/Snapbucket?sort=3&page=1
Took some shots as well, of all the brands. Cat was AWOL, so...
Tony S.
Veteran
Your gut feel on the 850 2-stroke is correct. They are continuing to stretch the same rubber band with that engine. Ski doo dealer said "they really can't get more power."
Compared to the 800 it has a longer stroke for another 50cc. Cheaper to do, but a bad idea. It's amazing that people still like 2-strokes. The entire point is for a weight savings. Those 850's are 600 lbs wet, with a narrow powerband and maybe 160hp if the stars align. That's not light, and not that powerful.
I'll take 4-strokes and another 40-50 pounds any day. The difference between 2s and 4s is now within a tank of gas. The marketing and talk of these trail sleds with respect to their weight is so overblown, it's silly.
And by the way my 700 lb XTX eats them up anytime, anywhere.
Compared to the 800 it has a longer stroke for another 50cc. Cheaper to do, but a bad idea. It's amazing that people still like 2-strokes. The entire point is for a weight savings. Those 850's are 600 lbs wet, with a narrow powerband and maybe 160hp if the stars align. That's not light, and not that powerful.
I'll take 4-strokes and another 40-50 pounds any day. The difference between 2s and 4s is now within a tank of gas. The marketing and talk of these trail sleds with respect to their weight is so overblown, it's silly.
And by the way my 700 lb XTX eats them up anytime, anywhere.
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