Would you buy a new, 2-stroke Yamaha if they offered one?

[fxnytroxtx]

Without getting into a 2 versus 4 debate (let's not muck up the thread) it looks like Yamaha could pick up additional sales by going back and offering a 2-stroke. When you take a step back and look at the company, it really doesn't make sense why they don't? They are the only Japanese OEM that still offers 2-stroke motocross bikes and they still offer 2 stroke outboards. Makes you wonder why they don't offer the same choice to their snowmachine customers?

The next 5-years will be interesting to see what they do. Their next anniversary is 2016 and I think we'll be looking at a line-up filled with blue, Yamaha powered Arctic Cats. I don't think that would be a bad thing since they would come with competitive chassis.

akrider I finally agree with you on something! And yes why not offer 2t for those that want them and 4t for the ones that want them?

 

[cannondale27]

I agree but I want one of two things in addition. Either for Yamaha to buy AC or make their own 2stroke sled.

 

[fxnytroxtx]

I agree but I want one of two things in addition. Either for Yamaha to buy AC or make their own 2stroke sled.

I vote their own!

 

[Sled Dog]

I find it funny some people are still trying to get Yamaha to build two stroke sleds. It is just not going to happen no matter how much it keeps being brought up. An air cooled four stroke would have more of a chance.

 

[snowdave]

keeping the 4 stroke

Only if it was a yamaha motor that was 800cc or bigger. No need for a 600 here

I was a diehard 2 stroke guy, have owned many yamaha's from the original vmax 1983 to exciters, vmax4 ( and still kept one of them, to many srx's , vipers and held out til 2008 and finally bought a apex 136, I am not going back to the 2 stroke.my current ride is 12 apex xtx and have a 11 apex se for girlfriend. no more oil, get good fuel economy, good solid performance in any weather for groomed trails the apex is the ticket. there are a few new 600 doos that ride with me and getting off the apex on to the 600 is a let down. they run ok but my apex can tow the doo 600 faster than it can go under its own power. you always get the 2 stroke guys boasting how there machine is so much lighter and it is but I never plan to carry my apex. I ride it and there is no fatigue at all after a 250 mile ride. the doo guys say the 4 strokes are too heavy to bang through the giant mogles and again they are. after over 30 years of riding I am not riding over 2-3 footers anymore, I will go in a different direction or park the damn thing and drink beer.

 

[fxnytroxtx]

I love my 4 strokes but I bet if yamaha did build di 2 stroke all of you 4stroke die hards would be the first in line

 

[cannondale27]

Its a different kind of FUN that up to this point has not come close with a 4stroke at least in a sled. With the Dirtbikes it is more about high maintainence costs with a 4 st. Not performance unless it is the small bikes which are absolutely outperformed by the 2strokes. With the sleds it is about weight and where it is placed. On a long day of riding trails its not a factor and for many a 2 stroke just is never needed and would be a liability. But for many that Sno Cross or any riding that resembles it. Heck even any sidehilling going slow. Nothing has come close to a 2 stroke. Different folks have different needs a 4 stroke does do almost all the best but if you are getting air and looking for the moguls the 2strokes do it best. Why ignore the group that ONLY does that and is perfectly happy putting up with the negatives or just switches to their Yamaha 4st for their big weekend or long rides? After all our Yamahas last long enough that we can pay them off and still have many years of use left. There is a need and room for both.

 

[Yammerhead]

Its a different kind of FUN that up to this point has not come close with a 4stroke at least in a sled. With the Dirtbikes it is more about high maintainence costs with a 4 st. Not performance unless it is the small bikes which are absolutely outperformed by the 2strokes. With the sleds it is about weight and where it is placed. On a long day of riding trails its not a factor and for many a 2 stroke just is never needed and would be a liability. But for many that Sno Cross or any riding that resembles it. Heck even any sidehilling going slow. Nothing has come close to a 2 stroke. Different folks have different needs a 4 stroke does do almost all the best but if you are getting air and looking for the moguls the 2strokes do it best. Why ignore the group that ONLY does that and is perfectly happy putting up with the negatives or just switches to their Yamaha 4st for their big weekend or long rides? After all our Yamahas last long enough that we can pay them off and still have many years of use left. There is a need and room for both.

Nice summary. 95% chance my next sled is a two stroke. There's too much of a gap in the fun factor between my Nytro and the 2 stroke mountain sleds. I'll put up with dealing with engine maintenance to have more fun when we hit the mountains a few times a year. If I only rode flat lands, the 4 stroke reliability would probably be worth it over the two stroke fun factor.

FTR, a Nytro motor in the Cat chassis isn't going to cut it either. The M1100T is a big turd to boondock with, just like my Nytro.

 

[AKrider]

There's too much of a gap in the fun factor between my Nytro and the 2 stroke mountain sleds.
The M1100T is a big turd to boondock with, just like my Nytro.

