Osm 29.6 Canada

PITPT K C CE O C ON C

THE FUTURE OF SNOWMOBILING?

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SNOWMOBILING'S BIGGEST MAGAZINE

ONE AND DONE

COCKPIT CONCEPT The Future of Snowmobiling?

IS THE VIPER S-TX THE EVERY MAN'S SLED?

TO THE BOARDS

BOARDERS MEET SLEDDERS

FRESH BURN

POLARIS AXYS

LIMITED EDITIONS Top Picks Early Order Models CROSS-COUNTRY COLLECTION

TIME MACHINES

ARCTIC CAT KING KAT

1966 COLT

Modern Images from Sport’s Racing Roots Root

FRESH LAWN ORNAMENTS; TEAR DOWN LETTERS; RACE SEASON WRAP-UP VOL 29 • NO 6 • $ 5.95

LATE SEASON DISPLAY UNTIL SEPT 15, 2015

BUYER'S GUIDE

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2016 CROSSOVER

PC : Toni Suomela

DEVILISH

Dressed in red and irreverent in design and operation, the Bolens Diablo Rouge broke virtually all the rules when it came to snowmobiles.

Owners: Randy and Teresa Holland Rider: Kelli Bourgeois Photographer: Pat Bourgeois

ORBITAL Tommy Frankson sends it up, over, and into the great unknown.

Rider: Tommy Frankson Location: Valdez, Alaska Photographer: Joe Wiegele

AWAKENING

Under the early light of dawn and a brisk wind sweeping down from the foothills, Yamaha engineers ready the sleds for another day.

Location: West Yellowstone, Montana Shooter: RLT Photography

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FEATURES

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26 SCENE IT? THE CROSS-COUNTRY COLLECTION

30 COCKPIT CONCEPT THE SNOW CRAWLER

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36 SWEET 16 WHAT'S NEW IN 2016?

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YAMAHA - NEW SHOTS FIRED POLARIS - FUTURE OF AXYS SKI-DOO - DIALING IT UP ARCTIC CAT - CLUTCH DECISIONS

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64 LATE SEASON BUYER'S GUIDE 68 TEAR DOWN

COLUMNS

14 DRIFTS - PUBLISHER NOTES RICHARD KEHOE

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74 FLOATBOWL PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS 16 24 34 70

INDUSTRY NEWS WORD SEARCH LAWN ORNAMENTS OSM LISTINGS

s ’ r e buyguide

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ON EAS S E LAT

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VOLUME 29 NUMBER 6

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Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Justin York, Tyler Swarm, Suzy Stenoff, Darren Desautels, Ross Antworth, Dale Cormican Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com OSM is published six times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road, Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone (905) 722-6766. Printed in Canada by: Dollco, a divisions of Lowe-Martin Group • Copyright 2015 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 (includes Trail Map Atlas) $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada ph: 905-722-6766 fax: 905-722-6761 toll-free ph: 888-661-7469 toll-free fax: 888-680-7469 email: info@osmmag.com www.osmmag.com

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DRIFTS

PUBLISHER NOTES

RICHARD KEHOE

END OF THE SEASON?

We found snow just when the road ended in Red Lake, Ontario.

eing an avid snowmobiler, I find this time of the year both sad and exciting. While we have been living in a freezer for the last five months, it’s encouraging to have the warmer temperatures. However, parking my sled for the last time of the season brings back childhood memories.

In my part of the Snow Belt, the trails are bare but it’s not over until I say it's over. Thanks to one of the coldest February’s in history, the ice conditions have given us some spring lake riding.

The inevitable is upon us but chasing the snow and ice is what seems to be the norm over the months of March and April.

There are still many places, if not in your own backyard, that still have snow and ice. In fact we just returned from riding with the crew from FXR in Winnipeg. We found the snow but it was a chase that even Dog the Bounty Hunter would have been proud of. It was literally at the end of the road in Red Lake, Ontario. To be serious, this is where the road actually does end, and an ice road begins.

We found more then

B

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enough snow for a few days of riding, and above all else we had amazing time at a time when most have packed it in for the season.

Thanks to the record amounts of snowfalls in eastern Quebec, New Brunswick and PEI, our trucks are once again loaded, and our trailers are now pointed east where a bunch of us will be riding again well in to April. You never know where the big snow is going to fall in the spring, but one thing is for sure, It’ll be somewhere. Every spring, an old friend of mine reminds me… “The snow is always there if you want to find it, but remember, there’s always snow in New Brunswick”. I laugh every time. My last ride is scheduled to be on what they call 'White Gold in New Brunswick'.

I hope you enjoyed OSM this season and we look forward to bringing you more of the World’s Largest Snowmobile Magazine for the 2015/16 season.

Thank you to all that contacted us and submitted photos throughout the year, and to those that all of us at OSM have had the privileged of ridding with over the last few months. We look forward to riding with you all again in the years to come!

There's always snow in New Brunswick.

Future Sledhead

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IND US TR Y

PRIME MINISTER HARPER GEARS UP

NEWS

Turns out the head honcho in Canada, Prime Minister Harper not only understands the importance of snowmobiling in Canada, but he’s a rider too. PM Harper visited Quebec City this past February to take in the 61st edition of the Carnival, one of Canada’s biggest winter festivals. While there, he also threw a leg over a snowmobile and joined members of the Federation of Quebec Snowmobile Clubs on a ride on some of the province’s 33,000 kilometers of groomed trails. Now that’s recognition of the snowmobile industry in Canada on the grandest level possible. Wonder how PM Harper feels about signing up for the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association’s vet class next winter?

RECORD SEA ICE Last issue, we enlightened you about the real source of ozone depleting gasses, coming not from industrial nations, but rather, natural decay that’s taking place in remote places such as rain forests. Now, we just learned that while global warming “Chicken Littles” are busy watching the shrinking polar ice cap in recent years, what they fail to point out is what’s happening on the other end of good ol’ Mother Earth. Turns out that the sea ice in Antarctica is growing…so much so in fact, that it has reached an all time record size (since records of this type of thing have been documented). The most recent data shows that the Antarctic sea ice has exceeded 20 million square kilometers for the first time since 1979. Of course, the global warming zealots are quick to say “this is exactly what they predicted would happen!” Ummm…no you didn’t.

OFF-SET IS BACK For those of you young enough to remember the glory days of ice oval racing from the mid-1970s, you’ll remember that factory and independent race teams employed all sorts of new and forward thinking in an effort to get around that little oval quicker than the competition. One such simple trick was to use an off-set ski stance, to provide more stability and bite for those seemingly continuous left-hand turns. Well, the off-set is back, in of all places…snocross.

With most snocross tracks featuring few, if any right-hand turns, top racers like Tucker Hibbert have been using an off-set front end to better rail those left hand corners. Given Tucker’s ridiculous level of success, it should come as no surprise that the best in the sport will use any edge possible to beat the competition.

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IND US TR Y

NEWS

HIBBERT AND SPRINGER WIN YEAR-END CHAMPIONSHIPS The national snocross season has concluded, and when the last checkered was waved at the season ending race of the AMSOIL Championship Snocross tour, it was once again Tucker Hibbert who stood supreme. Despite a points system that worked to keep many racers in the hunt till the bitter end, there was no stopping Tucker, who once again swept the final double race weekend in Lake Geneva, giving him his ninth professional year-end title. Along the way, Hibbert notched his 100th professional win and captured 13 of the 17 Pro Open finals, along with taking a detour to Winter X Games where he won again. Tucker also won the Fan Favorite award as icing on the cake. However, as it has in season’s past, it was the battle for the Pro-Lite crown where the real intrigue took place this season, as a rookie stole the show and the year-end championship with a commanding performance. Carlson Motorsports’ racer Ryan Springer, who won the Sport championship as a rookie last season, repeated the performance this year in the ultra competitive Pro-Lite ranks. Springer won early and won often, gaining his first win at the season opener, and then later rattling off a string of 6 wins in 7 races to build a comfortable lead. It was by most accounts, one of the most dominating performances in the Pro-Lite class by any driver in recent years.

Springer also earned the Pro Rookie of the Year honor at the year-end International Series of Champions (ISOC) banquet following the weekend of racing in Lake Geneva.

Other year-end winners included Cole Cottew in Sport National; Marica Renheim in Pro Am Women; and Kurt Bauerly in Pro Am Plus 30.

