Why buying a viper was one of the worst decisions I've ever made

[Joe ltx-le]

I've thaught about posting my issues for some time now but didn't want to ruffle any feathers but I've had enough and feel like sharing my yamaha experience.

My experience started off great, I snow checked a 2015 rtx let and got the hurricane turbo. The dealership I snowchecked this with guaranteed me the full 3 year warrantee with the turbo installation if he did the work himself. So I said sure do it up that sounds awsome, I also purchased the clutch kit and a cover from him at that time.
First year goes by I had issues with the clutching as it would not rev up proper. My dealer said I was to fussy (max rpm was 8200-8400 max) but after giving up on the dealer I contacted dave over at hurricane and he helped me. Out and I solved the issue on my own. The after that year I noticed the tunnel was starting to crack up near where the front cartage bolts go in. The dealer told me not to worry and it could be fixed anytime within my 3 year warrantee so I let it go as it was not that bad.

Fast forward to season 2. Things started off ok and the sled was running good thanks to help from dave. I sent my clutches in for machining and installed a racewerx front bumper and I was really happy. Sled was running real good I was happy till about the first week of March. So here's where it gets interesting.

Those cracks I noticed in the tunnel got worse the one side was getting kinda bad. But one day I was out riding with my buddies and I made the stupid mistake of trading sleds a d my buddy hit a tree. Bent the a arms broke part of the hood, my handguards, boost and AFM guage and the throttle. Cable. Is stuck so the sled cannot be started. Such is life #*$&@ happens glad he was ok. It's insured so the insurance company said the estimate is 6200$ damage and they will. Fix it. OK not the end of the world this is my fault always, winter is almost over. So I dropped it off at the dealer March 4th or 5th to get it fixed and to get the tunnel repaired under warrantee as well.

All is good so I think and I talk to the owner of the dealership and he says it's going to take some time. To get the tunnel fixed but it was ok Becuase the season was over. I just asked if it was going to sit outside for a long time to do something with it as I don't want it getting Rained on (it is covered by my yamaha cover) he said he would put it in the shed. OK even better. He also told. Me it will. Take a while. Buy don't worry yamaha is covering the tunnel. It will just take some. Time. By this time. It. Was may and I let it go saying ya I don't need it anyways, just let me know when it is done.

I then called back in July for a update. I was told yamaha has rejected the warnatee work and my warnatee is void because I have a "unsactioned turbo" installed. In my mind I'm like how can this be I have a bill of sale stating otherwise. The dealership then said don't worry well try and take care of this. I said ok keep me. Posted.

Fast forewared to August, I call back asking to what's going on, same answer it's not covered. Even tho the owner told me it would be covered it didn't matter, at this time. The owner is no where to o be found and is away on a so called leave. I've tried calling looking for the owner over 50 times. Same response he is away. (probably avoiding me). Now it's September and I want my sled back! They tell me nothing is settled so I start contacting yamaha Canada. They tell me there is nothing they will do and my issue is with the dealer because every dealer is independently owned. OK so what do I do about the warnatee? They said my dealer should of never installed the turbo. In my defence I didn't. Know this turbo was "unsactioned" the owner recommended it. And I have a bill. Of sale. Not good enough. Do I tty and I try to get somewhere with them. But no they will not help. Me. And this went on into October - early November.

The I got a call saying yamaha will pay for half the tunnel cost and half the labor but it's not warrantee work. Still chocked this is happening I thaught aboyt it for a couple weeks and eventually said fine, #*$&@ it I'll pay half and worry aboyt getting my money bavk later.

The owner still isn't around and his useless receptionist keeps telling me she has to get it in the shop. To look. At it to order parts. But they wouldn'tdo that till they were done winterizing boats and it would be a while. It should get in the middle of October. OK fin whatever let me know what it will cost and we'll go from there. Middle. Of October rolls around no call. So I call. Them. Loan and behold the owner is there is roughly the beginning of November now. He says ya I'll order the parts today for you. OK well wtf! A little earlier I had learned that my sled has been sitting outside in a puddle of water all summer not covered up, who knows what kind of damage is done to it. Now I'm pissed! I bring it up to the owner and he says quit bring up the past, like. Wtf! Also the excuse for the warnatee work not getting done was "I was 99.9% sure it be covered but it's not I'm sorry" like #*$&@ me! Useless. So he made me send him a letter saying if pay for the repairs because let's face it winter was coning! He told. Me. 3-4 weeks I'd have it back.


