lawn ornaments

The fever for Lawn Ornament has never been higher, and the only cure is more PHOTOS. Now we’re not sure if it’s because we’re all striving to be professional photographers or if it’s for the free T-Shirt but thank you for finding these rusted and forgotten buggies. Some are found behind the garage, to those-near-mint centre of the lawn types and the modern rides left out back just waiting for snow. Either way, we want to see those lawn ornaments in your neck of the snowbelt, snap a photo and send it in. If your photo is selected and published in OSM, you will receive a fresh OSM T-shirt. Email your pics info@osmmag.com. Remember, curb appeal is nice…snowmobiles are better.

Hi OSM,

Always love reading your “Lawn Ornaments” section of OSM mag. Had a good chuckle about the custom Alpine with the ghost paint job. I served 20 years in the Canadian Army. We used those “ghost” Alpines exclusively for winter operations back in the 80’s. That was exactly how they came painted out of Valcourt, Quebec. Bombardier even included the Canadian flag as shown in the photo. They were eventually replaced by Scandic SWT when the Alpine was phased out. And yes, they had the “custom ghost paint” too.

Thanks for the chuckles!

Bill B.

Hey OSM, I captured this beauty. It’s not often I see an Exciter in an urban area, ready to blast off down the sidewalk as soon as that first dusting of snow arrives. The garbage cans act as a boundary, so people don’t get too close to this high-performance sidewalk rocket. Thanks for your consideration! And hoping a T-shirt finds its way to me! David N. of Burlington, WI.

OSM,

Look what I found while visiting my cousin! Hidden away from the street was a Ski-Doo Escapade. Why it was pushed to the back of the drive and not on display out front is beyond me. The only reason why I could think of is because it’s not running and too damn heavy to move. Love the Mag! Keep it coming!

Brett T.

I am submitting a photo of our first ride at Elk Lake, Ontario. We have since put on almost 2000km this season.

What a great day ! November 20th we got a nice shot of snow ….took my buddy Ron Burgundy out for a rip !!! He’s a 1981 yamaha enticer DELUXE… the colour of the sled gave us the name !

Thank you Rob Overholt for your submission.

BY JASON KAWCZYNSKI

Lion is the undisputed king of the jungle in the cat family, but if you were to ask what machine is king of the snowmobile world, you are simply asking for an argument... and a potential mauling. The age-old discussion is going to change this year with many snowmobile enthusiasts having a justified case that Arctic Cat is back on top. A snarling and rabid animal is about to be let loose on the snowy habitats across the globe in model year 2024. Be on the look-out everyone, the new Catalyst will be quietly hunting it’s prey this year! You can expect every OEM to be franticly chasing this new chassis, and buyers to be trying to get their hands on one for next season, or to at the very least, throw a leg over one.

All New Catalyst

Let’s not beat around the bush here and get straight to what we all want to know. “What’s the skinny on the all-new Catalyst chassis for 2024?”. This is certainly not the first you have heard about it as we have been reporting bits and pieces for a couple seasons now. Sure, we might have known a few more details than were released before HayDays 2022, but our info was pretty incomplete so our readers knew “almost” everything we did, until now.

For 2024, you can finally get the Catalyst in an array of different models. In the trails there is the ZR 600 that is offered in both 129” and 137” track lengths, and the ZR R-XC race ready edition comes delivered in only a 137”. Crossover guys can look forward to seeing the Riot 146” with two different track choices of 1.6” Cobra and the 1.75” Hurricane, with a lower gear ratio to match. Mountain riders can expect the M 600 in two choices of lengths; either a 146” or 154”, both equipped with the Alpha single beam rear skid. Not surprising, these are all snow-check only or dealer allocated models, so don’t get your hopes up to see any as in-season platforms for a discount, like we are seeing at the end of the 2023 season. We were told the manufacturing allotment sold out in a matter of hours, which shouldn’t be surprising.

