SteveO Gone

[cannondale27]

One thing is for certain pertaining to SteveO and his new Little Doo. He will be a great test pilot for Doo!
And with that lack of power, it should stay together for a while hopefully.
Don’t you think?

One downfall to most of the newer model sleds out there today, is the suspensions.
One does not realize how hard that suspension is working when you are flying over those bumpy trails at a high rate of speed because that suspension is just sucking them up. Something gotta give sometimes, period!

I often wonder how my Winder took that bump or series of bumps, and All I felt was very little movement. Most stable, best riding, and yep, freakin fast machine that gets good mpg, that I have ever owned. I have ridden with many who do not need this much power or could never use this kind of power. I on the other hand...

Not saying that they do not have their weak spots, because they do.

You know, if my sled didn’t ride, handle and have that great power and speed that it possesses, and if I treated in a much more gentle manner, well it would be much easier on maintenance I bet, but it wouldn’t be mine.

Exactly

 

[race24x]

Sidewinder 210 HP (Cant count 300 HP upgrades)
Driveshaft bearing clearance
Chinese bearings wheels etc
Upper gear in the chaincase
Chain adjuster
Clutch offset
Too much float
front shaft issues where shock attaches
Primary and Secondary rollers (Although mine have been good for 6K miles)
Tri Hub
Roll Over valve
Crappy skis

Apex 160 HP
Front A arm bushings
Bearings and wheels
Crappy Skis
Exhaust gaskets
Exhaust Flex pipes
W Arms breaking
Suspension Rails Breaking
Ohlins wiring issues
Ohlins adjuster junk
Driveshaft bearing replace every year
Handwarmers
Headlight

 

[cannondale27]

And I guarantee that 600 will be left behind and steveo bored out of his mind in the 20 mi stretch before and after Gwinn in morning first tracks. I had it pinned the whole way. Still running strong!

 

[mikextx]

It won't be long and we will have a speed limit here in Michigan.

 

[SumpBuster]

It won't be long and we will have a speed limit here in Michigan.

I saw a speed limit sign (ny) just before a big field that I usually hit 100 in. It said maximum speed 55. I just added a few words in my mind...'...For 600cc ski doos'.

 

[mikextx]

One more way for the state to get into our pockets

 

[Turboflash]

I saw a speed limit sign (ny) just before a big field that I usually hit 100 in. It said maximum speed 55. I just added a few words in my mind...'...For 600cc ski doos'.

We have a state-wide speed limit in Minnesota of 55 MPH. Can't hardly get my muffler hot at 55 LOL. The maddening thing about speed limits is the legislators who draft and pass this S*&^ don't know a snowmobile from a riding lawn mower! Most of them have never been on one and have no clue. As we all know, there are places where 80-100 is safe and also places where 35 is too fast (parking lots, events where there's lots of people, city streets, etc. Did "they" really have to pass a law supposedly to keep us from killing ourselves?
In Wisconsin, I think the official wording is something like "speed that is appropriate for conditions" or something like that.
Oh well .....

 

[mikextx]

I think alot different about speed now that my kids are on those trails

 

[jonlafon1]

It’s the guys that don’t use common sense. I’m all for guys hammering it and being hot dogs. I like to call them throttle jockeys. BUT I repeat BUT be sensible about it! Think! Where and when you act the way you do on a sled effects us all. WE all got some throttle jockey in us. It’s just about when it’s sensible to be THAT GUY. Not around other people. Not in towns. I was getting gas last trip up and a dip #*$&@ has a loud exhaust on his 2 smoke. He gets gas and leaves the station doing the whole on the flipper off the flipper Thing repeatedly! You know what I’m saying. I wanted to snatch dude right off his sled. And no it wasn’t for traction as it was ice packed snow concrete. Yea I was impressed (NOT) use your head ! Not in town at a gas station.

 

[Turboflash]

Yup, we all got lots of stories and experiences with the throttle jockeys. I go out of my way to stay as far away from them as possible! Accident looking for a place to happen.

