Yamaha Cutting Production for 2019

[sledjunk]

Yamaha has always used small 6004 bearings on the rear axle wheels from what I recall. That’s includes 98 srx and apex’s. Are the rear bearings in this procross chassis even smaller?

My EPS equipped Vectors use the larger 6005 bearings in all wheels, including the rear axle. I believe all the EPS sleds use the larger bearings, but I am not 100% sure.

 

[journeyman]

An article a few days old from the state that claims the highest snowmobile ownership and as we know 2 of the 4 mfg’s.

https://www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-business/2018/03/decline-snowmobiling-minnesota

 

[mikextx]

Been driving Yamaha sleds since 1977 and have never blown a belt Troll !

"I been riding Yamaha since 1977"......rides a cat. Lol

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Does the decision not to update the 2019 Viper as Cat did with the 7000 fit this theory? The Cat gets the "next gen" body work and the new rear wheel setup replacing the tri hub. The Yamaha gets none of that. I'm sure there's more, not sure on the new handlebar controls. How did Yamaha get in a position of lots of unsold units? Maybe because they have not updated anything since 2016?

I think what happened is the Sidewinder hurt Viper sales. That is why you don't see a updated Viper, they need to move the unsold units.
Lets face it, lots of people boosted the Viper, now Yamaha does it for you at less money then what it costs to do yourself.
And the SW has helped everyone with insurance, they go by cc and the Viper 1049 is expensive in comparison to the SW.

 

[ClutchMaster]

An article a few days old from the state that claims the highest snowmobile ownership and as we know 2 of the 4 mfg’s.

https://www.minnpost.com/twin-cities-business/2018/03/decline-snowmobiling-minnesota

Minnesota used to be totally covered with snow for 3~4 months out of the year, now if you can get 2 months of riding in north of Minneapolis your lucky. 15 years from now we will be lucky if there is any snowmobiling in the Midwest (largest snowmobile market in the world).
If you don’t think Yamaha has been watching the trend your foolish. Sadly they will be gone soon, they have already let their legendary quality go to $hit, whittled down the line up, closed all production lines in Japan. There’s no money here for them so they will move on. You can be “Mr Positive Attitude” but that’s just ignoring what’s been happening in the industry, and fooling yourself. Prepare for the worst in 2020, that way you won’t be let down. M2C

Read the link Journeyman posted ^^^^^^^^

 

[APM]

I think what happened is the Sidewinder hurt Viper sales. That is why you don't see a updated Viper, they need to move the unsold units.
Lets face it, lots of people boosted the Viper, now Yamaha does it for you at less money then what it costs to do yourself.
And the SW has helped everyone with insurance, they go by cc and the Viper 1049 is expensive in comparison to the SW.

Completely agree! Myself and others I ride with fall into this category 100%...right down to your insurance comment. I was floored that the SW costs me less to insure.

 

[03RX1-ER-LE]

Completely agree! Myself and others I ride with fall into this category 100%...right down to your insurance comment. I was floored that the SW costs me less to insure.

My buddy with his 2015 Viper pays 3x what I pay (2009 Apex) through the same insurance company (Foremost), I am 58 he is 60 both with great driving records , great credit ratings ( 850) as well as his cabin is next to mine in Oscoda with that location of in the garage storage listed on our policy's. My 998 is what saves $$$

 

[journeyman]

Minnesota used to be totally covered with snow for 3~4 months out of the year, now if you can get 2 months of riding in north of Minneapolis your lucky. 15 years from now we will be lucky if there is any snowmobiling in the Midwest (largest snowmobile market in the world).
If you don’t think Yamaha has been watching the trend your foolish. Sadly they will be gone soon, they have already let their legendary quality go to $hit, whittled down the line up, closed all production lines in Japan. There’s no money here for them so they will move on. You can be “Mr Positive Attitude” but that’s just ignoring what’s been happening in the industry, and fooling yourself. Prepare for the worst in 2020, that way you won’t be let down. M2C

Read the link Journeyman posted ^^^^^^^^

Oh I know what’s happening, believe me. With the weather, the sled market and unfortunately Yamaha themselves. Heck I just put new tabs on mine recently being I finally got to ride it here the first time in 3 years. As you can see I don’t have a new one, riding a 12 yr. old Apex model. I stilll could be riding this for another 10 years....even in the vintage rides. LoL!

Who knows maybe Yamaha will only offer limited build Yamaha branded sleds for years to come for their dealers. But if they don’t actually build them it really hinges on Arctic Cat who I don't view as doing a whole lot better in this market.

We have actually caught up in snowfall average. I have over a foot on the lawn. The problem is we get 5-8” here and there but have big temp swings and it messes it all up.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

As you fire up your cat and blow a belt. Lol

Or bite into a quarter pounder McPoo with fries

 

[mikextx]

McPoo. Lol. Sounds nice

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Hey I gotta rip on Poos wherever I can.

I was so proud of my son when he one day said "waitaminute...Polarises are kinda like the Fords of sleds, aren't they?"

 

[mikextx]

I saw quit a few go down this season. Piston problems

 

[jjmoneysauce]

Yes they like to calve. The brass water pump drive gear is another pretty common one. If you get a new one every couple years, maybe not a big deal. But if you want to hang on to it, yeah a big deal. If you have to dump $ into keeping it running, that's no good.

 

[mikextx]

I would surly get an extended warranty

 

[Stubbs]

You mean 5 year plan with Arctic Cat? That has been thrown around for quite awhile but from all accounts they never really had a contract saying it was 5 years, more of a handshake deal.

Just recently I heard from a solid source how the AC/Yam deal got it's seed started. Apparently when former Supertrax editor CJ Ramstead passed away there were AC top brass and also Yamaha top brass at the funeral. One of the Yamaha guys mentioned to one of the AC guys as kind of a half hearted joke......"one of our 4s motors would be great in your ProCross chassis". It likely planted a seed...... Anyways some time went by but then Suzuki had announced they could no longer develop new engines for Cat. They could still supply existing ones but nothing new. As we know Cat went to work and started their 2s engine plant in St. Cloud,Mn. but also made the agreement with Yamaha on the 4s engines and the rest is history.

I think Yamaha had other deciding factors too to hook up with Cat, the tsunami in Japan had hurt supply chains and the fluctuating Yen and their own reduced sales.

I am ALMOST 100% sure that is not how the mutual supply agreement was started. Good story though...