02 viper strengths weakness's and value

yamadoo

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Jun 12, 2003
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Rochester
I have a line on a 02 viper :WayCool: , know it has a sweet 700 tripple, any reason to stay away from a low mile 02? Any absolutely needed upgrades for trail 'railing' type ride?
Thanks ;)!
Yamadoo
 

the stock suspension on the 02's (if it's not updated) is set up for jumping houses. it'll be mighty stiff.

personally I like it, it smoothes out as you get more speed on you, rides absolute best at 60-70mph, higher than that it starts to get choppy again.
 
Depending on snow conditions a rear heat exchanger could be considered mandatory. Other then that just be ready to take some time to dial in the suspension, this is one of the harder sleds I have tried to adjust, I'm getting close after about 2200 miles last winter but still need to do some learning. Basically I go from one extreme to the other adjustment wise to understand the effects of the adjustment then try to find a sweet spot in the middle.
 
the 02 seat isn't the most comfortable, and i upgraded from the stock .92 yoko track to a 1" 9830 camo(with studs)- BIG difference. I also put woodys doolys on the skis and the sled tracks straight as an arrow (no darting) even at high speeds or through the bumps. it does push into the tight corners a little, but it's pretty minor compared to the advantage. i heard the sway bar kit from CB Performance is the ticket to prevent ski lift. but all in all i absolutely love it- handles awesome and wicked snappy! an 02 with around 2000 mi. i've been seeing prices in the $3700 to $4200 range. hope this helps.
oh ya- what kinger said about the r. heat exchanger- mandatory. was this like the only sled that didn't come with one or what? i don't get it
 
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Thanks GUys, wow you are great and quick. I have over 10 k miles on 98 XTC's with the pro action rear so I am familiar. Doesnt the viper have better transfer rods/wt shift adjustment built in?
Yamadoo
 
yamadoo said:
Thanks GUys, wow you are great and quick. I have over 10 k miles on 98 XTC's with the pro action rear so I am familiar. Doesnt the viper have better transfer rods/wt shift adjustment built in?
Yamadoo


Yeah, buy some quick rods, instant trail side adjustment. Great feature. You will like the viper if you like your XT's. Some of the Vipers had a short in the harness underneath the mag side of the motor. Otherwise mine has been very reliable. I also recommend the rear exchanger, although my wife runs hers without, without a problem.
 
Never had a problem eith my Viper or the need for a rear heat exchanger. Save your money! Yes, the suspension is a little stiff on the end of the day trails, but groomed trails it handles awesome!!
 
yes the wiring harness under the engine will eventually rub through and short out, could happen at 2000 miles or at 20,000 miles, but eventually it will so get it taped up. Rear heat exchanger, some people have problems some don't. If you ride in a lot of marginal conditions you probably will. If you have problems with over heating put it in otherwise leave it. Any engine mods and its pretty much mandatory. Great trail sleds. Shock revalve for your weight and riding style makes it excellent.
 
yamaholic22 said:
yes the wiring harness under the engine will eventually rub through and short out, could happen at 2000 miles or at 20,000 miles, but eventually it will so get it taped up. .

Do you know where this is exactly? I have to do it on my wife's viper. Mine was done by the dealer so I didn't see exactly where it is. I am assuming I need to the pull the pipe or can to get at it?
 
buy a stocker and clutch it. for suspension send me the seat and ill make it feel like a srx seat for 150 and look stock.
the front end best works with the stock springs with a sway bar from a venture. this is the largest bar they make. using the stock springs with this bar will alow you to run them loose, set low in front, and not dive in a corner like the stocker. the dive can also be cured with straight rate springs but will set the sled up higer.

the skis i found to be the best are viper s skis with shaper bars, shimmed and set the two at 1/4 out. i have tried c+a pro, stock, and precision. the s style are the lightest of all by alot and work in all conditions predictably.
 
it is directly under the engine on the mag side (right side if you are sitting on the sled) under the rear motor mount. There is enough room that you should be able to fish out the wiring harness if you unplug all the wires from the hood. Once you get them out, if they aren't rubbed through yet (like if the sled is brand new), you can just put some electrical tape and then wire loom on the length of wire under the engine. A lot of people run the wire loom all the way up to the hood for the looks, your preference. This will prevent the wires from rubbing through and grounding out on the motor mount, engine, and frame.
 
the front end best works with the stock springs with a sway bar from a venture. this is the largest bar they make. using the stock springs with this bar will alow you to run them loose, set low in front, and not dive in a corner like the stocker. the dive can also be cured with straight rate springs but will set the sled up higer

What straight rate spring, and does anyone have one. Maxdlx
 
yamaholic22 said:
it is directly under the engine on the mag side (right side if you are sitting on the sled) under the rear motor mount. There is enough room that you should be able to fish out the wiring harness if you unplug all the wires from the hood. Once you get them out, if they aren't rubbed through yet (like if the sled is brand new), you can just put some electrical tape and then wire loom on the length of wire under the engine. A lot of people run the wire loom all the way up to the hood for the looks, your preference. This will prevent the wires from rubbing through and grounding out on the motor mount, engine, and frame.

I found it. Followed the harness from the hood, pulled it through. Sure enough the one on my wifes was starting to rub through. All set. Thanks.
 
This is my first year with my 03 Viper and the sled rocks on the trails and gets great 15 miles per gal avg. I added max transfer nuts, tunnel traction from yamaha, which do help alot, c&a pro advantage with 6" shaper bars and berstrom ski savers and it got rid of the darting. 2" powermad handlebar riser, sno-grips and hadgaurds. The engine was set up by the Rock in WI and it makes a BIG difference in the set up. The 03 has a newer seat material and I felt very comfortable. Shocks were all softer compared to the 02. The sled is great on gas and oil. Sneaky fast and lots of fun. ;)!
 
straits i tried were ohlins
ohlins springs and the bigger bar will be better but the bumps will get harder and harder.
 
i have an 02 viper. The best 2 things i ahve done to it so far other than mods for looks are the rear cooler and i did the clutching. HC 40-10 with 4g in the heel 3 in the tip and the HC red spring with a Advant Edge 48-40 helix. Other than that totally stock. Beats my freonds 03 rev 800, and many AC 700 that are studded. Next year I am putting on a ripsaw. ;)!
 
Ended the season last weekend (no april fool) in the U.P. on my 02 with 9,434 on the odometer. No problems other than the updates. At 7,600 miles rebuilt the entire suspension (all bushings & bearings, recharged shocks, and added ripsaw w/o studs). With regular maintenance good for another 5,000 anyway.
 

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