1981 Yamaha SRX 440 or 83-up Yamaha Vmax 540. Which is the b

[80zfreak]

I have always liked the Yamaha "Darth Vader" style sleds. The 81 SRX's are just awesome looking sleds, I remember like it was yesterday the first time I seen one out on the trail. I also like the Vmax 540's, especially the 1983's. So my question is which is the better sled for a vintage rider?

[chrisrider63]

The 81 srx is more rare but very finicky and not really a trail riding machine....I took my vmax out on 4 hour rides last year and the thing didnt skip a beat. Im puttin a 81 srx together to have to go on little rides but the vmax 540's are bullet proof as long as they are set up right- meaning stock lol and maintained.

[Vmax540]

I have always liked the Yamaha "Darth Vader" style sleds. The 81 SRX's are just awesome looking sleds, I remember like it was yesterday the first time I seen one out on the trail. I also like the Vmax 540's, especially the 1983's. So my question is which is the better sled for a vintage rider?

Trail- a- bility.... Vmax ! Dragstrip 81 SRX !

[chrisrider63]

Nuff said..lol good stuff

[rlester]

My son rides our 81 SRX on the trails all the time, its pretty much stock except the clutch. It has a powerbloc clutch that engages at about 4000 rpm. As long as it stays cold outside, it performs flawlessly. If it gets warm, and close to the freezing mark, it has a noticeable bog on the bottom end and is sluggish off the line.

I probably could get the clutch to engage at a higher rpm, but we don't race it at this point. Maybe in the future when he is older (he will be 13 in Dec) he might be interested in souping it up a little, but for now its a great all round sled. We upgraded the track last winter to a 1 inch, what a difference!

Ryan.

[MAPEX]

I will have to agree, I've had my fair share of 81's pass through my garage but I've had my own 81 for the past 4 seasons and have ridden it in numerous vintage rides as well as many rides with my buddies who were riding newer equipment, my 81 is completely stock from the track to the handgrips. I haven't had any major issues with it on the trail except for your normal fouling a plug here and there but even that has been relativly rare, but when it does warm up it doesn't perform quite as well but is still a blast to ride on the trails. Although it is pretty touchy, once you figure out how you want it set up and what works for the sled since each sled is alittle different I don't think you'll be dissappointed with either.

Mike