Should I be afraid of the viper?

[flyinghigh]

Picked up a phazer xtx last season. Only got 100 miles on it, but was enough to really be amazed at the quality of product vs the Polaris sleds the entire family has been on for 20+ years.

With the number of riders in the family dropping to just 1, I am thinking about trading (4) polaris sleds for (1)
Yamaha SR Viper S-TX DX

It looks like it would be an excellent all around snowmobile on and off trail. However, all the threads here really have me concerned about the quality and wondering if I should be looking at an "all yamaha" option...although I don't know what that would be for a similar feature set.

So, are the bugs out of the Vipers or will they always be a cat with cheap parts, fit and finish?

Thanks

 

[Studroes144]

If you enjoyed the Phazer then the viper will amaze you! It's an awesome machine, with the updates and a good warranty I wouldn't hesitate a bit.

 

[onlyblue]

I truly enjoy the vipers.... owned a 14 and now a 15... both great sleds and have treated me well. The yamaha warranty is great and of all the sleds I have ever owned, the viper by far has been the best out of the box sled I have ever owned.

 

[Dirtbikekid1998]

Don't let those threds scare you... My dad has a 2015 stx and loves it! He has no complaints and has had no problems in 1000 miles(with a mpi 180hp turbo) I also have a 2014 ltx se and had a apex before and will never go back to the apex I love my new sled. I have 3000 trouble free miles and a turbo on the way( and this sled does not need a turbo it has way to much hp already but I just need it hahaha

 

[Nytro40th]

Love my 14. No regrets in my purchase.

 

[yamadoo]

I have the 15 STX DX and love it -1200 miles. No issues.

This is a sight filled with problem solveing perfectionists so WE frequently discuss fixes desiring the perfect sled. Very few of the post are fixes to problems that keep you from riding they often are fine tuning some characteristic to make it even better.

I think the 16 STX DX Viper would be my sled of choice for 2016 great handling riding chasis and bullet proof 4 stroke motor. Gas and go.

Have fun absolutely no fear

Yamadoo

 

[flyinghigh]

Thanks guys...this is very encouraging. I am going to start contacting dealers now. Is the heated seat an option I can add to this model? Is the 1.352 track ok for flatland off trail? What kind of range do you get with this machine? thanks!

 

[Dirtbikekid1998]

Thanks guys...this is very encouraging. I am going to start contacting dealers now. Is the heated seat an option I can add to this model? Is the 1.352 track ok for flatland off trail? What kind of range do you get with this machine? thanks!

I am 99% sure the heated seat comes standard with all the dx models and it is sure worth it. The cobra track on his stx was fine all season for on trail use he never went off trail with it so I can't help you there.

 

[yamadoo]

Agree, I believe the heated seat is standard - was on my 15 and I have loved the cobra 1.35 on and flatland off trail. I notice a loose snow improvement compared to my 1.25 tracks.

 

[trevorl1]

The only real issue I see I the viper is the starters failing. Except for that like said above no sled is perfect.

 

[Dirtbikekid1998]

The only real issue I see I the viper is the starters failing. Except for that like said above no sled is perfect.[/QUOTE
Ya but yamaha supposedly has a new update comeing this fall to fix the starter problems so I wouldn't be worried about that either.

 

[SaskAttack]

I had a14 LTX and traded up to a 15 S-TX-DX, couldn't be happier. Best all around sled I have ever had, I should add I put a set of Curve skis on it and it just rails in corners now. Only have a 1000 on it so far as we didn't have a great year, any questions would be happy to answer if i kin.

 

[flyinghigh]

thanks guys...really appreciate the feedback...feeling a lot better about making the jump

 

[Zrxpilot]

I too had a Phazer for a couple seasons. Cant say anything bad about it but it. Kinda hard not to like 12000 rpms on a light and boingy sled that rides like a hypo four wheeler. . Went from there to a Nytro. Rode that thing for a couple years and liked it too exept it rode stiff and was hard to turn unless you rode it like you stole it. After a couple years of that I was due for something more comfortable with some better wind protection. Loved the four stroke triple and waited for the Viper to come out.

I was one of the first to get a 2014 in my neck of the woods. A black and red LTX. Tall windshield, standard shocks, heated seat with a 137 ripsaw 2. Sure sounded good on paper. Without a doubt the 2013-2014 season was the best of my life. New sled and lots of snow that came early and stayed late. Rode a lot and always made it home on its own power.

Mine was plagued with the typical minor bugs. Loose hose clamps, belt too loose and then too tight due to the manual being wrong. Adjusting it is a pita and so is changing oil but changing oil has always been a pita on four strokes. Such is life.

Mine has been plagued with the warm start issue and I learned the trick for starting it when you roll it on its side. Mine was involved with the reverse detent recall but was never affected by it prior to the fix. I would expect the later 15's and surely the 16s to have most of these resolved.

I have yet to have the re-flash done and have put it off as I think its somehow related to the starters going bad. Maybe not but I have until October to get it done and hopefully by then something will come up.

Last year mine developed a goofy issue that comes on when you come to a stop. It will idle rough and throw a code that is related to a coil. Hit the gas a bit and it goes away. I have read no one else having this issue. I need to address that. I trust it but its an annoying issue. Bummer is you cant replicate the issue unless you ride it a while.

Despite all this, I still have no regrets after two seasons and a couple thousand miles. It rides sweet, looks good, handles ok, has decent power, not bad on gas and has pretty good wind protection. Doesn't really do anything great but does quite a few things pretty well. The Cat/Yamaha joint venture has been a neat thing to be part of. Who knows.....maybe never happen again.

The starter and chaincase thing is worrisome for sure. Just glad a got a couple years of warrantee left. Chaincase issue can be fixed on your own for fair money but that starter issue can make a mess.

 

[MrSled]

I have had no regrets eiather... XTX and LTX, I was worried at first as well but the Vipers have exceeded my expectations.