What could Yamaha offer to make you buy a new sled?

[Ruckus]

No one copied that rear exhaust because it's just not an efficient design with regards to the whole package. .

Yamaha has a patent on the rear exit exhaust. No one else can copy it, at least not without paying big Y a hefty royalty.

That may be true but it doesn't change physics...longer exhaust=more weight. Also doesn't change chemistry...snow+heat=ice. There are lots of patented designs that suck.

 

[Daranello]

ecopter's post got it right. All the sled companies copy other sled companies good ideas with their own spin. No one copied that rear exhaust because it's just not an efficient design with regards to the whole package. Yamaha needs to go on a diet, not just adding more weight and gadgets to compensate for poor fundamental design issues, and then tell us that's what was needed all along.

Yamaha has a patent in the rear exhaust on a snowmobile

The others would love to use it. It's efficient because the intact can be shorter. Resulting in low end snap. Ie. the Doo 1200 has a low end bog cause of this design.

A tunnel dump would be cool thought

 

[tmk50]

They are getting closer to what I want in a mountain sled - I look back to the 1st attempt at a 4 stroke mountain sled (the 2003 RX1M that I bought) and where we are 10 years later with the 2012 Nytro Turbo that I will pick up soon...

Few changes I hope to see next year:
- New front end geometry standard (the aftermarket is all over this, 3 companies now have a-arms that work on fixing the handling issues on the Nytro)
- Larger fuel tank
- Factory boost (the snowcheck option for 2012 was the ticket for me, I signed up the Monday after I rode a 2011 with the turbo)
- As usual lose some more lbs (you can't tell me that battery technology isn't to a point where yamaha could shed some pounds)
- Improved gauge package with more info presented (water temp, altitude, air temp, amount of fuel used, etc.)
- Vertical steering post on the mountain sleds (IMO the Apex Mtn post/bars were at a great angle in relation to the rider - the Nytro Mtn was a step backwards I think)
- Promote backcountry/mtn safety. Offer an optional package with each new sled that includes a Airbag backpack, beacon, shovel, and probe at a discounted rate if the buyer does not have the gear.

 

[cudase]

Call me crazy, but I would like to see a sled similar to my 98 Vmax xt with a 120 hp FI 4 stroke with electric start and a pull start. I love how simple the Vmax chassis is to work on.

 

[jaydaniels]

No one copied that rear exhaust because it's just not an efficient design with regards to the whole package. .

Yamaha has a patent on the rear exit exhaust. No one else can copy it, at least not without paying big Y a hefty royalty.

That may be true but it doesn't change physics...longer exhaust=more weight. Also doesn't change chemistry...snow+heat=ice. There are lots of patented designs that suck.

I agree that the exhaust design has it issues but also has some benefits. One, the motor is laid back about as far as it could possbily go which centralizes mass. Two, it places the weight of the muffler at the back of the sled to help balance the weight.

 

[Grimm]

Match the rest of the sled with the performance, durability and reliability of their engines. Imo, Yamaha have the best engines of the OEMs, but I feel they have the worst handling chassis. Imagine what a great sled it could be.

other suggestions...
- get rid of radiators in the sleds. They are not needed with properly designed heat exchangers in the tunnel (not foot boards), which also prevent ice buildup.
- different track and ski options, ie. upgrades
- temperature gauge stock
- a better handling sled out of the box, period.
- lighter weight...don't mask it with power steering, which ironically adds weight, components, and price. Get back to a simple sled.
- FAIR pricing across the globe. I believe my next sled will be bought in the States, and likely not a Yamaha.

 

[ahamay]

I need a new widetrack. The Vkpro needs total redesign or come out with new models. Lose the A-arm suspension and shed 170 lbs somehow. Yamaha also should not walk away from 2 strokes.

 

[AKrider]

The EPS system is the real deal. It will truly reduce the steering effort and feedback you get through the bars. It is not for me, but for heavy trail cruiser sleds it is a nice option.

I agree that Yamaha has the best engines. They just need help in the chassis dept. I don't care for the rear exit exhaust and all the resulting ice it produces. I personally don't think the pro's outweigh the con's (literally when you consider all the ice that builds up in the tunnel)

I want to ride a new 1100 Cat this winter and see how it feels with the front dump exhaust. The 1100 doesn't sound very peppy but it also sounds like the chassis doesn't hold the sled back.

I don't think Yamaha will ever go back to producing 2-strokes. Years ago I heard they thought 2-strokes were a dead end road. I agree with them on that. We should not be reading about the amount of burn downs and crank failures that are on the numerous forums considering how many 2-strokes are fuel injected. You can only run a two stroke so lean before it comes back to bite you. The Sled Talk Blog featured a recent article addressing the issue.

 

[srx700lt]

The Nytro engine is sweet but the rest is not. A better chassi that is a lot ligther and suspension that is correct tuned from the factory that would be good start.
I'm about to sell my Nytro XTX because I'm not happy with it and I don't know what to get instead. Maybe a used Phazer so that I have something to use while waiting fo a new Yamaha.
Cause their lineup today has nothing that I want.

 

[newfie09xtx]

I think they need a attachable 2up seat like skidoo has. I know many people that have bought a skidoo just because of that. With that in mind they should add turbo from factory and upgrade the chasis and skis to improve handling.

 

[bottlerocket]

Just fix all the thing on the nytro that we all have done. Get the outside vendors stuff on the factory sled like Lake Effect - OFT - Curve - Stud boy - Excell - Skinz - WRP - Hygear - Roest and more. Just make them options. Yamaha has got to know what makes these sleds right by now.

 

[apron800]

Yamaha needs a aggressive trail, optional cruiser diff shock pack, to replace the nitro. Needs a new chassis, a few more ponies, lighter. Maybe a new engine entirely to really be able to change things, 155hp would be a good number to shoot for. It needs to be a game changer, dont just throw left over parts at it. give yamaha enthusiasts something to want

 

[thrasher]

Sorry, this post was out of context, so I erased it.

 

[blueironranger]

I'd be happy with a new Exciter, 100-110 ponies in a slightly tweaked phazer chassis without any extra weight. By tweaked I mean lower the front 1-2" to flatten the arms a bit and some more camber. Should come as an XTX with a 136-144" crossover track thats actually 15" wide. That's the ONLY sled I'd ditch my Phazer for.

 

[SledFreak]

200hp Factory Turbo, in a new Chasis between the Nytro and Apex and lose the rear exit exhaust....