Cam/ Viper adict
New member
Ya, I looked at them.. Emailed him as well. Was thinking the same thing..lol.. He is in Steinbach close to me so I will go check them out.. Not sure if they will fit into the Venture because of the electric start and reverse.. will see..
journeyman
Active member
I have had both and still have the Viper with 9000 plus miles. The only time I popped it was when I had triple pipes on it. My own fault though but with triple pipes they can be very finicky. Pipe a redhead correctly and they are super reliable. The Viper also has power valves and they need cleaning as do SRX's. But stock for stock I would still put my money on the redhead. Olav Aaen used one with triple pipes for his goKart test machine for testing clutch setups. He said he beats the tar out of it and it just keeps coming back for more. Bulletproof!!!! He claims it is the most reliable two stroke motor he has ever used.
staggs65
Moderator
O2viper700 said:Vipers blow rod bearins.
The vipers don't get enough oil. The fix for those engines is to put a srx oil pump on it.
There are are many where I live that are being parted out because of a rod bearing failure including mine.
I say redheads are more reliable for the reason's SSB posted on the first page.
Viper rod bearing problems are from detonation not oiling IMO
staggs65
Moderator
viperking said:I have 4 viper trail sleds and 2-3 others that are consistently in my riding group and I lost one crank bearing about 4 years ago. Other than that, we have had zero issues with viper engine reliability. If you keep good gas in them, and know how to do a little maintenance and are able to clean carbs they will last a long time. If you don't know how to work on a sled then by all means, buy a redhead. I've put probably 20-25000 miles on viper engines and have had one crank bearing failure over that time that was probably my fault as a result of poor storage that summer. I also run piped and bigbored vipers and have had no issues with those either. Most people lose viper engines because they don't clean the carbs, don't run premium fuel, and don't bump the needles up to account for the crappy gas we get now. Also many people pipe them and don't use proper jetting which results in a meltdown. I will admit the redhead engine will likely last longer, because it is gutless though. I would much rather ride a viper and risk eventually losing a crank bearing or something than spend my life riding around on a poochy redhead. I have and still currently own sleds with both engines in them, but the redhead gets basically zero seat time unless it is a friend looking for a sled to ride. on top of that, the viper is much better looking, and has better technology (digital speedo etc)
exactly
staggs65
Moderator
O2viper700 said:Vipers blow rod bearins.
The vipers don't get enough oil. The fix for those engines is to put a srx oil pump on it.
There are are many where I live that are being parted out because of a rod bearing failure including mine.
Oh yeah, and all your SRX oil pump fix does is cost you $200. they are the same pump.
thefindian
New member
Redhead
O2viper700
Lifetime VIP Member
I havnt done it.staggs65 said:Oh yeah, and all your SRX oil pump fix does is cost you $200. they are the same pump.
It's just what I've heard from a guy that builds yamaha engines
s10mike
Member
the thread is about reliability. sayin a viper is reliable after a bunch of mods is saying if a bull had tits it woul be a cow. do a search for used parts and just see how many vipers are getting parted out. people dont part out good reliable sleds soooo..... in fact there are people that make a living stripping out junk vipers. dont kid yourselves guys. redhead is waaay more RELIABLE! hands down
s10mike
Member
and as far as power goes. that old redhead of mine has caused a few new sled purchases. people dont like losing to a low compression (120lbs. on all three holes. 6000miles) redhead sx.
roudyroy1
Active member
s10mike said:and as far as power goes. that old redhead of mine has caused a few new sled purchases. people dont like losing to a low compression (120lbs. on all three holes. 6000miles) redhead sx.
time for a rebuild?
sideshowBob
VIP Member
Its funny...I have a 700 ported/piped SX in the yard that is set up exactly like my 2002 SRX...144 x 1 1/4, long travel, bar riser, boss seat, light weight parts ect ect. The SX owns my SRX in a drag race and top end...but I never ride the SX I ride my SRX...Go FIGURE!!!
goody_700
New member
My Vmax 700 has over 6000 miles on it and runs awesome. Good friend of mine has an 03 Viper and he can't get away from me. Have raced him from a roll-on numerous times and it's close, but I usually pull him by a little bit. As far as the redheads being a pooch and making no power, well, if a guy does the free, cheap mods (bore silencer, peel a layer or two on headgasket, reed spacers, and clutch it well) the redheads will run with a lot of higher HP sleds. They seem to be sleepers in that way, people don't expect it. Stock Vipers make 123-125HP stock, redheads make 112-115HP stock, doing the free/cheap mods on a redhead gains around 4-6HP and that puts them in the 120HP vicinity. It could be anyones race at that point, especially if the redhead is clutched right.
But as far as reliability is concerned, redhead hands down, not even a contest...
But as far as reliability is concerned, redhead hands down, not even a contest...
