Would you buy a Winder again?

[buyrite01]

YES! In are group of 5 we haven't seen any problems zero not even one ! No blow belts and turned up from day one! No loose turbo belts! No flat spot on clutch or coil bind!

 

[KnappAttack]

Seems like most really like their 17's. Have a line on a few of them so will see how this shakes out.

Just must find a way to make them more violent on the bottom and mid-range. My buds seems quite lazy and tame on the bottom and mids. Seems like the top-end is there, just need to see full boost down in that low range as well. I want it hopped up through out the RPM range, I want arm stretching out of this world pull and stand on end violence like my 1200 turbo Doo has at anyplace in the throttle, I don't want this smooth pull some of you speak about. I want decent fuel mileage, nice riding and easy steering as well. I guess I want my cake and eat it too some would say.

Have all my Doo Pilot skis I plan to use, 5.7R's with Snowtrackers, 6.9's, and a host of carbide choices to chose from. Should be fun to get on something different and take it to the next level. I have a plan to build a real violent Tasmanian trail Devil, LOL! Don't we all? Hope if I can do it while keeping the exhaust fairly quiet, because my pals Magnum silencer is far from what I'd call quiet.

Anyway, keep the reports coming good or bad.

 

[DranttelSS]

Yes I would! I only have 450 miles on mine but its everything I expected and then some. Mine is completely stock.

 

[gytr done]

Seems like most really like their 17's. Have a line on a few of them so will see how this shakes out.

Just must find a way to make them more violent on the bottom and mid-range. My buds seems quite lazy and tame on the bottom and mids. Seems like the top-end is there, just need to see full boost down in that low range as well. I want it hopped up through out the RPM range, I want arm stretching out of this world pull and stand on end violence like my 1200 turbo Doo has at anyplace in the throttle, I don't want this smooth pull some of you speak about. I want decent fuel mileage, nice riding and easy steering as well. I guess I want my cake and eat it too some would say.

Have all my Doo Pilot skis I plan to use, 5.7R's with Snowtrackers, 6.9's, and a host of carbide choices to chose from. Should be fun to get on something different and take it to the next level. I have a plan to build a real violent Tasmanian trail Devil, LOL! Don't we all? Hope if I can do it while keeping the exhaust fairly quiet, because my pals Magnum silencer is far from what I'd call quiet.

Anyway, keep the reports coming good or bad.

Your too much.

 

[LouTurbo]

Issues were minor, at least its not a performance dud and the engine wasn't on a shop table with crank on back order....

 

[snowbeast]

I knew you'd be back! I believe the belt blowing issue is NOT coil bind but CLUTCH bind. I think the bushing is too loose or sloppy, binding or slowing it down enough so belt gets loose then on the gas & KABOOM. Coil bind would be all out. Mine blew at 60 mph. Belt looked good prior to snapping & clutches were very COOL. Yes, very COOL which is a good sign. Once this is figured out the answer is...YES i would buy it again. Real easy to get a lot of power, just up your ally. They should have them dialed in just in time for you...

Steve are we talking just the secondary bushings,allen is working on a solution as well,i have his stuff coming next week,and should have this wreck fixed by first of march,we still have lots of snow here in maine,for now,but it wont last long if we get lots of warm air and rain,as there was very little frost before our first snows started.

 

[fast n furious]

2000 miles on with PT flash. Very pleased with the sled. Coming off a 290 apex. It's not quite as stout but rides better and overall probably faster because it handles better.

 

[ricardo]

Hate to rain on this love fest but after 2779 miles on my STX-DX I believe it's going to be for sale. Reasons? #1, I put twentysome miles on the TNT850 that I was going to buy before I chickened out on going back to a two stroke, and loved it right away. #2, too many same old AC annoyances that my 2012 XF1100 Turbo LXR had still there five years later(like the stick-on thumb warmer that barely worked on my 1992 Wildcat and is still exactly the same 25 years later!?!). #3, then Yamaha made a decent handling chassis worse by putting their Tuner skis on it, so I had to spend $600 on skis to remedy that. #4, secondary rollers replaced twice, oil leaking onto muffler, took them over a month after I took delivery to provide the tunnel bag that is standard equipment(not accessory) and on and on. Dealers still don't have parts listings! I expected better from Yamaha, seems like they have no interest in supporting their product.

 

[Mighty]

Hate to rain on this love fest but after 2779 miles on my STX-DX I believe it's going to be for sale. Reasons? #1, I put twentysome miles on the TNT850 that I was going to buy before I chickened out on going back to a two stroke, and loved it right away.

Not so quick. My dealer took a demo 850 mountain sled to Montana last week and on the morning of the 2nd day had a backfire that took out the coil. Spent the rest of the trip on a rented RMK. Reminded me of my last Mach Z that had coils go bad, 2 ecu's and the pto cylinder, I think I'll stick with the Minor cat annoyances.

 

[stevewithOCD]

Steve are we talking just the secondary bushings,allen is working on a solution as well,i have his stuff coming next week,and should have this wreck fixed by first of march,we still have lots of snow here in maine,for now,but it wont last long if we get lots of warm air and rain,as there was very little frost before our first snows started.

