FIRST BURN: YAMAHA LTX LE
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TRIFECTA Soft sprig snow makes for a perfect day to cut loose. Location: Island Park, Idaho Photographer:Todd Williams
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contents.
DIRTY WEAPONS
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FEATURES 50 24 58 36 62
HOWLING FOR POWDER
50
HOWLING FOR POWDER A VISIT TO POWDER HOUND LODGE
TIME MACHINES
FIRST BURN
1972 RUPP 440 NITRO
2016 YAMAHA SRVIPER LTX LE
DIRTY WEAPONS
SHORT TRACK TERRAIN MACHINES
SHOOTER SHOWCASE PHOTO SPECTACULAR
86 COLUMNS 12 DRIFTS RICHARD KEHOE
94 FLOAT BOWL PAT BOURGEOIS
PEAK SEASON BUYER’S GUIDE
DEPARTMENTS 14 22 30 34 46 84 92
INDUSTRY NEWS WORD SEARCH SHOP HUSTLE LAWN ORNAMENTS MUFF OF THE MONTH 5 MINUTES WITH… LAST GASP
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TIME MACHINES
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YAMAHA SRVIPER LTX LE
62 ANNUAL PHOTO SPECTACULAR
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 4
FAST CYLINDER REPAIR SERVICE NiCom® Plated
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General Manager: Michael Blakoe Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Matt Clark Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Cody Speares Coordinator: Logan Gamble Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day Photographers: Todd Williams, Brett Moist, Aaron Belford, Gracey Dove, Joe Wiegele, Gary Walton, Lissa Marsolek, Steve Hamilton, CJ Ramstad Archives, Pat Bourgeois Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Justin York, Tyler Swarm, Suzy Stenoff, Darren Desautels, Ross Antworth, Dale Cormican, Jacob Travers, Jordan Hammack Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com OSM is published five times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 716, Elk River, MN 55330. Telephone (888) 661-7469. Head office address is PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone 1-888-661-7469. Printed in Canada by LoweMartin Group, Dollco Division. • Copyright 2014 OSM Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription rates for magazine $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • Billet Wheels • Billet Wheels with replaceable rubber • Snowflap Savers
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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WHEN
DOMINATION IN YOUR NATURE, IS
ALWAYS MAKE SURE IT’S
IN YOUR MACHINE.
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onsnow Richard Kehoe
DRIFTS
Ride On
C
12
onditions diti near the office have been unpredictable. We started out with a bang, full snow and cold temps had me gearing up for a fantastic riding season. Around the holidays the grass stood green, and shortly in the New Year the white powder began to pile up, however higher then expected temps removed what mother-nature dusted on us. Although, as of Feb 1st, Simcoe was still roaring with white caps and 3 foot waves, this unexpected shift in temperatures had us adding some mileage on my Diesel, and contributed to our airline points all in search of snow. Early January, we welcomed Horny Mike and Rock’in Roli from the television show Counting Cars, to the 40th Annual Motorcycle Supershow, a sister to the Toronto International
Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, they were signing autographs in the OSM booth allowing us to introduce and talk about snowmobiling to a big group of people that are similar to sledders. Mike and Roli showed huge interest and couldn’t believe the technology. I guess like many, they thought of the typical bogie wheeled sled with a big bench seat and leaf spring suspension. Paul Tutel Jr. also stopped by the booth, not as shocked about the sleds we had in the booth, he was excited and interested in sledding and was loved talking about riding. It was great to see the high interest levels from this huge enthusiastic group of potential riders. After wrapping up the Show we did manage to have a few outstanding rides in West Yellowstone and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There wasn’t any shortage of snow. In the U.P. we spent
days riding both on and off-trail using the Powder Hound Lodge as our home base. With it’s true lodge atmosphere, where different snowmobile groups can get together in numerous places in the lodge, it was a great place to share the events of the days excursion. It truly was a great location for sledders. It’s worth looking up. We have many more exciting rides on the horizon, especially one that we are flying to the capitol of Nunavut, Iqaluit, later this spring. It’s going to be a once in a lifetime adventure for sure. In the meantime lean back and get comfortable, enjoy this special issue of OSM, The Shooter Showcase. If you think you have what it takes to be in next year’s Shooter’s Showcase submit your photos to info@osmmag.com . See you on the trails. Rich
Paul Jr. came by the booth and talked sleds.
Horny Mike and Rock’in Roli were signing these in the OSM booth.
Snow was deep in the U.P.
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
PUSH HARDER
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onsnow
MAKING MOUNTAINS OF SNOW S
NEW
By the time you read this issue of OSM, the first of its kind Red Bull Snow Boundaries super endure cross-country race will have just completed at ERX Motor Park in Elk River. Of course we will have a full blown feature on the event but it’s interesting to note that the promoters of the event were more than determined to ensure the race would go on. With several snow guns at the ready, and an intricate network of water pumping stations, the crews at ERX Motor Park worked around the clock to blow snow and then push the mountain of man-made white onto the closed-loop course. In total the crew created what is arguably the largest snocross track in North America as well as 8-plus miles of snow covered terrain. The park on the outskirts of Elk River also has plans to host a TORC series off-road truck race this summer. Learn more at www.erxmotorpark.com
I-500 DETERMINED TO RETURN It happened again, United States X-Country owner and boss Brian Nelson had to make the difficult decision to cancel the return of the famed International 500 once again. Lack of snow and a spell of warm weather with rain created a situation where the course began to deteriorate quickly. The race route had already been altered from its original Winnipeg, Manitoba to Willmar, Minnesota route to one that kept much of the racing in the far northern reaches of Minnesota. Nelson, a two time winner of the iconic point-to-point race was disappointed but not deterred and vowed to continue to make plans to host the race in 2017.
HERFINDAHL ON A SWEEPING TERROR Zach Herfindahl, last season’s reigning Pro cross-country champ in USXC competition is at it again with a pair of weekend sweeps in both the Pro 600 and Pro Open ranks. The races in Grafton, North Dakota and Thief River Falls, Minnesota featured a variety of natural terrain and brutal sub-zero temperatures, neither of which seemed to slow Herfindahl and the Christian Brothers Racing Team crew. If Zach keeps up this pace he could easily secure his second championship in as many years.
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
Welcome to a land of snow Over 1100 km of perfectly groomed trails One of the longest SNOWmobile seasonS A world of discovery
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onsnow S
NEW
THREE CHALLENGES, THREE VENUES, ALL EXTREME
Enter to
Win! Three (3) night Stay Breakfast Each Morning Dinner Each Night
The crew at CorPowersports have finalized plans for the return of their Midwest Extreme Challenge series for this coming spring. Each race will feature three unique competitions: Terrain-X, a closed-loop terrain course 2-3 miles in length; Hillclimbs with an uphill course featuring gates and obstacles; and Hill-X, an uphill drag race with a series of jumps and bumps up the entire run. This year’s Challenge will be hosted at three midwest ski resorts starting with Norway Mountain in Norway, Michigan March 5-6. Two other events will be hosted at Blackjack Ski Resort in Bessemer, Michigan April 2-3; and Lutsen Mountain in Lutsen, Minnesota April 16-17. For more information on these and the entire CorPowersports series visit them online at www.corpowersports.com
PLUS $100.00 in Gift Tokens
HAS WINTER-X LOST ITS LUSTER? Visit the OSM facebook for complete details and entry form!
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
Another Winter-X games has come and gone and it was no surprise Tucker Hibbert was flawless in his quest for his ninth consecutive gold medal. Joining Tucker on the top box in the snowmobile competitions was Mike Schultz in Adaptive Snocross and Joe Parsons in Freestyle. While Winter X remains an important part of a racer’s resume, especially in terms of exposure for his or her sponsors, it’s clear from a fan’s perspective, the crew at ESPN no longer have the same enthusiasm for, or the promotional mojo behind the snowmobile elements of the show. Disappointingly freestyle received the most coverage on Friday evening, while the real racing in both snocross competitions were held on Thursday and were relegated to live streaming or broadcast at a later time.
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onsnow S
NEW
HIBBERT WALKING AWAY WITH CHAMPIONSHIP
It is official ladies and gentlemen: Cain’s Quest has just released the routes for this year’s race as well as a very important date change for the start of the race. When the season for the International Series of Champions (ISOC) national snocross tour started, the new starting line inversion rule (also known as the Tucker Hibbert rule by race enthusiasts) had everyone feeling things might be different in the year-end point standings this winter. They were wrong. A little more than half way through the season and Tucker Hibbert has already amassed a lead of nearly 100-points over his next closest competitor, Tim Tremblay. Tucker continues to qualify at or near the top, get last lane pick at the line, and then proceed to blast the competition with relative ease. Just as it has in year’s past, the circuit has experienced a rash of injuries, dropping the pro open field from a season opening high of 26 racers for the opening round in Duluth to just 15 racers at the last race held in Salamanca New York before this issue went to press. Those most notable racer injured is Kody Kamm, the only racer who appeared to have something for Tucker on the track. Kody suffered an injury while racing at Canterbury and is not expected to return this season.
For Rent: New Liskard 3 bedroom rural house furnished with one bathroom. 1 km away from main trail, 1 km from gas and convince store. Grocery store, coffee shop, restaurants, and laundry all 2 min away. Great main base for long say trips too Quebec, Kirkland lake, Timmins, Matachawan, and North Bay. Nice short loops, and ice fishing on Lake Temiskaming for the family. Excellent early and late season trail conditions all for $1000 dollars Monday to Friday and $500 dollars Friday to Sunday.
