when to make the switch to yamaha

[flash 700]

Hey there 4 strokers, sorry to say for the moment my wife and I are current owners of polaris fst's. We are positively dumping these things but are going to put up with them for the up coming season due to poor trade in values. So we are planning on next march to either buy a left over 07 sled or buy an 08. My question is do you think the phazer is the new future for the rest of the yamaha line up or do you think there will be little change. It's way early to ask about 08's but we are both so dissapointed about our rides this year we need to look to the future a bit . We are planning on having a baby sometime this year so that is why the wait for the following year. Any info is appreciated. We are 4 stroke people and are switching to yamaha.

 

[Auskins]

If you mean is the FX chassis is going to replace the DBII, absolutly not.
The FX chassis (phazer) is only designed for a small twin (hopefully the 450 jugs for the exciter next year)
For 08 the remaining DB chassis sleds will PROBLEY be converted to the DBII (vector, rage, ect.)

What were the FST like?
I havent heard anything good about them yet.

 

[flash 700]

They are pretty bad, beyond what I consider teething problems. When we picked them up in december both went back to the dealer without 2 lousy miles between the two of them. Starter gear blew apart on mine and her intake manifold blew apart in the parking lot after a backfire without even a mile on it. Going 70 mph plus and it pops out of gear. Got that fixed to. The check engine light comes on so much we ignore it now. It's been in the shop just as much as out of it. Everytime they check the codes the cause for the light has disappeared and they can't troubleshoot it. They clear the codes and within a week the lights back. Mileage is pathetic at 11 mpg. Top speed so far has been great. I have hit 100 once and got spanked by an 06 venture. Max rpm's are only hitting 7000 so there's another problem to deal with. I'm getting a new engine because there is a chance there is metal in the case from the starter gear breaking apart. Lot's of gas in the oil from different owners. Haven't checked mine for fear of the worst. Alot of grinding noises from up front but can't find the source.............sounds alot like ice in a blender. The gas gauge shows empty at 45 miles and flashes at you. Only has a 9 gallon gas tank and at 11 mpg I run out at 105 miles. I actually have to carry a 2 gallon gas can per sled to make sure we make some gas stops on our trips. My wife and I do alot of long distance riding so this is a major problem for us.............man I better stop there I'm getting tired of typing.

So which is the DB II you were mentioning, is that the apex style?

 

[7 skulls]

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Mechanical woes are never fun.
DB11 is the Apex/Attack: yamaha's version of rider forward.
DB1 is the Vector/Venture/RX line: sitdown, old school style riding.
Phazer is something else entirely, I think.

For 08, since you mentioned you are long-distance riders, Apex/Attack would be best if you like/need the 4-cyl power and like rider forward ergos. If the Vector/Venture do go to DB11 for 08 then these would be a good choice if you don't need the extra power and want even better fuel economy. If you don't like rider forward, then I'm sure there would be some left over DB1 vectors/ventures.

Either way, you'll have a much better experience on a yamaha.

 

[timebomb]

wow, i haven't heard anything good about the fst either, this just adds to the list.

watch for the genesis 120 motot(nytro, vector, rage, venture) to go from the deltabox 1 to the deltabox 2 for 08 w/efi. like 7 skulls said, if you don't like rider forward there prbly will be left overs. as for the phazer, prbly see a bigger motor in the same fx chassis in 08. if you are looking for equal performance of the fst then a genesis 120 equipped sled would be right up your alley.

welcome to the site and welcome to yamaha(in the near future)

 

[hondo]

Flash 700,

For conventional riding syle the Rage (136" track) with the 120 Genesis is a suggestion.

Currently riding a 05 RS Venture touring sled (144" track) with 11,500 miles on it. This sled is a good 2-up sled.

With the pre-load spring block down, rear medium spring tension, soft front, back seat and back rest removed, I absolutely love this sled as a solo cruiser.

The 120 Genesis motor is totally bullet proof, and gets 18-20 mpg.

My brother picked up a new Attak (rider forward) a week after he burned down a pto side piston on his Doo Mach Z. He is 100% happier.

Will be picking up a Rage for the wife this year. Some friends of ours are riding Vector's (121" track) that wish they had the 136" track.

So, I guess you'll be needing two Rages, and a Phazer for the baby!

Welcome Aboard, and Good Luck!

 

[flash 700]

Thanks hondo, I think we will be looking at 2 attaks though. My wife, as small as she might be, is a speed freak. She won't settle for the 120 engine. She seems to handle the fst weight alright, not much complaining. So maybe the apex might be better for her being a little lighter and easier through the corners. Perhaps we'll start with a sno cruiser for the baby.................or maybe just get one sled and I'LL sit in the sno cruiser with the baby and let her pull our butt's around. :exc:

 

[hondo]

Flash 700,

You will enjoy the Apex/Attak.

