Venture Lite/Utility General discussion

[GypsyRoots]

I don't have the work order in front of me but if my memory serves me right, here is a list of what was done...

New Track, hyfax, carbides, oil change, 1 new low snow wheel, limiter straps, rear shock, pivot arm, new battery, belt, chain case oil, seat cover, brackets to keep snow from entering the engine cowling, recalls, hard start kit, rivets on the airbox and brighter "white" lights.

Some of the above were under warranty.
I will post a detailed list from the work order later.

One thing is for sure, with the amount and where the ice forms, this could be a one track a year sled. The track is constantly rubbing.

And it is still snowing...

 

[Bugbear]

Discrepancy list

Thanks Gypsy for the post. Gives a guy a headsup for what to look for on these lites.

Been smiling to myself about your trip up the Kusko to Sleetmute. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Right? Well, maybe a bit more cunning. All in a day's drive.

 

[Isthatahemi]

A new track and limiter straps? WOW!

 

[pogoyamie]

Hitch

Yamaha doesn't list a hitch for the venture light for either year...but they said they'd have one out for next season?? Looks like there are bolt holes there for one. Anyone using/recommend a hitch set-up? pull a 2-person sleigh and a small wood skid...nothing too heavy.

Thanks!

 

[OST]

I have a 07 V Lite.

Dealer installed a hitch for me at purchase ... no charge.

 

[Topper]

Re: Hitch

Yamaha doesn't list a hitch for the venture light for either year...but they said they'd have one out for next season?? Looks like there are bolt holes there for one. Anyone using/recommend a hitch set-up? pull a 2-person sleigh and a small wood skid...nothing too heavy.

Thanks!

My venture mp came with a hitch and I imagine it would just bolt on the venture lite. They are basically the same machines. I haven't used mine so many times but I have pulled a few heavy loads without any troubles. It says it is good to pull two hundred and sixty five pounds in the owners manual. Topper

 

[pogoyamie]

THANKS GUYS...MY DEALER DIDN'T SEEM TO TRY TO HARD TO FIND A STOCK SOLUTION. THE MP WAS JUST SOLD IN CANADA, CORRECT? OR SHOULD I SAY NOT SOLD IN THE US.

 

[GypsyRoots]

A new track and limiter straps? WOW!

The track has several "lugs" missing and a few tears right up against the paddles, which I believe were caused directly by ice build up.
The track is probably good for another couple hundred miles or even longer... who knows???

But the fact is... I live waay out in the boonies ... I travel long distances in unpopulated areas, often by myself... so I figured it was a good time to change the track... better safe than sorry, I thought...

And yeah! one of the limiter straps broke, so we replaced both.

Here in the Bush, sleds are less recreational and more work/transportation.
Other than an expensive airplane ride or a boat ride in the summer, a sno-go is the only way to get around.
So they get used, abused and worked hard... lots of wear...

But I still think it was a bit pricey to keep a year old sled running...

 

[GypsyRoots]

Re: Hitch

Yamaha doesn't list a hitch for the venture light for either year...but they said they'd have one out for next season?? Looks like there are bolt holes there for one. Anyone using/recommend a hitch set-up? pull a 2-person sleigh and a small wood skid...nothing too heavy.

Thanks!

My dealer had it installed before I picked the sled when it was new, last year.
As for pulling power... you will not be disappointed.
I've hauled wood, water and fuel... it does just fine ...
When I haul fuel around town, I use a 300 gallon tank. That's 2100 pounds of diesel, plus the sled with a steel tank on it...

 

[GypsyRoots]

Well, here is the list on the work order...

PRICE in US$ - PARTS

863.85 Stock Track
69.92 Stock Carbide Runners
124.98 Piaa Star White Bulbs
149.95 Heavy Duty Battery ytx16-135
0.63 Screw
38.88 Hyfax
6.95 Chain Case Lube
60.95 Drive Belt
19.95 Oil Filter
28.26 Engine Oil
29.90 Wheel (Low Snow - lost one last year)
20.32 Bearing 93306-00444-00
6.60 Bushing 90386-22001
41.14 Bearing 93306-20589-00

1462.28 Total in Parts




Price in US$ Accessories (as listed in the work order - I think these are the parts covered by warranty)

42.56 Limiter Straps
163.04 Shock 8gj-47480-00
Good Will Pgm Seat cover
17.39 Shaft 8es-47487-00
2.16 Bushing 90387-19001-00
1.96 Bushing 90387-19002-00
188.40 Pivot Arm 8gj-47331-00-00

415.51 Total in Accessories

Description of work

" replaced track, drained and re-filled engine oil, replaced oil filter, drained chaincase, adj. chain, replaced drive axle bearing, replaced ski carbides, installed Piaa headlights, installed HD battery, replaced hyfax, replaced broken ice wheel and bearing."

1 hour labor for the seat cover - Warranty
2 hours labor for the suspension - Warranty
4 hours labor for everything else - My Pocket

US$600 Total Labor



My bill reads as follows...

Total Labor US$ 400.00
Total Parts US$1462.28

SubTotal US$1862.28

Tax US$ 111.74


Total Paid by Me US$1974.02

Total on this work order US$2589.53


There it is....
I noticed that there is no mention of the parts or labor in the quality assurance kits (Hard Start Kit, Engine Cowling Brackets, Airbox Rivets) or the Recalls.
I am not sure how much a new "brain", spring, brackets and associated labor costs, but I can't imagine that it would be cheap.

Hope this info is helpful...

 

[Bugbear]

Thanks Gypsy for the info/enlightenment.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

The track wearing out that fast is ridiculous. Yamaha should have replaced it under warranty. The snow/slush/ice build-up on these machines is unreal and a real annoyance. I get so much vibration and noise from the track/muffler/whatever on my VL (Venture heavy) when this happens it is unbearable. I would encourage everyone to write Yamaha and complain about this and send them pics to prove it. I have already written them (Canada) and they told me they are waiting feedback on improvements they made to the 08 model?? I am not familiar with the 07 but if it is worst than the 08, I wouldn't want to see it!

The issue of snow tunnel build-up and tippiness on cornering definitely takes the shine of this machine. Seems good otherwise.

I'm going to post pics later of the snow b'up. BTW, why isn't there a separate section fro VL and V Multi-purpose?

Thanks

 

[pogoyamie]

---I'm going to post pics later of the snow b'up. BTW, why isn't there a separate section fro VL and V Multi-purpose? ---


We've sort of made this the forum

btw...thanks for the info on the hitch, guys. I looked for the M/P model in the YamahaUSA online parts catalog, but it isn't listed. Is there another online catalog that may list that model? Where were they marked as the Multi-purpose?

 

[BombaPolaYama]

Some pics of the snow and slush build-up on my venture lite. You gotta love it. Did Yamaha even test these machines before putting them on the market?

Sorry, I posted one shot twice. I'm new to this so hope it works. Maybe others could post some pics as well.

Thanks

 

[GypsyRoots]

And you can see why I am arguing with Yamaha that they should warranty the track....
People here told me I just need to kick the ice off every once in a while.... HA! That would be every 5 to 7 minutes, and to remove all the ice, the MUFFLER HAS TO COME OFF!!!!
I just refuse to remove the muffler on the trail, it's ridiculous. I ride full tanks non stop often.
Big blocks of ice, fwd of the muffler, just sit there and rattle, rock & shake until they grind small enough to fit between the track and the heat exchanger.
And I can only imagine that the track on the MP is going to wear much faster, being 16 inches wide instead of the 15 on the VL. Topper had troubles with fraying early in the first season.
I believe my track is shot due to poor design/testing on Yamaha's part!