Not happy with mine

I now have 500 miles on my new 09. I like some things and hate some others. Let's start with the bad:



With a few extras like the 5 year warranty, trailer hitch, and luggage rack, we wrote a check for over $11,000. Our expectations were very high that this would be the last sled we would ever buy....

When I got it home there was a puddle of oil under the sled. Trip 1 back to the dealer at 0 miles. They found no sealant on the oil sensor. An easy fix, but a serious oops on the assembly line. Climbing on the sled for the first time, the passenger hand covers got broken off, they were held on by 1 very cheap rivet each.

First trip down the trail gave me lots to think about. The sled is so high centered, that it takes most of the fun out of twisty trail riding. It wants to tip over all the time. The very comfortable seat is hard to shift your weight around on. Spent a lot of time with one ski in the air.

Then the noises started: a Howling so bad from the engine that I could not ride any speed over 40 mph without loosing my hearing. Back to the dealer again. He made "some adjustments" and the sound was better, then it came and went at certain speeds, maybe 23 mph, etc. Now it is quiet enough so I can hear what sounds like an exhaust leak. Also the track noise is enormous! We bought this sled thinking that 4 strokes would be whisper quiet. Well, I have to wear ear plugs to ride it.

So another call to the dealer and he calls the head Yamaha mechanic who recomended driving it till I got 500 miles on it. He said sometimes you just gotta wear it in. So I took it on a long, hard, 200 mile day. The howling noise did eventually go away, but the track noise increased. I know the track has stretched and next step is to tighten and ride again. Hope to do that today.

The stock suspension was very stiff. Almost like the hydraulics were frozen in the up position. I moved the spring load to soft and now have almost no suspension even riding 1 up. Will try putting them back to medium and see if that helps

Other thoughts: the seat tips forward at an aqkward angle. When riding 2 up both the driver and passenger creep forward every time you go over a bump. I don't know if the preload adjustment will lower the back end enough to fix this. The high beam switch is very awkward to find. You have to take your hand almost off the bar to reach it.

Yamaha: Please fix these problems, or I'll be the only one running this sled in this county. You should widen the skis stance, put a wider track on it, lower the Center of Gravity/seat. The thumb/hand warmers controls are awkward to understand and use till you get used to them. The manual and tool kit are a joke. Quiet the engine and track, PLEASE!!! The battery is impossible to get to. For what you charge for this sled, there should have been NONE of these problems...

Some good things about the sled, so I am not ALL negative: the seat is very comfortable (best part of the sled). The windshield is huge and works well. It is a very pretty sled. It has plenty of power - actually too much for my riding style. The trunk is huge and well designed. If all you want to do is go 90 mph straight ahead, and you were already deaf, this would be a good sled for you. Read Full Review

RS Venture GT

A little time to get used to the higher sitting position, need toset up front suspension for deep powder. Great comfort, power, trail handling, Fuel injection starts good even at 20 below. Read Full Review

Awesome Sled

The suspension adjustments are infinite. With some effort you can get this sled dialed in for the perfect ride to accomodate your weight and riding style. The remote resivoir shocks are a first on a touring sled and would be a 2000 dollar upgrade on a high performance sled. Having these stock on thi...s sled is phenomenal. Plenty of room for moving around. Handle bars are set at the perfect height. Fit and finish of the sled is right up there with Yamaha motorcycles. Power from this tried and true enginebdesign hauls may 245 lbs around better than my former Ski-doo 700 Grand Touring that I loved. The insrument panel is high tech and easy to read. Got mine new with the rebate and 4 year warrenty for 8500. Very Very Happy. Most important to me is the longevity of the yamaha sleds. A rider from Maine has a Guiness World Record on his Venture Touring of over 36,000 miles. He has just bought this new RS Venture GT and is ready to do it again. Read Full Review