 

[mikextx]

It’s the guys that don’t use common sense. I’m all for guys hammering it and being hot dogs. I like to call them throttle jockeys. BUT I repeat BUT be sensible about it! Think! Where and when you act the way you do on a sled effects us all. WE all got some throttle jockey in us. It’s just about when it’s sensible to be THAT GUY. Not around other people. Not in towns. I was getting gas last trip up and a dip #*$&@ has a loud exhaust on his 2 smoke. He gets gas and leaves the station doing the whole on the flipper off the flipper Thing repeatedly! You know what I’m saying. I wanted to snatch dude right off his sled. And no it wasn’t for traction as it was ice packed snow concrete. Yea I was impressed (NOT) use your head ! Not in town at a gas station.

Well said

 

[kinger]

I would have got the 2020.5 XRS. After riding one for the weekend they are a hoot! Will they last? Who knows doesn't seem like anything is now considered bullet proof. I'll be selling the winder and going frame up resto on my apex. It is the most reliable sled I have had, is it the THE MOST reliable one ever made? Not sure. The Winder has been my worst choice ever. I haven't even had enough miles on it to break the stuff I was ready for, the last thing I was worried about...the fricken motor won't stay together. Anyone want a clean 550 miles BTX with 3rd motor and zero miles on it

 

[WinterWolf]

I would have got the 2020.5 XRS. After riding one for the weekend they are a hoot! Will they last? Who knows doesn't seem like anything is now considered bullet proof. I'll be selling the winder and going frame up resto on my apex. It is the most reliable sled I have had, is it the THE MOST reliable one ever made? Not sure. The Winder has been my worst choice ever. I haven't even had enough miles on it to break the stuff I was ready for, the last thing I was worried about...the fricken motor won't stay together. Anyone want a clean 550 miles BTX with 3rd motor and zero miles on it

Unfortunately, you got a Lemon Kinger! That’s it in a nutshell. That could happen to anybody, with any sled. It sure does suck, but most all of us haven’t had the type of issues you are. The motor on the Winders are pretty stout, and most aren’t having motor issues thank goodness.

You could go buy another Winder and there’s a very good chance it would be just fine. I feel for you pal. They should just give you a brand new Sidewinder of your choice at this point. That’s what a good reputable company would do to satisfy a good customer!

 

[KnappAttack]

I would have got the 2020.5 XRS. After riding one for the weekend they are a hoot! Will they last? Who knows doesn't seem like anything is now considered bullet proof. I'll be selling the winder and going frame up resto on my apex. It is the most reliable sled I have had, is it the THE MOST reliable one ever made? Not sure. The Winder has been my worst choice ever. I haven't even had enough miles on it to break the stuff I was ready for, the last thing I was worried about...the fricken motor won't stay together. Anyone want a clean 550 miles BTX with 3rd motor and zero miles on it

Part of the problem is the dealer didn't install the head properly with the ARP studs. Can't blame that on the sled or Yamaha. They should have used the TQ needed on the aftermarket studs.

Also, if you had the Winder running properly you'd never, ever swing another leg over an Apex! Guaranteed!

You have that Apex on a pedestal, and I know if I had to go back to one, I'd give up riding first. They were good back in the mid 2000's, but time has left them in the dust. The ride and handling leaves lots to be desired on that chassis!

 

[WinterWolf]

Part of the problem is the dealer didn't install the head properly with the ARP studs. Can't blame that on the sled or Yamaha. They should have used the TQ needed on the aftermarket studs.

Also, if you had the Winder running properly you'd never, ever swing another leg over an Apex! Guaranteed!

You have that Apex on a pedestal, and I know if I had to go back to one, I'd give up riding first. They were good back in the mid 2000's, but time has left them in the dust. The ride and handling leaves lots to be desired on that chassis!

Loved my Apex too...but my Winder is superior in every way, have to agree with you on all of that. And you are completely correct...if he had that Winder running well, he’d be dethroning his Apex for sure.