14mpg, 200hp, great cooling system, power that just keeps pulling and pulling, and super controllable power, 100+ mph when you want it. Anyone who says 2 strokes are superior to these Yamaha triples either drank the yellow Kool-Aid or never ridden one
Nope we just like what we like. Not everyone rides the lake or highway trails all day. These turbo sleds are sooo much heavier and you can feel it riding in the twisty woods. A lot.
@@brad8665 The weight difference being noticable on the trail isn't that extreme unless you get stuck. Got rid of the wife's Rev 600 for a 4 stroke Pantera, and the weight difference in handling is hardly noticable and she's 120 pounds
Ive had a turbo 4 stroke. They definitely have there place but I'll take any 8-850 over one for my riding. Wide open trails and lakes yeah, a tcat or winder would be the ticket but for most other riding a smoker is better
The super fine sugar snow out here in the Rockies makes sport riding 4-stroke trail sleds in the snow pretty much impossible. They absolutely rip on packed powder bowls and groomed trails of course, but they sink like the Titanic off trail. That being said, I sold my RMK Pro 800 and replaced it with an Expedition SWT 900 Turbo which is absolutely unsinkable and even in reverse doesn't tractor down.
Have a 21 tuned to 300 hp and it gets better fuel economy than an 850 2 stroke on the trails. Plush ride. Steering is heavier in tight trails when compared to a 2 stroke but the acceleration will rip the bars out of you’re hands even at 90-100 mph
Interesting observations. Sounds like a sled for those who wish to balance their need for velocity vs the need for luxuries. But again isn't this what a snowmobile is supposed to do? Excellent presentation of a well refined example of a expensive snow vehicle.
Great review. Premium sled. The M8 of snowmobiles. I agree with Mark on his list of desirable changes. I would also add - a 1.6” Cobra, new gauges, a billet quick-release rear seat post (available as an option) & it should come with some quality hand guards standard. Particularly the LE series. Something like Rox’s with aluminum brackets.
If one of the makers ever DID produce a modern big bore triple with the same tech and power to cc as the current 850 class... they would sell all they could make.
Be interesting to see a quick cut comparing/contrasting the 8 different Sidewinders Yamaha has on the market now. It's kind of tough to tell the difference when they're all 137-146" tracks using the same Genesis engine. Like is the SE to LE difference just a $2k suspension upgrade? The power all the series cranks is nearly bottomless (same with the Thundercat of course) and I'd assume clutching is similar as well. I'd love to see a 4-stroke 154" crossover 2-up, particularly with a 16" track for better floatation, albeit with a bit of a loss in trail manners. Something that you can take boondocking and off trail without trenching, but isn't as ponderous as the big 20-24" utility sleds.
Would be awesome to see another 2 stroke triple come again with a more modern take. They are still the best sounding sleds out there. I just sold my 98 and 01 tcats.
I have a 2017 sidewinder BTX LE 153. I really like the sled but it is very heavy for what I bought it for, and that’s mountain riding. The power almost makes up for it though. I do hate the fox float Evol shocks on it though. It is annoying how a few PSI difference in them can make or break how the sled handles. I wish it had the cheaper coilover design. That sled is an absolute rocket ship for having a 153 track on it. I’ve had it up to 105 mph at 8500 feet of elevation before.
I wish Yamaha would use a naming system that makes sense. Sidewinder I get, it’s all the monikers they use with a model that are super confusing. Maybe it’s the same for all manufacturers but Yamaha sticks out to me. Like what’s a fully loaded vs base model? Who knows.
It's actually quite simple. The rtx, ltx, xtx, mtx refer to what the track length it is. LE= spring order only model and SE= in season model. I think it's way less complicated compared to the Polaris way. "Starfire MATRYX patriot boost" like what hell is that!?!
@@foxmeadfellon name of what lake? They say a lot of stuff like "loud handle" and "jigglers" so I was wondering if it was a specific lake or just another name for lake running.
It is a made up name that Mark has referenced in SUPERTRAX for about 30 years. It is any super long stretch of lake where you're likely to hold the throttle wide open for a long period of time which could result in a blown belt (belts being made of kevlar).
@@snowtrax I figured. You guys are awesome and I like how you have fun with what you do! Fun flapper and loud handle are two of my favourites. We call gas "fun juice".
They need to develop a 2 stroke that lasts, yes a few do well but many fail early for what they cost. 5,000 miles is not uncommon at all for a 2 stroke to die.
My old skidoo 500 had over 10000 miles on the original motor my buddies old 500 xc polaris has over 10000miles on it to with original motor. I think it's all on how u take care of them.
Both our 93 and 94 exciter sx and vmax dx had over 13k miles before we got rid of them and And they still ran. One of my 01 srx 700 triple has over 11k miles right now and runs strong. Maintain them and they run a long time.
14mpg, 200hp, great cooling system, power that just keeps pulling and pulling, and super controllable power, 100+ mph when you want it. Anyone who says 2 strokes are superior to these Yamaha triples either drank the yellow Kool-Aid or never ridden one
Nope we just like what we like. Not everyone rides the lake or highway trails all day. These turbo sleds are sooo much heavier and you can feel it riding in the twisty woods. A lot.
