There was a time a number of years ago when it was rumored that Yamaha would be out of the snowmobile business. It would be tough to imagine today with over 40 years of snowmobile design under their belt and a strong position in the market. In fact, Yamaha is the undisputed leader in 4-stroke snowmobiles after making a decision in 2003 to go that direction and never look back. For 2010 they continue with improvements and even inch ever so close to going completely fuel injected.

150HP Apex
The Apex returns as Yamaha’s flagship model with the proven high-revving 150HP 4-cyinder fuel-injected motor that makes this sled so fun to drive. It remains virtually unchanged for 2010 with three new welcome improvements; the rear suspension idler wheels now have replaceable bearings, a new RCA-style plug is added for accessories and the hand warmers have been improved. The Apex is a near-perfect trail machine with the Mono Shock rear suspension. This suspension offers a smooth ride and quick adjustment, and if you get the GT version you get the Ohlins electric adjustable shock that you can adjust on the fly from the handlebars. The mountain version of the Apex has a lightweight mountain rear suspension and built-in mountain rack and is made for big mountain fun. The Apex is still one of the nicest looking snowmobiles on the market with the high-gloss finish and futuristic looks.

Apex	Groomed Trail, 15x121x1.25 Rip Saw track Base price, basic shock package, Remote Adjustable Ohlins Mono shock
Apex GT	Groomed Trail, 15x121x1.25 Rip Saw track GYTR adjustable front shocks, Electronic Adjustable Ohlins Mono shock
Apex LTX	Trail Versatility, 15x136x1.25 Rip Saw track Basic shock package, Remote Adjustable Ohlins Mono shock
Apex LTX GT	Trail Versatility, 15x136x1.25 Rip Saw track GYTR adjustable front shocks, Electronic Adjustable Ohlins Mono shock
Apex MTX	Mountain, 16x162x2.25 Rip Saw track Lightweight mountain skid, built-in tunnel rack, mountain bar

What’s new?

• Replaceable idler wheel bearings
• Improved hand warmers
• RCA accessory plug (not on Apex MTX)

126HP Vector

In 2008 the Vector was upgraded to same class-leading fit-and-finish chassis as the Apex, but with the tried and true 120HP 3-cylinder economical carbed motor that made it famous. Putting this engine in the Apex chassis proved to be a sleeper winner for trail riders, but it was overshadowed by the popularity of the new Nytro. The Vector turned out to be Yamaha’s hidden secret as the best all-around trail machine the last two years. For 2010 the Vector gets a welcome improvement with an improved 126HP fuel-injected engine. This motor is similar to the engine found in last year’s Venture GT, but the power curve and clutching is more aggressive for the trail rider. We were able to spend a few hours riding the Vector with the new engine and it is impressive. Power is smooth and predictable, throttle response is spot-on and easy on the thumb, and it complements the chassis perfectly. It also gets an improved Remote Adjustable Mono Shock II skid with beefier rails, a larger rear axle, replaceable bearing idler wheels, extrovert drivers and other minor durability improvements. A new radiator and fan on the Vector compliments the new engine and a new waterproof membrane in the seat cover keeps the seat foam nice and dry. The 2010 Vector also gets a new high-tech gauge with fuel trip meter that keeps track of the miles since the low fuel light went on, and an oil trip meter to remind you when the oil needs to be changed. The oil meter tells you to change the oil and filter after 500 miles, oil only after 2500, 5000, etc. miles, and then the second filter at 12,000 miles and so on. Yamaha takes this sleeper machine and wakes it up for 2010.

Randy Nemitz says, "One of the first things that jumped out at me on the new fuel injected motor was the crisp throttle response.  This sled is a blast in the trails. The power in matched perfectly for aggressive trail riding or just crusin'. The fuel economy will also be a big plus. I wanted to see this motor get fuel injection a few years ago and it was worth the wait.  This is a great move for Yamaha and the consumer. Don't overlook this model."

