VK 540?

[longtrack]

Now that I've settled on a new Venture TF instead of the VK pro I would still like to pick up a used utility machine for around camp playing in the bush breaking trails and hauling a bit of wood.

Wondering if anyone had any experience with the VK 540 or maybe even the bravo(although I might find the bravo a little underpowered)..or should I go for a skantic...any thoughts?

 

[longtrack]

No one has any opinion on this?

Seems pretty quiet on this site

 

[Harvey Lunnen]

I use a Polaris 340 to break trails at least it has reverse and electric start. Bravo is really good for trail breaking as well except for two points above.
The long track Bravo is probably the most dependable snow machine ever made.

 

[stewartb]

I've had lots of go-fast machines and a handful of utility types. My favorite utility sleds have been my VK540III and a SkiDoo Tundra II. I'm not a big fan of Bravos. They were always second fiddle to Tundras. The 2-stroke VKs were very good to me. Time will tell whether the Professional makes as big an impression over the long haul.

 

[longtrack]

Ya aparently the pro would be to big and heavy in the tight woods. I guess its made for hauling and pulling in open spaces and does that very well

 

[stewartb]

As far as I'm concerned the trick to riding any wide track is to NOT spin the track. If you do you're going to be stuck. If you nurse it back and forth even the big Professional will impress you. I had lots of that this weekend. Patience pays off.

 

[maim]

vk540 of any # will do what you want. might want to put on a mountain strap though to make it easyer to lean it over as they need a lot of effort to hold them up when a side hill is nessasary.

 

[VKbcnorth]

stewartb - you are so right. If we have rain on top of our cold powder, the snow doesn't always settle but may get punky instead. We can sink 16" on backcountry skis in those conditions.
With the wide ski skins on our VK Pro, the skis may only sink 6" and the track may sink 20", far enough to hang up on the foot boards. With the VK so nose high, it's a struggle on the flat and a spinout on any hill. Like you say, it's best not to spin the track. The only solution is to get out the snowshoes and stomp the air out of the snow on the hill or turn around and come back another day. I would take deep dry cold powder any day.

 

[irondog rtx]

bravos are kick #*$&@ ask any trapper in the ua or canada will tell you its so. I had many 540J ,s they are pretty srong a bit of a pig for gas but they can work with the best of big cube fan twins of that era I had a 1990 VK540J the skid was all that gave us grief woked bad on icepack great in 2 & 3 ft of snow great in low range and to have one studed those where nice

 

[Ry]

The VK 540 was the classic work sled, reliable and simple design. They still sell them so that tells you how popular they are. Now that the VK Pro is here its time to move on. My '09 Pro has Woodys gold studs and Snow Tracker ski runners and it handles like a dream. Tight cornering, great in the bush and deep snow. This machine will haul anything, is great on fuel compared to 2 strokes and has been hassle free so far. There are many people who like to call it a pig etc. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I am a big guy 6'3" and 250 lbs and this machine matches me great. The guy I bought it from was very slight build and he didnt like it "Too big!" he said.
If you want a trail sled buy a trail sled. Yamaha made 27 models available for sale in '09 surely you can find one for your needs. The Pro is great on the lake also, handles slush like its not even there and its a fast machine when you need it to be. The top speed for me has been 155 KM per hour.

 

[pwa]

Now that I've settled on a new Venture TF instead of the VK pro I would still like to pick up a used utility machine for around camp playing in the bush breaking trails and hauling a bit of wood.

Wondering if anyone had any experience with the VK 540 or maybe even the bravo(although I might find the bravo a little underpowered)..or should I go for a skantic...any thoughts?

If you want to go in deep snow and use it as a utility machine I think VK540 is one of the best. In our family we have one 1988, 1996 and one 2003 and they are really good and reliable.

The Vk540 II has a better slide for deep snow than the VK540III with NoAction boogie. The VK540 III is much better for trail then the II.

All of them are very good of breaking trails and hauling wood. There is no replacement for them. The VK540 Pro is not working that good in snow and in forest it is TOOOO FREAKING HEAVY to do any good. That one is a Cadillac on trail with some off pist capabilities but not a good utility machine.

So if you want a really reliable machine with no or little maintenance buy a VK540 II or III it will not let you down.

 

[stewartb]

I don't find the new Professional deficient in going through the snow. At least not when compared to my VK540III or VK540II. They simply require different techniques. My Professional is a treat to ride. I'm pleased with it. It'll bust alders and lay tracks with the best of them.

 

[eric3793]

I don't find the new Professional deficient in going through the snow. At least not when compared to my VK540III or VK540II. They simply require different techniques. My Professional is a treat to ride. I'm pleased with it. It'll bust alders and lay tracks with the best of them.

I like my VK for trail riding, heavy hauling and grooming trails. The 4-stroke has unbelievable torque. The weight is my biggest problem because I rode lighter wide-track machines for many years. With the VK, you need to be VERY careful when going off-trail. The lighter machines will float and if you do start to get stuck, the old Polaris WT and Bearcats could always manage to get out on their own using the forward/reverse technique. I have attempted this a few times with the VK and it just sinks further down until the track is suspended. Then you shovel beneath the front and along the sides to get some traction and maybe then you can get out. I learned not to get adventureous without a friend w/WT along.

Grooming trails is a joy and hauling huge loads of firewood is simple. We trail ride over 200 miles per day and the VK is a pleasant ride if it is not bumpy...not much of a rear suspension. Milage on groomed trails is around 18mpg if you are not heavy on the throttle. Cruising at 60 - 70 mph is easy. It will go over 90 if the conditions are right. I actually saw 98 breifly this winter on a smooth hard lake...must have been a tailwind.

I bought this sled for versitility and it is that. But the weight...OMG...don't tip it over. It can be tippy and I have learned that two are needed to get it back on the skis unless you are mighty rugged.

After 6000 miles I have had zero issues. Starting is reliable but below -10F you need to get it right. The key is to crank and roll the choke on together to avoid flooding. Change plugs if you flood it.

I spent some time on a new Expedition SDI in February. Next year it will have the E-tec 600. At 630 lbs. it is about 150 lbs lighter than the VK. I may snow-check one of these.

 

[stewartb]

I bailed on my two Nytro XTXs and switched to SkiDoos. The SkiDoo is light but also fragile. I have several friends with Expeditions and there's no dispute that they ride good. Just don't hit anything. I did with my Renegade. At 5mph. It was very expensive. The Professional has hit worse with no damage.

We don't have groomers in Alaska. Just open space. I like my Professional just fine. I sold my last 2-stroke Viking to one of my best friends. I liked that sled, too, but I don't want to go back.

Stewart

 

[sgilbert]

we have some really good times on this one. use it for grooming and getting wood. I purposely have it looking rough, but actually have new 1"track, clutches and fresh engine. I had a chance to restore a pogo and actually prefer the leafs. it is so narrow that it turns and leans good. is literally unstopable, right over trees or whatever, plus if you leave the seat up, several guys can throw beer cans at it for hours and still have room left