Call Steve for more information or to book now. 905-939-8346 18
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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onsnow
S
NEW
TUCKER IS BIG… REALLY BIG The kids at Arctic Cat launched a new social media campaign this winter that in some ways is big…really big. Call the #20FootTucker, the promotion asks fans to find a giant inflatable Tucker Hibbert near the Arctic Cat merchandise trailer at events across the snowball, take their best selfie and then post the picture to social media using the hashtag #20FootTucker. The best photo will be chosen after each ISOC national snocross tour Pro-Open final and two luck winners will receive a $250 gift card that can be spent on ArcticWear and accessories at their local Cat dealer or online. The big Tucker will be at every ISOC tour stop this season.
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
TOP OF THE LAKE SNOWMOBILE MUSEUM EXPANDING A donation of 33 historical and rare snowmobiles from the J. Armand Bombardier Museum in Valcourt, Quebec to the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum in Naubinway, Michigan has museum board members looking at expansion plans. The museum currently has more than 120 snowmobiles on display, but the gifting of the 33 rare snowmobiles will require the museum to expand and plans are in place to construct a 32’ x 76’ addition at an estimated cost of $40,000 (plans call for the addition to be cold storage initially with plans to finish the space at a later date). In addition the transportation of the sleds from Valcourt to Michigan is expected to cost an additional $5,000. With that in mind, the Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum is looking for donations to the expansion fund. You can learn more about the donated sleds, expansion plans, current sleds on display and of course how you can donate at www.snowmobilemuseum.com
NEW DRAG SLED RECORD SET photo courtesy of Forum News Service Danny Steinmetz of Detroit Lakes wasn’t actually flying, but he was damn close when he set a new world snowmobile speed record during the Minnesota State Championship Ice Drags held on Little Detroit Lake. Steinmetz squeezed the trigger of custom built ProLine chassis drag sled and blistered the eighth-mile track in just 4.36 seconds, eclipsing the previous world record mark of 4.42 seconds. The chassis is powered by a Hypersports built engine that produces more than 600-horsepower using a whopping 50-pounds of turbo boost. In that short blast, Steinmetz hit a speed of 155.29 mph.
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onsnow S
EAGLE RIVER CROWNS NEW CHAMPS
NEW
The two biggest racing weekends of the season concluded just prior to this issue going to press and the town of Eagle River, Wisconsin was once again buzzing with adrenaline, octane and excitement. The 10-day celebration of racing in what has been the epicenter of snowmobile racing for 50-plus years, began with the Vintage World Championship event where Matt Goede took home top honors. Following a week of activities and build-up, the second weekend saw the crowning of Logan Christian taking the win in the Pro Open Snocross World Championship event; and Matt Schulz won the AMSOIL World Snowmobile Championship on Sunday. Congrats to all the winners.
WORD SEARCH
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
NEED SOME TIME ALONE IN YOUR THINKING ROOM? HAVE A SEAT ON THE THRONE AND GIVE IT A GO.
TRAVELLING Camera Fuel Gear GPS Hotel Loop Lost Maps Motel Nature Overnight Pack Plan Resort Route Saddlebag Short Cut Signs Snowmobile Tools Tourism Trailer Trails Truck Weather
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onsnow
Ti me T RAC KS
‘72
Rupp
440 Nitro
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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onsnow
Garage Sale Racer
It’s
every vintage sled lover’s dream…the barn find, time machine, stashed away for years until some lucky collector hunts it down and buys it for a screaming deal. Some guys never have this happen and others seem to stumble upon vintage finds all the time. How do serious vintage snowmobile collectors find those rare-as-hen’s-teeth sleds you see at the shows? Some of it is hard work, some of it is hanging out with the right people, and some of it is just plain luck. You also have to know what’s good and what’s bad and really know your snowmobile model history. Randy Holland is one of those guys - he along with his wife Teressa and son Ross have an impressive collection of vintage snowmobiles and are good people to boot! His sleds have won Best of Show at multiple events, including the prestigious Snowmobile Hall Of Fame
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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Ti me TRACKS ‘72 RUPP 440 NITRO
Classic Sled Roundup, which happens every year on Memorial Day weekend. In fact, the Classic Sled Roundup played a pivotal role in Holland finding the 1972 Rupp 440 Nitro pictured here. We’ll let Holland tell the story of how it happened: Six or seven years ago we went up to St. Germain, Wisconsin for the Snowmobile Hall Of Fame Classic Sled Roundup show, which happens every year on Memorial Day weekend. We drove out Thursday and did some garage
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
sale shopping around St. Germain, just looking for some deals. That afternoon we found a couple of Rupp helmets at a garage sale, so we bought them. We get back to our motel later that day and the lady at the desk, just being friendly, asks us, “What are you guys doing in town?” We said, “Well, we’re up here for the vintage snowmobile show.” She says, “You are! You know, my husband used to have a dealership and he’s still got some sleds, are you interested in them?” We
said, “Well yeah we’re interested!” So we got her number and we set up a time. Later on that Thursday evening we drove out to their place to see what they had. Lo and behold, the guy had a 1972 Rupp 440 Nitro and a 1973 Rupp Sport. Both were in excellent condition, with only like a 1,000 or 1,500 miles on each one of them. We talked numbers, made a deal and bought them both. Once the show was over, we brought the sleds home and went through them. On the Nitro, the plastics were a little bit beat up so we put new, restored panels on it. The sled still had the lettering from when it was raced back in the day, so I had a painter re-paint all the original ads on the sides. The story is that this guy owned a dealership called Track & Trail in northern Wisconsin. He owned the snowmobiles when they were new and sold them to a buddy, and then 15 years later bought them back. He’s had them since, and when we came to look at them, he said he was tired of moving them around - you know the old story. While we were there he says, “Come on out to this old bus, I got some parts out there you might be interested in.” So he brings us out to this old school bus in the woods and hanging up in there he’s got factory mod pipes for the 440 Nitro. It turns out they used to race the sled back in the day. A guy named Tom was the mechanic at the dealership, and that’s his name on the hood. He was the mechanic as well as the rider, and they said they had pretty good success with it at the races. The pipes were the same ones they used to run on the sled when they raced it. Of course I wanted those, so I bought them from him too. Built for stock class racing and trail
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Ti me TRACKS
performance, Rupp offered five different Nitros in 1972 - 295, 340, 400, 440 and a 650. Built on a lightweight aluminum chassis, they had a racy look, thanks to their black and red paint job and low wedge seat. While all NItros are desirable, ones like Holland’s find that have a racing history and factory racing parts are even more sought after. The 650 Nitro is definitely the rarest of the bunch, and Holland says if they built any
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
‘72 RUPP 440 NITRO
650s, it was “only one or two if they did.” (See, that’s where the brand knowledge comes in.) All Nitros used Ruppengineered engines built by Tohatsu. Up front, Rupp Nitros used a fairly conventional leaf spring suspension with shocks placed alongside the springs. Out back they had a unique skid frame with twin leaf springs that pushed down on the front rails and adjustable torsion springs in the back. Power ran through Rupp’s own clutches which they referred to as “High-performance torque converters” and Nitros came standard with only a speedometer (tach was extra). This sled is part of Holland’s collection, which he brings to various shows throughout the year. Ever humble, he says the Rupp is, “Just a nice old, fun sled to play with.”
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onsnow
SHOP HUSTLE Scratch That Itch
W
ith marginal snow and unexpected warm-ups and cool downs experienced over the past few winters, there has been an increasingly growing demand for “scratchers”, those little rail mounted cables or steel springs that produce a spray of ice and snow to help lubricate the rails and cool the engine. Once deemed to be an accessory only needed for mountain riders with long track sleds that feature extended rail lengths and minimal idler wheels, the growing trend for longer tracked sleds across the snowbelt has prompted more and more riders to utilize these simple, but often effective accessories. This past fall while cruising the massive International Snowmobile,
ATV and Powersports Show in A Toronto, To To we bumped into Allan Mcleod, the man who came up with M the t h Sno-Wheels concept to easily th move our sleds around the shop. m Turns out Al has been busy working Tu Tu on on several new products including a new ne take on the age-old scratcher ne design. de de Unlike traditional cable or spring steel scratchers which mount to the stt rail, ra a Al came up with a better idea that th moves the scratchers forward, producing a spray of snow directly pr pr onto on the track and rails. Although rail mounted scratchers are effective, m there are a few downsides. Cable th h type designs develop a “memory” ty y fr fr from sitting atop the rails when not no o in use. This results in a lack of p pr pressure with the snow pack when
Al supplied us this screen grab from a video on his website that shows the Cool Lube Scratcher in action.
yyou yo o need them. Wire types also h ha have some shortcomings, most no notable of which occurs when you fo o forget you have them down and b ba a back up your sled. There is no
The complete Cool Lube Scratcher kit is simple in design, well built, and includes everything you need for install.
