SRX vs VIPER > The Good, Bad, & the Ugly

redlinesrule

redlinesrule

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The title says it all. Between these two sleds what's the good & bad between them? I personally prefer the SRX because of it's overall performance, reliability, & looks from all the info that I've been able to gather in my hunt for one. From just reading through the many threads, there seems to be less mechanical issues with the SRX than the Viper but what do I know, as I'm a mere Yamaha rookie who's still in search mode. So fire away & let's hear from the pros & fanatics who have owned & wrenched these fine sleds! ;)!
 

Late model SRX 2000,01/02 all the way.
IMO: The only advantage a Viper has over these sleds is the longer travel suspension that an SRX can easily be updated to.

SRX pros[when compared to Vipers]:
-more HP
-better fuel mileage
-superior reliability [compared to piped Viper for similar hp]
-legendary name/reputation

Viper pros[when compared to SRX]
-better suspension[SRX can be updated]
-updated look
-electric start availability
-reverse availability[can add to SRX]
-DCS available 2004+[only 2002 SRX has this]
-great lighting[2000/01/02 SRX only have equal lighting]
-great Mountain Viper...IMO the most desirable Viper!

JM.02c

Bob
 
Great post Bob & it seems like there's more issues with the Vipers than its cousin when in complete or slightly modified stock form. Of course the more mods applied to any machine will often stretch it's reliability margin no matter who manufactures it.
 
Red,

You already know what you want our you wouldn't have chosen it for your avatar.

Pull the trigger already, would ya!

Go for an '02 and welcome aboard ;>)
 
I had a 98 SRX and my 02 Viper... after all the tinkering around, the SRX is gone, the Viper is here to stay... had a chance at a few SRXs for under 2k, passed em by, the Viper hauls and you can tinker with it.
 
WIsnoRyder said:
Ive said it once and ill say it again,

Stock for stock the SRX has more HP. as far as how much faster it all depends. Each sled runs different. However, you gan get 170+HP out of a viper with the right mods on it. Hauk has a kit called the VENOM KIT which includes husher tripples (+33HP) , jetting, Torque limiter, supercool head gasket, #4 clutch kit (+5HP track) ,and V-Force reeds. In addition to that, u can add the big bore kit, and cylinder porting. Your looking at about $3,500 in mods, but its well worth it.

Not to mention the viper just looks super sharp compared to the SRX.
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i just have to remark that all these mods you point to to make more horsepower than the srx can also be made to an srx for more power. porting or big bore and clutching anyways.
 
I think they are both really nice sleds honestly, the viperis just more setup for trail riding. I out a mono in mine and never looked back. that said, if I was trying to get the most power, I would not modify either. Just get the srx, stock is reliable and more power in a stock srx. just be ready for a skid swap if you do any longer trail rides if you get either one!
 
2010sledpics003.jpg


I'm kind of partial to the Viper,but then I'm not all that concerned about a few extra mph.You're lookin at 15k of rode hard and still has the majority of the original parts on it.Rev. and elec. start very nice also.
 
I'm down to two SRXs now and intend to always have one in the stable. In my experience, for groomed trail with curves they are almost impossible to catch (with a good rider) and a true joy to ride. Once it gets rough or deep, you might be wishing for a different sled. They are not suited for off trail either.

I also have a mountain Viper but it is highly modified for off trail and performs excellent in that area. It does well on the trails and is much nicer in the rough stuff than the SRX. I suppose it has the look of the new sleds and doesn't appear as dated.

I don't know about the reliability - I blow them all up at some point, SRXs just as much as the next sled. Part of the game for me.
 
WIsnoRyder said:
Ive said it once and ill say it again,

Stock for stock the SRX has more HP. as far as how much faster it all depends. Each sled runs different. However, you gan get 170+HP out of a viper with the right mods on it. Hauk has a kit called the VENOM KIT which includes husher tripples (+33HP) , jetting, Torque limiter, supercool head gasket, #4 clutch kit (+5HP track) ,and V-Force reeds. In addition to that, u can add the big bore kit, and cylinder porting. Your looking at about $3,500 in mods, but its well worth it.

Not to mention the viper just looks super sharp compared to the SRX.
Click to expand...
the sled in the pic has all these mods?
 
when i made the decision to buy my srx it was easy for me ... i wanted the most reliable powerful sled in my price range... that left the viper.srx debate easy for me..i always thought i could upgrade the suspension if need beit will never be a mogul masher but on groomed trails where i ride northern VT and maine good luck catching me... plus you get a crazy fanatical following with the legendary SRX
 
i have a viper and love it. i have raced plenty of srx sleds and they can catch my viper under 800 feet. viper just looks better and is the smoothest tripple i think that was ever built. awesome fuel milage and oil intake. the viper is a winner in my book.
 
Had a few SRX and now my 1st Viper, i sure love the smoooth power of the Viper. And to have the 3rd gen. of the SRX motor. Putting pipes on it now fun sled.

Skydog
 
WIsnoRyder said:
Yea but then all u have is an ugly sled with a crap load of money in it :(
Click to expand...

Whoa, who calls the srx ugly? then again when i am going 120 it may be hard to see. My cousin has had a Srx Viper Nytro(1stgen) and an Attack. My srx out ran all of his sleds, be it on ice, hard pack, or trail running he could never keep up.
 
MBllnr said:
Whoa, who calls the srx ugly? then again when i am going 120 it may be hard to see. My cousin has had a Srx Viper Nytro(1stgen) and an Attack. My srx out ran all of his sleds, be it on ice, hard pack, or trail running he could never keep up.
Click to expand...
i think the srx is hands down the most attractive traditional style sled ever made... the viper looks less dated but ill say the looks of the srx are far from ugly
 
mattyg1405 said:
i think the srx is hands down the most attractive traditional style sled ever made... the viper looks less dated but ill say the looks of the srx are far from ugly
Click to expand...
I am pretty fond of the srx as well, but a vmax 4 looks simply menacing from pretty much any angle :) especially with the big "nostrils" on the hood, looks vicious from the front! but the srx is certainly not ugly at all!!
 
If two stock versions of this sled were each given $2000.00 for mods, the SRX would probably come out on top, from what I understand? Honestly they seem so close but reliability is huge for me.....rather spend more time riding than wrenching any day. Even in pure stock form, seems the advantage is SRX. If I do get either, the motor wouldn't get any mods but the clutch & suspension might.......just how I feel about messing to much with the motor. Either way their platform is so close, it's a win/win either way.
 
03viperguy said:
I am pretty fond of the srx as well, but a vmax 4 looks simply menacing from pretty much any angle :) especially with the big "nostrils" on the hood, looks vicious from the front! but the srx is certainly not ugly at all!!
Click to expand...


Love the shot of your Viper in your avatar. That is one very cool looking sled! ;)!
 
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