LYNX CROSSOVER EXTREME HANGING WITH THE “HEFF” Our online bud, Bryan Rocheleau recently posted this throwback photo featuring a new Arctic Cat Panther and a trio of Playboy Bunnies, on the Vintage Arctic Cat Snowmobile Facebook page.

Another online peep, Ron Barr, was quick to buzz kill the photo, with a reminder that these lovely ladies are now pushing 80. Hmmmm…wonder if Hugh Hefner ever “threw-down” on an Arctic Cat at the mansion?

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It might take some finagling, and perhaps even a friend on the inside, to get your hands on the latest snowmobile from Lynx, (BRP’s European only snowmobile offering) but man, talk about being the envy amongst your snow buds if you could. The new Commander Touratech snowmobile is what we would call the ultimate bad-ass adventure snowmobile. Developed with input from a world-leading motorcycle adventure gear manufacturer Touratech, the 800R E-TEC powered sled touts extreme gear, extreme bumpers, extreme reinforcements, and much more. One look really should tell you that this sled is ready for just about anything. To prove it, Lynx launched the sled with an adventure ride featuring Touratech sales chief Martin Wickert and professional adventurer Sami Paivike. The duo rode the new Lynx sleds from the Arctic Circle to the Arctic Ocean. You can learn more at www.lynxadventure.com

Photos: Studio du Ruisseau, É. Marchand, M. Loiselle

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IND US TR Y

NEWS

BLAIR MORGAN RETURNS Any news that mentions Blair Morgan, the man who changed snocross and frankly, snowmobile racing and design forever, is worthy of our attention. Thus, when Ski-Doo sent word that Blair Morgan was back, well, we just had to know more. Turns out Blair made the trek to the Grand Prix in Valcourt this past February as a special guest of Ski-Doo, and served as Master of Ceremonies. Fans had a chance to meet, talk to, and get autographs and photos of the Hall of Fame racer who undoubtedly, will always be remembered as one of the most influential racers of the modern era.

POLARIS TO THE ROCKET STATE

Polaris, the self-described king of powersports, continues to grow and expand at an incredible pace. Aside from all of the recent acquisitions and continuous new product rollouts, the company recently announced plans to build yet another manufacturing plant, this time in Huntsville, Alabama. The proposed 600,000 square foot facility, which is expected to be completed by mid-2016 and will employ up to 1,700 people, will focus on expanded off-road vehicle production. Known as the “rocket” state, as it was Alabama where the first rocket was built that put humans on the moon. Alabama is also the largest supplier of cast-iron and steel pipe products in the United States.

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IND US TR Y

NEWS

IRON DOG 2016...

TOUGHEST EVER? Long regarded as one of the toughest snowmobile races ever, this year’s 2,031-mile long Iron Dog lived up to its namesake…and then some. Plagued by lack of snow, racers faced some of the most punishing conditions ever encountered, including long stretches of snowless swamps, open water, and stump strewn single tracks. Leading for more than half the race, the duo of Scott Faeo and Eric Quam won the legendary race aboard a pair of specially equipped and prepped Polaris 600 Switcback sleds. The duo crossed the finish line with a final cushion of nearly 46-minutes over the second place team. The win by Faeo made him the first, second-generation winner of the race. His father John Faeo was a seven-time winner of the race, including the inaugural running of the event in 1984. The pair earned a cool $50,000 for their efforts.

THE OWR 2015 WATERCROSS CIRCUIT! The Ontario Watercross racing schedule is locked and loaded.

June 20th & 21st is Hidden Valley Resort Huntsville July 25th Little Lake Park Midland August 22nd Rotary Park Penetanguishene September 12th & 13th Gull Lake Park Gravenhurst.

For more information, and the official rules & regulations visit www.ontariowatercrossracing.com

HERFINDAHL STANDS TALL IN USXC Arctic Cat racer Zach Herfindahl put an exclamation point on his pursuit of the year-end championship in the premiere Pro-600 class in United States X-Country (USXC) competition by dominating the final event of the season in convincing fashion. Zach won both days of racing in Warroad, Minnesota with some incredible runs down the whooped out ditchlines that comprised much of the course. Both days, Zach bested Polaris rider Aaron Christensen by a minute or more. In the final tally, the top five racers for the season in the Pro-600 class were: 1. Zach Herfindahl (Cat); 2. Wesley Selby (Cat); 3. Bobby Menne (Polaris); 4. Re Wadena (Yamaha); 5. Gabe Bunke (Polaris). Other year-end class winners were: Zach Herfindahl (Cat) – Pro Open; Lance Efteland (Cat) – Factory Stock 600; Timmy Kallock (Cat) – Semi-Pro Improved; Cale Anseeuw (Yamaha) – I-500 Class; Jeremy Grove (Cat) – Expert 85; Jeremy Grove (Cat) – Expert 85 Improved; Mike Dirkman (Cat) – Masters 40+; Jim Sobeck (Ski-Doo) – Masters 50+; Brandon Wolter (Cat) – Sport 85; Robert Loire (Polaris) – Sport 600; Robert Loire (Polaris) - Sport 600 Open; Ean Voigt (Cat) – Pro Trail; Jesse Watland (Cat) – Vintage; Gerry Mattison (Cat) – Vintage 50+; Steve Martinson (Cat) – Classic IFS; Jill Tangen (Polaris) – Womens; Keaton Black (Cat) – Junior 10-13; Hunter Houle (Cat) – Junior 14-17; and Savannah

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IND US TR Y

FXR GOES RASMUSSEN STYLE

NEWS

DICK AND SELBY WIN SHORTENED SOO-500 The famed Soo International 500 Enduro race didn’t disappoint this year as interest in the long-standing ice race continues to gain momentum after waning for a spell during the early 2000’s. Now the race sees racers competing in time trials just to make the final field, and once in the fold they battle for 500 miles on the rugged, high speed surface. This year the victory went to Christian Brothers Racing duo Brian Dick and Wes Selby, who led for 133 laps of the weather-shortened race (282-laps). Just behind Dick and Selby was another Arctic Cat team, the trio of Troy Dewald, Chad Lian and Cody Miaskoch of Cadarette Racing.

The OSM crew was recently in Winnipeg, Manitoba to take in the latest FXR dealer meeting. We got a first hand look at the new line of clothing for next season, coming from the kings of snowmobile outerwear, and we learned of some reorganization taking place as well. Turns out, long time FXR rider and ride ambassador Brett Rasmussen will now head up FXR’s Western US Sales and Marketing program going forward. As part of the change, Brett hired fellow Ride Rasmussen Style instructor, Bryan Bennett to act as Sales Manager for the western United States. Congrats boys.

WORDSEARCH: GOGGLES Need some time alone in your thinking room, have a seat on the throne and give it a go.

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S T H O R B G C N P T A F Q

B I L N A G B K D P I D B I

O O D H L H T S D I C K X L

B C Y P E T S I F R O T O M

E L T S A C J X H T I M S K

E G E G O T I F W M P H C L

A H N T U 5 0 9 T J Y B I C

N I T M A Q G C H O K O Y M

509 Arctiva Bobster Castle Choko CKX Dragon FLY Fox FXR Haber Vision HMK Ice Rock KLIM Liquid Image Motorfist SCOTT Smith Spy Optic Thor Tripple Nine

TM

SCENE IT? ACCE SS

THE CROSS-COUNTRY COLLECTION

ON SN OW M AGAZ INE

Yamaha factory pro rider, Re Wadena, races under a pair of sun dogs over Detroit Lakes, Minnesota in early January.

A B O U T

A A R ON

T H E

S H O OT E R

Kennedy

Aaron Kennedy has a background in meteorology and a passion for photography that developed as he chased severe storms across the central plains of the United States. In 2006, Aaron migrated north from Oklahoma to North Dakota to complete his schooling, and not long after arriving in the snowy and cold domain did he experience the world of snowmobiles and cross-country racing. According to Aaron, the challenge of shooting in brutal conditions, along with the excitement of “ditch-banging” sleds, was an instant fix and as they say, “The rest is history.” Aaron is now one of the regular shooters for the sports premiere cross-country racing organization, the United States X-Country, (USXC) and he can be seen perched along the wind whipped courses with camera at the ready. These are just a small sample of Aaron’s shots from this past season, and racers and fans can check out more of his work, all available for purchase at his website www.ontheplains.com , or by contacting him at akennedy@ontheplains.com.

