Thank You Yamaha!!

I have NOT ridden the 06 models, but the weight is a factor when I ride a 50lb lighter bump sled now
 
I want to know how much Yamaha paid the guys that write the mags to give such great first impressions. I guess ask the guys who sprint car race about light weight stuff. Pretty soon you price your self-out going light weight also. Ala weight rules. It works both ways. Safety and Price becomes an issue down the road. But for most of us who just trail ride 30lbs is not a big hoopla for a good ride. So to keep bringing that up for the last 4 years is getting annoying. Why spend so much time on what yamaha didn't do for you, I don't understand that. It's like going through my divorce. The shrink told me "why would you want to be with someone that doesn't want to be with you" Hmm Good point. If you feel they left you out you need to get on with your lifes. ;) If you don't want a 4-stroke becaue it's heavier that is your right as a consumer. The companies can play word games all they want to try to sell their products, they all do it. That's their job.
 
My biggest beef with the new sleds is the pricing. Ouch, $10,500 is alot for a 150hp sled. I actually really like the Apex, and think that next year more models will convert over to that setup, but it's priced out of its category. Last year the 145hp RX-1 was about the same price as a ZR900 or new Fusion (just over $9k). Now Yamahas 150hp sled is priced at $10.5k!!! Thats $1,500 more than the sleds in its class! Now if you weren't brand loyal and saw the 165hp Mach Z for the same price, what would you pick? I hope the dealers can do some "creative financing" this fall, cause I'll be in the market for deals.
 
EJ- I am upset that Y didnt build a ditch banger, BUT they are charging the same as the MAch Z and Fusion from your example.(and most dealers dont deal on the mach)
 
That's a good point, that Yamaha will have to work out. Is building a lighter weight sled cost effect in a 4 stroke model? Or did they hit that place where price is a major factor. I guess we will have to see what all the others do for the EPA crap and see if their costs rise for that reason. Or they could get money hungry and see a chance at raising their prices to fluff the books. All a game!

I think I can see what Yamaha is doing over all from a business stance. I started my company by appealing to everyone and then finding a niche with in the masses. I couldn't compete with the niches but could with the mass of customers. It's all based on numbers. Then once I got established in the market we went after more of a niche. I lost some customers because I couldn't serve their needs, but I eventually got them back in time. I look at the niches of the sport as "ditchbanging", "Mountain sledders" but the masses are still boring old trail riders.... like me.
 
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Word up

bleueje17 said:
EJ- I am upset that Y didnt build a ditch banger, BUT they are charging the same as the MAch Z and Fusion from your example.(and most dealers dont deal on the mach)
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I don't buy into or care much about the ditchbanging thing. But over $1k more than a Fusion of the same power category is crazy. I could see myself on an Apex this fall, but only if the dealers are "swamped" with sleds they can't get rid of and have to dramatically discount them.
 
hey elcamaro,

If you do alot of riding you will make up 1K in gas and oil usage and rings and pistons and so on. Dont look at the HP and say it is more expensive, you need to look at the technology 150HP 4 stroke, monoshock and again so on and so on. Do the math.
 
Math?

yamyrider said:
hey elcamaro,

If you do alot of riding you will make up 1K in gas and oil usage and rings and pistons and so on. Dont look at the HP and say it is more expensive, you need to look at the technology 150HP 4 stroke, monoshock and again so on and so on. Do the math.
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I look at Ski Doo's technology and say wow. Ski Doo's motors are getting as good of fuel mileage as Yammi's 4 strokes. Warranties take care of the ring and piston thing, so I'm only looking at oil usage. I'm not bashing the new sleds themselves, just the price. $1,500 is alot of cash to me. $1,500 could buy me a cheap 97' SX for a backup sled when I need new "rings".
 
EJ some people don't have time for warranty issues or "THE CHANCE" of having more of them. (not saying that any company has more or less) I unclude my down time in those issues. Ask a truck driver about how much his time is worth when he can't hall a load because of warranty or down time. No this isn't a business, but I take my time seriously. Ski-doo has come along way on their 2 stroke technology, can't take that away. Everyones opinion about the MPG is different, depending on who you listen to. I wonder why?
 
