i have a 2002 sx viper er, 2002 v-max 600, and an rx-1 special edition.. all my sleds have 168 studs.. my viper has a bender racing silencer, and a fitch feul catalyst.. i absolutly LOVE my viper, ive raced and beaten an f5, pro x 600, rev 600, sxr 600 with pipes, pro x 700, mxz 700, pro x 800, and i gave an rx-1 a good run.. i wish everyone could beleive me when i tell them that ive beaten all these sleds but the rx-1.. the pro x 800 and 700 was very close but i got them by a sled length.. the pro x 600 wasnt a problem to beat, my buddy on his xc sp 600 beat the rev and i beat them both.. all these races were from a dead stop to a little longer than a quarter mile.. i also beat my cousins 1999 xc sp with a clutch kit in it.. this sled is no joke it is all out FAST! forget the magazines! this thing is for real.. i hate the people that say ohh i beat this guy and that guy but iam dead serious.. iam not lieing.. but thats for the power! for the suspension> i wouldnt mind an update although the 2003 and 2004 vipers are ditch bangers for sure, yamaha will get alot more sales this winter because of the suspension. i will admit that the rx-1 suspension needs serious tunning because this thing cant be used for jumps and what not.. for the lake though this thing screws!!!!!! the v-max needs a boost in performance, i absolutly smoke it with my viper but i also have 35 more hp.. buts thats the deal and the truth with my sleds! good luck