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
osmmag.com
onsnow
SHOP HUSTLE
We mounted our units just behind the ski spindle.
forgiveness here, and before you know it you’ve just bent or snapped the wire scratcher. Both designs also spray to the sides of the sled, wasting 50% of their effectiveness by throwing snow outward, and not towards your spinning track. Al’s solution is a mounting system that attaches the scratchers to the inside of your skis, directing all of the spray towards the track and rear suspension. The design is rather simple, but in typical Sno-Wheels fashion, very well built. Each mount is basically a piece of square tubing with two knife edges that dig into the ski’s plastic to keep it from moving, along with a mount that slides over the top. If you already have a cable type scratcher, the kit includes a mount that will accept almost any type or brand. The simplicity allows for a multitude of mounting options and positions, so you can adjust
Scratch That Itch
The view from the front shows clearly how these scratchers will spray the majority of snow directly on the track and rear rails…right where it is needed.
where the scratchers will “live” while w producing a hefty spray. When the pr p r scratchers aren’t needed, they can sc c be b e slipped off the mounting tube and stored until needed again. The an mounts are kept on their mounting m posts by an easy pull cotter pin that p po goes thru a hole up top. They are g go easy to put on and take off. A ssuper su u nice rubber cover is also included n ni i for fo o a clean look when the scratchers are not installed, along with a ar rrubber strap to keep the scratches ru up for longer periods if you happen to be “road running”. We wouldn’t recommend using the strap for re everyday use, but it’s nice to have ev the option there if needed. th We opted for the solid bar design, which easily attached to our Polaris. w T Ta a Take a little extra time when you ffinalize fi in the mount to ensure there is no chance for interference b be between the scratcher and your
suspension, the sled’s underside, or ssu rear track. We went the extra step re and weighted the sled and turned a an the th h skis to full-lock in both directions before securing the mounts in place. b be From there you’ll want to determine F Fr r just ju u how much downward pressure need to produce enough yyou’ll yo o sspray, but not so much that you’re sp leaving a plow furrow behind. le e Now here’s the added bonus of tthis th h design - you can back up no matter if you have a cable or steel m scratchers mounted. The sspring sp p design serves up enough flex to d de e eliminate bending or breaking of the e el scratcher. sc c With the Cool Lubes in place, we have yet to smell that all too familiar ha aroma of melting hyfax, or worse a ar r yyet, see our temp light pop on. ye T Th h These should be very beneficial as w we near spring riding season, where e a morning trails look more like a early h ho o hockey rink versus a groomed trail. To learn more and to get yourself ho o hooked up with a pair of Cool Lube S Scratchers, visit the Sno-Wheels w website at www.sno-wheels.com. The spring-loaded design allows you to tilt the scratcher back and secure it in place when not needed for short runs. You can also remove them completely with a simple pin, for days when you know they won’t be necessary.
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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LAWN ORNAMENTS
onsnow ong awaited snow cover has finally hit the “sledder-belt” for many of us, and the time to ride is now. But of course, that hasn’t stopped many of you from cruising the back roads and alleyways of North America in search of rotting iron or meticulously parked sleds, waiting their next day on the snow pack. Keep those photos coming and remember, each issue one lucky Lawn Ornament submission will receive a freshly screened OSM Runs on Spray tee-shirt. Send pics and a brief description or comment, along with your name and address to editor@osmmag.com
L
Congrats to last issue’s Lawn Ornament winner Matt Coffman who will surely be the envy of his riding buddies when he wears his OSM Runs on Spray tee. Another f collectio rom the Coope r n, this J is home a to squir g 340 other ro rels and d for the ents as it waits t near King rail expansion City, On tario.
ed this It seems as if Henry Cooper has turn ion. pass a of Lawn Ornament thing into a bit tor ribu cont lar” “regu He is now officially a ding with his second batch of “finds” inclu ies, bugg ” ered “cov and ed stor y ectl these perf you e caus ttie… located adjacent to a porta-po call. will re natu just never know when ver be can ne ggies e n o , around hy these bu single ildren h c is w ith a h Wit which y secured w st Duluth. , e f a Ea too s fessionall alley in o are pr ap in a back r tie-st
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We hit th driving th e mother lode o e Novembe back roads of f lawn trinkets while r, while Minneso w ta this race at past Spirit M aiting for the big snoc ountain Editor B ro to o when th urgeois is “old” kick off the s ss eason. is Indy e n o u g h t “r laps on the fam ed rocket” was o remember ed ski-h ill track laying down .
ust ising…”J cleaned m o r p d sounde eed car slist ad parked, may n matching ski ig a r C e Th The hen , ran w eady to ride.” d e ic v r e r s arge. erwise but oth re no extra ch e skins w
re is a have he e well e w t a on Wh cat and downed T. N worn T
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SHORT, LIGHT, AND READY TO FIGHT
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short tracker…the ditch banger… the terrain tamer…no matter what you call it, the most formidable sled in any given manufacturer’s line-up remains the same. Despite the surge in popularity in the mountain segment over the past 10-years, and the increased focus from each by their engineering teams in developing new technology, specific for deep snow, off-trail riding, the short tracked ultimate terrain snowmobile continues to showcase the leading edge of technology. Since the early 1970s, manufacturers have been creating special, terrain focused, race ready sleds to not just win trophies, but to also win over passionate and demanding consumers. Be it with the sled itself, or through merely being brand aligned with what they deem to be the leader in racing performance, enthusiasts look to these terrain weapon sleds as the leader of the pack. Of course, today’s landscape of such sleds is mostly filled with purpose built snocross race sleds. While snocross is the most popular of racing disciplines, it’s also a far cry from the same types of terrain we ride in the “real world”. Fortunately, the manufacturers who actively participate in snocross recognize this as well, and have continued to develop a formidable trail focused snowmobile, outfitted with the power, chassis and premium suspension required to straighten a twisted track, conquer a holed-out ditchline, and hone a Sunday afternoon chatter bump trail. More often than not, these are our sleds of choice…these are our dirty weapons.
Words and Photos: Pat Bourgeois
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Arctic Cat ZR8000 Sno-Pro: Brawn and Might Somewhere between the 1993 ZR and the current day ProCross chassis, the feline lost its way. During the mid to late 1990s, Arctic Cat was simply the king when it came to delivering the ultimate bump and carve short tracker. The ZR had set a new benchmark when it came to cornering carving prowess, and frankly, would still give several of today’s latest designs a run for their money on a tight and twisted, groomed trail. Fortunately, the ProCross brought Arctic Cat back into the terrain fold with a chassis and suspension design that is tight, focused and surprisingly easy to drive. Despite the rider upright design of the ProCross chassis, the overall feel still has hints of old-school in its roots. If there’s one word to best describe the ZR SnoPro, it would be burly. The sled is
The ZR is incredibly easy to drive and is rock solid stable in unpredictable terrain 38
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big by comparison to other sleds in this category, both in its actual stature, and by how it feels from the cockpit. There’s also still a hint of a more stretched out and relaxed riding position with the ProCross, especially when compared to the more knees up, lean forward feel of the both the Ski-Doo MXZ and Polaris Rush. However, if big mileage days and a degree of ride comfort that laughs in the face of monkey butt are in your wheelhouse, the ZR is the hot ticket. While the oversized feel of the ZR may take away some of the coveted nimbleness most are looking for, the ZR is also incredibly easy to drive, and is rock solid stable in unpredictable terrain. In fact, everything about the ZR is sure-footed and predictable, from the linear acceleration to the incredibly light steering effort, and associated just right turn-in of the bars. The suspension is another area where the ZR seems to just get the job done without much fuss or fanfare. This is not to say the tall spindle, Arctic Race
…if big mileage days and a degree of ride comfort that laughs in the face of monkey butt are in your wheelhouse, the ZR is the hot ticket. Suspension up front and Slide-Action at the rear doesn’t feature plenty of leading edge technology…it does. The difference here between the Cat and the other weapons in the stable is the ZR never gives you that eye-opening wow factor… but that in all honesty is a good thing. We chalk it up to the countless miles of cross-country racing this suspension package has been subjected to over the past several years. It’s no secret Arctic Cat continues to invest significant time and effort towards cross-country racing and development. Many of their key engineers are racers themselves, and no other brand in the past 5 years has amassed more cross-country wins than Arctic Cat. If that’s not a testament to just how good the ZR is, we don’t know what is.
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Ski-Doo MXZ X-RS 800: Methodical Precision Each season, our shop and trailers are filled with a smattering of new iron from all four manufacturers; it’s one of those perks of the job that can make the long nights, travel, and hundreds of hours in front of a keyboard all worth it. Each year we select a few key models from each manufacturer, so we can experience what is often the latest technology from each for an entire season. This results in a revolving door of different types of sleds, from the latest entry focused buggy, to one-up luxury touring, to crossover, mountain focused models. Yet every season there is one constant in our shop…the XRS. There’s an unwritten rule amongst us when we prepare for a guy’s ride… whoever rides the XRS has to start at the back of the pack. Why, you ask? Well the XRS is so good, we simply call it the cheater sled…it truly makes every rider, no matter their ability, better; and it carves up a moguled-out trail with ridiculous accuracy. It’s no secret the Rev changed everything after it was first introduced in 2003. The rider forward design forced every other manufacturer to change their
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chassis design philosophies, and today, every modern sled has attributes that can be traced back to the original REV. Of course, during this same time, Ski-Doo has continued to refine the rider forward concept and associated suspension components. The 2016 XRS reflects the latest and most advanced version, complete with added reinforcements to complement the race focused chassis and suspension. Of course, no mention of many of the latest Ski-Doo buggies can be uttered without mentioning the E-TEC acronym. In short, the Rotax direct injected twostroke E-TEC engine platform is the epitome of two-stroke precision and efficiency. The run quality is absurdly smooth, linear and predictable, and the added benefits of great fuel economy, minimal oil usage and very little exhaust smoke to sting the eyes is simply icing on the cake. Ironically, it’s this combination of precision handling and equally precise
It truly makes every rider, no matter their ability, better
If you define fun by being able to kick your riding buddy’s backside in the bumps and turns…then the XRS is laugh out loud ridiculous. engine performance that, at times can suck the fun right out from under the XRS. Now don’t go confusing fun with fast…in this instance they are two completely different animals. The predictable and almost overly planted nature of the skis and linear drone and acceleration of the 800R E-TEC engine is in some ways mundane, compared to the more spirited nature of both the ZR and Rush Pro-X. But if you define fun by being able to kick your riding buddy’s backside in the bumps and turns…then the XRS is laugh out loud ridiculous. Equipped with second generation RAS-2 suspension geometry up front, rising rate rMotion out back, and the best shocks in the Ski-Doo parts bins, the XRS is simply the best when it comes to honing a whooped out, twisted trail. If that’s wrong, we don’t want to be right.
