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Triple or Twin?

2693 Views 48 Replies 22 Participants Last post by  jbezoni
I'm planning on buying a new sled this comming fall. Specifically I'm gong to be looking at either a Viper or an MXZ 700. I've been told that if you buy anything over 600cc, make sure its a triple. Now I know that the same size twin has to work a little harder to produce the same hp as the triple, which increases its heat production. But I never knew that to be much of a problem.

So I was just curious to know what everyone else thought about this. Is there more of a problem of twins melting down to comparable triples, or was this guy just full of crap?
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Yeah, I'm pretty sure whoever told you that was full of it. Today's twins are probably more reliable then the triples.

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Also with the triples, you are adding alot more weight to the sled as well. Most trail riders preferr the twins, while most lake riders preferr the triples.

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I dunno about you or anyone but I would never buy a triple. I like the acceleration that a twin can offer. I do not think they are more unreliable either. I just got my sled going and for a 700 twin, it flies!


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Yeah, thats kind of what I thought too. I was in a sled shop this weekend and heard this guy saying this stuff, so I wanted to hear what everyone else thought on the subject. Thanx guys.
They all have good points, The twin will give you great power on the low end of the powerband and vice-versa for the triple. The twin will vibrate a lot and be somewhat noisy compared to the smooth, low vibration of the triple. In some cases triples get better gas milage. I am neutral in this arguement but It all depends on where you are going to ride. Like IA said.

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I don’t think that there is any difference in reliability between the twins and the triples. Like Paulxlt said it depends on what kind of riding you want to do, both have their pros and cons. The triple has a little harder throttle pull then the twin and is a little more work to maintain.

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All I will say is Erick is wrong. We own 2 triples and 1 twin. My 1996 XCR 600 SP with trip pipes and my dad's 2002 SXViper with single pipe but triple cylinders. THen we have a Wildcat 650 that is a made machine slapped into the body of a 440 fan cooled cat. Anyway the triples are the too opposites on teh argument.
Fuel mileage: my XCR gets about 8 gallons to the mile on roads. My dad's viper gets like 16 gallons in the same mileage and exact same riding.
Weight: My XCR is a lead weight. I have trouble lifting the rear more than about 1 inch off the ground. My dad's Viper is light. I can lift it just the same as I can my uncle's ZR 800. In other words I can get up to where I am almost standing straight up and bumper at about mid thigh and track off the ground about 5". The sled is not heavy. And let me say on the Viper the acceleration is sweet. Crack the throttle and she throws you back and takes off. NOt the same on my XCR. It is a beast a boat and every other name you can call a fat freaking over weight machine. My Uncle's ZR 800 has a bit more in the middle and bottom than the VIper though. So I must say that erick is right when talking about most sleds but I guess I know the viper is the exception to the rule. One more note though. WHen we really get ripping like on a lake or something if we run a straight like 2 mile race I would bet money on me as the winner. My XCR simply pulls. THat is what she does best. Won't get up to speed as fast but will get going faster over all.
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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Originally posted by Sled_Dog:

All I will say is Erick is wrong.
[/quote]

What are you talking about!? What is wrong with me saying that I would never buy a triple? It is my opinion, I never said it was right or wrong, it is just what I would do. How can I be wrong by that? I also highly doubt that a viper gets 16 miles to a gallon. Just my opinion once again.



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Yeah, I guess there are pros and cons to both. Let me tell you....I am dam impressed with the Viper. I went with my brother last night to pick his up from the dealer. That thing RIPS! I've never ridden an MXZ. Any ideas which one is faster? Viper or MXZ 700...both stock.
ive riden more that one of the MXZ 7's and they fly for twins! never riden the Vipers, but they are probly close to the same...not really sure

