2001 SRX or any year V-MAX 4?

for a flat out lake racer go with the 4 banger.but for reliabilty,better trail sled,better suspension,& still have a fast sled then go with the srx, much better all around catagory sled. & when it gets stuck it will be easier to get out then the v-max
 
I remember riding the vmax 600 and don't ever want to go back to pogo sticks after riding my 98 or 01 SRX.

I'm a trail rider (SRX's corner flat period), not a racer, In my opinion you won't be disappointed with an SRX in any catagory except maybe ditch banging, but the 4 banger is even further from a ditch banger.
 
Without qustion for me it's the SRX. I have an 01 and LOVE IT!

Now if you want to lake race ONLY and are looking for something to build...then I would lean to the V max. But if you want to ride ANYWHERE besides the lake then SRX all the way. The suspension on that V max SUCKS. And you will have better luck findind a decent SRX compared to a 4 banger V max.
 
I had a vmax 4. it was a great sled. but I was lucky when I got 10mpg and that made me look for gas at about 75-80 miles. and it was heavy and harsh. not the best trail sled or all around sled. it was a blast, but I had more fun on the trails on my 97 600sx. what are you into doing? type of riding? the SRX seems to be the clear winner as a lake racer that can easily be trail ridden.
 
daman said:
the '97 800's ride very nice i think,,with the pro action rear skid stock, and fast as hell.
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Very true, my '97 800 is an awesome trail sled, and I would venture out to say that it has better rear suspension than any year SRX, it soaks up the bumps really nicely and the front TSS is adjustable to your liking. The sled doesn't feel all that heavy when riding it and with a couple small clutch changes you have an awesome fast trail sled. Plus the Vmax4 is a rarer sled these days, you'll get more head turns riding your V4 than an SRX. Get yourself a set of quad pipes for it and you'll easily bolt on 15-20 hp bringing up the hp to about 165-170 from the 150 stock hp that the 800s pump out. As far as reliability goes, the V4 is just as reliable as any other Yamaha. My choice would be the V4, it's a unique sled with a very unique sound. If you can't find a 1997 Vmax4 800 then I would go with a '95 or '96 and just update the rear suspension to a M10 or newer pro-action. Both sleds are no where near being a ditch banger, so that shouldn't be a factor, I have ridden my V4 on flat twisty trails very aggresively without getting tired and it's a blast across the lakes. The V4 will not corner as well as SRX so ultimately you need to decide what your priorities are concerning your ride. Both great sleds. Not sure what the SRX gets for gas mileage but my '97 800 is getting 10mpg and that was riding it very hard and WOT across lakes, most people don't report mileage this good on a V4 when riding like this so mine might be a freak, I dunno. Let us know what you decide to do. If you want more knowledge and insight on the Vmax4, go to www.vmax4.com. Great group of guys over there that will be able to answer pretty much any question you have about the V4. Good luck! :yam:
 
Exciter570 said:
Very true, my '97 800 is an awesome trail sled, and I would venture out to say that it has better rear suspension than any year SRX, it soaks up the bumps really nicely and the front TSS is adjustable to your liking. The sled doesn't feel all that heavy when riding it and with a couple small clutch changes you have an awesome fast trail sled. Plus the Vmax4 is a rarer sled these days, you'll get more head turns riding your V4 than an SRX. Get yourself a set of quad pipes for it and you'll easily bolt on 15-20 hp bringing up the hp to about 165-170 from the 150 stock hp that the 800s pump out. As far as reliability goes, the V4 is just as reliable as any other Yamaha. My choice would be the V4, it's a unique sled with a very unique sound. If you can't find a 1997 Vmax4 800 then I would go with a '95 or '96 and just update the rear suspension to a M10 or newer pro-action. Both sleds are no where near being a ditch banger, so that shouldn't be a factor, I have ridden my V4 on flat twisty trails very aggresively without getting tired and it's a blast across the lakes. The V4 will not corner as well as SRX so ultimately you need to decide what your priorities are concerning your ride. Both great sleds. Not sure what the SRX gets for gas mileage but my '97 800 is getting 10mpg and that was riding it very hard and WOT across lakes, most people don't report mileage this good on a V4 when riding like this so mine might be a freak, I dunno. Let us know what you decide to do. If you want more knowledge and insight on the Vmax4, go to www.vmax4.com. Great group of guys over there that will be able to answer pretty much any question you have about the V4. Good luck! :yam:
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Yup very well said!!!!!!!!,,i would jump an a '97 v4 in a second if i could find
one,,sweet and rare sled!!
 
Awsome thanks guys, its just my situation with money, I could buy the 2001 SRX for $4485.95 total(from a dealer) or one for for $4000.00 even (privitley). OR any year vmax 4 for anywhere from $2500 to $3500(estimated) and still have cash to mod it.

Thanks again.
 