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Spencer Kadlec of Bunke Racing blasts a ditch approach near Oslo, MN.

BELOW Trail riders take a break to watch racers battle on the Park River near Grafton, ND.

BELOW LEFT: Junior cross-country riders such as Ross Illstrup, learn quickly that poor line choices through the ditches have consequences.

BELOW RIGHT: It’s hard to fathom the number of snowflakes needed to give us the ideal conditions for our recreation.

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THE CROSS-COUNTRY COLLECTION

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ABOVE: Cross-country pro racer, Casey Pries, passes tech inspection at a USXC race.

ABOVE: Dillan Dohrn puts on an air show for spectators outside Grafton, ND.

ABOVE: An unknown rider rides off into the sunset on Detroit Lake, MN.

A classic scene during the Red Lake I-500. If you’re lucky, good light, and favorable winds keep visibility up for finding the fastest line through hundreds of miles of ditch, across three days of racing.

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COCK PIT

CONCEPT THE SNOW CRAWLER

IF

the last few winters are any indication…things are getting colder across the snowbelt. Despite what the “climate changers” predicted, winter seems to be

returning with a vengeance as the mercury dips to new lows that we haven’t seen in decades. With that in mind, this interesting concept sled dubbed the Snow Crawler from the mind and pen of Michal Bonikowski, co-founder and co-owner of Mindsailors Studio, which is located in Poland, may have the answer. While enclosed or cockpit snowmobiles are not new to the sport, (remember the Manta or the Elite?) something like the “Crawler” could be just what it takes to conquer Jack Frost when the thermometer dips to the extreme, sub-zero numbers.

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COCK PIT

CONCEPT

Snow Crawler thoughts direct from the minds of the Mindsailors:

B

eautiful things may arouse perverse needs in us. Like some park exhibitionists, we want to show them to the world around us, whether anyone likes it or not. This is just that kind of a vehicle. The design is driven by man’s defiant nature, and inborn stubbornness to prove that those who don’t like winter are wrong, and give them a good reason to love it.

There’s a plethora of various snowmobiles in the market.

Professional, amateur, big, small – you name it. Yet, all of them can be somewhat too chilly and too windy for creature comfort lovers. Here is something more – a perfect marriage of excellent handling, all-terrain-vehicle and a closed cabin for the driver.

The presented version is meant for a single person, but let’s be honest here for a second, would you really care about other passengers while having this beast in your garage? Beauty and pleasure of driving, over the functionality and common sense – those are the characteristic features of a super car and of our vehicle.

Sporting an efficient electric drive, it will easily take us up the slope, (even the ones hardly accessible) or to work by a snowy road, forgotten by civilization. So, what more would you want? Well, it’s just crossed my mind – snow, more snow!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so here’s a little something to stimulate your imagination and let it run wild. See it, and start dreaming of the next ice age. Oh, and don’t be ashamed to cry out loud…I love winter!

We tend to think about ourselves as a group of creative individuals who love the challenge, and to who impossible means nothing. Our team consists of multi-talented people, awarded and wellexperienced in various design fields, from conceptual product design to mechanical engineering and project management. We want every engagement to be exceptional, from the initial meeting with our client, to the moment the product reaches the end-user. Our assets of versatility, unlimited ideas, ability to see beyond the usual and intuitive drive towards style, allows us to create meaningful experiences for our client’s customers by combining business; creativity; art; science; intelligence and beauty. www.mindsailors.com ABOUT

M I N D SAILORS

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9055--85 52--5 58 88 8 84

THE TRAIL TRA RA AIL STARTS S TARTS HER TA HERE RE

NEW EW AN ND USED INVVENT NT TORY T SERV RVI VIC IC CE, PA PA AR RTS & A AC CCESSORI ORIIES

ux xbridg dgemot mo otorsports. ts s.c .c com

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LAWN ORNAMENTS

hhhh…spring, a time when we get in our last rides, navigate the mud puddles in our driveway, and wait for the first buds to appear as the season of green nears. Yes, hope springs eternal this time of year, especially when it comes to “lawn ornaments”, those clumps of forgotten sleds that were simply parked right where ya left it who knows how many years ago. With no leaves or tall grass, our vision is clear as we go on the look for new “ornaments”. Now is the time when these forgotten sleds blossom in all their patina glory, and here are just a few to get the season started. So now is the time that we ask you to go forth and email us those photos of forgotten buggies in your neighborhood.

The best stuff will be awarded a prize pack from our OSM basement, and the fruits of your labor will be printed in this fall’s premiere issue. Send those photos to editor@osmmag.com with the subject line, Lawn Ornaments. Happy hunting!

A

Henry Cooper sent us this nice selection of winter ornaments, all of which seemed ready to roll…decisions, decisions.

this lawn Avid OSM reader Henry Cooper sent us go. and ornament in waiting, just hook up

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and a ched, this a t t a tag… still strap ed warning the w o t With iently plac fixture of n ended. n conve became a the seaso y g fore bug rd, be a y k c ba

This Seems the rental fleet is a bit dated. a from s sled of on ecti coll well preserved blue and id, liqu i asak Kaw her, Pant classic for and chrome Indy 600 appeared ready ional addit the out another romp. We took . rally insurance, natu

Placement is crucial for proper curbside appeal, as this bevy of Doo sleds found in West Yellowstone demonstrates.

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YAMAHA

'16

New Shots Fired

TH e

beast from the east has started to stir once again. With more new

offerings coming, courtesy of the

Arctic Cat relationship, most notable of which is a markedly improved MTX mountain line; 2016 marks a return of technology coming direct from Japan, with new suspensions, engine technology, and upgraded models.

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YAMAHA '16 SingleShot Rear

1

This year brings proof t h a t Ya m a h a w o n ’ t b e content to just sit back and enjoy the rewards that the partnership with Arctic Cat has brought them to this point. One such item is the new rear suspension dubbed the SingleShot, in 129-inch and 146-inch lengths.

The rather conventional looking skidframe replaces the much heavier Mega Float that was found in select, Japanese born models. The new suspension is 10-pounds lighter than its predecessor in 129-inch trim, (versus the 128 Mega Float) and 9-pounds lighter in the 146 length (versus the 136 Mega Float). The SingleShot is still a single shock design, (hence the name) and features a new FOX Float 3 XV shock. The XV stands for Xtra Volume (think of it as a much bigger EVOL chamber). The suspension also touts a traditional front and rear arm, a ratio pull rod, and standard coupling blocks. Our first rip on the new skid was rewarded with much improved ride quality, control, and was less prone to the unexpected, harsh bottoming the Mega Float was known for.

2

FOX Piggy Back Shocks

Here was one most weren’t expecting, especially when air shocks are garnering most of the attention from FOX. These new “traditional” coil-over, high-pressure gas shocks feature a remote reservoir for greater fluid volume and damping capabilities, and an easy to adjust, s i m p l i f i e d 3 - p o s i t i o n c l i c k e r. W h i l e t h e technology may seem dated to some, we found this shock set-up to deliver the best ride calibration of any set-up we sampled on the early 2016 Yamaha sleds. FOX has been busy with sales calls too, as these same shocks are also found on several Arctic Cat sleds and select Polaris sleds for 2016.

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3

SRV-M Front Suspension

It’s no surprise that the biggest news in the Yamaha camp for 2016 comes in the mountain segment, where every manufacturer is looking to capture a bigger chunk of the red-hot segment. After finally getting a mountain Viper last season, Yamaha (along with Arctic Cat) tweaked the design for improved, deep snow performance. The new front suspension features a more narrowed stance, and compact and narrow spindles that look to reduce drag, and keep most front suspension components inside the confines of the cowling. What’s more, the design sheds about 2.4-pounds and incorporates 10-degrees more caster. This increase in caster allows the ski to “turn up” more when turning into the hill while sidehilling, thereby making the vehicle hold the line with greater ease and precision. When joined by the new wider and lighter mountain ski, the system offers up greater width adjustability as well, ranging from 34.5inches, to a maximum of 38.5-inches from center-to-center.

4

YCCT Engine Management System

Another area where Yamaha spent some significant time and resources was under the hood of the Venture and Vector models.

