Sled Choices - Sidewinder or Blizzard or Arctic Cat ZR8000 Limited?

[Purplecoffin]

Every time I look at a Viper, I'm enticed to move up to a Sidewinder. There are a few Vipers around at good prices. Will it handle as well as the Sidewinder?

Should, same chassis. Just depends on shock/ track choices.

I myself am on the fence about a viper right now. I know my sled has more hp but the ride of the viper would be nicer! Sidewinder is out of my budget currently. (Wife, 2 kids, myself, all ride.

 

[Jayzonk]

Should, same chassis. Just depends on shock/ track choices.

I myself am on the fence about a viper right now. I know my sled has more hp but the ride of the viper would be nicer! Sidewinder is out of my budget currently. (Wife, 2 kids, myself, all ride.

Sidewinder is possibly overkill? I'd take the wife and kids over the Winder any day! LOL

 

[Jayzonk]

I test drove two Sidewinders today at a Yamaha demo day. The first was a 50th Anniversary RX-TX, the 129" track version. The ride was on a groomed trail, mostly through fields, but also through some bush. Trail conditions I would describe as fairly good - no bare spots, good pack, but packed quite hard.
The first thing I noticed was the jittery front skis - I didn't feel that the tracking was very good at all. I can't understand how Yamaha can make such a monster sled, but not put skis on it to keep the front end tracking properly. I did push the throttle down on a few occasions, and felt the tremendous rush of acceleration from the turbo motor.
Halfway through the trail, I switched to a Sidwinder 144" track. This sled had Snowtracker rails and carbides, and deeper lugs on the track in the back. This made quite a bit of difference to the performance of the sled - the jittery ski problem was greatly reduced, so I could focus more on feeling the power. The only problem I had was the continual fogging of my windshield (totally not prepared), so I had to pare things back a bit with my visor open.
The trail sections were a bit short, and the guide who took me through slowed down in the trail sections, so I couldn't really go through as quickly as I wanted to. However, I did think that the throttle is too twitchy for going through trails - the sled seems to go from a low speed to a blistering speed in too small of a throttle move - I think this must be a consequence of the sled's massive power. Despite being the most powerful sled engine in the world, I'm just not convinced that it's the best for trail riding. I'm thinking that I should demo some other sleds that have less power, and maybe a less responsive throttle - I just don't need to go from 35 mph to 80 mph instantly. I would like more usable, linear acceleration in that range for trail riding.
As amazing as this sled is, I can't understand why it would have inadequate skis on it. If Yamaha has thoroughly tested this sled, I'd be amazed. It's difficult to put your money down on a sled that needs a new essential part right off the bat. The best analogy I can think of right now is that it's like putting wooden wheels on a Formula One car.
Even though the Yamaha looks exceptionally well made, I think I'd be better off with a less potent engine, less weight up front, and better tracking from the skis. It'd also be nice to have something light enough to jump small stuff. I'm sure the Sidewinder jumps, but all of that power makes me think that a little too much throttle will get me into some serious trouble.
The best analogy I can make comes from the motorcycle world - it's easier (and more fun) to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow....

 

[farmerschiferl]

I test drove two Sidewinders today at a Yamaha demo day. The first was a 50th Anniversary RX-TX, the 129" track version. The ride was on a groomed trail, mostly through fields, but also through some bush. Trail conditions I would describe as fairly good - no bare spots, good pack, but packed quite hard.
The first thing I noticed was the jittery front skis - I didn't feel that the tracking was very good at all. I can't understand how Yamaha can make such a monster sled, but not put skis on it to keep the front end tracking properly. I did push the throttle down on a few occasions, and felt the tremendous rush of acceleration from the turbo motor.
Halfway through the trail, I switched to a Sidwinder 144" track. This sled had Snowtracker rails and carbides, and deeper lugs on the track in the back. This made quite a bit of difference to the performance of the sled - the jittery ski problem was greatly reduced, so I could focus more on feeling the power. The only problem I had was the continual fogging of my windshield (totally not prepared), so I had to pare things back a bit with my visor open.
The trail sections were a bit short, and the guide who took me through slowed down in the trail sections, so I couldn't really go through as quickly as I wanted to. However, I did think that the throttle is too twitchy for going through trails - the sled seems to go from a low speed to a blistering speed in too small of a throttle move - I think this must be a consequence of the sled's massive power. Despite being the most powerful sled engine in the world, I'm just not convinced that it's the best for trail riding. I'm thinking that I should demo some other sleds that have less power, and maybe a less responsive throttle - I just don't need to go from 35 mph to 80 mph instantly. I would like more usable, linear acceleration in that range for trail riding.
As amazing as this sled is, I can't understand why it would have inadequate skis on it. If Yamaha has thoroughly tested this sled, I'd be amazed. It's difficult to put your money down on a sled that needs a new essential part right off the bat. The best analogy I can think of right now is that it's like putting wooden wheels on a Formula One car.
Even though the Yamaha looks exceptionally well made, I think I'd be better off with a less potent engine, less weight up front, and better tracking from the skis. It'd also be nice to have something light enough to jump small stuff. I'm sure the Sidewinder jumps, but all of that power makes me think that a little too much throttle will get me into some serious trouble.
The best analogy I can make comes from the motorcycle world - it's easier (and more fun) to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow....

You have to remember there is ALOT OF FINE TUNING that needs to be done after you purchase ANY sled, most of the demo sleds are just gone off a basic set up. Also in my opinion I would definitely never buy anything with that kind of power with anything less than a 137 track. I still personally think you would be more than happy with a Viper with a evo tune

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[Jayzonk]

You have to remember there is ALOT OF FINE TUNING that needs to be done after you purchase ANY sled, most of the demo sleds are just gone off a basic set up. Also in my opinion I would definitely never buy anything with that kind of power with anything less than a 137 track. I still personally think you would be more than happy with a Viper with a evo tune

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Alright. Different from motorcycles, I guess, which are generally "right"....right out of the box. (well, tires aren't always so spot on...and I've got one with a seat I've never really liked).

Even if you get a Viper, by the time you add carbides, you're up to the price of a Blizzard...so the question becomes which one is the better sled, given the money spent is the same? I guess I'm assuming the Blizzard's skis will be correct right out of the box, since they can be adjusted height-wise.

And I really like the skis to hook up well with the snow to eliminate this side-to-side business in both the front and the back end. I'll take a straight tracking sled with good maneuverability over raw power any day.