Sno-Cruiser is a good choice too!

 

[Swiss Sledder]

My wife and I do alot of long distance riding so this is a major problem for us......

First, sorry to hear about your troubles with the FST. I was kind of hoping Poo could make that work, maybe put a little more pressure on Yamaha to come out with a factory turbo.

I do long distance riding too. Recently did 2700km in a week on my Attak. Mileage was great. A Poo was riding with us one day and at the petrol station, I took 11 liters and he took 23 liters. Ride is smooth and never sore at the end of the day. Saw 124 mph on the dream meter. Only been in the shop to get new boggie wheels and hyfax.

My point is not how great the sled is, but how reliable it is compared to your comments. I used to ride Poo before Yamaha came out with the 4 strokes. No way could I ever go back. Don't suffer through another winter. Get yourselves a Yamaha 4 stroke.

 

[4Fighter]

NOW!

 

[FormulaPro]

They are pretty bad, beyond what I consider teething problems. When we picked them up in december both went back to the dealer without 2 lousy miles between the two of them. Starter gear blew apart on mine and her intake manifold blew apart in the parking lot after a backfire without even a mile on it. Going 70 mph plus and it pops out of gear. Got that fixed to. The check engine light comes on so much we ignore it now. It's been in the shop just as much as out of it. Everytime they check the codes the cause for the light has disappeared and they can't troubleshoot it. They clear the codes and within a week the lights back. Mileage is pathetic at 11 mpg. Top speed so far has been great. I have hit 100 once and got spanked by an 06 venture. Max rpm's are only hitting 7000 so there's another problem to deal with. I'm getting a new engine because there is a chance there is metal in the case from the starter gear breaking apart. Lot's of gas in the oil from different owners. Haven't checked mine for fear of the worst. Alot of grinding noises from up front but can't find the source.............sounds alot like ice in a blender. The gas gauge shows empty at 45 miles and flashes at you. Only has a 9 gallon gas tank and at 11 mpg I run out at 105 miles. I actually have to carry a 2 gallon gas can per sled to make sure we make some gas stops on our trips. My wife and I do alot of long distance riding so this is a major problem for us.............man I better stop there I'm getting tired of typing.

So which is the DB II you were mentioning, is that the apex style?

This is exactly why I am switching from Polaris (2005 SwitchBus 800) to a 2007 Attak GT Black.

I am voting with my consumer dollars. If all goes well, I will buy my wife a leftover Apex next year.

Keith M.

 

[jimmie d]

Being in Canada your best bet is to buy used in the U.S.,07 low mileage next Feb/March and save around $10,000 off in total for two sleds. I would stick with a 121" for your wife.

Jim

 

[flash 700]

How do you go about buying in the states. I've heard of this before but never paid much attention to it. That would be a great idea especially when you save that kind of cash. And yes I am thinking the same for my wife. She finds the longer track of the fst a little hard in the corners. For a female of average height and weighs 120 lbs she can ride a sled pretty darn good. So anything to let her ride as fast as she wants is golden for me..............and she has no interest in anything but the 150 engine. Says the 120 is to small. Yea baby.

 

[Smokey]

I've looked into buying a Yamaha in the USA recently. There is no Duty on Snowmobiles. You will pay GST and PST on the Canadian equivent of your purchase. (USA price X 1.17 + GST +PST) There is a fee at the border for importing it and it includes the required inspection in Canada. (I have heard that the inspection is actually done at Canadian Tire) That cost just under $300 Canadian. You have to notify the US Border Authorities 72 hrs. before crossing with the sled or the Canadian's will turn you away. This is apparently to allow them to check to make sure the machine is not stolen leins etc. Don't forget you can apply to get you USA tax back because the machine was taken out of the state.

I live in Winnipeg and checked prices in Grand Forks North Dakota recently. On a snowchecked 07 RTX after all is said and done the savings was about $2,100 Canadian. (this is assuming I get the US Tax back)

Oh yeah both Canada and US were offering 3 year warrantee and 400 Yamabucks.

US Warrantee is not good in Canada so if something bad happened I would have to take the sled on a 2 1/2 hr trip to Grand Forks.

MY NEXT PURCHASE WILL BE IN THE USA

 

[Tork]

This is what JimmyD is talking about.
Slightly used Attak for around $7000 US
http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php?t=27312