The mid-performance 1049cc engine received a host of upgrades including a new crank, pistons, connecting rods and optimization of castings, in an effort to improve the already smooth power characteristics of this three-cylinder gem. These changes aside, the biggest news comes in what Yamaha is calling their Chip Controlled Throttle, or YCCT. This throttle-bywire system employs three user controlled operating modes – Entry, Touring and Sport. With a simple push of a gaugemounted button, the system alters the performance characteristics, from gradual and predictable drive-away and limited top speed in Entry mode, to instant response and performance in the Sport mode. The system offers an ideal solution for rental owners or families looking for one sled that can do it all, no matter the rider.

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YAMAHA '16

Significant Yamaha Sleds: Apex and Vector X-TX 175 LE Much to our surprise, a pair of Japanese derived models should receive much attention for 2016.

Both the Apex and Vector X-TX 1.75 LE models serve up a nice combination of proven goodness a n d n e w t e c h n o l o g y. B o t h t o u t t h e n e w SingleShot rear suspension; new FOX Float 3 shocks up front and the Float XV at the rear; 1.75-inch Backcountry track; factory installed Performance Damper system; and the YCCT engine management system on the Vector. One of these will be in our fleet for 2016.

SRViper L-TX LE In our opinion, the Viper L-TX LE is the best trail sled in the Yamaha lineup for 2016.

Available as a Spring Power Surge only model, the white and red or white and blue buggy comes standard with the Performance Damper kit (making this the first Viper model to receive this voodoo technology); the easy to tune FOX Piggy Back clicker shocks up front and on the rear arm; and standard heated seat and rear storage. We especially dig the throwback white and red version, complete with color matched spindles and rails.

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YAMAHA '16

Significant Yamaha Sleds: SRViper M-TX 141 Yeah, we know the buzz will be surrounding the longer format MTX sleds come next winter, but for us Midwest and points east of the Mississippi riders, the allure of the M-TX 141 has us percolating thoughts of busting brush in places like Michigan and the swamps of Manitoba. The sled still touts the new SRV-M front suspension, but in a wider 40-inch stance, and features the versatile 2.25-inch Power Claw track. Given Yamaha’s reputation for dependability, this could be the ideal sled to take you to parts unknown, off the beaten path and back again.

SRViper S-TX 146 DX While not a spring only limited model, we can bet there will be plenty of loyal Yamaha riders who will be giving this big mileage trail cruiser a long, hard look this spring. The s t r e t c h e d Vi p e r i s d e s i g n e d specifically for long days in the saddle, with the storage and fuel range to back it up. Out back, underneath the rear storage lid, you’ll find massive space to stash your goodies, plus a rear fuel tank that holds 4.7-gallons. Mated to the front tank, the S-TX 146 DX touts 15gallons of petro, giving it a range in excess of 200-miles between fill-ups.

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1-866--43 143 430430 0-63 0 -63 360

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POLARIS

'16

Future of AXYS

L IGH T

& tight and oh so right

- the AXYS RMK leads the way for Polaris in

2016. For the trail segment, the long awaited 800 Adventure has arrived, along with improved calibrations, new shock technology, and more spring customization throughout the line.

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POLARIS '16

FOX Coil Over Air Shock

1

While Polaris was busy touting the final weight of their new AXYS based RMK models, we were more interested in the new coil-over air shock found on the much wanted and long awaited 800 Adventure.

The new FOX Piggy Back shock looks to be traditional in nature, with high-pressure gas, coil-over spring, and three-position compression clicker mounted on the side of the reservoir. What’s different is the airassist this shock offers with a remote access and accompanying air pump. The idea to combine an air-spring with a coil makes sense - not just for the ease of adjustment for when you add gear or a passenger, but to a l s o a l l o w t h e u s e o f a s o f t e r, m o r e compliant spring versus an air chamber or spring alone. The shock should deliver a supple ride, especially in the stutter bumps, while the air-chamber will be there to lend a hand for large bumps and unexpected gravity holes. Polaris barely mentioned the new shock and we hope to learn more about it this summer from our pals at FOX.

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Forged A Arms

2

While there is plenty of newness going on with the AXYS chassis RMK, (it wasn’t as simple as adding a longer tunnel to the AXYS front clip) one item that stands out and is easily viewed is the new forged upper and lower A-arms on the front suspension. Sure they look bitchin’, and they should be both stronger and lighter compared to the welded tube arms we are familiar with. But those two attributes aside, the other key advantage to the forged arms was the opportunity for Polaris engineers to design a failure point into the arms themselves. Unlike tubes, where it’s much harder to control where or how they will bend or break, a forged arm allows you to do just the opposite. That being said, the new arms should help to alleviate expensive repairs and kinked tunnels when you encounter that hidden stump or rock. Yes they are more expensive, and it might be a few

4

3

Walker Evans Dual Adjustment Shocks

For those that know how to use them, the addition of high and low speed compression damping adjustments on the premium Walker Evans front suspension shocks on the limited build, 800 Rush Pro-S Night Lightning, is a welcomed addition. While the Walker units are quality, we’ve been (pardon the pun) shocked by the lack of adjustment these shocks offer, especially on high end sleds like the AXYS Pro S and Pro X. The addition of the low speed compression damping adjustment is a step in the right direction, but now we need the simple ability to change spring preload on the front shocks and rear shock rebound adjustment.

RMK AXYS Chassis

We know it was one of the worst kept secrets of the season, and by now, all the other media outlets have fallen over themselves in an effort to gush and wax poetically over the lightweight virtues of the latest RMK. While we admit, it appears to be a nice piece, here are a few nuggets you might not know about the latest RMK project. For starters, in order to fit a big paddle track into the AXYS chassis, the driveshaft had to come back inside the chassis. Despite this change from the Rush and Switchback models, the engine, drive shaft and rear suspension mounting points were lowered approximately 1.38-inches versus the Pro-Ride RMK. This is what leads to the “raised chassis” effect of the new RMK. While the new RMK is about 9 pounds lighter overall versus the previous design, the sled did gain some weight, due to the silencer for the new 800 motor. Can you say significant weight savings with an aftermarket can?

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ORANGE O OR R RAN ANG ANG GE IS TH GE TH HE NE EW W BL BLAC LLA ACK AC CK 905-775-1717 HWY 11

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POLARIS '16

Significant Polaris Sleds: Indy 600 Terrain Dominator It’s nice to see the Indy still getting some love from Polaris. Frankly, this new generation Indy is still one of the best sleds and best values on snow, and it gets even better for 2016 with this limited edition Terrain Dominator model. While the name sounds like something from Saturday morning cartoons, and we would have loved to have seen the new 800 HO motor nestled under hood, there’s no denying the goodness of the sweet revving 600 Liberty. The limited, in-season Indy features trick colors and graphics, complete with a painted tunnel and rails, ROX Speed FX adjustable bar riser and an extra stout front bumper. The sled rips and is an absolute gas to ride.

800 Adventure Yeah, we’ve all been asking for an Adventure with 800 cubes under the hood, and finally for 2016 it is here. What’s more, we get it in the much improved AXYS chassis. Basically a Switchback Pro-S loaded with goodies, the new for 2016, 800 Adventure gets it all including the rear cargo system, tall window with hood mounted mirrors, and the new 3-clicker FOX Piggy Back shocks up front, and the all new coil-over/air combo shock out back.

RMK AXYS You knew there was no way we could list a grouping of significant Polaris sleds for 2016 without including the all-new RMK. On paper the sled is everything a mountain rider is looking for. It’s light, nimble, and touts a ripper motor that spools up quickly. The big number everyone is talking about is the 408-pound dry weight of the 800 Pro RMK 155. Of course light is only right if it lives another day and only time will tell if the new AXYS RMK is just right or too light. The other question mark is in the handling department, in that the new RMK is extremely receptive to rider inputs…perhaps too much so. The learning curve seems steeper and it could represent another step away form the “every man’s” mountain sled that as an industry we continue to stray further and further away from.

800 AXYS Switcback Pro S Why do we have the Switchback Pro-S in the mix for 2016 as a significant sled?

While little has changed for the new model year in terms of new tech or features, the subtle improvements the Polaris team has made in regards to ride calibrations has significantly improved this sled. We were told the changes were limited to shock valving, but man what a difference it makes. As it stands right now, based on our late season rides, the Switchback Pro-S is one of the best trail sleds money can buy. The handling is fluid, predictable, and perhaps most important, is a ton of fun to ride. Where the Ski-Doo is precise and finite, the Polaris just feels more fun.

