Thinking about buying a Sidwinder

[fourbarrel]

Ok now that there's been a season on this new sled what are the impressions of it? Would you buy another one? What have you changed and what would you like to change? I'm looking for real world impressions not magazine editor reviews of pre production sleds.
I've been reading some of the FAQs about them and see there's some areas to ask about if I do indeed make the deal to buy this sled.The turbo bolts,the helix rollers flat spotting etc,but I want to know if anyone's had any major problems or issues that might make buying one of these a second guess.
I have been one of the guys that has been dead set against buying a sled that is half a Cat.I was all set to buy a Nytro last fall but for one reason or another didn't,and given our miserable winter here locally it ended up a smart decision.I still would rather buy a complete Yamaha sled and am on the fence to buy an Apex vs Sidewinder.Many of the issues I see people are having with their Sidewinders seem to be nothing more than QC failures at the Cat factory,something that wouldn't necessarily happen in the Yammy factory,BUT I am still hopeful the Sidewinder will be the sled to keep Yamaha on the top of the heap.

 

[GlennM]

Ok now that there's been a season on this new sled what are the impressions of it? Would you buy another one? What have you changed and what would you like to change? I'm looking for real world impressions not magazine editor reviews of pre production sleds.
I've been reading some of the FAQs about them and see there's some areas to ask about if I do indeed make the deal to buy this sled.The turbo bolts,the helix rollers flat spotting etc,but I want to know if anyone's had any major problems or issues that might make buying one of these a second guess.
I have been one of the guys that has been dead set against buying a sled that is half a Cat.I was all set to buy a Nytro last fall but for one reason or another didn't,and given our miserable winter here locally it ended up a smart decision.I still would rather buy a complete Yamaha sled and am on the fence to buy an Apex vs Sidewinder.Many of the issues I see people are having with their Sidewinders seem to be nothing more than QC failures at the Cat factory,something that wouldn't necessarily happen in the Yammy factory,BUT I am still hopeful the Sidewinder will be the sled to keep Yamaha on the top of the heap.

I've had very little issues, one roller and service bulletin thats it. 6000km still on oem belt, lots of arm stretching pulls, its an amazing sled! Absolutely love it! LTX-LE

Sent from my SM-T705W using Tapatalk

 

[fatchance]

All of your questions are the topics of existing threads. If you want to buy a new sled then why not buy the best you can buy. That would be the Sidewinder. Period

 

[Motorhead]

By looking at your avatar, I would guess a blue LTX-LE is in order.

In it's stock form it is much faster then the stock SRX and the Apex, and it is the best looking sled on the market.

It does outride both also, atleast with the LE package which is what I had to get to continue my bleeding blue tradition!!

You seem to realize the 2017 shortfalls so not much more to tell you about the first year Fire Breather... besides Yes it rocks!

 

[KnappAttack]

Ok now that there's been a season on this new sled what are the impressions of it? Would you buy another one? What have you changed and what would you like to change? I'm looking for real world impressions not magazine editor reviews of pre production sleds.
I've been reading some of the FAQs about them and see there's some areas to ask about if I do indeed make the deal to buy this sled.The turbo bolts,the helix rollers flat spotting etc,but I want to know if anyone's had any major problems or issues that might make buying one of these a second guess.
I have been one of the guys that has been dead set against buying a sled that is half a Cat.I was all set to buy a Nytro last fall but for one reason or another didn't,and given our miserable winter here locally it ended up a smart decision.I still would rather buy a complete Yamaha sled and am on the fence to buy an Apex vs Sidewinder.Many of the issues I see people are having with their Sidewinders seem to be nothing more than QC failures at the Cat factory,something that wouldn't necessarily happen in the Yammy factory,BUT I am still hopeful the Sidewinder will be the sled to keep Yamaha on the top of the heap.

I asked the same question to the forum not long ago. I ended up finding a lightly used LTX-LE at then end of the season after taking a ride on my buddies identical machine. I was sold after seeing how good it rode, steered and how comfortable it was. I had said I'd never own another ProCross after the POS 2012 Cat I had. I was able to put 200 miles on my Winder at the end of the season and can tell you it is a completely different machine than the 2012 I had and hated right from the get go. I came off many years of 1200 Ski-Doo's, my last was a MCX finely tuned and modified turbo, it would outrun my buds stage4 tuned Winder, but it didn't matter that my Doo was faster, I knew I had to have the Winder after a little seat time.

I found the Winders ergos, ride, handling and easier steering better for me over the 1200 which I could not believe. It has effortless stock power and I now have the full boat load of Hurricane tunes and muffler to play with for max power production for next season. Since 09 I have been on Doo 1200's and come from a slew of stock and turboed Apex's prior to that, tried a 2011 Apex XTX and booted that down the road in just 330 miles, I didn't like it, wife didn't like it and kids wanted nothing to do with it after riding the 1200 Doo's, also tried a POS Z1 turbo and that POS 2012 Cat turbo and sent them both packing right away too. I'd never want an Apex again after owning the 1200, but the surprisingly the Winder has me not missing the 1200's at all. I am actually quite smitten with the Winder stock and feel it will be that much better once I get the go fast stuff on for next season.

