Lund
Active VIP Member
Well the Sidewinder was in town yesterday and only for the day. So went and checked it out. No didn't ride it as it was only a prototype on display.
Met up with Chad from CR and we gave it a general check over and tried to find answers on some stuff but to no avail. The Yamy dude including the owner had no real answers for us, kinda tight lip for some reason or honestly didn't know.
Ya they could answer basic stuff, like fuel tank size and track size etc, etc. but we didn't care about that.
Anyhow, i want to keep this short, not long.
My first impression when i walked in....its another Viper, they look very very similar in so many way's.
Yes it is a Cat chassi, just like the Viper. Except it has a very small heat exchanger up front unlike the Viper with a radiator the Sidewinder has no radiator.
Pretty much everything else chassi wise including suspension is Cat, like the Viper.
Talking about suspension, it is available as a 36" stance.
The seat IMO SUCK's, looks like and feels like a sofa and not like a mountain sled seat. Yamaha should take note of this, i don't think they are the same as the Cat seats but Yamaha own version.
Another disappointment is fit and finish, maybe because it was a prototype or maybe because they are tied with Cat now and Cat has never been know for good fit and finish, though i personally em a Cat fan and have no bones about them.
I'm quite surprise at the poor fit and finish of this sled. I hope the production model shows Yamaha's true colors on fit and finish that they are known for.
Another interesting find was the unbalance from right to left, something Yamaha has always addressed in the past.
Most Yamaha were very well balance but not the Sidewinder. There is a significant difference between the right and left in weight and it truly shows when you roll the sled over. To the right the Sidewinder lays over with very little effort but to the left you definitely have to pull. IMO a disappointment. But i believe it can be addressed by removing the huge muffler and installing a smaller muffler to help equalize the weight differences.
The engine...well what can i say, like i said i haven't rode it. Its truly a gem to look at and definitely Yamaha 100%.
I was told Yamaha engineers invested 4 years in developing this engine and huge money in developing the fuel system and turbo combo. Yamaha is also being very conservative about its capabilities, it's tough, durable, design for longevity and high horse power is what we were told.
Also was told if we thought the old Nytro motors set a bench mark for durability and making power, this new motor surpasses and will put it to shame.
We were also told by Nick King the technical guru and multi award winner of N.America Yamaha technician contest that this motor will run easy 240-250hp+hp with a simple program down load with all STOCK components...NO add on's. WOW, maybe a blessing.
If this is true, Yamaha will dominate a large majority of mountain condition's. Though maybe not a tight tree sled, it will rein pretty much on anything else related to back country mountain sledding will throw at it.
It will be interesting to see.....Big promises that's for sure.
Though after saying this Yamaha has a VERY long way's to go in sales, this sled IMO is better suited for certain rider's looking for a certain type of ride. Not just for anyone.
BTW...no real weight changes, it's still a 600lb sled wet, but hey not all men are alike LOL.
Enough said. Just my observation on a show room floor.
Met up with Chad from CR and we gave it a general check over and tried to find answers on some stuff but to no avail. The Yamy dude including the owner had no real answers for us, kinda tight lip for some reason or honestly didn't know.
Ya they could answer basic stuff, like fuel tank size and track size etc, etc. but we didn't care about that.
Anyhow, i want to keep this short, not long.
My first impression when i walked in....its another Viper, they look very very similar in so many way's.
Yes it is a Cat chassi, just like the Viper. Except it has a very small heat exchanger up front unlike the Viper with a radiator the Sidewinder has no radiator.
Pretty much everything else chassi wise including suspension is Cat, like the Viper.
Talking about suspension, it is available as a 36" stance.
The seat IMO SUCK's, looks like and feels like a sofa and not like a mountain sled seat. Yamaha should take note of this, i don't think they are the same as the Cat seats but Yamaha own version.
Another disappointment is fit and finish, maybe because it was a prototype or maybe because they are tied with Cat now and Cat has never been know for good fit and finish, though i personally em a Cat fan and have no bones about them.
I'm quite surprise at the poor fit and finish of this sled. I hope the production model shows Yamaha's true colors on fit and finish that they are known for.
Another interesting find was the unbalance from right to left, something Yamaha has always addressed in the past.
Most Yamaha were very well balance but not the Sidewinder. There is a significant difference between the right and left in weight and it truly shows when you roll the sled over. To the right the Sidewinder lays over with very little effort but to the left you definitely have to pull. IMO a disappointment. But i believe it can be addressed by removing the huge muffler and installing a smaller muffler to help equalize the weight differences.
The engine...well what can i say, like i said i haven't rode it. Its truly a gem to look at and definitely Yamaha 100%.
I was told Yamaha engineers invested 4 years in developing this engine and huge money in developing the fuel system and turbo combo. Yamaha is also being very conservative about its capabilities, it's tough, durable, design for longevity and high horse power is what we were told.
Also was told if we thought the old Nytro motors set a bench mark for durability and making power, this new motor surpasses and will put it to shame.
We were also told by Nick King the technical guru and multi award winner of N.America Yamaha technician contest that this motor will run easy 240-250hp+hp with a simple program down load with all STOCK components...NO add on's. WOW, maybe a blessing.
If this is true, Yamaha will dominate a large majority of mountain condition's. Though maybe not a tight tree sled, it will rein pretty much on anything else related to back country mountain sledding will throw at it.
It will be interesting to see.....Big promises that's for sure.
Though after saying this Yamaha has a VERY long way's to go in sales, this sled IMO is better suited for certain rider's looking for a certain type of ride. Not just for anyone.
BTW...no real weight changes, it's still a 600lb sled wet, but hey not all men are alike LOL.
Enough said. Just my observation on a show room floor.
