2014 PRO RMK vs 2015 Yamaha Viper MTX LE Turbo

[polarcat39]

I'd like to get some thoughts on the newly released 2015 Yamaha Viper MTX LE with the Spring Surge Turbo option.

The good: 190 HP bullet proof 4 stroke Genesis

The bad: 30 pounds heavier??? less "flickable"???

I'm on a 2014 PRO RMK now and am curious what the general concensus on this new Yamaha is. It has me thinking...

 

[XFIRE800]

I'd like to get some thoughts on the newly released 2015 Yamaha Viper MTX LE with the Spring Surge Turbo option.

The good: 190 HP bullet proof 4 stroke Genesis

The bad: 30 pounds heavier??? less "flickable"???

I'm on a 2014 PRO RMK now and am curious what the general concensus on this new Yamaha is. It has me thinking...

Its more around the lines of 100 lbs heavier, not 30

 

[rmscustom]

The Yami is at least 85lbs heavier... Apples to oranges.

 

[couch]

post on here somewhere of both measured for wet weight (non-stock) and the diff is about 70 lbs + / -

 

[Boosted Brad]

Defiantly more than 30# my guess 75 to 100 and not a fair to compare two totally different animals coming off a turboed Yamaha I ride a lot harder on the pro and play more by mid day I was all in on the Yamaha it was fun to pull the knarly hills with the turbo but I love the pro have fun brad

 

[polarcat39]

Thanks for the clarification on the weight. I was misinformed.

So clearly the Viper is not made for tree riding?

 

[Danny Dangles]

Thanks for the clarification on the weight. I was misinformed.

So clearly the Viper is not made for tree riding?

People will tell you yes, but I would say no. At the end of the day, you can put lipstick on a pig.....but its still a pig. The pro is nimble because of its geometry and its lack of heft. I don't think there is a stock machine out there that can compete with the pro in the trees yet. But maybe I am a little biased..

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

Ok to make some things clear as mud. Real riding weights, weighed on the same scale, ready to ride. My '13 pro rmk, with float 3's on the front -~3 lbs, skinz can -4.1 lbs, slp pp Skis (plus a wee bit, I didn't weigh the differance when I put them on as I pre sold the stockers), skinz windsheild bag with gps, hat, and candy bar, stock tool kit with added 2 15mm wrenches and a torx tool, and snowbunjie weighed in at 515 lbs. my wrapped and powdercoated '12 600 came in at 538. These were both 155's.

The '14 viper xtx that was weighed had the stock arctic cat rear section, rails, and track to stretch it to 162. Full of fuel, ready to ride weighed in at 610 lbs. a 95 lbs differance from my pro.

Now some things to think about...the pro had a shorter track. Also the Yami was a trail model. Currently the m series is lighter than the crossfire. This is do to some slight chassis changes, as well as a much wider front end and sway bar set up. The Yami will be a much more reliable sled, and, not sure about factory, but I heard from a very reliable source that the new oft turbo kit weighs 1 lbs more than the stock can....giving you a new viper mtx at a little under 610 lbs with 180-230 reliable hp on pump gas. It's a proven drivetrain and chassis, just a new combo so hopefully no first year issues.

I haven't been on one yet, but I would love to go 4s just for the reliability. I think my limit is 50 lbs weight gain though, not 95. I'm really hoping poo puts the rzr 1000 motor in the pro chassis this year.

 

[OuraySledder]

I take a little issue with the notion that it is on a proven drivetrain and chassis. The chassis is the same one Arctic Cat can't sell now because it is too heavy, it handles poorly, it has way more clutching issues than the PRO and the quality just isn't any better than the rest anymore.

Then go ahead and figure out what it is really going to cost you. That sled, with the turbo is going to be $15k. For that much you had advertisers here selling new turbo PRO's.

Reliability is great but, I want to have FUN. Heavy sleds just are not as much fun. I have ridden the big power sleds, which are almost always really heavy too. That for me takes the fun out of riding when you have to fight a heavy sled. The weight difference is HUGE, between 80 an 100 lbs. That is like riding double, no thanks.

 

[allied1]

Here is what I found for weights. Pro is a 155 with a Silber turbo. Viper is a 153 with MCXpress turbo. Both have the same types of front and rear suspension set ups and other comparable mods. Both have all fluids topped off and full fuel ready to ride. Scale is certified.

 

[ggcustoms]

Great thread.

I am glad someone started this thread. I am trying to decide between these 2 for next year and I have been searching SW and ty4stroke.com hoping for clarification.

