The Yamaha Mountain Max 700 was a popular mountain sled manufactured from 1997 through 2004. Like its smaller sibling, the Mountain Max 600, this machine was also known for having a reliable and durable engine. If you want to find out more about this vintage Yamaha sled, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this Yamaha Mountain Max 700 review!
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Review
The first Yamaha Mountain Max snowmobiles hit the snow in the 1996 season. However, these sleds were just variants of the popular VMAX series and not part of the “real” Yamaha MM (Mountain Max) family.
The all-new 2-stroke Yamaha Mountain Max (MM) line was marketed from 1997 through 2004 and consisted of three different models:
- Yamaha Mountain Max 600 (MM700) – Manufactured: 1997-2002
- Yamaha Mountain Max 700 (MM700) – Manufactured: 1997-2004
- Yamaha Mountain Max 800 (MM800) – Manufactured: Only in 1997
For some reason, the most powerful Mountain Max 800 was available only in the 1997 season, but the most popular 700s remained in production until 2004.
Like every other Yamaha sled of the era, the Mountain Max models were also known for their high-performance and reliable engines. Therefore, they instantly became popular among off-trail riders.
The Yamaha Mountain Max 700 engine was a 698cc, 2-stroke, triple that cranked out about 115 HP at 8300 RPM. This liquid-cooled unit featured three Mikuni TM33 carburetors and a manual start.
Unlike the more sporty SRX engine, this power source was single-piped, which resulted in less HP and simpler exhaust music. To boost the performance and the sound of the machines, many owners installed “triple pipe kits” on their 700s.
Besides its tremendous power, this Yamaha sled was also well-known for its good fuel consumption.
Just like its high-performance engine, the chassis and the other features on the Mountain Max were engineered for mountain rides.
The early models were propelled by a 136” x 15” x 1.5” track, which was replaced with a 141” x 15” x 2” unit for the 2000 season.
Besides the longer track, the 2000 Mountain Max 700 saw many other upgrades like the advanced ProAction Mountain rear suspension system, tapered tunnel, better approach angle, and a mountain strap.
Thanks to these innovative features, this sled had outstanding climbing abilities and could handle the hardest mountain trails with ease. On the other hand, the MM 700 wasn’t actually designed for jumping or huge cliff drops.
After the 2004 season the Mountain Max 700 was ceased and the entire MM family disappeared from the market.
But to the delight of many fans, in 2021 Yamaha reintroduced the popular 2-stroke Mountain Max series!
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Problems
But let’s face it, every sled has its weak points, and the Mountain Max 700 was no exception.
In a nutshell, the most common problems with the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 were as follows:
- Defective front suspension ski columns (Recall on the ‘97 and ‘98 models)
- T.O.R.S. malfunctions
- Water pump sealing issues (on the early models)
- Lack of a reverse gear and passenger seat
- Lack of an electric start
Let’s start with the recalls. Yamaha issued an official recall on the 1997 and 1998 Mountain Max 700 models due to their defective ski columns on the front suspensions.
Another common problem with the Mountain Max 700 was the T.O.R.S malfunctions, but this system could be fixed relatively easily. At least this model didn’t suffer from Smart Carb issues, which was a common problem on the 600s.
Finally, don’t forget that this sled was designed to carry only one rider and came without reverse gear and an electric start.
Apart from these, the Mountain Max 700 was one of the most reliable and dependable mountain snowmobiles around the Millennium.
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Specs Chart
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the key specs of the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 into these charts:
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Engine Specs
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 7-port |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Parallel 3-cylinder |
| Engine stroke | 2 |
| Cooling system | Liquid-cooled |
| Bore x Stroke (“) | 2.78 x 2.35 |
| Displacement (cc) | 698 |
| Horsepower | 115 HP (Approximately) |
| Idle speed (r/min) | 1600 +/- 100 |
| Carburetor | Mikuni TM33 x 3 |
| Turbocharged | No |
| Engine oil type | YAMALUBE 2-cycle oil |
| Fuel type | Unleaded gasoline. Pump octane (R+M)/2; 88 or higher |
| Starting system | Manual with recoil starter |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Dimensions
| Year | 1998 | 1999 | 2000-2004 |
| Length (“) | 116.9 | 116.9 | 117.7 |
| Width (“) | 45.5 | 45.5 | 43.9 |
| Height (“) | 48 | 44.1 | 47.8 |
| Ski tread (“) | 38.6 | 38.6 | 38.6 |
| Fuel tank capacity (gal.) | 11.9 | 11.7 | 11.7 |
| Oil tank capacity (qt.) | 2.5 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Weight Chart
