2021 Yamaha Mountain Max LE 154 Full Snowmobile Review

[@muskrathonmml3070]

I have the 146" variant of this sled... Except it is Orange and Blue... And says Riot X and Arctic Cat on the side😂

[@trent.142]

Atleast with the 4 stroke Yamaha could say it was partly there’s, this is an arctic Cat with some new colors lol.

[@mxr7586]

Ya but Arctic cat has been asking Yamaha for years too work with them way before they started coming out with all these sleds. Point is they work well together and thats what counts. Plus the fact Yamaha is known for reliability.

[@pajamatime5750]

@@mxr7586 Yamaha is known for reliability but this is only a blue Arctic Cat.... So it shouldn’t me any more durable then the green machines!

[@wasupfool5692]

@@pajamatime5750 to be fair the 800 cat engine is very reliable, more reliable than the new 850's from Doo and Polaris

[@Timcanniff311]

@@wasupfool5692 I agree

[@mikedanaher3413]

I agree. This is a Blue Arctic Cat. No wizbang stuff here. Not that I dislike either company. It’s just not a Yamaha except the color and name.

[@rickwelsh9317]

If you’re doing a review, it’s kind of a big deal not to mention the collaboration between Yamaha and Arctic Cat. I think the viewers would be more interested in knowing if there are any differences between the the Yamaha and the Cat Alpha other than the color.

[@snowtrax]

We have spoken endlessly about the partnership with Yamaha and Cat. Feel free to go back and watch any of our videos and you will see. It is common knowledge in the snowmobiling community and doesn't need to be mentioned as a disclaimer every time we make a video.

[@mr.s4479]

@@snowtrax sure it might not need to be mentioned everytime you make a video. However, it is pretty important to note that 1. The 800cc 2 stroke in this sled is an arctic cat c-tec 2 engine. 2. (Obviously) this is cat's frame and body. 3. This is cat's rear single rail alpha one skid. 4. This is using cat team clutching. 5. This has cat's front suspension and skies. All i'm saying is do NOT claim that Yamaha has finally returned to the mountains with a 2 stroke of their own cause that is not what happened here.

[@fessie0121]

@@snowtrax you should have mentioned the only part Yamaha put on the sled was ski loops.... their all new sled is someone else's last year model. Super exciting news....unreal... what a joke. Blue paint seems to come at a premium, it must be faster and a better engineered paint, probably adds 10hp and drops a few pounds from the engineering marvel that it is.

[@kribaska]

@@mr.s4479 thanks, this is the info I was looking for. I'll get a new last year's alpha on a great deal instead 👍

[@mr.s4479]

@@kribaska no problem! Anything that i can do to help a fellow snowmobiler!

[@4dig549]

Moving to snow country, was raised on artic cat's and road hard. Moved away from the mountains and have been in the south for 30 years headed back to the snow country. Looking for the goods on a new machine. Counting on this channel to help! Thanks sledders!

[@snowtrax]

Awesome! Feel free to reach out to us through our website with questions, or post them here. This KZbin community of snowmobilers is passionate and can probably answer just about any question you have.

[@nickwest3157]

Do you want your Alpha in green or blue...

[@arturomontoya6946]

The first Trans sled born a arctic cat but identifies as a yamaha

[@nt3523]

If it ain't a triple.....it ain't a Mountain Max.

[@samuelfink1619]

i don’t wanna say you’re right, but you’re right. One of my dream sleds is a clean 2002 mountain max

[@nt3523]

@@samuelfink1619 I had a 98 SRX Mountain Max. That thing was a screamer.

[@jeffposter6832]

Your right, the ctek 2 is much better.

[@xLOBBx]

Facts

[@kevinmartin3124]

So it's a blue Alpha

[@arcticcatkevin_1867]

Yes, but it looks cool

[@MrBeeradb1]

@@arcticcatkevin_1867 Cats look cool too.

[@gumballer133]

Love my Alpha, but it could use more power.

[@boser1212]

@@gumballer133 my alpha goes anywhere my buddies 850 skidoo does. Goes out west in two weeks and he will have a new Polaris 850 to compare.

[@gumballer133]

@@boser1212 Should be a great time. My buddies 850 expert gets away from me in the deep stuff, but in a drag race I clean his clock.. I mean I like the sled alot, but feel like something is missing.