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Polaris 800 Rush Pro-X: Happy Aggression For the brand that, at one time during the late 1980s and throughout the 90s, defined the very essence of snowmobiling, the climb back from a rather rocky stretch following that championship run, has been a lesson in hard work, innovation and risk taking. The launch of the Rush in 2010, with its unusual Pro-Ride rear suspension, was a gamble the company simply had to take… seven years later it’s clear the bet paid off. The second generation Rush built around the AXYS chassis is now a leader in lightweight nimbleness and smart engineering. In fact, we suspect many of the ideas employed by the AXYS chassis will soon work their way into competing brands. Be it for manufacturing efficiency, cost effectiveness, or most important in the eyes of riders…performance, the AXYS chassis delivers.
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Obviously, one of the biggest technical differences, not to mention visually obvious, is the outside the tunnel design of the second generation Pro-Ride suspension, now called the Pro-XC. With the rear of the tunnel lopped-off and the rear arm shock mounted atop the track and affixed to an over structure beneath the seat, it looks like no other sled in the industry. Surprisingly, the ride difference is not nearly as discernible, which isn’t a knock against the Pro-XC suspension, but rather a nod to Polaris for developing and sticking with a bold new approach to rear suspension design, and making it work for everybody, not just “Ricky Racers”. The benefits of the Pro-Ride type rear suspension were obvious very early on. From its first iteration, the ability of the Rush short tracker to bomb through monster holes and craters with uncanny
800 throbbing cubes that revs with a ferocity and quickness no other two-stroke engine can currently match. accuracy and control, was like no other sled we had ridden. Fast forward to the 2016 Rush Pro-X, with an even better Pro-XC rear suspension, a longer travel front suspension, and premium Walker Evans piggyback shocks at all four locations, and that big bump ability is even better. What’s more, the 2016 Rush Pro-X has also been refined to tackle all other types of terrain with equal aplomb. Jagged edge stutter bumps, which were once a nemesis for the Pro-Ride design, are now honed with equal accuracy. Then there’s the engine…a honey
howler of 800 throbbing cubes that revs with a ferocity and quickness that no other two-stroke engine can currently match. While the Liberty 800HO might not be the most powerful, or the most technically advanced, it serves up the most hammer from corner to corner, thanks to a combination of quick revs, spot on clutching, and a chassis that transfers weight with near aggressive qualities. The Pro-X will nose up and carry the skis with the simple burp of the throttle…and who doesn’t like that. For certain, the Rush Pro-X is a big bump buggy, Polaris even makes this point very clear by steering most trail riders to the slightly lower to the ground and softer sprung and damped Pro-S version. The taller stance of the Pro-X, along with a softer rate front sway bar and taller lug track out back, detracts from the sleds ability to hone corners like either the ZR or XRS. Yet one stab of the throttle, followed by a monster wheelie across a road approach and through a cratered out hole on the other side, puts the Pro-X atop the pack when it comes to big terrain ability. More importantly, the Pro X is just more fun to ride…and fun is good. The Pro X is just more fun to ride…and fun is good.
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While the nuances in driver positioning and ergonomics might appear very similar at first glance, each sled has a very unique feel and riding experience. The Cat is incredibly stable and easy to drive; the Polaris loves the rider to be active; and the Ski-Doo rewards you with laser accuracy control through precise driver inputs.
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HAVE YOU LOST YOUR EDGE?
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MUFF
of the month
Each issue, head chefs Steve Hannah (Fluffy) and Darren Desaultels (Desi) will share their favorite recipes and Muff Pot techniques to help you create a trailside feast. If you’ve got a Muffpot recipe or crazy sled cooker you’ve built, our Muff Master would love to hear about it. Email them at mom@osmmag.com
BIRTH OF THE SUPER MUFF Yup, you read the headline correctly; the crew at the OSM prototype shop have gone out and created a solution to the age old problem…a too small muff pot. Frankly, we’ve experienced the “too much food to fit in the muff” way too often, and we’re sick of it. You get your faithful buggy fueled up
Here you can clearly see just how big our new “super” pot is, compared to our much loved stock pot…hungry man size.
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and your old “pot” cleaned up, and there’s just not enough grub in the pot to keep the crowd happy. Oh what to do? Well, one member of the Muff army apparently had too much time on his hands during his extended lunch hour. Our boy “Fluffy” ventured off to the local fishing, camping and outdoor store he frequents on his lunch hour(s), and while walking about, stumbled onto these really cool camping pots. Surprisingly, they fit the bill for a bigger muff quite nicely; they are well-built, crazy sturdy, and come in two sizes - large and hungry man size.
The new pot is about twice the size of the stocker, and it opens up an entirely new world of recipes for our hungry crew. We can’t wait to pop the steaming top on this sucker.
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MUFF of the month
We found our new super sized muff pot at a local camping store. With the help of a local fab shop, we laser cut out a new mounting bracket for the big cooker.
Cleary, Steve has too much time on his hands, and he figures everyone else has a similar schedule, because he purchased two and left them for me to fabricate a bracket and mounting system. Turns out the smaller of the two pots fits into the stock muff
pot brackets, so his plan to have two pots ready to burn for one ride is going to play out. Perhaps some Egg McMuffins first, and then pop on the second pot and cook up another blend of goodness for lunch. We can already smell the goodness coming out
With the newly fabricated mounts in hand, we set out to find a location to mount our new super cooker.
from under the hood, and with two meals on the trail, that leaves us with more jingle in our pockets and more time spent riding. As for the mounting details, it was really quite simple. I used the original muff pot mounting bracket as a guide. The bracket is held onto the pipe using the same clamp, but from there I had to make a special bracket to fit the newer, and much bigger super pot. Fortunately I have access to CAD software and with a few small bribes, the laser operator at work was able to laser cut a few mounts and retaining straps. Still, both Fluffy and I were concerned the super sized pot wouldn’t fit under the hood, but to our surprise, the mega pot slides under there with no problems. From there, I just had to modify the clip to secure the pot in place and we were off to the races…or is that cooking?! Although this isn’t available to buy from any store, we’re sure you can find something similar, and along with a little bit of relatively simple fabrication, you can create your own mega pot. We’re pumped to try it out, knowing we will have more food to share for our group of riders, who seem to have a never-ending appetite. Fluffy has a few casserole ideas he’s working on, and I’ve got a really cool looking mozza stuffed meatball recipe I want to try out. As soon as we can get this big sucker out on the snow, we’ll be feeding the masses trail side. If you have a muff pot idea you’d like for us to try, or if you have a favorite recipe you’ve created with your own muff pot, let us know. Drop us a line at mom@osmmag.com
Till next time, keep muffin’ THE REASON WE ARE NAMED DYNOPORT IS:
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315-252-2113
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MICHIGAN’S POWDER HOUND LODGE IS GROUND ZERO FOR MIDWEST BACKCOUNTRY SLEDDERS
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T
here’s a scene slowly gaining momentum in the backwoods of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Always known for its well-groomed and marked “super” trails that often follow abandoned rail car lines, the area is also home to huge tracts of national and state forests. These public lands, and the fact the area receives well in excess of 200-inches of lake effect snow every season has quietly turned the U.P. into an off-trail, boon-docking playground.
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The certainty of abundant snowfall was one of the first things to attract Chris and Anne Reimer to the area. Both former residents of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, they were looking to escape the concrete and steel of the big city, and in the process, make their dreams of owning and operating a lodge tailored for snow lovers, especially snowmobilers, a reality. When the rundown and nearly forgotten property that was once the original lodging for The Big Powderhorn Ski Resort, (located between Ironwood and Bessemer) was first found by Anne, there was something about the place that struck a chord. “It had been abandoned for nearly seven years, and every kind of rodent and critter you could think of was living inside of it,” Anne recalled as she was serving up freshly made egg bake to our crew of hungry sledders. “It needed a lot of work…but we kept our eye on it and when the previous owners finally wanted to “unload” it, we jumped in with both feet.” With Anne’s marketing background and Chris’s experiences in the trades including carpentry and masonry, the soon to be named Powder Hound Lodge began to breathe new life. For Chris, who was already an avid snowmobiler, his appetite for riding off trailer grew quickly as he met up with local riders and explored the logging roads and rolling terrain of the nearly one-million acres of the Ottawa National Forest. The lodge was finally opened in 2011, and now features 11 rooms with 30 beds, and still more if needed, by utilizing two neighboring chalets. Chris and Anne make sure the lodge is a home away from home for snowmobilers, sports enthusiasts, and for those who simply love the outdoors. With a viral marketing campaign and the allure of good times and even better snow, the Powder Hound Lodge’s reputation as a simple, but always welcoming place for snowmobilers spread quickly. Those who visit, always come back and spread the word about the sledder friendly ambiance and the even better off-trail riding. “Most of the people who stay here keep coming back,” said Anne. “We wanted the Powder Hound to have that same feel as if you were kicking your boots off and having a few drinks at a friend’s cabin. Snowmobilers are a tight knit community, and we have that same community feel with all our guests at the lodge. We keep our rates low so people can afford to keep coming back. It means the world to us when people fall in love with the area and the love of riding as much as we have.”
