Should I be afraid of the viper?
- Thread starter flyinghigh
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yamamarc
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My wife bought the zr 7000 (cat version of the viper) I took 1 good ride with it then sold my venture and picked up a viper! Both of us have had 0 issues and we both love our sleds!!! The one and only issue I had last season is that my wife was kicking my butt with her zr when racing on the lake
I fixed that with a clutch kit and pipe
Her being a 100lbs lighter then me probably had allot to do with it
I fixed that with a clutch kit and pipe Her being a 100lbs lighter then me probably had allot to do with it
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Be afraid. Be very afraid. ......of loving this sled and wondering why you didn't do it sooner
Curtis Chambers
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1300 trouble free miles, riding position is awesome.
I bought a 14 XTX early on and decided to go turbo before the season started - MPI Stage 1 not the one you can buy today. I did have issues but not many were the manufacturers fault. I worked it out and went even bigger running 252 hp now. I love the sled so much I sold the 2015 Polaris Axis 800 SB and bought a late year 2015 XTX that I am running stock.
4StrokeAddict
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Should you be afraid? Only if you are afraid of greatness!
The viper isn't the best in any one category, but it is amazing as an all around sled. Like all sleds, it has some known issues. If you are accustom to Yamaha fit and finish, it isn't quite there. I suffer from the off idle pop and mild kick back which makes me fear for my starter. I've changed my habits and hold the key a second or two after ignition to minimize the likelihood of kick back. I have faith that this will be fixed in the next re-flash and it appears that Yamaha is taking care of the problem sleds.
I saw all the same nay sayers out there that is probably influencing you which made me hesitate. Due to a bad back, I was looking for the best riding position first, an awesome suspension second, and a four stroke third. This was the first time every brand was on the table as my upgrade was a medical decision necessary if I was going to continue riding, and yes that includes Polaris
. With less than a half a season and 600 miles behind me, the only thing I can tell you is that I can't be happier with my choice. I'm more comfortable then ever on a sled. I can out turn nearly everyone and I haven't dialed in the suspension yet. I can keep up with or beat an Apex to 70+, and I have confidence a bit of clutching will allow me to hang with it a bit longer. My fuel economy is amazing at over 115miles on a tank and not babying it! I'm riding faster than I've ever rode before not because I'm a fast rider (I ride with an older group...), but because the sled is so comfortable, inspires confidence and I don't realize how fast I was riding until someone on another sled makes a comment! Everyone who has had seat time on my LTX-SE has fallen in love with it to include the bashers.... It's funny to me now when I hear the snide yamacat remarks. While this just reinforced that arctic cat quality isn't as good as Yamaha, I cant deny that they designed a great chassis. I know in the back of my head that I can keep up with the bashers in the hole shot and spank them in the corners if I want, all while being comfortable.
Keep in mind that this sled isn't a speed daemon and you won't be happy if you are expecting to beat an F1100 in a lake race. This is comparable to a 600cc sled with a lot more low end grunt then a 700+cc. If you are a speed daemon, check out some of the guys doing turbos. Sounds like they are having a ball! My thing is 0-80mph. I'm thinking real hard about a turbo...
Keep in mind when reading that the snowmobile industry is filled with extremely charged brand loyalty. The biggest crowd is Ski Doo. If you subscribed to group think, they would have the best quality, fastest and most comfortable sleds. While they have pioneered the latest suspension design, all the brands have managed to keep up with or exceed their sleds. As for quality, take a look at their 800HO engine. Its rare that it will go more than 7000 miles prior to eating itself. Their 4 strokes are nowhere near as good as Yamaha. Now Ski Doo was my runner up and I have had good experience with Ski Doo. My only point is every brand has their strengths and weaknesses. The Viper is no exception but all in all it is an incredible sled.
