Gooblio, in a way I agree with you.
I think that Yamaha could do a lot better in terms of suspension.
In '97 the SX had the best suspension their was. However, as time went by Yamaha left the suspension alone because the SXs and SX Rs became trail sleds.
They slowly but surely evolved from being sno-x sleds to being trail sleds. The SX Viper was never intended to be a hardcore ditchbanger or a sno-x replica sled. The RX-1 and RS Vector arent intended to be sno-x sleds either.
Yamaha is in the business of building trail sleds. Thats what 90% of their customers want: a durable, reliable, fuel-efficent, comfortable trail sled.
Now, I have read that the '05 RX-1s are very, very close to being ditchbangers. I think that if Yamaha puts the monoshock rear suspension in the RS Vectors they may well have a sled that can compete with the F6s, 600 REVs and 600 Fusions (assuming Polaris makes one for '06). The Vector is very close in terms of weight with those other sleds, if Yamaha gives it the monoshock that might mark the return of Yamaha to the ditchbanger market.
Youve got to realize too, Gooblio, that with a long-travel rear suspension you have certain tradeoffs that you must be willing to accept. The Polaris EDGE has arguably the best suspension in the industry. They have 14" of travel in the rear, which is better than any other rear suspension. However, the EDGEs also have a reputation for overheating easily. They mount their heat exchangers up inside the tunnel and with that much suspension travel they have no choice but to raise the ride height. Due to this, unless you are riding in perfect conditons or moving at a quick pace, the engine doesnt get as much cooling as it should.
You dont hear of these problems on the SX Viper partly because it sits lower than the EDGE does but also because Yamaha mounts the heat exchangers on the underside of the running boards. I personally feel that this is a better place to mount them because they get a constant spray of power from off of the skis and the track. With the heat exchangers mounted inside the tunnel I dont feel that they get as much snow tossed onto them.
An added 2.5" of travel doesnt mean much to someone when their shiny new sled overheats all the time.
The rest of my family all ride EDGEs and let me tell you, they overheat fairly frequently. We managed to overcome most of this problem by running fatter jets, but when the time comes that everything is EFI you will no longer have this option.
Im not all that worried about it though, my next sled is going to be a Yamaha anyways, most likely a 4-stroke! At that point, Polaris can kiss by butt for all I care! LOL
Hebi
