Sidewinder 17-18 comparison

[Turblue]

Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

Seems like there a few threads bouncing around comparing the differences from 17-18...just thought spur up the ole Yamaha section with a new post. If you look at the pictures you can really see the attack angle difference.

2017


2018

 

[Bikeswithtrax]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

I think a 2018 might be in my near future.
Don't know anything about them really, but look like they are worth giving a try, and hoping I don't regret the weight since I am used to 2 strokes.

 

[powder dreams]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

that drop and roll comes at a cost tho. do you think its worth having the chain case so vulnerable? i just picked up a 17 for a smoking deal. to me it wasn't worth it but it may help slightly.

 

[canuck5]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

In the really deep snow(3feet)the 17 defiantly needs some higher track speeds to get up on top and float I find a coupler and tune helps this and so will the qsl shock that comes on some 18’s. I’m guessing the drop and roll is part of that too. I do have about 3000 mountain km on my 17 now and it’s been unreal. The different controls they came out with on new ones is nice too I probably shut my handwarmers off 10x a day unintentionally. I wouldn’t hesitate buying another 17 that’s a good deal though not for a chain case and shock.

 

[Lund]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

D&R has its pro's but also has its con's.
The idea is not new and custom builder's have D&R for years now, the biggest con with the set up is vulnerability. The case and axle are both prone to impact that can severely cripple a sled. So the bigger concern is how you ride. You can armor the case but it will not help the axle and drivers.
I have in the past built 2 custom sleds with D&R and one i impacted a rock on a climb and bent the axle and cracked the case. By the time i got it back to the staging area there was nothing good in the case, all junk. I had to replace axle, drivers, cases and everything in the case.
So unless your that competitive, i'm not sold on the D&R if your aggressive for the small advantage your going to get.
Have you ever checked the Doo and Polaris track angles?
Set up and weight transfer can make a sled poor or great at coming out of the snow, to me thats more important.
If you can get a good deal on an 18, do it, if you can get a greater deal on a 17 that's the way i would go, side by side the differences are minor.

 

[Kibbels]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

The DR on 18/19 kills a 17 out of hole...

 

[Lund]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

The DR on 18/19 kills a 17 out of hole...

Thats the pro of a D&R, improved hole shot, one needs to balance that.

 

[Catman10]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

The drop and roll is not worth it at all, sticks out way below and everything is vulnerable. Does it beat a regular one out of the hole yes, slightly and Kibbles and XM rider both pulled me out of the hole but it is not totally because of there dropped chain case, my sled has a baker skid which does not transfer the same as my other stock skid, not even close actually so the real difference is quite minor and not worth the potential huge expense and time of replacing that chain case, I think about 12 hours to R and R it. I have heard about guys breaking them just loading the sleds on sled decks, scary to me, love my 17!

 

[Turblue]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

Go with the the sled you want...my 17 works flawlessly. Tried a 18 in a demo ride...awh yeah I’m not that much of a pro I noticed anything.

 

[Lund]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

Go with the the sled you want...my 17 works flawlessly. Tried a 18 in a demo ride...awh yeah I’m not that much of a pro I noticed anything.

Unless you put them side by side there is no way you would notice a difference. I bet there is no one on this forum that can actually ride the SW to its potential and S&M has a lot of, in their mind superstars, especially the 2smoke crowd.
Yes the D&R will help in the initial hookup, common sense will tell you that and the reason custom builders have done it in the past but kill is an over statement.
Its all about set up. D&R have been around long enough that if it was that great Poo and Doo would have done it a long time ago.

 

[Xmrider163]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

I experienced the 18 DNR chaincase cons haha I’ve cracked mine that wasn’t a fun experience. But it does get out of the hole like Catman and Kibbels mentioned a bit better. Pros/Cons with the skid plate I’ve loaded mine lots onto a deck and have ridden 1.5 seasons without an issue now........ knock on wood.

If your looking at a good deal on a 17 I’d take it. Your going to Mod the thing anyways it’s just a fun sled that takes very well to a few mods.

Soon the new 2020 version will be out I’m curious to what that will be. Gen 2 Sidewinder? Not to derail the comparison thread.

2017 - 2019 id go 2019 just for the colours!

2017- 2018 base it on price.

 

[MK4TDI]

Re: Sidewinder 17-18 comparison/highlights

And if anyone is looking for a smoking deal on a 2017.....

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1408441684&siteLocale=en_CA&requestSource=b