Had two 700 SRX's-Loved them both...still had to put lots of $$$ to get them to ride better-ie:long travel susp.-and go quicker/faster-clutching..etc. BUT-always wanted a Vmax4-finally got to ride one years ago.....what a motor!!! the sound is awesome!!!!! I loved the sound of the tripples-but the the inline fours in those Vmax4's were unlike any other-period. Still would like to have a 95'-up Vmax4-just don't have alot of extra$$$$$ Stock for stock the SRX's were quicker-more trail friendly-But....who keeps stuff stock???
Its all about FUN!!! -eh??
Good luck.. ;)!
 
daman said:
Yup very well said!!!!!!!!,,i would jump an a '97 v4 in a second if i could find
one,,sweet and rare sled!!
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That's the thing, the '97s are really hard to find, but a '95 or '96 with an upgraded rear should be just as good.
 
Wow, a post that I might be able to give some insight! I have two SRX's (one is an '01) and had two VMax 4s (one a '97) and still have one.

I have ridden each sled over 1500 miles, mostly on mountain trails in the Black Hills and Big Horns. I have also had each of these models totally disassembled many times. For sake of comparison, I'll try to briefly describe the engine and suspension of each. (I appologize in advance if anybody takes offense to my critique of your favorite).

'01 SRX: C&A pro skis, aftermarket can, clutching and some engine mods set up by Jerry Hauck, 121" track with 1 1/2" paddles. Stock suspension.

'96 VX800: SLP skis, psi quads, engine by Pat Hauck, RX1 rear suspension, clutching mods, stock front suspension, 121" track with 1 1/8" cones. (there are numerous custom features on this sled - photos are somewhere on this site).

Eye Appeal: Each to his own but I find the VX800 (at least my custom one) catches the most glances from all riders. More of a classic muscle car look. The SRX looks good to me but to a Cat or Ski Doo fan... maybe not.

Rear Ride: With the RX1 skid, I prefer the VX800. With the stock '97 pro action in the VX800, it's a toss up. With the stock pre-97 skid, definetly SRX.

Front Ride: I vote for the VX800 tss - easy. I have landed each sled from 4' to 5' heights many, many times and the pogo stick handles the weight and cushions the fall very well (A million dirt bikes can't be wrong). The SRX does not have enough travel nor ground clearance for jumping and the bottoming of the tub can shake things up in the engine bay. I do not have that problem with the VX800. Another advantage the TSS has over the trailing arm is that rough trail chatter is not transferred directly to your feet.

Smooth Trail Cornering: SRX wins. Running each on a curvey 10 mile mountain road (my son and I - both equally aggressive riders) the SRX will have a 1/4 to 1/2 mile in the end.

Acceleration and Speed: SRX. It is very close. Both sleds are near even from 0 to over 100 mph but the SRX seems to always stay 1 to 2 lengths in front.

Torque: VX800. This is where the big 4 is fun. Mine is tuned to slighty lift and carry the skis with a throttle squeeze at about any speed. Just point and shoot.

Off Trail Climbing- Semi Packed Snow: VX800 will outclimb, not from lack of power but for better front ground clearance and traction (even with the less aggressive track).

Off Trail Powder - Neither are very good but the VX800 has the edge.

Boondocking - Again, neither is great but VX800 again.

Getting Stuck: They both suck. I do not see much advantage with either.

Hidden Obstacles (rocks, stumps) - VX800 wins with a great design for this. It has great clearance and you usually hit the obstacle and just shoot over it without damage. The SRX not only has low clearance but the high probablility of damaging a radius rod or trailing arm.

Lights: SRX if its '00 and newer.

Comfots: SRX ('00 and newer) with separate thumb and hand warmers, easier to see guages at night and a longer, narrower seat. Both sleds need the handlebar raised in my opinion.

Being Out In a Blizzard: I'll take the VX800. We have more difficulty breaking trail with the SRX than with any of our other sleds (which include Cats, Polaris and other Yamahas).

Dependability: I'd have to give the VX800 the vote. Both are reliable but the SRXs seem to go through hyfax (at the front curve) and also drive shaft bearings at a much greater rate than the VX800 (which is about never).

Weight: They are both heavy but the SRX is lighter of course. However, I can see it in the VX800 - it is built like a truck with the size of the bearings, chain, gears and shafts probably the stoutest in snowmobile history.

Fuel Range: SRX (Duh...). Usually 11 mpg on one SRX and up to 15 mpg on another plus the 12 gallon tank. The VX800 is right at 8 mpg with a 10 gallon tank (oh, for that extra 2 gallons sometimes!). However, the VX800 is packing 185+ hp.

Choice: Tough call - they are both great sleds. My SRX feels like it just dances on the trails and is begging all comers to give it a run but there is something mystical about the VX800 that continues to draw me to favor it.
 

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Great Response!
That 800 looks awesome! I can so see that attracting lots of attention! It just looks so powerful!
 
akrievins said:
Great Response!
That 800 looks awesome! I can so see that attracting lots of attention! It just looks so powerful!
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Thanks. When you're sitting behind this mill, what's not to love!!!
 

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The guys I ride with both have a 1995 Vmax4 800 and a 2001 SRX 700 ..I would lean towards the SRX because parts are easier to find, the v-Maxes are older so parts for them are getting harder and harder to find..As for performance they are both great relible sleds..My buddy put in a newer suspension on his Vmax he has a little work on it 1 1/4 ripsaw 190some studs..This thing hauls ***!!!!! Oh well you can't go wrong with whatever one you end up with...Good luck
 
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