We were not able to physically put our fingerprints all over the new platform any earlier than your eyes did at Haydays. When we were done, it looked more like a crime scene there were so many prints all over it. Fortunately, we were able get a ton of riding opportunities this season, to the tune of well over 1,000 miles on various Catalyst models. A big thanks is due to Arctic Cat for providing these opportunities to us as we can now give you a thorough and honest take on what we have all been waiting for nearly a decade now.

How does it ride? We can sum this up in two simple words “Way Different”. Yes, I know that some of you diehard riders that bleed green have felt that the Pro-Ride chassis worked great, and you were completely happy with it. Our honest opinion is that it certainly worked well, but as the years passed, it quickly showed it age in comparison to the other OEM’s rapid advances. The industry was delivering their latest and greatest snow machines with more predictable trail prowess, easier steering, lighter weight, and of coursenew motors with more and more power. The Catalyst instantly checked almost every one of these boxes, with the lone outlier being its smaller 600cc powerplant. Every other handling improvement that was necessary to keep up with the “Jones’s” has been implemented in the new platform, and after many days of actual riding time, these upgrades are as good or better than initially expected.

What about this 600 C-Tec2 in a flagship sled? Yes, there was a lot of disappointment from loyalists that they couldn’t get an 850 (Or bigger) motor in their new ‘24 kitten. We were also shaking our heads at that decision for a while, until we rode it. The updated 600 motor with its all-new fuel management system paired with the belt drive really made for a snappy and powerful feel across the RPM range. Plainly stated, this is all that most riders need in typical trail situations. The exception to this would be at higher elevations where the thin air sucked a bit too much of the needed power out. When given the opportunity to tear through the deepest snow or up a steep slope, we certainly wished for more, and you had to keep that in mind when you picked your lines. Not that the crossover Riot and longer M 600 still aren’t an absolute blast to ride, but in the deeper snow, it can seem like you never have enough power. Whatever motor you have in your ride, you could always have more ponies. With that said, we understand the direction that the Thief River Falls team had in mind as they wanted to concentrate on the chassis first, rather than a season with both a new chassis AND a brand new motor. However, Cat has promised us that next season we will all get what we have been wishing for… we may or may not know what is coming, and you can read between the lines there… but we believe that everyone will be very happy!

Riding this new platform was a breath of fresh air. One of our complaints of the Pro-Ride was that it was very top heavy and a bit tougher to steer, which caused some unpredictable ski lift. This was addressed perfectly with the new design, as much of the weight was eliminated and engine placed 1” lower and angled.

CORNERS ARE NO PROBLEM ON THE CATALYST WITH ITS PROGRESSIVE STEERING AND EXTREMELY BALANCED CHASSIS

While we didn’t get one on a scale quite yet to verify the final wet weight, Cat engineers suggested a 10% weight reduction from a similar ProRide/ProClimb chassis equivalent models, which would put it just over the 400lbs, dry. In our opinion, riding it it feels like the lightest sled on the market, hands down.

Pairing

2024, WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR?

Rallying any of the Catalyst trail models through a corner was reminiscent of the days on your old trailing arm sled… and not in a bad way. Those true trail sleds felt low to the snow and extremely balanced, and you get that feel, but with modern suspension and way more maneuverability, with perfect rider stance and ergonomics. In loose snow conditions you can slide it around corners and it had no understeer or oversteer. It has a nicely done neutral effort, which made ski lift virtually non-existent in comparison to what you would have expected.

This was aided by the new progressive steering system dubbed by our Arctic Cat friends as a “Poor man’s power steering”. That is a great description, and the result is extremely positive! The effort seems to be consistent, no matter how far you turn the bars as it gets easier the further you get in the turn, to combat the extra resistance.

Pairing all the above with extremely good looks and great colorways for 2024, what more could you ask for? Well, you are also getting the ATACH quick connect mounting system that is another longawaited feature for Cat. Plus, LED headlights and a completely tool-less removal of the hood and side panels for easy access to every mechanical component.

