My first full size sled, was a 1979 enticer 300, up to my last Yamaha, the 2000 mountain max. It's been Cats M series, then polaris after the pro, but been waiting for that new mountain max, with cats catalyst chassis, with hopefully a twin rail, but this is the end, for a sled manufacturer that I rode, before I could even ride by myself, so it's like an old friend that's gone.
As a life long Yamaha rider, the response from Yamaha since covid started has left a sour taste in my mouth. The prices and service have had an inverse relationship over the past few years. I ordered a side panel for my 2018 50th Sidewinder in December of last year and I was told it will be June if I'm lucky, 3 months after I inquired as to where it went. This is after I was told it would be two weeks, thus I missed out on being able to do any riding at all this season. Thankfully, the season was pretty terrible overall weather wise, but it's hardly inspiring for me to consider putting down 30k for a last year model knowing this is the type of service I can expect going forward. Our family has owned Yamaha sleds for 30+ years but I suppose the writing was on the wall after the Arctic Cat merger. One thing is for sure, there will be nothing like the 998 on the snow again and we are all the worse for it.
I think so lol!! People always say how heavy the sidewinder is or the thundercat. Actually only 37 pounds heavier than the doo 850 and maybe 40 more than Polaris 850. Thats with power steering idk what weight is without power steering but has to be 20 pounds less. And nothing is as fast specially if u tune one up OMG there just awesome. Ride great handling is as good or better than anything out there. Ride the ski doo little better rear suspension Moderate speeds . Front idk rode both back to back many times hard to say. That being said if ur a mad man like myself and push ur sleds hard the pro cross chassis is as good or better than anything out there.
Sad to see Yamaha leave the snowmobile industry. Competition is always good and I grew up around Yamaha sleds…. Wish more was done to celebrate the legacy Yamaha leaves on the snowmobiles industry. A plaque on each sled doesn’t cut it for all they contributed over the years!
Jesus died on the cross for your sins he became sin so you would be forgiven!! We have all sinned but it we repent of our sins and ask Jesus who is the son of God into our hearts your forgiven. He actually says he throws away your sins into a sea of forgetfulness isnt that amazing!! He is returning soon and he wants to take you with him but most of all he wants to have a relationship with you so just say this Jesus i am a sinner wash me in your blood forgive me of my sins set me free and encounter me!! Jesus is calling you today please answer he loves you so very much
this just sucks being a life long yammy lover...and to add ,the red/orange graphics just sucks,who approved that?also,shoulda saved the red/white colors on the srx for the final run,its not like y'all didn't see this coming,this is the result of not listing to your customers input and then the arctic merger...how are we supposed to ride a wave runner in the snow?...
The law says you must support your product for 7 years....after that I highly suspect Yamaha will leave customers high and dry. Snowmobiles now....other products later?????
Other products? Come on. Yamaha is leaving the snowmobile industry because it’s gotten to the point it’s no longer lucrative for them…. They’re fine everywhere else. The writing was on the wall once they signed up with Cat in 2014. Surprised they lasted this long to be honest. There’s not a lot of sleds sold compared to other products and Yamaha sold the least of the big 4.
One good thing is there mostly cat so most parts will be available. I heard that Yamaha will continue to supply engine to arctic cat so all parts should be available for many years long as cats not next one to go belly up. Im a cat guy but one of my first snowmobiles was a Yamaha SRV. This sucks for the arctic cat has to help cats production costs. Idk dont like seeing this its just scary to see specially with the shitty winters we been seeing in many places. Then the hole EPA thing going green could be the beginning of the end for our sport idk.
Yamaha has always been an engine manufacturer first, all else second. Let’s face it, Russia was a big utility market for them. The War in Ukraine suddenly ended that. Compiled with low snow conditions and the corporate big wigs closed the door. Do I wish they R&D’d a new chassis? Yes. But they just didn’t see the snomo bizz market expanding I’m sure.
My first full size sled, was a 1979 enticer 300, up to my last Yamaha, the 2000 mountain max. It's been Cats M series, then polaris after the pro, but been waiting for that new mountain max, with cats catalyst chassis, with hopefully a twin rail, but this is the end, for a sled manufacturer that I rode, before I could even ride by myself, so it's like an old friend that's gone.
They should have let Johnny Skeptical do the last line up video, and still say 4 stroke is better than a 2 stroke.
