Viper or Vector?

[bashley]

I'm looking at getting another sled for my Wife or my teenagers to ride with me.
I found the Viper on the link below and am going to look at it this evening but there's also an '05 Vector in the paper for $4500, ("low miles, excellent condition").
http://anchorage.craigslist.org/rvs/862511559.html

The Viper is deffinately more in the price range I was looking for but I know how much I like the 4 Strokes after having my Attak for the last couple years.
I'm leaning torwards the Viper but thought I'd get some feedback first.
Thanks in advance.

 

[rancidjo]

i have no real seat time on my 06 nytro but...

the reason for me buying was better fuel mileage, trouble free motor, no 2 stroke smell, and more rider forward seating position (which the vector will not have), and also the reviews of people that have switched from a viper to a 3cyl 4 stroke

this is all stuff you probably know but just my ramblings

 

[Triple X]

The Viper looks like it is in good shape but it has been piped at some time. Some piped Vipers had problems (not all!). IMO if you can talk the Vector's price down it is the better machine. A couple of years running on the Vector will probably make up the difference in price with better gas milage and oil costs. No 2-stroke smell, no chance of burn downs, less maintenance. A friend has one and other than the standard maintenance, sliders, idlers, oil change at the first of the year all he does is put gas in it and have fun. I don't think you would go wrong on either. Enjoy what ever you buy!

 

[bashley]

Well, the Vector is a no-go. It's the Mtn. version and I don't need that much track for running around town.

I did go look at the Viper and it is in very good condition. The 1.5" track has a couple lugs chewed off from the rocks and there is a 1" weld on the running board from where another sled hit him and the carbide cut the roll on the edge. The rest of the tunnel is still straight.

The only thing somewhat bothering me is it has 3800 miles. I know it's not excessive, just wondering if it's worth the price or not. My '98 Mtn. Max had about 3500 on it when I sold it and it was still running strong.
What kind of miles where some of you racking up on these?

 

[Yooper_Bob]

You could still go with the vector, and then just put a lower height lug track on it....then you've got the best of both worlds (long track and a 4 stroke).

I would never buy a used sled that had tunnel repairs....to me, that indicates a pretty hard life.

 

[Ported Hornet]

I have a Viper in my group with over 5000 miles on a full Bender hop up kit since new, pipes, reeds, head, clutch etc. His sled has had little to no maintenance performed on it and still runs strong with NO problems since new. The sled is a 02.

 

[bashley]

After looking around all day for anything comparable I've found nothing that will touch this deal so I think I'm gonna pick it up tonight.

The owner seemed to know his stuff and has taken really good care of everything he had and I also talked to my dealer today, who knows him, and confirmed what I thought. The one thing I do know is that of any 2 stroke motor out there with 3800 miles, none will hold up as well as the Yammi 700 trip.

The pipe issue mentioned before is not much of a concern anymore. It was a Bender single pipe w/can which doesn't boost the RPM's enough to do the head damage the trip. pipes were doing.

Anyways, thanks for all the input. Just one of many reasons I love this site.

 

[Budweiser]

I don't thnk 3800 miles is a lot at all. My 700SXR has 9100 miles and runs perfect. Friend of mine has same sled with 10500 no problems. He also has a 04 viper with over 6000, again no problems.

 

[srxpert]

motor

I have over 23000 miles on my srx with no motor problems other than a couple of powervalves and a set of rings at 13000 miles.the motor still ran great but the rings were a cheap insurance.they are good motors.Shane

 

[SKIDOZER]

Vector,

It will be worth more in the end.
Loved my vector over 20mpg no 2cycle oil to buy was so quiet all you could hear was the track.
I bet the motor would last forever.

The 05 rear shock was kind of whimpy but the motor was great.
Sold it to get the apex gt

 

[bashley]

Well I got the Viper. This is a really clean sled that has been well maintained and runs strong as ever.

I mainly got it for my Wife so the fuel mileage and cost of oil doesn't really bother me too much. I doubt she'll put many miles on it at all.
I bought my Attak new in Jan. of '06 and I've only got 1850 miles on it. She'll be lucky to get half of that.

Guess I'll have to dip over to the 2 stroke side of the site once in a while now. I've got to get some clutching and gear work done. The last guy geared down one tooth on top and clutched to match so he could be a little snappier down low for spring time mountain riding. I need to get it set up for more river runnin' and trails. It'll be fun to tinker again, I hardly ever do anything to my Attak, other than gas-n-go.

Thanks again for all the input.

 

[Mighty]

I'm betting she will love that Viper. Much lighter and easier to throw around. I bet you'll see similar gas milage to your Attak too.

 

[bashley]

I think she'll be happy. We looked around quite a bit and trying to find a trail sled that will keep up with mine is pretty hard. Almost everything in our price range was a mountain sled or a 500.
The only problem is how she's gonna react when I take it to the mountains this spring.