Japanese snowmobilesYamaha snowmobiles (Yamaha)
The Japanese manufacturer Yamaha is one of the world's best developers of a wide variety of equipment, among which snowmobiles occupy a worthy place .
Well, among them, the Yamaha Viking 540 model is especially distinguished. This device is the most successful development of the company .
It is very popular and is used all over the world. The reason for this is the excellent performance characteristics.
When starting a conversation about this snowmobile model, from the first words I would like to note its great cross-country ability, excellent endurance and ability to transport cargo.
At the same time, we can talk about this snowmobile as an economical and reliable device.
But these qualities, however, can be attributed to any Yamaha equipment.
Features of Yamaha snowmobiles
Yamaha snowmobiles come in four types:
- Utilitarian, for movement in difficult conditions;
- Tourist, for thrills;
- Sports, providing more active recreation;
- Mountain, for snow-capped peaks.
These vehicles have engines of approximately 40 horsepower, long and wide tracks, and can be equipped with trailers and luggage racks. Sports models can accelerate to 200 km/h .
They easily cope with obstacles.
The legendary Yamaha Viking 540 family
In addition to high power, snowmobiles of the Yamaha Viking 540 family have good handling .
And this property makes them suitable for any need.
The plastic body kit of the Japanese snowmobile hides a two-cylinder two-stroke engine, the volume of which is 535 cubic meters.
The efficient carburetor of the Mikuni model ensures economical fuel consumption . At the same time, the engine produces 46 horsepower.
Forced air cooling is used here, so the equipment can be used at low positive temperatures.
Regardless of the two-stroke engine, the snowmobile will smoke only during warm-up. And when the operating temperature is reached, the smoke is almost invisible.
The power unit is equipped with a separate automatic lubrication system , so the owner does not need to prepare a mixture of gasoline and oil.
The octane number of gasoline poured into the tank must be at least 92. Well, the lubricant tank is filled with 2.5 liters of two-stroke oil specialized for snowmobiles.
It should be noted that similar models of domestically produced snowmobiles are not capable of mixing gasoline with oil automatically, but their price is much lower.
Specifications
Before purchasing a snowmobile, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with its technical characteristics:
- Engine: 2-stroke type with a volume of 535 cc.
- Double cylinders
- Cooling - axial fan. Diameter 73x64 mm.
- Fuel system - flat throttle with 2 heating devices.
- Clutch and gears: High/low/reverse transmission, CVT.
- The intake system is a reed valve.
- Ignition is electronic.
- The exhaust is a muffler with a resonator device.
- The brake system is disc.
- Tank capacity 44 l.
- Height 1.43 thousand mm.
- The overall length is 3.05 thousand mm.
- Overall width 1190 mm.
- Track 940 mm.
The Yamaha snowmobile has a built-in headlight with improved power and 2 lamps: the head light fits well with the overall design and provides excellent visibility in the dark. The device has a lifting seat that hides the trunk, which can accommodate a small set of different tools needed for work, and there is room for transporting necessary things on the road.
The comfortable seat of the car is higher than the previous one, which increases comfort, especially on a rough road. The passenger side is the same height as the driver's side, so a long trip will be a comfortable rest.
Maximum performance on snow
To move on any snow, the Viking 540 is equipped with wide skis.
This guarantees excellent cross-country ability in deep snow, as well as good handling.
The snowmobile has individual features:
- Rear torsion bar suspension, which is responsible for comfort;
- With tracks of increased width, as well as a star equipped with external gearing, this allows the driver to easily overcome virgin snow;
- Simplicity for everyday use;
- Attractive design.
Considering utilitarianism
Reverse gear is standard on high/low gearboxes
Since the Yamaha RS Viking Professional snowmobile was designed as a utilitarian snowmobile, it is equipped with Yamaha's most advanced 4-stroke engine. The Genesis 120 was designed specifically as a snowmobile engine, i.e. with high torque and high efficiency due to the fuel injection system. The air-cooled Viking 540 engine also has plenty of torque, but being a 2-stroke, it tends to gradually lose power once it reaches its mid-range level. The 4-stroke RS Viking Professional pulls three times longer, peaking at around 8200rpm, making it an excellent replacement for the VK 540. And although the liquid-cooled engine has a relatively high 11.3 compression ratio, it runs just fine on regular 87-octane petrol.
The RS Viking Professional chassis is designed specifically for the Genesis 120, a rigid Deltabox chassis with a low mid-engine position for improved handling. Yamaha's YVXC drive system works with a three-speed transmission, and you can rely entirely on the dual-piston disc brake system when you need to stop. The brake discs are ventilated, which both reduces the overall weight of the structure and improves cooling of the brake system. Thus, this is a significantly more modernized version than the Viking 540 (VK 540), equipped with mechanical disc brakes.
