Ok, so for a couple years now I have been saving up for a newer four stroke. In the meantime I have been keeping my SXR up and have rebuilt the skid,gotten a new custom seat, two inch riser, revalved the shocks and put on pipes, reed spacers and woody's duallys.
Now I love to ride my sled. It is completely different how it handles the rough stuff and with the pipes it really rocks. A little gas coming out of the curves and it just swings the tail end out just right.
A couple weeks ago I went riding with some buds that had a vector and a venture and whenever we would trade sleds everybody liked the ride of mine better. Just the cornering and the sound and the way the power came on, all of it. When I was riding there sleds I felt like I was on a quad, or in the case of the venture, sitting on a small train.
My questions: is is this a normal experience for most 4 stroke rides.
And should I just find a low miles SRX or Viper and long travel it with and maybe find a good aftermarket skid.
I can almost afford a newer 4 stroke, but given the lack of snow and the fact that I'm not all that excited about them why should I spend all my savings. Or is an Apex that much better that an long traveled SRX? I know the 4 strokes are more reliable and all that and get better mileage with less oil, but I don't really care that much about that. I only get to ride a thousand miles a year anyway.
Sorry about the rambling, but I have been thinking a lot about this and I figured you guys would have the best input.
Tx ahead of time.
Now I love to ride my sled. It is completely different how it handles the rough stuff and with the pipes it really rocks. A little gas coming out of the curves and it just swings the tail end out just right.
A couple weeks ago I went riding with some buds that had a vector and a venture and whenever we would trade sleds everybody liked the ride of mine better. Just the cornering and the sound and the way the power came on, all of it. When I was riding there sleds I felt like I was on a quad, or in the case of the venture, sitting on a small train.
My questions: is is this a normal experience for most 4 stroke rides.
And should I just find a low miles SRX or Viper and long travel it with and maybe find a good aftermarket skid.
I can almost afford a newer 4 stroke, but given the lack of snow and the fact that I'm not all that excited about them why should I spend all my savings. Or is an Apex that much better that an long traveled SRX? I know the 4 strokes are more reliable and all that and get better mileage with less oil, but I don't really care that much about that. I only get to ride a thousand miles a year anyway.
Sorry about the rambling, but I have been thinking a lot about this and I figured you guys would have the best input.
Tx ahead of time.
Cooper0809
New member
I would think with the way winters are going, just to keep the sled you got. you might end up giving up the sport if we keep getting crap winters like this. im already thinking about selling my srx, and I just bought it 3 months ago. they closed the trails yesterday in north bay because its too mild. matter of fact I think all trails are closed except out Ottawa way. I know its all kinda off topic, but unless you got money to spend you might want to rethink spending your savings. if winter is like this next year, i'll be selling my sled.
Yeah, I'm not going to spend any this winter for sure. Just wondering what to do in the off season when sleds are cheap. Heck for what a late model 4 stroke costs I could buy an old corvette to work on or something. I will keep the sled I have for sure, but I want another one for family, friends and just as a backup. I want the next one to be nice and the sled I have now be the the backup.
Cooper0809
New member
sxr70001 said:
ahhh I c...
Why even change at all? I live the SXR's In fact, Both of our SXR's will out handle our Viper. Now the Viper is faster and definatly has more power, but for tight tristy trails, a SXR is tough to beat. Oh, yes, we have the Boss seats, shocks, tracks ect also. But, hey all are paid for. Al
I guess that's where I'm going with this. Can I take an older sled and make it ride as good as a newer one. I don't mind the wrenching, but I don't want to put all that time and money into an older sled if it's not going to be as good and reliable. I really like 2 strokes better though from a sound and easy to work on point of view.
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I do agree with Al here.If your sled rides that good,then keep it and ride it.I myself sat on the 4 strokes and just can't get used to the seating being higher,seems a little awkward to me.I prefer the lower seating of my SXR and SRX.The 4 stroke feels like was mentioned..like sitting on a quad.But this is how I feel myself.I would probably spend money on a Corvette first myself..always wanted one.Here in Canada the prices are way to high for a new 4 stroke..easily $16,000 plus tax..With winters being like it has for the past few years,it is really hard to justify that purchase.And I found out that insurance would run around $750. I only pay $84 now on each of my 2 stroke sleds.I can buy a lot of gas for that much.It all depends really if you are a long distance rider and you want a sled that can handle a lot of long distance.If you do alot of local and short runs..your sled would be good enough. My 2 cents.
So do you guys think I could take a low miles SRX or Viper and put an m10 under it and long travel the front and come up with a sled that rides as good as a new one with SRX power? It would probably still be cheaper than a 2010 or newer four stroke.
