Yamaha Viper demo days, impressions

[Comatoast]

Ok.. So we had Yamaha Demo days up here today and got to try out a LTX, XTX and RTX Viper.. Not a fan of the RTX as it doesnt pull nearly as hard as the XTX , especially, although quick through the trails, just not near enough track for me..


The XTX was awesome with the different track and a 1.6" lug and reeeallly pulled hard but a little odd in the tight corners and didnt seem to handle as good as the LTX


LTX, seemed weak with the 1.25" ripsaw track, but would be incredible if you could put a 1.5-1.6 on it.. Handled great and the powerband is excellent.. IF it had a deeper Lug, would easily be the best choice for me



Well, since we were checking out Yamahas, me and the GF wated to see what Ski Doo and Poo offered

Heres what else we drove

2014 Switchback Pro R 800 - Felt Smooth, but Can really tell its 2 stroke roots.. Smokey, loud but a smooth powerband.. IMO rode better than any Viper or doo I rode today


2014 etec 800 renegade- Fast, smooth, quiet, light and fun, but concerned about reliability.. Probably the most fun I had on a sled today

2014 etec 600 TnT - Too short of a track , end of story, otherwise nice sled

2014 etec 600 Renegade Backcountry - Felt like a completely different sled than the TnT with the longer 1.75" track.. Actually really surprised how hard it pulled..

2013 4-tec 1200 Renegade - I actually liked it.. Rougher idle/motor than the Viper, but "felt" faster.. Wether it was or not, I cant say for sure, and it felt like it did handle better than the Viper as well.. Just felt more planted

 

[Comatoast]

So I guess what I'm getting at.. Is My choices for a new sled, either this year or next are

Viper L-TX
Gade 600/800/1200

Without being too biased

Between the two 4 strokes, which one would you choose and why?

Between the etec 600/800, which one and why?

 

[MNUser]

I have a Viper LTX and a 2013 Doo Ren 1200. Both are excellent. The 1200 is one of the smoothest running sleds I have ever had. Just a wonderful ride.

My Viper is a blast as well. Once I get it dialed in I think it will be even more enjoyable to ride. It is a great ditch banging sled and more comfortable to stand up and ride.

 

[Comatoast]

Is the doo faster? It felt like it was, but like I said it was tough to tell. I liked the chassis on the doo a lot , but the vipers looks and motor have this one a toss up... There is $1800 in price difference but the more important this is reliability And fun.

So what are the pros and con's of each? Have the 1200s had any major issues? Or concerning issues in general? Only thing I've seen is clutch issues..

 

[rough rider]

Im tossing around the idea of also getting a new sled, i want to stay with yamaha, but the ride and handling of the doos might be a deciding factor this spring, unless there are some changes to the viper calibrations, I like the 600 renegade backcountry with 137 and the 1.75 track, dont know what im doing yet, but going to make decison by april

 

[Comatoast]

Im tossing around the idea of also getting a new sled, i want to stay with yamaha, but the ride and handling of the doos might be a deciding factor this spring, unless there are some changes to the viper calibrations, I like the 600 renegade backcountry with 137 and the 1.75 track, dont know what im doing yet, but going to make decison by april

Same here. The 600 in the 2014, TNT I rode was nice but still to much power for that short track/lug... The etec 600 back country pulled really good.. I was very impressed. Even tho the etec 600 is probably the best 2 stroke on the market, I'm still concerned about reliability, longevity and maintenance.

And from what I've read and heard the new ace 900 in renegade form is right on par ( performance ) with the etec with just minor tweaks and upgrades.. Actually faster in acceleration , but lacking the top end. As I was told a 900 ace renegade will max out around 95-100 depending on break in and trail / lake conditions.


Many have posted 100 mph with studs on a packed lake on GPS, which is plenty fast. But the thing moved real quick up to 80 and has that awesome 30-60 power and..