X2, the same exact thing I've experienced. My RMK was a night and day better than my Nytro. Yes the RMK motor isn't going to last 50,000 miles but I won't keep it more than a few years anyway until I buy the next best thing so it doesn't matter. I've got two buddies with M1100T's that are modded out and making upwards of 270 hp when set on their high setting. The power is amazing, much slower revving than you'd expect. The chassis is definitely better than the Nytro but they feel very heavy and cumbersome to throw around and ride in tight technical conditions. I would not want to ride one in the trees, too much weight.

 

[natedawgedog]

Just make sure to wear fireproof pants!

I'm not discounting 2 strokes, but for most of my riding, a 4 stroke fits perfectly. Less noise, no smoke, far better reliability. The ONLY engines that could change my mind are the direct injection etec powerplants. I've followed that technology on the outboard side of the house and its been impressive. Better emissions, quieter, and better MPG's than 4 strokes! Reliability would still be my concern, how long does the top end last.

I think skidoo has finally put their engine problems to rest after the last 2 seasons with their engine replacement program and lurking around the other sites there engine failure problems have been few and far between. wont last as long as our bulletproof engines thats for sure. I have a etec motor on my boat and it is nice, it is way lighter, a little louder than a yamaha 4stroke motor but gets just as good or better GPH than the comparable 4stroke equivalent.

They haven't done anything in 10 years so what makes you think they will now . This merger is the best thing Yamaha has done I think , the yamacat is a way better than anything Yamaha has to date, it just seems kinda odd once the doo/cat thing settles Yamaha and cat come out with this maybe they have been working together for a while on the procross chassis ... Anyways
See you on DOOTALK next year

Im always hoping for the best! a bng cat with a few things different is not what Im looking for. I could save money buy buying a cat (less expensive for the 7000 from cat) and do the normal mods I do to all my sleds and have that extra 100 dollars for more gas.

I will have my nytro as the backup sled until it completely gives up the ghost (which might never happen) so Ill still be around if yamaha doesnt make their OWN sled, and I dont really like dootalks forum anyways.

I would buy one of these new vipers even if they changed up the body panels so it doesnt look like a procross. thats really my only gripe. heck my nytro is about 30% cat already!

 

[09nytro]

Lol...... I hear ya !

 

[shadow44]

I'm kind of amazed at the amount of people that have commented on reliability between 2 and 4 strokes and the fact they feel their 4 stroke is more reliable than the 2 stroke. I don't recall Yamaha 2 strokes being unreliable...at least from 97 on. I've seen SRX's go 35000 km without a rebuild. I've seen Yammi twins go 20000 km with zero issues. To me the advantage the 4 stroke has that you don't have to add oil every ride...that's pretty much it. My SRX would go 200 kms on a tank of fuel riding at a fast pace. It would also go 900-1000kms to a full tank of oil ( 300+ per litre ) It would also run 114 mph on radar....put that in a modern chassis and you have an awesome sled. If Yamaha built a sled similar to the etec 800...good on gas, oil, 160ish hp and in a light chassis...they would sell a lot. While I'm not a fan of the Doo mainly because I don't trust the motor...the chassis is nice and makes for a great handling trail sled.

 

[adubs916]

Without getting into a 2 versus 4 debate (let's not muck up the thread) it looks like Yamaha could pick up additional sales by going back and offering a 2-stroke. When you take a step back and look at the company, it really doesn't make sense why they don't? They are the only Japanese OEM that still offers 2-stroke motocross bikes and they still offer 2 stroke outboards. Makes you wonder why they don't offer the same choice to their snowmachine customers?

Very good point about Yamaha's 2 stroke line up in other motorsports. Didn't they just come out with a new or updated YZ 2 strokers?
It's nearly impossible to understand how / why they do what they do. Consider how explosive the mountain segment has gotten the last few years, they are really missing out on potential customers/market share.

 

[snowbeast]

Remember one thing guys when it comes to light weight,i was swayed by the weight thing to,back when i had my apex rtx 07,and doo had that nice vid of them spanking it on a closed corse,and beating it in a drag race,well i am here to tell ya,i went back to yamaha apex the very next year,i bought into all the light weight hype and had me a 08 xpx 800 doo,and it handled ok in the bumps,but my apex handled better on flat trails much like an old style viper trailing arm sled,vrs this new doo,but what sealed it for me,is when i am out on a wide open area like a lake,doing past a c-note and a gust of wind picks up the front of the sled and moves me a foot while i am wfo,not liking it,it was just to darn light,same thing with cats procross 800,i tried it out before i boughtmy turbo,and i am glad i got the heavier turbo,as it still handles great but the front end stays planted.

 

[cannondale27]

I have seen 12000 mi all original Cat 800's also but one bad tank of gas and its all over or at least if your lucky the "smart" valve will close up and you are going to ride on the back of your buddies 4st which eats bad gas with no issues.

The guys who want a 2st are not going 100mph for more than a short burst if ever. The light weight is needed to keep CG low and front end up. Most of these guys are under 35 years old. They are our future snowmobile riders and buyers and they are riding Doo,Polaris and AC. That is a major problem for Yamaha.