yamahas new 2004 lineup

 We'll admit it. A few years back when Yamaha started to pare back its offering, we were critical. At the time, it didn't make sense to us that a manufacturer would surrender ground in the battle royal for market share. When the 500 liquids and fan-cooled models disappeared, we figured they would be back in a model year. Nope! Our reality check showed us that maybe Yamaha was on to something.

In the waning weeks of yet another dismal snow season in the heart of the market, Yamaha seems to have the best smelling pipeline of the Big Four. By only building sleds aimed at the core consumer, Yamaha has managed to keep its exposure limited. While other manufacturers are bunkered in with a fortress of crated sleds, Yamaha claims a mostly clean inventory. Fewer models means fewer carryovers.

One indicator that the blue pipe is close to clean is the introduction of Viper cousins. Yamaha pulled the wrappers off the much-anticipated SXVenom, as well as a pair of Viper-styled Venture touring sleds.
 
The Warrior

Yamaha's biggest news in 2004 is the introduction of the RX Warrior. The Warrior joins the fray in the hybrid class of longer tracked trail sleds. The new model will spin a 136x15x1.25-inch Ripsaw track. The Ripsaw was designed in conjunction with Camoplast. It features 1.25-inch aggressive lugs, with every third window closed off. "The Ripsaw really helps with acceleration and traction," commented Yamaha spokesman Greg Marier. "Yamaha will be the only OEM to offer the design this year, but Camoplast has the rights to aftermarket sales on the track."

To accommodate the new length, Yamaha redesigned the rails on the ProAction rear suspension, instead of simply adding an extension to the back. The new profile will allow a shallower approach angle, for improved off-trail mobility. The upper arm shock on the skid will have a screw-type damping adjuster.
 
A very noteworthy new feature for the Warrior is the introduction of wide runningboards into the Yamaha lineup. From the end of the footrest back 500mm, the board will be 142mm wide. It tapers back from there. The outer roll of the board will also have very aggressive traction.

Up front, the Warrior will use Yamaha's new high-ratio sway bar linkage. An inch was added to the arm's length in order to give the sled more stability and reduce ski lift in the corners. Also, the sway bar itself will be beefed up to 11mm. The whole setup delivers a more linear stabilization rate, as opposed to the 2003 RX setup which was soft early on in the stroke, then got progressively stiffer.

 
RX Family

All sleds in the RX family will carry some common upgrades from the '03 models. There is a five-pound reduction overall, thanks to hundreds of small weight saving redesigns, according to Marier- the oil tank walls were thinned, the upper A-arms will be made of lightweight aluminum, the exhaust system has been lightened, among other things.

All RX models will have new clutch sliders. They have been reshaped to give them improved contact with the 51-43 compound helix. In addition, the bushing up in the primary clutch will be made of a more rugged material and will be larger in diameter. Calibration changes are expected, with emphasis on better traction at startup.
 
The seat has been resculpted to add an additional inch of cushion. The back bun will also be slightly different to allow more room for the rider.

A new gas cap design eliminates the breather valve from the past. A new air nipple in the fuel tank does the same job, with less weight and complexity in assembly.

Yamaha's much-maligned rear suspension will be completely recalibrated, with a larger gap in the control rods. The bigger gap means that it will take longer for the suspension to couple, thus effectively softening the ride up a bit. Also, the shocks and springs have been reworked.
 
SXVenom/ ER

Yamaha tipped its name plans for the Venom last year, when it put an elbow to Blade via the US Trademark Office. From then on, rumors and speculation had the SXVenom packing everything from a 440 twin to a 1300 four stroke. As usual, the rumor mill proved overly creative, as the real SXVenom is actually the repackaging of the SX 600R in the Viper platform.

The tried and true 600 triple will power the Venom for 2004. The model will sport all of the styling features of the Viper, but the forced air induction system will be blocked off at least for the '04 model. "Our testing guys just didn't have time to get the float bowl pressurization system satisfactorily dialed in with the poor winter," explained Marier.
 