The Apex has what I consider the finest engine ever put into a snowmobile, but there is a reason its going by the wayside, it is not up to the task any longer, great hi-speed smooth groomed trail machine and that is where it ends. It's just a struggle to ride when the going gets rough or the trail starts to get small. It has seen its better days and the interest for it has all but stopped. My bud had a ride on a 998 Cat 9000 and does not want anything to do with his low mile 2015 Apex anymore, but he can't sell it and the dealer does not even want it on trade even though it spotless and perfect, that pretty much tells the story right there.

 

[XP123]

I've owned nothing but 1200 Doo's since coming off my 06 Apex and they are awesome sleds. This year I decided to give the Winder a try without ever trying one and I feared it would be a tank like my Apex was. Well I'm very happy with my Winder. It has surpassed all my expectations and at this point I wouldn't own anything else. I love the ride and how it handles and the engine is head and shoulders better than anything I have ever owned before. I haven't been this enthused about a sled in a very long time.

 

[hibshman25]

Don't let the "problem" posts scare you away from the sled. What you have to remember is people, including myself turn to forums and internet when there is a problem for diagnosing. Lets face it when things are working good, not many people take the time to go post praise posts. If everyone that had great season on a sidewinder took the time to post praise about it I think the problem posts would very quickly stand out as just a small percentage. I only managed 1000 miles on mine this winter, but it was nothing but gas and go! Its a fantastic sled.

 

[JestersYamacat]

I jumped in late in the year and was able to get on 700 miles in Late Feb and march and even stock they rock. With a minor clutching(weight and spring) it will dominate an TD eco tuned with muffler all day long. Not bad in the tight stuff either, no light weight but still fun and whn the trails get wide and long there is nothing better.

Jester

 

[fourbarrel]

By looking at your avatar, I would guess a blue LTX-LE is in order.

In it's stock form it is much faster then the stock SRX and the Apex, and it is the best looking sled on the market.

It does outride both also, atleast with the LE package which is what I had to get to continue my bleeding blue tradition!!

You seem to realize the 2017 shortfalls so not much more to tell you about the first year Fire Breather... besides Yes it rocks!

Actually the one I'm looking at is the red and white LE.

 

[Motorhead]

Actually the one I'm looking at is the red and white LE.
View attachment 128770

Yeah that is a looker! All of the color combos are eye catchers. I like them all, blue,red, or the orange and black is really sharp also.

I had to have blue this time, my last Yamaha sled(06 Attak Turbo) was red. I really enjoyed my (Blue)SRX of old though, that was also a great looking and handling sled,(Bender porting and accessories). But then again I had a (Red)97 SX (Spring Order)with an Aaen set up which was also one of my old favorites! Either way, I think you will be happy with the sled overall. The LE is my choice.

 

[EpicWinder]

I've had very little issues, one roller and service bulletin thats it. 6000km still on oem belt, lots of arm stretching pulls, its an amazing sled! Absolutely love it! LTX-LE

Sent from my SM-T705W using Tapatalk

Same here! Came from 2012 Ape. Wouldn't go back. 3,500 miles factory installed belt. Fantastic sled. Had flat rollers and heat shield and lost turbo bolts. Not enough to make me even begin to think about any other sled! Red LTX-LE.

 

[VX1R]

Ok now that there's been a season on this new sled what are the impressions of it? Would you buy another one? What have you changed and what would you like to change? I'm looking for real world impressions not magazine editor reviews of pre production sleds.

I really can't add anything to what's already been said from the other posts other than to say I wouldn't hesitate to buy another SideWinder. That red and white LTX-LE that you've got your eyes on is a sweet sled with a great suspension. I've got the same sled with a couple of mods.

I'm a old school Yamaha guy and was pretty apprehensive about buying the SideWinder last year. I had my doubts just like you about the Yamaha/AC venture. All my doubts were put aside after putting some miles on the SideWinder. I still love our Apex's but the SideWinder is the complete package.

 

[WinterWolf]

I really can't add anything to what's already been said from the other posts other than to say I wouldn't hesitate to buy another SideWinder. That red and white LTX-LE that you've got your eyes on is a sweet sled with a great suspension. I've got the same sled with a couple of mods.

I'm a old school Yamaha guy and was pretty apprehensive about buying the SideWinder last year. I had my doubts just like you about the Yamaha/AC venture. All my doubts were put aside after putting some miles on the SideWinder. I still love our Apex's but the SideWinder is the complete package.

This is great to hear!! I'm coming off an 07 Apex, and that made me feel good that the Sidewinder is the total package!! My stock Apex was fast(an overachiever). The only sled it couldn't beat before model year 2017 was a cat 1100Turbo. Sold my Apex two weeks ago, and my 18 RTX LE 50th is on order...all in now lol!!

 

[fourbarrel]

I appreciate all the replies you guys have shared,it's making my decision a bit easier lol.I believe if I can get a deal done for this sled that I will have a new addition to my sled family.The blue would fit right in with my SRXs but I just can't pass up this red and white colour scheme,it just pops.I'll keep reading the FAQs from this forum and get as much info as I can so I have lots to go on when I get to negotiating.Thanks again.