I hope I didn't make a mistake!!!!!

[Shane]

A little background...this is YAMAHA #14 for me. In 2012 I switched to DOO on all my sleds with the exception of my sons POLARIS 120. I was tired of having to spends thousands to simply TRY and get the suspension and handling to be what it should be from the factory on all of my YAMAHAS. I have loved every minute of my DOOS and will continue to ride them state side. Then came along the VIPER and I just couldn't help myself For a Canada sled.

After speaking with multiple YAMAHA reps and others supposedly "in the know" (I knew about the venture with Cat long before it was made public) I was assured that in "no uncertain terms that this sled will be built to YAMAHA quality standards that I have come to expect based on all previous sleds but with Cats legendary suspension and handling."

I was further assured that "YAMAHA had brought over dozens of engineers and production specialists and that the VIPER would be built by YAMAHA people to YAMAHA quality standards. Production was to be done on a production line side by side Cats but to YAMAHA quality standards". (Notice the common theme....YAMAHA quality standards?). So this fall after having my best year ever in business I decided I would buy one and make it my Canada sled as I rack up miles pretty fast. I bought an LTX SE in blue. After reading so many threads on here about issues, which at first I thought was just YAMAHA guys being excessively anal, after loading all 5 sleds in the trailer today in preparation for our family trip for a week to Canada starting the end of this week, I thought maybe I should go look at mine a little more closely.

So, I get out of bed and head outside, my wife thinking I am even more insane than she already knew I was. Sure enough....handle bars loose as a goose. Now, I have no ride time on this sled whatsoever other taking it out of the trailer after picking it up and loading it today. What did find? A leaky radiator lower hose. Put 2-1/2 turns in the upper hose clamp on the bottom of the radiator and 4 turns on the lower hose clamp on bottom of radiator. Went on to tighten every clamp that was able to be tightened. I even checked the oil lines and sure enough they took at least 1-1/2 turns as well.

I find it VERY hard to believe that this sled is built/assembled to YAMAHA standards by YAMAHA people. They may technically be YAMAHA employees, (i.e. their pay checks come from YAMAHA) but they are more like Arctic Cat employees wearing a blue uniform. There is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE that in today's day and age that so much can be overlooked in the assembly process. It is my contention at YAMAHA should be calling, emailing, snail mailing etc., each and every VIPER owner telling them to bring it in immediately for the dealer to finish what wasn't done in TRF. I will be notifying my dealer of see issues so he can check all sleds that advent left and perhaps notify those that haven't. I will also be reaching out to YAMAHA directly.

Sorry for the diatribe. Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[wot-75]

IDK, I've had zero issues with mine. I'm at 350 miles. Nothing has been loose or leaking.. she just purs along (and flat out rips when I want her to!) and has been a joy to ride/own thus far.

 

[Nytro40th]

No issues with mine, its been a joy to ride and headed out tomorrow.

 

[Shane]

Lookin' great guys! I can't wait to ride mine. I think reading all this stuff on here gets ones mind racing....

 

[Suckur]

Coming from a Yamaha to a Cat last year I was absolutely shocked at how terribly my sled was assembled - and I use that word loosely. I won't get into all the items that were not finished but a loose hose clam caused an engine failure at 400 miles. This year as I decided to completely go through the sled even though it still has a year warranty. I found the upper chassis bolts loose, oil line worn through, wiring harness worn through and a coolant hose worn through. So three days later I'm hoping I've caught it all. There are inherent problems with the clutch and chaincase that I hope won't manifest itself, but if they do I hope it's while it's still under warranty. With that said, its the best looking, best handling, most powerful sled on he snow and both the suzuki and Yamaha engines are the extremely reliable and potent. I feel its a crap shoot with these sleds. They have amazing positive attributes that are marred by the poor assembly at the TRF plant.

 

[09nytro]

Not a problem with my sled w/400miles on it now !
Some of the things are done on dealer prep , so it kinda sounds like they didn't do there job !

 

[Suckur]

Dealer told me Cat pays nothing for PDI so they just put on the skis and bars and let 'em rip. You might get a good one, you might get a bad one. Lets hope that the 14's are that much better. They are so great to ride that its worth putting up with the bullsh!t. At least they don't need to be re-engineered to ride great. I know one thing for sure, I will be absolutely checking over everything on a weekly basis and keeping a bottle of locktite on hand. Lol

 

[larrypolaris]

Just rode 200 miles yesterday on my LTX.