The viper isn't the best in any one category, but it is amazing as an all around sled. Like all sleds, it has some known issues. If you are accustom to Yamaha fit and finish, it isn't quite there. I suffer from the off idle pop and mild kick back which makes me fear for my starter. I've changed my habits and hold the key a second or two after ignition to minimize the likelihood of kick back. I have faith that this will be fixed in the next re-flash and it appears that Yamaha is taking care of the problem sleds.
I saw all the same nay sayers out there that is probably influencing you which made me hesitate. Due to a bad back, I was looking for the best riding position first, an awesome suspension second, and a four stroke third. This was the first time every brand was on the table as my upgrade was a medical decision necessary if I was going to continue riding, and yes that includes Polaris
. With less than a half a season and 600 miles behind me, the only thing I can tell you is that I can't be happier with my choice. I'm more comfortable then ever on a sled. I can out turn nearly everyone and I haven't dialed in the suspension yet. I can keep up with or beat an Apex to 70+, and I have confidence a bit of clutching will allow me to hang with it a bit longer. My fuel economy is amazing at over 115miles on a tank and not babying it! I'm riding faster than I've ever rode before not because I'm a fast rider (I ride with an older group...), but because the sled is so comfortable, inspires confidence and I don't realize how fast I was riding until someone on another sled makes a comment! Everyone who has had seat time on my LTX-SE has fallen in love with it to include the bashers.... It's funny to me now when I hear the snide yamacat remarks. While this just reinforced that arctic cat quality isn't as good as Yamaha, I cant deny that they designed a great chassis. I know in the back of my head that I can keep up with the bashers in the hole shot and spank them in the corners if I want, all while being comfortable.Keep in mind that this sled isn't a speed daemon and you won't be happy if you are expecting to beat an F1100 in a lake race. This is comparable to a 600cc sled with a lot more low end grunt then a 700+cc. If you are a speed daemon, check out some of the guys doing turbos. Sounds like they are having a ball! My thing is 0-80mph. I'm thinking real hard about a turbo...
Keep in mind when reading that the snowmobile industry is filled with extremely charged brand loyalty. The biggest crowd is Ski Doo. If you subscribed to group think, they would have the best quality, fastest and most comfortable sleds. While they have pioneered the latest suspension design, all the brands have managed to keep up with or exceed their sleds. As for quality, take a look at their 800HO engine. Its rare that it will go more than 7000 miles prior to eating itself. Their 4 strokes are nowhere near as good as Yamaha. Now Ski Doo was my runner up and I have had good experience with Ski Doo. My only point is every brand has their strengths and weaknesses. The Viper is no exception but all in all it is an incredible sled.
Last edited:
flyinghigh
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I guess I should qualify that the sleds I want to trade in are (2) 550 shift 136s...so I am thinking the viper will be a major step up.
Well if that is what you are used too then go see your opthamologist because someone will have to roll your eyes back to the front after a few launches on these. They are 600 class top end sleds but a whole lot more punch on the bottom end.
I have a buddy I got back into the sport this last season by riding my spare Pro R 800. He rode about 600 miles on it and was a 50 to 60 mph guy. the last ride of the season I put him on the new 15 XTX and found him on my #*$&@ at every stop sign even on the first morning ride. He could not believe the difference and the confidence it gave him. I also found myself having as much fun on it completely stock as I was on my 252 hp 14 xtx just in different ways.
flyinghigh
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What kind of price should I be able to pick one up for now that it is summer? Best so far is $10,990
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Is that new? What model?
flyinghigh
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New 2015 S-TX DX ...they don't make them in 2016
I paid $9200 plus $125 setup & prep and tax for a 2015 xtx sent late last season
yamadoo
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Wow that was a deal......I need to have you as a purchasing agent!
4StrokeAddict
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I'll say! I thought I did fairly well but was a couple thousand over that...
Yes I could not pass it up it was the day after I sold my Polaris Pro S 800 SB for $10,500 so it was a swap with enough left over for some upgrades. the original plan was to build it into a 350 + HP drag sled but after riding it stock I am leaving it that way.