History of the Viking 540 model range
The Yamaha Viking VK540 snowmobile lineup is the result of continuous improvement of this technology.
Japanese manufacturers always try to ensure high quality, reliability and at the same time achieve maximum simplicity of design.
The first snowmobile of this line came out in the early 80s. To this day, a lot has changed in it, only its high popularity has remained unchanged.
From 2001 to 2011, the Yamaha Viking VK540 III model was used and actively improved.
In 2012, the world saw an improved version of the Yamaha Viking VK540 IV.
Wide plastic skis and a new adjustable rear suspension are already used here.
A new variator belt has also been used, the service life of which has been significantly increased.
In 2014-2015, fans of snow racing could enjoy the wonderful sensations of riding the Yamaha Viking 540 IV Limited camouflage.
All these models have their differences , and most importantly, improvements that were used on the basis of the latest modern developments.
Owner reviews
“I’ve been driving Viking 4 for four years now, during which time I had to change the variator and fan belts. I liked the snowmobile, it just gets hot at high speeds, and when warm weather becomes uncomfortable due to the blowing of the engine, there is a slight lack of power, and the gas consumption is high. Among the positive qualities, I would like to note: reliability, cross-country ability.”
“Viking 540 4 is a good car, it starts without problems in severe frosts. But after the purchase and delivery from the showroom, I made modifications: I installed the boiler, sealed the gap with a sealant, installed a primer, and temperature sensors.”
“One of the advantages I would like to note is the cross-country ability. The car is well suited for rural areas and has an automatic transmission. But the design has a manual start - I didn’t like it, it’s too hard to start. But overall the product is excellent for the price.”
Viking 540 models and their features
In 2010, a new and improved model, the Yamaha Viking 540 III, entered the market.
Its capabilities have received the best ratings from ordinary users and professionals.
Yamaha Viking 540 III
This snowmobile will undoubtedly become a faithful assistant . He is strong and very pliable.
It has already received high marks from residents of the north and hunters, who were able to fully experience the benefits of the Yamaha Viking 540 III.
It has a 535 cc 2-stroke engine with a power of 53 horsepower.
It is air-cooled, and the snowmobile itself weighs less than similar 4-stroke counterparts. The chassis is durable .
ProAction model rear suspension. The damping of the gas-directed shock absorber can be adjusted. The spring hardness is also adjusted and this ensures a smooth ride .
The track is wide – 508 mm, equipped with 25 mm lugs, which provide better traction with loose snow. This ensures the snowmobile can handle any conditions.
The Viking 540 III snowmobile is all about convenience.
Electric starter, soft seat, capacious trunk, heated handles, all this is created to ensure maximum comfort during trips.
Unlike a car, a motorcycle DVR will not only record everything you see, but will also remember the track and mark the acceleration.
This Yamaha motorcycle turned out to be not only solid and beautiful, but also very reliable, for which it is still in demand today.
Yamaha Viking 540 IV
This model provides a variety of options. But, in addition, the Yamaha Viking 540 IV has a reduced weight .
First of all, you should pay attention to the improved unique rear suspension mechanism .
Here you can also change the spring stiffness and the level of shock absorber deformation.
A reverse function is also provided, and the transmission is equipped with an increased number of gears.
Wide skis, stars with torsion clutch, as in the previous model, contribute to good maneuverability.
The reverse chassis was equipped with a twelve-inch vertical suspension.
Technical characteristics of Yamaha Viking (Yamaha Viking) 540 IV | |
Dimensions, mm | 3,055 x 1,190 x 1,3552 |
engine's type | two-stroke |
Working volume, cubic meters cm | 535 |
Cooling | air |
Transmission | variator with reduction gear |
Front suspension | telescopic struts, Hydraulic shock absorbers |
Front suspension travel, mm | 150 |
Rear suspension | Flip Up Rails, ProActive, 2 Gas Shocks |
Rear suspension travel, mm | 385 |
Track type, width, mm | Camoplast Ripsaw, 508 |
Fuel tank capacity, l | 31,0 |
Viking VK540 IV Limited
This improved model has features such as a powerful engine, an air-cooled system, a new torsion bar rear suspension, wide skis, and tracks.
Few serious players in the snowmobile market can provide a model that can compete with the Viking VK540 IV Limited.
What's so special here?
Firstly, the two-cylinder two-stroke engine has been retained from previous models. However, the skis have become even wider and more comfortable , equipped with optimized skates.
There is also a two-speed transmission with good reverse. The chest trunk has become stronger, and the double seat has become more comfortable.
Secondly, higher quality footrests are used here; they are stronger and more reliable . Enlarged windshield glass provides better protection.
