Yamaha Cutting Production for 2019

[journeyman]

I look at it as more of a stop gap procedure. Limited supply of 2019 sleds, many of which are spring order only, means very little in dealer inventory next year.
I don't see Yamaha getting out of sleds,...

Same here, if Yamaha was getting out of the sled biz why even move their division headquarters to Canada?

If you go back and re-read the Johndee link on VX1R's original post you will see Kip later says Yamaha isn't going anywhere.

Remember Kip is a lot closer to Yamaha than most any dealer I know. Likely because he sells more Yamaha sleds than anyone, plus he is not a far drive from their Minocqua facility. The cabin home Kip now lives in used to belong to his folks (mainly Claudia his mom, RIP) and they used to rent it out to large groups. I stayed there 3 years in a row around the time the Apex was a new machine. Guess who else rented it at the time...YAMAHA R&D. In fact I saw a couple Yamaha prototypes by chance before they existed (RX-1 and Nytro) . Just recently he was one of the dealers in the video showing of the new Sidewinder for 2017. Just pointing out Kip knows more than he lets on to.

As I stated earlier this season I know another person that sees Yamaha sleds before they are released to the public. That's how I knew about the SW over a year in advance. Well this same person says there is a "Yamaha only mfg'd" new sled in existence. Just didn't happen for 2019 likely because of backlogged inventory.

The bad thing about this inventory reduction is it gets buyers all worried. Their low market share, limited lineups without 2 strokes and their partnership with Cat has opened the door for lots of speculation and doubt. They really need another Chris Reid. I nominate Don....VX1R!!

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Yes, Reid's blog was aces. It really bridged the gap around all the speculation.

 

[journeyman]

Yes, Reid's blog was aces. It really bridged the gap around all the speculation.

Don is retired and if you read any of his posts here or the article he wrote about his current machine in Snow Tech, he is a very gifted and thoughtful writer. Spending time with him on my ride this year I got to know him better, he's a real sharp guy. In fact we talked on the phone yesterday about the topic we are all discussing now....Yamaha's snowmobiling future. I think he would be the perfect candidate. Yamaha I've got your man! Just got to give him enough time to ride too.

 

[whitedust1]

AC was up for sale for awhile, they should have know something like this would happen.

Oh yeah Yamaha knew AC was for sale and did nothing but in fairness not much interest in anything but snow biz and Textron bought everything. The sale was no surprise to anyone and Yamaha had a front row seat.lol

 

[CooperT]

Do you all believe Yamaha is in it for the long haul? I'm the doughting Thomas here! Please Mr. Tew tell me that Yamaha will be one of the last companies to go out of the market

I think all 4 companies will be around for a very long time yet....

 

[journeyman]

I think all 4 companies will be around for a very long time yet....

Yes, snowmobiling as a market doesn't need any of the 4 players leaving. That would be really bad for the sport. There isn't much we can do about the low snow winters in a short term sense but the makers will have to make adjustments for sure.

 

[journeyman]

I think all 4 companies will be around for a very long time yet....

Not sure if many people know but Polaris was actually talking about dropping the snowmobile division some years back when the Fusion was their flagship.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

That is what pisses me off! They say its just a thing they have to do for the future of the snowmobile division! Do they really think we are that stupid and can't see the writing on the wall? I understand if they got caught with their pants down with the Textron buy out of cat and didn't have something in place yet. If its going to take 2 years from now, tell us. Your Yamaha loyal customers will be there! Stop giving us the corporate political answers and insulting our intelligence!

I don't know why everyone keeps saying Yamaha got caught with their pants down, I am sure they knew they were for sale just was not interested in all of it, when they have Quads, SxS etc. I am sure if they could have gotten just the sled line, maybe it would have happened. Maybe it still will, who knows

 

[1nc 2000]

I would like to see Yamaha pair up with a shock company like Elka for their production sleds.

Makes the ride so much smoother!

