Yamaha Mtn. Viper - Good Sled?

[justpinit907]

I was living over seas when these sleds were being made and I wasn't doing any riding at the time. I've found one for real cheap that seems almost like too good of a deal to pass up..... even if I don't really need another sled. I've always loved the Yammi Triples and would like to do a mostly stock motor with a chassis as light as possible just for the extremely tight riding days when you barely ever get beyond half throttle before you're doing another turn or evasive maneuver to avoid yet another tree or pile of Willow bushes.

So, tell me about them. Good. Bad.

 

[GOOSE]

We have two 2003 mountian vipers,very nice sleds wifes has 550 miles on it starts easy every time,also good ride.The other has about 1600 miles never had any problems at all .

 

[colorado yamaha]

The good ~ pretty much everything about them, I've had several and still have an '03 as a back-up to my S/C. Great mileage sled that does really well with a few mods. I think the key is to get it tuned for where you ride, if you take it traveling, you will have to rejet, etc.

The bad ~ they have been known to burn a piston and have crank's go bad.

If you can find one cheap - get it, they are a great all round sled. Derek

 

[hurricane2]

PM sent

 

[justpinit907]

Sounds like people like this sled for the most part. I have a couple friends that are still riding their MM 700's and wouldn't think of getting rid of them.

Anybody else have opinions on the Viper ?

 

[ak ryda]

had a viper with SLP pipes, Hartman clutched, boyuseen reeds, boss seat, Simmons skis, works shocks, blah, blah, and it never really was the sled i thought it should be.

If you want a light reliable sled I would go with an M7. Prices up here for them are getting lower and lower lately.

 

[WatchThis!!!]

There AUSOME!!!
Last season I had only a can and it ran great!!!
It's definetley a runner.
I'd say get it.

 

[justpinit907]

had a viper with SLP pipes, Hartman clutched, boyuseen reeds, boss seat, Simmons skis, works shocks, blah, blah, and it never really was the sled i thought it should be.

If you want a light reliable sled I would go with an M7. Prices up here for them are getting lower and lower lately.

That's part of the problem though. I don't want a sled that everybody has. Everyone up here is running around on m's. I like things that not everyone has. Sometimes that's a bad thing though too.

Who did the setup on your viper? That could've been your problem right there.

 

[ak ryda]

That's part of the problem though. I don't want a sled that everybody has. Everyone up here is running around on m's. I like things that not everyone has. Sometimes that's a bad thing though too.

Who did the setup on your viper? That could've been your problem right there.

You wanted the good and the bad, i am just giving my opinion based on experience. There are MUCH better platforms to build the sled you are looking for. I gurantee you that you will have alot more money and headache spent on making a viper into a lightweight mild motored boondocker compared to just buying a stock M7, REV, or IQ RMK.

Set up was not the issue, it is a chassis issue. It is just not the lightweight flickable carver you are looking for. The dude who i mainly ride with has one and my brother had one as well. My buddy went back to his mountain max, my brother got rid of his, and i was never really happy with mine.

You can also ask C-Bolt (another AK guy) about his and how it compares to the sled he has now and how much time, effort, and money he put into his viper.

Good luck with whatever you decide to get.

 

[justpinit907]

Flickable

You wanted the good and the bad, i am just giving my opinion based on experience. There are MUCH better platforms to build the sled you are looking for. I gurantee you that you will have alot more money and headache spent on making a viper into a lightweight mild motored boondocker compared to just buying a stock M7, REV, or IQ RMK.

Set up was not the issue, it is a chassis issue. It is just not the lightweight flickable carver you are looking for. The dude who i mainly ride with has one and my brother had one as well. My buddy went back to his mountain max, my brother got rid of his, and i was never really happy with mine.

You can also ask C-Bolt (another AK guy) about his and how it compares to the sled he has now and how much time, effort, and money he put into his viper.

Good luck with whatever you decide to get.

You're right when you say that it's not the flickable sled that I'd like to have... But that's in stock form. Neither was my Apex when stock but up until recently I didn't have any problems throwing that sled around and even doing donuts in the really sugary stuff. I wouldn't plan on keeping the Viper in it's stock form other then the motor. I'd like to have another sled that is medium in the power range and takes some work in order to get it some places. Point and shoot, I'll just ride something else. It's fun to have to toss a sled around and really work it in order to get the mark on the hill. To each their own I guess. Your input is appreciated.

LET THE SNOW FLY!!

 

[Linc]

This is problem that is a direct result of the other, detonation is the killer to Viper cranks as it is to the pistons,if you're taking out pistons,,,then you will take out the crank.

 

[MTN_VIPER]

I really like mine. Snow checked it in 01 and still have it. Over the years I have, grass/snow dragged it, ported/piped it, added a bunch of light weight stuff, a whole lot of mountain riding, but I also properly maintain it. It just keeps going and going! Typical Yamaha reliability!!
Best mods are,
swap the skid out for a Cat, Doo, or Pol skid. Drops 20 pounds. Then sell your old skid for the same price that you paid for the brand x skid.
The 05 and up Yamaha moutain skis.
Flowrites for the dash
And of course SLP pipes really wakes the Viper up.
I also perfer round tube type light weight trailing arms. The round tube design allows deep snow to flow out between the belly pan and trailing arm better. For less deep snow build up/push.
I have to admit though, the new Nytro looks pretty good!