The only negative for many is the issue with the gauge, as you have only two options and neither are very tech savvy. In the models with the ATAC adjust-onthe-fly shock package, you get the standard gauge that has been offered for quite a few years, and in the base models with the IFP coil-over shocks, you get an even smaller round gage like what was found on the Blast. We won’t sugar coat it, neither are all that great, but do deliver all the essential information you really need, with no bells and whistles. Certainly, having a huge screen and GPS is a plus for a lot of riders, but personally, I would rather see a well performing sled first, and having the option to save some needed dollars on a basic option if desired. Some of the other higher end options with other OEM’s add thousands of dollars to the price, and you are not given a choice to forego them in their top performance models. This is likely one of the bigger cost savings for Arctic Cat, and allows them to be able to sell this new sled and the rest of its cutting edge technology at a very fair price. Starting at $13,799 USD / $17,249 CAD, this is one of the best deals on a new sled of this caliber for 2024.

What else you got Kitty?

Filling all the other holes in the noncatalyst lineup isn’t nearly as exciting this year, but certainly on par with the rest of the industry. 2024 was not nearly the ‘new technology explosion’ that we saw in ’23 from the other three OEMs. Within Cat, there are still plenty of options for those riders whose individual needs don’t align with the Catalyst lineup.

Trail

All the Pro-Ride models return for the most part, and they are all exclusively 800cc motors, or 4-strokes - no 600cc 2-strokes will be found outside of a Cata lyst. Returning are the ZR 7000 naturally aspirated 4-stroke, ZR 8000 2-stroke and the ZR RR model getting the 9000 turbo 4-stroke, as well as the 8000 platform. This entire roster of ZR’s is not configur able, as they each only have one model to choose from that is identical in color and specs, so we can assume that many of these will be reborn in the Catalyst next season.

Let’s not forget the Thundercat 9000 turbo, which is one of our absolute favorites, will return in identical form for 2024. Yea, it might not be in the new Catalyst chassis this year, or possibly ever, as looking at the big 4-stroker fit ting in that space seems awfully unlikely. But don’t let that take any thing away from it. As far as the return of powersteering on the T-Cat, trust us when we say that after you spend too much time on this sled, you will inevitably get very lazy and cry like a small child when you are forced to muscle around a regular manual steering 4-stroke sled again. We spent quite a bit of time this season (and last) on a Thundercat, and this isn’t an exaggeration whatsoever.

Crossover

Again, the big news here is the Riot 600 Catalyst, but you can still get the Riot 8000 2-stroke and the Riot 9000 turbo 4-stroke with EPS. These differ now as the

Pro-Ride Riots are all in the standard trail width of 42”center to center versus the Catalyst Riot is a narrower 39” with both being adjustable, plus or minus an inch with the ski spacers. If you are a Riot X type of rider, that sled is only available this year in the 800cc motor, a single colorway and track option of 146” with the Alpha skid. Our expectations are that this may be the last year for the Riot X as you have a similar option in the M 600 catalyst 146” and with the standard Riot 600’s moving to a narrow stance on the new chassis and making such an improvement in off-trail behavior, there may not be a need in the future.

Mountain

WHERE, THE LINEUP

GETS EXTREMELY SIMPLE WITH THE ALPHA ONE AS THE REAR SKID FOR ALL THE BIG LUG BEASTS ACROSS THE BOARD. SHOULDER

Here, the lineup gets extremely simple with the Alpha One as the rear skid for all the big lug beasts across the board. In the M 8000, you can still choose from 146, 154 and 165” track lengths in either a 2.6” or 3” lug height that paired with the 800cc motor in both the Mountain Cat and the Hardcore editions. This season, the two 8000 packages only differ by the shock package where you get the Fox Floats in the Mountain Cat or the Fox QS3’s in the Hardcore. Rounding out the other options are Blast M 146” with only the narrow 36” stance model carried over this season, and of course, the M 600 Catalyst which is the only mountain sled in the lineup that come with two different color options. For 2024, the theme is that you won’t find any powder tamers in a colorway that isn’t primarily light blue. It does look good, but it seems odd that we’re not seeing see any green machines from Arctic Cat.