We also were shocked at how much better the Pro-X worked this spring. It stayed much flatter in the corners, and didn’t have the “tippy” feel that we dinged it for last winter.

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SKI

DOO

'16

Dialing It Up

Once

again, technology leads the

way for a company that

prides itself on coming up

with the next big thing. For 2016, the charge is led by a trick, adjustable ski; the relaunch of the 1200 four-stroke; and a do it all, new Enduro model combining rMotion with air.

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SKI-DOO '16 Pilot TS Adjustable Ski

1

Our vote for cool new technology in 2016 has to go to the new Pilot TS adjustable ski. In typical Ski-Doo fashion, the finished piece looks great, functions with precision and after a day on the trails with the new “clicker” ski, we are “allin” with the new technology. The concept is rather simple and falls under the category of “why didn’t we think of that”. A top mounted clicker dial, similar to those found mounted on the running boards of quick adjust equipped rMotion suspensions, dials a carbide inserted “blade” up or down from the contact point of the keel. The range is just over one-half inch of adjustment with 20 clicks, and the entire blade is easy to replace once the carbides wear out. We started our ride on rock hard, icy trails in the morning, and dialed backed the carbide to a point where it just barely protruded past the keel. We still had precise control, nearly zero darting, and light steering effort. By the afternoon, the spring sun turned the trails to mush, but about 8 clicks on the dial had us honing corners with precision. Good stuff for sure.

2

1200 iTC Throttle

Ski-Doo first offered their version of throttle-by-wire on their efficient line of ACE motors, and now the technology moves over to their big gun 1200 four-stroke. 2016 marks a relaunch of sorts for the 1200, with the engine now being stuffed into the XS plastic versus the wider XR bodywork found wrapped previously.

With that in mind, the addition of intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) is a big part of the picture. Aside from offering three, shifton-the-fly driving modes, (Sport, Standard and ECO) the new iTC mapping is said to significantly improve throttle response on the 1200, especially when “blipping” the throttle. While we understand the value of throttle-by-wire systems, especially for “newbs”, we’re still not sold on the iTC system on the 1200, where we experienced inconsistent results in response, and hesitation at times just past engagement. Hopefully, those kinks get worked out before the snow flies next winter.

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3

Enduro Air Suspension

We scratched our heads a bit on this one, after being told the new sand colored Renegade Enduro was geared more towards aggressive riding calibrations, but was outfitted with the same air shock technology found on Ski-Doo touring sleds. However, after one spirited romp down the trails we were sold; this is the best damn remote controlled air-shock system we’ve ridden.

The on-board, air pump controlled shock is mounted within a 137-inch rMotion rear suspension, and comes with all the goodness we’ve come to expect from the rising rate and incredibly controlled skid. With a simple tap of a handlebarmounted button, you can adjust the air shock to one of five preload settings for terrain. Ski-Doo brass told us the calibrations of the suspension are very similar to a Renegade X package, with the added convenience and adjustability of the air-shock. We’ve got an Enduro penned for our stable next year.

4

TMotion Expansion to Renegade

While some competitors might point to the Flex-Edge track and tripod style rear suspension arm found in the tMotion package on most Ski-Doo mountain sleds, as a “band-aide” of sorts, there’s no denying how much easier and more capable the system makes it to ride off-trail in deep snow. Now those attributes will be found in Renegade Backcountry models as Ski-Doo looks to make these sleds even more tailored and capable towards backcountry riding. Key components include the addition of a new 146-inch tMotion rear suspension, and a new Cobra FlexEdge track with 1.6-inch lugs. The new Cobra track will be 16-inches wide, just like the Summit stuff, making the Renegade Backcountry the hot new ticket in the bushwhacking, off-trail warrior category, for those of us who like to venture off the beaten path points, east of the Rocky Mountains.

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SKI-DOO '16

Significant Ski?Doo Sleds:

56

Renegade Enduro

Summit Burton

Maybe it’s the color; or maybe it’s the classy finishing touches such as the Enduro embossed seat and all-black chassis; or maybe it’s the unique combination of rMotion goodness with Air ride, new Pilot TS skis, and standard Ice Ripper XT track that has us drooling for this latest offering from Ski-Doo. Designed to be a do-it-all sled with a bit of an attitude, Ski-Doo nailed this one in our opinion. We can picture some color matched ballistic storage bags on the back, a side-mounted saw, and a week with no particular place to go with this sled.

This isn’t the first time the snowmobile kids have tried to build a bridge with the boarder community, but this is the first time a company has went all-in and developed a sled that is co-branded with perhaps the biggest name in snowboarding. The Summit Burton was developed with direct input from some serious folks with plenty of snowboard acumen. Under the white and Burton stenciled tunnel is a sled that is pure Summit at heart. What’s different is the unique two-up seat, ready to haul driver and passenger to where the fresh downhill powder lurks. More important is the easy to attach snowboard mount that comes standard and was developed in conjunction with Burton. We’ve already been contacted by a few of our snowboarder friends (See the article To the Boards in last issue –ED.) about getting their hands on one to try next winter.

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MXZ Blizzard While there really isn’t a lot new going on here, with the return once again of the Blizzard name, in season buyers will be happy with the results. With four engine choices (800, 600, 1200, and 900ACE) and standard rMotion 129 rear suspension, Ice Ripper track, Pilot TS adjustable skis, and quality HPG shocks, the Blizzard represents an X model of sorts, without ordering one.

Renegade Backcountry As we mentioned previously, the Renegade Backcountry will make a substantial move towards becoming a more “backcountry” adept snowmobile in 2016, with the addition of tMotion technology and an all new 1.6-inch lug Flex Edge track. The changes give the Renegade Backcountry a more defined position in the Ski-Doo line-up, and should quickly become a hit with Midwest and Eastern riders, looking to explore snow filled logging roads, swamps, and flatland backcountry.

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ARCTIC

CAT

'16

Clutch Decisions

THe

crew from northern Minnesota is suddenly on the fast track to good times

as they continue to refine the feline and

deliver some of the best all-around sleds on snow. For 2016, all-new clutching from TEAM joins significant mountain advancements, an all-new line of utility sleds, and a new line of do-it-all CrossTrek models to satisfy crossover fans.

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ARCTIC CAT '16

Team Clutching

1

If you’ve followed the Arctic Cat development of the ProCross and ProClimb chassis and the models built upon this balanced chassis, you probably know that early on there were some hiccups when it came to belt heat, belt failure and drive clutch durability.

Many of these issues were the result of excess heat being trapped inside the compartment (a problem associated with virtually all modern compact sled designs). Year-over-year, Arctic Cat engineers addressed the problem and as of last year, the Cat drive, driven and associated drive belts delivered power to the ground with nary a glitch. Yet, the wheels of development kept churning behind the scenes, and with that comes an all-new drive and driven system, developed in cooperation with TEAM industries. The two companies (Arctic Cat and TEAM) are just a short drive apart and TEAM is recognized throughout the powersports industry as the hands down experts when it comes to drive train development. With that, all 2016 Arctic Cat sleds with 6000 series engines and bigger will tout new drive and driven designs that frankly, look to raise the bar in clutch technology for everyone. Featuring new extra wide rollers, a steel spider with much larger bushings and wear surfaces, and a new driven that eliminates the steel hub found on other designs, and instead features a spider spline, mounted directly to the secondary shaft.

In total, the system is extremely robust, is maintenance free and is designed to last the life of the sled…maybe longer. Watch for more details in a future issue of OSM.

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3

2

Float Action Suspension

Much like the other manufacturers, Arctic Cat is proud of the significant changes they’ve made to their deep snow line-up of sleds for 2016. Along with the new spindles, Aarms and Mountain ski, they also made some significant changes to the Float Action skidframe found out back. With the goal of improving overall track tensioning and reducing weight, the improved suspension has several minor changes that all add up to a better performing system. For starters, the front arm now features 1-inch more travel, and revisions to the rear-arm pull rod results in a more progressive ratio.

These two “big changes” deliver more consistent track tension throughout the travel range and helps to alleviate harsh bottoming. What’s more, the entire suspension is now lighter to boot.

