2001 Yamaha SRX 700
Four small changes, one sweet sled
Wade West
10/1/2000
It's been three years in a row now. The SRX has been at or near the top of our editorial picks since it rolled our eyeballs back into our skulls in '98. Everything we liked about the SRX 700 in the past holds true for 2001- performance, ergos, style points. A few of our gripes were even addressed- needs separate warmer controls, cornering bite. Only one remains- ornamental windshield.
Yamaha made one change in each of four different aspects of its top performance machine: aesthetics, performance, comfort and service.
Consumers will first notice the SRX's new look. The all-blue scheme of last season has been replaced with an attractive blue and silver contrasting paint job. The windscreen also went to smoke.
The performance-enhancing change from 2000 to 2001 comes in the form of a new hydraulic brake disc. The new part has been lightened by cutting additional ventilator holes in the inner portion of the rotor. The result is a reduction of .35 pounds of rotating mass, which is what inhibits acceleration, thanks to our good friend, Inertia.
Yamaha also tells us that the new disc undergoes a revised balancing process to reduce any vibration caused by imbalances in the rotor.
The third change is for rider comfort. Yamaha finally split the hand and thumb warmer circuits to allow riders to set each at a comfortable level. The two knobs have ten little clicks on them to help index favorite settings. Everything about the new switches' operation is great, except the location of the knobs. While longtime Yamaha riders won't have trouble finding the controls on the dash, we'd like to see them relocated to an easier to reach spot on the dash or handlebar area.
The fourth and final major change on the 2001 SRX is the addition of a grease zerk on the steering idler arm. This will make it much easier to maintain lubrication on this important joint. Better lubrication means better steering effort and response down the trail.
Overall, the SRX is still one of the best sleds on the market today. The only thing we'd really like to see Yamaha address is the decorative windshield. But as long as there are dealer options and aftermarket alternatives available, we'll learn to live with it. Concluded Test Rider Jeff Velander, "If I were buying a sled this year, this would be a hard one to pass up."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------.
2002 YAMAHA SRX
Is This The Best Performing Out-of-the-Box Snowmobile Ever?
Claimed to be the most advanced and quickest top performance sled on the snow, the SRX continues to lead the way both in acceleration and in customer satisfaction.
What else would you expect from a motor company which has changed the rules and turned heads in every other motorsports segment they're involved in? Yamaha Motor Corporation has lead the charge in off-road motorcycle technology with their new breed of four-stroke dirt bikes. Yamaha is laying down more ponies to the pavement than ever with their R1 and R6 race bred sportbikes and Yamaha has one of the most diverse and exciting ATV model lineups in the industry, including the high performance 660 Raptor sport ATV.
Injecting this forward thinking and industry leading technology into their snowmobile division, Yamaha has developed a leading top performance sled with the SRX 700 and for 2002, the technology continues to push the envelope. This is a dedicated full-on performance snowmobile that blends top performance, trail manners and sharp handling into a tight package.
Potent Engine
It all starts with a compact and formidable triple cylinder powerplant, which features electronic controlled exhaust valves, 3-dimensional ignition, rare earth magneto, liquid heated flatslide carbs, and new for 2002, an automatic Detonation Control System (DCS).
From first squeeze through wide-open throttle, the SRX delivers a power hit with seamless pull. In fact, the SRX slammed out of the gates at the American Snowmobiler Old Forge Shootout last winter, and was proudly proclaimed the quickest box-stock snowmobile ever in the history of the competition, regardless of displacement.
Industry First: The new DCS keeps this unrelenting performance in check by monitoring the combustion process and moving into a fail-safe ignition retard zone when the potential for power robbing engine detonation is present. Go ahead, let the SRX engine scream the performance note it was intended and leave the worries of bad fuel and irregular jetting to advanced Yamaha technology.
Pro-Action Suspension
But all that power doesn't mean anything if you're merely hanging on for holy Hannah. Here's where the backbone of the SRX breed comes to the party. Based on the ProAction system chassis and suspension, the rigid and corner carving traits are tailored to the SRX power surge to deliver razor sharp handling, aggressive yet controllable weight transfer and an excellent ride quality.
Extras include a 300 watt magneto to power the projector style headlamps and infinitely adjustable hand and thumb warmer controls. At the other side of the bar is a hydraulic brake system delivering one finger pull stops with a progressive feel.
New Features
Industry Exclusive Detonation Control System (DCS) self-adjusts ignition timing for optimal performance, providing greater power and higher reliability.
Performance
The American Snowmobiler 2001 Shoot-Out results and numerous grass drag victories prove that the SRX can beat the competition's 800cc sleds. Triple-cylinder engine with industry-leading self-cleaning electronic power valves maintains strong engine performance. Exclusive CNC-machined exhaust ports deliver consistently high performance. Exclusive liquid-heated carburetors maintain excellent throttle response and fuel economy. Exclusive 360-degree indexed spark timing provides stronger spark and more consistent performance. Exclusive 300W D.C. CDI with throttle position sensor and 3D-ignition system provides strong low-end power and excellent throttle response.
Handling
Lightweight, rigid ProAction System Chassis has up to twice the torsional rigidity of competitive designs to provide razor-sharp handling. ProAction SRX rear suspension with aggressive control rod location and calibration provides excellent weight transfer and acceleration. The hydraulic brake system requires just one-finger effort and provides a progressive feel. Exclusive inner-ventilated brake rotor provides superior cooling.
Comfort/Convenience
Exclusive single-point, Quick-Adjust rear suspension allows the rider to quickly adjust both effective shock damping and spring rates to suit their riding style. Premium, rebuildable, aluminum-body KYB gas shocks provide class-leading ride quality. Standard tunnel protectors and front heat exchanger guard allows for easier after-market track studding. Separate temperature controls for handgrip and thumb warmers offer 10 settings each for greater comfort. Dual headlight design and high output 300W magneto system provides excellent nighttime visibility. Exclusive mechanical parking brake for peace of mind when trailering. Exclusive adjustable brake lever for a custom fit.