Jumped in with both feet.

Chuck403

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The better half and I decided to give snowmobiling a whirl this winter. Didn't want to go new in case the sport wasn't for us. Scoured Kijiji, and came across 2 Mountain Max 700's. Even though they are ancient ('97 & '99) they have been very good to us. We knew we liked the sport, and we're going to buy new machines for next year.

We stopped in at different dealerships for a look-see at what they had, what the machines actually looked like in person vs online pictures, sit on them to see how they felt, etc. Terrible service from the sales guy at skidoo. Once he found out we weren't buying until next year he pretty much dismissed us. We weren't worth his time I guess.

Checked a Polaris dealer out. Sales Dept was much better, he took the time to point out oodles of things on their machines, answer questions, and even though he knew we would not be buying for months yet, stayed till after closing never trying to rush us out so he could leave. Props to him for that.

Next stop was Yamaha. I have been a life long Yamaha fan. From an old IT 400, dirt bike, 2 old 2 stroke 175 cc trikes, 2 old 200 cc 4 stroke trikes, a Kodiak 450, and our current Grizzly's never a problem with any of them. (Dirt bike and trikes didn't have an easy life. Young, no fear, or common sense, and they kept on ticking day after day).

I was scared away from the Yamaha sleds though. Horror stories of the weight, and the MSRP online were what did it. More researching, a realistic look of the riding we will be doing, and of course, the Yamaha reliability reputation I stepped through the dealers doors. First sled I see is a 2016 Viper MTD black with gold trim. Gorgeous machine. Next I see the price tag. I about hit the floor. $9500 written on a neon piece of paper taped to the hood. Once again talking with the sales guy, first thing we told him was we were looking for next year. Didn't phase him a bit. Answered all our questions, showed us everything, we arrived there near the end of their business day, and while we were talking to the sales guy, lights started getting turned off in the Parts Dept. and other areas of the showroom. He said don't worry about that, I have keys to lock up after we're done. Take all the time you need.

After some more looking, talking, we decided screw it, let's go for it. filled out the credit application, and on our way lol. As we are both beginners, that sled, bone stock is more than we would ever need right now. I then had a light bulb moment. instead of buying a competitor's 600cc machine, getting good enough on it to upgrade to an 800 someday, and forking out big coin for another new sled in a few years when upgrade time comes, buy this Yamaha, and when the time comes where I feel I'm wanting more jam, I'm only out ~3k ish for a turbo vs 15k for a new 800.

Brought them home yesterday. Now just praying like crazy for some snow to get out there and have some fun. We lost our snow here a couple weeks ago with chinooks, and rain.

No reviews to give yet. They loaded up into the truck and trailer nice, sound nice, and look nice. lol. Hopefully some seat time comes quick.
 

CatMan16

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Enjoy the new machines. From your post it sounded like you were shopping in Red Deer.
 

Chuck403

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Nope, we went north of here to Grande Prairie. I was going to scout out the dealers in Edson as well, but we never made it that way.
 

MarkCos

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Good job

let's hope this winter has way more freash snow to come
 

Chuck403

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OK, still no snow here, but we managed to hunt down a spot that had some, and did a little playing in an ancient old gov't reclaimed gravel pit. enough snow, and smooth enough ground we didn't need to worry about finding a surprise stump, or big rock.

Any worries I had about the machines feeling sluggish compared to a 2 stroke quickly evaporated once I squeezed the fun lever. They get up and go right from dead stop, and any speed after that. squeeze the throttle, and you're going faster right now. Not a rip snorting, tear your arms off sudden acceleration, but a smooth, predictable pull. Still sounds weird being on a sled and not hearing the 2 stroke sound, but will quickly get over that.

Only thing we did notice was the extreme tippy feeling they had. They came with the skis adjusted as narrow as they can be at 34 1/2". I can adjust them out to 38 1/2". I am hoping that will alleviate that tippy feeling, as the narrow stance is obviously meant for riders way more experienced than we are.

If the 38.5" stance doesn't solve it enough for us, are there aftermarket options for an even wider stance? Are there skis with a bigger adjustment window? Really hoping that we won't be looking at a major expense with a arms or something like that needing replacing.

I'm pretty sure pushing each ski out 2" should do wonders in the stability feeling, just hoping it does it enough.
 

tko sled ed

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Ha ha that's funny great story glad your enjoying the sport
That's the first time I've heard of someone wanting to widen a sled You won't need to widen it won't take long and a bit of practice and it will be like putting on your socks in the morning
Have fun take a avy course get up to the mountains it's beautiful lots of places to ride where there is low risk
Enjoy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
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Chuck403

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Looking like you called it tko. Was too cold out yesterday to make widening the stance sound like fun, but not cold enough to not go for a bit of a ride. Priorities ya know lol.

A bit more seat time, and am getting more used to it. The first place we went had a bunch of old drifts hidden under the surface. Those old drifts were solid, and took you by surprise. Out in a more consistent snow area (for what little snow there was) riding was much more enjoyable.

Some more seat time, and things will improve substantially I'm sure.
 

roadlinur113

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Congrats on the new sleds. I purchased a 2016 viper mtx myself here this fall in red deer for a sweet deal of $8450 plus GST out the door. I own 3 other sleds but was such a great price I couldn't refuse and I had wanted to try out the Cat chassis for a while. After a few hundred kms on it now I find the low end power very impressive but flattens out up top compared to my etec 800 sleds. I also find it very tippy even with skis at widest settings. This is due mainly to Arctic Cat does not equip their mountain sleds with a sway bar and the A Arms have no castings to apply one. Your options are to install a front end from say a High Country or yamaha xtx model. I realized this at time of purchase but figured at the price I got it for I could afford to switch front ends if necessary. The tippy sled has bucked me off on local flat land riding but I am trying to adapt to it. Haven't taken it to the big snow yet and I imagine the sled will be much easier to ride in deep powder. Once again.....enjoy the new rides
 
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