2023/6/20 Yamaha : Year of the Sidewinder - SledMagazine.

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Yamaha : Year of the Sidewinder

 Denis Lavoie  March 16, 2016  12:00 am  Reviews, Snowmobiles

Table of contents

In February 2013, Yamaha announced to snowmobilers that new models would be introduced
each year during the 5 following years. Also, Yamaha people promised to offer at least 2 new
engines during the same period of time.


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Last September, the Japanese company made quite a remarkable entrance in the ultra-sport
side-by-side industry. Effectively, with the introduction of the YXZ 1000, the manufacturer
presented a brand new 4-stroke engine of 112 HP. By the way, this is currently the most
powerful naturally aspirated engine on the market.

This dry sump engine is very similar to Yamaha snowmobile engines. Then we thought that
this same engine could equip the 2017 Yamaha models.

We misread Yamaha’s intentions ! Effectively, Yamaha surprised us with the presentation of a

new snowmobile lineup called Sidewinder. The models of this lineup are propelled by the
brand new Genesis Turbo engine. According to the manufacturer, this engine could reach,
even deliver more than 190 HP on standard units.

Before describing the new models, let’s take a look at the new technologies offered by
Yamaha for 2017…

Genesis Turbo engine

To begin, let me be clear, this is a brand new triple engine of 998 cc designed from A to Z to
operate with a turbo. In fact, this engine cannot be operated without turbo… So, all
components of this engine have been designed with this in mind.

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One of the goals pursued by Yamaha engineers was to create a very smooth supercharging
system with very quick response, thus to have a turbocharged engine that does not react like
a traditional turbo engine. Such an engine could deliver all its power more gradually and more
predictably for optimal snowmobile control.

If we compare the power of this new engine with the 1049 cc engine of the SRViper models,
we gain 40 % more power (190 vs about 135 HP). Also, its torque is increased by about 50 %.
On the following chart, we can also notice the important increase of the torque between 3500
and 4000 RPM.

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On trail, we can then expect stronger accelerations at low RPM.

Now, let’s see how Yamaha engineers managed to get these performances.

Exhaust manifold
We have here a 3-in-1 exhaust manifold. It is designed to withstand temperatures over 900 °C
and to resist to fatigue produced by repeated expansion and contraction. Also, this manifold
is very compact, which allows it to offer to exhaust gas the shortest path to turbine side of
the turbo. The energy of these exhaust gas is efficiently transferred to the turbine, which
reduces the time of response of the engine.

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Turbocharger
The turbine casing is made of nickel alloy that makes it solid and resistant to extremely high
temperatures. Balls of ball bearings are made of ceramic. These bearings support the blades
made of Inconel; this is a super light alloy resistant to oxidation and corrosion in extreme
conditions (pressure and temperature).

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The compressor casing is made of die-cast aluminum. Blades are made of aluminum alloy.

Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

The Yamaha Mitsubishi ECU uses 9 sensors to get the conditions of use and to determine
the parameters to adjust according to a preset data table. These parameters concern the
ignition, the fuel level, the pressure in manifold and the boost pressure to produce for optimal
performances.

Data given by sensors :

Speed of track
Atmospheric pressure
RPM
Engine pre-ignition
Coolant temperature
Throttle lever position
Air temperature in manifold 
Air pressure in manifold
Boost pressure
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Reliability
Reliability has always been an important issue for Yamaha people. In fact, this is the most
famous characteristic of their products. So, engineers took this aspect very seriously when
they designed this new engine. Here are some components which characteristics prove this
intention :

Engine block
The engine block is made of aluminum for more lightness. The internal surface of the
cylinders is covered with a ceramic material for excellent resistance to abrasion. Also,
cylinders and pistons have the same ratio of thermal expansion. This maximizes the
contact surface of the compression in the combustion chamber (reduced loss of
compression), which provides a more efficient combustion.

Crankshaft
The crankshaft is designed to resist to stress produced by boosted engine. This
crankshaft is also used in the YXZ 1000 engine we talked about earlier. Yamaha
representatives told us that using the same component brings noticeable economies of
scale. This said, using some components in a few engines is their only common
element.

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Piston rods
The new pistons are made of forged aluminum and designed to be lightweight and
resistant. Their lightness improves the time of response of the engine all while reducing
vibration.

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Pistons
The new pistons are made of forged aluminum and designed to be lightweight and
resistant. Their lightness improves the time of response of the engine all while reducing
vibration.

Pistons are also cooled by sprinklers that throw oil underneath them. Along with
cooling the pistons, the oil provides good lubrication. This system allowed Yamaha to
use lighter pistons.

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Counter-balancing shaft
For smoother engine operating at high RPM, a counter-balancing shaft is used. This
reduces vibration, which improves riding experience.