Hey, I'm not bashing Yamaha's sleds. I want one, but the price is my issue. As far as warranties and the 2 vs. 4 stroke argument goes, I ride a 2-stroke now, I've dealt with their shortcomings for 15 years, riding a new 2 - stroke is not a big deal at all for me. I can also rebuild one MYSELF in an afternoon and don't mind doing it. The mpg thing is different because of the way you ride. Loafing around on the trail the 4-stroke gets far better fuel milage. But if you are an aggresive rider the new SDI motors are right there with the Yammi's (Snow Tech Mag). For some reason Polaris's new cleanfire isn't that good on fuel? And I agree, if you wanted to put floats on a Fusion it would negate this arguement, but the Apex can come without them, and it doesn't change the price, why is that?
 
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yep you answered the question right. Driving difference is a key. No matter what sled your on. my sxr gets about 10 know matter what, so does my buddies ski-doo. But some days I use more some days he does. It all balances out in our group. Now there will always be pluses and minus on both 2 stroke and 4 stroke. The money is a big key for me also, but I can't even see spending 8K on a sled. It's that single income thing. Overall the 2006 added some add on stuff that people have complained about in the past, saving some money on aftermarket stuff. The 2.2 lbs off the crank is very impressive to me. I am not an expert crank balancer, but I do consider my self an expert in some forms of balancing and I would have to show people how much quicker 2.2 lbs less mass spins. it's amazing.
 
bleueje17 said:
I have NOT ridden the 06 models, but the weight is a factor when I ride a 50lb lighter bump sled now
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Have you ridden an 05?? We've got a Vector and when the trail get bumpy (and I mean BUMPY) you simply cannot catch it. I've got a 136 SXR with a full sno-X front (including big Ohlins) and it can't keep up. F7's can't get out of the way fast enough..this thing works and its heavy. Alot heavier then my SXR...on the lake I can smoke it but on the trail not a chance.

Ride one..then judge...or keep riding the keyboard and complaining..your choice.....
 
watersuper said:
2 stroke or 4 stroke Yamaha has never built what I would call a true ditch banger and probably never will.
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I'm just trying a little levity here so don't take this the wrong way, but how about the "Snoscoot" or whatever it was called?

I've never seen one up close. ;)!
 
watersuper said:
2 stroke or 4 stroke Yamaha has never built what I would call a true ditch banger and probably never will.
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Does 30lbs not make a sled a ditchbanger? Is there a law against it or is it a term only for 2 strokes? lol. I guess some of us never saw thundercats pounding the ditches. :D If it can move it can be banged.. How good is the key. ;)
 
I hear alot of conjecture and speculation presented as facts. First of all none of us have ridden the new sleds so we don't have a clue how they will ride, but based on my experience with the vector and all the write-ups about the Mono Shock RA Suspension they are as good or better then what is produced right now by any of the other guys, just read the magazines. Then, has anyone watched the vidoes on the Yamaha site "meet the skepticles"? Did you notice the big bump video that shows the Apex soaking up some 2-3 foot rollers at about 50...looked like it was doing pretty damn good. Did you notice that one of the new models comes with a push button preload control? It controls the rear Ohlins suspension just by a push of a button on the new digital readout...that's worth a ton! As far as saying they don't have a true "ditch Banger" What do you mean??? What do you call 2.5" taller seat, rider forward position, wider foot boards, Tall handle bars with end hooks, aggressive track and aggressive fully adjustable front and rear suspensions?
 
I have ridden an 05, and I am not impressed with the ride or power. Maybe the riser block for 06 will make it a ditch banger...

Just too heavy and then add the lag of a 4 stroke and its like driving a diesel (without the turbo)
Guys- I defended Y for years while others questioned me, but I realized being brand loyal was as narrow minded as whatever his name is in the video clip - but I gotta say good marketing always includes a hot chicky!

my enticer 300 could have taken those rollers at the right speed - for those who know what an 83 was - bad to the bone...or so I thought, until I rode my 84 Phazer and so on...but I guess I finally broke out of the ice.
 
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