| Year | 1998-1999 | 2000 | 2001-2004 |
| Dry Weight (lbs.) | 522 | 511 | 516 |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Track Features
| Track type | Molded rubber, fiberglass rod reinforced |
| Track dimensions ’97-’99 (“) | 136” x 15” x 1.5” |
| Track dimensions ’00-’04 (“) | 141” x 15” x 2” |
| Track deflection ’97-’99 (“) | 0.98 – 1.18 / 100 N {22lbs} |
| Length on ground ’97-’99 (“) | 37.2 |
| Track deflection ’00-’04 (“) | 0.79-0.98 / 100 N {22lbs} |
| Length on ground ’00-’04 (“) | 34.9 |
| Suspension type | Slide rail suspension |
| Drive sprocket | Quadruple polyethylene, 9 teeth |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Electric Features
| Ignition system | CDI |
| Spark plug type | BR9ES (NGK) |
| Spark plug gap (“) | 0.028 – 0.031 |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Features and Accessories
| Clutch | CVT |
| Primary Drive | Belt |
| Drive chain | Silent chain enclosed in oil bath |
| Reverse | No |
| Front suspension type | Independent double wishbone |
| Suspension type | Slide rail suspension |
| Ignition | CDI |
| Break type | Hydraulic disc brake (ventillated) |
| Track | Molded rubber, fiberglass rod reinforced |
| Break operation | Handle lever (left hand) |
| Throttle operation | Handle lever (right hand) |
| Chassis material | Aluminum |
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Rider capacity | 1 |
Source: Yamaha Owner’s Manuals. These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 Top Speed
Compared to the trail-performance Yamaha sleds, the MM series was significantly slower due to their different gearing and longer tracks. Therefore, the top speed of the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 was about 85-90 mph under ideal conditions. In contrast, other triples like the SRX 600 reached a whopping 105-110 mph, while the SRX 700 topped out at 110-115 mph.
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 vs. Mountain Max 600
Let’s compare these two vintage Yamaha mountain sleds by the numbers!
| Model | Mountain Max 600 | Mountain Max 600 | Mountain Max 700 |
| Year | 1997-1999 | 2000-2002 | 1997-2004 |
| Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 7-port | Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 7-port | Liquid-cooled, 2-stroke, 7-port |
| Cylinder Arrangement | Parallel 2-cylinder | Parallel 3-cylinder | Parallel 3-cylinder |
| Engine stroke | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Cooling system | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Bore x Stroke (“) | 2.94 x 2.68 | 2.56 x 2.35 | 2.78 x 2.35 |
| Displacement (cc) | 598 | 593 | 698 |
| Horsepower | 95 (Approximately) | 95 (Approximately) | 115 (Approximately) |
| Idle speed (r/min) | 1600 +/- 100 | 1600 +/- 100 | 1600 +/- 100 |
| Carburetor | Mikuni TM36 x 2 | Mikuni TM31 x 3 | Mikuni TM33 x 3 |
| Turbocharged | No | No | No |
Yamaha Mountain Max 700 For Sale
Surprisingly, the aged Mountain Max 700 is still a popular choice for backcountry riding. These old machines are far cheaper and simpler than the new shiny models currently in showrooms.
If you’re considering buying one, you can find a vintage Yamaha Mountain Max 700 for sale on Craigslist, Sledswap, eBay, Snowmobilesoup, Snowmobiletrader, and other snowmobile ad sites.
Also, you can’t go wrong by visiting some Yamaha snowmobile forums and FB groups!
When shopping around, try to find a 2000 or newer model, as these sleds utilized the more advanced suspension system and many other innovative features.
Takeaway – FAQs About the Vintage Yamaha Mountain Max 700
What year did the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 come out?
Yamaha revealed the Mountain Max 700 in 1996 and marketed it from the 1997 model year.
What years was the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 made?
The Yamaha Mountain Max 700 was manufactured from 1997 through 2004.
What size was a Yamaha Mountain Max 700?
The ‘98-‘99 Yamaha Mountain Max 700 was 116.9 inches long, 45.5 inches wide, and 48 inches high. By 2000, the model was redesigned, so the ‘00-‘04 Mountain Max 700 was 117.7 inches long, 43.9 inches wide, and 47.8 inches high.
What was the track size for the Yamaha Mountain Max 700?
The stock track sizes of the Yamaha Mountain Max 700s were as follows:
- ‘97-‘99 Yamaha Mountain Max 700 track size: 136” x 15” x 1.5”
- ‘00-‘04 Yamaha Mountain Max 700 track size: 141” x 15” x 2”
How much did a Yamaha Mountain Max 700 weigh?
The early (‘97-‘99) Mountain Max 700 models weighed 522 pounds, while the ‘99-‘04 models were slightly lighter, about 511-516 pounds.
What kind of engine was in a Yamaha Mountain Max 700?
The ‘97-‘04 Yamaha Mountain Max 700 engine was a liquid-cooled, single-piped, 698cc, 2-stroke triple power source.
How much horsepower did a Yamaha Mountain Max 700 have?
The ‘97-‘04 Yamaha Mountain Max 700 produced about 115 HP at 8300 RPM.
How fast was the Yamaha Mountain Max 700?
The top speed of the Yamaha Mountain Max 700 was about 80-90 mph, depending on environmental conditions.
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