4

3- Speed Transmission

With significant growth and the potential for a lot more in emerging markets such as Russia, all the manufacturers have been putting a lot of emphasis on utility/touring models. For 2016, nowhere is this more evident than in the Arctic Cat lineup where an all-new line of Bearcat models (ProUte chassis) and a standout Pantera XT Limited model, (ProTour WT chassis) brings fresh style and extreme capabilities to a market that not long ago featured little more than hold-over technology. As part of this new surge of utility technology, Arctic will introduce the industry’s first three-speed transmission. With an easy to shift dash mounted selector, the tranny touts three forward gears, including a “super-low” gear for mega towing and the ability to creep across deep snow at walking speeds…or even slower, without excessive belt slip. With this ultra low gear, and the segments high flotation tracks and lugging four-stroke engines, the chances of getting stuck in even the worst deep snow, open tundra situations, is virtually non-existent.

Vertical Steering Post

Another key change to Arctic Cat’s mountain sleds, (save the 7000 four-stroke models) is a new vertical steering post. Gone is the telescopic design, (except in High Country models) and in its place is a new, simplified vertical steering post that sheds weight and reduces the “play” that often developed in the telescopic design. Another part of the change came to driver positioning. With the older design, many riders found themselves too far forward on the chassis, resulting in improper vehicle balance. The new steering post puts the rider in the sweet spot and serves up greater leverage and control.

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ARCTIC CAT '16

Significant Arctic Cat Sleds: Bearcat LT The new utility/touring models in the ProUte chassis tout the smooth and powerful 1049cc engine from Yamaha, but there is one “smaller” version of the Bearcat offering, dubbed the LT, that brings in still more new technology. Powered by the same engine Cat uses in their Wildcat Trail offerings, the 700cc liquid-cooled twin cylinder Kymco built four-stroke, serves up just-right power (65-horsepower) in this light utility gem that is super quiet, smooth, and dare we say…fun!

XF CrossTrek

ZR Limited

The kids at Cat have been working at restructuring and renaming many of their models in an effort to simplify the mix and help all of us better understand their extensive line. For 2016, the XF CrossTour as we have known it in the past, is gone and replaced by what can best be described as a one-up Pantera model, complete with the rear tank and storage compartment. New to the fold is what Cat is calling the CrossTrek, a do-it-all sled built on the ProCross chassis with a coupled 137-inch rear suspension; 1.5-inch Cobra track; mid-height window with mirrors; rear tunnel bag, and collapsible side bags.

With FOX Float 3 shocks, this is the one that we hope to find in our stable next winter.

The latest ZR might slip under the radar for many avid trail enthusiasts, but we needed to call attention to this model for one reason only…it works damn well. Year-over-year, Arctic Cat has quietly been tweaking the calibrations of the ZR, and it keeps getting better. No doubt, the ZR continues to represent the heart and soul of the company that has been clawing back to respectability after the dismal years associated with the Twin Spar chassis, when the brand seemed to literally walk away from all the things (lightweight, handling, speed) that have long been known to be Arctic Cat staples. The latest ZR is light, balanced, fast, and now with continued calibrations, is a flat and predictable trail buggy. While we’d still like to see smaller and more concise ergonomics, (they still seem to be built for giants) the ZR Limited, with new FOX Zero QS3 coil-over shocks and three position piggy-back clickers, is the best ProCross chassis ZR to date.

M Series Of course, no mention of the new 2016 buggies from Cat would be complete without giving a nod to the new M-Series sleds. Aside from the utility market, it’s here where Cat has put the most emphasis on improvement. The combination of new spindles and A-arms, ProClimb 7 ski, increased caster steering geometry, and revised rear suspension has created a vastly better, and easier to ride mountain sled. With engine options ranging from the C-TEC2 600 to the big power 1100 turbo, and track options including the big paddle 3-inch Power Claw on Limited models, the Cat stable is poised to climb higher on the mountain, and in showroom sales next season.

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63

E LAT SON SEA

s ’ r e buyguide

Well the season is wrapping up, and we have spent the winter laying down some serious miles. If you’re like some up in the Northern Hemisphere, and spring riding is in your future, we have compiled a sweet list of NEW gear that we think you need to know about. If you’re not so lucky and have started the heart-breaking task of storing your snowmobile for the season, we have included a few items for that as well. Sorry about your luck.

FLY SNX PRO JACKET AND PANT

Well it is official. Fly sled gear is going to be available in Canada next season through your local Gamma Dealer. The jacket you’ll want to keep an eye out for is the SNX Pro. Constructed with a breathable material that is fully waterproof and has some crazy abrasion resistant characteristics, this jacket is going to stand up to what you throw at it. Other features include, intake and exhaust vents which come in real handy when temps are high. A fully insulated zip-in liner for when the temps drop, and easy access chest pockets for all your mobile devices. The pants are made with the same waterproof and breathable material as the jacket and come in either an insulated or lite version depending on what you need. Check in with your local Gamma Dealer for full details. www.gammasales.com.

ELEVATION LITE SL BOOT

Leave up to the designers at FXR to create a boot that not only provides the support an active rider requires, but also, a lacing system that we at OSM personally feel is faster than BOA. The Elevation Lite boot offers up crazy support for a fixed liner boot, but does it without compromising weight. What makes the Elevation Lite boot special is the Dual Zone lace system. The lacing has two spring-loaded locks and two “pulls” to lace up. Once your foot is in the boot, simply push the tongue down, pull the bottom lace system until it locks and then do the same to the top lace. Boom you are done. Unlacing is just as easy by simply pulling up on the spring loaded lace lock system and pushing out the tongue.

For complete details check out www.fxrracing.com.

AMSOIL CHAINCASE & GEAR OIL

Another really good habit to get into after the riding season is to replace the gear lube in your buggies chaincase. Some guys will tell you that you can simply use Automatic Transmission Fluid to complete this project. …but we say, why not use something that is specifically designed for the conditions that snowmobiles face. AMSOIL engineered their long-lasting Synthetic Chaincase and Gear Oil with extreme-pressure additives that are not found in ATF. It helps extend the chain and gear life through increased wear protection.

You don’t put sled oil in your car – so why put ATF in your sled. It kinda makes sense when you put it like that, doesn’t it? AMSOIL even includes a spout (shown) to make it easier to pour into tight places. Thank you AMSOIL. For complete details checkout: www.amsoil.com.

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DAYCO BELT

So you were a good boy this year, and actually decided to remove the drive belt as part of your summer storage procedure. Welldone man. Now have a look at that belt. See any cracks, tears or nicks? If so, make a trip and go and get a belt soon. Don’t be the guy that says he will do it next fall, you are just like every other sledder out there, the minute the snow falls, you’re gone and most likely you will forget to buy that belt. Dayco makes buying belts a breeze with the new DAYCO App that allows you to search your belt sku’s by scanning your vin. Next level stuff.

For complete details visit www.dayco.com.

SUPERTRAC

This new item came across our desk the week that we were going to print on this issue of OSM, and being that it is so NEW we had to hold the press to tell you about it. From the makers of the world renowned Superclamp, comes Supertrac, a universally adjustable/quick release tie down anchor. The ingenuity of this project is what makes it stand out. The track comes in 1, 2 and 4 foot lengths, designed so you can have an anchor point on your sled trailer that is adjustable front to rear along the track. This makes it perfect for the rear clamping system on the Superclamp system, so you’ll always have a perfect spot on the skid frame, but it can also be used on the roof of a trailer to create adjustable hanging point for gear and tools. Basically, anywhere you need an anchor point Supertrac has you covered. For full details head over to www.superclamp.net.

BATTERY TENDER

This is the battery charger of all battery chargers!

Unless you have been living under a rock the past few years, you know that battery chargers have gotten ‘smarter’. The Battery Tender Plus is a 12V – 5A fully waterproof battery charger that has a built-in microprocessor that constantly monitors the level in the attached battery and keeps it at a perfectly controlled level. This bad boy can be used as a portable unit, but is also designed to be permanently mounted to your workbench. Literally plug in any lead acid battery, no matter the size or type and walk away – see you in the fall sled battery. Perfectly charged every time. Available at www.royaldistributing.com.

