We took a trailside break at the recent Rode Reports testing event to say goodbye to a longtime friend: The Yamaha Sidewinder SRX LE snowmobile.
Actually, we were saying goodback to all Yamaha snowmobiles and all of the glorious SRX models through time in the process. Yamaha announced in June of 2023 that its 2025 model lineup would be its last in the snowmobile market. After building a wonderful throwback graphics package for its Sidewinder for model year 2024, hopes were high for something even more dynamic for 2025.
Frankly, that didn’t happen. Instead, the brand added one new feature to its SRX, returned it to a brilliant blue and white combo and announced that only 998 of them were going to be built. That number matches the displacement 998cc turbocharged triple that powers this fun sled to incredible speeds. The roomy and stable SRV chassis, electric assist power steering, a heated seat and more return to their high-output and thoroughly entertaining machine. Join us in the video below as we take one last walk-around on this memorable model.
Great sled.
Too bad only 998 in 2025. Too bad no great retro graphics package like last few years for SRX. Need the blue and orange SRX.
Too bad Yamaha lost it’s way. They made some great sleds, 2 stroke and 4 Stroke
The manufacturer that makes the most reliable and dependable sleds is out of business while top brands make POS sleds that breakdown and and are recalled and need to be rebuilt soon and have to buy accessories as they are not properly sold to really ride in real winter conditions (need better lights, windshields etc.).
Sad state in the industry. It will be reflected in huge annual 2025 sales declines likely ~95,000 units vs 120,000.
With no more Yamaha with best durable reliable sleds WTH will Polaris, Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat and Lynx do to keep them in line?
After 2013 MY, Yamaha and Arctic Cat’s were one in the same (think Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra) other than the engine and clutches. Complete garbage imo. What is up with the 2018 Sidewinders?
Most reliable engine maybe, not most reliable suspension or most reliable drivelines. I would agree about quality up until 2013 when they signed into their joint venture with Arctic Cat. All sleds have recalls too by the way even Yamaha. In fact I had 3 different recalls within the first 6 months of owning my 2007 Phazer Fx. 2 were steering related the other was a faulty ignition. I mean other than the engine, I had to spend ALOT of $$$ to accessorize as you put it because the windshield was non-existent, my hands were frozen, my whole lower body busted up because of junk suspension and I almost slipped off my running boards because of those gaping holes in my tunnel to cool the muffler allowing ice to form. Sales will decline because people can’t afford to eat let alone buy a toy they can maybe use for 2 months a year.