[@krankysledzz]

Just a Cat painted blue. Long gone are the days of a pure Yamaha RIP!

[@mikkejalonen9050]

Its all about money until they will make money with sleds they wont do yamaha sleds

[@doodrew800]

@Ross Outdoors nope. Arctic Cat

[@mxr7586]

Arctic cat asked Yamaha years back to work with them and they liked Yamahas motors and reliability. Also some models are built to Yamahas specifications. And from what I have read as well they have a great relationship between the two manufacturers which helps you gets the best of both worlds.

[@nsa6790]

@@mxr7586 so in other words, it’s a blue cat.

[@pajamatime5750]

@Ross Outdoors Arctic Cat engine and chassis.... I believe the only thing specific to the Yamaha are the clutches used and the color.

[@The5camille5]

So exited for this season of SnowTrax! Talk about a way to start the new year!

[@mobilewintercamp7515]

I remember around 2000 when Yamaha had those triple cylinder trail sleds. Their sleds were as light as the competitors twins. I don’t know if that was the chassis or the motor that enabled them to achieve this. Those sleds had good power with a real smooth power band. I had a Polaris 600 XLT and I remember how the smoothness of the power band could be real nice in situations like steep trail climbs, you could pour on the power and accelerate with out ski lift and maintain control. Triple cylinders naturally had better fuel economy over twins. I think they also had injection systems in their marine motors. You put that together and they could have been developing a lite two stroke with nice power and fuel efficiency. If anyone can clarify any information and opinion on this I’d appreciate it. I always felt they really dropped the ball on this if all these factors are correct but I’m not sure. Thank you

[@StArFoX888DraGoN]

Shout out to your video team. Always producing stellar content. It's one of the main reason I watch Snowtrax obessively

[@snowtrax]

Thank you!!

[@braaap5.7]

2021 arctic cat 154 mountain sled! New stickers and new colors for this special 2021 model!

[@davidbrennan5]

Yamaha Mountain Max starts at $17,099. Arctic Cat Alpha 1 starts at $15,745. They look identical to me.....

[@davidbrennan5]

@@Donewithit365 They both claim 165hp.

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@davidbrennan5 yeah and they're both way off

[@chrisrogers3175]

Isn't just a arctic cat painted blue

[@rapptarzan]

Yes it is!

[@Mainecat21]

That opening scene was awesome!

[@CanuckianSledCult]

I just don't understand why they bothered without coming up with something actually groundbreaking and advanced. This is a blue alpha one.

[@MrMvidz]

I think that sledding in the mountains can be very different things, if it's steep and open, a tuned Sidewinder is so much cooler than a 2-stroke, even with turbos. If it's twisty, complex terrain where you have to change direction quickly in low speeds, light 2 strokes are of course the right choice. For my riding, 300 hp 4 stroke leaves my 2 stroke pals in the snowy dust going up the slopes, but when there's a lot of trees and tricky technical conditions, I'll have to sweat buckets to keep up and if I get stuck... well, then I need assistance ;) The great thing is though, that there are all these machines for different purposes, different riders, right?

[@ericgrundeman6113]

Im not a mountain rider or a Yamaha guy just glad you posted another video lol,keep up the good content thanks for taking the time to make theses videos

[@snowtrax]

Appreciate that!

[@MrJeppson]

I got it last season and I love it, question, adjusting the shocks, what is the difference in soft, medium, firm? Here in Greenland we have a mix of hard snow and some powder.

[@tianjohan4633]

Does anyone know the weight difference between an 800 cc 4 stroke vs 800 cc 2 stroke? That 4 stroke turbo Yamaha used earlier for the mountian max was very reliable when tuned up to around 320 BHP. Great performing but a little heavy. How relaible are the 2 stroke when tuned up and strapped to a turbo?

[@larryw5429]

Blue arctic cat lol!

[@darin6674]

So stoked that Artic Cat is painting their sleds blue... You don't have the weight specs because they wont let you publish them.. still too heavy. I'm looking forward to when you review sleds instead of creating promotional videos of them.

[@davidbrennan5]

60lbs heavier than an RMK.

[@dsm091]

He didn't even ride it. Pro riders with stock footage. Looks like a yami commercial and they paid them to pitch it.