TORQUE HELMET

FXR is releasing some really cool new styles this year in the Torque Helmet that we could not pass up showing you. The Torque helmet is a Thermoplastic ABS shell that offers up 9 intake vents and 2 exhaust vents which makes it perfect for those warmer days of spring sled riding. The Torque can actually be used on the dirt as well, so it pretty much crosses over as your new spring snow helmet to your new summer ATV/UTV helmet. Price point is entry level, so you wont be busting the piggy bank to get an extra helmet. Yup, we just gave you a perfect excuse to buy a sled helmet in the spring. You’re welcome. For full details check out www.fxrracing.com.

JANUARY 8-10, 2016

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E LAT SON SEA

s ’ r e buyguide

RECOIL LITE JACKET

FXR has just released the new Recoil Lite Trilaminate Jacket in the Active category for the next season. Ultra lite and fully waterproof the Recoil jacket is what you want to be wearing next spring - trust us. All the seams are 100% taped, and the material is made from some magical 4 ways stretch fabric that is crazy comfortable. And because it is FXR they put all the features you look for in a jacket like; Dry-Vents™ located on the chest and down the sides, waterproof zippered hand pockets, a tether D-Ring and a roll away, shock-cord adjustable hood. There are 7 colors to choose from, of which, three of them featuring Real-Tree™ camo. Yup, that just happened. For full details check out www.fxrracing.com.

FLY TITLE GLOVE

We all know that gloves can make or break a day out on the sled. When spring riding, if you bring gloves that are too warm, you are going to end up with a hot, soupy mess inside your gloves, and the blisters that follow are not fun.

Anyone who has done this knows exactly what we are talking about. The Title Cold Weather from Fly Racing is a motocross style glove that is specifically designed for cold weather. Don’t think in the spring you can get away with a standard moto-glove. It will not work. The Title Glove offers up HIPORA Ž technology that is waterproof, windproof and breathable, and the top of glove is insulated and palm is not. This offers up the perfect combo of weather protection and comfort for that perfect spring ride.

Check in with your local Gamma Dealer for full details. www.gammasales.com.

STEEL WOOL

Just in case you didn’t already know, sometimes a gentle reminder is needed, Steel Wool is hands-down the best way to keep the critters out of your sled during summer storage. There is no worse feeling than peeling off the cover and having acorn shells drop onto the shop floor. Tuck some wool into the exhaust port, air-intake (on older sleds) and any other little openings those “Pets-of-Satan� can get into. Just remember to take it out. A quick trick, take a sticky note and write STEEL WOOL and stick to your speedo. Done!

COLD CROSS X JACKET

Spring riding requires layering. It is as simple as that.

The day may start out cold then after a few hours when the sun shines, you start to sweat. Not cool.

The Cold Cross CX jacket from FXR allows you to choose exactly how warm you want to be. Either wear it as a shell with a midlayer, or zip in the insulated liner, and you now have a cold weather jacket. The Cold Cross also has the exclusive FXR Radial Dry Vent System for when things really start to heat up. Last and certainly not least, the design team at FXR nailed the style with a few new color options and, OSM’s new favourite; the Orange/Navy and white™ combo. That is one Bad-Ass jacket.

For full details check out www.fxrracing.com.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE âœŞ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

Pipes Silencers

Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

K100 S-PLUS FUEL TREATMENT

FIELDSHEER PINNACLE JACKET/SHELL

Here is a jacket that you, as a sledder, may not have heard of. And unless you’re a street motorcycle rider, Fieldsheer may not have any meaning to you at all. Bottom Line, Fieldsheer has been making jackets for the Motorcycle industry for 30+ years, just this past year they introduced Nanomax®, a material they are claiming is the most waterproof and breathable fabric available. So it would only make sense that the next step is to offer that material to the snowmobile industry.

Boom the Fieldsheer Pinnacle Jacket is born. Brand new and ready for the next season, the Pinnacle jacket features fully sealed seems, fleece-lined collar and cuffs, two-way front zipper, inner waist drawstring, four inner pockets (one zippered, one zippered with media port and two open) and a rear snap that will connect the jacket to the available pant. Yup, we have to agree, they got all the essentials for a sled jacket…For complete details check out your local Gamma Dealer. www.gammasales.com.

We know it’s heartbreaking to think that your sled will soon be sitting for a long while, but there are some things that need to be addressed. Today’s fuel wreaks havoc on hightech internal workings found on new sleds. Stuff gums up in as little as month, so a quick fix is to pour the K100-S+ into your buggy before it goes away. The premium fuel treatment from Kinetic Labs contains stabilizers that will keep the fuel fresh, and will actually aid in eliminating water in the fuel that happens during a phase separation found in E-10 fuel. For the minimal cost associated with this easy treatment - almost seems like a no brainer. Available through your local Gamma Dealer. www.gammasales.com.

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TERRAIN DOMINATION D OMINATION TerrainDomination.com T e errainDomination.com ON SNOW MAGAZINE

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VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

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TEAR DOWN

BY GOODWOOD & BEERSTEIN

Editor’s note: We have to apologize to OSM readers for this installment of Tear Down. It took all we had just to get Goodwood and Beerstein to submit something to this issue. Low snow conditions around their home turf of Minnesota and Wisconsin (and sometimes the UP) really have them in a foul mood. That said, we’re not responsible for anything in this column that our respected readers may find offensive.

who could race anything. So, to answer your question, go to any one of those “other” races and you’ll already find plenty of other guys who have whooped his arse.

As for your other comments, yes, we know what new sleds are. We know what they aren’t too. ‘Nuff said.

- Goodwood

Guys...love the magazine. I was wondering if the Tear Down crew could address a question I have? Everyone has been telling me to stay away from gas with ethanol in it. How about that E85 stuff? My neighbor uses it in his hot rod.

Think I can burn a few tanks in my T-Cat? Rob - Upperville, NY What the hell? Is this a joke? Rob, you need an ass-kickin’ and someone to take that goddamn T-Cat away from you.

Hey Goodwood and Beerstein, you guys must be really old, you have a lot of stories from back in the day. I’m wondering if you guys even know what a new sled is. The new stuff is way better than that old stuff; the new sleds have really taken things to the next level.

Anyway, Tucker Hibbert is gonna win it all again. If you were a race director for another brand, how do you find someone to beat this guy?

- Beerstein

stuff, but one summer I got a wild hair and built me one of those watercrossers. See, I had an old Rotax with some pipes I scrounged out of a swap spot out in the back forty at Princeton.

Not sure where they even came from, but the guy said some dude from Finland won some races with them back in the day. Anyhoo, I put that engine in an old Mach 1 chassis and had Beerstein scratchin’ his head somethin’ fierce.

After all, it was June and there weren't no ice drags or speed runs on the shop calendar for a good six months. So, one day I says to Beerstein, “Let’s go testing.” He just about fell over laughin’ when he saw that Mach1 loaded in the back of the sled hauler, what with its jacked-up skid and uber-tall bar riser. So we pull up to the pond right near the honey hole and unload. Beerstein, he’s still chucklin’, but kinda scratchin’ his head now. I fired that ‘ol 583 up with those pipes and she was just acracklin’. I straddled that baby, and when I pinned it toward the water you should have seen ‘ol Beerstein’s face. That Mach 1 skipped across the water like a well-polished river stone. Lesson here is don’t skimp on the horsepower Jimmy. Actually, that’s always the lesson, but it’s even more important when that’s all that’s makin' the difference between a good water skip and a good old-fashioned swimmin’ lesson.

- Goodwood

A loyal fan Bart - Brandon, Manitoba Hey Bart, great question. Let me tell you something about this Hibbert kid - he’s a onetrick pony. Never seen him at a drag race or radar run have you? That cross-country speedy Pine Lake race every December…the old six-eights a no-show there. Oh, and what about the I-500, Iron Dog, or the Soo? It could be those fancy sodas he’s been swilling…heard those things could turn your brain mushy and cloud your thinking. We remember his old man…now there was a guy

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

I want to race watercross this summer. The winter sucked where I’m at and I still want to ride my sled some more. What do I need to do to skip some water? Oh, I have a 2012 SkiDoo MXZX 800. Thanks!

Jimmy - Waupaca, WI Hey Jimmy, let me tell you something - around here it’s usually Beerstein building the trick

Goodwood and Beerstein, my friend has an older ZR580 with 144 studs, cool sounding can, gutted airbox, and some aftermarket heads he picked up at a local swap meet. The thing rips, but we want to go grass dragging with it this summer. What else can we do to make faster?

