My first Yami, a 2002 Viper

Z

Zion Lion

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Sep 18, 2005
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Just bought a viper with 2015 miles on it, looks clean, starts with half a pulll.. sending it to the shop for an overhaul this week... I hear doomsday with this sled by reading the forums, but I think after riding 99 ZL and ZR cats it will be an upgrade... tell me the good bad and the ugly about this sled...
 
welcome to yamaha, 1st thing is being that you are coming off a zl and zr you will probably think the viper suspension is stiff. the triple 700 motor is awesome, smooth, reliable, good sound, good on gas. does the viper you bought have a blown motor? is that why it is getting an overhaul? mine has 6000 miles on it with 0 motor problems besides a broken engine mount bolt but the torque limiter kit took care of that. if your viper doesn't have a torque limiter i suggest you get one. enjoy your sled and welcome to the site :yam:
 
coming off the cats (uncoupled) the suspension will be better if you have the updated shocks. it will be better in every aspect over the cats except it wont wheelie as easy.
 
nothing doomsday about the vipers. unless you start piping them, and then they arent that bad if you heed the warnings. they had a few teething updates for the 02's. but they are reliable, fast, smooth, good ergos and great fuel economy. i'm in the same boat as above why is it getting an "overhaul"? do you mean you are sending it in for a fall checkup? shouldnt have to get into that motor unless you are going to mod the cyls. i stretched mine to 136" added heads and pipes and i love it. ski
 
I love mine, as everyone else says the motor is super smooth, decently strong and very reliable. just maintain the powervalves and dont run it out of oil and it will go on forever lol! and why an overhaul......
 
Im in the same boat ! I bought a 2002 viper in july for next to nothing with 1200 miles on it. My friend had one and put well over 7000 miles or 11000km on his machine without putting a penny on it.
In quebec ive seen many for sale with well over 7000 miles on them and never had their motors opened.
Great on gas near rx1 terms, compared with my 2000 polaris xc sp 700 my buddy would always put less oil and gas than me , anywere from $3 to $9 less than me per fill up!
As for the upgrade that they had on the rear some like the softer ride some dont. Im happy the last owner never went for upgraded schoks because if you are an agressive rider you may not like the softer ride.
My buddie regrets that he had the updated revalved shocks on his 2002..
As for upgrades im leaving mine alone and learning from my polaris with all the aftermarket stuff like pipes/cans/clutching/jetting ect.. while it may have been fun it cost me to much time, so im leaving this viper stock except 144 studs up the midlle and blue chrome windshield and blue skid plate .
From old reports from magazines They say that the motor and clutching is near perfect , ive heard of overreving but once my friend installed studs his peak went down from 8900 to 8600 and thats what you want it at .
Cant wait to try mine out ! ;)!
 
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Just watch the bushings and bearings in the suspension, mine were all shot around 7,000 and W was cracked too. (should have redone all at about 6,000). Put on 1.25 ripsaw track and torque limiter at 7,000 as well. Have 9,646 on my 02 now. No motor issues, just broke in... LOL
 
Sorry, should have said fall cleanup, not overhaul.. Look really clean.. should I leave the trail can in (sounds cool) or should I put the stock back in?
 
can is a matter of preference. I bet you are probably loosing a bit of power, but dropped some weight. if the trails have sound level limits where you are it might be a good idea to go back to stock. any pics of the sled?
 
03viperguy said:
can is a matter of preference. I bet you are probably loosing a bit of power, but dropped some weight. if the trails have sound level limits where you are it might be a good idea to go back to stock. any pics of the sled?
Click to expand...


not sure on the sound level limits, though I would imagine so (cumberland county maine), and not sure how to upload pictures at the moment on this board! How bout this link?

http://imagetex.com/displayimage.php?album=lastup&cat=1&pos=185
 
Thanks, though I figured it would get a positive review on this board! I paid $3200, with two windshilelds, two mufflers, and a matching jacket, with 2015 miles, I feel pretty good about the purchase.... time will tell! she does start on one three quarter pull.....
 
I live in androscoggin county just over the line, sounds limits shouldn't be an issue. I got stopped by a game warden in the back country in rangely two years ago and he asked me if i had an aftermarket exhaust and i told him yes and he gave me a warning. never had an issue since. my friends skidoo is really loud and he didnt have any issues. the viper is a great sled, it will hold its own, i have 2 o2's and my wife has an 04 er. i would suggest you dump the stock track and get a 9818 or ripsaw, much better for the trails usually found around here, you wouldnt believe the difference. enjoy
 
i have an 02 as well.... make sure all updates were done... especially the fuel pump.... as for the shocks, i didnt do the recall deal, i sent mine into maximum performance, they rebuilt/revalved/resprung to my weight/riding style, and wow what a ride... stretched it last year to a 136 love it.... unfortunately, im selling it..... wife is preggy and next year i am buying an attak.... so i will ride her vector er this year....

by the way, consider adding a 2 inch riser... makes her ride better.... u get more leverage and such.... i have a mbrp can on mine, love to hear that triple sing......
 
onlyblue said:
i have an 02 as well.... make sure all updates were done... especially the fuel pump.... as for the shocks, i didnt do the recall deal, i sent mine into maximum performance, they rebuilt/revalved/resprung to my weight/riding style, and wow what a ride... stretched it last year to a 136 love it.... unfortunately, im selling it..... wife is preggy and next year i am buying an attak.... so i will ride her vector er this year....

by the way, consider adding a 2 inch riser... makes her ride better.... u get more leverage and such.... i have a mbrp can on mine, love to hear that triple sing......
Click to expand...


Onlyblue - Could you elaborate on the updates? Other than the shocks, what were some of the other items? Are they covered free of charge, or do they only apply to the orig. owner? Also, which is the best 2" riser to go with for the viper? Is it necessary to go with an adjustable one?
 
updates include:
Hood Fix
Fuel Pump
Recoil rope guard
Optional shock exhange

i have power madd riser.... 2 inch, rolled bars as far forward as possible... works good....
 
onlyblue said:
updates include:
Hood Fix
Fuel Pump
Recoil rope guard
Optional shock exhange

i have power madd riser.... 2 inch, rolled bars as far forward as possible... works good....
Click to expand...


What's involved with these? The shocks are self explanatory, but what are the issues with the hood, fuel pump, and rope? I just purchased an '02 and have no idea if these were done or not. I'm assuming they weren't being that it has 500 miles on it and hasn't been ridden the past two years. TIA ;)!
 
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