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@dsm091 I'm pretty sure he rode it himself. All snowtrax videos look like that (yes they look like commercials i agree with you on tht) he even has the same clothes on and everything

[@medievalman3737]

Do a 146 sks review bys

[@rods907]

The only good think sence cat / Yamaha teamed up is if you need parts you have to dealers to choose from. 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@williamgahagan9024]

Hey snow trax thanks for the review if you guys do end up getting the other manufacturers mountain sled could you compare them because I feel like a lot has changed since the last one with Arctic cat with the root, now yamaha with the mountain max, and ski doo with the 850 turbo

[@patrickmayer9566]

,,,,Yamaha is back.............to old school..!.........here for more great vids.!...........tnx,snow trax......pat,land o' lakes,wi.

[@fessie0121]

This is how Yamaha engineers say "we have nothing to offer" but people like the color and cats aren't blue....so i guess the new ground breaking tech Yamaha came up with is hidden in the paint

[@tedpendagast579]

Well the cats do have ugly colors sooooo...

[@JoshuaGK]

how much is its dry weight? why does yamaha refuse to post this information anywhere

[@FordManiac76]

Bring back the triple in an 800 or 850! I miss my heavily modded 99 MM, I now run an 800 Axys and my son rides an AC M800, the Axys is a much lighter more nimble machine.

[@WilliamStewart1]

They need to release a turbo twin 4 stroke, cut down on some weight and still provide the advantages that come with the 4 stroke.

[@travishadfield5417]

Yamaha!!!! Bleed the Blue!

[@cameronpinder2087]

Hear me out.... they should have taken cats ctec 600 and added another cylinder on. "mountain max 900 triple" 🤯 and cats short track version will be ZRT

[@Cyrus747]

so sad what has become of the Yamaha sled line. Artic Cat with Yamaha stickers...pass!

[@timlong8467]

It is sad ! Yamaha gave up in 97 really? It’s almost insulting to see this cat wrapped in blue and try to sell it to you? 25-30 years ago if you had told guys from either camp this is where the 2 brands would end up would have resulted in bar fights! Lol

[@breadwinneryt]

In my mind, this is the best colourway of all the Arctic Cat Alpha sleds. I would remove those Yamaha decals and replace them with a cool Arctic Cat branded wrap.

[@davidking8909]

Is it any different than the black and green?

[@wiler27]

Exciting to see Yamaha bring back 2 strokes! And it provides sledders access to an Alpha style sled where there is a gap in the Cat Dealer network.

[@Timcanniff311]

Yamaha must believe in cat’s engine or they wouldn’t put the Yamaha name on it, Yamaha has been around forever in many markets, they just don’t give the stamp of approval on anything

[@medievalman3737]

Is there any difference between this an a alpha ?

[@beardeddad16]

color

[@daviddube1000]

And shittier skis

[@actZR900]

I think yamaha run their own clutches, CAT runs team clutches.

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

Short answer: No Long answer: No one cares because the actuall differenses are so minor that it's imposible to tell when you're actually riding.

[@nickradeke]

Probably just the skies and clutches

[@trevorbatchelder4247]

Please snow track only thing Yamaha about that sled is the paint and name tag it's a artic cat alpha one thru and thru

[@chriss7477]

Don't say the wieght cause its heavy?

[@joshwolff2386]

a yamaha that has no yamha dna at all. never thought yamaha would let a suzuki motor enter there sleds and put there name on it... cant imagine how much hp they could put out if yamaha made a new triple motor for it.

[@mathieuleblanc638]

Thats not a Suzuki engine. Thats Arctic cat ctec2

[@joshwolff2386]

@@mathieuleblanc638 basically a suzuki motor if you look at the architectural design. Just has a few tweaks to it. Cat would be out of business if they tried to design a motor from the ground up

[@actZR900]

@@joshwolff2386 give credit where due. Suzuki never had that SDI system, and the electronically metered oil pump, that was all cat. I agree they used some suzuki design on the bottom end. The suzukis were great though.

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

Blue looks nice on that cat

[@Timcanniff311]

It would be really nice to see a Yamaha made 2 stroke engine, but I’ve heard good things about cat engines, I’m a die hard Yamaha guy, so I’d like to see Japanese power!

[@AdamsonOutdoors]

Im pretty sure Yamaha has been making all of arctic cats ctec-2 since they came out... and now arctic cat shares the body with them so really cat engines are yamaha engines since 2018 and yamaha bodys are cat bodys

[@matthewnelson5472]

I believe these 800 engines are being built in the St Cloud Minnesota engine plant. A Yamaha with USA power!