Need for Speed - Kingsclear, NB

ZR 580? Now you’re talkin’ my language NFS! You don’t have a ‘Need for Speed’. You already got speed; you just need to rein that baby in and make ‘er dance for ya! But here’s the first red light I see; you got a trail setup goin’ on with that gem right now. What you need is a speed track and some grass chisels, then you need to lower that buggy down some.

Not too much, you don’t want to be ridin’ on the footboards late in the day when the line’s all trenched out. Then you need to start testing - run that thing to establish a baseline, then dial ‘er in with jetting and clutching. That can’s probably not doin’ you any favors, but leave it on.

You want people to know you mean business when you fire that thing up on the stand. You might even want to Swiss cheese that air box along the bottom so that thing can breathe. Back in the day, me and Goodwood had that same buggy and cleaned up with it until one day some guy offered us way more than it was worth. Still think he was just buyin’ it so he didn’t have to race against it anymore, but that’s another story, best told over some cold ones. Good luck!

- Beerstein

Guys, I think I saw you on the trails in northern Wisconsin this winter.

For old guys, you ride pretty fast. Do you guys ever lift?

John - Hutchinson, MN No. Next question.

- Beerstein

Hi Guys, You seem really cool, like you know a lot of stuff. I’m not sure if this is the right place for this or not, but here goes - I keep seeing this really cute chick at all the snowmobile events. I really want to talk to her, but I just can’t. She’s always with this group of guys she hangs out with.

I asked around so I know she’s single. All these guys ride big iron 800s, turbos, etc. What should I do? P.S. I ride an XC500.

obvious. A 500? C’mon man! You need to get on something with more ponies, like now. Better yet, one-up those other chumps and lay down some cash for a year-old snocross mod. Deck that thing out - tall riser, cut the snowflap off, you know…make her look like you mean business.

Make sure you can ride this buggy too. You don’t want to yard sale it when she’s looking. Make sure you roll up with that new buggy on a sled deck on the back of your lifted truck. You do have a lifted truck right? It’s obvious what this girl’s into, you just need to connect the dots and make it happen. You need any more advice, just let us know. Send some pics next time too, so we can get a real feel for what you’re dealing with.

- Goodwood

Hi “Wood” and “Beer”, love the mag, especially Tear Down. My buddies and I were talking about track length the other night while drinking a few of your favorite cold ones. In your opinion, what is the best length for trail riding? We ride hard and need something that can handle the bumps.

Billy - Newberry, MI You know what they say about “buddies” who talk about their track lengths. But you guys were chuggin’ silos, so that means you’re probably good. Yeah, well, seems all these manufacturers been messin’ with track lengths, and now we got 120, 121, 128, 129, 136, 138… well let me tell you this: none of it matters. Some people claim they can feel a difference, but what’s a few inches on the snow? What we need is to get back to basics. Old school. I mean, look what this whole track length business has done to you and your buddies’ shop time. Sittin’ around talking about who’s got the longer track? Give us something that matters, like a cheap, light, simple sled we can work on. Heck, me and Beerstein, we can barely fit two of these newfangled buggies in our three-place trailer. We need more track length like we need flat beer.

-Goodwood

Confused - Timmins, Ontario Holy smokes, this is like the time me and Beerstein had that school of walleyes come through, out on Big Chetac - tip-up flags were poppin’ up left and right! Only with you it’s red flags. Welp, we’d be glad to help a youngster with your kind of aspirations. First off, let’s start with the

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VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

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Located on Trail #19, or take exit #310 on Rte 11. Loading ramps, indoor sled parking, heated repair bays. Fuel nearby.

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Join us at PJ’s Bar & Grille or our Victoria Restaurant. Ask any knowledgeable snowmobiler and they will tell you that the Edmundston area is among the best maintained Trails in Eastern Canada. At Quality Inn, we have snowmobile packages available starting at $47.95 per person (based on double occupancy).

Package consists of one night’s accommodation, hot breakfast for two and trail map. Call now to book your accommodations to "Blaze Throgh the North".

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

FLOAT BOWL PAT BOURGEOIS

SHORT TRACKIN’ was a long walk through the thigh deep snow. Winter ’s chill never seemed that cold to a 12-year-old, even when wearing little more than my school blue jeans and a half-zipped jacket.

The lights that glowed from the lower level of the barn seemed to be miles away, even though they were probably only a few hundred yards at most. I formulated a plausible story that I could tell to my father in order to persuade him to make the journey back with me to the sunken Cat. I suppose those winters from my youth are not unlike the corn stalks I played hide and seek in. The snow was a lot deeper, as were those rows of corn a lot taller. Of course, the fact that I’m now taller may have something to do with it. Nonetheless, the fresh snow combined with my lack of skill resulted in an all too familiar scenario.

The shimmering Puma was buried, sticking nose high in a wind swept snow bank somewhere along the field’s edge on the outskirts of our family farm.

More often than not, my father simply gave me that look, knowing what had happened, and non-verbally agreeing with a wry smile to help get the Puma back ontop. After finishing chores, we’d fire up one of our tractors and make short work of the seemingly long walk to find the Puma alone, cold, and snow covered. A simple pull with a chain on a ski-hoop had the sled out, and after getting the big Kawasaki re-fired, I was back on my way and heading home…another riding lesson filed away for future reference.

In hindsight, that Puma was never destined to shred the powder. It wasn’t for lack of power...she had plenty. No, in

It

looking at that sled today, its deep snow shortcomings are obvious - she’s a short tracker…I mean a really, really short tracker.

According to the specifications for a 1972 Puma 440, the track length was a whopping 103.5-inches, with only about 30 of those inches on the ground. An off-trail adventure machine it wasn’t, but I do remember it did some hellacious “doughnuts” on the frozen pond behind the barn, and it was a tad “squirrely” when running snow packed roads with speed.

Needless to say, I honed my early riding skills on a “short track”. After the Puma I had an El Tigre’, and somewhere in the mix I also enjoyed a Yamaha Enticer. Both were short-trackers, especially by today’s standards. I still own an Enticer, (with some modifications) and with a 108.5-inch track spinning underneath, it remains a favorite to go bombing down early season trails around my property.

Frankly, I love short tracks. Their ability to turn quickly and react almost instantly while negotiating a tight wooded trail, is still one of my all-time biggest joys of snowmobiling. They accelerate instantly, are lighter than longer tracked sleds, and most importantly, they just feel right.

When word of Ski-Doo’s decision to extend their premium trail sleds to a 129inch suspension and track reached my desk this winter, I scrunched my face in a moment of disappointment. The news signaled that another manufacturer was moving away from what had long been deemed the “traditional” short-track snowmobile (121-inches). Already Arctic Cat and subsequently, Yamaha’s Viper models had made the switch to the longer

Want to know what a real short tracker is all about? Throw a leg over the 103.5-inch Puma and let the doughnuts begin.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE ✪ VOLUME 29 • ISSUE 6

129-inch length. A move supposedly supported by pages of market research, anecdotal feedback, and those always trepidatious words of “industry sales reports”.

I know what the numbers say.

Obviously, the mountain segment and those monster tracks have been enormously successful. But of course, that makes sense to me. You need a big track to go where today’s sleds go in the deep and often steep riding areas of western North America. Then there are the crossover models, the fastest growing and largest segment of sleds for the rest of us.

Sure they have their virtues, such as offtrail flotation, additional storage, bump bridging capabilities, and lots of traction for acceleration and braking, but they do have trade-offs, regardless of what the marketing hyperbole says.

In 2016, only Polaris remains as the one maker that continues to completely embrace the 121-inch short track formula, with their premium AXYS based Rush.

While it might not be as light or as “squirrely” as my old Puma, it retains those quick reacting, on-trail characteristics of a short tracker that I covet.

In this market of monkey see…monkey do, the days of the 121-incher might be numbered…I hope not. We’ve already lost those mid-sized sleds that many of us grew up on, and now it appears the traditional full-sized short tracker is next. If we do, I can only imagine how long of a walk back our kids will have when they bury their “little” crossover sled.

Let’s raise a glass of cold suds to the little guy. Long live the short tracker.

My modern “leafer” short-tracker Enticer is still an absolute blast to ride on the trails…the tighter the better.

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