TY Rides 06s today in Minocqua

[kenlacy]

Mr. Sled I never once said or came close to saying you were being paid off by Yami. The closest I ever got would be to say that you lean their direction in the review and I also said it was because of your Love for Yami and your loyalty. My only criticism was that you could have been a little tougher on them in areas that they are lacking and that more testing could have been done in areas that were of question (the latter in retrospect was a lot to expect in such a short session).

I 100% apologize if my tone was more than that and this is my last post on the subject of how you did the review.

Greenmachine - you are just missing the boat. Even with the tallest shield they make - the 05's have horrible wind protection compared to my XC. Now that yami has stuck the rider even higher up, it can only be worse unless they did some kind of re-design on airflow. I know they are now making fairings to help with the air on the legs but I guess I should have asked ahead of time if they now incorporated this into the body or if it is still an addon.

 

[Fox1_RX-1]

Well I totally hated the review . I had my mind set on NOT buying the GT and NOW you guys just make me want one even more. Excellent info. Covers allot of the questions that I had. When and where are the sleds coming to Ontario???

 

[Indy]

You guys just amaze me. Of course the testers favor Yamaha's. we all do. Of course Tom favors Yamaha, uh, what is the name of this site? The site was started quite a while ago, and look where Tom has taken it. He has fought for this site and the integrity of this site. Look where the posters have taken it. This is the ONLY Yamaha endorsed web forum. When I first started enjoying this sport, I was concerned about having buddies that could afford to ride as often as I can. Thats is what is great about this site. I have meet and ridden with people from 2 countries and 4 states. Several I talk to weekly and one almost daily. Even in the off season. So to the rude posters, it is fine to post your opinions, but don't be rude. And don't make STUPID accusations.






As far as wind protection. Yamaha will have other windshields. They gave us a lot, but they have to have something to sell us later. I have the xx tall windshield which I catch hell over quite a bit. But I keep warm. I am buying an Apex GT, and I know they will offer a larger windshield. If I need it, I will purchase another inferno suit from Klim.

It seems that a lot of people don't remember that Yamaha is a business. Tom is running a business, a business that takes a lot of his time. It has to affect his personal life. And he doesn't make a lot of money from doing this. I know this first hand having being self employed for over 15 years. So be considerate and appreciate this site for what it is.

:ORC


Tom, Terry, Steve, Buddha, Matt, and the other test riders. Thanks again. We (fellow TY'ers) appreciate your report.

 

[jimmie d]

Whats worse riding a very inferoir sled or a superior one with a little wind. I ride in some pretty cold temps in northern Ontario and have never had a problem on any sled with any windshield and if a problem I sprang for a new windshield. From the 05 to the 04 an 03 you are the first I have heard complain about the cold without a riser on the sled.

This is ridiculous me trying to defend a damn windshield on what will be a GREAT sled.

Jim

 

[drifter]

WHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIISTLE

I think things have gotten WAY out of perspective here. :ORC

What exactly did the scepticals here expect the ride reviews to consist of? Let's see, you get a group of members of a site dedicated to Yamahas, allow them to ride Yamahas $100,000 hand built prototype 2006 snowmobiles, and report their impressions on their privately owned website for others to use and enjoy? This is something very few people get to do, and it costs Yamaha alot of money. Plus, these are pre-production units that will still under-go alot of changes and re-calibrations, so early non-production designs or slight glitches during the rides can alter first impressions. This was a chance taken by Yamaha. You should feel fortunate that the people that were given the chance to ride these sleds are able to give you a report like this. Will you get to hear of any other manufacturers customers ride the machines, and report them on a website for your benefit before you actually buy a sled? I don't care what brand you ride, if you were given the opportunity to ride the coming years models after a major redisign, you also would be giddy and report overzealously about how good all the improvements are. That is human nature. I find it is funny that anyone would critisize a Yamaha loyalist on this site for being bias and reporting positively on a brand spanking new sled that they were givien the opportunity to drive, with the major improvements they recieved, and find little wrong with them. DA! It is the brand they like and it's their own OPINION.

Are there things that I disliked? Sure. Are ther things Tom and his crew disliked? Sure. Were they critical enough to slam or give a negative report? I did not think so, and obviously they did not either. Will there be thing people that may buy them not like tht some others do? Well DA. We all have opinions, likes a dislikes.

Rather than coming across with finger pointing and derogative comments, ask the right questions the right way, any one of us who rode them will be more than happy to give an honest answer and explain our answer. Just don't insult our opinion or our intelligence. Take it for what it is worth with a grain of salt and move on. Do your own research, and form you own opinion, then make your own decision. I don't think many on this site will mock or insult you for the choice you made, or the reviews or opinions you have about the brand you choose. Just my 2 cents.

