SideWinder reviews?

Calvin42 said:

It's not the width of the boards I'm concerned about, it's the size of the openings and the ability to evacuate snow and traction

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Climbmax said:

Oil situation was dealt with as this is a factory engineered Turbo Platform. Roll it all day long like any 2 stroke and its good to go. We do it all the time. I agree 100% on the seat. Yamaha is working on an accessory seat that will be 1.5 lower with small platform plus some rear storage. its pretty sweet. As far as the risers. If you are above average height, I'd also agree. But having lower bars is an advantage. Try it before you knock it. But then again personal preference is understood.
As far as comparing this even close to a Viper......its polar opposites. More like comparing it to a Doo or Cat with a bunch of power and torque.


We had our recent Yamafest in Revelstoke this past weekend. 4 2018 and a bunch of 2017 to ride for all. Here is a wrap up story.
Safe sledding
RS


http://sleddermag.com/yamafest-2017-good-times-good-people/

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K45 said:

How does the 17 compare to the 18 50th LE with the drop and roll and QS3 shock package ? Someone must have been able to compare them in some steep and deep conditions.

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K45 said:

How does the 17 compare to the 18 50th LE with the drop and roll and QS3 shock package ? Someone must have been able to compare them in some steep and deep conditions.

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Climbmax said:

Not 100% sure. I hear Haydays could be launch date.

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Prairie Dog said:

My .02........I have a BTX that I swapped the 1.75" for. 2.6" powerclaw. I'm coming off a 270 MCX Viper and before that full build Alpine Nytro and MCX Apex. Yamaha just keeps improving their product. I'm not a chute climber.......mostly just playing in the trees and bowls. This Sidewinder is the most fun I've had on a sled in a looooong time. The power was very good. Nice and smooth. I did notice sometimes at elevation there was a very slight amount of lag (could've been the amount of snow covering the dash and intake area). This can be solved with a cold air kit. Altho the 18s come with the same intake vents as a new King Cat or Proclimb. I was going to do this on mine anyways. I love the Cat suspension and found it rode very well......soaked up stutter and big whoops no problem. I was a little worried about it wheelieing while climbing but it wasn't near as bad as I thought it would be. I think with the power it has its enuf to climb a lot of stuff but wasn't really enuf that I ever had it coming over backwards on me. My Viper would spin at about 70mph climbing and I spent close to 30g on it. I spent about 18g on the Sidewinder and consistently got 51-55mph track speed climbing. Show me a stock 800 that is even close to that. Weight is an issue no doubt about it and everyone says "you have to ride one"......I whole heartedly agree with that. Yes they're heavier than a 2 stroke. But the way Yamaha has designed the chassis it hides the extra weight extremely well. You really have to spend a good amount of time on a 4 stroke to figure out the best way to ride them. You can't blurp the throttle on/off/on/off. You have to ease in and out of the throttle to keep the momentum consistent and smooth. Fuel consumption was respectable. Fit and finish of the Yamaha is second to none. New panels are awesome. New oil system works flawless. Last trip out I rolled it several times to get out and no issues at all. Tried very hard to never roll my VIper or Apex cause of their oil systems.

All in all it has been an incredible sled. No problems with it. Pushing 200hp (allegedly) at any altitude, great handling and with full warranty.........can't complain about that.

Sled is completely stock other than track change and taller riser. I'm 6'1" 240lbs with no gear. You "ride" these Sidewinders they don't "ride you" like the Apex's and Nytros. :beer;:beer;:beer;

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Jager Bomb 243 said:

Any clearance issues with putting the 2.6 in track under your BTX?? I just bought one and am debating on doing a track swap when I head west.

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Prairie Dog said:

There is a slight amount of rubbing at times but it's in the tunnel not at the bulkhead/front cooler. I believe it's cause the btx has cooler all the way to the rear of the tunnel (mtx is just in the front of the tunnel)

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TTE said:

Climbmax any updates on the new seat? Interested after picking up av BTX

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TTE said:

Did you change drive wheels/sprockets or keep stock ones going to a 2.6" track. I just picked up a BTX LE with OEM track 2.25" and considering upgrading to 2.6-3.0" lug track. I would assume going with MTX drive sprockets and notching the outer lugs would prevent track from rubbing coolers. Then a 3" lug track would be fine - any inputs?

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Prairie Dog said:

Yes I had to change drivers to get the 2.6 to fit. I don't think it's possible to try a 3" in there. Only way it could be done is to drill new holes where the front arm mounts. Even then I don't think there would be enuf clearance for a 3"

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