 

[ClutchMaster]

Same here, if Yamaha was getting out of the sled biz why even move their division headquarters to Canada?

If you go back and re-read the Johndee link on VX1R's original post you will see Kip later says Yamaha isn't going anywhere.

Remember Kip is a lot closer to Yamaha than most any dealer I know. Likely because he sells more Yamaha sleds than anyone, plus he is not a far drive from their Minocqua facility. The cabin home Kip now lives in used to belong to his folks (mainly Claudia his mom, RIP) and they used to rent it out to large groups. I stayed there 3 years in a row around the time the Apex was a new machine. Guess who else rented it at the time...YAMAHA R&D. In fact I saw a couple Yamaha prototypes by chance before they existed (RX-1 and Nytro) . Just recently he was one of the dealers in the video showing of the new Sidewinder for 2017. Just pointing out Kip knows more than he lets on to.

As I stated earlier this season I know another person that sees Yamaha sleds before they are released to the public. That's how I knew about the SW over a year in advance. Well this same person says there is a "Yamaha only mfg'd" new sled in existence. Just didn't happen for 2019 likely because of backlogged inventory.

The bad thing about this inventory reduction is it gets buyers all worried. Their low market share, limited lineups without 2 strokes and their partnership with Cat has opened the door for lots of speculation and doubt. They really need another Chris Reid. I nominate Don....VX1R!!

These big corporations don’t let the cat out of the bag on plans like shutdowns. Worked for the largest drill bit manufacturer in the world. I personally knew the plant manager and to this day he knew nothing about shutdown until the day beforehand. Most upper management positions are usually assured they will have a job in the future. I’m telling you from past experience that if a large corporation like yamaha was thinking about closing a division even upper management wouldn’t know much about it.
I generously give them 2~3 years, then it’s over.

 

[yamadoo]

I fear clutchmaster is correct, but hope we (he , I and many) are wrong.

 

[Farmer 73]

Like I've been saying since the Textron buy out all I want is to have Yamaha promise their customers that they are in it for the long run. At this point I don't care how long it will take to get new product! We all have to much time and money invested in them to get the political corporate answer that they will be there then a year from now get the rug pulled out from under us!

 

[20/80]

These big corporations don’t let the cat out of the bag on plans like shutdowns. Worked for the largest drill bit manufacturer in the world. I personally knew the plant manager and to this day he knew nothing about shutdown until the day beforehand. Most upper management positions are usually assured they will have a job in the future. I’m telling you from past experience that if a large corporation like yamaha was thinking about closing a division even upper management wouldn’t know much about it.
I generously give them 2~3 years, then it’s over.

LOL.....It won't be team blue, but read between the lines, remember Yamaha is very patient, but here's a hint.... blue and yellow makes the colour green

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Just think of last years release of the SnoScoot. That should show that they're looking ahead to create a new base of customers.

I think that Yamaha is the only one of the OEM's that can actually do this for one season without taking a large hit in their overall profitability.

Let's hope that this move will work for them and their dealers.

I would have more than gladly bought 2 or more new Bravos this year if they were still made. I like the snoscoot concept but it still, in my humble opinion, doesn't correctly bridge the gap between the baby size and adult size machines. Something like the Bravo S/Ts for 8-15 year olds would be ideal. I could go on about Bravos at length. They are sorely missed and highly sought after all over northern Canada.

 

[CooperT]

I would have more than gladly bought 2 or more new Bravos this year if they were still made. I like the snoscoot concept but it still, in my humble opinion, doesn't correctly bridge the gap between the baby size and adult size machines. Something like the Bravo S/Ts for 8-15 year olds would be ideal. I could go on about Bravos at length. They are sorely missed and highly sought after all over northern Canada.

I have an 82’ bravo shorty and my 6 yr old buy & 4 yr old girl love it! Finally got the boy driving it by himself this year. I just put a hose clamp under the throttle so he can only go so fast. I’m definitely not paying $5k for a scoot