Vector GT	Groomed Trail, 15x121x1.25 extrovert fully clipped Rip Saw track GYTR adjustable front shocks, Remote Adjustable Mono Shock II
Vector LTX GT	Groomed Trail, 15x136x1.25 extrovert fully clipped Rip Saw track GYTR adjustable front shocks, Remote Adjustable Mono Shock II

What’s new?

• 126HP fuel-injected engine
• Throttle bearing for smoother throttle pull
• Radiator and fan
• Mono Shock II rear suspension
• Fully clipped Rip Saw track
• Replaceable idler wheel bearings
• Improved hand warmers
• RCA accessory plug
• Improved gauge
• Waterproof membrane in seat cover

130HP Nytro
Two years ago the Nytro received an extreme makeover with a brand new chassis and engine, leaving behind its old body, ergos and carbs. It was a radical departure, much like the Phazer, and with its new 130HP fuel-injected motor with unsurpassed smoothness and quick acceleration, it quickly become a fun sled to ride – as long as you rode the ditches, bumps and straight lines. It really wasn’t very trail friendly as the front suspension geometry gave it an unpredictable ride. One year later and the improvements made to the Nytro’s front end made it a completely different handling machine; much better than the previous year. It is now a more fun sled to enjoy. The 2010 Nytro gets more improvements, with the Nytro MTX getting a radically new rear suspension.

The 2010 Nytro RTX SE gets the extrovert drivers with a fully clipped track. The base, RTX, XTX and MTX get the new replaceable bearing idler wheels, and the improved hand warmers – a very welcome change to this sled. All of the Nytros get the lighter weight 11-degree tunnel design that was found on the 2009 XTX and RTX. New for this year are two SE Nytro MTX models featuring a brand new springless ProMountain Air rear suspension; 153 and 162. The new skid features a brand-new Fox Float 2 front shock and Fox Float 2 XV rear shock for a truly air-sprung suspension. A savings of over 13 lbs. make the new Nytro MTX SE one of the lightest mountain sleds out there, and with a 4-stroke engine besides. The Nytro MTX SE front suspension also gets the geometry changes made last year but without the sway bar for improved maneuverability for the mountain riders.

Nytro	Rough Trail, 15x121x1.25 Rip Saw track Base price, GYTR adjustable front shocks
Nytro RTX	Rough Trail, 15x121x1.25 Rip Saw track Fox Float adjustable front shocks
Nytro RTX SE	Rough Trail, 15x121x1.25 extrovert fully clipped Rip Saw track Fox Float X dual clicker adjustable front shocks, SOQI HPG dual clicker rear shocks
Nytro XTX	Crossover, 15x144x1.25 Rip Saw track GYTR adjustable front shocks
Nytro MTX	Mountain, 15x153x2.25 Maverick track, ProMountain CK 153 rear suspension SOQI HPG shocks
Nytro MTX SE 152	Mountain, 15x153x2.25 Maverick track, ProMountain Air 153 rear suspension Fox Float 2 Air shocks
Nytro MTX SE 163	Mountain, 15x162x2.25 Maverick track, ProMountain Air 162 rear suspension Fox Float 2 Air shocks

What’s new?

• FXG2 front end
• ProMountain Air rear suspension
• New tunnel
• Fox Float 2 Air shocks
• New single-ply Camoplast track
• Improved hand warmers
• Replaceable bearing idlers
• Extrovert drivers (model specific)

80HP Phazer
The Phazer continues to be one of our favorite fun-factor machines, and it is a great entry-level machine for the entire family. It is a machine that we find ourselves wanting to ride when we simply want to go have fun and we aren’t concerned about long-distant riding; although it can certainly be used for that, too. For 2010 the Phazer remains unchanged but is available for several riding styles including groomed trail, rough trail and mountain.

