I have been riding Yamaha snowmobiles since the late 70's early 80's, starting out on a Enticer 300 that my father bought for me. Awesome little sled! Then he purchased me the very popular phazer. Another great sled! After that I was on my own and I purchased my first new snowmobile, a 1994 V-Max 600. Since then I have owned a V-Max 4, SRX 700 (awesome sled), and a Apex. I then strayed away from Yamaha for a while, but always knew my previous loyalty to Yamaha would resurface one day! So now I have a family with a 3 year old son and anxious to get him involved in a sport I have enjoyed since I was his age! So 2 years ago I purchase my son his first snowmobile, A new Yamaha 120. So now about 9 months ago to date I pulled the trigger and snow checked a 2018 LTX SE sidewinder. Since purchasing it, I have put aftermarket skis on so a $17,000 would at least turn! Then I purchase a J&T wheel kit so I would have some faith in my $17,000 snowmobile, so I can take it on some 700 to 1,200 mile tours in Canada. After many more acce$$ories it's ready for a short little 100 mile ride. At this point I would say I was satisfied with my purchase. Next ride would be a 3 day backpacking trip in Quebec Canada. Here's where it goes to hell! Trouble started on the 3rd day when the 3 inch long front heat exchanger hose was damaged from ice! (Yes I'm the one that originated the Sidewinder Heat exchanger hose thread) that many people have commented on and we still don't really know what is happening! So, after my buddy and me spend the day at a Yamaha dealer getting the hoses fixed it only gets worse from there for me! After leaving the dealership at about 4:30 p.m in the afternoon we get down the trail about 10 miles and I asked my buddy if his was making a rubbing noise when hitting little bumps. He said no so I didn't think much of it and rode a few more miles. Knowing something wasn't right, I stop again and keep looking for something rubbing. Now we're about 20 miles from the dealer, its pitch dark, he's already closed anyways and we need to get to the motel! Frustration has really set in now! We get to the hotel and then off on the sleds in the morning for a 200 mile day back to the truck so everyone can get back to work since we're already one day behind schedule. After stopping for are first break of the day me and my buddies figured out what the noise was. When the dealer loosened the springs on the rear suspension, to compress it, so it would be easier to install into the tunnel the rear shock must have pivoted down on the lower coupler allowing it to rub the track when compressing about 6 inches. So now we know the problem and we're still 150 miles from the truck and in the middle of no where. Now after surveying the problem and seeing the track Is showing some wear and the shock has wore in places it shouldn't, LOL! I decide to continue on and hope it makes it back to the truck. About 50 miles from the truck the reservoir on the fox adjustable shock snaps off! Track is not much worse for wear so on we go! Never so happy to see my truck sitting in the parking lot. So now we lowed up the sleds, so we can finally head home in the morning. On the way home are dealer called us to ask how we made out since we had already told him about both new sleds needing the heat exchanger hose replaced. Now to tell him about the dealers mistake and all the damage it caused mine. He tells me to get it over to him and he will take care of everything! So on January 17th after work I take it over to him. This is the start of Tottaly Disappointment and Unexceptable starts! Dealer goes to order the new track and shock and a few other things he thought I should get, and Yamaha tells him the shock is on back order and will not be released to a dealer until February 26th Are you freaking kidding me! So my dealer calls a arctic cat dealer to see if they can get one quicker. They tell him they are on back order as well, but should be released to dealers by Feb. 6th. Better, but still Totally Unexceptable in my opinion! So today I call 1-800 Yamaha and get absolutely NO Where! Best Yamaha can do is that he said he will put a note on the order to have it next day aired to my dealer at no cost... Are you flipping kidding me! I'm going to get the shock maybe on the 27th of February instead of March 1st! After chewing the Yamaha representatives A$$ for 15 minutes and getting no where I told him what I thought of him and the company he works for! Any manufacturer that can't supply there dealers with a simple shock, and takes over half of a snowmobile season to get there loyal customers back on the trail sooner then that shouldn't be a manufacturer for snowmobiles! Yamaha and Arctic Cat is a total joke and I am done with both!