Chris and Anne Reimer, along with their St. Bernard Yogi, made the permanent move to the U.P. last year to run the lodge year round. Chris tells us the side-by-side riding in the area is crazy good...looks like a side-by-side return trip is in order.
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Yogi slobber during your stay is absolutely free.
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While we spent much of our time riding off-trail, we took a morning burn on the last day to rip the freshly groomed trails. The snow in this region seems to simply fall out of the sky on command. Rarely do more the landscape. re than tha h n a few few days dayss go go by by without wittho h ut ut fresh fre resh sh snow sno n w to blanket bla l
The foundation of the Powder Hound Lodge are the remnants of a cattle barn from the 1800s. Since the barn was repurposed, the facility has done business as the Viking Inn and the Christie Lane Lodge before it was left abandoned for seven years, prior to Chris and Anne purchasing the property in 2011. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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Chris is one helluva a nice guy and a pretty damn good carpenter too boot! He repurposed the wood from a dilapidated barn to create the latest addition to the Powder Hound camp…this ‘bring your own’ community bar with attached hot tub, sauna and deck. A vast collection of old and new sledder films are always running on the big screen above the community fridge.
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The Powder Hound Lodge is one part quirky, one part eccentric, and a whole lot of friendly. If you can’t get comfortable here during your stay…you’re running with the wrong crowd.
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4 POWDER
HOWLING
LEFT: If you’re new to the region, Powder Hound can hook you up with a local guide to show you the hidden routes across the seemingly endless stretches of rolling, wooded terrain. Our guide (and roaster of the wiener) was Steve Hamilton. We had known Steve when he could be often found behind a camera, shooting pictures at a national snocross race. Steve has now put the camera away and is living the gypsy life in the U.P.
RIGHT: We found the food in this part of Michigan to be damn good, no matter where we went. This over the top burger was devoured at the Maplewood Steakhouse, located right on Highway 2 in Ironwood.
BELOW: For th the mostt part, the P Powder Hound BELOW F t th d H d iis a community lodge, where you bring your own food and share the fully furnished kitchen with others. You can also make arrangements in advance and have Anne whip up some of her incredible egg bakes, or made from scratch French toast. In the evenings, the Black River Pub & Grub is just a short walk down the road.
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FOX SHOCK SALE! FLOAT 2 STARTING AT $395 FLOAT EVOL R STARTING AT $649 FOX OX ZER ZERO O PRO SHOCKS STARTING START ST R ING A AT $99 $99 (SUPPLIES LIMITED)
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WWW.ENGINEICE.COM ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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FIRST BURN
BALANCE & BURN 2016 YAMAHA SRVIPER LTX LE
N
ow that the buzz surrounding the Yamaha SRViper has subsided, after the initial shock and awe of the news that Yamaha and Arctic Cat were becoming bedmates, the working relationship between the two companies has fallen into a groove of both acceptance, and perhaps even normalcy. While it was a bit odd at first, we now find ourselves viewing the joined at the hip snowmobiles produced by Arctic Cat and powered by Yamaha as being similar, yet uniquely different in both personality and performance. Last winter, Yamaha was feeling rather smitten about their latest offerings, due in part to new offerings and technology in their purely Yamaha models, and perhaps more so through the progression being made with the SRViper and the Arctic Cat relationship. Amongst the host of new models, one stood out with particular bravado; the SRViper LTX LE with its special spring order focused FOX Quick Switch 3 shocks up front, and Yamaha’s voodoo ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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science Performance Damper at both ends, making it the most competent and balanced Viper to date. Our early sampling of the buggy in January, and again later in early March, had us wanting more this winter, as we added the LTX to our season-long loaner pool. There are two things we already know about the Viper – first, the Arctic Cat designed and built ProCross chassis is stout, oversized (in comparison to competing designs) and a tad heavy; second, the Genesis 1049cc engine is a fourstroke ripper, but it also adds a bit more weight to the overall SRViper equation. No, the Viper LTX isn’t a featherweight, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, especially when groomed trail running is your hot button.
The Long and Short of It
There’s been a lot going on the past few years when it comes to track length; be it in the mountains, backcountry or even on-trail, every engineer and every rider seem to have an opinion on what works best, and subsequently, the current snowscape is littered with
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various lengths. Yamaha’s Viper is not immune to this sometimes confusing mix of lengths. The four-stroker offering starts with a “short-tracker” 129” version and grows from there. But it’s the 137” track length found on the LTX that immediately grabbed our attention from the very first ride. Patterned with a Ripsaw II lug and spinning around the coupled Dual Shock rear suspension, the 137” version of the venomous offering appears to have found the ideal balance that is so often missing in heavier four-stroke applications.
The LTX delivers just right traction and chassis balance for the power offerings of the Genesis…not too long, resulting in nose up acceleration and lack of steering precision; and also not too little, with excessive nose heavy steering effort. This is not to say there aren’t lighter and or more nimble sleds on the market, but if smoothness, fuel efficiency, and the automotive run quality of a four-stroke is what you crave for your trail running passion, it’s tough to beat the LTX. A big part of the appeal and our positive first impressions of the LTX LE is directly related to the latest in shock technology from FOX found up front. With air-shock technology being the invogue trend as of late, the crew at FOX has invested considerable time and effort in revisiting the tried and true virtues of a coil over design, and the Quick Switch 3 (QS3) delivers one of the most compliant and easy to tune shock packages in the sport. While the infinite adjustability of an air shock is appealing, we’ve always found the friction free performance of a coil-over continues to deliver a better overall ride, especially on-trail where small stutters and trail nuances can challenge an air shock. This coupled with the easy to tune, three position compression damping of the QS3, (soft, medium and firm) makes anyone a shock tuning pro, with differences between each setting easily discernible by the seat of your pants, something that can be hard to find with some “highzoot” multi-click shocks.
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onsnow Easy In. Easy Out. Our first full trail romp with the LTX occurred late last winter on spring condition trails. It’s always a bit difficult to judge a sled in such conditions; the soft snow and warm temperatures makes for trail conditions that are often more forgiving in the bumps, and also serve up plenty of ski bite and often times mask the true characteristics of a sled’s handling in what would be considered more “typical” mid-winter trail conditions. Our experience at that time was off-the-charts goodness, and we were eager to give the Viper LTX another go this winter in much different conditions. If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the past few seasons with the latest crop of Yamaha sleds is that they thrive on precision. The LTX is no different… driving the 137” Viper in the same man-
ner you would a two-stroke is met with less than desirable results. A hammer down, chop the throttle and then stab the gas as you hit the exit of the apex in a corner is met with resistance. Instead, smooth and easy is the ticket, and in doing so the LTX responds with very palatable characteristics. With the Viper, it’s all about carrying speed through the corner, applying just enough brake, and then a smooth and consistent squeeze of the throttle on the exit. Do this and the LTX is a formidable weapon on any trail. Plus with the addition of the FOX QS3 shocks up front and third generation Tuner skis, the sled is compliant and in control in the rough stuff, delivering a level of comfort we’ve not experienced before from the latest Viper offerings. Of course the heart and soul of the LTX is the Genesis motor…it’s the monster truck engine of snowmobiling with
RAVES
a throaty, angry growl and a two-faced demeanor that can hit like Fraser one minute, and be smooth as silk the next. While we’ve heard some reports of lack of power and speed, just keep in mind this tightly wound, and ‘Swiss watch quality’ four-stroker needs some hours logged before she delivers the goods. Every Genesis Viper we’ve had in our fleet over the past few seasons have “woke up” once we surpassed the 1,000 mile mark. While that may seem like a long time to wait to reap the full benefits of 1049cc of four-stroke goodness, keep in mind this engine is built to last, with virtually zero service. Get past the recommend service interval at 2,500 miles and all you’ll have to do is gas and go, all while enjoying impressive fuel economy numbers.
FOX QUICK SWITCH 3 SHOCKS DELIVER EXCELLENT COMFORT AND CONTROL, WITH TUNING EVEN YOUR AUNT SALLY CAN FIGURE OUT. A THE GENESIS 1049 IS A TORQUE MONSTER THAN MAKES SMALL PUPPIES PIDDLE IN ITS PRESENCE. HEATED SEAT ISN'T JUST FOR OLD GUYS, YOU’LL QUICKLY AGREE WHEN RIDING IN SUB-ZERO TEMPS.
LATEST TUNER SKIS CAN BE OVERLY AGGRESSIVE IN SOFT SNOW ON DECELERATION. PICK YOUR LINE WISELY.
