What do you think? Sorry Not Yamaha Related.

YamiSmurf

YamiSmurf

New member
Joined
Jan 31, 2004
Messages
373
Age
54
Location
Mishawaka, IN
Here's my situation. I feel I need to replace my sled, a 99 sx 600 currently with 6000 miles. Hopefully, by the end of the season it will have 8000-9000 miles, that is if we get any snow.

I mainly ride alone because most of my buddy's are on different time schedules. As this sled reaches higher miles I don't feel completely comfortable riding alone. This could prove to be extremely dangerous. Fine, replace the sled-easier said than done.

Well, in 3 months my wife goes from salary plus commission to 100% commission and her business has not grown a quickly as she expected. Not due to the lack of hard work, just a tough industry.

I have the opportunity to purchase a 2004 mxz 800 (did I just say that outloud) with 80 miles for 4000.00. My dream would be an Attak but financially it will be impossible for a couple of years. I could ride the mxz for the next few years and save enough $$$ for the Attak.

Call me what you will, but I refuse to finance a sled. And I only purchase new sleds. The mxz is owned by a good friend of a close friend who used it to ride with his son on their farm last season. But with a new business venture, the seller has no time to ride and may need the cash.

I've been over on the Dootalk boards and it seems there's alot more about repairs or problems with skidoos than with yams on the TY boards not to say we don't have problems. Is it just me or has anyone else noticed this. On the other hand they sell many more sled each year then yamaha.

I plan to off the Yam if I go through with this deal. This is more of financial/income issue than a brand issue.

What do you guys think good or bad? I know some of you have owned or own both brands.

Thanks everyone

The Smurf.
 
I think bad idea - you'll pay for it in the long run, my last sled was a 2000 doo 700 twin, crank bearing failere at 2000 miles cost $2650 bucks, followed by a recoil clip ($1.85 part) falling out and cost me another $600 for used parts to get it back together.

That's when I bought the Yammie.

Hold out with your 600 until you can buy the new yammie you want. seriously consider not buying it.
 
xsivhp said:
I think bad idea - you'll pay for it in the long run, my last sled was a 2000 doo 700 twin, crank bearing failere at 2000 miles cost $2650 bucks, followed by a recoil clip ($1.85 part) falling out and cost me another $600 for used parts to get it back together.

That's when I bought the Yammie.

Hold out with your 600 until you can buy the new yammie you want. seriously consider not buying it.
Click to expand...

I totally agree... i'd rather have a 10,000mile yammie!!!!

:die: SKI-POO
 
Put 2 seasons and 4000kms on an 02 MXZ700 sport, no issues whatsoever. Decent fuel economy, good suspension and very strong motor.
 
for 4000.00 I would try to pick up a low milage sxr 600 or 700 there one of the most bullet proof sleds yami ever made.
 
It is your money! but you know your sled now, Why not rebuild or upgrade the sled to boost your confidence? I have a 97 SX 600 only 2000 miles but I have longtraveled it, rebuilt the skid, cleaned the hell out of it, water pump, & the belt paint.plus god knows what else! All was working I just did it for my own confidence! Then in a few years get the sled you want!
 

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Save your money. A yamaha with more miles will almost always in all situations prove to be more reliable. A guy I know who is a mechanic for Ian Hayden and happens to be his father owns a few revs and has had problems with them, one with the engine failing in the middle of nowhere.

Although you mentioned your friends have different time schedules, you should always ride with someone else. Maybe convincing them to alter their schedules or change yours somehow.
 
I also ride alone a lot. Partly because of the schedule differences that you also have and partly because I enjoy getting 100% into the ride and not having other riders on my mind. I do not have a cell phone but probably should and if you have one it is just a matter of who to call when you need help. In many years and a lot of miles I have seldom had a mechanical problem that left me stranded. Most of the time I have been able to fix a problem at least well enough to limp home. Last year I ran out of gas and luckily I only had to walk about 2 miles to get home.

