Sidewinder or 850. What to buy

[Mighty]

You're comparing a 2016 freeride to a 2014 1/2 breed? Part of the reason Yamaha's Wisconsin facility was shut down was because of how poorly they set up the viper. Big wigs from Yamaha rode the AC versions of the viper and couldn't believe the ride and handling differences. With that said, don't compare your 2014 viper to a 2017 sidewinder. Night and day difference

 

[KnappAttack]

My friend bought a 2104 Cat 7000. Not much of a machine IMO. If I went by the ride on that thing, I'd have never bought a Sidewinder or come off of my turbo 1200 Doo. Not much different than the POS 2012 ProCross I had.

The Sidewinder is a huge improvement over a 2014 viper or 7000 cat.

I rode my buds 850 the same day I rode my other buds Sidewinder LTX-LE. Three weeks later I had a LTX-LE in the garage. One ride on one I knew it was going to cost me some bucks. The 850 I just had no interest in whatsoever. Don't see what all the hype is/was about with that sled.

I did not find it much different than any other Doo that had come before it handling and ride wise, and it was severely lacking in the power dept. Rode good and handled decent but just not the machine the Winder is if you like trail riding.

 

[EnticerRider]

You're comparing a 2016 freeride to a 2014 1/2 breed? Part of the reason Yamaha's Wisconsin facility was shut down was because of how poorly they set up the viper. Big wigs from Yamaha rode the AC versions of the viper and couldn't believe the ride and handling differences. With that said, don't compare your 2014 viper to a 2017 sidewinder. Night and day difference

I agree on my 14 viper being sub par.
But I am not insane enough to gamble $15,000+ on it being that much better.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Yamaha had their chance with me.
09 nytro XTX and 14 viper.



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[cannondale27]

You're comparing a 2016 freeride to a 2014 1/2 breed? Part of the reason Yamaha's Wisconsin facility was shut down was because of how poorly they set up the viper. Big wigs from Yamaha rode the AC versions of the viper and couldn't believe the ride and handling differences. With that said, don't compare your 2014 viper to a 2017 sidewinder. Night and day difference

They didn't setup the Viper all they did was recrate it. AC version was identical model for model in every way. Get your facts straight Mighty.

 

[WinterWolf]

I agree on my 14 viper being sub par.
But I am not insane enough to gamble $15,000+ on it being that much better.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Yamaha had their chance with me.
09 nytro XTX and 14 viper.



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With all do respect, Are you serious??? The Vipers and those Nytros are a joke compared to these new sidewinders...there is no comparison..at all! I get the point and idea of not wanting to spend the money. But basing your decision about spending that money, on those two sleds is absolutely Rediculous.

 

[KnappAttack]

I agree on my 14 viper being sub par.
But I am not insane enough to gamble $15,000+ on it being that much better.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Yamaha had their chance with me.
09 nytro XTX and 14 viper.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I'd suggest not riding a Winder or it will cost you some dough!!

Trust me when I tell you its a far cry from a Viper.

 

[Mighty]

They didn't setup the Viper all they did was recrate it. AC version was identical model for model in every way. Get your facts straight Mighty.

Wrong. Different shock valving. No comparison to the cat's.

 

[cannondale27]

Wrong. Different shock valving. No comparison to the cat's.

Its exact same shock valving. Same Springs. Same Skids. Heck even same skis in 14. I have done many of both. You are wrong. 14 and 15 of Cat and Yamaha both sucked and are exactly the same shim for shim. Who speced that valving I don't know.

 

[Mighty]

I can only go by what I was told when a viper and cat rider were asking me about the engine in my SW at a stop. The Viper rider said he was getting a Thundercat and I asked why. He said that Both their sleds were 2014's and claimed that the cat did everything better as far as ride and handling and assumed the Thundercat would be better than the SW. He claimed he researched it and found that Yamaha valved the viper different.

