I'm seriously considering buying a left over Vector but since I have not yet ridden one, I have concerns about their deep snow performance. Will a stock motored Vector go the same places as 2-stroke 600-800 sleds? I'm not concerned about having the high mark, I just want to know if I will be able to make it the same places as my buddies on their 2-strokes. I ride from 0-5000' so elevation shouldn't be a problem.
I'm just worryed a Vector will be too heavy and nose dive or trench in powder.
Anyone with experience?
I'm just worryed a Vector will be too heavy and nose dive or trench in powder.
Anyone with experience?
tmk50
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
My parents both bought Mtn Vectors last year and put about 1500 miles each on them. I think they did just fine in 99% of the conditions we rode in last year. The early season bottomless stuff gave my mom fits when she was still adjusting to the sled. Across the flats the Vector will come out of the hole and stay with any 600-800cc Mtn 2 stroke as well as a stock RX1 Mtn. I think they do just fine in the powder, the skis and the rear skid make it work. I wouldn't bet any money hillclimbing with one, but as far as staying with your buddies as they go from ridge to ridge you should be fine.
TurboVector
Expert
Mine works great in the powder, even before the turbo.
Trxster
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
The Vector Mt works great in the powder.....much better than my RX1M did (before new skid). It floats in 3' of snow and is difficult to get stuck even when I was riding with my 5 year old in front of me. Step off the sled and your up to your waiste deep....then climb back UP on the sled. As for climbing, didn't have the track speed to overcome the weight in the deep powder but on firmer snow it does just fine. It is suprisingly easy to throw around in the powder and you can cut lines through trees. Very nice sounding, low maintenance, electric start makes it a good sled for my wife. Hopped on hers yesterday and it is just a fun sled....makes me think I should ditch my RX and buy a holdover and throw a SC on it!!!
Good luck.
Good luck.
CanadianVector
Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2005
- Messages
- 48
I put 300 km on my Vector this weekend in Valemount. The snow was deep, coming over the windshield most of the time, never missed a beat. Climbing, it will high mark my bothers 600mm but not much else. This sled is a case study in compromise, It is bar none the best mountain sled on the trail. It handles great in the deep snow for playing around. Its great on gas, i rode 20k further than anyone else in the group and used 20 litres less fuel, and its regular fuel to boot. I love going down hill on this sled in the deep snow, it turns so well, what a blast! But going up, hold it to the bar and look for other trails, the weight, the attack angle, and only 120 hp make climbing a definit weak point. With that said, i have never got into a place were it could not get out, it is just a little more challanging. You want to make it climb, you need a turbo ($7700 installed), and new drivers ($300). or by an Apex, or Rev.
Thanks for the replys. Would lower gearing help increase the track speed? I wonder if the stock clutching could also be improved?
It sounds like the Vector will do what I want. Good to hear that it floats well and is easy to toss around. Nobody in my area has a Vector so if I buy, then I'll be the first. There are few Yamahas and those that have them had/have '03 RX-1's. My dealer said the early RX-1 is not a good sled to compare the Vector to.
It sounds like the Vector will do what I want. Good to hear that it floats well and is easy to toss around. Nobody in my area has a Vector so if I buy, then I'll be the first. There are few Yamahas and those that have them had/have '03 RX-1's. My dealer said the early RX-1 is not a good sled to compare the Vector to.
CanadianVector
Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2005
- Messages
- 48
I would only play with the gearing if you are having problems with belt life. ie the belt is getting hot because the clutch is not engaging enough. I had the dream meter reading 145 km/hr on the trail down from by BlueRiver. I think gearing is spot on for stock. I have gone with lighter clutch weights and can pull around 9k at 5000 ft any higher and the rpms drop. With a 4stk cluching is not as big an issue. Look at some of the HP curves. HP is around 120 from 5500 to 9000 rpm. so you do not lose a lot of power if the revs drop. I like the lighter weights cause the moter revs a little higher, it sound great!
Trxster
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I would leave the gearing and clutching alone....in my opinion the sled shines when crawling around in the deep stuff. You can't gear/clutch for everything, you have to compromise. That being said, it is fast on the trail, perfect for boondocking, and good at climbing in good traction snow. I don't think gearing for more track speed would help as it would run out of power. For your folks, who cares? It climbs plenty good unless you are trying to pull a straight canyon wall in 3' of snow!!!
Rt
Rt
What happens exactly when you say it runs out of power? I think it was Snowest that tested a Vector Mtn and they mentioned the sled labored at elevation or off trail.
I've seen the hp/torque curves for this motor and they are impressive. Does the motor just go flat after mid range? Is it like you are climbing a long hill and the motor just falls off, like it won't rev anymore? Kind of like a 2-stroke when it falls off pipe?
My test ride won't be able to replcate conditions in the mtns so I'm worried that I'll find out the hard way that the sled won't do what I expect. An supercharger or turbo are not options for me. I want to keep it stock and reliable. It is so hard to try and imagine what the sled is like without actually riding one in my conditions. If it was a 2-stroke I think I could relate better, but then I don't want to buy another new 2-stroke sled.
