new to TH's and looking for advice on SxS

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Just acquired a used Jayco Recon with a 12ft garage. Going to make the loop from AK down the mid east coast to FL and back up through the midwest.
Have my eye on acquiring an "Intimidator" SxS somewhere along the way.
Anyone out there have one? Opinions?

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ksss wrote:
Can it be depended on? Are parts readily available and lastly does it have any value on the used market? I don't know the answer to any of these, and it could be that it is an excellent machine that just does not have the name recognition of the others. I am just naturally skeptical, and given it's intended use it would take a lot of research to put me at ease in buying something like this. Let us know how it works after you get it, I would like to here an after action report on it.

Will definitely report my findings back to this forum. but it will be a bit.
leaving for points south June 1. picking it up in deep south July1 ish and back to the Far North around Aug 15. Just in time for hunting!
THEN I'll have something to report.

[ksss]

Certainly Yamaha could release something that breaks the Japanese mold, but historically speaking RedRocket is correct.

[RedRocket204]

micahmiles wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:

micahmiles wrote:
Not only is Yamaha not in the game, they can't even find the ballpark. They "think" this is a sport unit, per there billing. R-spec? its so weak they are ashamed to even list the power rating.

I've owned and loved Yamaha products, but this SXS is a joke. I'm sure it will work well around a farm or putting along on a trail, but they should not bill it as a performance machine.

Meh on your comments. Without it even being available just yet, not sure how you can put it down without knowing much about it. Sure, its not a 1000cc PoPo or CanAm and it doesn't have the fancy plastics but it will probably do OK in the recreational segment.

I had initial shell shock at first but understand they are supposed to be coming out with a new model per year for the next few years. And, if they don't come out with something V-twin to compete in the 1000cc market, they are truly missing the boat.

Remember, Yamaha likes to maintain their reliability reputation so it seems risk is not at the top of their priority. I do hope they end up coming out with something full sport but can't agree with your comments in the quote.

Not looking for anyone to agree, but everybody that follows the industry knows this machine doesn't even put them on a level playing field with a 3 year old Polaris Ranger or Can am Commander. Facts are facts, compare the front and rear suspension travel, compare the ground clearance, compare the engine size and power, compare the aftermarket and accessories.

Reliability is not the issue, the Japanese don't have the balls to produce anything exciting in the SXS market because they still have fear from the three wheeler days (lawsuits, gov. regulation, etc...). They easily have the ability to build a great machine, but won't. Kawasaki builds a new street bike that will exceed 200mph stock with over 200hp, but their sportiest SXS, like Yamaha's, is a farm machine. Oddly enough John Deere builds a sportier SXS than any Japanese company. The lack of Japanese competition is very disappointing for us consumers and even more disappointing for the dealers.

Well don't forget some of your comments are making assumptions here as not all the data has been released and it takes a bit of time to build aftermarket. If I'm wrong concerning the Wolverine HP numbers, please provide a verified source.

Regardless what the HP numbers will be, there is supposed to be new models coming out, most are assuming more of a sport segment but Yamaha is very tight lipped. You are certainly welcome to your opinion just like everyone else is.

[ksss]

micahmiles wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:

micahmiles wrote:
Not only is Yamaha not in the game, they can't even find the ballpark. They "think" this is a sport unit, per there billing. R-spec? its so weak they are ashamed to even list the power rating.

I've owned and loved Yamaha products, but this SXS is a joke. I'm sure it will work well around a farm or putting along on a trail, but they should not bill it as a performance machine.

Meh on your comments. Without it even being available just yet, not sure how you can put it down without knowing much about it. Sure, its not a 1000cc PoPo or CanAm and it doesn't have the fancy plastics but it will probably do OK in the recreational segment.

I had initial shell shock at first but understand they are supposed to be coming out with a new model per year for the next few years. And, if they don't come out with something V-twin to compete in the 1000cc market, they are truly missing the boat.

Remember, Yamaha likes to maintain their reliability reputation so it seems risk is not at the top of their priority. I do hope they end up coming out with something full sport but can't agree with your comments in the quote.

Not looking for anyone to agree, but everybody that follows the industry knows this machine doesn't even put them on a level playing field with a 3 year old Polaris Ranger or Can am Commander. Facts are facts, compare the front and rear suspension travel, compare the ground clearance, compare the engine size and power, compare the aftermarket and accessories.

Reliability is not the issue, the Japanese don't have the balls to produce anything exciting in the SXS market because they still have fear from the three wheeler days (lawsuits, gov. regulation, etc...). They easily have the ability to build a great machine, but won't. Kawasaki builds a new street bike that will exceed 200mph stock with over 200hp, but their sportiest SXS, like Yamaha's, is a farm machine. Oddly enough John Deere builds a sportier SXS than any Japanese company. The lack of Japanese competition is very disappointing for us consumers and even more disappointing for the dealers.

