DeerHuntr
TY 4 Stroke Guru
This is what I posted on Dootalk about my test ride last night, sure I will be skinned and gutted over there but it's how I feel. Putting my $500 down on a red Viper Rtx Se today, the Gade helped me decide that handling is more important then what ever advantage a 137 can give me in the bumps.
I am going to start off by saying I am most impressed with JJ at Gateway Powersports in Grand Forks ND, he went out of his way to get me a test ride on a customers sled. I called every dealer within 100 miles of me looking for a test ride and he is the only one who stepped up to the plate. Again, really impressed.
Now the good.
This is the smoothest combination I've ever had the pleasure to ride both chassis and engine. It was like your riding on a cloud. I rode about 10-15 miles on grooomed trail and played in a drainage ditch a little bit. It was darn near as smooth off trail as on and it didn't even have the R motion out back, can't imagine how it could be better. Low end power was really good till about 60mph or so then it really fell off. I held it to the bars for a good 1/2-3/4 mile and just shy of 95mph is all I could muster. My Nytro feels stronger in the midrange and up top, in the bottom end it would be a horse race. That being said with how smooth this engine is and the chassis is I could see how it could be deceptively fast, might be quicker then I'm giving it credit for. I found it weird that you pretty much couldn't touch the throttle without it lurching forward, clutch engagement must be really low and with all that torque on tap it can be.I've been reading about a throttle lag in the rags for years but I think there on crack, not much lag I could feel but its a completely different type of power and feeling then I've ever felt on a snowmobile in my opinion. Not a bad thing, just different.The guages are top notch and I really liked them, almost automotive in style, and the handlebar switches are nice and easy to find.
The not so good.
I found the stand up riding to be very poor on this sled, it could have been how his riser was adjusted but it was uncomfortable to stand. I also found when turning sharp while sitting the bars hit my legs. I think his riser was probably goofy or something. The seat felt kinda short to me and I didn't really like how it tapered to the tank. Guessing I would get used to it but I move around allot on a sled and this seat kinda only had one position. The handling was what I was most dissapointed in to be honest. Going hard into a corner it would push badly and when it would bite the fron end would dive. It felt like a big heavy fourstroke under the hood. It too could have been set up issues and it could have been me being a short track guy. Either way , not what I'm looking for. This would be a really nice sled for the 55-60 mph groomed trail guy that logs 300 miles a day, but for an aggressive rider it's less then ideal.
Verdict.
I guess I'm signing up to be a Arctic HA HA test rider today. The Gade needed to impress me as much as the Viper did for me to pick it and it didn't. The fun factor of that Viper was through the roof compared to the Gade I rode. Handling was amazing, power seems to be adequate for what I do and the ergonomics are great when sitting or standing. The rear skid isn't as smooth but its a quantum leap forward from my Nytro. I had more fun on my 10 mile test ride on that Viper then I have in the last 5 yrs snowmobiling, really liked it. For a drunkin garage expirament it works amazingly well and is the real deal believe it or not. Give it an honest chance with an open mind and you will agree. I am HOPING & PRAYING Yamaha has fixed the issues the chassis has, that being said I will have 5 yrs of warranty. I really wanted to chose the gade because it is definately the safer decision, I read on here for like 3 hours the other night and there isn't a happier group of guys on the web. It's a quality machine for sure but not what I'm looking for at the moment, the Viper fits that bill.
I am going to start off by saying I am most impressed with JJ at Gateway Powersports in Grand Forks ND, he went out of his way to get me a test ride on a customers sled. I called every dealer within 100 miles of me looking for a test ride and he is the only one who stepped up to the plate. Again, really impressed.
Now the good.
This is the smoothest combination I've ever had the pleasure to ride both chassis and engine. It was like your riding on a cloud. I rode about 10-15 miles on grooomed trail and played in a drainage ditch a little bit. It was darn near as smooth off trail as on and it didn't even have the R motion out back, can't imagine how it could be better. Low end power was really good till about 60mph or so then it really fell off. I held it to the bars for a good 1/2-3/4 mile and just shy of 95mph is all I could muster. My Nytro feels stronger in the midrange and up top, in the bottom end it would be a horse race. That being said with how smooth this engine is and the chassis is I could see how it could be deceptively fast, might be quicker then I'm giving it credit for. I found it weird that you pretty much couldn't touch the throttle without it lurching forward, clutch engagement must be really low and with all that torque on tap it can be.I've been reading about a throttle lag in the rags for years but I think there on crack, not much lag I could feel but its a completely different type of power and feeling then I've ever felt on a snowmobile in my opinion. Not a bad thing, just different.The guages are top notch and I really liked them, almost automotive in style, and the handlebar switches are nice and easy to find.