Thats a sad video, i hate seeing yamaha leave the snowmobile world...
Unfortunately they haven't been yamaha for a long time. Just skinned Cats... I have three MM triples and still.love em.
As a life long Yamaha rider, the response from Yamaha since covid started has left a sour taste in my mouth. The prices and service have had an inverse relationship over the past few years. I ordered a side panel for my 2018 50th Sidewinder in December of last year and I was told it will be June if I'm lucky, 3 months after I inquired as to where it went. This is after I was told it would be two weeks, thus I missed out on being able to do any riding at all this season. Thankfully, the season was pretty terrible overall weather wise, but it's hardly inspiring for me to consider putting down 30k for a last year model knowing this is the type of service I can expect going forward. Our family has owned Yamaha sleds for 30+ years but I suppose the writing was on the wall after the Arctic Cat merger. One thing is for sure, there will be nothing like the 998 on the snow again and we are all the worse for it.
A 998 and fox electronic shocks in a procross chassis. Probably THE best groomed trail sled ever.
I think so lol!!
People always say how heavy the sidewinder is or the thundercat. Actually only 37 pounds heavier than the doo 850 and maybe 40 more than Polaris 850. Thats with power steering idk what weight is without power steering but has to be 20 pounds less. And nothing is as fast specially if u tune one up OMG there just awesome. Ride great handling is as good or better than anything out there. Ride the ski doo little better rear suspension Moderate speeds . Front idk rode both back to back many times hard to say. That being said if ur a mad man like myself and push ur sleds hard the pro cross chassis is as good or better than anything out there.
Sad to see Yamaha leave the snowmobile industry. Competition is always good and I grew up around Yamaha sleds…. Wish more was done to celebrate the legacy Yamaha leaves on the snowmobiles industry. A plaque on each sled doesn’t cut it for all they contributed over the years!
I wouldnt give up my Sidewinder for any other sled of any make.
Hard to see Yamaha leaving this space
They make it sound like sleds will cease to exist after this year lol
It really does suck for the entire sport
Loyalty. What loyalty that went out the window after I purchased my new 2023 Rmax and about 12 other new machines since 1987
Really wanted a special edition VK or VK professional. Too bad. Scandic it is.
3 months waiting for parts, sure are there for me !
Jesus died on the cross for your sins he became sin so you would be forgiven!! We have all sinned but it we repent of our sins and ask Jesus who is the son of God into our hearts your forgiven. He actually says he throws away your sins into a sea of forgetfulness isnt that amazing!! He is returning soon and he wants to take you with him but most of all he wants to have a relationship with you so just say this Jesus i am a sinner wash me in your blood forgive me of my sins set me free and encounter me!! Jesus is calling you today please answer he loves you so very much
this just sucks being a life long yammy lover...and to add ,the red/orange graphics just sucks,who approved that?also,shoulda saved the red/white colors on the srx for the final run,its not like y'all didn't see this coming,this is the result of not listing to your customers input and then the arctic merger...how are we supposed to ride a wave runner in the snow?...
Wheres Jared ?
Very sad
Big mistake Yamaha
The law says you must support your product for 7 years....after that I highly suspect Yamaha will leave customers high and dry. Snowmobiles now....other products later?????
Other products? Come on. Yamaha is leaving the snowmobile industry because it’s gotten to the point it’s no longer lucrative for them…. They’re fine everywhere else. The writing was on the wall once they signed up with Cat in 2014. Surprised they lasted this long to be honest. There’s not a lot of sleds sold compared to other products and Yamaha sold the least of the big 4.
Curious, what law is that?
One good thing is there mostly cat so most parts will be available. I heard that Yamaha will continue to supply engine to arctic cat so all parts should be available for many years long as cats not next one to go belly up. Im a cat guy but one of my first snowmobiles was a Yamaha SRV. This sucks for the arctic cat has to help cats production costs. Idk dont like seeing this its just scary to see specially with the shitty winters we been seeing in many places. Then the hole EPA thing going green could be the beginning of the end for our sport idk.
Yamaha has always been an engine manufacturer first, all else second. Let’s face it, Russia was a big utility market for them. The War in Ukraine suddenly ended that. Compiled with low snow conditions and the corporate big wigs closed the door. Do I wish they R&D’d a new chassis? Yes. But they just didn’t see the snomo bizz market expanding I’m sure.
Top of the market in 80’s / 90’s to the bottom ….too bad