I had the same dilema 2 years ago. My Viper was updated with alot of things that made it a dream to ride. Had the shocks rebuilt and revalved, 136 the skid, seat riser, added more foam to the seat,handle bar riser, ported engine, bender pipe and so on and so on. Almost all the guys I drove with had Apexs and their rule was the smokers lead the back of the pack. In the trails they could never lose me but lake runs were a bit different. Now I was at the point to either pipe the Viper and drop fuel mileage or upgrade to a 4stroker.
It was a tough call made easier when I heard guys burnig down their 2smokers because of sub standard fuel. I hate breaking down anywhere! So that was it. I was on the hunt for a 4stroke. Found one that was the right color and price. The sled was bone stock which was the perfect platform for me. First ride out I hated the machine and wanted to go back and get my Viper that was sadly sitting in the garage. After alot of reading on the 4stroke side I did some mods that brought the sled to a point that it was fun to ride. Now when I ride with some Vipers or other older sleds and we trade rides for abit. I can't wait to get back on my Attak. Can't believe the punishment I took on the unmodded SX or Viper chassis.
Now all that being said, I sure do miss the sound of the ole Viper or my old red head tripple but oddly enough I don't miss the smell.
It was a tough call made easier when I heard guys burnig down their 2smokers because of sub standard fuel. I hate breaking down anywhere! So that was it. I was on the hunt for a 4stroke. Found one that was the right color and price. The sled was bone stock which was the perfect platform for me. First ride out I hated the machine and wanted to go back and get my Viper that was sadly sitting in the garage. After alot of reading on the 4stroke side I did some mods that brought the sled to a point that it was fun to ride. Now when I ride with some Vipers or other older sleds and we trade rides for abit. I can't wait to get back on my Attak. Can't believe the punishment I took on the unmodded SX or Viper chassis.
Now all that being said, I sure do miss the sound of the ole Viper or my old red head tripple but oddly enough I don't miss the smell.
Thanks for some perspective from the other side. I really appreciate everyones input.
I really hate breaking down too. I help everyone else with there sleds and it really looks bad when mine's holding up the group.
I really hate breaking down too. I help everyone else with there sleds and it really looks bad when mine's holding up the group.
staggs65
Moderator
I think if you went on the 4-stroke side and got testimonial from the guys that have actually made the switch you'll get a bunch of responses just like Stein's. I love my 2-strokes too but I think you're getting some jaded responses here from people who have no actual experience on the subject. except for stein. just saying. If it were me I'd ask people who have actually owned both.
devinzz1
Active member
J_hubbs
New member
Last year we towed the same 07 Apex twice in 4 days.
First it lost the speedo side bearing, ruining the speed sensor, so it wouldnt run above idle. Took it in for repair, $250 and a day lost riding.
Then on the way back across the UP it lost the clutch side jackshaft bearing, welding it on the shaft. We towed him to the nearest town (Shingleton) and that is where he stayed for 5 hours while we rode back to get the truck. I never heard what the bill was on that.
The same sled lost one rear bogie the year before, ruining the hyfax. Not to mention the center bogies either loose the rubber on the outside or totally disappear when the bearing fails.
They are also super heavy and do not do well in powder in factory trim.
I think they make a great trail machine, but you still need to do maintainance!
He just sold it a month ago with 4500 miles. Im not sure why it had so many problems with low to average mileage, it was not an abused sled.
First it lost the speedo side bearing, ruining the speed sensor, so it wouldnt run above idle. Took it in for repair, $250 and a day lost riding.
Then on the way back across the UP it lost the clutch side jackshaft bearing, welding it on the shaft. We towed him to the nearest town (Shingleton) and that is where he stayed for 5 hours while we rode back to get the truck. I never heard what the bill was on that.
The same sled lost one rear bogie the year before, ruining the hyfax. Not to mention the center bogies either loose the rubber on the outside or totally disappear when the bearing fails.
They are also super heavy and do not do well in powder in factory trim.
I think they make a great trail machine, but you still need to do maintainance!
He just sold it a month ago with 4500 miles. Im not sure why it had so many problems with low to average mileage, it was not an abused sled.
staggs65 said:
I hear what you're saying, but I thought I would ask here first as I'm more of a regular over here and I feel like I know some of you guys so I trust your opinions. I'm pretty sure the folks on the 4 stroke side are going to tell me come on in the waters fine! It's just that the 4 strokes I have ridden I haven't been all that impressed with. Maybe I just need to ride one for a few days so I can get used to them. With the snow we're having I can't see spending money on anything right now.