The not so good.
I found the stand up riding to be very poor on this sled, it could have been how his riser was adjusted but it was uncomfortable to stand. I also found when turning sharp while sitting the bars hit my legs. I think his riser was probably goofy or something. The seat felt kinda short to me and I didn't really like how it tapered to the tank. Guessing I would get used to it but I move around allot on a sled and this seat kinda only had one position. The handling was what I was most dissapointed in to be honest. Going hard into a corner it would push badly and when it would bite the fron end would dive. It felt like a big heavy fourstroke under the hood. It too could have been set up issues and it could have been me being a short track guy. Either way , not what I'm looking for. This would be a really nice sled for the 55-60 mph groomed trail guy that logs 300 miles a day, but for an aggressive rider it's less then ideal.
Verdict.
I guess I'm signing up to be a Arctic HA HA test rider today. The Gade needed to impress me as much as the Viper did for me to pick it and it didn't. The fun factor of that Viper was through the roof compared to the Gade I rode. Handling was amazing, power seems to be adequate for what I do and the ergonomics are great when sitting or standing. The rear skid isn't as smooth but its a quantum leap forward from my Nytro. I had more fun on my 10 mile test ride on that Viper then I have in the last 5 yrs snowmobiling, really liked it. For a drunkin garage expirament it works amazingly well and is the real deal believe it or not. Give it an honest chance with an open mind and you will agree. I am HOPING & PRAYING Yamaha has fixed the issues the chassis has, that being said I will have 5 yrs of warranty. I really wanted to chose the gade because it is definately the safer decision, I read on here for like 3 hours the other night and there isn't a happier group of guys on the web. It's a quality machine for sure but not what I'm looking for at the moment, the Viper fits that bill.
A customers sled? Remind me to never ever to go to Gateway.
DeerHuntr
TY 4 Stroke Guru
The guy who owned the sled brought me out to ride it. You understood me wrong I think. They didnt just give me a customers sled go ride. He didn't have anything left for me to demo.
That's better I guess. It sounded like he just let you try a customers sled to beat on...lol.
Ak Yammy
Expert
Good honest review of sled. I have never ridden one (doo) but from what I have read and the hp class that it's in it sounds a lot like the Polaris Turbo which a buddy had. It was a decent handler but man that engine was BOORRRING. It was sneaky in that you felt like you were doing 40 when you were doing 80 but that motor was just too bland for my taste and riding style had no "hit" in the power anywhere. Made it feel slower than it should. Like I said have not ridden the Doo so maybe I am wrong.
I think being a Nytro guy you will be happy with your choice.
Knapp post in 3,2,1........................
I think being a Nytro guy you will be happy with your choice.
Knapp post in 3,2,1........................
Suckur
Pro
You don't need to hope and pray about the chassis. It's the best out there right now. Cat assembly and Chinese parts are the problem. You can expect fuel gauge inconsistencies, head light aiming problems, hand and thumb warmers crapping out and extreme sloppy steering. You can also expect that a lot of the hardware will be loose. For you guys buying Vipers, make sure your dealer goes through every nut and bolt from stem to stern. They are awesome sleds but I've seen shoddy assembly on more than a few, mine included.
sherlock29
TY 4 Stroke Guru
So what model 1200 did you have?? I bought my first 1200 this year, 1200x gade. just comming off 2 apex's, 07 rtx and 40th apex 144 custom.(still have). so far i have 3528 miles on this year. To date this is the best handling cross country sled i have owned. the push in the corners, that can be fixed, stand up riding-taller riser. My apex has not left the garage once this winter.... yes i do miss the pull the motor has at the 90+mph, but you learn that heck, corner to corner, and stil show 100mph is just fine.
I do log alot of high mile days, and when you put 300 miles on a day, then get up the next and are able to do it all over again speaks volumes.
Yes ther are alot of guys out there that are anty doo, but the adjustability, comfort, and "floatyness" of these machine is just unquestionable.
I do log alot of high mile days, and when you put 300 miles on a day, then get up the next and are able to do it all over again speaks volumes.
Yes ther are alot of guys out there that are anty doo, but the adjustability, comfort, and "floatyness" of these machine is just unquestionable.
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DeerHuntr said:
YEP......Lots of Guys saying the same thing...."NOT JUST ME"
GLAD YOU ENJOYED YOUR TEST RIDE.....SNOWMOBLING IS ALL ABOUT FUN.