When I first picked the sled up in late November I checked every bolt I could outside the hood area. Still haven't pulled the hoof off yet to check underneath. The only thing I seen checking mine was the rear axle bolts were sort of loose(maybe dealer prep, adjusting track).

I put 10 miles on the sled on a jack stand with a garden hose to keep the slides lubed. Get some heat cycles in the engine and start engine the break in. Seen no issues.

I tilted the handle bars up and readjusted the throttle position to my liking.

Rode yesterday. One word.. The sled is ssssaaawwwweeeeetttttttt.

The sled just rides great. Easy steering, good ergonomics, hand warmers that work. The heated seat is awesome.
The suspension just flat out works. Firm but not jarry.

The sled feels so lite compared to my Nytro and Attak I had. So easy to toss around.

Power is good. It's getting better as I get more miles on it.

 

[Ultrafrozen]

Maybe it's because I'm an old soul from the days of quality products or maybe it's because I don't like to spend money for nothing but I would never buy an Artic Cat even if it does have a Yamaha engine in it. I would rather worry about where we will eat supper after a 150 mile day than worry if I will actually make it there with the sled in one piece. Up here, I can ride for miles without seeing another sled so I can't sit and wait for a Yamaha to drive by and tow me to the next community.

I'm glad I came to my senses and picked up another Vector for the wife instead of the Viper we looked at a week before. I can sleep well at night not worrying about her sled breaking down.

 

[yamadoo]

I really wonder what the Yamaha and Cat leadership think of these issues. Quality control is not a new science. Look at the strides American car makers have made, one wonders why Cat has these ongoing issues .

My local Yamaha / Cat dealer was quite open about the variability of the Cat sleds and the consistency of the Yamaha's
Yet he would point out that he sold more Cats due to price point.


The Korean manufacturer of Hyundai started a personal accountability program - every assembly station filmed 24/7 and every break down computer traced back to factory, shift, individual responsible. Their quality #'s reportedly dramatically improved. Wouldn't it be great if Cat could use this as an opportunity to show the power sport world their QUALITY. I sincerely hope the problems are extremely few but will watch closely.

So to answer your question, I hope you did not make a mistake and think you will have a great handling reliable sled for years!

 

[MNUser]

Yamadoo is spot on. Not sure why Cat would continue to put up with those issues. With today's technology one would think quality control would be a thing of the past. And retaining people who just show up for a pay check should just be shown the door. Either take pride and make the company look good or go watch tv at home. Pretty simple one would think.

I just hope that these issues are isulated and don't come my way. I feel bad for those that laid down the amount of cash they did because of their locality to yamaha only to get bitten in the butt.

I do know that I will be going in and adding the YES for 5 years so I can have a piece of mind. My situation is a little different too. Most of my riding is done in areas where getting it to a trailer would be easy so that helps. It would still suck big time.

 

[Shane]

yamadoo,

You are exactly correct. Well said.

Shane

 

[trailhed1]

I really hope they do work on the Quality Control.
Very tough i would imagine to have Yamaha people march into TRF and run the show. That being said I hope the Viper is successful and I want the best for Yamaha.

I am not a fan of Arctic Cat and just never will be.

You can put lipstick on a pig and it is still a pig.
You can put a genesis yamaha 4 stroke in a Cat Chassis and it is still a Cat. No matter what color or badges are on it.

Just Saying.

No Torx screws on my Apex.

 

[evil eagle]

In my area there are alot of new cats. I have alot of friends that have these 2012 and newer cats turbos. They have owned cats for ever. They seem to have a different mindset. With all the continus problems right from day one they just it roll right off their backs. Just one problem for example the reverse problem. Not recomending to use the reverse. That would make me want to shoot holes in the sled.
Nobody would put up with that kind of problem that had no fix for the entire winter if we spent 14000 on a car and after we bought it and then were told not to use the reverse, just think about that. the cat guys understand that as part of ownership with a cat.
So now we are geting the rebadged cats we will have to learn to accept the cat mindset.

 

[Shane]

evil eagle,

I will NOT accept that mindset. It is completely unacceptable. We bought a YAMAHA based on YAMAHA assuring us that they are being built to YAMAHA spec and they simply do not seem to be.

Shane