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Erick I wasn't saying you were wrong about your opinion of not buying a triple. Far from it how can I say your opinion is wrong there. BUT I was saying you were wrong on all the counts i listed. ANd I am 100% serious that the viper got about 15 or 16 mpg. It was averaging about 13 most of the weekend but the one run it got 15 or 16 we never sat down with a calculator on teh number. It was getting the exact same gas mileage as the 2002 ZL 800 EFI that was riding the exact same conditions the VIper was.
Triple, Triple, Triple....thats all i would ever buy if polaris still made their 600 trips. I love the smoothness of the triples, as for reliability, they are the same, no differences at all. I would say that the triples are easier to pull over to start as you are dividing up 600 cc's worth of compression into 3 cylinders instead of just 2. Twins do have more low end than the triples but the triples come on strong when you reach top end, as they are able to breath much more efficiently. This is also due to smaller cylinders, Its easier to fill a smaller cylinder at 8,000 rpm than it is to fill a larger cylinder of a twin. If weight is an issue, i would say you must be riding in the steep and deep of the mountains, otherwise i see no difference, unless you can bench press your entire sled. The extra 10-20 lbs of weight of a triple (though i dont really think it is that much) is not even noticable while riding. If you desire more low end grunt out of a triple, all that is needed is a clutch kit to raise clutch engagement rpm up. these are my opinions on the subject. And I by the way do own a triple, and i would never trade my 600 trip. for a 600 twin.

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now that the ZRT 600 has Power Valves I think it is a pretty good sled. Never riden one though so can't really say. But I like triples. And everyone who gets off their twin and rides the Viper is like man that triple got to love hitting the throttle and there it is so responsive. And compared to the twins in our camp my dad's viper and my XCR are very easy to pull over. Well they are just simply very easy but compared to the Twins they er VERY easy.
I rode the Viper the other day and was seriously disappointed with the performance, it got all this hype and it's a dud!!!! Triples suck most of all Yahama triples suck! It's all about the Polaris Twin baby - just my two cents

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It is not a dud. It is still a really good performer. Beats all the polaris twin 600s in a drag race. Even when It screws up. I was racing them with it I slept on the line and let off of the gas in the middle of the run adn still beat them! it runs right with the XC 700 in a 500 foot race so I not sure what you are talking about. And the one 600 it always beats has a legend kit. heads, clutch, reeds, and pipe.



Edited by - Sled_Dog on January 04 2002 6:52:57 PM
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<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Originally posted by Sled_Dog:

It is not a dud. It is still a really good performer. Beats all the polaris twin 600s in a drag race. Even when It screws up. I was racing them with it I slept on the line and let off of the gas in the middle of the run adn still beat them! it runs right with the XC 700 in a 500 foot race so I not sure what you are talking about. And the one 600 it always beats has a legend kit. head[/quote]


And the vipers around here lose to XC 120's

This is basically brand bashing.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote> I rode the Viper the other day and was seriously disappointed with the performance, it got all this hype and it's a dud!!!! Triples suck most of all Yahama triples suck! It's all about the Polaris Twin baby - just my two cents

"Ride It Like You Stole It"

[/quote]

This is also brand bashing, and I am not liking what I see. Now you 2 kiss and make up or there will be hell to pay




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BTW Sled Dog, it's alright for you to have your opinion on Vipers, but don't come here and fill people's minds full of crap about them

you are comparing a 2002 Viper to a 1996 XCR 600. Which is better? Doesn't take a damn engineer to figure it out.

Then the twin you used in your big analysis, a 650 wildcat. That's like the worst twin ever built.

If you are going to compare sleds, compare the same thing.

This is not the "promote Vipers" forum.

IN MY OPINION: I think a triple is just another cylinder that can blow. They probably have benefits, and they also have down-sides, just like twins. But I prefer twins, I actually prefer small twins, 600 and smaller.



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Let me first start out by saying I'm not trying to start a fight but just a heathly conversation! Now about the Viper, I would hope it could beat a 600 twin. As far as beating a 700 in a 500 foot race, who the hell races a 10th of mile? not me. That my point exactly, the viper will get smoked in 1/8 th, 1/4 and 1/2 mile race by the XC 700, and I'm sure the 600 isn't far behind cause I can keep up with the Viper on my 600 in the trails that is. Anyway,I'm glad Sled Dog that you love the Viper that's what it's all about !!!!!!!!

"Ride It Like You Stole It"
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no one can argue the sound of a triple is S-W-E-E-T
If you like going real fast in a straight line go for the triple. If you like slaming the sled into corners and being generaly more agile go for a twin. In the event of an engine rebuild I'd like paying for only 2 cylinders. 3 is 150% more expensive.

The best way to decide is to get out and try to ride any sled you might possibley buy, even if you're not too interested with it to begin with. Get on a Polaris and a Cat. Pick which one you like best and can afford.

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