I've seen the hp/torque curves for this motor and they are impressive. Does the motor just go flat after mid range? Is it like you are climbing a long hill and the motor just falls off, like it won't rev anymore? Kind of like a 2-stroke when it falls off pipe?
My test ride won't be able to replcate conditions in the mtns so I'm worried that I'll find out the hard way that the sled won't do what I expect. An supercharger or turbo are not options for me. I want to keep it stock and reliable. It is so hard to try and imagine what the sled is like without actually riding one in my conditions. If it was a 2-stroke I think I could relate better, but then I don't want to buy another new 2-stroke sled.
LoneViper
Pro
I don't know about anybody else but my Mtn Vector is like riding a tractor. If you are pulling in powder it just keeps pulling the more it lugs the more it pulls. I rode a Mtn Viper before, no comparison. I had a 2000MM 700 and the Vector was more like it than anything. Easy to feather out of deep snow and floats well.
Responds well to rider input, stand on either running board and it will come right around on one ski.
Flat out run across the flat and it will stay with a stock Mtn Viper which I thought was a feat as my Viper would run with most 800s.
I kind of look at as a keeper for my riding.
Responds well to rider input, stand on either running board and it will come right around on one ski.
Flat out run across the flat and it will stay with a stock Mtn Viper which I thought was a feat as my Viper would run with most 800s.
I kind of look at as a keeper for my riding.
Just saw the dream meter hit 100mph this past friday. Was on an snow packed icy gravel road. Sled only has ~260 miles on it now and it's just comming alive. Out in the big horns i was tagging behind an 800rmk just fine. Even passed it heading back on 14a to bear lodge.
It aint a super powerhouse, but it is a nice sled. Great mileage, nice handling...
It aint a super powerhouse, but it is a nice sled. Great mileage, nice handling...
Trxster
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I don't know how to explain it better.....can a 600 climb some of the canyon walls I am talking about? No. Why can a 900 climb those walls? More power + proper clutching + longer track = faster track speed. The sled is fast on the trail and climbs great (lots of torque) when there is firm snow but I am saying with these kind of climbs (like in this pix with my son on my sled
in deep snow 2-3' with no traction it won't climb. My RX has the same problem....that is when a turbo or SC or NOS would help....then you could gear it to 22/39 or something short like that. I am currently at 20/42 on my RX and stock on the Vector Mt.
Todd
in deep snow 2-3' with no traction it won't climb. My RX has the same problem....that is when a turbo or SC or NOS would help....then you could gear it to 22/39 or something short like that. I am currently at 20/42 on my RX and stock on the Vector Mt.Todd
Attachments
4strokes are better than2
Expert
the vector doesnt fall on its face it just keeps pulling its like the rx in a lower gear it is very easy to go through the deep snow cause you can just feather it & it wont dig a hole like a 2stroke the power is very forgiving in deep stuff.its not a hill climber but it will go where any 600 will go. i rode the s.e vector last year at the demo & it turned that monster track like nothing considering it only has 120hp dont think any 2stroke 600 would turn that 162 that easily i was shocked at how well it went with that track. 
LoneViper
Pro
The Vector SE has the old Phazer long track syndrom with a 1.5" track. It's got enough power to go where you want to but not enough to spin and dig a hole.
I too rode one and it went well just don't get in a hurry.
I too rode one and it went well just don't get in a hurry.
These replys are very informative and the picture helps! If the steep hillside in the back of the photo is what you are referring to than I would not expect the Vector or many other sleds(especally in the 120 hp range) to climb it in deep, dry powder.
I think I'm on the right track with my expectations of the Vector. I want this sled to be very comparable to a 600 2-stroke, specifically the older Series III 600cc Ski-doo. That motor makes around 108-110 hp and does all I need it to do. I am hoping the Vector is equal to it and better in a lot of ways like not being as peaky and even pulling harder at higher elevations.
Sounds like it has really good low end, and I like that type of power for creeping along through the trees. My dealer also compared it to a tractor so I'm glad to see that it's not just salesman talk.
Trxster, when you take your son out riding, will the Vector putt along a low speeds like 10-15 for several miles without overheating? I often take my daughter out for slow rides with the dog and I was hoping the Vector would work for this. I like the idea of less noise and far less smoke. I'm hoping the Vector is versatile enough to not only hang with my buddies sleds but to also putt along like a fan cooled sled.
I think I'm on the right track with my expectations of the Vector. I want this sled to be very comparable to a 600 2-stroke, specifically the older Series III 600cc Ski-doo. That motor makes around 108-110 hp and does all I need it to do. I am hoping the Vector is equal to it and better in a lot of ways like not being as peaky and even pulling harder at higher elevations.
Sounds like it has really good low end, and I like that type of power for creeping along through the trees. My dealer also compared it to a tractor so I'm glad to see that it's not just salesman talk.
Trxster, when you take your son out riding, will the Vector putt along a low speeds like 10-15 for several miles without overheating? I often take my daughter out for slow rides with the dog and I was hoping the Vector would work for this. I like the idea of less noise and far less smoke. I'm hoping the Vector is versatile enough to not only hang with my buddies sleds but to also putt along like a fan cooled sled.
Similar threads