 

[wolfie]

Mr. Sled - I guess I didn't look at it as a battle but rather a discussion. Wolfie was obviously aiming his post in my direction and I responded.

It feels a bit odd to me that I get chastised and I assume threatened to be banned if I am critical or disagree with some on here.

I don't look at it as a battle either, but some of you guys are just being contrary for the sake of being contrary. I haven't even ridden the sled yet, but you don't have to be an engineer to figure out they made HUGE improvements in all areas of the sled. You're worried about handling or cornering just because the seat got raised? You think REVs are unstable? I Have a REV 600X too, and its far from unstable. The point is, many are posting their impressions based on experience. You make a few false assumptions and use that as a basis that the new sled is going to be cold and unstable. I've had to buy higher windshields on every sled made until my 05 RX, it's not gonna kill me to have to do it again, given how excellent everything else is. Have you ridden a new Fusion? While I'm not a fan of it, my brother and two buddies have them. It has the best ride position going right now imo, and I base that on hammering one through all kinds of conditions. Like a REV, but able to stretch out. It's stable and corners awesome, nice and flat. Thats what the 06 Yamaha ride position is all about...hips higher than the knees, feet in front of the knees. Go through the bumps on an 05 under power, and you need strong arms to hold on. Go through in the Fusion ride position that pull is equally distributed between your arms and legs, muevo better and instantly noticeable. My 05 is flat too, anyone says otherwise tells me they need to move their #*$&@ around once in a while. The 06s have better geometry and balance, and a Fusion like ride position. The new seat is a good thing. If the Fusion is any example, and will flat out handle and corner better, i have little doubt. These early reviews only bear this out. I just find it rather humorous is all....I love my 05 RX1, but the few minor issues I have with it have been addressed in spades. I can't believe anyone who likes them now wouldn't like these 06s better. In my opinion, the finest snowmobile made right now.

 

[Tork]

Having the pleasure of meeting MrSled I was in amazement of what a direct and NON BS type of guy he is. The ONLY thing that he felt he owed Yamaha and for that matter ALL the forum members is a complete and accurate report on the 06 machines. He did not take the easy way out at all, he put an awful lot of hard work into this.

For you skeptics on the 06's, forgetaboutit!!!!!!! What you are seeing is the greatest rollout of technology and packaging in the history of sledding by the only sled company that can do this type of thing.
Yamaha.
Just to project into the future here a second, Tork if Yamaha is so great, how could they have blown such a simple thing like windshields???
Easy answer. That was a well calculated marketing decision. Yamaha wants to steal away thousands of traditional brand X buyers.
Please bug your dealers. Good chance you may be able to test these 06 models for yourselves. Only then will you be able to appreciate how good they are, and how comprehensive and accurate MrSleds report is.

 

[kenlacy]

You're worried about handling or cornering just because the seat got raised? You think REVs are unstable? I Have a REV 600X too, and its far from unstable. The point is, many are posting their impressions based on experience. You make a few false assumptions and use that as a basis that the new sled is going to be cold and unstable.

I guess I was hoping they were false. But if you look at history, they are easy assumptions to make.

Rev - rider forward - is colder and does not handle as flat as the elder MXZ chassis.

F-cat - rider forward - is colder and does not handle as flat as the ZR chassis.

Both of the above statements are facts - you can ask the guys on Doo talk and HCS.

I was just following the progression.

I never said the Revs (f-cats as well) are unstable - I said the Rev was excellent for the bumps but you get them over 90+ or cornering on good trails and they are less stable compared to their previous chassis.

 

[wolfie]

You're worried about handling or cornering just because the seat got raised? You think REVs are unstable? I Have a REV 600X too, and its far from unstable. The point is, many are posting their impressions based on experience. You make a few false assumptions and use that as a basis that the new sled is going to be cold and unstable.

I guess I was hoping they were false. But if you look at history, they are easy assumptions to make.

Rev - rider forward - is colder and does not handle as flat as the elder MXZ chassis.

F-cat - rider forward - is colder and does not handle as flat as the ZR chassis.

Both of the above statements are facts - you can ask the guys on Doo talk and HCS.

I was just following the progression.

I never said the Revs (f-cats as well) are unstable - I said the Rev was excellent for the bumps but you get them over 90+ or cornering on good trails and they are less stable compared to their previous chassis.

I can't help you if you think a ZX chassis is a flat handler.........friggin NOT. Firecat sure, but more because of calibrations and long skinny track. If all you have left is "they are colder", I have another suggestion.......either get a warmer jacket or stay home in front of the fire.....