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=371020
Post # 4. NM (I beleive it's Neil from Boost-it turbos). Very interesting, hopefully he'll chime in on this thread.

http://sledrumors.com/2014/02/15/2015-yamaha-viper-weight-horsepower-and-first-ride-report/
Looks like a good unbiased review.

 

[m1kflyingtiger]

I take a little issue with the notion that it is on a proven drivetrain and chassis. The chassis is the same one Arctic Cat can't sell now because it is too heavy, it handles poorly, it has way more clutching issues than the PRO and the quality just isn't any better than the rest anymore.

Haha I should have worded that better and said "It's not a first year chassis". It's getting better, not great but better. IMO Yami has made cat step up build quality since the supply agreement. The clutching and chaincase is yamaha on the yamaha models and cat on the cat models. I think yamaha's set up is a far better one than the on cat has had issues with.


Good read on real world weights if anyone is interested.http://www.backcountryrebels.com/showthread.php?t=30470

 

[MATCO]

As far as power goes, I think the Yamaha would be a great climbing sled. If you want to ride in the trees you will need a 2S. The 4S has a lot of power but has bad turbo lag. In the trees this does not work. On a wide open hill it's awesome. I wish they could figure out the 4S for a mountain sled without turbo lag but unless it's supercharged it won't happen.

 

[sledyam]

nice, i own a pro 800 162 2012 and i'm not ready to change for a 2015 but i expect to change for a 2016 and if the viper if very like we can read on many post. i'll return with yamaha sure for 2016 with a srviper LE 162, but n/a. i don't want the turbo option.

 

[sledneck_03]

Here is what I found for weights. Pro is a 155 with a Silber turbo. Viper is a 153 with MCXpress turbo. Both have the same types of front and rear suspension set ups and other comparable mods. Both have all fluids topped off and full fuel ready to ride. Scale is certified.

71 lbs.... getting close. Im sure that chassis is the problem. yamaha motor in the pro chassis and you probably less.

 

[cateye5312]

You are comparing a Cat chassis to a Polaris chassis. To me the Cat does not handle as well. There are others who feel differently.
Second you are comparing a 4s to a 2s. Admittedly Yamaha has the best and lightest 4s motor on the market so that part is a good deal. And I heard from a Cat rider that the yammy motor actually fits better and has better center of gravity than Cat's 4s motor. So that's a good thing.

BUT it still comes down to 4s vs. 2s. Which do you want? They are apples to oranges comparisons. You are gonna have to ride both and decide which style of riding you like BECAUSE THEY ARE NIGHT AND DAY DIFFERENT.

 

[Calvin42]

Having a Turbo Nytro and now two Pro 163's, some of the posts nailed it, apples and oranges. The one thing I loved about my Nytro was then engine. Turn the key and go. Very smooth and torqey. What I love about my Pro's is the fact they're light and still impress me with where they'll go and how easy they get up on the snow. I usually buy a new sled every two to three years so having the need for a sled that will go 20,000 miles is not something I need. I was really looking at trying a Viper MTX this year, but really didn't want to go with a turbo again. Guys can tell you all day long that you don't feel the weight as much, and with the new chassis that may be true. But in the mountains, weight is weight. Why have the big 3 spent millions and millions to market light weight sleds? Because that's what the majority of consumers want. If you want a sled that will last you for ten years plus and put the highmark on the hill, go with a fourstroke. If you want something that is fun in the tree's and will not wear you out by the end of the day, ride an XM or Pro. Of course, because people are waaaay to sensitive, this is strictly my opinion. Some will agree, some will strongly disagree. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

 

[AKFULLTHROTTLE]

Here is what I found for weights. Pro is a 155 with a Silber turbo. Viper is a 153 with MCXpress turbo. Both have the same types of front and rear suspension set ups and other comparable mods. Both have all fluids topped off and full fuel ready to ride. Scale is certified.

Nice!

Does the Pro have Electric Start... That adds another 25 or so...

 

[allied1]

No, the Pro is pull start. If you notice though, the seat of the Pro is the lighter 2013 style and it has the headlight delete kit on it. I am waiting for my light weight Skinz seat and I think I'll do the headlight delete on the Viper as well. That should get ride of another 10# of real weight for a better comparison. When this happens I'll repost weights. Heading out in 2 wks for some real head to head comparisons between the two.

 

[Hawkster]

People will tell you yes, but I would say no. At the end of the day, you can put lipstick on a pig.....but its still a pig. The pro is nimble because of its geometry and its lack of heft. I don't think there is a stock machine out there that can compete with the pro in the trees yet. But maybe I am a little biased..

There's been one for a long time , but I'm a little biased too Unfortunately it's only human nature to take the easy way out and miss out on the fun .