The information blackout of embargo is over, let’s get right to it……..
How long have the Yamaha faithful and fans been in anticipation of some blow your mind, blow your socks off news? Yeah us too, way too long and the wait is over!
How about this…………………………………….……….”that’s a drum roll”
The Powerful and responsive 1049cc Genesis 3 cylinder Nytro engine in an Arctic Cat built ProCross chassis complete with ProCross suspension components and a side exit exhaust.
How would you have liked to have that sweet information under your hat for any amount of time? It’s the new Viper for 2014 and Yamaha calls it their SRV chassis.
You can only imagine the questions that followed this announcement. How long has this been going on? What’s the long term plan? Will we see AC 2 strokes in a Yamaha? Whose clutch? What shocks? Whose calibrations? What does it all mean?
We were told that this significant collaboration has been under consideration and development for several years and has resulted in a multiple year supply agreement with Arctic Cat.
Yamaha officials indicated that the future may hold increased opportunity for chassis and component variations from the present ProCross / SRV chassis. But for MY2014 the chassis, components and suspensions are as close to identical as you can get. AC’s 129” and 137” Slide Action Fast Track rear skids, 141”rear skids, track selection, A arms, multi function chain case with electronic reverse, Hayes brake system, shock packages, seat, handlebars, gauges, skis and calibration are all found in the Viper.
The Yamaha specific components for MY14 are the Genesis engine, clutch, ski loops, center hood body panel, windshield, snow flap and the very cool all Yamaha Viper colors and graphics. Modifications to make the Genesis 3 fit into the SRV chassis included front mounted air box and radiator and 180 degree exhaust routing to accommodate the side discharge exhaust which reduces ice buildup weight and gives the Viper a greatly improved centralized mass.
The announcement was definitely a lot to digest. But once you get past the shock of it and give up on guessing what it all might or might not mean for the future, it is positively a perfect collaborative effort.
Like when Reeses put the peanut butter in the chocolate. We have been begging Yamaha for a lighter weight, better balanced, higher performance, better in the bumps chassis / suspension and Yamaha has given us one without having to reinvent the wheel to do it. It’s exactly what we’ve been asking for from Yamaha…. Current and exciting with greater capabilities.
Since its introduction in 2012 the ProCross chassis has been recognized as a very well designed, high quality, well balanced, high performance snowmobile chassis. For those who may not be familiar with it, it is a pyramidal rider forward design that allows 60% of the mass to be centered in the sled.
It has a tapered tunnel, narrow seat and wide running boards that allow for greater rider input and interaction. The ProCross/SRV has a very tall A arm design which reduces chassis stress and flex and shock mount locations that direct trail forces at a 30 degree angle from the sled’s centerline directly into the strongest part of the chassis.
The rear skid for the SRV chassis is the AC produced coupled, torsion spring, slide action “floating” front-arm design which prevents the front arm from to collapsing immediately when the rear arm compresses and couples. The resulting benefit is: controlled (or eliminated) ski lift during acceleration and the front suspension arm always being ready for the next terrain input with its full travel potential.
This collaboration is said to be part of a long term plan for Yamaha to be a continued force in the snowmobile business and that team Yamaha is more committed than ever in being a significant part of future advancements in the sport. We were told that future chassis and engines (not an engine) are currently under Yamaha development.
When asked if we might see a 2 stroke motor in a future Yamaha chassis, we were emphatically told “NO, We are a 4 stroke company and still believe that the future of snowmobiling is 4 stroke”.
Other Yamaha comments of note “This is the tip of the iceberg in out of the box thinking”, “this is year 3 of a 10 year game plan” and “We’re challenging the normal”.
Motoneiges.ca / SledMagazine.com is proud to present the 2014 Viper models.
2014 SR Viper
SR Viper – This more basic Viper is offered in black with red accents and an aluminum tunnel. Comfort tuned 129” suspension with HPG shock package, front coil springs, mid windshield and behind the seat storage bag.
2014 SR Viper RTX SE
SR Viper RTX SE – This high performance 129” Viper is offered in the attention grabbing color combinations of Yamaha racing blue with white accents and white tunnel or Vivid red with black accents and black tunnel.
Performance tuned suspension features HPG rear shocks and Air spring Fox FLOAT 2 front shocks. Sport windshield and tunnel mounted belt / tool pouch.
2014 SR Viper LTX
SR Viper LTX – Same comfort calibration, look and features as the SR Viper with the exceptions of the LTX model having a heated seat and the 137” SRV chassis.
2014 SR Viper LTX SE
SR Viper LTX SE – Same performance calibration, color options and features as the Viper RTX SE with the SRV long tunnel chassis with 137 rear suspension.
The 129” and 137”Viper models will all feature the proven Camoplast 1.25” Rip Saw II track
SR Viper XTX SE
SR Viper XTX SE – This crossover Viper will be available in the same colors combinations and has the same features as the other SE models.
Features unique to the XTX version are mountain ski, a taller handlebar riser with mountain strap and the longer performance tuned, uncoupled 141” SR rear suspension. It should be noted that SR 141” is not a tipped rail design as is found on the 144” Nytro XTX. As of this date the track to be used on the Viper XTX is still being determined by ongoing testing.
It is impossible to describe how difficult it has been to be presented with access to “HUGE” news on January 23 and be under an information / image embargo that doesn’t end until February 20.
On a frosty Minnesota Morning through early afternoon a difficult 4 weeks of silence began as we met with Yamaha Executives, Marketing directors, Sales Mangers and Product Engineers to hear about MY14.
The embargo restrictions are strict and the Motoneiges.ca / SledMagazine.com team takes this confidence and commitment seriously. To keep of our pledge of bringing our readers the latest in accurate early release information, we must protect and respect our presence at these “invitation only” Sneek Peek events.
Not everyone who has been invited in the past remains on the select list and unauthorized release of embargoed photos or information could easily be the reason “you’re out”!
As far as other “less mind bending “ news, here are a few other items of note from Yamaha.
The very stealth looking 2014 Nytro will be offered in all black with no graphics which leads us to believe that some very custom graphics package will be offered.
The Phazer line has been consolidated to RTX, XTX and MTX models eliminating the GT.
After last season’s successful launch of the Yamaha tuner ski, the Tuner ski is included on all Apex, Nytro, Vector, Venture models with the exception of Mountain models.
The balance of Yamahas more traditional offerings remain.
Try not to let yourself become too caught up in the deeper levels of what the Viper’s announcement and collaboration may or may not mean for the future of these 2 companies.
Let’s take deep breath and take it for what it is for MY2014, an awesome new snowmobile which meets the needs and desires of what we have been waiting for from Yamaha.
A new ground breaking new mode that comes with the consumer satisfaction, dealer support and warranty that Yamaha is known for. I can’t wait to put several Viper models through their paces from March 3-6 in West Yellowstone Montana and writing all about it on Motoneiges.ca and SledMagazine.com. Thanks Yamaha!
Greg Gilbert, our columnist to the right, can’t wait to put several Viper models through their paces from March 3-6 in West Yellowstone Montana and writing all about it on Motoneiges.ca and SledMagazine.com. Thanks Yamaha!