New YSRC clutching

In order to maximize the engine performances, the pulleys efficiency is very important. This
is the reason why Yamaha decided to introduce a new clutch system. The primary clutch has
been designed to be used with more powerful engines. Effectively, it is more robust, more
efficient and provides better cooling. 

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The secondary clutch has new plates with different angles. Also, there are small edges for an
improved cooling since it increases air flow. Pads have also been replaced by rollers.

In short, this new clutch system allows :

Improved cooling
Usage in a wider range of power
More efficient gear shifting
More robust design
Better adjustment of the width of plates
Excellent duration of the belts
Finally, these pulleys require very low maintenance.

And now, here is the Sidewinder !

As for the SRViper lineup, the Sidewinder models are produced within the supply agreement
between Arctic Cat and Yamaha. So, the development of the Genesis Turbo engine has been
achieved in collaboration with the manufacturer from Thief River Falls, would it be only for its
adjustment to the SRV chassis.

However, some elements make the Sidewinder different from the SRViper, like :

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New panels (a new look)

Engine exhaust pointing backwards
New silencer
New clutches
New belt (change of angles)
New heat exchanger (radiator)

There is a Sidewinder for everyone

For this first year of production, Yamaha spared no expense to choose which segment-s of
the lineup would receive a Sidewinder model. Effectively, including the models available
during Spring Power Surge, not less than 12 new models will be offered for 2017. So, here is
the complete lineup of Sidewinder models :

Sidewinder R-TX LE (Trail)

Ripsaw II track of 29 x 1.25 in/328 x 3,2 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero QS3 Kashima shocks
Heated seat
Low windshield

Sidewinder R-TX LE

Sidewinder R-TX SE (Trail)

Ripsaw II track of 129 x 1.25 in/328 x 3,2 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero C shocks 
Medium windshield

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Sidewinder R-TX SE

Sidewinder L-TX LE

Ripsaw II track of 137 x 1.25 in/348 x 3,2 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero QS3 Kashima front shock
Heated seat
Low windshield

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Sidewinder L-TX LE

Sidewinder L-TX SE (Trail)

Ripsaw II track of 137 x 1.25 in/348 x 3,2 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero C shocks
Medium windshield

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Sidewinder L-TX SE

Sidewinder L-TX DX (Trail)

Ripsaw II track of 137 x 1.25 in/348 x 3,2 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Alu HP shocks
Tall windshield

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Sidewinder L-TX DX

Sidewinder S-TX DX (Trail – Touring solo)

Cobra track of 137 x 1.6 in/348 x 4 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Alu HP shocks
Tall windshield
Large tunnel bag
2 removable saddlebags

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Sidewinder S-TX DX

Sidewinder X-TX LE 137 (Hybrid)

BackCountry track of 137 x 1.75 in/348 x 4,4 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero QS3 shocks
Low windshield

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Sidewinder X-TX LE 137

Sidewinder X-TX LE 141 (Hybrid)

Power Claw track of 141 x 2.25 in/358 x 5,7 cm

Ski stance of 40 in/101,6 cm
Fox Float Evol shocks
Heated seat
Low windshield

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Sidewinder X-TX LE 141

Sidewinder X-TX SE 141 (Hybrid)

Cobra track of 141 x 1.6 in/358 cm x 4 cm

Ski stance of 42 in/106,7 cm
Fox Zero C shocks
Medium windshield

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Sidewinder X-TX SE 141

Sidewinder B-TX LE 153 (Hybrid – Mountain)

Power Claw track of 153 x 2.25 in/388,6 x 5,7 cm

Ski stance of 40 in/101,6 cm
Fox Float Evol shocks
Heated seat
Low windshield

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Sidewinder B-TX LE 153

Sidewinder B-TX SE 153 (Hybrid – Mountain)

Power Claw track of 153 x 1.75 in/388,6 x 4,4 cm

Ski stance of 40 in/101,6 cm
Fox Float 3 shocks
Low windshield

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Sidewinder B-TX SE 153

Sidewinder M-TX SE 162 (Mountain)

Power Claw track of 162 x 3.0 in/411,5 x 7,6 cm

Ski stance of 36 in/91,4 cm
Fox Float 3 shocks
Low windshield

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Sidewinder M-TX SE 162

Our first impressions

On the day this article is being written, we did not have the chance yet to try out the new
Sidewinder or even to see it for real… Effectively, at the media presentations of last January,
there was no unit in the show room… Too new ?

However, when this article will be published, some delegates of SledMagazine.com will be
attending the 2017 Snow Shoot in West Yellowstone, Montana. Then, we will be able to
present our first impressions very soon.

Denis Lavoie
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