Youth and Mid-sized

In youth, the lineup returns with the extremely popular duo of the ZR120 and ZR200. Both remain unchanged from 2023, including the colorways on both models. In fact, the only thing we noticed that was changed is the price, which is approximately 10% higher this year. But good luck finding a slightly used one for less, these have commonly been selling for over MSRP the past few years to the massive influx of new riders into the sport.

The Blast 400cc lineup returns mostly unchanged as well as the color choices. The trio of ZR, LT and XR sub models give you options for either a 121” or 146” big kid sled. In just their fourth year now, they’re still relatively fresh in the lineup and will again remain one of the most popular options for those early teen or new riders.

What ’ s it take to get one?

You know the line, most everything that everyone will want is “Snow Check Exclusive” and well before we printed this edition, all were spoken for. But, with the dealer allocations not part of the snow check production numbers, there is still hope for you to get your hands on one next year as there were many dealer’ we spoke with that do/will have sleds available. Just don’t wait for too long, get on the phone and start making calls because they likely won’t last long.

Rider Comments

Catalyst ZR 129 ”

The progressive steering offered some of the most consistent effort, no matter what the situation in a turn. It took a minute to get used to, as there was no point in where you hit that “edge” where the steering started to get tight, and the ski lift follows. The new chassis was perfectly balanced where the center of gravity is exactly underneath the rider, so you can slide it around while always under control.

BY MARK BONCHER

likea fine wine, Polaris snowmobiles are getting better with time and more on point. To address the elephant in the room (nothing against elephants, or if you identify as one), this year, Polaris identified the most important thing in their discussions with us straight away… when will I get my new sled? With deliveries coming later and later the last couple years due to supply chain issues and massive sales, this is the most basic question on every potential buyer’s mind.

With that in mind, Polaris led their 2024 roll-out with the promise, “All new snow-checked models will be delivered by the end of November.” That was pretty bold, and the Polaris faithful have to be very pleased by the fact that an OEM is addressing the #1 customer concern head on.

Now, on to the new 2024 machines! There are several new updates to an already splendid group of machines for Polaris this year. From a new track in the mountains, to even more software and gadgetry, and tweaks to many of the best handling models on the snow. Polaris has been on a record pace of bringing out new things each year, and although there anen’t any new motors for 2024, there is plenty to talk about.

Mountain focus

Over the last few years, there has been a big push for Polaris to stay on top in the hills. From the Matryx platform in 2021, to the Slash and boosted models in 2022, to the 9R RMK in 2023, there have been lots of upgrades to the mountain segment in the Polaris lineup. You’ve basically got six models (of various trim and features) in the RMK group including the Pro RMK, RMK Khaos, PRO RMK Slash, RMK Khaos Slash, SKS 146, and RMK EVO. But the big news for 2024 is an all new Series 9 325 track!

The new track has 3.25-inch tall lugs and a 3.5-inch pitch and will be available on any boosted 155 and 165-inch sleds, AND any 9R powered 155 and 165 sleds. With this track there is no additional weight compared to the 3-inch lug track, and the lugs provide more lift, traction, momentum, and more ability to move through the deepest powder, even on a shorter 155-inch length sled. This is NOT an all-around conditions track, and it is meant for truly epic snow, or to keep the manueverability of a 155-inch snowmobile, while harnessing comparable traction of a standard 165-incher. There are also all new reversible ice scratchers on all RMK models for this year, which isn’t super sexy, but certainly a welcome addition.

Buyers be warned though, this track also comes with a 50mph top trail speed, so you are not going to be railing down the trails at Mach speed to get to your off-trail riding destination faster. To be perfectly honest, you don’t really want to do that with any lugs longer than probably 2.5-inches, so maybe this is not that big a deal for most mountain riders who already go slow in the trails or sections of hardpack. It is a point of emphasis though, that the 325 is truly for deep powder riding. There will be no 3-inch track option with the addition of this new track, and no more 163-inch long RMK models as well.

The Matryx RMK sleds still come with the standard items that have shaped its reputation, including a tapered tunnel for minimalizing drag, the QD2 drive system, shortened centralized heat exchanger cooling system, Nightblade LED lighting, and 7S display. Not a ton of things changed, other than graphics, and the engine options in varying trims include the Patriot Boost, 9R and 850 powerplants. Just a heads up that the 9R and boost motors are SnowCheck exclusives, so if you want one, you will need to have ordered early, or find one that a dealer snatched up.