[@Timcanniff311]

@@AdamsonOutdoors not sure if that’s a Yamaha building facility, I just figured they were arctic cat built, at least not Suzuki anymore

[@PartikleDestroyer]

Remember when Ski-Doo took over and built Moto-Ski for a few years and then shut them down... or when Arctic Cat took over and built Scorpion for a few years and then shut them down... Now Arctic Cat is building Yamaha sleds... guess what’s going to happen. It’s too bad, Yamaha was a leader in the late 1970’s, 1980’s, and 1990´s. It will be sad when they are gone.

[@snowtrax]

**OR** Yamaha is going to sell some sleds in the mountain market this season and clear out its dealer floors with offerings like the Venom and the addition of the Stryke ski on the SRX, Sidewinder and Viper and then all of a sudden the snow division will have an influx of cash to devote to engineering again and Yamaha can build on its current offerings. Sales make businesses tick. Just trying to add an ounce of positive energy amidst all these negative posts. Appreciate your comments.

[@208SledHead]

Wishes : Yamaha didn't use the mono rail; they had an option without electric start; track options. That would've made the blue choice a little more attractive.

[@sethjohnson5044]

I honestly dont care about the collaboration, this thing is super friggen cool

[@darrylm7588]

Wish i could get this with a sidewinder mill.

[@snowtrax]

Sidewinder BTX is a 153 with Yamaha's traditional skid.

[@sharkiesgirl8929]

Price needs to drop and tunnel shortened then il buy one ...

[@mainetroutwhisperer]

Not sure he realizes this is an Alpha because he didn’t bash anything about it... 🤔 hmmm

[@zp9898]

Polaris didn't pay to bash Yamaha.

[@fbilley3957]

I like the color option, I know it’s. Cat but the new cat green? Red black ok but not everyone is riding blue so it saves you 1500 on a wrap

[@yamguy33]

why dont they just say it..... blue painted cat with yamaha decal???????? 99% cat 1% yamaha

[@koenranahan]

First! 2021

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

Yamaha should just throw in the towe with sleds and concentrate on a twin cylinder engine for the grizzly.

[@snowtrax]

Sales drive development. Venom and Mountain Max sales are going well this season and like everyone else, dealership showrooms are bare to the walls. Hopefully this influx of cash will push the design teams. Also, Couldn't agree more about the twin Grizz. I think that 686 is an excellent engine, but we need a twin. It's time.

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

@@snowtrax true. Competition is a good thing. All I see in yamaha sleds, is a 4 stroke motor and different skis. (Maybe the clutch is different?) Otherwise it's a cat. Isn't that truly what the mountain max is?

[@Edward_2817]

people are buying them because they want the performance that an arctic cat has, but blue and more expensive.

[@freegirlnow333]

this sucks we wanted a triple.

[@camaro69green31]

Manufacturers all over the planet share platforms. I'll dumb it done a bit for you Yamaha Faithful. Ford... GM....Audi, BMW, ....... Yamaha made the best move when they joined forces with Cat. Yamaha sleds of the past were not so great? Yes its true. I think I said enough.

[@SnowmobileHomeMovies]

"Not some second-rate skid frame or engine." Right...they aren't second rate they are 3rd rate. Until that chassis gets a lot narrower lighter and newer, Cat is not an option in the mountains. The front end plows down like nothing else remaining on the market.

[@nate390]

*Everyone on the internet who hasn't ridden a late model Cat* "CaT Is nOt aN OpTiOn In tHe MOuNtAiNs". Despite the fact that the 2021 Cat's are essentially the same chassis as they were in 2012 they are not the same snowmobile; they are lighter, narrower, smoother, more reliable and better than ever. What held the older M's back wasn't the chassis, it was what was bolted to the chassis, and all of that has changed. The only mountain sled that really stands out from the others is the Turbo, and that's partially because of their price.

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@nate390 i mean, i'd say Ski Doo in general has a very different feel compared too Polaris and Arctic Cat. More playfull although the ussually have a harder times in tight and twisty terrain and is weird side-hilling on for example. Also offcorse the Yama Turbos are very different since they are 4 stroke. (I just assumed you were talking about the Doo turbo but i could be wrong

[@SnowmobileHomeMovies]

@@nate390 There is no amount of alternative reality to make up for that wide front bulkhead. I'm not saying you can't ride one well. Narrow is better.

