Possibly buying a Yamaha Viking VI EPS (6 seater with power steering) and want to see if anyone on THF has any input. Anyone with good or bad experiences?

Not a ton of these out there, but bound to be someone with one.

Not really interested in how awesome Polaris, CanAm, Kawasaki, Kubota, etc. are, I've rode in or driven just about every one.

Wanting input on a Yamaha Viking.

Thanks

I absolutely love my Viking VI. I looked for around 2 years before I made the purchase, like you I drove just about everything else available out there. The Viking gave me the most leg room for me (6'5"), The most seating room for my family (me+wife+3 kiddos). The only thing regrettable about my purchase was the fact that the first one was stolen after about 3 days. The perps got 18 years, insurance paid me the majority of the money back, had to buy a second Viking a month later.

Thanks BMag

Heard lots about Viking being under-powered. Do you feel like that is the case?

I haven't been able to test one loaded or with a trailer. I don't expect a powerhouse, but don't want to be struggling to pull a hill with 4 adults in it.

Only time I’ve been around one was riding the trails in Colorado. Family of 5, beds full of coolers and chairs, they bought it the week before and they over heated the transmission at about 11,000 feet. They said other than that, they loved it.

We hunt in Llano and have large feeders (2 at 700#, 4 at 1,500#), so lots of corn. I usually put 1,400 pounds at a time in the bed plus the family without any trouble. It does squat down with all that weight though. It is not the fastest or the slowest, but does not seem to lack any power/torque. My average speeds are 12 to 20 mph, but have had it up to 50 mph. All side by sides like to suction cup themselves to mud, so if you are planning on going down that road, be prepared to spend extra $$$ on lifts and tires.

Just looking for a reliable, safe machine for the whole family, that we can ride around the ranch, or run down some backroads in, but I can still haul stuff and check the mail in.

It will see mud for sure, but probably won't go looking for a big mud hole.


BMag, thanks for the info. Our place is in Brady, not too far from Llano.
I glad to hear it will haul that much corn.

You're quite welcome! I've been trying to post a picture, but I guess I'm too much of a backwoods redneck to figure out how.

Got a buddy on the duck lease with one. It's really nice and hasn't had any issues loaded down or in the mud. I opted for the Honda because of the direct drive but the Viking was a very close second due to my experiences riding in the Viking. No issues and we put the thing through hell.

I think I will start looking pretty hard for one. Gonna look for a clean used one first.

Thank you folks for the responses!