[bob3663]

But I have a few questions. Been lurking here and pioneer forum. I saw the video of the blue viking stuck in a mud hole. Has anyone else had that noise happen to them? What is the biggest tire you can put on it with no mods? I would like to run 26-27 inch tires. Does the suspension sag after a while? I'm a bigger guy and with the wife in it with me we would have about 400 pounds plus gear and possibly a 100 lb lab. Will it hold up? Can the suspension be preload adjusted? I have seen anything about that being possible. Is the hit rear differential really that big of a deal? Should I get a plate or wrap exhaust. Or both? I have a polaris sportsman 850 xp that I plan on parting with. Not very reliable and only has 339 miles. Power steering went out. Should I opt out of ps on the viking? I have test drove one and it vibrates pretty good. Will that simmer down as its broken in as I've read?



Wow that is a lot of questions. Any help would greatly appreciated.



Bob



From the interwebz.....

 

[bluerebel]

Hope this info helps ya

But I have a few questions. Been lurking here and pioneer forum. I saw the video of the blue viking stuck in a mud hole. Has anyone else had that noise happen to them?
A: No. But then again, I've only had my viking for about a month and less than 100 miles on it.

What is the biggest tire you can put on it with no mods? I would like to run 26-27 inch tires.
A: I've heard you can run up to 30's without any issues.....but not on the stock rim. Stock rim can only go up to 28's I believe

Does the suspension sag after a while? I'm a bigger guy and with the wife in it with me we would have about 400 pounds plus gear and possibly a 100 lb lab. Will it hold up? Can the suspension be preload adjusted? I have seen anything about that being possible.
A: Like anything else, suspension breaks in and "sets"...so yes, the suspension will sag, how much? cant say...mine hasn't really sagged that much. The viking should be able to handle your weight....it may seem a bit slower but it should handle it without any issues. Also, preload can not be adjusted on the Viking.

Is the hit rear differential really that big of a deal? Should I get a plate or wrap exhaust. Or both?
A: There's mixed feelings on this issue. Some say its normal for it to run that hot and some say they've smelled burnt gear oil from how hot it gets. My personally, I wrapped and made my own aluminum heat shield for my peace of mind.

I have a polaris sportsman 850 xp that I plan on parting with. Not very reliable and only has 339 miles. Power steering went out. Should I opt out of ps on the viking?
A: If you plan to have a lot of weight on the vehicle, I would definitely get the PS unit. I test drove both and I'm extremely happy I picked up the PS unit.

I have test drove one and it vibrates pretty good. Will that simmer down as its broken in as I've read?
A: The 700 in the Viking is a single cylinder power plant.....It doesn't have other cylinders to counter act the vibration....in other words, its a characteristic of the engine and will always vibrate at idle. Once any gas is applied, the vibration goes away.



Wow that is a lot of questions. Any help would greatly appreciated.



Bob



From the interwebz.....

 

[Michigan Viking VI]

I ride with a friend that has the Pioneer, he isn't happy with the ride, the shocks are under built for that UTV. As for the weight, he is always looking for a low range on it which there isn't one due to the automatic Trans. It up shifts when he would like to stay in a lower gear for more power.

 

[PeterR]

Viking all the way!

The Yamaha viking is a powefull machine, for my 5 th ride i took a ride with two more passenger, i am 6'2", 215 lbs, the Other two riders were togheter about 400 lbs so in that ride we were about 630 pounds plus equipment, we went thru mountains and Rivers without a flaw very confortable with speeds of 40 mph uphill.
I have only seen the pioneer at shows, but after 1,300 miles and 130 hours, i can tell you this is a very powerfull and full versatile machine, and is much wider and longer and stronger than the pioneer, its ride is confortable and it has no limits on where you can drive it.
I Bought maxxis bighorns 2.0 28 inch x 9 x14 rim for the front and 28x11x14 for the back, i have seen 29 inch with stock suspensión and it looks good, but for 30 inch diámeter you Will need a lift kit.
Ther are los of options out there for utility atvs but since my best friend rides his viking in an extreme way and i kind a follow next, i can assure you Will be happy with it, Yamaha has built and outstanding tough machine that can take any road and tons of beating or punishment witout any trouble, after 130 hours on mine and 170 on my friends we have totally no complains sor any mechanical issues whatsoever but Lots of good memories thru the forest, rivers and mud ( lots of it )
By the way, viking's eps ( electrónic power steering) is made by kayaba, struts are also KYB, so quality is undisputable, it is a very comfortable ride and steering.
Mine is camo color and with the following mods,
Front Brush guard
Rearbumper
50 led light bar
14 inch ITP wheels with 28 maxxis bighorns tires
Yamaha fender flares
WARN Vantage 4000 lb winch

Do not hesitate to get the viking, it Will give you years of trouble free service with tons of fun.
Best of luck!

 

[bluerebel]

The Yamaha viking is a powefull machine, for my 5 th ride i took a ride with two more passenger, i am 6'2", 215 lbs, the Other two riders were togheter about 400 lbs so in that ride we were about 630 pounds plus equipment, we went thru mountains and Rivers without a flaw very confortable with speeds of 40 mph uphill.
I have only seen the pioneer at shows, but after 1,300 miles and 130 hours, i can tell you this is a very powerfull and full versatile machine, and is much wider and longer and stronger than the pioneer, its ride is confortable and it has no limits on where you can drive it.
I Bought maxxis bighorns 2.0 28 inch x 9 x14 rim for the front and 28x11x14 for the back, i have seen 29 inch with stock suspensión and it looks good, but for 30 inch diámeter you Will need a lift kit.
Ther are los of options out there for utility atvs but since my best friend rides his viking in an extreme way and i kind a follow next, i can assure you Will be happy with it, Yamaha has built and outstanding tough machine that can take any road and tons of beating or punishment witout any trouble, after 130 hours on mine and 170 on my friends we have totally no complains sor any mechanical issues whatsoever but Lots of good memories thru the forest, rivers and mud ( lots of it )
By the way, viking's eps ( electrónic power steering) is made by kayaba, struts are also KYB, so quality is undisputable, it is a very comfortable ride and steering.
Mine is camo color and with the following mods,
Front Brush guard
Rearbumper
50 led light bar
14 inch ITP wheels with 28 maxxis bighorns tires
Yamaha fender flares
WARN Vantage 4000 lb winch

Do not hesitate to get the viking, it Will give you years of trouble free service with tons of fun.
Best of luck!

Great to hear you enjoying your Viking to the fullest.

If you don't sharing how you mounted the 50" LED bar, I'd greatly appreciate it. After spending two nights out at the dunes this past weekend and doing some night riding........I'm desperate to get better lighting for night runs.

:cheers