Need help! MM or MT Viper

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Ltprose

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Dec 3, 2008
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Location
North Pole, AK
I have on 03 Viper short track and am picking up an 02 MM 700 this Saturday. Both are completely stock and both are under 600 miles. I live in interior Alaska and a short track doesn't really do much for me here.

Question, what the heck is the difference between the MM and Mt Viper? I know the specs and the sizes and I know about power valves and 141 vs 144 but... What is the difference in the deep snow, in the powder, on the trail. It just seems like there are so many similarities that I can't tell what they do differently!?!?! Is it mostly just cosmetics?

Secondly, I really like my viper. What a great engine! Should I dump it for a Mt Viper or just get a kit for making it a 144? Is the track length and gearing the only difference?

Lastly, I really tried to read all the other posts and would really appreciate a good long answer to think about. Thanks folks. Yami's Forever!
 

MM vs Mtn Viper:

Engine - MM is non power valve engine I think about 110HP stock
Viper is a powervalve engine I think about 123HP stock

They have the same basic chassis and drivetrain. I am going to say the MM is a few pounds lighter.

IMO either sled is good you just have to go with your personal preference.

ST Viper vs Mtn Viper:

Front suspension - The Mtn sled have narower front suspensions for better side hilling capabilities in the mountains.

Rear Suspension: if you long track the shorty I would recommend finding a used mountain sled skid frame. I tried extending my short track skid but i was never happy with it. When I put a mtn skid in it it made a world of difference.

The short viper has 9T drivers you will have to change if you put a deep lug track on it.

if you want to build your own mountain sled you can extend the short viper but if you don't want to wrench quite a bit I would recommend finding a Mtn Viper.

I probably didn't hit all the points but it gives you something to think about.
 
trenching issue?

I have heard the the MM's make a better mountain sled mainly because of a better approach angle (certain years, not sure which) on the track than the Vipers. Apparently the stock Vipers trench more because of it. MM's are also supposed to be lighter and don't have power valves. Power valves can be a maintenance issue for some. I have both this year so I am curious to see how they perform side by side.
 
I have a 2004 Viper and my dad has a 2001 Mtn Max. I bought the viper thinking it would be a better sled, and don't get me wrong I love my sled. It seems like my dads Mtn Max doesn't have nearly the problems that mine does with the power bog. I believe the Mtn max feels more nimble in the snow, I think it is a little narrower, but I am not sure about that. I put pipes on my viper and love the power. I don't think the trenching issue is because of the approach angle, it is just because the sled is a little too heavy for the 144 in my opinion. The approach angle on the 2000 and newer Mtn Max's was updated, and all the vipers have the 17 - 18 degree approach angle. I definitely think that the Viper feels heavier, but both sleds are good. I think the rides are very similar, mainly because all the suspension components are basically the same. I think if you were climbing a mountain with both sleds stock, the viper might out climb the mountain max, but probably not by much. I liked my sled a lot better after I put Simmons ski's, a 156 track and pipes on it. It runs strong, pulls hard, and gets me everywhere I want to go. Both sleds are fantastic. I don't think you will be disappointed at all in the Mtn Max. It is a great sled
 
I had a 97 Mtn Max, a 2000 Mtn Max and now have a 2003 Mtn Viper. Love them all, but love the Viper most. Not a fair comparison because as I learned more I did more mods that really make the sled preform better. The MM or Mtn Viper will both work great. HP and looks are the only real difference and I love HP.

Getting old, was the 97 called a Mtn Max? Pulling out in am to ride at Grand Lake CO, we got snow :letitsnow :letitsnow :letitsnow
 
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I had both, a 00 Mountain Max and an 03 Mtn Viper. I loved that Mountain Max was just a fun sled. Traded for the Viper and fought it continually, it would trench like a fool, powder bog, and heavy front end. Both engines where good but I think in the long run the " Red Head" 700 would out last the
PV 700. Both my sleds where stock and the Viper did have good power.

If it was me, I'd go with the Mtn. Max.
 
i have a 2003 mountain max and i love it. vipers are really good to but i alwase loved the mountain max's reliability and id get sick of cleaning the power valves for sure on the viper...but both snowmobiles are wicked mountain sleds. u will love either one.
 
fuel

my buddies Mnt Viper with Benders and a smaller track uses 3 gallon a day more then a modded SXr and modded MMax . Before the pipes he was with us in fuel and no, him being heavier won't highmark us. Here goes the debate ! Oh by heavier I meant he is Fat , not the sled.
 
Well I picked up an 02 MM yesterday. 600 miles, mint all the way around. Only drove it around a little bit, maybe 20 miles. I am impressed. I think I'll stay away from a MV for my second sled. I might just get a second MM.
 
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