There is a lot of truth in that. I was a dedicated, almost rabid Honda ATV owner. I waited for years for Honda to build a SXS. I gave up and bought a RZR. Honda just released their 50" SXS. They should be ashamed of themselves. After 6 years of sitting on the side lines they come to market with a 475CC engine, manual tranny (when they have excellent auto trannys sitting on the shelf), 5.9 inches of wheel travel and 38 mph max speed, and it still weighs 1000 pounds. Absolutely not competitive with anything on the market. The only people buying them are Honda owners and there are a lot fewer of those then there used to be.

[ksss]

Can it be depended on? Are parts readily available and lastly does it have any value on the used market? I don't know the answer to any of these, and it could be that it is an excellent machine that just does not have the name recognition of the others. I am just naturally skeptical, and given it's intended use it would take a lot of research to put me at ease in buying something like this. Let us know how it works after you get it, I would like to here an after action report on it.

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here is page 1 of a two page comparison I did to the Polaris

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ksss wrote:
I would stay with a well established brand. Resist the temptation to save money and buy a Chinese knock off (or whatever they are). The fact that you will be running around Alaska would put quality over price, for me anyways.

Made in USA (Arkansas) by an established aftermarket supplier of ATV/UTV and Farm implements. By all indications they observed what was being offered and took it the next level.

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boosTT wrote:
I wouldn't want a diesel... It's hard enough to find GAS on the trails by me. You wouldn't be able to re-fuel if you decided to trail ride.

In Alaska you don't depend on refueling ANYWHERE. You take it with you. And you better have figured out what you need in reserve or it will be a LONG walk. One of the advantages to diesel is mileage.

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ok, well that upload didn't work well
help?

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Catching up on some of the posted replies - thanks for all the info.
Some of the posts made some incorrect assumptions.....

The Intimidator is Made in the USA, not sure if that was clear, that's a big plus for me
It has a tried and true Kohler Diesel, same as Polaris uses in the diesel ranger
Diesel fuel availability is not an issue in Alaska,
Have a lot if time in the Yamaha Rhino, and while it was one the better earlier models, it hasn't kept up IMO
The Polaris Ranger is really the next best choice, similar in price, does have better representation in Alaska, and STILL I'm going with the Intimidator

[micahmiles]

RedRocket204 wrote:

micahmiles wrote:
Not only is Yamaha not in the game, they can't even find the ballpark. They "think" this is a sport unit, per there billing. R-spec? its so weak they are ashamed to even list the power rating.

I've owned and loved Yamaha products, but this SXS is a joke. I'm sure it will work well around a farm or putting along on a trail, but they should not bill it as a performance machine.

Meh on your comments. Without it even being available just yet, not sure how you can put it down without knowing much about it. Sure, its not a 1000cc PoPo or CanAm and it doesn't have the fancy plastics but it will probably do OK in the recreational segment.

I had initial shell shock at first but understand they are supposed to be coming out with a new model per year for the next few years. And, if they don't come out with something V-twin to compete in the 1000cc market, they are truly missing the boat.

Remember, Yamaha likes to maintain their reliability reputation so it seems risk is not at the top of their priority. I do hope they end up coming out with something full sport but can't agree with your comments in the quote.

Not looking for anyone to agree, but everybody that follows the industry knows this machine doesn't even put them on a level playing field with a 3 year old Polaris Ranger or Can am Commander. Facts are facts, compare the front and rear suspension travel, compare the ground clearance, compare the engine size and power, compare the aftermarket and accessories.

Reliability is not the issue, the Japanese don't have the balls to produce anything exciting in the SXS market because they still have fear from the three wheeler days (lawsuits, gov. regulation, etc...). They easily have the ability to build a great machine, but won't. Kawasaki builds a new street bike that will exceed 200mph stock with over 200hp, but their sportiest SXS, like Yamaha's, is a farm machine. Oddly enough John Deere builds a sportier SXS than any Japanese company. The lack of Japanese competition is very disappointing for us consumers and even more disappointing for the dealers.

[boosTT]

I wouldn't want a diesel... It's hard enough to find GAS on the trails by me. You wouldn't be able to re-fuel if you decided to trail ride.

[Eyetattoo]

I agree its not up to the RZR standards but seeing as they are leading with a 700cc hopefully something much faster will be coming soon.

[RedRocket204]

micahmiles wrote:
Not only is Yamaha not in the game, they can't even find the ballpark. They "think" this is a sport unit, per there billing. R-spec? its so weak they are ashamed to even list the power rating.

I've owned and loved Yamaha products, but this SXS is a joke. I'm sure it will work well around a farm or putting along on a trail, but they should not bill it as a performance machine.

Meh on your comments. Without it even being available just yet, not sure how you can put it down without knowing much about it. Sure, its not a 1000cc PoPo or CanAm and it doesn't have the fancy plastics but it will probably do OK in the recreational segment.

I had initial shell shock at first but understand they are supposed to be coming out with a new model per year for the next few years. And, if they don't come out with something V-twin to compete in the 1000cc market, they are truly missing the boat.

Remember, Yamaha likes to maintain their reliability reputation so it seems risk is not at the top of their priority. I do hope they end up coming out with something full sport but can't agree with your comments in the quote.