One thing to note is that Polaris has now cemented its SKS 146 into the mountain lineup as a ‘beginner’ mountain sled. We are not so sure that is the correct placing of this machine because it is truly a fantastic crossover. With its 39” front end, it’s the only sled you can get between a mountain and trail dimensions (give us this in the Assault next season please), IGX crossover rear suspension, and smaller 2-inch lug track, this is a machine that can dominate on and off trail areas found in Ontario, Quebec, New England, Michigan’s upper peninsula, and a slew of other options across Canada and the US. If it sounds like we are talking too much about this smaller mountain sled, you should take note… the 650 is a force to be reckoned with at lower elevations, and this is one of the best all-around sleds in the entire Polaris lineup.

POSSIBLY THE BEST TRAIL SLED IN POLARIS’ LINEUP, THE XCR RETURNS AGAIN IN EITHER A 128 OR 136-INCH VERSION.

Trails are all connected

Truly all sleds are now connected easily through the Polaris Ride Command on the 7S display, but there are simply more of the trail, crossover, and touring sleds being sold. That’s why a larger amount of people have really adopted this technology as their own for route planning, to the group ride feature, to tracking your rides, and all the while having Bluetooth connections to your music, friends and family. I don’t know how many times I’ve overheard people in trailside locations saying “What, you don’t have the Polaris app?!?!” It’s not quite like sled-shaming, but pretty close!

The 7S display also got software upgrades to eliminate map-crashes and connection issues that some people experienced. Other upgrades on the Matryx chassis that crossed several segments included a new exhaust pipe shell to reduce some noisy rattling; new oil caps to address some leakage issues; an anti-fog coating on the headlights for better visibility; easier to turn panel grommets so you don’t slice your fingers open on cold days trying to get the side panels off; and a new brake caliper that retracts faster in on/off gas situations. There is also a new, lighter weight brake rotor with better venting to dissipate heat buildup. That’s a ton of stuff on a virtually brand new chassis, but it is honorable that Polaris is again taking care of business by seeing concerns and fixing them.

THE 7S DISPLAY ALSO GOT SOFTWARE UPGRADES TO ELIMINATE MAP-CRASHES AND CONNECTION ISSUES THAT SOME PEOPLE EXPERIENCED.

The Indy line of trail sleds is pretty much unchanged for 2024, except for new graphics, and several of the aforementioned Matryx upgrades. You can still get the VR1 (129 or 137”) for the top trail performer, and the XCR as basically your snowcross ready (128 or 136”) sled with coil-over Walker Evans 2-inch diameter Velocity shocks with hi-lo compression adjustability. Then there is the standard XC, but you still got the Fox QS3 clicker shocks and the same Pro-CC rear suspension, so there honestly isn’t much performance downgrade with the XC. The 650 Indy SP is the ‘value’ trail sled, and the only real difference is the shocks as far as performance goes. The Sport (rental and novice sled) and Indy Adventure (2-up touring) round out the Indy group, and again are unchanged this year. The ¾ sized EVO is also still available for that tweener market, with the smaller 550 fan motor in it.

Speaking of motors, there are multiple, fairly new options from Polaris in each power class, including the small 550, the 4-stroke S4 motor which is the mileage option, the 650, the 850, and the Boost. It’s a simplified set of motors that covers all the bases, other than a higher horsepower 4-stroke… is that potentially coming next year? We will see, but Polaris’ track record with higher HP 4-strokes in the snowmobile market is not really part of it’s tradition. And the last time they tried it, the result fell flat. However, an S4 motor with a turbo on it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility for the next sled powerplant from the red team.

