Yamaha vs Yamacat build quality

[dangrs1]

I've always been Mopar guy and never owned a foreign car. I have also been loyal to my Yamaha's that are Japanese built. Now that I'm looking at a Viper I was wondering what is thought of the build quality compared to the Japanese Yamahas? I understand all the ride differences and just want to know about the actual quality. My experience with my pure blood Yamahas has been flawless as to quality.

 

[awolb69]

I've always been Mopar guy and never owned a foreign car. I have also been loyal to my Yamaha's that are Japanese built. Now that I'm looking at a Viper I was wondering what is thought of the build quality compared to the Japanese Yamahas? I understand all the ride differences and just want to know about the actual quality. My experience with my pure blood Yamahas has been flawless as to quality.

From one Mopar guy to another (I own a 69 Charger, a 10 Challenger, a 15 Charger, and a 14 Ram) I will tell you that I am mildly impressed with the quality of the AC built Yamahas. I have a 14 Viper which was off course the first of the breed and in 6600 miles the sled has given me no problems except for a reversed actuator motor that stopped working last season (replaced under warranty). As far as build quality, I'd say it's on par with Polaris. Not the best but everything lines up well and nothing has worn out, broke or torn in the time I've had it. The only other thing that I've noticed that kind of irritates me is AC's use of cheap steel core rivets on the chassis. After a short while you sometimes notice rust streaks on the aluminum from the steel rivet nails rusting (most noticeable on a white tunnel), but this is VERY minor. Overall, AC and Yamaha have made steady progress over the last last 3 seasons in quality and this is evident when you look at the new production Sidewinder's now arriving at dealers. I have a new Sidewinder XTX LE 137 that just arrived the other day and it will sit alongside my 14 Viper. Go ahead, get the Viper you won't regret it. BTW, my last Japanese built Yamaha is my '11 Nytro XTX. That sled IMO is a piece a crap. I still have it also with 9000 mi on it but I have replaced the ball joints, tie rod ends, a arm bushings (many times), front sub frame, rebuilt the rear skid 3 times, the seat is coming apart and don't ask me about the exhaust donuts. The Viper is a much better sled, but not as fun to ride as the nytro.

 

[Curtis Chambers]

Not the same as yamaha

 

[murdered141]

It's really not that bad, when you bring your sled home before the snow flies you tend to sit on it in the garage and notice some fitment issues and small things here and there but when you ride you forget all about that.

 

[Byam]

Not the same as yamaha

X1000.


Yamaha is not existing anymore, we are ALL riding ARTIC-CAT

 

[whitedust1]

Looked at a Sidewinder on Friday at Pat's. The fit and finish looked aok to me as far as showroom presentation. Also SWs don't sell for $17K much cheaper than that by far. My problem is my knees are pressing on the side panels which I don't like. Sat on Poo AXYS and plenty of clearance for knees. No interest in Poo 2s but I would think AC/Yamaha could bend the plastic to allow more knee clearance.

 

[yamadoo]

I have been pleasantly surprised by my 2015 yamacat.

I think BOTH my 6 true Yamahas and my 1 yamacat have both been wonderful. So maybe the yamahas weren't as good as some dream and the yamacat or catmaha is not as disappointing.

My 2 cents

 

[super1c]

Both my Vipers (16&17) are flawless as far as fit and finish. I've been over every inch of these things between last winter and this fall trying to learn my way around and I'm very happy.

 

[Joe ltx-le]

Coming from running an apex for 25000 Kms, the cat stuff is not near as good of quality.

I'm sitting in the garage right now changing the bearing behind the brake. It's a Chinese peer bearing. Yet the jackshaft has a koyo bearing.
The brake rotor took an hour to get off. The splines where crazy tight.

The arctic cat Track adjuster would not slide because the slots aren't straight in the skid. I did fix it with some file work.

But!! I love this sled when I'm riding it. I wouldn't change my purchase.

 

[mtotguy]

I have no issue with the fit and finish of my '14. It's all the mechanical issues. I have had more warranty issues on this one sled than I have had on all the new snowmobiles I have ever owned put together. Grip heaters not working, cracked chaincase, cracked muffler, leaks, hot start issues, starter issues, reverse issues, bad chain case bearing and more. The sled performs well but after what I've been thru I wouldn't buy another one.

 

[yamagone]

I found the fit on my 15' was horrible and many of the hood edges around the dash were never trimmed properly and rough. I used a fine file to smooth them out.

 

[Cfpdscott]

I found the fit on my 15' was horrible and many of the hood edges around the dash were never trimmed properly and rough. I used a fine file to smooth them out.

Same on my 16

 

[hellflyer]

My 16 Ltx only has 1800km on it but definitely not the build quality and design features of yamaha. Noticed that after the first pain in the A$$ oil change ! But I do think the front end is a much better design durability wise. Still would not trade that chassis back for my apex .

 

[titanrcr]

Fit and Finish is clearly superior on the Japanese Yamaha. Ride quality is another story.

 

[swampcat]

I found the fit on my 15' was horrible and many of the hood edges around the dash were never trimmed properly and rough. I used a fine file to smooth them out.

My 16 LTX is the same. Hood pieces fit like a 8 year old kid put it together. Also went around the whole sled with a X-acto knife and trimmed all the casting flash off. Very poor quality, if you ask me.