Now it gets worse the tunnel. Is on bavk order and they still don't have the parts from. The accident. Can you Beleive it? I just received a email saying I will not have it bavk till after new years and my Christmas trip is ruined because I don't have a sled to o ride. I get 2 weeks holiday a year and one week is. Now ruined, and all. I get out of them is I'm. Sorry it's not my fault. Ike wtf who's fault is it.

So hear I am paying for a sled I can't use. I had to insure it again. Still don't have it and it's gonna cost me. Over 2 grand to get it back. All because my dealer lied to me and was jerking me. Around. We now have snow and I can't ride.

So ya, I will never buy any other yamaha ever again. No one will. Help me and I feel as tho they think I'm. A. Idiot.

I tried sending a letter to head office in Japan but no response.


So beware yamaha will #*$&@ you over every chance they get and they do not care about your business!

This really sucks man. Yamaha really fucked around on these after market turbos. Not "sanctioned ". I have a dealer installed mpi turbo. I wanted to trade it in on a sidewinder . Dealer tells me they won't give me more then 11000 for the sled! Mint condition with a turbo they installed!! And in fact it would be worth more if the turbo was off. Sooo why did I spend 20000 on this thing? With terrible clutching problems and same problems you have with revs being low.

I'll be going thundercat when I do get a new one , but I'm stuck with the viper now.

I hope you get this worked out. We all know snowmobiles are nothing but money money but we like to be treated good when we buy these overpriced pieces of high speed sheet metal , especially through a dealer new.

 

[cannondale27]

Joe think about what you envisioned the day you paid for the Turbo. You envisioned kicking #*$&@ and wicked speed I bet. Then second thought you figured Yamaha endorsed it so has to be perfect. Both you and Yamaha were wrong. There will almost always be someone faster and Yamaha will never be able to predict future or build a perfect machine. No manufacturer will ever be perfect. That first thought many times leads to great rewards but many times leads to real trouble. Customer or Manufacturer. All we can all do is try to help make the best of any situations that first thought gets us in and remember the times the thought did in fact turn out to be the best.

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Joe think about what you envisioned the day you paid for the Turbo. You envisioned kicking #*$&@ and wicked speed I bet. Then second thought you figured Yamaha endorsed it so has to be perfect. Both you and Yamaha were wrong. There will almost always be someone faster and Yamaha will never be able to predict future or build a perfect machine. No manufacturer will ever be perfect. That first thought many times leads to great rewards but many times leads to real trouble. Customer or Manufacturer. All we can all do is try to help make the best of any situations that first thought gets us in and remember the times the thought did in fact turn out to be the best.

Cannondale you are the wise grandfather of ty. And your right absolutely right on there will always be faster and better. But I'm very burnt about the gross depreciation.

She's all mine now though. And it's snowing out.

 

[Yamadog]

Cannondale you are the wise grandfather of ty. And your right absolutely right on there will always be faster and better. But I'm very burnt about the gross depreciation.

She's all mine now though. And it's snowing out.

Just to chime in here you also have to remember you did not buy a 180 or 190 HP upgrade for trade in value you did it for yamhooooo power! And if your dealer said $11,000 as is vs more in stock form he is full of it you can buy brand new leftover 15 or 16 here for about $9000.

Think of us dumb bastards that did it before there was a factory deal and spent $6000 for a stage 1 installed and then blew motors for another $7,000.

But that thought leaves my mind everytime I push the go button and it leaves harder than a $100,000 muscle car and handles better than a Ferrari. To jump ship to trade in on a new model is your decision but the only thing a stick one will do better is a few more mph on the top end and how often will you ride at 120 mph?

 

[ZachXSmith86]

This really sucks man. Yamaha really fucked around on these after market turbos. Not "sanctioned ". I have a dealer installed mpi turbo. I wanted to trade it in on a sidewinder . Dealer tells me they won't give me more then 11000 for the sled! Mint condition with a turbo they installed!! And in fact it would be worth more if the turbo was off. Sooo why did I spend 20000 on this thing? With terrible clutching problems and same problems you have with revs being low.