 

[MNUser]

I couldn't really say if the Doo is faster or not. I ran out to a buddies fish house the other night and I was moving along at 80 across the lake and there was plenty of throttle left. It just cruises so nice even at 80. The suspension is so smooth.

My viper has had some issues. Minor ones. Not surprising it is a first year build and also TRF was where it was assembled. It is a nice sled. The only thing is has on the Doo is the stand up factor which could be fixed on the Doo with a riser and it just seems to have more low end pull. But the Doo is just so smooth it is hard to say if that is true or not. I have always liked that Nytro motor. It is a fun motor.

I have yet to line them up with my kid. My Doo has 480 miles on it and the Viper has 230. I know the Doo would pull away now cause the Viper has some clutching issues which should be resolved within the next couple weeks.

It is a hard call. I have a 16 year old so I bought one of each. I see you are in Duluth. My son and I should trailer up and ride with you for the day and you could try them out. You could be our trail guide for the day.

 

[yamy07]

I was at the Yamaha demo last Sat as well, tried out the Rtx and the standard Viper 129" without the fox shocks. Wish I had a chance to try the Ltx Se, that seemed to get the highest praise from the other riders as well as the Yamaha reps.
I tried the prototypes last spring in Duluth & was not impressed, but these sleds were 100 % improved compared to the ones I rode in the spring. The Rtx was much smoother over the bumps than the coil spring model. Both sleds turned OK, but not near as precise as my skidoo XP. They handled better than my 08 Nytro, but did not seem as fast. The group I was with had two guys riding standing up the whole time -all 17 miles, they were the first 2 riders behind the Yamaha leader. I felt we should have doubled the pace we rode at, but the "standing" guys were holding us back. The trail we rode was twisty & a little mogeled-up, I would have like to push the pace a little more to get a better feel for the sleds limits but I can see them not wanting anyone to get in over their head.
I'm curious where the OP tried out the Skidoo's & Polaris? It was a Yamaha demo- I didn't see any other manufacturers there.

 

[Murse]

I have to wait till March for a demo......maybe if I asked one of the dealers for a test drive. I don't feel ready to buy a new sled yet though....

 

[Comatoast]

I was at the Yamaha demo last Sat as well, tried out the Rtx and the standard Viper 129" without the fox shocks. Wish I had a chance to try the Ltx Se, that seemed to get the highest praise from the other riders as well as the Yamaha reps.
I tried the prototypes last spring in Duluth & was not impressed, but these sleds were 100 % improved compared to the ones I rode in the spring. The Rtx was much smoother over the bumps than the coil spring model. Both sleds turned OK, but not near as precise as my skidoo XP. They handled better than my 08 Nytro, but did not seem as fast. The group I was with had two guys riding standing up the whole time -all 17 miles, they were the first 2 riders behind the Yamaha leader. I felt we should have doubled the pace we rode at, but the "standing" guys were holding us back. The trail we rode was twisty & a little mogeled-up, I would have like to push the pace a little more to get a better feel for the sleds limits but I can see them not wanting anyone to get in over their head.
I'm curious where the OP tried out the Skidoo's & Polaris? It was a Yamaha demo- I didn't see any other manufacturers there.

After we left the Yamaha demo we drove to Hayward power sports. Really liked the renegade 1200.. Hell the etec 600,800 and rush pro r were all great too..

I would have to say the via er was probably the slowest sled we rode that day

 

[RoyalBlue]

pic

Any Pictures?

 

[dab102999]

I have a 06 attak and wife has a 07 Blizzard. Next year I have some changes I want to do to my sled has got me to thinking about upgrading and putting the Attak is spare sled state. How cold are these Vipers to ride? How much slower are they then lets say a newer Apex with power steering?

Thanks,
Doug

 

[nytrozula]

Its no surprise the Viper was slower than the 800's but I find it hard to believe it was slower than the 600's. Besides, the speed on all of these new sleds are pretty damn close anyhow. The important factors are the overall performance of the sled and the look.