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journeyman
Active member
goody_700 said:My Vmax 700 has over 6000 miles on it and runs awesome. Good friend of mine has an 03 Viper and he can't get away from me. Have raced him from a roll-on numerous times and it's close, but I usually pull him by a little bit. As far as the redheads being a pooch and making no power, well, if a guy does the free, cheap mods (bore silencer, peel a layer or two on headgasket, reed spacers, and clutch it well) the redheads will run with a lot of higher HP sleds. They seem to be sleepers in that way, people don't expect it. Stock Vipers make 123-125HP stock, redheads make 112-115HP stock, doing the free/cheap mods on a redhead gains around 4-6HP and that puts them in the 120HP vicinity. It could be anyones race at that point, especially if the redhead is clutched right.
But as far as reliability is concerned, redhead hands down, not even a contest...
I agree you can do the little things to the redhead 700 as you did. I had all the same done to my 2001 SX700R. It was the strongest year too being it had the 300W magneto. In fact my father had a 1998 with the 700 with all the goodies done and my 2001 was a bit stronger. That being said don't take offense but your buddies Viper needs some dialing or it is a pooch. Some are too. My brother in law has my dads old 700 and my 2002 Viper eats it alive and that was a good runner in it's day. Plus the old redhead has only 3400 miles and I have over 9000 on the Viper.
journeyman
Active member
sideshowBob said:Its funny...I have a 700 ported/piped SX in the yard that is set up exactly like my 2002 SRX...144 x 1 1/4, long travel, bar riser, boss seat, light weight parts ect ect. The SX owns my SRX in a drag race and top end...but I never ride the SX I ride my SRX...Go FIGURE!!!
I can't speak for the 144 setup but normally a good running 2000-2002 SRX usually handles a piped/ported SX with 121" tracks. Whose pipes are you running?
bluemonster1
LIFE MEMBER ONLY ONCE!!!
I would be riding the SX for sure then.When you are tired of the old SRX Bob..I want to buy it off you...seriouly...sideshowBob said:Its funny...I have a 700 ported/piped SX in the yard that is set up exactly like my 2002 SRX...144 x 1 1/4, long travel, bar riser, boss seat, light weight parts ect ect. The SX owns my SRX in a drag race and top end...but I never ride the SX I ride my SRX...Go FIGURE!!!
bluebandit98
New member
love the redhead hands down my favorite sled ever the 2001 sxr i had was mean with triplebenders gasket mod an reed spacers right clutching an i put alot of newer sleds to shame
goody_700
New member
journeyman, I hear ya, IDK but my Vmax runs like a raped ape. Don't know what it is...I do think my friends Viper is stock, I've ridden both and my sled just feels faster. His may need some clutching work. I know the motor is stout as I did all the work on it. PVs cleaned, carbs, etc. If his was clutched differently, might be a different story, all I know is my Vmax pulls hards and his Viper pulls OK if ya know what I mean...
O2viper700
Lifetime VIP Member
goody_700 said:My Vmax 700 has over 6000 miles on it and runs awesome. Good friend of mine has an 03 Viper and he can't get away from me. Have raced him from a roll-on numerous times and it's close, but I usually pull him by a little bit. As far as the redheads being a pooch and making no power, well, if a guy does the free, cheap mods (bore silencer, peel a layer or two on headgasket, reed spacers, and clutch it well) the redheads will run with a lot of higher HP sleds. They seem to be sleepers in that way, people don't expect it. Stock Vipers make 123-125HP stock, redheads make 112-115HP stock, doing the free/cheap mods on a redhead gains around 4-6HP and that puts them in the 120HP vicinity. It could be anyones race at that point, especially if the redhead is clutched right.
But as far as reliability is concerned, redhead hands down, not even a contest...
I love the viper even though mine blew.
I still think its a reliable sled but the red head is way more bullet proof
and it's true what you say my buddy has a sx700 with a little clutching and we are side by side until 160kph them I start to walk away from him.
With a little clutxhing They at no slouch that's for sure.
journeyman
Active member
goody_700 said:journeyman, I hear ya, IDK but my Vmax runs like a raped ape. Don't know what it is...I do think my friends Viper is stock, I've ridden both and my sled just feels faster. His may need some clutching work. I know the motor is stout as I did all the work on it. PVs cleaned, carbs, etc. If his was clutched differently, might be a different story, all I know is my Vmax pulls hards and his Viper pulls OK if ya know what I mean...
Another thing I might add, I have heard a Viper pipe works on a redhead. I know someone that runs a special class for speedruns that uses one on his redhead motor. Claims there is more speed with this pipe.
s10mike
Member
a viper pipe will NOT fit on a redhead. I once was told the same thing and in my haste bought all the pieces to switch it over only to find that nothing is the same. wont fit. although that would be nice cause that shiny viper pipe sure looks nice. not sayin that it cant be done, but not with out some cutting and welding.journeyman said:Another thing I might add, I have heard a Viper pipe works on a redhead. I know someone that runs a special class for speedruns that uses one on his redhead motor. Claims there is more speed with this pipe.