We recently wrote about our preference for the DX series of 2015 Yamaha Vipers but didn’t make much of a deal about the fact we’re also very impressed with Yamaha’s 129 and 137-inch versions for serious ditch riders called the RTX and LTX Viper LE.
These models are only available on Yamaha’s Spring Power Surge program that unfortunately ends April 15, 2014. Buying any Yamaha early this year gets you a reduced interest rate and a 3-year warranty in exchange for a $500 deposit. Pretty good deal.
Perhaps the most visually striking graphics and paint schemes in the marketplace on these LE Vipers can easily distract you from the fact these two actually have a lot of substance.
The LE offers consumers a considerable shock upgrade from the SE series. Up front there are Fox EVOL air shocks with both rebound and compression clickers so you can either confuse yourself or get an incredibly fantastic ride in the most severe trail conditions – it all depends on how much you’re willing to learn about set-up.
At the rear the LE series uses Fox Zero-Pro gassers on the rear arm that allow adjustments to preload, compression damping and rebound as well.
This gives riders the opportunity to do a lot of fine-tuning and as long as the engineers have offered truly compliant spring settings at the softest adjustment levels, you’ll be able to crank up the damping specs to handle just about any kind of terrain.
We’ve already raved about how cool the orange-blue-white Viper LE looks on the snow and how it spins out enough visual sizzle to sear a steak. We’re not kidding. You’ll need to hold onto something when you first see this sled in the flesh.
One tip: Order the LE with the medium height windshield. Warm is good – even on a high performance sled.
