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The only spring-buy Viper for MY18 is the L-TX LE, which gets the primo treatment with FOX QS3 Kashima-coated shocks all around, heated seat, goggle bag and super-low colored windshield, all neatly wrapped in a special 50th Anniversary edition red-and-white graphics scheme.
In-season Viper buyers will find a similar lineup to 2017, but there are a few changes to note. The Viper R-TX SE comes only in a minimalist value-buy – right down to the all-black graphics. (As of press time, there was no word on what the actual cost of this “low-cost sport model” would be.) The no-frills package includes 1.5-inch HPG shocks, and a belt bag for storage. This same package will also be offered in the L-TX.
The other L-TX Viper model available for in-season buyers is the L-TX DX, which offers upgrades like a heated seat, a larger DX tunnel bag and a taller DX windshield. Plus, there’s a new grey/blue graphics package for 2018.
The last of the North American Viper offerings for 2018 is the X-TX SE, which has a 141x1.6-inch Cobra track spun around an uncoupled rear skid. It comes with a 42-inch-wide trail ski stance with FOX Float 3 shocks up front and in the rear track, and a 1.5 HPG center track shock. If you’re wondering about the Viper B-TX from 2017, it is still available in Europe, but not on our side of the pond.
Sidewinder climbs solo
The mountain spots vacated by the Viper’s exit are filled nicely by an expanded deep snow offering of Yamaha’s high-horsepower Sidewinders. The bottom line here is no secret: 120-130 HP is no longer enough in the mountains. You’ve got to have 160hp (or in Yamaha’s case, 200hp) or higher to compete and go where the rest of your riding crew can go.
Joining the Sidewinder M-TX SE 162 from 2017 are two more Sidewinder models in both the 162- and 153-inch lengths. The M-TX SE will also come in a 153, giving mountain consumers a total of six hill climbers to pick from.
The Sidewinder M-TX 162 LE is available in Yamaha’s 50th Anniversary graphics during the spring only. It’s the only spring-buy M-TX. The LE package will be available in-season, but only in Yamaha blue. Both come with the 3-inch Powerclaw track standard. LEs get new FOX Float QS3 shocks all the way around, but the rear shock features a lock-out setting designed for climbing to virtually eliminate transfer during steep uphills. Translation: the sled won’t flip over backwards on you.