I must admit, when I heard everyone was going to start making 4 strokes I was quite disappointed. I remembered when they started doing it to motorcycles in the 80s. Every last one of the dirt bikes was a turd. Big, heavy, underpowered turd.
But.....Technology had come a long way since then.
I've never driven a 4 stroke, and it's not really high on my to do list. I probably should keep my mouth shut until I do, but.....
It takes roughly twice the displacement of a 4 stroke, rpms twisted into the stratosphere to make similar power as a 2 stroke, and these things are 100lb heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts.
Just don't see how it could be any fun. Probably just like a big video game. point and shoot.
I'm sure that there are advantages. They are smooth, get better mileage etc. Latest, greatest, cutting edge technology, but.....
Technology is GREAT until it breaks. When it does, I'm sure that's a nightmare.....You can't turn production stuff at F1 rpms and not know something catastrophic is going to happen at some point. Catastrophic, and very expensive.
On top of all that, I can't justify spending over $10000 on something that I can ride for a month out of the year if I'm lucky either.
I'm sure that we'll all get hung with one at some point, but I'm gonna hold out as long as I can. That's just me.
Just my $.02
But.....Technology had come a long way since then.
I've never driven a 4 stroke, and it's not really high on my to do list. I probably should keep my mouth shut until I do, but.....
It takes roughly twice the displacement of a 4 stroke, rpms twisted into the stratosphere to make similar power as a 2 stroke, and these things are 100lb heavier than their 2 stroke counterparts.
Just don't see how it could be any fun. Probably just like a big video game. point and shoot.
I'm sure that there are advantages. They are smooth, get better mileage etc. Latest, greatest, cutting edge technology, but.....
Technology is GREAT until it breaks. When it does, I'm sure that's a nightmare.....You can't turn production stuff at F1 rpms and not know something catastrophic is going to happen at some point. Catastrophic, and very expensive.
On top of all that, I can't justify spending over $10000 on something that I can ride for a month out of the year if I'm lucky either.
I'm sure that we'll all get hung with one at some point, but I'm gonna hold out as long as I can. That's just me.
Just my $.02
opsled
Active member
As usual,,,,,,
A lot of unfounded, untrue, irrelivant comparables, reason and logic expressed as to why 4 stroke Yamaha's are not good.
Drive bearing failure has nothing to do with the engine. It has to do with maintanence. Same as a two stroke.
Price comparables are also not realistic unless the age of what is being compared is the same. They aren't and when you do campare prices on similiar year machines there isn't much difference.
The 100 lb weight difference is just an ignorant myth.
Made up closed minds are everywhere.
I love my two stokes but don't have one bad thing to say about a 4 stroke and I have owned both.
opsled
opsled
A lot of unfounded, untrue, irrelivant comparables, reason and logic expressed as to why 4 stroke Yamaha's are not good.
Drive bearing failure has nothing to do with the engine. It has to do with maintanence. Same as a two stroke.
Price comparables are also not realistic unless the age of what is being compared is the same. They aren't and when you do campare prices on similiar year machines there isn't much difference.
The 100 lb weight difference is just an ignorant myth.
Made up closed minds are everywhere.
I love my two stokes but don't have one bad thing to say about a 4 stroke and I have owned both.
opsled
opsled
Be sure to get an '06 or newer and as long as you are willing to make minor mods to your "new" sled you should not be disappointed. Once you spend enough time on one to learn how to ride it (it is different) you will blow the Pro-Action sled away. I made the switch myself and every year when I get off the Viper and on the Attak I get the perma-smile. On the trail the Attak is just better in many ways.
bluewho
Active member
sxr70001 said:
There is no way this can be done with a trailing arm sled and be better or even close to the ride of a A arm style sled.The rear can be made to ride as good but the front end is limited for what it takes to do so by the lenth of the shocks and the binding issues caused by lifting the sled up.
This is the reason the trailing arm sled has been dropped by all manufacters.I test rode a apex last year and found the higher seating better for looking at bumps in the trail and could beat it over any terrain i wanted with ease.It felt funny getting back on the low slung srx BUT ....I rode away smiling at the bulge i still had from my wallet back there and the fact that yamaha is still making a fast dependable sled for whenever i wanted to buy one.
.len
Ding said:
Exactly
Thanks guys. You told me a lot of stuff that I have been thinking about,but it's nice to hear they way everyone else puts it. Bottom line is that riding time with my friends is very limited these days, even more so when we're not getting snow. When I do get a chance to ride I want to be able to go without worrying about a breakdown. This means a new or newer sled and it will have to be a Yamaha. I think I will probably plan on keeping my SXR for fun and a backup and try to find a 2010 or newer 4 stroke for a good price in the off season.
Thanks for everyones input.
Thanks for everyones input.