Yamaha motors

[biffdotorg]

Very few of us realize Yamaha still makes 2-strokes. I don't think they upped the technology in years and i don't think they make big HP motors either, but they still make them.

What's funny is when that tech was introduced, it was untouched by so many. Now Yamaha realizes big power is better produced by 4-strokes. OMG, look at that new 425hp monster!! That doesn't mean there are not some monster Etec 2-strokes out there too.

The irony in this whole lineup is the 90hp 2-Stroke outboard sold overseas is a 1049cc triple!! HA!! Does that mean that a 1049cc 4-stroke is more efficient if it puts out 135hp. That's a rhetorical question, as there are tons of other factors. But it would leave one to believe that more reliable HP can be produced by a 4 stroke of the same size, with better potential to boost later. I am usually thinking that a 600cc engine putting out 125hp is running on the ragged edge of reliability. That may back up yamaha's decision to go for a more reliable 4 stroke for the lack of weight savings.

 

[Vmax]

Even if Yamaha could only match the others HP in a 2 stroke sled...……..who cares. Cat, Ski-Doo and Polaris have been duking this out for years with excellent success. We, as the consumers, have reaped the rewards for there hard work by being able to purchase a state of art, fast and efficient 2 stroke sled. Yamaha not being able to supply the consumers with a competitive 2 stroke and compete in the snow-cross circuit for years has hurt them IMO

 

[stevewithOCD]

Thats a lot of Periods are you trying to say something!

YES!
2-strokes are not leaving this sport.....period!

 

[stevewithOCD]

Even if Yamaha could only match the others HP in a 2 stroke sled...……..who cares. Cat, Ski-Doo and Polaris have been duking this out for years with excellent success. We, as the consumers, have reaped the rewards for there hard work by being able to purchase a state of art, fast and efficient 2 stroke sled. Yamaha not being able to supply the consumers with a competitive 2 stroke and compete in the snow-cross circuit for years has hurt them IMO

We've been saying that for years, but the lack of lightweight off-trail market is hurting Yamaha WAAAY more then Snocross

 

[Vmax]

Agree, snocross is only bragging rights for manufactures but it does sell sleds.

 

[Sasquatch]

YES!
2-strokes are not leaving this sport.....period!

2 strokes are good for 300 hrs or anywhere from 3,000 to 9,000 miles depending on how and where you drive. 2 strokes are less reliable and go bang way more often then 4 strokes. Unfortunately many of the sleds are now being built with the usable life of a 2 stroke factored into the sled as a whole.

Put two years on my Cat and 7,500 miles, crank bearing life of 10,000 miles so motor needs an overhaul only after two years. Warrior 18,000 miles in 7 winters no overhaul, Apex 12,000 miles in 4 winters no overhaul. Both run like new. Yep four strokes are not leaving this sport either!

With Yamaha now an engine builder only and selling Cats, the 2 stroke problem is not a problem at all, just buy a Cat 2 stroke. Half the people on here believe it was built by Yamaha anyway so problem solved! I get it people want Yamaha to build two strokes again, I just want them to build sleds again. Problem is unless they build sleds again the only two stroke you are going to see is made by Cat! Same as me every seeing my Apex engine in a sled again, highly unlikely!

Yamaha is in bed with Cat and now Textron, nothing is going to be made unless its a mutual deal beneficial to all. So Yamaha, Cat/Textron will decide what will be built too be shared by both. If Yamaha wanted a 2 stoke they only have to re-badge a Cat! Yamaha building a 2 stroke and marketing it in a Cat chassis may not even be possible with the agreement they have. There is an up side to the Cat deal and a down side, the up side is a new chassis from Cat but the down side is your no longer in charge! Unless Yamaha strikes out on their own Textron has a say in how many chassis they get and what is in them. You want a 2 stroke Textron has one for you!

 

[Vmax]

You want a 2 stroke Textron has one for you!

So does Ski-doo and Polaris..........that's why Yamaha should have them!!

 

[Sasquatch]

So does Ski-doo and Polaris..........that's why Yamaha should have them!!

They do! Thier partner offers them, I dont see the big deal! You talk of bragging rights but Yamaha does not even build a sled for snowcross. Yamaha = Arctic Cat and vice versa, its a partnership a joint effort so its not Yamaha having a two stroke engine its the partnership and they do have two strokes. What I guess is being wished for is wanting Yamaha two stroke engines to replace Arctic Cat engines. So in effect wanting Cat to use Yamaha two strokes instead of theirs.