Crossing all the right paths

The Switchback line of crossovers from Polaris are again some of the most fun sleds on the snow. The 850 Assault, and particularly the Assault Boost, will get you so high on life that they should be illegal. Go anywhere, jump anything, and do it at Mach 3 with your hair on fire; that’s what I personally love about these machines. The other model options range from the standard Switchback XC with the QS3 clicker shocks, to the value SP with IFP shocks, to the Sport with the 550 fan motor. The

Matryx Switchbacks all get the 146-inch IGX rear suspension, and honestly, nothing has changed except for colorways and the already mentioned changes to the brakes, exhaust, software, etc. The Assaults are the snowcheck models this year in 650, 850 and boosted models.

The Voyageur line of utility and touring sleds, as well as the Titan are also all the same for 2024. I know we sound like a broken record here, but bold new graphics were bound to be the theme at some point for Polaris, considering the insane amount of new stuff they have had each year over the last three years in particular. The Voyageur 146 is in the Matryx chassis and gets the Matryx upgrades, and the standard Voyageur, the 2-up Voyageur Adventure, and the 2-up Voyageur LXT are all available for 2024. The Titan this year is only available in all black, but otherwise is the same beast of a machine that simply does it all.

Timberrrr!!!... sled

With all that Polaris has done recently, it’s to forget that they also have the Timbersleds in their quiver of snow vehicles. This year, there is a new Riot Gen2, or 2.0, or redesign, or nextgen, or whatever… it’s new and cool! The dirt-bike conversion kit is three pounds lighter, there is a new Gen2 3-inch track with 2-pounds less rotation mass, a narrower rail spacing that allows an even more playful dirt bike feel, and a QDT lightweight low-inertia belt drive. That’s quite a bit for this offshoot of the traditional snow and off-road industry. Also, the older Riot3 Pro and ARO3 Pro get a new D.I.D drive chain standard on the Pro Models, and there is a new skirubber on all the machines for 2024.

A BRAND NEW TRACK FOR THE MOUNTAINS IS BIG NEWS FOR POLARIS. THE SERIES 9 3.25-INCH LUGGED TRACK WILL GET YOU OUT OF ANY DEEP CANYON!

Timbersled Also Partnered With C3 Powersports To Be Their Accessories Supplier For

If you do not remember, the ARO is the more standard version and works great for deep snow and big climbs, while the Riot is the more dirt-bike rider focused flickable and maneuverable agile platform. The Gen2 is only available in the Riot3 Premium and Pro trims, and everything else stays the same for the most part. Timbersled also partnered with C3 Powersports to be their accessories supplier for pegs, bags, guards, intakes, risers, etc.

A little advice please?

A lot of people ask us if this the year to buy, and our advice is usually just to ask questions, because everyone’s situation is different. That being said, with the crazy way sled prices have gone up recently, and the lack of availability that has plagued the industry and supply chain, I think this year, we are going to see things start to cool off. There will be plenty of new sleds available, and plenty of lightly used, or even left over stuff available as well. I don’t think it will be enough to make sled prices on average go down massively, but I do think there will be more ‘deals’ to be had in the next year. However, like some of our snowstorm forecasters, I am certainly not always right… but I am going to buy another sled this year, and so should you!

THE DIRT BIKE CONVERSION KITS ARE JUST GETTING BETTER, MORE REFINED, AND WITH MORE OPTIONS EVERY YEAR!

BY JASON KAWCZYNSKI yamaha

is going strong for 2024! I know it’s been in the back of everyone’s mind that Yamaha has not put its full might and concentration as a company on snowmobiles, in comparison to the rest of their powersports line. However, not to repeat ourselves, again, but we can assure you that they are going nowhere, selling a pile of super-reliable sleds, and returning a complete lineup of an array of snow-slicing machines! The fact that they are selling out is proof that they are committed to delivering very high quality snowmobiles for next year, and beyond. While this season there isn’t a whole lot new, it is a common theme as it is likely a trickle-down effect of selling so many machines in the past few years, there is less need to deliver the greatest to sell a ton of units.

While many blue loyalists have been checking the forums and waiting patiently for Yamaha’s release to see if their cooperation on chassis development with Textron would continue into their new platform, unfortunately we will have to wait for another year to find that out as their lineup is mostly unchanged from 2023. Not that there aren’t still some great options for riders in particular the trail segments where the 993cc turbo four-stroke has dominated in the past few years for those power-hungry riders who loved the reliability and low maintenance of a four stroke.