Technical characteristics of Yamaha Viking (Yamaha Viking) 540 IV | |
Dimensions, mm | 3055 / 1190 / 1355 mm |
engine's type | two-stroke |
Working volume, cubic meters cm | 535 |
Cooling | air, axial fan |
Transmission | YVXC, stepless, 2 forward + reverse |
Front suspension | telescopic stand |
Front suspension travel, mm | 150 |
Rear suspension travel, mm | 385 |
Track type, width, mm | 3922 / 508 / 35 mm |
Fuel tank capacity, l | 31,0 |
In our article, we examined in detail Kawasaki ATVs, which have always combined and combine incredible reliability, the latest technology and a bright, easily recognizable design.
All components of this Kawasaki motorcycle are mounted on a diamond-shaped frame. When creating it, pipes made of high-strength steel were used.
Viking 540 IV Tough Pro
Maximum reliability and affordability - this is the Viking 540 IV Tough Pro.
It is these two properties that domestic consumers are always lacking.
This new modification, which appeared in 2015, was created specifically for use in Russia . All the features of the difficult conditions of this country are taken into account here.
A specially prepared mixture of oil and gasoline (premix) is used for lubrication. The result is high reliability in sub-zero temperatures.
And the use of manual start provides a significant reduction in weight . It also features a simple but particularly robust bumper design.
As a result of these innovations, the VK540 Tough Pro snowmobile is 16 kg lighter than its predecessor.
As a result, controllability, stability and mobility have increased, and the operational capabilities of the vehicle have become wider.
So the latest model of the VK540 snowmobile has excellent consumer qualities .
Load capacity
The last important technical characteristic of this snowmobile is its load capacity. As mentioned above, it literally surprises - with its own weight of less than 300 kilograms, it can easily carry more weight at an excellent speed of 60 kilometers per hour. Please note that you can also secure a load of even greater weight behind you - a reduction gear will help you drag it. The result is a virtually ideal snowmobile, which has deservedly earned its worldwide fame and has repeatedly confirmed that it is ideal for any tasks assigned to it.
Estimated cost
The cost of the Yamaha Viking 540 IV Tough Pro snowmobile – 2014-2015 model year is within 400,000 rubles.
Its predecessor, the Yamaha Viking 540 IV, produced in 2013, will cost about 350,000 rubles.
And, of course, the Yamaha Viking 540 III, produced in 2010, was valued at 300,000 rubles on the domestic market.
There is also a 1994 model - Yamaha Viking 540 E, for which you will need to pay 200,000 rubles.
But the Yamaha Viking 540, 2007 costs 240,000 rubles.
To ride a Husky snowmobile, you don’t need any special skills; it can be used by both adults and teenagers.
The presence of a special bag helps snowmobile owners decide how to transport certain things and objects.
Placement of cargo.
The RS Viking Professional's tall, wide seat with integrated luggage compartment sits above the ProAction Plus rear suspension and 3,962mm track. The RS Viking's rear passenger seat section is removable, creating more space for luggage in the rear cargo area. Open the seat cover and there's a spacious underseat storage area for storing rope, tools, a hand winch, or just a snack.
Passenger seat with backrest can be removed to increase luggage space
Photo gallery
Yamaha equipment satisfies the needs of real professionals, for whom winter travel is not a novelty, and who know what to demand from a premium car. In terms of appearance and ergonomics, the design of multi-purpose snowmobiles is exceptional in terms of comfort for the passenger and driver.
Video
We bring to your attention a video featuring the hero of our article.
The author of this video shows us how easily the Yamaha Viking 540 moves through deep snow. Did you like the article? Tell your friends!
Comments (4)
- Andrey Dobryansky:
02/28/2015 at 10:35I have always been amazed by the quality of Japanese technology. 40 horsepower with an engine capacity of 535 cubic meters is solid! Another concern is the price issue. Has the Yamaha Viking gone up in price much in the last couple of months?
Answer
- admin:
02/28/2015 at 13:04
Prices have not changed significantly, while already imported equipment is still being sold. Mostly from 2013. The newest models have risen in price, quite significantly.
Answer
- Lubomir:
02/28/2015 at 11:11
Great snowmobile. I drove this with my relatives in the Carpathians. For a beginner, it seemed very easy to control, excellent speed and stability. A very useful form of transport for those who live in snowy areas.
Answer
- Dana:
03/02/2015 at 11:25
My husband and I are lovers of outdoor activities and high-speed snowmobiling! That year we purchased a snowmobile - a Yamaha Viking 540. Crazy about this purchase! Easy to operate, high speed, stylish design. Indeed, this is the most successful device of the company.
Answer