Dark Pira7e
New member
I have heard from a lot of people that the SRX engines like to blow up, but that it was also like a REALLY fast SXviper..I haven't personally driven either, so I'm not sure..I have the chance to buy either, I'd like the SRX, but having heard about them being time bombs, I honestly don't know 

thats crazy to say that, my srx had over 9000 original miles and still pulled like crazy. I wasnt easy on it either. I would recommend an srx anyday! In fact, the only reason i sold it was because i got another srx
Stephfg
New member
I think some of the first year SRX's had issues, but nothing like you've heard. I just re-ringed mine at 15,000 miles. No issues with the engine at all.
rx1jim
New member
The 1998 models had issues with the crankshafts, the fix for the crank problem is to have them welded. I would not hesitate to buy any year SRX, in fact I have two 200 SRX's. Whoever told you the SRX's are timebombs does not know what he is talking about. My original 2000 SRX has 15000 miles on it without a single problem. I did most of this mileage touring through Quebec on 1500 - 1700 mile trips is all types of conditions. This sled has never let me down. Sure, if you don't maintain the sled and beat the crap out of it, you should expect problems with any vehicle treated poorly. Maintained properly and ridden with respect for the sled, there is no difference in reliability between a Viper and an SRX.
Triple X
New member
I think this is someone trying to stir the shit pot.
tntmax
Member
i have seen more threads on high miler srx's untouched, then vipers??? I am just saying, !!!!!!! I got a 2001 SRX 700 9000k untouched...... many miles left!!
Wrong website . . .
Dark Pira7e
New member
I'm not trying to start anything, I just needed an opinion...jesus. Looks like I found it though, first gen SRX had crankshaft issues; fix is to have it welded.
meat12
New member
Dark Pira7e said:I'm not trying to start anything, I just needed an opinion...jesus. Looks like I found it though, first gen SRX had crankshaft issues; fix is to have it welded.
I dont think that the pot stirring comment was directed at you, rather the person that gave you the bad info about the SRX. If you want a turn key trail sled with good suspension the Viper is your sled. If you want to lake race then its the SRX. Both are reliable for many thousand miles. If you want to mod well then that is a tough decision, that I am sure everyone on here would be more than willing to assist you with. Good bunch here, no one is trying to bust your chops.

Meat

bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
and it sure is nice to hear how the SRX's are reliable to.Maintain your equipment and it will pay you back well.|Love hearing them stories from owners who have high mileage on them and they are still going strong.That's a Yamaha for you.TRUE and BLUE!!!!!!



