SRX 700 vs. SXR 700

TylerZR62

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SX Viper vs. SRX 700 vs. SXR 700

Hey everybody. I am new to this site, and pretty much new to Yamaha snowmobiles. I am trying to sell my 2002 MXZ 500 right now so I can get a good ol' Yamaha. I was just wondering if anybody could tell me what the differences are between the SRX 700 and the SXR 700. Thank you.

If you know any possible buyers for my MXZ, let me know!

Tyler
TylerZR62@hotmail.com
 
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I'm sure a lot of smart people will chime in here but the two big ones are powervalves and pipes. The SRX has triple pipes and power valves (variable exhaust) and the SX-R has a single pipe and no power valves. I'll let the experts explain all the other differences. I'm sure there are many. My 2 cents...

MJC
 
SXR has a long travel suspension and SRX has short travel, SRX has powervalves and SXR has none, SRX has tripple pipes and SXR has a single pipe, the SXR is lighter, etc.

What kind of riding do you do? The srx is great on flat, smooth trails, and the sxr is better on bumpy trails. If both sleds are stock, the srx will make it accross the lake faster every time. Both of these are great sleds that will last for a really long time.

Do a search here on the forums for both sleds, and you will find a ton of information. Also check out the tech pages to see what kind of things you can do to upgrade the performance of each of these sleds.
 
Welcome to the site Tyler!!!! I think they pretty much summed it up. There maybe a few differences depending on what years we are comparing.
 
Well, I'm looking to get probably a 2001. I do a lot of riding on bumpy trails and jumps, but I want something that is snappy and is fast! So far, it looks like the SXR would suit me suspension wise, and the SRX would suit me speed wise. How would the SXR match up if it had the triple pipes? Thanks!
 
I think I would try to find an SX Viper. Its very similar to an SX 700R in that it has a single pipe so that its pretty light, but yet it has powervalves. Also, if you wanted more power you could always add triple pipes later on. In fact, I think that a SX Viper with triple pipes might just be a little bit faster than an SRX. Look at it this way: the SRX makes about 140 hp. The SX Viper makes 120 stock and with triple pipes you are looking at around 150 hp. Ive seen various triple pipe kits that promise gains of 15 hp in the midrange and 33 peak.
If you like riding in the bumps I would stay away from the SRX. Its a lake sled. One thing about the SRX though is that it absoutely rails around the corners. This is one are where its lower suspension helps.
As far as powervalves, they are one of the best things to come along in the last 10 years.
Basically, a powervalve or "variable exhaust valve" as they are commonly called have a small guillitine slide on the exhaust port of the engine. This slide will move up and down depending upon rpm. Most normal snowmobile engines that do not have exhaust valves are typically designed to run most efficiently at around 6,000 rpm. They do this because they anticipate that this is the rpm that most people will operate their sleds at. Most racing engines have porting that is set up to run at very high rpms (around 8,000 rpm) because thats the rpm race engines will almost always be run at.
With variable exhaust the exhaust valves can give you both a low-rpm porting and a high-rpm porting. When you are cruising around at lower speeds, the valve opens just a little bit giving you excellent fuel milage. However, when you open it up the valve opens all the way giving the engine the flow that it needs at higher rpms. In a sense, you have the best of both worlds. I know of several people who have Polaris 600 XCs with variable exhaust and they are getting 18 mpg out of engines that make 120 hp. Thats pretty good when you consider that my '98 Polaris 600 XC was making 110 hp and only getting 12 mpg.
Exhaust valves do require periodic maintenace, this involves removing them and cleaning the slides but its really a pretty easy job. I think that exhaust valves for the performance and fuel economy benefits are well-worth the added maintenance.
Hebi
 
Wow, thanks for the explanation on powervalves. I like the looks of the Viper a little better than the SRX, but I didn't know that the performance of the Viper matched the SRX. So is the Viper set up to really beat the bumps, or would I have to upgrade the suspension? I've seen a couple of Vipers with the Olins shocks...how do they do? So how much would a set of triple pipes cost, and how hard of a job is it to install them? Thanks again for all the help.
 
Viper suspensions are definately set up to take a beating, more than most people dish out. A lot of people thought that they were way too stiff from the factory, so yamaha made a revalved shock program available for a low price so that people who weren't happy with the ride could get new shocks with much softer valving. As for adding triple pipes to a viper, if you go brand new, they are kinda pricey, but worth the power. You are looking at at least $700 USD for a set of new triple pipes, up to about $850, depending who you go with. They are not too bad to install, but the thing with the viper is that they basically require that you add an srx rear heat exchanger in order to keep it from running too hot. Besides that, install the pipes, jet it, clutch it, and go.
 
TylerZR62 said:
Wow, thanks for the explanation on powervalves. I like the looks of the Viper a little better than the SRX, but I didn't know that the performance of the Viper matched the SRX. So is the Viper set up to really beat the bumps, or would I have to upgrade the suspension? I've seen a couple of Vipers with the Olins shocks...how do they do? So how much would a set of triple pipes cost, and how hard of a job is it to install them? Thanks again for all the help.


Ya, like he said, matching the performance of the srx when ADDING pipe, not in stock form!!
 
Might want to keep in mind. If you dont have an endless pocket book....insurance! Not sure the difference, but something to think about..sxr is rated different then srx.

Good to see ya come to your sences tho! Good luck with yamaha looking!
 
After pipes, clutching, jetting, and a new rear heat exchanger you will be looking at around $1,000 in upgrades to the viper. If you find a viper for $4,000 and add the upgrades you'll have about $5,000 in your sled. If that's too much I think you'd be happy with the viper stock for the time being, especially coming off a mxz 500. The SRX is a great sled, but if you're planing on "airing it out" alot, you'd be happier with the SXR or viper. Remember, you can put triple pipes on the SXR too and end up with a 140 some horse sled for less money than the Viper. Any choice would be fine, if you want to go with the SRX you'll spend atleast $700 on the long travel kit (front and rear).
 
Thanks, I appreciate all of the input. As of right now, as soon as the MXZ goes, I think I'm gonna go for the Viper.
 


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