Phazer	Groomed Trail, 14x121x1 Rip Saw track Base price, basic shock package, no-frills
Phazer GT	Groomed Trail, 14x121x1 Hacksaw track GYTR dual clicker front shocks, windshield
Phazer RTX	Rough Trail, 14x121x1 Rip Saw track Fox Float front shocks, windshield and hand guards
Phazer MTX	Mountain, 14x144x2 Maverick track HPG front shocks

Touring and Utility
Last year Yamaha made a big improvement to its flagship two-up touring cruiser. It remains unchanged for 2010 with the exception of the addition of an all black version. The other models in this segment also remain unchanged for 2010 other than color.

Venture GT (126HP)
Venture (120HP)
Phazer Lite (80HP)
Viking Professional

NEW 2009 Generator   What does a generator have to do with snowmobiling? Well, nothing really unless you use a generator in your enclosed trailer or take one with you if you race, but it does have a motor and most snowmobilers are outdoors people in general and a generator is a power tool that you might use while hunting or camping. This particular one has some unique features that make it worthy of a release on Max Sled.     This generator is actually a 2009 model, since we really are in 2009. We get spoiled with snowmobiles because we release information in the spring about next year’s models coming out next fall. So when we say that this generator is new for 2009, it truly is new right now.   Yamaha is introducing the EF2000iS generator. It is a 44 lb., 2000 peak watt generator that is very portable, very quiet and has a low 51.5 – 61 decibel rating. It runs on standard 87 octane fuel and is efficient in that it will run about 10.5 hours at 400 watts or 4.2 hours at 1600 watts. The unique thing about this generator is its Sidewinder Parallel Kit option. If you have two of these generators, you can hook them up so that you can get 3600 watts total out of them. The compact design allows it to be stored easily and hidden out of the way and at only 44 lbs. it can easily be carried around. Check out the new EF2000iS in the Outdoors section at www.yamaha-motor.com

Accessories and Clothing
Yamaha is improving its accessories by partnering with some big names in the aftermarket clothing segment. FXR will continue to offer Yamaha branded clothing for them, but a new partner will offer some of the lighter and high-end, high-tech clothing with the Yamaha brand; Klim. Klim is well known in the industry for its super high-tech Gore-Tex lined clothing and you’ll be able to get it with the Yamaha branding subtly sewn onto the gear. They even branded their F4 helmet and Klim Adrenaline boots with the Yamaha logo.

Spring Promo
Yamaha is also taking a truly unique approach to the spring promotions. Instead of plunking down your hard-earned cash this spring in the hopes of getting the best deal on a Yamaha sled, all you have to do is go into your Yamaha dealer and put your name down on a purchase of a Yamaha sled that you’ll pick up in the fall with any fall promotions that may come out. You will get a voucher to receive a full four-year transferrable bumper-to-bumper warranty on your new Yamaha sled that you pick up in the fall. This is good on any model you choose, but you have to sign up this spring. Remember, there’s no money down, so what do you have to lose?

Wrap-up
Yamaha really has a pretty simple lineup in a sport that has been bombarded with lean winters (except these last two) and the economy. There’s basically 7 chassis (Apex, Nytro, Phazer, Phazer Lite, Venture GT, Venture (classic), Viking), 6 market segments (rough trail/ditch, groomed trail, trail versatility, crossover, mountain, touring/utility) and 5 engine classes (150HP 4-cyl. FI, 130HP 3-cyl. FI, 126HP 3-cyl. FI, 120HP 3-cyl. carb, 80HP 2-cyl. FI), which covers the market for 2010. You may think Yamaha is resting on its laurels, but really they aren’t. They are improving the machines that need improving, filling all the market segments with proven 4-stroke power, continuing to lead the market in fit and finish and keeping their customers happy with high resale value and lower 4-stroke MSRPs than the competition. In a market that has been attacked by Mother Nature and when she cooperates is attacked by economic forces, Yamaha is doing the right thing; improving, adding something new and keeping customers happy. And that is what excites us about the 2010 models from Yamaha.

For colors and choices, visit your Yamaha dealer or go to http://www.yamaha-motor.com/