Turbo-Charged Trails

The flat-land segment is a relatively simple lineup for Yamaha as all of the trail machines are in a similar configuration, riding on a 137” skid, which we all know is the sweet spot for weight balance on a four stroke Yamaha motor. They continue to ride this wave into 2024 and keep the offerings skinny as this was the choice for the masses that purchased their units in the past few seasons.

For entry level, there is the only non turbo in the lineup in the SRViper L-TX GT with the 1049cc three-cylinder engine, that has been tried and true in its efficient power and reliability since 2005. Not much has changed with this motor since, but there are plenty of very high mile sleds still on the trails so why change something that works so well. Riding on Fox 1.5 QS3 shocks this is a sled that you get pretty much everything to enhance your ride as in the Sidewinder but without the turbo.

For the turbos, your base model at the lowest price point is the Sidewinder L-TX SE which is now the only 137” Sidewinder model that doesn’t come with EPS. Equipped with the Fox 1.5 Zero RC coil over shock package with the remainder of the features similar with the rest of the lineup. Getting into the L-TX SE also allows for the best color scheme in their lineup with the powder blue hood and red accents, not too different from some of the best dressed models of 2023.

In the remainder of the Sidewinder trail lineup, you will see electronic power steering on all other models. EPS isn’t new this season but will likely be what sells a TON of units for Yamaha as it is the one greatest option to transform these somewhat heavier machines into a lightweight feeling machine. Rest assured you can ride these EPS huge miles and won’t need a personal masseuse, chiropractor, or the hotel hot tub to recuperate in the evenings.

The L-TX GT is the choice for touring riders with a huge windshield, heated seats and all the luxuries that you need to keep comfortable on those long rides. Or for a sportier model they offer the L-TX LE which gives you the basically the same package but a low windshield, factory hand guards, no heated seat and sharing the Fox 1.5 QS3 shock package in both models. Wait, don’t forget about a lot of Yamaha blue in the colorway!

The flagship Yamaha SRX of course returns this year and in a retro gold and black package reminiscent of the 1980’s SRX models. This again shares many of the characteristics of the rest of the Sidewinder lineup and carries every feature that Yamaha has to offer. Heated seats, EPS and yes, huge turbo power. Where the SRX differs is that it is the only trail machine to offer the Fox Zero IQS adjustable shock package with their exclusive SRX dual rate springs. This is a great feature for quick adjustments to your ride in changing trail conditions without having to leave your heated seat. The other exclusive difference is the SRX only comes equipped with the 15”x 137” x 1” track. Having a lower lug will allow the sled to squeak out a few extra top end miles with the lower spun weight and less drag. We have found a love/hate relationship in our extensive riding that this track isn’t for everyone. The 200+HP powerplant loves to spin it in pretty much all conditions, and it loads with snow on braking. Don’t worry, this is easily remedied with adding a few studs and turns what would otherwise be a less desirable option into the perfect delivery method for all the raw power.

For those looking for a bit of extra track for bump soaking or crossover use Yamaha does have two distinct different 146” models in the XTX line. The Sidewinder X-TX LE is the more trail-oriented machine with the 42” wide stance, a 1.6” lug track, standard heated seat and the Stryke trail ski. If you are planning to travel off trail more, the option for you would be the Sidewinder X-TX SE which gives you a narrower 40” ski stance, a 2” paddle track and Yamaha Mountain skis. Both are similarly equipped otherwise, having the Fox QS3 shock package, a 5.5” riser, taller mountain seat and grab bar. Unfor-

WITH ALL THE TRAIL COMFORTS AVAILABLE AS A STANDARD OPTION, THE LTX GT WILL KEEP YOU RIDING ALL DAY tunately, neither have the option for EPS which was one of our hopes but fingers crossed for next year!

