four stroking for sure

The RX-1 Mountain is not a prissy four-stoke snowmobile. But, an all-out steroid and protein user. If you like nasty bullet bikes or the sound of a healthy four stroke, then you will like this mountain sled. If you are a 700 Mountain Max faithful who has memories of mountain wars against your 800cc pals, now you can say "wasabe," after they catch your twin exhaust pipes at the top. Won't that feel good?

This new bullet sled is a screaming arrow that hits the mark for new and forward thinking technology. As of this writing, sales on this new mountain sled are whistling past Yamaha's own projections.
Many Mountain Max faithful are upgrading to the new four stroker, and those who bought used older 600 or 700 of whatever brand and model, are making the leap to the RX-1 as their first new mountain sled. Why not? The price is right, and thoughts of having an experienced motor under the hood make it a correct choice.

After the AmSnow Mountain Test Staff spent a long afternoon and a full morning on this sled next to an SX Viper Mountain, we can comfortably state these conclusions. The sled with its mass balanced over the drivers does not feel heavy- heavier, that is- over its sibling the Mountain Viper.

In fact, and choosing our words carefully, the RX-1's new Delta Box chassis, new ProAction rear suspension, new wishbone front suspension, feels lighter than the Mountain Viper. Not to take anything away from the Viper, it is a light boondocker, but do not let the weight of the RX-1's motor deter your fun. The RX-1 is a sled begging for a flogging. Drivers will notice the weight, however, when it is trenched in on a slope. But, in all honesty, is there any mountain sled that feels light when buried on a slope?

On the trail, the RX-1 Mountain is a dart. With a few twists of the two rear mounted "limiter straps" a driver can screw in as much or as little ski/track pressure as needed.

When trail burning, the sled has little ski lift and minimal push (depending on ski-pressure adjustments). The front and rear suspensions float well over the moguls and can be aggressive when asked. The rear skid and well positioned track drivers do an excellent job at keeping the track from blowing out when deep powder is encountered.

This sled can carve a tight ribbon, cross-cut a hill and pull a highmark with the other mountain-specific sleds. The deep chassis cradled 140-something horsepower four cylinder motor is as crisp and responsive as a two stroke twin or triple. No touring sled lag here. Yes, it sounds different, but who cares. The 151-inch Camoplast track will roost your friends with voracity.

The RX-1 has a snarling look that begs, "come ride me." The alligator nose front end, instrument pod, grippy and textured seat, high mountain-specific handlebar, twin headlights and superbly designed fuel cell, make this sled a human factors, ergonomic, dream. This is a well-thought out sled.

I ask Yamaha to do three things: add a fuel rack over the tunnel, give the new mountain ski some more width for flotation and turn the well-placed and well thought out thumb and handlebar heater switches to a four-position high-med-low-off switch, or at least have the default setting to low. But thanks for placing the heater controls on the handlebar. That is all.

This sled will introduce many new customers to mountain riding. Prediction: wild sales numbers, a boon to new aftermarket performance companies, and the technological leading mountain sled. Excellent job Yamaha, we'll take one.