Doo has freestyle. Now what from Yami

sandmanmike1

sandmanmike1

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Nov 11, 2004
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Yamaha doesn't have a mini or midsize anymore. Seems to me this would be a decent market to be in. Youth is growing up on cats, doo's and polaris. That may be there first purchase once they grow up. Yamaha needs to step up and get these kids started right.
 
Let them learn and crash on those sleds....then step up to a real sled ...it will save you money in the long run....damn those freestyles are ugly...looks like it got the crap kicked out of it in a 12 round heavy weight fight
 
I remember a long while back (when the sxr was new) that they said the reason they were killing the phazer is that the sales on the 500cc and less werent that great. people tend to buy cheap used sleds to learn on. yamaha buyers tended to be experienced riders looking to upgrade to a more solid sled with a higher build quality. that and they never really sold a lot of the smaller sleds. kinda how people tend to learn on 600cc bikes. no real need for the super small ones in their eyes. but it would be nice to get a phazer replacement....
 
When my son turned 10 2 years ago I put him on a 97' 500XTC. Perfect for him and not butt ugly!
 
I was watching snowmobiler TV last weekend, and they did a review of the Freestyle.
They had some 14 year old kids on there and they talked like that Freestyle was the best thing since sliced bread. They said how the 380 REV felt heavy and bulky but the Freestyle was so light. They said the suspension was great and that it was built for jumping. Now, this show is from Canada, so they tend to favor the Doos (I cant recall how many times they used the term "RX ton" and said how injected 2-strokes are better than 4-strokes) but sheesh! I kept waiting for them to say just before they broke for commercials "this show sponsored by Bombarider Recreational Products!"
Anyways, if that sled was made for jumping as they claimed, why does it only have single a-arms? I mean seriously, how much would it have cost Doo to put a decent front suspension on it (double a-arms)? For the $3000 that the Freestyle costs, I think I would go a little bit better and opt for the 380 REV. At least that is a "real" sled, not some toy that you KNOW is going to break.
Kids are going to start out on these Freestyles (you know they are going to sell like crazy in Canada) and then when they move up to the REV, they are going to have to learn all over again because the REV will be a bigger sled.
I applaude Doo for making the Freestyle but why did they have to cut corners on it like they did?
All in all, if I had a 12 year old kid, Id be finding myself an old Bravo or a Phazer for them to ride.
I dont really think the concern of them learning to ride on a Doo and then sticking with a Doo is all that big because people change brands all the time. When you are out riding, how many people do you see who's suit and sled dont match? Heck, Im riding a Polaris right now but all my riding gear is Yamaha! If Yamaha continues to make quality, innovative products like they have been, they will have NO problem holding onto their current customers and attracting new ones.
Hebi
 
our kids have a 00 phazer and it is great, it would be nice to see a new entry level sled. maybe a yzf450 motor or a lightweight twin 4 stroker at about 90 hsp in a rx chassis? if not, i will find another phazer for the younger two soon....
 
cheap as usual...

I just read the article in the March issue of Snow Goer. The only good thing about the Freestyle is the SC-4 rear suspension... Estimated price of $4000..

It produces a measely 30HP and is only a 268cc single... I am sure they will sell.. but is it worth the investment on Ski-doo's part? probably not..
 
but if the kids are starting with doo, they may stick with it, how many peaple on here had yamy as there first sled
 
I started on a 1980 yamaha 440 ss but I was older. I am looking to get my 6 year old started. Kitty Kat is too small which I have for sale. 120 will be too small very soon. Too many kids are getting hurt every year on sleds that are too big for them. Why do you think 3 wheelers got banned. Kids were riding machines that were too big for them too control and got hurt. they can bring back the sno-scoot or something around that size.
 
sxrsist said:
but if the kids are starting with doo, they may stick with it, how many peaple on here had yamy as there first sled
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Enough said, ...this has been played out many times and not just with sleds, ...this is just another strategy that has been putting SD ahead of the competition.
 