 

[cannondale27]

I can only go by what I was told when a viper and cat rider were asking me about the engine in my SW at a stop. The Viper rider said he was getting a Thundercat and I asked why. He said that Both their sleds were 2014's and claimed that the cat did everything better as far as ride and handling and assumed the Thundercat would be better than the SW. He claimed he researched it and found that Yamaha valved the viper different.

Well then he was wrong. I understand I heard same thing but it's just not fact. Every year since same thing has been said and unless the different clutches and graphics affect ride everything else has been the same. Just ask 2lapsdown.LOL!

 

[Mighty]

Well then he was wrong. I understand I heard same thing but it's just not fact. Every year since same thing has been said and unless the different clutches and graphics affect ride everything else has been the same. Just ask 2lapsdown.LOL!

It makes sense from a cost of production point of view. Does 2lapsdown work for cat or Yamaha?

 

[cannondale27]

It makes sense from a cost of production point of view. Does 2lapsdown work for cat or Yamaha?

That was a joke Mighty. Not sure he works for Cat but he was always all over me whenever I suggested Yamaha influence in any of the sleds. I believe he is a Cat XC racer or was. I think 2laps and I have come to terms. Sidewinder with Yamaha ecu and programming helped even the Cat Yamaha balance more in Yamahas favor for sure.

 

[cannondale27]

I agree on my 14 viper being sub par.
But I am not insane enough to gamble $15,000+ on it being that much better.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Yamaha had their chance with me.
09 nytro XTX and 14 viper.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Back on topic.
Enticer I agree we have had issues with the Vipers but when ridden back to back with a 850 Doo you will be amazed at how good the Viper feels especially the front end. To me Viper is night and day better. Better at pump also if both are ridden hard. Oh and belts too! 850 engine is better power than Viper by a lot but it's not more power than a winder. This is coming from a guy who had $ down on the 850 and bailed. Sooo glad I did. Maybe once the bugs are worked out it would be in the game again for me but news with it has not been good this year. Winder is the only upgrade I would consider right now and that's over the P.O.S. Inferior Viper you guys are all talking about. Which turned 10000mi this year too. I guess for being paid for 3 seasons ago and really only 10-20 mph hr slower than a Winder same or better suspension I really don't see a need for a Winder. Viper is better looking too!

 

[JestersYamacat]

I agree on my 14 viper being sub par.
But I am not insane enough to gamble $15,000+ on it being that much better.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.
Yamaha had their chance with me.
09 nytro XTX and 14 viper.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

If you want to see your machine come to life(if yoiu are keeping it, get a full set of QS3 shocks front and back from hygear and you will have a vastly different machine. It is night and day different and will ride and handle a world better. For whatever reason cat has been leaving a ton on the table in shock calibration for the procross chassis. Too bad really as the machines are far better than the shocks could provide.

Jester

 

[uprider800]

I owned both sleds this season. My Rtx Le and a TNT 850. I only got 350 miles on my Sidewinder before it hit an ice shove and was totaled. I was coming off of a boosted 230 hp xf9000 2014 cat and the sled ripped. 120 mph all day almost any conditions. Stock my Sidewinder was poochy compared to the boosted cat. The ride of the Le with the q3 shocks is awesome. Now the 850. I put 703 miles on the 850 and man is the sled fun to ride. The motor is smooth and runs hard for a 2 stroke. My buddy has a Se Sidewinder and we rode together all winter and in a race I would beat him out of the hole and then he would pull me by 2 lengths mid range and then we stayed about the same on top end. Both sleds are stock and studded. To me the Sidewinder is a great sled. In stock form I choose to ride the 850. Anyone who rides any woods trails will not pick the Sidewinder over the 850. I haven't been on a 2 stroke since my 08 xp800 and the 850 is the real deal. I found myself riding harder and longer and having more fun on the 850 than I did on the Sidewinder. Now if you plan on boosting the Sidewinder I think it will be an even better more fun sled. I'm not a brand loyal guy and I buy what peeks my interest. For me the 850 has been a great sled so far. No issues at all. I don't think you can go wrong with either sled but for me the 850 will be around for a while and we will see if it holds up.


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