Need to carry an extra passenger? Yamaha didn’t forget about you in the Sidewinder S-TX GT. With standard EPS hauling around your better half (or your buddy when nobody is looking) is configured also with Fox QS3 shocks and a tall windshield - you are basically getting a LTX-GT with room for two!

Turning two-stroke for Mountain

Again, this season the entire mountain lineup will be two-stroke only. It has slimmed down a bit and even in the colorways, only one is offered in all the full-size models, but don’t worry, it’s a lot of Yamaha blue! All models across the board get the vertical steering post, Yamaha

Mountain Skis, Fox 1.5 Zero QS3 shocks and the mountain single beam rear suspension

The Mountain Max LE comes in both a 154” and 165” option and both include electric start as a standard option. The only real difference between the two is you are getting the 3” Powerclaw track on the 165 and the 2.6 on the 154.

For the hard-core riders, Yamaha returns the Mountain Max LE 154 SL, which again shares most standard features with the standard LE models. It does eliminate the electric start as well as the battery for weight savings and offers the 3” track, where you cannot get it on the standard

LE 154”. Plus, you save a few hundred bucks with this package due to the omission of the e-start system.

For those entry level or younger mountain riders, the Venom Mountain is a proven and great option. This season they will only offer the narrower 36” ski stance this year which gives this 400cc lightweight enhanced maneuverability and adds a lot to the fun factor when tossing it around the powder. You get the single beam rear skid in it as well, paired with a 15” x 146” x 2” lug track that works great off trail and is rather behaved on trail. It’s also featured in the powder blue and red colorway, again our favorite across the 2024 lineup.

Sweet rides for the little’s

For the youngest riders, back unchanged and dressed in all Yamaha Blue is the SRX 120. Not much you need different here, well until dad gets his hands on it and starts dumping hundreds of dollars in aftermarket parts in it - just because!

The Snoscoot 200 returns and is unchanged apart from new colors. Yamaha blue is back again in a slightly different design and for 2024 and a new white/ pink/powder blue color scheme. It’s certainly a good looker and politically correct non-binary design that should appeal equally to either the boys or girls.

For those bigger kids, (or self-control lacking adults and need to be speed handcuffed on the trail) the SXVenom should be in your garage next winter. You get the powder blue and red colorways here too along with Stryke skis, standard electric start and a 14” x 121” x 1” Hacksaw track.

Utility

The utility lineup returns with only two options again for 2024 and NO, the rumors are not true that there are legacy Japanese built models available for north America again. Unfortunately, that ship has sailed and likely won’t be returning anytime soon. Both utility options don a sharp looking, mostly blacked out look with some teal green accents.

The full-size option is the Transporter 800 - which gives you the two stroke 800cc motor, a 15” x 153” x 2.25” Power Claw track, Yamaha Mountain skis and of course a huge storage rack and standard tow hitch. This is an interesting sled as its not 100% utility like some of the wide track options other OEM’s offer. We feel it will appeal to other riders that are not just using it for work like those guys that do a lot of ice fishing but want a capable sled to go riding on or off trail with their hard-core buddies. You don’t need two sleds with this Transporter, it can do it all! It has a narrower 38” ski stance so will get between those tightest spaces and carve up the deepest powder.

If you’re looking for a bit more value in an entry level utility, the Transporter 400 is a great choice. It leans a bit more on-trail than the 800, where it has a 15” x 146” x 1.6” lug track with the same 38” ski stance. You also get mountain skis and the storage rack but unfortunately no standard tow point, as this is the 400cc powerplant. This is essentially the SXVenom in a crossover setup so there will be buyers this would perfectly suit for youth and entry level riders that don’t need it for utility.

Getting after them!

Yamaha’s spring power surge is going on now and you can go online to choose your new ride, select a dealer and reserve with only a $500 FULLY REFUNDABLE deposit! There is no consequence here if for some reason your sled shows up late, although Yamaha is pretty confident they will have all these delivered before the snow starts piling up. They have now prioritized delivery on pre-orders this season over in-season dealer stock. Incentives are also back this season where you get a WAY below market interest rate financing through Yamaha and a three-year extended warranty on any four stroke Yamaha models.