YamaCats

[Fro-1]

So last spring, my uncle and I both bought brand new sleds. I went with the RS Venture TF which I had admired for some time and wanted to get one before, got forbid, all Yamaha’s ended up with Arctic Cat bodies.
He went with the Arctic Cat Pantera which in all reality has the same Yamaha engine in it as my Venture. So, me not being a fan of Arctic Cat whats so ever, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and told him “well you shouldn’t have much trouble with it, it’s got the same engine as mine.
While I won’t go into details of his issues, I will say that we both have between 2,500-3,000kms on our machines now and my Venture has been back to the dealer once for the first break-in period oil/filter change. Thats it.
I have lost count on how many times his Pantera has not only been back to the dealership, but been broke down in his yard unable to start to get it to the dealership. Most recently this past week his sled blew off a cooling line spraying and emptying all of the antifreeze everywhere while it was idling as he waited for it to warm up.
I only mention this because I see post after post, mostly on Facebook, of Yamaha owners (with Arctic Cat bodies) having all sorts of trouble with everything surrounding the engine. I’m sure there some cases of engine trouble, but from what I see it’s everything but.
Just hope this joint venture between the two manufacturers comes to an end sooner than later.

 

[VX1R]

Sorry to hear about your Uncle's problems so far.

These YamaCats have been working out pretty darn well for most of us dudes.

Being a true blue Yamaha guy, back in 2013 when the "Unholy Alliance" was first announced I shared your same thoughts.

But after seeing what's possible with the two companies working together I've overcome my prejudices and have been enjoying their collaborative efforts.

Are they perfect? No. But what modern snowmobile is?

Two SideWinder's in the stable for my wife and I. Loving every mile.

 

[74Nitro]

It's

So last spring, my uncle and I both bought brand new sleds. I went with the RS Venture TF which I had admired for some time and wanted to get one before, got forbid, all Yamaha’s ended up with Arctic Cat bodies.
He went with the Arctic Cat Pantera which in all reality has the same Yamaha engine in it as my Venture. So, me not being a fan of Arctic Cat whats so ever, I gave him the benefit of the doubt and told him “well you shouldn’t have much trouble with it, it’s got the same engine as mine.
While I won’t go into details of his issues, I will say that we both have between 2,500-3,000kms on our machines now and my Venture has been back to the dealer once for the first break-in period oil/filter change. Thats it.
I have lost count on how many times his Pantera has not only been back to the dealership, but been broke down in his yard unable to start to get it to the dealership. Most recently this past week his sled blew off a cooling line spraying and emptying all of the antifreeze everywhere while it was idling as he waited for it to warm up.
I only mention this because I see post after post, mostly on Facebook, of Yamaha owners (with Arctic Cat bodies) having all sorts of trouble with everything surrounding the engine. I’m sure there some cases of engine trouble, but from what I see it’s everything but.
Just hope this joint venture between the two manufacturers comes to an end sooner than later.

I think it's just getting started.
I have a friend with much the same thinking as yours. Like me, a Yamaha die-hard. He swore up and down there was no way in h3ll he would ever drive a Yamacat. I was a little reluctant too. I waited until 18 to purchase my Winder, and tuned it of course. We were both former Nytro riders. Last year I let him drive mine. "I can't believe how fast this thing goes from 70 to 100 mph".
Well guess what. He bought a used 17 Winder and we put a tune in it. He has already been north twice. I texted him and asked, how are you liking that thing? He responds " she's mint".
And what about maintenance and reliability?
I can't deny there are for sure some issues that need addressed on the Yamacats. Chaincase, left side drive bearing spinning and general quality control come to mind.
That said, the all Yamaha sleds had issues too. Of all the brands out there they have the highest maintenance suspensions. And the exhausts were constant maintenance.

 

[Whammerjammer]

Many of us await the day when Yamaha returns with made in Japan sleds. Until then, I’ll just keep enjoying the sleds I have!

 

[74Nitro]

Many of us await the day when Yamaha returns with made in Japan sleds. Until then, I’ll just keep enjoying the sleds I have!

Don't hold your breath.

 

[TPAY243]

Well over 5000 miles on my Viper never been to the dealer for repairs once. I did have started issue but so did my Nytro so I will not blame that completely on Yamacat.

 

[Fro-1]

Sorry to hear about your Uncle's problems so far.

These YamaCats have been working out pretty darn well for most of us dudes.

Being a true blue Yamaha guy, back in 2013 when the "Unholy Alliance" was first announced I shared your same thoughts.

But after seeing what's possible with the two companies working together I've overcome my prejudices and have been enjoying their collaborative efforts.

