Is the 97 VMAX 700 Triple a Good Sled??

redlinesrule

redlinesrule

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I'm in search mode for either an SRX or Viper 700 but have seen quite a few 97 Vmax 700's & was wondering how good are they? They usually are quite a bit less $$ so it might be a good fit in my situation. Are there any known issues or factory recalls on them? Is the suspension similar to the SRX with the exception of the Ohlin's shocks? Is it as bullet proof as the SRX in stock form? Are they reliable? So many questions.....
 
Probobly the most bullet proof of the Yamaha triples, the single pipe, non exhaust valved V-Max SX/SX-R 700 or 600.
 
Thanks for the info......been seaching on here for info on these sleds but there's only 4 threads, not counting the stickys here? How's the power on them?....I know it's got less by not being exhaust valved, but that's not a biggie to me.
 
These are great sleds. I have a 97 vmax 700sx and I love it. The power is great, handles great, very fast, and is reliable. The best things to do to these are a better track, plastic skis, and transfer rods. Mine has over 10000 km on it and the motor has never been opened up. Last I checked it had 120psi in all 3 cylinders. I have heard of these getting over 25 000km on the origonal motor. It will do 110 easy on the lake. It is really a great sled you will love it.
 
700 triple said:
These are great sleds. I have a 97 vmax 700sx and I love it. The power is great, handles great, very fast, and is reliable. The best things to do to these are a better track, plastic skis, and transfer rods. Mine has over 10000 km on it and the motor has never been opened up. Last I checked it had 120psi in all 3 cylinders. I have heard of these getting over 25 000km on the origonal motor. It will do 110 easy on the lake. It is really a great sled you will love it.
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Now that sounds very bullet proof to me. Did you do any clutching or pipe it? I would probably keep it close to stock with possibly doing some clutching & suspension.
 
I havent clutched it or piped it. Iv heard if you pipe it it is hard on the crank. I put viper shocks on the front and they made a huge improvement. The best mod for it is the transfer rods. I have bender ts-3 on mine. It cuts the track spin down by far. In the powder I can pull the skis and keep them up for as long as I want.
 
700 triple said:
I havent clutched it or piped it. Iv heard if you pipe it it is hard on the crank. I put viper shocks on the front and they made a huge improvement. The best mod for it is the transfer rods. I have bender ts-3 on mine. It cuts the track spin down by far. In the powder I can pull the skis and keep them up for as long as I want.
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Great stuff & definitely keep those in mind....thanks. ;)! The Viper shocks bolted directly in without any mods?
 
they bolted right into the bulkhead, i just had to take off the old shock mount. Gave me lots more travel and a better ride
 
I bought a 97/ 700sx new. I originally planned to pipe and clutch it. I put 192 picks in the track and had the carbs bored before bringing it home from the dealer.

When I first rode the 700, I felt the "hole shot" was a bit weak. (I had a 95 piped vmax 600 twin before) it just didnt jerk your arms like the 600. BUT, after riding it, I left the motor bone stock. They have a very wide/smooth power band ... kinda sneaky fast. ....And they handle like a slot car! :) BTW... get the plastic skis!

The SX had almost 6,000 miles with no problems when I sold it. I then bought an 02 Viper ER that was 3 months old. I dont get time to ride like I used to and had a chance to get most of my money back out of the Viper a few months ago, so I sold it.


Yesterday, I bought another sled to replace the Viper ... you guessed it ...another 97 / 700SX with 2800 miles.
 
I bought a 97 SX700 3 about 4 years ago, had 4500 miles on it and needed a track. I did what I said I wasn't going to do and put pipes on it, clutched it 2 years ago and it helped considerably. The guy/friend I bought it from bought a new sled at the time that was alot faster at the time but now he just barely pulls me.
I did put rings and Wiseco pistons in it also when I piped it but the stock ones looked great, probably a waste of money.

What's this about pipes being hard on the crank? :shock:
 
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Great posts guys & I'll definitely jump all over one if the condition & price is right. Sounds like just the type of sled I'm looking for & I'll save quite a bit of coin compared to the prices I've seen so far on the SRX & Viper's.
 
The 700 sx is by far the best sled ever made for the tight and twisties, It handles like a slot car in the trails. You pipe it and clutch it and you will always be first through the twisties! But it does need a lil bit more ,like a tall windshield, plastic skis ,transfer rods, handlebar ends, a better track, longer shocks in the rear,just to name a few....but well worth the investment....I've got 16000 miles on my 97 piped sx and have never had an issue with the crank! the only problem came two seasons ago, I had the mag piston go. took out the jug as well. 200 bucks later all was well! Thats another thing about them is that there are a ton of parts out there ..and find them cheap!
 
redline what part of the country you in? I came across a 97 700sx ..supposedly with 1400 miles... already has plastic skis, $1,500.
 
gonesleddin2 said:
redline what part of the country you in? I came across a 97 700sx ..supposedly with 1400 miles... already has plastic skis, $1,500.
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I'm in New Hampshire.....where's the sled?.....that sounds like a great deal if clean.
 
gonesleddin2 said:
Its in North-Central WI .... he sent me pics, didnt look too bad .. but not the clearest.

http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/rvs/2216949238.html

I've talked with the guy a couple times... sounds motivated to move it.
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A little too far from me but someone might want to check it out that's close......it looks fairly clean in the pics. Thanks for the link & letting me know about it. ;)!
 
absolutely loved my '97 v-max. only had it a short time as my first sled, and i realized that i needed electric start and reverse. my 700 had the plastic skis as well, which was a nice addition. the v-max handles awesomeee. the 700 sx was the sled of the year in 1997
 
06raptorgirl said:
absolutely loved my '97 v-max. only had it a short time as my first sled, and i realized that i needed electric start and reverse. my 700 had the plastic skis as well, which was a nice addition. the v-max handles awesomeee. the 700 sx was the sled of the year in 1997
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yikes....you sold the wrong sled & I see you now have the 2005 Arctic Cat Sabercat 600 LX??? Reverse is a nice feature to have though even if it is on a Cat....I think.....j/k, at least you still have a Yamaha quad. :p
 
omg i couldn't be happier with the sabercat! got it for a steal with 1,400 miles off a guy going through a divorce. people bash Cat, people bash Yamaha.....life goes on lol
 
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