sxrsist said:
but if the kids are starting with doo, they may stick with it, how many peaple on here had yamy as there first sled
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My first sled wasnt a Yamaha. Here is the list of sleds I have owned:
'90 Polaris Indy 400
'96 Polaris Indy 600 XCR
'98 Polaris Indy 600 XC
'99 Polaris Indy Sport
'99 Polaris Indy SuperSport
'99 Polaris Indy 700 XC
'90 Yamaha Phazer II
'01 Polaris Indy 600 XC EDGE X

As you can see, I have owned many Polaris sleds. However, I got tired of BNGs year after year and there was always something about the look of Yamahas that attracted me. So, I went aganst what my family said and bought the Phazer a few years ago. I loved that sled! It made me realize just what I had been missing all those years I rode Polaris. The ONLY reason that I dont currently own a Yamaha is because I was unable to find a used SX 600R and because I was able to get a 600 XC for waaay cheaper than I should have.
Mark my words, my next sled WILL be a Yamaha, most likely a 4-stroke!
Hebi
 
srx_eh said:
this is just another strategy that has been putting SD ahead of the competition.
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Well, I think that will change. Doo doesnt have the financial backing that they once had, now that the recreational and aerospace division are seperate.
Doo is no longer any bigger than Polaris or Cat, and Yamaha is bigger than all 3 of those others combined.
I expect Yamaha will keep up the pace of making their sleds better and better and before long Yamaha will be a real competitor for #1 in marketshare.
All Cat and Doo need are a few winters of no snow and they will just about be bankrupt. They dont have the ATV and motorcycle sales like Polaris and Yamaha do. Heck, Cat hasnt had to endure any bad winters lately and they have gone from $9 million in sales last year to only $5 million this year. Maybe Cat should stop making racer sleds and focus more on trail sleds.
Hebi
 
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Buddy of mine is ready to bail out on Cat. His kids ACT went out on his Sno Pro Firecat. Had it in the dealer before noon today. He knows how many times my sleds been in since I've owned it. 0. In the last 3 years between his and his wife and two sons sleds they've been in for recall or repair at least 18 times. I've nick named his sleds "Recallacat". Not so sure he saw the humor in it. Hey, like I told him, there's a price you pay for light weight and tunning it to the edge, It's called "Hope you can make it home"
Apparently on the ACT the screws holding the cases together backed out and it blew it's guts out. Kinda like buying a Harley.
 
Its like I say, "light and fast means nothing without strength and durability."
Id gladly have a sled that is 30 pounds heavier but stays in one piece all winter than to have something super light like a Firecat that spends more time in my dealer's shop than it does in my own garage.
Hebi
 
my first sled was a kitty kat. but the one i consider my first real sled was a 2000 mountain lite(phazer long track). :rockon: :yam:

sxrsist said:
but if the kids are starting with doo, they may stick with it, how many peaple on here had yamy as there first sled
Click to expand...
 
My first 2 sleds were cats, but too many piston per season, with lots of other related expenses.
when i noticed my current sled had burning pistons, the sled was still running, and I think I went a whole season like that. I had 2 days left on warantee and even jugs were still good, a much better deal. no they are getting rid of the proaction, I'd consider another yami, but I'll see what everyone else is offering first
 
Hebi said:
All Cat and Doo need are a few winters of no snow and they will just about be bankrupt. They dont have the ATV and motorcycle sales like Polaris and Yamaha do. Hebi
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BUT, Polaris just got out of the water craft business. A/C got out a couple of years ago. Doo has just about cornered the market when it comes to water craft. And their motor R&D is second to none. One of my best friends works for Bombardier, and he gets to run all their new stuff before you and I even know about it. He says there is some cool stuff coming down the pipe for watercraft, 4 wheelers, and sleds. Wait and see I guess.

I'm just saying that Doo has a lot more financial "backing" than is apparent. Next time you are out on the trails, watch how many Rev's you pass or see at stops. Next time you are out on the water, check out how many PWC's and small jet boats say Bombardier on them. They are Dooing just fine. And Yamaha will continue to rank right up there with them I'm sure.
 
Oh, and who thinks Honda might bring a snowmobile to the market in the future? #1 builder of motorcycles and ATV's in the world. They are now making PWC watercraft. Could a sled be in their future??
 
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