People really need to think about a partnership and how they work, Yamaha is not in the drivers seat anymore! They abandoned their chassis production and sled manufacture and share their engines with Cat. They also share the manufacturing line with Cat! To drop Yamaha engines in Cat chassis is not as simple as waving a wand and its done! What is the benefit to Cat they already have two strokes they build so this would be a one off sled for Yamaha to compete against their own engines! Its like me wanting them to drop an Apex engine in a Cat chassis it will only happen if both sides want it, with the trimming of the lines I stopped hoping for that!

Sadly Yamaha at this moment does not build sleds anymore, they outsourced that and now only build two engines for our market with the sole exception being the VK540, they probably are using up parts till that is done. Like it or not the only way you are ever going to see a two stroke with a Yamaha sticker is if it has a Cat engine or if Yamaha start building sleds again. So first step is wish for Yamaha to become a sled manufacture and then wish for a two stroke or buy a Cat!

 

[Vmax]

Agreed...…...Yamaha needs to start building there own sleds again. Why they started the partnership with Arctic Cat is a mystery to most, one can only assume it was a bean counters decision. The future looks promising IMO...……..time will tell

 

[Vmax]

Forgot to add...…...can't wait for 2020, IMO Yamaha will be back in the sled business

 

[Sasquatch]

Forgot to add...…...can't wait for 2020, IMO Yamaha will be back in the sled business

If I had a dollar for every time someone said next year or the year after when it comes to Yamaha as the year it all happens, since I started riding them in 05, I could buy a new sled with it! On the plus side though if every year has and is being said as the year then sooner of later you may be right. I'm going with 2021 to celebrate my reviving old age pension! Or maybe 2022!

 

[Deeppow16]

They do! Thier partner offers them, I dont see the big deal! You talk of bragging rights but Yamaha does not even build a sled for snowcross. Yamaha = Arctic Cat and vice versa, its a partnership a joint effort so its not Yamaha having a two stroke engine its the partnership and they do have two strokes. What I guess is being wished for is wanting Yamaha two stroke engines to replace Arctic Cat engines. So in effect wanting Cat to use Yamaha two strokes instead of theirs.

People really need to think about a partnership and how they work, Yamaha is not in the drivers seat anymore! They abandoned their chassis production and sled manufacture and share their engines with Cat. They also share the manufacturing line with Cat! To drop Yamaha engines in Cat chassis is not as simple as waving a wand and its done! What is the benefit to Cat they already have two strokes they build so this would be a one off sled for Yamaha to compete against their own engines! Its like me wanting them to drop an Apex engine in a Cat chassis it will only happen if both sides want it, with the trimming of the lines I stopped hoping for that!

Sadly Yamaha at this moment does not build sleds anymore, they outsourced that and now only build two engines for our market with the sole exception being the VK540, they probably are using up parts till that is done. Like it or not the only way you are ever going to see a two stroke with a Yamaha sticker is if it has a Cat engine or if Yamaha start building sleds again. So first step is wish for Yamaha to become a sled manufacture and then wish for a two stroke or buy a Cat!

This is right here is way I bought a Arctic cat. I liked the proclimb chassis but I wanted a 2 stroke so I bought a Cat. If I wanted a 4s I would have bought the sled with the Yamaha sticker on it but I didn't want a 4s anymore. In my eyes they are the same sled with different names and a different engine that's it. It would be awesome to see Yamaha build sleds again but I think its a long shot.

 

[Sasquatch]

This is right here is way I bought a Arctic cat. I liked the proclimb chassis but I wanted a 2 stroke so I bought a Cat. If I wanted a 4s I would have bought the sled with the Yamaha sticker on it but I didn't want a 4s anymore. In my eyes they are the same sled with different names and a different engine that's it. It would be awesome to see Yamaha build sleds again but I think its a long shot.

I hear ya and it makes sense! All I do it ride trail and put on miles the four stoke shines for that! My bro sold his four stroke and bought an 800 Doo to play in the steep and deep!

I wish they never stopped, I think this is it, as good as its going to get! No matter what chassis comes next it will be a shared chassis! One sled two stickers! Not what I wanted to see come from all this! Was not my vision at all!

 

[YammieDave]

One thing I'd like to add to the discussion: I think it's reasonable to expect the Yamaha / Cat relationship is on its last legs.

The deal was done before the Textron acquisition. Textron built the new Havoc SXS with a 4 stroke built by a German engine company they acquired.

I don't see them staying with Yamaha and putting their stickers on their sleds.

I'm concerned that Yamaha will be out of the sled business altogether, aside from supplying 4 strokes to sled makers.

 

[Vmax]

Agree 100% Yammie except the last comment. Yamaha is gearing up to be relevant in the sled industry again.
I can hear the laughs and see the rolling eyes but lets just see what happens folks...…..