It’s Turbo time!
The beast has been released, let the 2017 long term Yamaha Turbo trial begin!
First it arrived at our supporting dealer, next we put it on high on a pedestal for all to see, now its home getting all dressed up and awaiting all that is to come.
It’s the SledMagazine.com 2017 Yamaha SideWinder Turbo XTX 141 SE
Once again we are proud to announce that Yamaha has stepped up in their participation in SledMagazine.com’s unique style of exposure and rigorous long term trial.
Our readers continue to tell us that our format of reporting is most important to them in forming and finalizing their new snowmobile purchase decisions.
If you read my Best 2017 Picks article you will see that our original request to Yamaha was for the trail focused 2017 SideWinder XTX 137 LE with the BackCountry 1.75” track. One of the reasons was that based on our pre production SideWinder experiences, we felt that increased traction would be very welcomed in keeping the Turbo’s impressive capabilities under a higher level of control. Well, for 2017 Yamaha has an increased market share hit on their hands with its full lineup of SideWinder models and it was necessary to make a change in the SideWinder model to be long term trialed.
As always, we begin each of our long term trials with important questions to be answered.
This model change required us to slightly alter the goals and questions that our time with the XTX will ask and answer. The XTX 141 SE is not just a trail sled with a longer track like what is offered in the LTX line and the limited edition 137” XTX. The XTX 141”SideWinders are hybrid snowmobiles in the truest sense and they are targeted specifically to riders who enjoy more of a 50/50 split of on and outside the trail riding.
Yes… it’s a trail hybrid length but the SR 141” uncoupled, dual shock, torsion springless suspension design definitely leans more heavily towards off trail performance. This suspension is specifically designed to perform better in deeper untracked snow, with capabilities to get up on top of the deeper snow better than any coupled suspension can. To bring this into clearer focus we can compare it to Polaris’ 144” Assault models which are also more heavily focused and associated with outside the trail capabilities and performance.
Here are just a few of our SideWinder and XTX 141 SE questions for the Winter of 2017
Yamaha’s Genesis 998cc Turbo
Will it be trouble free and produce the same seamless delivery of awesome power that we experienced in pre production testing?
YSRC clutching
This Yamaha exclusive clutching is what makes the SideWinders uniquely Yamahas. Will the YSRC primary and roller secondary consistently deliver spirited upshifting as well as responsive backshifting for the entire season?
Driveline durability
How will other components of the SideWinder handle industry leading production snowmobile horsepower?
Fuel consumption
What will we experience for real world fuel use and the all important range between fill ups?
Weight distribution
How will the steering effort and balance feel after 200+ mile days?
Tuner 3 skis
Will they perform as well on the SideWinder as they did on our last year’s Viper LTX LE
Traction
Will the XTX SE’s 1.6” Cobra offer the anticipated benefits to acceleration and braking traction?
Fox Float 3 Shock Package
Our original 2017 request was a little self serving, as we had previously experienced the FOX QS3 coil over shock package to be exceptional on last season’s Viper LTX. How will the Float 3’s perform and match the chassis characteristics of the SideWinder XTX 141? How easily will they be adjusted in cold and very cold temperatures? And how will they respond to adjustment inputs?
Uncoupled rear suspension design
Will it handle trail conditions, terrain and turns well enough to satisfy a rider like me who is predominantly a trail guy? Will it be noticeably more agile in off trail and trail breaking conditions?
For the 2nd year, our long term trial Yamaha will display a full complement of Genuine Yamaha accessories as well as the occasional use of Yamaha FXR apparel.
Travel storage accessories, mirrors, windshield bag, knee pads and higher windshields. We will feature, use and report on them all.
Throughout our 2017 trial we will add and alter the front end grip of the SideWinder with always Biteharder.com sharpened quality carbide runner combinations from Mack Studs and Qualipeices. Once again we will also experience the proven advantage and convenience of Qualipieces flexible Trail Blizzer ice scratches and RollerSkis.
Our long term Yamaha trials would not be possible without the support and assistance of our supporting Yamaha dealer Frank’s Motorcycle of Essex Center Vermont.
We welcome Frank’s easy to talk to team back as our partners for another year. They are high performance professionals Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall.
So, let the fun and fact finding begin as we put the 2017 SideWinder Turbo XTX 141 SE under the microscope of a full season of miles and smiles. Turbo time begins NOW!
