Sled: Yamaha

 Hi Guys,

 I'm just returning to the sport after an almost 8 year hiatus from living in NC.  I grew up on a lake in upstate NY.  My last sled was a 1997 XCR600 and I loved it.

 So I'm really torn between 2 sleds rite now.  Perhaps some of you can help me decide.  After being a die-hard Polaris guy for my entire life, I think I'm going to make the switch to a Yammy.  The problem is, I can't decide between these 2 sleds: both 2002's, an SX Viper or an SRX 700.  Both are in almost new condition with very low miles.  I have ridden the SRX before and it was just sick, but not a Viper as of yet.  I guy that I work with has a brother with a Viper and he says that he loves it.

 I like that the SRX includes triple pipes from the factory and has about 15hp on the Viper.  But I have also heard that the Viper is a real sleeper.  I'm heavily leaning toward the Viper and outfitting it with the Hauck Racing Venom kit.

 Have any of you guys had both of these sleds, or ridden both?  What is your opinion on this?  Thanx in advance, guys.

-Mark

I,LL PUT IT THIS WAY, NOW I AM ASUMEING BOTH SLEDS ARE STOCK. IF YOUR GONNA LIVE ON THAT LAKE AGAIN, GET THE 2002 SRX. IF YOU WANT TO RIDE, GET THE VIPER. NOW UNLESS THAT VIPER HAS TRIPLE PIPES, ITS LACKING MORE THAN 15 HORSE TO TAKE THAT SRX. ONLY DOWNFALL YOUR GONNA HAVE WITH THAT 02 SRX IS THE DCS. YOU MUST RUN GOOD FUEL. 3:16 (yammie tony)

 Both sleds are stock.  I will not be living on a lake this time.  I may do some occasional lake riding, but mostly aggressive trail riding and some open country riding.  So in that respect, and the advice of someone who obviously knows his Yamaha's, I'm still heavily leaning toward the Viper and getting the Hauck Venom kit for it.

There is also a really nice RX1 for sale.  I'm loving that thing too, but I think that it may be too much sled for me...

WHAT YOU JUST EXPLAINED. GET THE VIPER. 3:16 (yammie tony)

I just like to put my two cents in on this I have both of these sleds love them very much the SRX is by far faster doesen't ride as good but out handles the viper  the one problem the viper has start showing up is after 5 or 6 thousand miles some of them have had crank problems some of the rod bearings go bad I know that alot of them have over 10,000 miles on them and no problems just somthing to think about.Thanks Dean PS. WELCOME TO YAMAHA THE BEST COMPANY OUT THERE.

 Thanx, yamaha1.  I was not aware of the Viper having any crank problems at that mileage.  Perhaps it is just a select few like you had mentioned.  Do you have any suggestions for making either of the sleds more trail friendly?  I am familiar with setting up Polaris suspensions, however like I said this will be my first Yamaha.

 Any info would be greatly appreciated.  Thanx. - Mark

Hi Mcat,  I've had both sleds and still have a 01 srx.  The viper had triple pipes and was fast but I still don't think it was as fast as my srx that is stock with just some minor clutching.  I lost my viper in a fire and I was in the same place you are in now.  I thought about it and figured it would be easier and cheaper to change the suspension on the srx then to pipe the viper again.  So I picked a 01 srx.  Now my srx has an polaris edge rear suspension in it and I just love it.  It handles the bumps like the viper does if not better.  Also the srx engine is less tempermental then the piped viper.  The srx gets much better gas mileage then the viper did.  The one thing I do miss on the viper is the tach and speedo gage, loved it on the viper.  So I would say it is easier to change the srx then it is to change the viper.