 

[kenlacy]

I can't help you if you think a ZX chassis is a flat handler.........friggin NOT. Firecat sure, but more because of calibrations and long skinny track. If all you have left is "they are colder", I have another suggestion.......either get a warmer jacket or stay home in front of the fire.....

Did I say the ZX was a flat handler - no - I think you just have a hard time understanding because you want to "discuss" this more. I said the ZX handles flatter than the Rev chassis.

And most people know what I am talking about in regards to the wind. We run at night a lot and it is below zero running over 80 mph for long stretches of highwaywide trails or lakes - doing over 200 miles per day - it makes a huge difference between enjoying the ride and not being able to wait to get back to a warm room.

But I guess I shouldn't expect to be comfortable? Somehow I highly doubt Yami would agree with ya!

 

[Fox1_RX-1]

After reading my post I hope I didn't come across in a negative way. It was actually a postive statement. When I first saw the GT a couple of weeks ago I wasn't impressed with the seat but as I read about all of the changes from the RX1 to the Apex I realized how amazing these sleds really are. It's hard to lay out over $14000.00 on a toy that does not get allot of use but the more info that shows up on this site the harder it gets not to buy into it. I just would like the price to be more competitive to the US price. $1500.00 difference between the 2 countries is a little hard to take. I could take my wife on a trip to help ease the pain when she says that she will divorce me if I buy the GT. So if Yamaha could get the prices closer I would consider buying into this sled. So when I said I hated the review it was to say that I am not buying a GT until I feel we as Canadians are going to get a better deal but the review just makes me want the sled. Keep up the great work Tom and hope to hear more about how wonderful these sleds are from the other members.

 

[impalapower]

.
Please bug your dealers. Good chance you may be able to test these 06 models for yourselves. Only then will you be able to appreciate how good they are, and how comprehensive and accurate MrSleds report is.

What are the chances that you can ride an '06 in Wisconsin this season anymore?

 

[wolfie]

I can't help you if you think a ZX chassis is a flat handler.........friggin NOT. Firecat sure, but more because of calibrations and long skinny track. If all you have left is "they are colder", I have another suggestion.......either get a warmer jacket or stay home in front of the fire.....

Did I say the ZX was a flat handler - no - I think you just have a hard time understanding because you want to "discuss" this more. I said the ZX handles flatter than the Rev chassis.

And most people know what I am talking about in regards to the wind. We run at night a lot and it is below zero running over 80 mph for long stretches of highwaywide trails or lakes - doing over 200 miles per day - it makes a huge difference between enjoying the ride and not being able to wait to get back to a warm room.

But I guess I shouldn't expect to be comfortable? Somehow I highly doubt Yami would agree with ya!

The windshield is such a non issue. Sure, I wish it was a little higher. My main riding is saddlebagging in Quebec. There is no colder sled than a REV, period. I've been on many colder sleds than an RX1 for that matter. If you think that's a cold sled, I can't help ya. But last year, we were in Quebec on a 4 day saddlebag, the temps didn't get above -10 even during the daytime. We pulled into Jonquiere (me on my REV) and it was minus friggin 42, without any chill factor figured in! We do 2-350 miles a day too in all conditions, so our riding habits seem similar. I still don't understand why you're obsessing over a windshield. Some old Polarises have nice windshields too, but the carbs freeze up at the first hint of snowdust and they run like crap. Things like that are more of an issue to me than a windshield that good gear can overcome. And tell me how a ZX, one of the tippiest and busiest sleds made imo, can possibly handle flatter than a REV, which has its cg about 5 inches lower, and mass way more centralized. you can't, because it doesn't. Many guys make assessments of a sled after riding one for a few miles, or one that's been put out in left field calibration wise....you know, the guys who suck up limiters cuz it doesn't steer-before they tried the other 3 adjustments to cure it first.....

 

[jimmie d]

First off the Firecar is not a rider forward design, the Crossfire is Rider Forward, the Firecats awkward handling,different came from engine position, narrow track, weight etc. The REV is rider forward and unless you add aftermarket a cold sled. These sleds were purpose built for a certain type of rider.

The rider forward on the Yamaha IMHO means you cah slide up opn the seat if you chose to for cornering and bumps.

Are you sure you are not our old friend Marc " AU CONTRARE"

Jim

 

[codster]

Thanks for the added insight on the 06 models you all provided in your review. I rode polaris for 10 years, then switched to cat for the past 8 years. After attending the Ypsi (MI) show, I've decided on buying a Yamaha, and have sold my Firecat, as it appears to me that Yam has addressed all of my concerns on the RX1 (I've ridden friends 03, 04 and 05 RX1s'). Leaning towards the GT but considering the RTX also. Either way, I'm also assuming that I will buy a windshield for more protection, but I don't get stressed out over that.