FLAMES
BIG BOY CONTROLS…EVERYTHING ABOUT THE VIPER IS BIG, ESPECIALLY CIALLY THE OVERSIZED HANDLEBAR GRIPS AND GARDEN TRACTOR R BRAKE LEVER ZERO FEEL BRAKES…DESPITE A BIG PULL LEVER, THE DRIVE SHAFT AFT MOUNTED BRAKES PROVIDE LITTLE TTLE TO NO FEEL AND REQUIRE MORE ORE THAN EXPECTED EFFORT. #BACKONTHEJACKSHAFT ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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Pat Bourgeois
Joe Wiegele
Gary Walton Todd Williams
Lissa Marsolek
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The Shooters Gary Walton
Lissa Marsolek
www.redplatemedia.com Visit any national snocross track in recent years and you’ll be sure to see this guy there, smack dab in the middle of it all with cameras slung around both arms. Gary started working as an action sports photographer in 1987 with BMX Plus! and DirtWheels magazines. After returning home to Minnesota he began working as an associate editor at Snow Week and has been a part of the snow racing scene ever since. Today, Walton owns Red Plate Media, which specializes in producing multi-media content for the snow, moto and off-road industries, as well as their own SnoX365 outlets. When he’s not working behind the lens or at a laptop, you can often find Walton racing a regional or national off-road motorcycle event. According to Gary its just requires the right “Tools of the Trade” Nikon, Apple, Adobe & Caveman Coffee.
www.sourceimagery.com Michigan native Lissa Marsolek is a freelance photographer based out of Menomonie, Wisconsin. Lissa is the staff photographer for Christian Brothers Racing and a contributing photographer for magazines such as RacerX Magazine, Minnesota Snowmobiling, Wisconsin Snowmobile News and of course On Snow Magazine. When not traveling capturing action sports, Lissa operates a 1250 square foot commercial studio with a 32 foot infinity wall. Her broad range of work includes but is not limited to portrait, fashion, custom motorcycles, classic cars and action sports. A former pro snocross racer, Lissa turned that passion into a profession as an action sports photographer. Aside from her skills behind the lens, Lissa still finds the time to be a wife, mother of three, and seek out adventure, adrenalin and the great outdoors...always with a camera in hand
Joe Wiegele
Todd Williams
www.nostyleproductions.com According to Joe, he has been shooting photos and videos for as long as he can remember with his Dad’s old film cameras and a Hi8 Handycam he received as Christmas gift as a kid. Joe started semi professional shooting photo and video in 2003 with a Canon GL2 and Canon D60. No.Style Productions was established in 2005 on a random weeknight out in downtown Minneapolis over many adult beverages and conversation over what Joe and his friends thought was lacking in the powersports scene at the time. It’s now been a full time profession since 2010. Joe tries to specialize in motorsports...if it has a motor or makes noise with gas you’ll likely find Joe there, pointing his lens at it. Races, action sports, and live event coverage...that’s No Style Productions.
www.toddwilliams.com Todd Williams is an editorial and commercial photographer who was born and raised in central Minnesota. Todd moved to New York City in 1995 where he worked under the tutelage of respected photographers like Gregory Heisler, Howard Schatz and Keneth Willardt. Over the past 15 years he has developed a unique camera perspective that is crisp and adventurous. Avid OSM readers will recognize Todd’s name and his work, as he has been our shooter of choice on many of our location shoots. Like many action sport photographers, Todd is a passionate enthusiast as well, and we can attest...one hell of a rider. Todd often finds the angle, the mood, and moment others simply don’t see, and his irreverent free spirit is the perfect fit for OSM’s don’t give a damn, let’s just have fun lifestyle. His images range the spectrum from serious, in-your-face product portrayal to doing the things and capturing the images where others dare or think not to tread.
Pat Bourgeois
www.osmmag.com Aside from being the guy with the ideas and the words found in each issue of On Snow Magazine, our editor in charge Bourgeois has some skill behind the lens as well. Pat has been working within the powersports industry for nearly 25-years. His first gig was penning stories and taking photos under the tutelage or Snowmobile Hall of Fame journalist CJ Ramstad. According to Pat, CJ showed him the ropes and instilled within him a free sprit approach to life. When he’s not drinking cheap beer, wrenching in the shop with Goodwood and Beerstein, or riding…Pat has a camera around his neck and is often capturing images with a journalistic flair.
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TRACKS ACROSS A SINGLE HUE Between the sharp protrusion of timeless granite rests a confluence of light, shadows and powder. Photographer: Todd Williams Location: he Books in the Chugach Mountains, Alaska
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GATHERING POINT Riders gather briefly with only intuition and a sense of adventure as their guide in the backcountry. Photographer: Pat Bourgeois Locations: Ottawa National Forest, Michigan
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RELIC RIDES A group of avid vintage and antique snowmobilers prepare for a trail ride around the outskirts of Lake Waconia. Photographer: Pat Bourgeois Location: Waconia, Minnesota
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WHISPERED FLIGHT For a brief instant, after the track leaves the snowpack and the screams of the crowd are muted, the race becomes a silent trip through snow swirl in the crisp night air. Photographer: Lissa Marsolek Location: Canterbury Park, Shakopee, Minnesota
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SPIRIT DREAMS For more than 20-years, snocross hopefuls have kicked off their season on the slopes of Spirit Mountain against the backdrop of a simple night sky and the well-lit skyline of Duluth below. Photographer: Lissa Marsolek Location: Duluth, Minnesota
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FEEDBACK Rising snocross star Kody Kamm is awash in congratulations after beating Tucker Hibbert. Photographer: Joe Weigele Location: Duluth, Minnesota
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SOLITUDE Pro-Open racer Kyle Pallin prepares for the main event, alone in his hauler during a moment of visualization. Photographer: Joe Weigele Location: Deadwood, South Dakota
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X FACTOR Practice laps at the 2016 Winter X-Games in Aspen, Colorado Photographer: Joe Weigele Location: Aspen, Colorado
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PERSPECTIVE The world is viewed much differently by those who refuse to live within its boundaries. Photographer: Gary Walton Location: Aspen, Colorado
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DISRUPTION One minor breach in concentration is all it takes to se separate man from machine, as Trent Wittwer learns this lesson the hard way. learn Phot Photographer: Gary Walton Location: Salamanca, New York Loca
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Ron Pattyn Stud Boy trail studs for the single ply tracks.
The traction and control industry has seen its share of ups and downs, most notable of which was the uproar created when some states were looking to ban studs from trails during the mid-1990s. Fortunately, safety and cooler heads prevailed and we continue to enjoy the added benefits of performance, control and most notably, the safety that these products offer. One of the leaders of the industry, when it comes to these types of products is Stud Boy. Owner Ron Pattyn is one of those “good guys” who always has a smile on his face and is ready to talk snowmobiles, racing and of course, the benefits of traction and control. We caught up with Ron during our International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports Show in Toronto, and here’s an excerpt from our conversation. To learn more about Stud Boy, and to order product directly from them, visit their website at www.studboytraction.com If I remember correctly, Stud Boy entered the market in the mid 1990s; snowmobiling was experiencing incredibly good times back then. What prompted you to enter the traction market? We incorporated in 1989, but really actively started Stud Boy in 1992. Our thoughts were that we could offer an improved product, and supply in a timely fashion to the snowmobile community.
What are some of the products you have developed that you are most proud of, and what are your key consumer products that have been a hit over the past couple of winters? We try to offer products that are innovative and unique to Stud Boy. Our Pro Series Backers and the Shaper Bars are products that offer great performance gains to the snowmobiler, and they’re sold exclusively by Stud Boy. We get great reviews from our customers on these items. How do you see the traction and control business changing as the industry progresses forward? We see that we must adapt our products to more back country type riding, and offer products for taller track lugs across the board. These changes require that our products are taller as well which creates a need for additional support and strength in our products. The single ply track change also requires us to think and adapt to tracks that are not as strong as in the past, and at the same time require a taller stud which applies more leverage to the track.
BELOW: With the advent and popularity of taller lug tracks, the need for taller studs and backer plates to support them, Stud Boy’s Pro Series Super Lite backer plates have become a very popular item and address the need for support, without the weight of a traditional steel or aluminum plate.
Racing has always been an important part of Stud Boy, both in the products you develop and the race support you offer. Can you elaborate on how racing plays a role in your business? We use racing as a way to help develop and test products to keep Stud Boy on the cutting edge of performance and product innovation as you mentioned. We also are actively involved in racing from a participant standpoint for the same reasons. Racing also helps us to support the industry we love, and helps to create awareness for our products from the racers who require and demand products that help them win. We also have a lot of fun with racing and have made many great friendships along the way. Fewer trail riders today use traction products, specifically studs, than in the past. What do you attribute that change to and how has it impacted your business? We have seen a slight decrease as an industry in stud use, which I feel is attributed to the deeper lugged tracks that are popular today. It is unfortunate that this has happened, as taller lugs do offer additional traction in snow, but still fall short from a safety and control standpoint on hardpack and icy conditions. Additionally, the newer “rider forward” sled design also keeps more weight on the front end of the sled, which creates even more need for studs at the rear of the sled for tracking and stability on ice. It is important that we keep snowmobilers safe and in control of their sleds, and studs provide this benefit. Overall, we have been very fortunate as our Stud Boy Traction business has shown growth every year. Our taller studs are also seeing good growth. Who would have thought we would be offering 1.875” Power Point Plus
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BELOW: More than just a round host bar with a carbide insert, Stud Boy’s shaper bar features a profiled host bar that delivers added bite on groomed, and/or packed snow surfaces.
