Yamaha Venture Lite 4-stroke,  2-up 

-OR-

Bob Davis (aka Hondo) at the 2008 NH Grass Drags

Ski-Doo MX-Z TNT with Rev-XP suspension and the impressive new E-TECH engine.  Too expensive, dream on.  But it was the first pick.

Yamaha Venture Lite 4-stroke due to a competitive price, quiet operation, superb gas mileage, low cost of ownership and long-track 2-up comfort without weighing too much. 

I always go for comfort as the priority, not speed.  I also prefer leading edge technology as opposed to lagging edge that will eventually become obsolete.  Prior to purchase, Yamaha would need to calm down the 4-stroke engine lurching issues.  If not corrected in time, I'd go for the more expensive 1-up Ski-Doo TNT with the E-TECH engine above.  Not as comfortable overall but a far smoother engine response.

The Yamaha RS Venture has a 1000cc-class
4-stroke engine and a more traditional design. Quiet, green and fuel-stingy.  The RS Venture has been the long-time market leader for higher end 2-ups and many can be found on the used market.  If Honda Motorcycles ever made a snowmobile, the RS Venture would be their Gold Wing equivalent. By design the RS Venture is not a rocket ship but it is exceedingly quiet and comfortable for longer trips.

2009 is possibly the last year for the RS Venture as the completely new RS Venture GT seems be taking over the high-end market position for a no-compromise 2-up sled.

Note:  This exact model (even color) now has the Guinness World record for most miles traveled in a single 60-day period at 12,163 miles.  Owner Bob Davis From Eagle Lake, Maine actually rode  14,633 miles during the winter 2008 season.  The same 2005 RS Venture has over 36,000 miles on the same engine and is still going strong.

Links to Bob Davis' world record held by a 2005 Yamaha RS Venture

Guiness

Totally Yamaha

Yamaha Blogs

After the sale support
This Phazer was purchased used with only 523 miles and was still under the factory warranty.  Yamaha had a known cooling issue with this next-generation Phazer.  This model also had some other teething issues with this radically new sled design so we'll see if Yamaha makes good on their warranty.  I suspect that they will respond appropriately as they have a quality reputation as being the Honda of snowmobiles. 

December 10th, 2008 Update:  Yamaha and HK Powersports in Laconia, NH will cover all factory updates under warranty, no hassles, no questions asked. These particular Yamaha models may not be the fastest or the meanest bad boys on the trails, but for fit, finish and commitment to quality, their reputation is quite genuine.

A FIX:  The Phazer tread tunnel hole needs to be closed off as the muffler melts the kicked-up snow causing an ice buildup.  The do-it-yourself fix is a simple sheet of 24"x14" aluminum to cover a hole.  Now standard on the 2009 models.

Test drives below...

The Morning after...
First impressions after the new sleds were first driven on Dec 20th, 2008.
Keep in mind that most of our 25+ years of experience comes from a 2-stroke and often 2-passenger background.   Neither sled is designed to be a competitive racer but one couldn't find two 4-stroke sleds that could be more different .

Yamaha RS Venture 4-stroke engine, plush two seater:

• Very quite, exceedingly comfortable, a long trip cruiser

• Try to imagine driving a couch... now you're getting close

• No smell

• None of the expected 4-stroke engine deceleration lurching.  Very smooth.

Yamaha Phazer GT 4-stroke engine, single narrow seat:

• A very different kind of snowmobile as far as feel

• You ride high and far forward. 

• Narrow seat like a dirt bike.

• Can operate sitting or standing with equal enjoyment. A first for us.

• Light, nimble, responsive and easy to drive

• None of the expected 4-stroke engine lurching. 

• No smell

• On test drive day, neither Dean nor Dad wanted to give up the Phazer.  It became the instant favorite!

• A quiet, mellow engine purr that does not sound at all like a raspy snowmobile.  No more brap-brap sound which helps to keep the trails open.

• Looks like an huge insect which the kids love... takes getting used to for the rest of us... then grows on you.

• The most-fun snowmobile that either of us has ever driven, hands down.  The fun-o-meter was pinned!

The time for buying any more 2-strokes is over.

We'll see how oncoming trail riders respond to the new traffic messaging concept but the special LED's are bright.  Yellow means that you are the first sled in an oncoming group, green the last sled.