[@SnowmobileHomeMovies]

@@nate390 Furthermore they have taken all the weight off the rear end primarily, resulting in a paper thin tunnel and imbalanced/heavy front end.

[@doodrew800]

I want a Mercedes roadster! Here's a Chrysler Crossfire for the same $$$. Enjoy! Same story, didn't work, didn't last either. Truly feel for the Yammi faithful! Do have to say the blue at least looks much better.

[@davidgrieco9599]

I want one

[@johnhedges235]

Do not like the short seat. The rest another Yamaha great!

[@johneddys2351]

ArcticCat looks better in blue and the dealer is probably more competent. But a Yamaha it ain't.

[@JDRTRM]

So what’s Yamaha ?! The color, and name on it ,with chiseled body panels ?! I’m a Yamaha man but idk what’s Yamaha ...

[@jacobpoitras7950]

Its a blue alpha

[@stevenvanheel3932]

I am a diehard Yamaha guy but this sled is all cat. Kind of disappointing to not hear the elephant in the room get addressed.

[@snowtrax]

Once again, we don't need to address the partnership every single time we do a Yamaha review. It is common knowledge industry wide.

[@stevenvanheel3932]

@@snowtrax it still would’ve been kind of nice to know where Yamaha had their hands on this sled because it sure seems like they only had them on the graphics part of it.

[@traceanderson4010]

It's a blue artic cat

[@lucj99]

Ist just a artic cat with yamaha strip

[@bobbybannon6885]

It’s just a better looking cat

[@halfnelson6777]

Collaboration is rhe way. Look at the iPhone or Skidoo. A Skidoo is a Lynx with a Rotax engine and different colors. Stop complainig! In the end the customer is the winner.

[@brennendado9700]

Yamacat

[@joshrandell1829]

So basically a m8

[@The5camille5]

First

[@dylandavies3634]

The cropping on this video is very strange

[@BeyondResolution]

jesus.. all the "dooh, it's only a blue cat..."... the lynx is just a doo.. and so on.. bla bla bla.. :)

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

Well... no, the Lynx actually uses a different rear suspention. Doesn't have T-motion. Also some minor suspention differences and different handgrips (lol i know no one cares about handgrips). But the Mountain Max is LITTERALY just a blue Alpha... there's nothing it does that's unique.

[@BeyondResolution]

@@EmilForsberg_GRYBO and there really ain't nothing unique with the doo's or Lynx neither.. minimal difference. But you never see all the griefing there..

[@EmilForsberg_GRYBO]

@@BeyondResolution Well that might also have to do with the "muricas" not even having the Lynx. Only for the scandics. So not as many people to complain, hence forth not hearing as much complaints about it. Plus they have been the same for so long that it's just excepted at this point. No point complaining as that's just how it is now. Yamaha used to be a big contender in the snowmobile industry but now they have almost turned into a joke. The Mountain Max isn't really helping matters...

[@chascoley]

Because its both own by brp

[@vadima7636]

@@EmilForsberg_GRYBO I believe, short tunnel first appeared on the Lynx Boondocker DS, and then at the Summit. Also, Lynx still have different bodywork. But the main thing is that for many years the Lynx has been perceived as part of the BRP, and not as an independent company like Yamaha with their line of motorcycles, musical instruments, etc.

[@evanvolk5340]

To heavy tho

[@evann6561]

Oooooo

[@xLOBBx]

If it doesn't have a trip gtfo

[@Rprecision]

So its a rebranded arctic cat..........yawn 🥱

[@daviddube1000]

This video is why i'm unsubscribing

[@snowtrax]

See ya!

[@gregmulfort9577]

I don't mind a blue alpha cat with yamaha stickers. It's dumb that this video didn't even say the words Arctic Cat. You said fox, camso, team.. but you couldn't say the words Arctic Cat. Which is a huge dis service to anyone watching and by purposely not saying it it just shows how corporate you guys are. I'm guessing it was in your instructions from Yamaha.. Super lame guys. Try keeping it real.

[@snowtrax]

The Yamaha/Arctic Cat partnership is common knowledge industry wide and doesn't need to be addressed in every single video we produce about Yamaha. We've made dozens of videos that have acknowledged this topic. You're not presenting new or shocking information with this argument.

[@bensmith5370]

Yamacat