Yep, secondary bushing bind. Not sure if alternate bushing is even possible yet, but waiting for answers...

 

[jdm]

Well season is done for us here in south MN. Take that back, we really never had a winter season here this year, but it was 55* here today and its back to work for me in a couple weeks.

I sold my 1200 turbo this week and fella is coming to pick it up this weekend. Was able to race against and ride my buds tuned up Winder. No doubt they have come along way since I had that 2012 POS Procross Cat turbo, but I still see lots of little problems and little issues on the Winder. (Yes, my 1200 Doo is/was a bit faster too). But I'm bored and need to do something different as been riding 1200 Doo's since 09, and there is no other turbo, big power game in town. Doo dropped the ball again this/next season!

It would appear that the shops are making progress on the tunes for the Winder. Good thing because stock sucks.

I actually really loved the ride, handling and easy steering of my buds LTX-LE winder with the QRS3R's. Certain things I really liked about it and makes it lots easier to purchase. I know I can fix its performance that is lacking, but can I keep a belt on it is the question.

Rollers, who cares. easy fix, turbo bolts - so what, but whats the deal with the belts? Are these engines out of alignment, or is the clutching off that far, or are the engine mounts too close allowing huge engine movement or whats happening there? Lack of cool air perhaps to the belt and clutches? Seems that there are no many complaints with them popping belts stock or modded.

Of course it seems there are lots of other little things out there too that just give some fits. Gas gauges, little running issues but nothing major like it was back in 2012 like broken shafts, chain cases blowing up, fires and a myriad of major problems. Of course belts were huge back then too, and not sure they ever fixed that problem.

Certainly not the consistently good reviews I saw with the 1200 Doo on DooTalk over all the years, even right from the start back in 09, and I can see why it wouldn't be somewhat. Lots of people complaining of hard steering coming off power-steering Apex and such.

Would you buy your 2017 again? Or would you wait and purchase a 2018 at a greater cost? Lots of deals out there on left over 2017s. Or would you go to another brand and go away from the Cat chassis altogether?

Fuel tank large enough? Fuel mileage good enough? Engine braking enough, the one I rode was not as much as I'd like to see. Was it just plain reliable enough?

Would like to hear from the guys and their thoughts that have had the Winder for a season now. Would you do it all over?

Mr Knapp,
As a premier tuner and many times winner racer, why are you asking this forum for insight.
You already know the deal on the Winder.
Just be a man and step out of your Doo 1200 old tech...and be one happy camper

 

[Blueaway]

Just finished another 800 km trip. I now have 1600 km. on Mine. This sled been totally amazing ! I drove her pretty hard belt still looks great. Rollers are perfect ! Hands down i buy this sled again in a heart beat . Smoothest power and ride in the business !!

 

[KnappAttack]

Mr Knapp,
As a premier tuner and many times winner racer, why are you asking this forum for insight.
You already know the deal on the Winder.
Just be a man and step out of your Doo 1200 old tech...and be one happy camper

Doing my due diligence!

Actually I'm looking forward to something different, been a lot of years on those 1200's. Tried a couple turbo Cats and even a power steering Apex in between there, and they couldn't cut it. Hopeful that the sidewinder is able to win me over this time, and I just think it might after a few miles on my bud winder.

 

[Byam]

YES! In are group of 5 we haven't seen any problems zero not even one ! No blow belts and turned up from day one! No loose turbo belts! No flat spot on clutch or coil bind!

How many miles?

 

[dgjr636]

Hate to rain on this love fest but after 2779 miles on my STX-DX I believe it's going to be for sale. Reasons? #1, I put twentysome miles on the TNT850 that I was going to buy before I chickened out on going back to a two stroke, and loved it right away. #2, too many same old AC annoyances that my 2012 XF1100 Turbo LXR had still there five years later(like the stick-on thumb warmer that barely worked on my 1992 Wildcat and is still exactly the same 25 years later!?!). #3, then Yamaha made a decent handling chassis worse by putting their Tuner skis on it, so I had to spend $600 on skis to remedy that. #4, secondary rollers replaced twice, oil leaking onto muffler, took them over a month after I took delivery to provide the tunnel bag that is standard equipment(not accessory) and on and on. Dealers still don't have parts listings! I expected better from Yamaha, seems like they have no interest in supporting their product.

Sorry to hear about your disappointment of your Winder.

Being a Yami/ Cat / Doo dealer we have been able to address many small Winder issues with ease.

1) all the guys that own 850 Doo's that rode my Winder are now looking to switch to a Winder mainly do to the front suspension being better and the rear just as good after adjustments.
2) Yes the handle bar and thumb warmer heaters & switches are old school but they work well.
3) Yes the Tuner Ski's on this sled was not the best but we have been able to upgrade most of our customers to Pilots that works great for $300 or less.
4) we upgraded our Customers that had Roller issues to Cat rollers at no expense and have not had any problems since.
5) rear bags that should have shipped with DX units we also upgraded to a bag of their choice at no extra cost.

Yes these Winders have not been perfect , but we have been able to resolve 99% of the customer issues without any downtime for riding.

Once again it is good to be a multi line dealer to address many of these small issues.