I would not worry about your sled too much, if you keep it in good shape it will likely run a long time yet without leaving you stranded.

I'll call you what I will for rufusing to finance a sled and it is "smart man".

However buying a used sled is not a bad thing in my book. I would buy a late model low mileage sled before buying new. The depreciation loss on a new sled is huge and you may be better off financially by financing a used sled rather than paying cash for a new one. Of course, problems can be had with a used sled, but I would say it's better to be a savvy shopper and take the chances. I have bought several used sleds without problems. The Ski-doo should be a good sled if you want it and with 80 miles it should be as good as new.
 
stick with the yami!!!! hell for 4000 bucks u could pick up a sweet yamaha instead of a skidoo....but this is just my opinion....i have absolutly no cash so im stuck riding a pooplaris but i picked it up for next to nothing so until next year ill hafta beat on this polaris and then get my yamaha.....99 sx600 huh hmmmmmmmm sweet sled it will run forever, its a yamaha...
 
Wow, What an unexpected solid response. Thanks for all the replies, it's truly appreciated. I actually had several nightmares last evening about jumping ship - just kidding.

It's not that I wouldn't ride/own another brand, but to leave my beloved Yamaha and the support from everyone on this site should be unthinkable. What was I thinking, maybe a momentary lapse of reason. Staying with Yamaha for now and possibly picking up a part time job this summer to supplement the cost of an Attak makes the most sense.

Thanks for your support, I honestly didn't/don't feel completely comfortable with buying a skidoo. Not that it's a bad sled, it's just not a Yamaha.

A prime example why this a the best site on the net - You guys/gals really do care and are passionate about sledding and Yamaha.

Thanks again

Yamismurf
 
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I have an 02 Viper that is completely immaculate. It has 2300 miles on it I think? I just had the shocks done by Pioneer, and put on a new Camo 1 1/4 track with 144 studs down the center. The track and shocks have less than 400 miles on them. Everything is polished and super clean. I think I want to buy a 4-stroke. Like you I won't finance a sled, never have. I'm way too conservative with my money to take 10 grand out of the bank for an Apex, so I'm thinking about a left-over Vector. I would like to buy on this spring if I could, but only if I sell my Viper, and the ATV that I never ride. If you would be interested in an awsome Viper, PM me.
 
Ridesrx, Thanks for the offer, but I'm staying with the SX. I've upgraded the track to a ripsaw, longtravel shocks and adjusted the clutch to accommodate the 1.25" track.

Thanks

YS
 
Hey Smurf,

I seem to work on a lot of sleds (never enough snow to ride so might as well rebuild sleds) and also buy and sell them. I don't know what parts you have replaced or if you do your own work but if you keep your Yamaha and continue to ride alone, I would suggest some precautionary part replacement.

First is the track dive bearing - just replace it. Next is a gearbox cleaning and bearing check. Track wheel bearings check - replace anything that does not turn totally smooth. Remove the air box and check all the fuel and oil and pulser lines - any cracking or rub marks = replace (with good clips). Any water hoses that are not flexible = replace as well as putting on screw type hose clamps - the spring style will loose their tension over time. Fuel and oil filters - just put new ones on. And examine the electical wiring for any rubbing - if there's a place suspect, add some tape or flex sheathing if everything still works.

There's a lot of other maintenance items but these are some of the things that can strand you on the trail. A simple compression test will give you peace of mind in the engine area and, if needed, a ring job is cheap and simple.
 
Where did I recently see holdover 2003 vipers for $5000???
I want to say Long island yamaha of NY???
 
if you're dead set on new, then that seems like a good deal for the money. but- you can get a LIKE NEW, low mileage, slightly used viper for $4000.00 that will go 10k miles or more- if you shop around. you save a lot of money buying slightly used. my .02
 
there is an srx on ebay at a dealer with 86 miles on it. buy it now for about 5k. just a thought for comparing. glad to hear you are sticking with the sx. what a great little sled that is on the trails!
 
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