2009 Yamaha VK Pro/1991 Ski Doo Tundra comparison.

[@moimayamahaetmesnounours]

The Yamaha RS Viking Professional is my favorite snowmobile... It was Santa Claus's snowmobile in the village where i lived ... I want one ... What a beautiful snowmobile !

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

I’m glad you like it. I’d consider selling it…

[@north61]

Impressed by how good your little video partners are! Our new snow-machines are sure complex!

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

Thanks, they're momma has done fine work! I'm not a huge fan of the complex "modern" machine, but I'm not sure about the Arctic Cat 570 or the VK 540 anymore either. Too bad they couldn't make the Bravo and Tundra EPA compliant.

[@north61]

@@TemplesLongtailsandFurs I like my 900 Ace Skandic a lot but I bring a come along to self recover, a battery pack to start if the battery dies and a good pair of boots for when it does eventually break down... as there is not much I can fix.

[@rutheniumguy5686]

Nice dad!!!! Wow your kids happy!!! Thanks for the information

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

Thanks! I try, but they have to earn it.

[@rutheniumguy5686]

@@TemplesLongtailsandFurs that's love

[@patricklavictoire3235]

I havent replaced a spark plug since 2004 riding yamaha 4 strokes,over 80 000 miles combined on my last 4 sleds,so no worries on how hard it is to change them

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

Nice! Which particular models?

[@thatalaskaguy]

I very much prefer fan cooled sleds for the ones I keep for years and years. It’s too bad they are getting phased out. I had a 4-stroke Vector for a while and I liked the motor but holy crap was it heavy! I got a stuck a few times and it was miserable to get out. I then noticed I quit riding in arenas I used to just because of the weight. It was also not fun to work on so I sold it. My brother had a Tundra for a while and I can see where guys liked them. It had limits and downsides in certain snow conditions as it was gutless but for explorer riding in bushy terrain it was great!

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

Yeah, this VK is damn heavy. I’m thinking about the VK540. Too bad the way the Tundra has gone, but people too like it.

[@ih302]

A few things to note... The carbed 973 is rated at 120 hp. Those aren't plug caps, they are actually the ignition coils, coil on plug is much more reliable. The only thing that makes the plugs harder to change on the VK is that there are three of them, the process is exactly the same as with the Tundra. Also, preference is one thing but to say that the Tundra is simpler thus more reliable is a bit of a misnomer. The Yamaha calls for a valve adjustment at 40,000 km while that Tundra would be lucky to ever see 10,000 km.

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

My mistake on the coils, thanks for the correction. There are 3 times as many plugs in the VK than the Tundra, they're buried in the block, part of which is covered by the dash, requiring the use of the that weird hinged tool to pull the plugs after pulling those long coils out. On the real Tundra, there is one plug, right out in the open on top, it's a snap to pull. There are SO many more moving parts, so much more electrical gidgets and sensors, so much more that can fail on modern machines than the old machines. Will a modern machine's engine last more miles than the old fan cooled premix 250 CC, be that engine in my preferred Bravo, or this real Tundra? Maybe, if you can keep the rest of the gidgets on a modern machine operating. That VK had me calling for help twice last trapping season due to electrical issues. Trailwise, away from a dealer/shop/technician/computer, in my own very subjective opinion, the less smart a machine is, the less electrical stuff it depends on, the simpler the cooling system and ignition system and lubrication system, the less there is to fail and if there's less to fail it seems like there are less failures. I'm certain between myself and the original owner that Tundra has likely gotten more than 6,200 miles. The skegs are worn, it could probably use new rings, the recoil can use some tinkering, and the rubbers from the air box to the carburetor to the block ought to be replaced soon. Projects to make sure I get taken care of between seasons, that I can actually do on that machine. My wife keeps telling me that we can't buy me a new machine, so I'm likely going to run the VK into the dirt, maintaining it to the best of my ability, and taking it to the shop when I have to. I'll likely get a good look at it's longevity compared to that 1991 Tundra, and these types of video will likely continue. You sound like you might know more about the modern Yamaha than me though. What machine do you ride? Eventually, I'm probably gonna have to buy a new one, would like other people's real world perspectives, especially if they're in similar conditions doing similar things.