Are they perfect? No. But what modern snowmobile is?

Two SideWinder's in the stable for my wife and I. Loving every mile.

View attachment 146294

As a fan, you know as well as I do, that Yamaha dominates in engineering, reliability and design in so many other areas other than snowmobiles.
Arctic Cat tried their hands at a 4 cylinder 2-stroke snowmobile many years ago and it just didn’t work out for the very short time it was on the market. Yamaha made a 4 cylinder 2-stroke from ‘92 to ‘97 and I still have 2 of these 1995 800 muscle sleds in my stable which run wildly and scream like they did 24 years ago (so long as I have new spark plugs in them lol)
Yamaha comes out with a 4-stroke snowmobile in ‘03 and I was the first Rx-1 owner in my hometown. Regrettably sold it last year with 22,000+ kms on it. Broke a rear shock once, replaced track, belts and idler wheel bearings in the 16 years I owned it.
Then Bombardier tries competing with 4-strokes by leaning out the injection oil in what they call e-tec engines and everyone is loosing cranks and pistons in their Johnson/Evinrude outboards while e-tec snowmobiles are literally catching on fire all over North America and blowing up between peoples legs.
My point is, I’m a firm believer that Yamaha is a leader when it comes to inovation snowmobile and beyond. From the Rx-1-Ton to the last heavy-hitting, don’t dare take a jump or ditch bang Nitro’s. With all of the overweight, down right obese-sled criticism towards Yamaha for making such heavy 4-strokes, so much so to turn fans in the direction of the other big 3. I’m sure you would have even better “his and her” Sidewinders if Yamaha had put their efforts into re-designing their own product instead of contracting it out.
Just look how fast they are at revolutionizing. If they kept it up, your sleds in the stable would be no comparison in quality compared to the Thundercat or whatever it is they call what you have only a different colour and badging.

 

[Whammerjammer]

Don't hold your breath.

I don’t have have to. I really enjoy the 6 sleds I already have.

 

[Vmax]

Picking up a YamaCat tomorrow. 2015 Arctic Cat 7000 El Tigre, Love the looks and the 1049 cc motor. Keeping my 97 Vmax, love the 2 stroke triple but the suspension and ergo's are too hard on my old body now days. I put on 150 mi last Friday and could hardly walk the next day...

 

[Fro-1]

Picking up a YamaCat tomorrow. 2015 Arctic Cat 7000 El Tigre, Love the looks and the 1049 cc motor. Keeping my 97 Vmax, love the 2 stroke triple but the suspension and ergo's are too hard on my old body now days. I put on 150 mi last Friday and could hardly walk the next day...

lol your ‘97 is actually a very modest step up from the T.S.S. suspension on my ‘95 Vmax 2-stroke quads so I know exactly what that “next day” feels like.
Not sure what wipes my joints out more, taking out the Vmax or riding my Stand-Up Yamaha Super Jet in the summer.
They both take a toll but still love the muscle sled feel of the ol Vmax’s.
Someone asked me once “How are they for riding?” And I said “Oh they are great! So long as you don’t go in any deep snow or try and do anything fancy like ride over bumps...or turn.” lol
Straight and fast that’s it.

 

[Vmax]

This winter I put on new tuner skis with dual carbides, snow flap, bogie wheels and bearings. She ran like a trooper but I couldn't fix the bad suspension and ergo issues.
I will never sell it because its value, to me, is much more than dealers or private buyers will give me for this iconic sled. Looking forward to the performance and economics of the 4 banger but 2 strokes will always be sledding to me.

 

[74Nitro]

This winter I put on new tuner skis with dual carbides, snow flap, bogie wheels and bearings. She ran like a trooper but I couldn't fix the bad suspension and ergo issues.
I will never sell it because its value, to me, is much more than dealers or private buyers will give me for this iconic sled. Looking forward to the performance and economics of the 4 banger but 2 strokes will always be sledding to me.

I bought a 98 700sx new and rode it through 2006 racking up 30000kms. Great sleds in their day!

 

[clarkman]

My old man had a 93 vmax 4 while i had a 96. Our first ride in the u.p. put 215 miles on in 1 day. I slept for 2 hours in the car on way home. I dont think either of us moved from the couch the next day. That was painful. That 97 aint got nothing on the tss when it comes to next day pain.

 

[Fro-1]

Family photo taken in front of the family cabin.
From left, me on my Venture Tf, younger brother on my ‘95 Vmax-4 ST, my 13 yr old niece on my ‘82 Bravo and my father on his VK Pro.

 

[Vmax]

Nice group of sleds, love the huge windshields