INSIDE
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REVIEWS TECHNICAL LIFESTYLE VINTAGE RACING BUYER’S GUIDES MUCH MUC UCH MORE MOR O RTH NORICA’S E AM ILE MOIBNE W O Z SN AGA
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IN RECONDITIONED ENGINES, PARTS AND ACCESSORIES
MOST COMPLETE INVENTORY IN NORTH AMERICA CYLINDER REPLATING
ENGINE AND CRANKSHAFT REBUILDING CVT PULLEYS, PISTONS, GASKETS AND MORE! Fax : 418 335-2206
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The Windshield Balaclava from Arctiva is 98% windproof, water repellant and breathable. Constructed with a soft, wicking Power Dry ™ fleece interior material this bad boy balaclava offers up a snug and contoured fit to your entire head. We like the fact that is also comes in a dicky version. The fact that we get to say dicky, reminds us of cousin Eddy in Vacation. Please try and wear a white shaker-knit sweater if you choose the dicky model. We will salute you! Available at your local Parts Unlimited dealer: www.parts-unlimited.com
We learned just as the season started that Rox has come out with a new series of bar risers called the BPR Series. Available in 3”, 4”, 5” and 7” the BPR risers have been developed to work on virtually any sled with a T-Style steering stem. Made in the US of A from aircraft grade aluminum, the BPR risers allow you to run a stock 7/8” bar or upgrade to a 1 1/8” Fatbar. So if you are in need of more height to the bars, head over to RoxSpeed FX and check out the BPR Series Risers – They are not going to break the bank. www.RoxSpeedFX.com
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Glove Liners
>>>>>>>>>>>>
Here is a great product from Arctiva that you should always have on board your sled. The Dri-Release Glove liners are made from an extremely warm, ultra light fabric that fits snuggly to your hands and is worn under your existing gloves. Light enough to be carried in a pocket, these liners would come in perfect on those days that the mercury drops and your hands start to get cold. Also, should your buddy complain about how freezing his hands are, you can look at him and say: “Here, maybe you should take these extra gloves - my hands are starting to get sweaty.” If you don’t know that movie quote we ask you to go and rent Dumb and Dumber right now. Available at your local Parts Unlimited dealer: www.parts-unlimited.com
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>>>>>>
BUYER’S GUIDE
HOLIDAY PEAK SEASON
1
Rox BPR Series Handlebar Risers
Windshield >>>>>> Balaclava
2
3
NOW THAT YOU’RE LAYING TRACKS AND THE SEASON IS IN FULL SWING, WE HAVE PUT A LIST OF ITEMS THAT WE FEEL WILL MAKE YOUR SLEDDING A LITTLE MORE ENJOYABLE. WHETHER IT IS A TRIED-TESTED-AND-TRUE PRODUCT WE USE, OR SOME NEW STUFF THAT WE CAME ACROSS, WE BRING YOU THE PEAK SEASON BUYERS GUIDE.
4
Billet Reverse Lever
Attention all Ski-Doo 4 Stroke owners; We just found some new bling for your buggy. New from the boys at Tricked Toys, is the Billet Reverse Lever that was just added to their lineup. Developed out of numerous requests from Ski-Doo owners that broke the plastic stock handle, these bad boys not only add serious ”look cool” factor to the sled, they are also virtually unbreakable. The reverse levers will fit the Ski-Doo XP/XS/XR Chassis that have the 600 ace, 900 ace, and 1200 4 stroke engines. Check Out www.tricked-toys.com for complete lineup.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
5
Fly Mid Layer
TM
It is all about the layering. If you want to be truly warm and dry, the mid layer is one the most important things to do right. Throwing on and old college hoody will work to keep you warm for a bit, but when you start working up a sweat, then cool off is when things go south for the old cotton hoody. Fly Mid Layer is made from moisture wicking material that works the sweat outwards to where you don’t feel it when you start to cool down. Here is a hint. If you are on a saddlebag trip, the Mid Layer Jacket from Fly can double as an après bar jacket. One less thing to pack. Boom.For complete details head over to www.flyracing.com
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BUYER’S GUIDE
HOLIDAY PEAK SEASON
6
+
7
Rev Seat Riser
We all know that the Rider Forward design of the Rev was a huge leap in sled design, however truth be told, we also know that the seat was just a tad low. Hey you can’t nail everything right out of the gate. The designers at PowerMadd have come up with an ingenious Ergonomic Seat Riser (ESR) that solves the low seat problem on older Rev’s. The ESR kit combines 3” of additional pre-cut foam with a gripper-style seat cover. Installation is pretty easy. Simply place the pre-cut foam over the existing seat and recover with the new ESR cover. The ESR will fit older 2003 – 2009 Rev models. There is a complete installation video over at www.powermadd.com as well as a complete fitment chart to see if your Rev qualifies for this badass upgrade.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mission X Jacket
New from FXR this year is the Mission X Jacket. Packed full with more features than you can imagine, if you are in the market for a new jacket, then you should take a look at the Mission X. The liner is made from a durable HydrX Pro ™ laminate polyester material and features FXR exclusive Dry Vent™ system. If you have not heard of the Dry Vent it is a really cool venting system that is located on the chest and sides that allows airflow when things get hot, but keeps the elements and snow out when they are in use. The Mission also features a removable liner, fleece lined hand pockets, a hidden key pocket on the sleeve and those really handy Lycra cuff extensions. For complete details and colours check out www.fxrracing.com
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onsnow
10
Track Clip Tool
9
>>>>>>>
It is good to have options when it comes to the gloves you wear. Sometimes you need sub zero gauntlet-type gloves that keep your hands warm, but we also know how cumbersome and awkward they can be to wear. Then sometimes it is nice to have a really comfortable pair of gloves that allow you to completely feel your bars. The Elevation Lite Glove from FXR is made from a nylon shell and has 100g of Thinsulate® insulation on the back of the hand. The designers went with precision fit on these gloves with aggressive pre-curved fingers and they added a soft micro fleece liner and a handy index finger goggle wipe. So if you are in need of a really comfortable pair of gloves, you really should check these out. Complete details check out www.fxrracing.com
>>>>>>>
>>>
+ 8
Elevation Lite Glove
Venture Lite Jacket
Hey Ladies, here is a new Jacket from FXR that was designed for the active rider in mind. The Jacket is constructed from a Trilaminate material that is not only waterproof and breathable, but also features 4-way Active Stretch technology, which will move and stretch with the aggressive rider. The FXR designers also pre-curved the arms to add even more movement and a better fit into the jacket. Other features include waterproof chest and hand pockets, tether retention D-Ring, hook and loop adjustable cuffs and a removable adjustable hood. For complete details head over to www.fxrracing.com
>>>>>>
On-going maintenance to your buggy is an essential part of snowmobiling. One of the most common things overlooked is your track clips. It is always a good practice to occasionally inspect the clips and replace any that are missing or damaged. If you are an aggressive rider, most likely you have lost some track clips. Our friends over at Woody’s have partnered with KB Tooling to exclusively sell the USA made Track Clip Tool which stands up to Woody’s quality and durability. The patent pending Track Clip Tool is made from hardened steel and tempered aluminum and the best part is it allows you to replace clips while the belt is still on the sled. Boom. For complete details head over to www.woodystraction.com ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 4
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11
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BUYER’S GUIDE
HOLIDAY PEAK SEASON
12 >>>>>>>>>>
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Fly Goggle Garage There are some items that are just so convenient that we feel it is our duty to bring you up to speed. We have a few of these in the office at OSM, and the Goggle Garage takes your gear bag to the next level. The Garage offers 5 goggle slots as well as 5 lens storage pockets. A handy loop conveniently allows you to hang the case on a wall hook or a hook in your trailer and the design makes the case crush resistant. Perfect for family trips. Get one of these cases and you will be the envy of all your buddies. Trust us – we know. For complete details head over to www.flyracing.com
X1 Transitions® Goggle Here is a pretty cool concept. Add transition lenses to a snowmobile goggle. We all know the different lighting we face when out on the trails. Whether it is the difference between running a lake then hopping into the woods, or staying out after sundown - the light is constantly changing. The Dragon X1 with Transitions® lenses automatically changes tints in response to the changing sunlight and weather conditions which, ultimately, eliminates the need to carry different goggles or swap lenses. Anything that makes snowmobiling easier, we at OSM stand behind. For complete details head over to www.dragonalliance.com
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America’s largest track dealer offers… Fly Race gear Fly F2 Carbon Fiber helmet et w/ snap-in cold weather guard. Snell & DOT certified. fied. Fly SNX race jacket w/ tough taped shell w/ vents and removable thermoliner. Orange, red, blue and blackk
More Tracks USA products Q Largest stocking Camso/Camoplast track dealerr in USA Q Best ski boots in colors Q Rail and tunnel extensions. Package prices 10340 67th Avenue SE • Lake Lillian, MN 56253
320.382.6128 info@tracksusa.comm www.TracksUSA.com
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FACEBOOK.COM/ONSNOWMAGAZINE
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Ski Saver
>>>>>>>>>>>
We all know that sinking feeling the moment the old pull cord breaks when you are out on the trail. Hopefully you were smart enough to pack the yellow rope and handle back up. Introducing Cobra Cords. Their mission was to design a pull starter cord that would never need to be replaced. By combining the highest performing fiber and coating technologies Cobra Cords claims they have just produced the worlds strongest, most abrasion resistant, and non-burnable cord. How do they back this claim up? Give it a 100% lifetime guarantee. Nuff Said. – Oh and did we mention proudly made in the USA. For complete details and where you can buy Cobra Cords head over to www.cobrapullcords.com
MONDAY MORNING! If you have to be somewhere Monday UWZVQVO [PW]TLV¼\ aW] JM \PQVSQVO about a ... Ma
n Canada & the U.S de i .A.
