1998 Yamaha VMax 600 Reliability

T

Trail Ryder

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My Dad is looking at a 1998 Yamaha VMax 600 XTCD with 3,000 miles, electric start and reverse. He is retired and on a fixed income, so reliability is key.

Are these good, reliable sleds? We really don't want to have to mess around with replacing cranks or drive shafts or anything else that will cost more than the sled is worth. Thanks.
 
SXR 700 triple with the redhead motor are known to be bullet proof- many users on here have gone many trouble free miles on that machine.
 
This a $1,000 sled and we are not really looking for "power". Lighter weight, reliability, purchase price, and fuel economy are more important for this sled's intended use.

Are the Yamaha triples more reliable than their liquid cooled twins? I know that was not the case for Cat, Polaris, and Ski-Doo triples.

The only thing that I've found out about the Yamaha 600 twins is that replacing the rings is a good idea and they tend to be really thirsty.
 
For $1000 that may be a good option, considering it has electric start and reverse. And most people will tell you the Yamaha triple motors are some of the most reliable 2 stroke engines ever built. The SXR I mentioned, especially, but it does not come with reverse or electric start, is heavier, also more powerful, but I wouldn't say it's any worse on gas.
 
the 600 700 yamaha redheads r bullet proof i ride hard real hard an i have seen 12000 trouble free miles on a piped 700 ask anyone on here who has one an how many miles they have put onem if i could id ride them forever an the only xts or sxs ive ever seen blow up was the 600 but thats my opinion an i wouldnt buy it for 1000 dollars you can find a redhead
 
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They're way way more reliable. You don't have to fear it blowing up unexpectedly, in fact, I'll say they are rather hard to blow up if your carbs are clean and jets are large enough. AND they will be way better on fuel.
 
Well, I am thinking that I can get this 1998 Yamaha VMax 600 XTCD with 3,000 miles, electric start and reverse for $1,000. And clean the carbs and throw new rings in it to be safe, and should have a fairly reliable sled for trail cruising.

I doubt the sled will see more than 500 miles per year and it won't be ridden hard at all.

I ride a '09 Ski-Doo T'NT 597 and we also have a '99 Cat Z370. I could care less about what brand the sled is and just want something that is reliable and has easy throttle pull, as it will be mostly ridden by senior citizens and my wife.

My only concern with this VMax 600 is I heard they only get 6 to 7 MPG.
 
Over 9,000 on mine and 4500 on the wifes. I weighed around 240 when I bought mine and rode the snot out of it [ see avatar pic ]. 10-12 mpg all the time. Properly clutched, per TY Tech page, would run high 90's with my big butt on it. Oil pumps fail regularly, but fail to full oil. Won't burn down. 98 they fixed the issue with pistons, bad spindles. A cheap Camo 1" track and some polaris or doo oversized wheels takes care of hyfax and traction. I also installed GYTR multipurpose skis and it carves corners with the best of them. If you get it, I have a great suspension setup that improves ride and handling. For a grand, I'd grab it!!
 
that is usually when driven hard. usually they get 8-10mpg consistantly. they are harder on gas then the 600-700 tripples in the sxr and vmax. for the amout your dad will drive it, it probably will not matter too much as it should be the same milage as the cat you have listed. it will be harder on gas than the tnt.
 
My wife has carpal tunnel. I rolled the throttle down so she used more of the pad of her thumb to push it. Electric and reverse are sweet. Both XTC's, my 02 Viper, 01 Venture, Attak and 11 Apex XTX have them. Oh yeah, even our Phazer has e-start LOL!!
 
Maim said:
that is usually when driven hard. usually they get 8-10mpg consistantly. they are harder on gas then the 600-700 tripples in the sxr and vmax. for the amout your dad will drive it, it probably will not matter too much as it should be the same milage as the cat you have listed. it will be harder on gas than the tnt.
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His current sled is a '99 Cat Z370 (single carb) and it SIPS fuel.

Anyhow, the sled we are looking at is a '98 VMax 600 XTC Deluxe with Electric Start, Reverse, and under 3,400 miles. He wants a $1,000 for it. It appears to be in good shape.

1998-V-Max-XTCD-001-2-M.jpg


My concerns are that we should probably replace the rings, which is no big deal. But this whole thing about failing oil pumps has me worried; is there anything that can be done to prevent this?
 
It would be very rare to burn down from a failed oil pump if it did fail, it fails open, using too much oil... so you would notice that you're filling up the oil tank more often. I think that twin is still very reliable. But most are comparing it to a Yamaha triple which is freakin' bulletproof. You're looking at about 10 mpg with instead of 14 or 15 mpg on the non-piped triples.
 
My cousin has a 600 vmax twin that has been very reliable. Keep the carbs clean maintain the sled. It steers well and suspended decent for a short travel sled. The e start and reverse are a big bonus! Buy it!
 
I had two of the 600cc twin's a 1994 and a 96, both were very reliable and for some reason ran alot better than most give them credit. The 94 had an updated oil pump (less oil) and also, a Yamaha spec'd fix for better fuel mileage. The ~10 mpg is not a big deal when as mentioned you are not putting thousands of miles ? Yes, the triples will give better mileage.
 
I know everyone has an opinion, but anytime you can buy a 600 class sled in that shape and miles that runs good w/o any glaring problems for a grand you're doin all right. I don't know where some of these other guys have been shopping but a thousand dollars don't go very far for anything. GIL
 
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