sledding
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Yes, I would think Yamaha are top of the class for build quality. II have a theory that buying used will often cost you as much as if you'd bought new if you have troubles. Its been my case a few times. Other than this reverse problem, the sled is a hoot and I think my wife will really enjoy it. The only riding problem with it is the front end is very heavy and likes to dive when you let up on the throttle. Its got narrow trail ski's on it which don't help, so I will look into buying some powder/Xover ski's for more floatation. Its got some really strong engine braking, so much that you never have to use the brake, but instead feather the throttle to bring yourself to a graceful stop. Instantly releasing the throttle will just about pitch you over the bars!! Its got narrow trail ski's on it which don't help, so I will look into buying some powder/Xover ski's for more floatation. Other than that, the power is pretty decent, the sound of it is weird.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
The 4 strokes all require the off throttle 'feathering' to prevent nose diving in snow. a person gets used to the technique.
Back in the day our group was Storms, MachZ's, VMax4's and TCats - they were the same. Front light when on the throttle, nose dive when letting off.
Engine braking is another thing to get used to, my 2002 SumimtX wouldnt coast at all! On that sled it was a secondary clutch function...
Back in the day our group was Storms, MachZ's, VMax4's and TCats - they were the same. Front light when on the throttle, nose dive when letting off.
Engine braking is another thing to get used to, my 2002 SumimtX wouldnt coast at all! On that sled it was a secondary clutch function...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
My RMK has a slight engine braking feel, but its no where near strong enough to stop me or even make me feel like going ***-over-tea-kettle. Something about the 4-stroke that gives them this feeling. My wifes first ride (only 1/2 hour or so) seems like she'll really enjoy the Phazer. I think she's agressive enough to make use of the 80hp and rider forward handling. She will have to get used to the front end dive. Its especially noticeable in "playing" conditions.
I like the sled so far also, I just hope we aren't going to be constantly plagued with little problems as we've experienced within the first few hours of ownership!!
I like the sled so far also, I just hope we aren't going to be constantly plagued with little problems as we've experienced within the first few hours of ownership!!
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
you musn't have done much back-country hill/powder climbing if you think its boring, but like you say, to each their own. Put me on a nice hill with some mature trees spaced 8-10' apart, with some deep powder, and I've passed on into Heaven. Trails have their place, but I like to use them to get to the good stuff. Fields are ok, long as they're deep for some carving action, and lots of drifts around the edges for pouncing and pillowing.
Put me in the middle of the forest with no one around, no trail, a full tank of fuel, and nothing but time to kill (maybe a gps!) and thats my style. I still like to give er, as well as play around though, but I really find that stuff to be kiddie type of riding.(although its still fun now and then!)
Groomed trails... not so much my deal either. Ive been on many trips on groomed trails before, and they are always fun, but Id rather do other kinds of more off road riding.
I simply like to go where no one else will go.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Me and my FIL went out today, put on about 330kms. Left yorkton, went to veregin-norquay-pelly-arran-kamsack-rhien-yorkton. I'm beat to a snot, we need more snow and less wind. One thing "powers that be" forgot when designing saskatchewan is trees. The wind blows every lick of snow into the great beyond...no trees to still the wind...
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
Today we put on about 100 km, had a nice little ride!
And we got a decent enough trees around here, nothing like down south where its barren.
We also bought my woman a mid 90's ski doo 583 grand touring for a reasonable price. She love its so far, and a happy woman means more sledding for me, woot woot!
And we got a decent enough trees around here, nothing like down south where its barren.
We also bought my woman a mid 90's ski doo 583 grand touring for a reasonable price. She love its so far, and a happy woman means more sledding for me, woot woot!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
My grandpa has had a few of those grand tourings. Nice sleds. The ones he's has were always loaded up with the remote adjustable suspension and all the creature comforts to make sledding a sweet time!! Definately a comfortable sled!!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 9
From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
I got out yesterday but only for a bit (20 miles). Spent most of the afternoon getting the carbs set on the wifes sled. Mine ran great and the power is back after the rebuild. Just about fell off the back when I hit the trottle. The snow around here is pretty decent, as long as you stay in the canola or wheat stubble. My wife loves the reverse on her sled, she is not very big so she has a hard time shoving her sled around.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Have you spent much time on the Grand Touring yet? I remember them as a sweet, comfortable sled. Like I said, my grandpa had a few of them and I was passenger on them more than once.
Got 800kms on my RMK right now, taking it in tomorrow for its first service... Hoping the MBRP come soon, as well as I think I'll be putting a 2" riser on there for more comfortable standing.