Best Yamaha sled for the money?

AIRBLUE

AIRBLUE

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Oct 22, 2006
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VANDALIA, MI
Gentlemen
I am on a quest for a newer sled for 2008 I currently have a 96 Vmax XT 600.

Riding style Aggressive (former sx and mx racer)
Lake racing not really important
Jumping, tight trail and ditchbanging performance preferred to top end speed
Reliability a plus over max performance
prefer 2000 - 2003 model years due to price

Appreciate any assistance on this. I have been looking at 2002 Vipers but not sure what letter designations mean (R, ER etc...)

Airblue
 
I thought the SRX was more of a high speed fast cornering lake racer type sled not a real ditch banger? Where as the Viper a bit more toward aggressive trail sled and the SX more of an all around sled on a budget. I would lean toward an SX as I think you can find some really decent SX sleds out there really low buck. Viper is going to come at more of a premium. I don't know what the "R" was for, but the ER is electric start and reverse. The VMax delux also has electric and reverse. The older Mountain Max sleds were 136? I think one of them in a 700 triple would make a fun ditch banger?
 
I would look for a viper with a modified suspension.
I'm no fan of the no action suspension.
You should be able to find exactly what you want for a good price.
It really is a buyers market this year.
 
Well if you want decent power and a ditchbanger type sled i would look at either the SXR 700 or the Viper, SRX is a strong sled but quite a bit heavier and not as much travel... it was designed mostly as a groomed trail/lake sled. I find it more fun to play in the powder / throw the sled around in the ditch on my 600 SX triple with long travel suspension. Not to say you can't hop the SRX up with some good suspension mods... i will be doing that in the summer.

To put it short, SRX = muscle sled (lake runner).

If you're looking to mod the sled like most MX/SX guys do for races then the SXR is probably the best to start with... There are a lot of EASY mods to do and you can get most aftermarket parts fairly cheap. The Viper has some good mod potential but costs a little more to keep the reliability in check in some cases (not all). You definetly can't go wrong with either a Viper or an SXR for your riding style to start with.

Good Luck.
 
I would agree with the SXR700 but that is because I have one. They are easy to tune with some free mods and clutching they are fast and reliable.
 
sxr 700 or viper the sxr was probaly the most reliuable engine the yamaha ever made but the viper has more go nads.
 
The 04 Viper S is a good ditch banger with lots of power. The down side is the bars are too low and the seat is too low for standing. Easy fix with a bar riser and taller seat. It has the ohlin front shocks from factory, The older Viper's don't. I love mine with a 3" riser, now I just have to find a taller seat. I'm 6' 2" If your not as tall the riser may be enough. If your used to an older v-max, you will be amazed in the difference in power, ride and handeling. My sled before this one was a 94 v-max. The Viper is a totally different feeling. The ER stands for electric start and reverse. The S has no reverse or electric start and is a bit lighter than the ER, but comes standerd with ohlins shocks on the front, and is black with red graphics. I hope this helps.
 
If you are a former MX/ SX racer. I currently race MX, you are in good physical condition and don’t have allot of extra belly hangin off the front. My SRX weighs about 30- 40 lbs more than an SX and less for a Viper. 99% of the people I ride with have more than that extra weight packed in their bellies. If you weigh 40 lbs more than you should and ride an SX (excellent sled) or a Viper, the only difference between my SRX and your sled is I have 35 more horsepower. I personally have absolutely no problem with my Pro Action skid. Just my opinion.
 
I'd hafta say any 04 Viper or Viper S... don't get me wrong an srx also has the DCS and is faster which would be next inline...but the 04 vipers have DCS, Better Pro Action, Nice speedo and just look a tad more menacing not as fast...but just as much fun to mod...The S version also comes with Ohlins...Both the Viper and SRX sound greeatt!!!...love that triple harmony...
 
if you are looking for anything with ditchbanging ability, DO NOT GET AN SRX!!! this is a lake racer that can be MADE to do big bums, but you are better off getting an sxr or a viper. both were designed to be big bump sleds and have great trail performance. and that sounds like what you are looking for :)
 
yea based on your description i dont think an srx is for you....at all....i would go with a 2001 SX 700R, great sleds and are the best of all the sx models with the dual headlight and stronger ignition. Vipers are good too, but heavier and more expensive.
 
what makes the viper heavier?? I know the pipe is a little fatter, but where does the extra weight come from seeing it is the same chassis? and yeah, the 01 sxr 700 is NEARLY my favorite sled of the newer 2 stroke yamahas. put a low black SRX windshield on it and it is the meanest looking thing going imho. the vipers seem to have a lot better power band, more tq down low with the powervalves. but at the same time, they are a maint item........ tuff call!
 
03viperguy said:
what makes the viper heavier?? I know the pipe is a little fatter, but where does the extra weight come from seeing it is the same chassis? and yeah, the 01 sxr 700 is NEARLY my favorite sled of the newer 2 stroke yamahas. put a low black SRX windshield on it and it is the meanest looking thing going imho. the vipers seem to have a lot better power band, more tq down low with the powervalves. but at the same time, they are a maint item........ tuff call!
Click to expand...

The plastics are a little heavier on the viper, but most of it is because the engine is more complex and heavier, and the exhaust is heavier.
 
I have a '01 SXr that has been long tracked to a 144" with a dropped and rolled chaincase and an Echolm tunnel. This is the sled Yamaha should have made. It is so smooth in the bumps, and boondocks through the deep powder really well. I ran a new '06 M-7 for 50 miles and my son was riding the SXr. We traded for the last few miles and my son wanted to trade me back after 5 minutes. It really is set up well. I bought it last summer from Flyingfarmer on TY. He did a great job building this awesome sled! You may want to think about something like that.
 
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