We can truly speak of a status quo year at Yamaha with some upgrades on certain models including the flagship Sidewinder SRX LE.
Photos by Yamaha and Motoneige Québec
• Also read: Snowmobile Notebook: several new features at Polaris this season
• Also read: Snowmobile Notebook: Lynx more present in North America
• Also read: Snowmobile Notebook: a new platform for Ski-Doo
“The manufacturer’s efforts are primarily aimed at ensuring the timely delivery of the orders placed,” emphasizes Michel Garneau of Motoneige Québec. Additionally, no model will be manufactured in Japan in the 2023 series due to existing inventory in the network.
The Electric Power Steering (DAE) system, introduced on select Sidewinder models last year, is now integrated on Sidewinder SRX LE and L-TX LE models. This rather exceptional system varies the level of assistance according to speed, with maximum intervention at low speeds.
To improve the comfort of snowmobilers who choose Yamaha’s entry-level snowmobile models, namely the SX Venom and Transporter Lite, engineers decided to add another adjustment position on the heated grips for 2023.
For its entry-level snowmobiles, including the Transporter Lite, Yamaha has added more heated grip settings.
This new way of doing things should help us lessen the tendency to have to switch between on and off positions often. It’s really a very important element of comfort.
THE SIDE WINDER
When the company introduced this model to Montana a few years ago, it was a real game changer. The name of this snowmobile, which alludes to a rocket, takes on its full meaning with the almost 200hp engine that can offer you exceptional speed performance.
This flagship of the Yamaha line gets three new upgrades for 2023. In addition to the addition of electric power steering.
The handlebar riser block was modified and increased from 11.4 cm to 8.9 cm (from 4.5 inches to 3.5 inches).
Added 5mm washers to the front of the rear of Stryke skis. This was made possible by the addition of DEA, which gave the brand’s engineers some leeway, particularly when it came to tweaking the front suspension.
Finally, this model gets a new, longer stringer with a fourth mounting screw. This smooth is aggressive. It offers better grip on the trails.
The flagship of Yamaha’s hybrid lineup, the Sidewinder X-TX LE, benefits in 2023 from the introduction of electronically adjustable iQS compression technology. The front and rear shocks are iQS versions of the Fox Zero Pro and not the versions used in the past.
THE CLIMBERS
Yamaha follows the trend towards shortened snow guards for mountain bikers. The Mountain Max LE 154 SL model is equipped with this innovative snow guard. With this new fitment, not only will the pilot find it easier to maneuver their mount in deep snow, but reverse maneuvering will also be much easier.
The new shortened powder skirt on the Mountain Max is designed to improve maneuverability in soft snow, but also when reversing.
So for 2023, the Japanese manufacturer has decided to play it safe after two years in which the market has been rocked by the pandemic. Snowmobilers who have ordered 2023 models should receive their snowmobile before the start of the season.
Now it is hoped that with the flow of stocks of current models, 2024 will see a new year in the Yamaha lineup. We will know more on the occasion of the next Snowshoots, which will take place in West Yellowstone on February 25-26-27 and March 1, when several specialists in this field will discover them.