@@brad8665 The weight difference being noticable on the trail isn't that extreme unless you get stuck. Got rid of the wife's Rev 600 for a 4 stroke Pantera, and the weight difference in handling is hardly noticable and she's 120 pounds
Ive had a turbo 4 stroke. They definitely have there place but I'll take any 8-850 over one for my riding. Wide open trails and lakes yeah, a tcat or winder would be the ticket but for most other riding a smoker is better
The super fine sugar snow out here in the Rockies makes sport riding 4-stroke trail sleds in the snow pretty much impossible. They absolutely rip on packed powder bowls and groomed trails of course, but they sink like the Titanic off trail.
That being said, I sold my RMK Pro 800 and replaced it with an Expedition SWT 900 Turbo which is absolutely unsinkable and even in reverse doesn't tractor down.
I've had the most fun with 500 or 600 class sleds 🤷♂️
I rode a 300hp Sidewinder last week and loved every second.
Have a 21 tuned to 300 hp and it gets better fuel economy than an 850 2 stroke on the trails. Plush ride. Steering is heavier in tight trails when compared to a 2 stroke but the acceleration will rip the bars out of you’re hands even at 90-100 mph
Now if they would only update that outdated and antiquated gauge cluster to be more in-line with the 7s from Polaris.
Can you do a deep review for the X-TX?
This was a great review
I've been hoping for a review on the X TX LE.
Interesting observations. Sounds like a sled for those who wish to balance their need for velocity vs the need for luxuries. But again isn't this what a snowmobile is supposed to do? Excellent presentation of a well refined example of a expensive snow vehicle.
Great review. Premium sled. The M8 of snowmobiles. I agree with Mark on his list of desirable changes. I would also add - a 1.6” Cobra, new gauges, a billet quick-release rear seat post (available as an option) & it should come with some quality hand guards standard. Particularly the LE series. Something like Rox’s with aluminum brackets.
put a tall windshield on it with hand protection and forget about the handguards
If one of the makers ever DID produce a modern big bore triple with the same tech and power to cc as the current 850 class... they would sell all they could make.
Be interesting to see a quick cut comparing/contrasting the 8 different Sidewinders Yamaha has on the market now. It's kind of tough to tell the difference when they're all 137-146" tracks using the same Genesis engine. Like is the SE to LE difference just a $2k suspension upgrade? The power all the series cranks is nearly bottomless (same with the Thundercat of course) and I'd assume clutching is similar as well.
I'd love to see a 4-stroke 154" crossover 2-up, particularly with a 16" track for better floatation, albeit with a bit of a loss in trail manners. Something that you can take boondocking and off trail without trenching, but isn't as ponderous as the big 20-24" utility sleds.
Great suggestion!!
Nice review. How about a review of the 130 HP ski doo 4 stroke next???
Ya I'm interested in that engine too
Would be awesome to see another 2 stroke triple come again with a more modern take. They are still the best sounding sleds out there. I just sold my 98 and 01 tcats.
great job
I have a 2017 sidewinder BTX LE 153. I really like the sled but it is very heavy for what I bought it for, and that’s mountain riding. The power almost makes up for it though. I do hate the fox float Evol shocks on it though. It is annoying how a few PSI difference in them can make or break how the sled handles. I wish it had the cheaper coilover design. That sled is an absolute rocket ship for having a 153 track on it. I’ve had it up to 105 mph at 8500 feet of elevation before.
Wanna see the 153in sidewinder vs the 154in Mountain Max in deep powder.
Do you compromise on take off and speed by changing track
How about the power steering?
See my comments on the EPS in my review of the 2023...
3:10 Wouldn't that be 240 degrees since this is a 4-stroke?
I wish Yamaha would use a naming system that makes sense. Sidewinder I get, it’s all the monikers they use with a model that are super confusing. Maybe it’s the same for all manufacturers but Yamaha sticks out to me. Like what’s a fully loaded vs base model? Who knows.
It's actually quite simple. The rtx, ltx, xtx, mtx refer to what the track length it is. LE= spring order only model and SE= in season model. I think it's way less complicated compared to the Polaris way. "Starfire MATRYX patriot boost" like what hell is that!?!
@@kantenbruder7371 lol yeah sounds like sunshine and lollipops!
what does kevlar lake mean?
@@foxmeadfellon name of what lake? They say a lot of stuff like "loud handle" and "jigglers" so I was wondering if it was a specific lake or just another name for lake running.
@@rippinmachines it is verbal jargon for lake running . Loud handle refers to the throttle as does jigglers.
It is a made up name that Mark has referenced in SUPERTRAX for about 30 years. It is any super long stretch of lake where you're likely to hold the throttle wide open for a long period of time which could result in a blown belt (belts being made of kevlar).
@@oldwrench4213 that is what i figured. I'm looking forward to hitting the loud handle on kevlar lake this weekend!
@@snowtrax I figured. You guys are awesome and I like how you have fun with what you do! Fun flapper and loud handle are two of my favourites. We call gas "fun juice".
Hi
They need to develop a 2 stroke that lasts, yes a few do well but many fail early for what they cost. 5,000 miles is not uncommon at all for a 2 stroke to die.
My old skidoo 500 had over 10000 miles on the original motor my buddies old 500 xc polaris has over 10000miles on it to with original motor. I think it's all on how u take care of them.
Both our 93 and 94 exciter sx and vmax dx had over 13k miles before we got rid of them and And they still ran. One of my 01 srx 700 triple has over 11k miles right now and runs strong. Maintain them and they run a long time.