I'll be going thundercat when I do get a new one , but I'm stuck with the viper now.

I hope you get this worked out. We all know snowmobiles are nothing but money money but we like to be treated good when we buy these overpriced pieces of high speed sheet metal , especially through a dealer new.

Are you seriously complaining about 11k trade in.. I can't see it being worth more than 8k... I paid $14,478.00 for my sidewinder ltx se otd... do you expect to ride the sled for free?

 

[ZachXSmith86]

I thought this site was about meeting guys that share a passion to ride, and sharing experience to help each other..... this sounds like a bunch of girls crying about overspending there money on #*$&@ they they can't really afford and should never have bought in the first place. Sleds are not a good investment boys and girls.. there over priced toys, the accessories are worse. NEVER EXPECT TO GET MONEY BACK ON ANY ACCESSORIES EVER! Let's all have fun and ride the sleds we love.
GO YAMAHA!

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Alright ,sorry to piss some people off with the money comment . I'm relating with viper rtx the one who wrote this post. I understand his frustration with a dealer installed turbo and the promises that where made.

45 percent depretiation in 8 months I am complaining about. But it's what it is and I know that all to well.
And if I couldn't afford it I wouldn't play this game of sledding.
I agree let's try to stay on the positive.
Don't take it to seriously here guys. A little venting is healthy haha.

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Are you seriously complaining about 11k trade in.. I can't see it being worth more than 8k... I paid $14,478.00 for my sidewinder ltx se otd... do you expect to ride the sled for free?

Canadian prices new sleds are 19,999 or 21. Nope not expecting to ride for free. Ask my wife.

When it's a 2016 and my 2016 sled is only worth half of what I payed 8 months ago leaves a bad taste.

 

[cannondale27]

Canadian prices new sleds are 19,999 or 21. Nope not expecting to ride for free. Ask my wife.

When it's a 2016 and my 2016 sled is only worth half of what I payed 8 months ago leaves a bad taste.

We all understand Joe. That's why I keep my Yamahas so long. They pay off in the long run and still are great sleds even after 10-20000 mi if cared for. No other brand can lay claim to that.

 

[ZachXSmith86]

We all understand Joe. That's why I keep my Yamahas so long. They pay off in the long run and still are great sleds even after 10-20000 mi if cared for. No other brand can lay claim to that.

Well said ... I don't sell my yamaha's either.. I have six yamaha's still in the stable. Never worried about resale. They all run great
97 340 ovation le
02 Viper
07 Venture rs
11 Venture gt
12 Apex SE
17 sidewinder ltx se

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Well said ... I don't sell my yamaha's either.. I have six yamaha's still in the stable. Never worried about resale. They all run great
97 340 ovation le
02 Viper
07 Venture rs
11 Venture gt
12 Apex SE
17 sidewinder ltx se

That is a full stable. Nice collection.

 

[machzrobbie]

My complaint is Yamaha walking from a defect, that is clearly a design flaw that is common when the sled is within warranty period. Clearly a company looking at a bottom line instead of taking care of customers, and standing behind their product. I'm not a ditch banger, and sled has never been "jumped".

 

[Joe ltx-le]

My complaint is Yamaha walking from a defect, that is clearly a design flaw that is common when the sled is within warranty period. Clearly a company looking at a bottom line instead of taking care of customers, and standing behind their product. I'm not a ditch banger, and sled has never been "jumped".

I agree with you, I was at the dealer today to pick up nytro parts. They told me Yamaha has been very clear if any mods are done to a machine warranty is void. I know this isn't new news but he said they are really tight with warranty now worse then ever.

No real surprise I own a chev truck and the wife's dodge caravan. Both company's will fight tooth and nail to not support there warranty.

I Geusse the apex and it's rock solid quality had me believing Yamaha was an above and beyond company when it comes to quality and customer service.

 

[ZachXSmith86]

Apex is a rock, ill never sell it. I want to be buried with it in the himalayas under 60ft of snow. Then when the technology catches up they can revive me and I'll ride it another 20k miles

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Apex is a rock, ill never sell it. I want to be buried with it in the himalayas under 60ft of snow. Then when the technology catches up they can revive me and I'll ride it another 20k miles

It might be The beer. But that's deep hahahah