Dark Pira7e
New member
YHamaha alwaysh as been, and always will be my FAVORITE snowmobile, I'm ALWAYS towing my friend's Articrap sleds out of the woods with my Vmax, finally he moved onto Skidoo, at least now we can finish Poker runs! Sounds like I'll most likely like the SRX over the viper, I want something that'll take me across the lake in a flash, sits low and hugs the trail like my Vmax does. How is maintenance on them in general? Weak clutches or anything like that? I know my Vmax had a thing for losing secondary clutches, out of both I've owned...
meat12
New member
Weak areas on the SRX are few and far between.
98 bad crank,
98/99stearing stem is weak and prone to break
All Years
-Rub through on wiring harness, usually where it runs under the motor
-Power valves pull through, keep em clean and adjusted and you can minimize this. There is also a fix for this once they pull through.
-W arm in rear suspension....Hell the hole suspension is junk. Bolt in a Viper or Rx1 rear, and Viper front shocks and you are good to go.
-Clean carbs, the SRX expecially likes em clean
-Warmup- start it and walk away, come back a 2min later then you can touch throttle anything before and get your plug wrench out.
Hope that helped a bit.
Meat
98 bad crank,
98/99stearing stem is weak and prone to break
All Years
-Rub through on wiring harness, usually where it runs under the motor
-Power valves pull through, keep em clean and adjusted and you can minimize this. There is also a fix for this once they pull through.
-W arm in rear suspension....Hell the hole suspension is junk. Bolt in a Viper or Rx1 rear, and Viper front shocks and you are good to go.
-Clean carbs, the SRX expecially likes em clean
-Warmup- start it and walk away, come back a 2min later then you can touch throttle anything before and get your plug wrench out.
Hope that helped a bit.
Meat
meat12 said:Weak areas on the SRX are few and far between.
98 bad crank,
98/99stearing stem is weak and prone to break
All Years
-Rub through on wiring harness, usually where it runs under the motor
-Power valves pull through, keep em clean and adjusted and you can minimize this. There is also a fix for this once they pull through.
-W arm in rear suspension....Hell the hole suspension is junk. Bolt in a Viper or Rx1 rear, and Viper front shocks and you are good to go.
-Clean carbs, the SRX expecially likes em clean
-Warmup- start it and walk away, come back a 2min later then you can touch throttle anything before and get your plug wrench out.
Hope that helped a bit.
Agree with nearly all above - Plan to pull the skid on any SRX you buy that hasn't had it out as many times it is old. Annual replacement or shimming of all bushings is practically a given.
I'm not clear on the comment above about warm-up. I'm on my second set of plugs since new (some 8 years now) and that's only because I felt guilty not swapping them sooner. I have yet to foul a plug.
A well maintained SRX powertrain is nearly bullet proof.
tedgoesfast
New member
vipers and srxs serviced properly will get a long life from them think about it any time your out look at the milege on other sleds i have never seen cats with over 5000 miles on them every high milege sled is usually a yami . ive had some of mine with 24000 kilos one set of pistons.a true cat guy will tell you get a tow rope they are fast but they seem to accept this each to his own.I know working for myself being able to pull and go meens alot to me
The cranks on all 98's were recalled by Yamaha under warranty and replaced. There shouldn't be any SRX's out there with bad cranks.
Ride.Race.Live
New member
There will always be the odd ones that havent been replaced though... its still something to ensure its been done.... just need to send in the VIN to yamaha and see if its been done
Hey
I love yamaha more than my ex wife but i will be honest with you i have an srx
god damn fast one too if i might add lot of extras as long you keep the power valves adjusted,cleaned,it will be an unreal sled for ya the only problem with the crank most of them got fixed by yamaha it was a recall the viper on the other hand has a crank issue with the brass gear on the crank witch was a stupid idea but both unreal sleds viper has better ride srx has a few better quality's
I love yamaha more than my ex wife but i will be honest with you i have an srx
god damn fast one too if i might add lot of extras as long you keep the power valves adjusted,cleaned,it will be an unreal sled for ya the only problem with the crank most of them got fixed by yamaha it was a recall the viper on the other hand has a crank issue with the brass gear on the crank witch was a stupid idea but both unreal sleds viper has better ride srx has a few better quality's

unchained
New member
I agree.Triple X said:I think this is someone trying to stir the shit pot.
Triple X
New member
Dark Pira7e said:I'm not trying to start anything, I just needed an opinion...jesus. Looks like I found it though, first gen SRX had crankshaft issues; fix is to have it welded.
Usually this time of year, when someone with 2 posts and they start with, " I have heard from alot of people that SRX engines like to blow up" it is a bash from another site.
If you are lagit, then I apologize, and wellcome to the site. I have never heard of a stock SRX blow up, maybe one that has been heavily modified. My new 98 SRX7 had the crank done under warranty, still ran fast and never had a problem with it. The only thing it had was a vibration in the foot wells & handle bars. After the crank was done, I have had 25,000kls of trouble free riding. You won't go wrong buying a SRX or a Viper for that matter.
I should add that those 25 thousand kilcs are on a ported, air box mod, V-force reeds, tempa-flow, clutched primary, roller-rooster secondary, and original pistons, 1998 SRX 700.
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TimSRX
New member
I have a '98 SRX. I have no idea if my crank has been done, my carbs or power valves haven't been touched since I bought it a year and a half ago and it goes like crazy still. Although I do plan on cleaning both before the season starts. This sled has never let me down.
And correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Viper and SRX have the same engine? Minus a few changes through the years...
And correct me if I'm wrong, but don't the Viper and SRX have the same engine? Minus a few changes through the years...