.com
Cobra Pull Cord
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13
Here is a product that came across our workbench all the way from Sweden. The Ski Saver is a uniquely designed tool that universally fits any snowmobile with a ski loop and instantly allows your skis to roll over any terrain. Once assembled, simply place the Ski Saver under the center of your ski and pivot until the handle of the Ski Saver can hook under the loop of your ski. And just like that your sled is now rolling on heavy-duty 8-inch wheels. To remove, just unhook the handle from the ski loop, pivot back and slide out from under the ski. The Ski Saver is comprised of a very durable alloy steel and the 8 inch wheels are very “beefy”. All-in-all, this is a quality made tool. For complete details, see a video of it in action and find out where you can buy them, head over to www.safedriving.se. They are available in Canada and USA through select dealers.
705-488-2929 EST since 1996
info@tekrider.com
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LAST GASP
Jeff Hawksworth Skinz
Like so many of us, Skinz’s owner Jeff Hawksworth’s path to becoming a true snowmobile enthusiast began at an early age. Owed money by a friend while attending high school in Colorado, Jeff accepted payment in the form of a 1979 Yamaha SRX 440, a formidable sled for the day…and he was hooked. He soon found himself in Minnesota – going to school, meeting his future wife Tammy, and working for his father’s company making snowmobile parts. He learned a lot about sleds during that time, but soon he moved to Phoenix where he worked in the trades and took up riding and racing mountain bikes. It was here he started Skinz as a small side business, making protective gear for the bike industry. By 2004, Jeff and his wife were back in Minnesota and not long after found themselves unemployed and faced with difficult times. From those struggles the decision to go full-time with Skinz and dive into the snowmobile business took shape. Through hard work and perseverance, Skinz is now recognized as one of the leaders in the snowmobile aftermarket, producing not only protective gear, but also running boards, suspension components, storage solutions and much more. Always on the go and seemingly working every waking minute, we caught up with Jeff just long enough to get his Last Gasp words for this issue. For more information on Skinz, visit their website at www.skinzprotectivegear.com Last snowmobile ride you took? A couple weeks ago I was in Colorado doing some testing and setup. A lot of our riding is not that exciting as it involves a lot of stopping and adjusting. Normal people would not like to ride with us. Last person you met who truly inspired you? Most of the people that inspire me are those that never say anything, but you find out they went through seriously hard times and rallied through them. They aren’t looking for anything but being accountable for their own lives. I’m fortunate to know a lot of these types of people. They inspire me all day long. Last song/band you listened to? Well, the most recent addition was Red Sun Rising. Last product or project at Skinz that had you truly excited? This would be like having to pick my favorite kid. All of our products are so cool and they originate from such authentic places. They all come together from real needs. ARC; Heated Brake Levers; Ski-Doo Narrowed Panels and Hoods; Concept Front Suspension; Next Level products; Burandt products; Rasmussen products. Where do you stop? Last person you hugged? Tammy, my wife for sure. I’m super fortunate that I get to work with her and see her everyday. For me it’s the best thing about Skinz. Last movie you saw? James Bond-Spectre
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Last industry event you attended? We displayed at the Denver Snow Expo. We also attended the open house at Vohk Performance in Kremmling Colorado. Both were very cool. Last “adventure” you took? Last night we did a Fat Bike night ride. You can never go wrong, fat biking in the snow. Last time you traveled overseas? It’s been quite a few years. This is not a priority for me these days. We are extremely busy, so long trips don’t usually fit into our schedule. Last time you pulled an all-nighter? A week ago…we drove from Phoenix to Minnesota, straight through. Time is everything for us. Last brush with greatness? It feels like we touch this each day a little. We have so much to do and have to accomplish so many things, to just keep building all of these items is a big accomplishment. Also, anytime I see my Dad is a brush with something big. Last snowmobile you rode that made you think…hell yeah! We ride all of them. The SPG built Polaris AXYS is crazy good. The Ski Doo XM with our products on it is also something that really puts a smile on your face. Last thing or moment you experienced that inspired you? I was riding my mountain bike in Phoenix this past summer on a super-hot day. I rode out to a trail entrance to rest a little as it was
pretty miserable. I had ridden about eight to ten miles by this time. A guy rides up the same trail, and he had only ridden a portion of his ride, which was about fifteen miles, but he had more to go. He was in his seventies and loving it. I straightened out my thinking, got back on my bike and finished my ride in the right frame of mind. Last words your mother always told you? My Mom never quits. She always expects and hopes for the right outcome. Lasting childhood snowmobiling memory? Riding on Vail Pass with my Mom, Dad, and Brother. It was pretty cool in those days when you could pull into the rest stop at the top, and just ride for a few hours. No fees to pay or regulations. There wasn’t any roped off lines. You could just ride; it was the best. Last racing event you attended? The closest we have been to a racing event was at Planet X in Minnesota, working with Leighton on their snocross machines. We are in a relationship with them, helping them build machines. Last thing you hope you’ll be remembered for? The thing I hope for is we/Skinz would be remembered for helping to build and maintain an industry and leaving it better and stronger. I hope people would think we were innovative and helped people. Last words of advice? Don’t cheat the job. The right thing is always the hardest thing. It takes courage to truly live right.
osmmag.com
onsnow Pat Bourgeois
FLOAT BOWL
DEFINING MOMENTS
The Binatrax is the brainchild of Montreal based freelance industrial designer Adolfo Esquivel.
I
can remember that cold December evening vividly…standing around the gleaming mass of fiber-glass, chrome and aluminum, staring wide-eyed in near disbelief as my mother socialized with her friend and my father attempted to get a word in to negotiate a better deal. That moment seemed like an impossible day dream a year previous. You see my father was not a proponent for snowmo-biles in the early 1970s…in fact he somewhat despised them. But my incessant pestering and some good words from my mother eventually swayed the tide. My mother worked at a supper club for nearly as long as I can remember, the kind of place that is hen’s tooth rare these days. Everything was made from scratch including the hamburger that was ground fresh daily and then smacked into oversized patties and placed in the cooler, waiting for their moment to caramelize on the hot grill. It was a family owned business and every member played a role in the operation. Turns out one of the owner’s daughters had just purchased a new snowmobile and she was looking to sell her older sled. To a 9 yearold farm boy, the 1973 Puma 440 looked like something right out of an Orson Welles’ broadcast. The sled also seemed big, but as my riding skills improved and other “bigger” sleds followed, that Puma was small, especially compared to modern day snowmobiles. I often think back to riding that Puma in the farm fields around our house. It was fast as snot on the plowed road, but the
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exceptionally short, cleated track resulted in me taking many walks back to the house, leaving the Puma stuck in a snow bank. Despite the Puma’s “shortcomings”, it was and still remains a very significant snowmobile for me. It was the sled that started my love affair with the sport; it taught me how to squirt just the right amount of starting fluid into its black air horn on a cold morning; and it opened the to door to relationships and friendships I hold to this day. In many ways the significance of that sled has been a rudder for my career and my passion for this sport. It’s a great example of how a single moment, idea, or experience can have a sweeping and lasting impact on a much broader scale. Moments like those got me to thinking about snowmobile evolution, and how innovations or popular movements have changed the entire scope and direction of the sport. Obviously innovations like the slide rail suspension or the independent front suspension have clearly had a long and lasting impact. More recently the introduction of the first generation REV forced all other makers to create a more rider forward design of their own and to abandon the traditional “sit-down” model that had serves us so well for the past 50 years. Beyond pure aluminum and steel, the sport has also been shaped by several other factors. Organized snowmobiling for example, led to the development of thousands of miles of groomed trails and subsequently more trail focussed sleds.
Sledder movies like the original Slednecks and Two-Stroke - Cold Smoke raised a generation of riders who prefer backcountry playgrounds versus 200-mile trail days; and with them came a new generation of sleds capable or taking us to snow covered places we never thought possible. So what’s next? It’s the obvious question everyone asks, but quite honestly no-one has a definitive answer for. Some point to the rising popularity of the “snow bike” as the next big thing. The current kit design offered by Timbersled has finally caught on and we know Arctic Cat is poised to unveil their own “snow bike” design in the near future. Other’s, including myself, look for the next big thing to be actually not that big at all. With cur-rent sleds continuing to grow in size, length, weight and cost…the sport’s next big thing could be a smaller, lighter, more affordable and simpler snowmobile. A sled that could return us to our snowmobiling roots when adventure and a day on the snow with friends didn’t require a 30-foot trailer, a $50,000 tow vehicle, and a sled with 12-inches of travel and 150-ponies under the hood. Or do conceptual designers like our own contributor Charles Bombardier hold the key to the next defining moment in our sport? His designs like the battery powered surfboard called the Bi-natrax or his hydrogen powered Wemotaci sled could be just what it takes to inspire the next wide-eyed 9-year old, and deliver the next defining moment in snowmobiling. ✪
INTO THE WILD
® TWENTY16 I SR VIPER X-TX SE FOX FLOAT 3 SHOCKS ON FRONT AND REAR I TUNER 3 SKI I GENESIS 4-STROKE TRIPLE A HUNTER ON OR OFF THE TRAIL
/// YAMAHA-SNOWMOBILES.COM © 2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Prototype model shown. Final specifications may vary. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Always ride within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Know the conditions. Observe all state and local laws. Don’t drink and ride.