Other key new features of the Venom include the RX-1 handlebar controls, which now have a small memory in them to save your latest heat setting! The Venom will use the digital/analog gauge cluster from the Viper and RX-1, too.
Yamaha has a new pillow top seat for all Venom and Viper models this year. The seat height is the same, but the internal construction is designed to deliver better cush for the tush.

Finally, the Venom will sport a new saddleless plastic ski, which cuts a pound per ski from last year's part.

The SXVenom ER will carry all of the same performance features, plus electric start and mechanical reverse.
 
SXViper S/ ER

There's a new designation in the Viper family. The Viper S is the standard issue model. Consider the S to stand for Sweet. The Viper S comes standard with Öhlins compression adjustable clicker shocks on the front suspension, red skid plate, red snow flap and traction on the runningboards.

Common to both the S and ER models, the Viper 700 triple will sport the Detonation Control System last seen on the SRX. The knock sensor is mounted in the water manifold and will trip the system when it detects the telltale vibration frequency of engine detonation. Once the system is engaged, the engine timing is retarded until the engine recovers. It will then carefully bring the timing back up to normal.
 
The Viper S will also spin Yamaha's new Ripsaw track. The Viper ER will use the original Camoplast nipple track.

Yamaha has spent time refining its ProAction skidframe in the off season. Expect to find a new KYB variable rate shock on the upper arm of the skid. The idea is that the position sensitive unit will soften the damping rate in the ride zone to smooth out the chatter bumps, but still provide stiffness for the big nasty ones.

Like the Venoms, the Vipers will use the RX-1 controls on the handlebars, including the memory-enhanced warmer switches. The Viper line will also have the pillow top seat. Finally, Yamaha's saddleless skis will grace the spindles on the Vipers.
 
Go on a Venture

The touring class makes the move to Viper styling in 2004. With the new styling cues comes the 696cc Viper engine in the Venture 700, including the DCS feature. The 600 uses the same triple engine as it has in the past. Both models will sport the new handlebar controls.

The Venture 700 will have a new European 1.25-inch bar pattern track, while the 600 has a 1-inch track.
 
In the Mountains

Nothing much has changed for the mountain segment. The SXViper Mountain will sport DCS on its engine. It will also have a new seat with thicker foam on the top and dimpled fabric.

The Mountain Max 700 comes back as Yamaha's low end model, and the RX-1 Mountain returns with many weight-reducing parts changes, which add up to five pounds.

The Spring Plan

As is becoming rather customary in our sport, there will be a Spring-Only incentive for Yamaha buyers. This year, Yamaha will offer a Limited Edition color and feature package on its RX family. You can buy an RX-1, RX-1 ER, RXWarrior or RX-1 Mountain in the silver and red two-tone scheme seen on the cover of this issue. The LE versions also come with runningboard bolsters/traction plates.

Final Analysis

The view from the cheap seats is pretty good for the 2004 Yamaha lineup. Sure, there are a lot of segments Yamaha left for the other three to fight over. That's quite alright with us. We haven't ever heard a Yamaha dealer complain that there isn't a 350, 400 and 500cc fan-cooled unit in the lineup. Those buyers aren't driven by brand identity as much as price tags. Let the other guys pick the bones clean with their unsold non-currents. Yamaha is still leading the race to the 2006 emissions rules. And in our opinion, that's the race that counts the most.

There were a few surprises about this year's lineup. We expected to find a four stroke touring model instead of the Viper restyle. We also had inklings of a pair of engines to straddle the RX powerplant. We wouldn't have been shocked to see a 750 and a 1300 come out this year. But a guy can only dream.

Just the same, Yamaha has done a nice job of capitalizing on its successful foray into four stroke land. The Warrior will make a nice addition to the menu. For that matter, the Venom promises to be a fun little sled for those who don't need all that horsepower.