My first Season on a 4 stroke Yammy Sled

[Skegmeister]

After putting over a 1000 kms on my sled this winter riding the trails in Alberta I have a couple pro's and cons about the sled.
I bought a 2016 Yammy SR Viper 141"X2". The only mod is MBRP racing muffler, which sounds awesome.
Most of the 1000kms were on groomed trails, but often finding chest deep snow on cutlines around the Fort Mac area that we were so fortunate get snow this winter.
Being a cross over sled, the 2" 141 track hooks up well and the sled has enough power and acceleration to thrill an old dude like me. The seating was awesome for a guy as tall as me. High speed cornering was a bit tippy, but I do have the skis at the narrowest settings.
I am pretty new at the groomed trail riding, I am sure there are better sleds for handling the trail whoops and corners, I do enjoy the challenge of keeping the sled on one ski as I come out of the corners.
Deep snow... I was a bit cautious blipping off of a snow bank into the deep power as the sled does feel heavy in the front compared to my other sleds. The truth is that it is heavy, but my caution was my enemy. Once I hammered on the throttle and got the front end up and away I went breaking trail having a blast. I am also a heavy guy and I found the sled carves and turns quite easy, but with my 6" riser it really made the turning much easier as I was standing more up and able to transfer weight to running boards to carve and side hill.
The big issue poops up when the throttle is let off and the front end dives pretty hard. May have to get wider skis to help keep it up. It also has a tend to torque steer(?) when powering down in deep snow as it tends to dip and dive left. Not sure why, but once I got used to it, I compensated and made sure I made a couple turns before I stopped. Made it a lot easier to get started.
On flat trail riding I could get about 175 kms on a tank, which is a good day on a sled. Average day of on and off trail riding and hitting honey holes, I averaged about 140 km on a tank.
Overall I am pretty happy with my first season on a 4 stroke. The power took some getting used to as the torque starts from an idle. Much different than a two stroke.
I am not sure if I would get a turbo yet as the stump pulling power already keeps my heart pounding on some rides when I feel like I am 20 yo again. The additional 70+ hp would be an impressive ride, not sure if I am ready for that any more.
Fun sled, looking forward to next year.

 

[1200]

I've only rode in the mountains but the Yamaha s have there place im sure its the same in the flat lands . I have an old apex and its big and heavy but if u can deal with the weight 4 stroke s are fun. I also have 2 stroke s . They all have there place .

 

[Got boost want snow]

I've rode Yamaha 4strokes since 2003 when yamaha came out with the RX1. They are as much fun to ride as any 2stroke definately a learning curve to riding them. I have a semi stock attack, a 290 hp turbo apex and a 190 hp turbo viper all are a lot of fun to ride and have their place. Guys will always knock them for being heavy and they aren't for everyone. Just have fun and ride.

 

[Skegmeister]

I am planning to keep it for awhile. I have Polaris sleds that have been keeping me busy repairing to keep riding. They feel ridiculously light whenever I ride them, the suspension on the new sleds is unbelievable compared to the 09 600. I have 6000 kms on the 600, be interesting what the Yammy rides after been pounded for 9 years.
I was a bit surprised when I had to change weights from the MTN to the flat land version. The clutching is pretty decent on the sled, but the weights are really really old skool. Had to press in weights after I spent $300 to buy new weights and the pins to press in. Easy enough to change if I ever need to.
I would look at other options if I head back to the mountains, unless it was late in the season on spring snow.