[@ih302]

@@TemplesLongtailsandFurs Right now I have a 2014 ski-doo expedition 600 ace which is a wonderful all around machine. Quite, light, sips fuel (300 km per tank) and low maintenance (6000 km oil change interval and it only takes 2L of oil). Mine has 8000 km on it and runs like a top. I also have a 2005 AC T660 turbo touring with 10,000 km on it, it's a nice machine too but I might sell it if I can find a vk540 that isn't trashed. I had a 2009 RS Venture up until last year which I used for heavy hauling. I don't find the Expedition as good for really heavy loads since it's so light so that is why I'm keeping my eye out for a 540 to use strictly for work. The 660 is a good trail machine but the drivetrain isn't robust enough (under sized chaincase bearings) for the kind of heavy hauling I do (firewood, saw logs, grooming) so if I can get into a decent 540 for the same money as my 660 is worth so I'm not cash out of pocket, I will probably go for it. There are way more parts in newer sleds for sure but I find the quality of the parts is way better than anything built in the past, especially the made in Japan Yamaha 4 strokes. My venture with the same engine as your VK had 16,000 hard km on it when I sold it. The only reason why I got rid of it is because the suspension was too stiff for riding without a passenger (how I ride mostly) and the seating position sucked (seat too low, my back isn't getting younger). It never once failed to start and get me home, never used any oil and was great on gas. With the kind of mileage I put on, fuel economy is a big deciding factor. I once rode 9000 km in one season and have had a couple of 2 stroke ski-doos go past 20,000 km (one close to 30,000 actually). I grew up on Tundras in the 80s and in my experience, they were not a very good machine... there always seemed to be something to tinker with before, during and after every ride. They also seemed to suffer from excessive rusting but that may have had something to do with riding sea ice. I can see your point about a simpler machine being easier to bush fix for sure. I also see your wife's point about a new sled, they are very expensive. Take care.

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

@@ih302 I'm glad your Yamaha fourstroke always started! Mine has failed to start twice for electrical issues that took me too long to track, and also due to cold even when the aftermarket heaters were plugged in. If I was a better technician I might have figured the electronics before the 2nd call for rescue, and I've put on a new trickle charger and made sure the oil and coolant heaters are working. Mine does not seem to use oil, but does seem to loose coolant. I need to chase the myriad of connections and hoses, that are wonderfully absent on a fan cooled twostroke. Yes, the Bravo seemed to be better than the real Tundra. But the ones I can find I want are priced too high. My issue with the modern Skidoo is the same as my issue with the modern fourstroke Yamaha; too dang many panels, access to anything is a pain, and too dang many moving parts. If my wife and I could stomach 10 grand for a VK540 I'd sign papers tomorrow. But we'll wait, the price will go up, and I'll get to say "should have bought a new one then for 10 instead of a new one now for 12." Oh well.

[@ih302]

I hear ya on the price... I will only be able to get a used VK540 if I can find one for what money I get for the 660 or if I find someone who wants to do a swap and only if I can find one in decent shape. I have not had a new sled since 2007. We don't normally get below - 20C here so cold starting has never been an issue with my four strokes. From what understand of it, it's normally stuck relays that cause the problem and taking them off and warming them up in your inside pocket or arm pit or whatever usually clears up the issue. Also, I was wrong on the spark plug change procedure, the Vk Pro has an air radiator and fan that blocks access to the plugs and must be moved. My RS Venture never had that so it was the same as changing the plugs on a 2 stoke only the cap (coil actually) needed to be removed to get at the plug.

[@bradwalsh9122]

Bring the tundra over I'll weld that windshield up

[@TemplesLongtailsandFurs]

It has a homemade Lexan one on it now.