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52 68 FEATURES 52 32 64 46 68 SCENE IT

INJECTED FORCE C-TEC2 800 HAS LANDED

MACâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S GADGET SATCHEL

WACONIA RIDE IN

10 MUST-HAVE TOOLS FOR THE TRAIL

TIME TRACKS

BLAZING SADDLES

THEN CAME SKIROULE

YAMAHA SIDEWINDER LTX LE

104GEARBOX COLUMNS 10

DRIFTS RICHARD KEHOE

WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE

110 FLOAT BOWL PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS

12 22 24 30 44 72 98

INDUSTRY NEWS WORD SEARCH GOT RISERS BRAH? WE GOT MAIL TAKE 5 LAWN ORNAMENTS SHOP HUSTLE

VOLUME 7 NUMBER 4

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Coordinator: Logan Gamble Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day

Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Tyler Swarm, Suzy Stenoff, Darren Desautels, Ross Antworth, Jacob Travers, Jordan Hammack, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Mike Blakoe, Matt Clark, Logan Gamble Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com

OSM is published five times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 716, Elk River, MN 55330. Telephone (888) 661-7469. Head office address is PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone 1-888-661-7469. Printed in Canada by LoweMartin Group, Dollco Division. • Copyright 2017 OSM Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription rates for magazine $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

drifts drifts RICHARD KEHOE

MORE THROTTLE

It’s

our sport’s Peak-Season and there’s so much to discuss - The Best Work Commute, Our Expansion and 120s. Now that we’re in full swing and sledding every day, and the big lake in front of our office has finally tightened up, it’s made my daily work commute that much better. Leaving my house in the early morning for the ride to work, I have started to see a few familiar sleds on the lake. You start to see the same riders going in the same direction - I’m guessing high school kids and vacationing ice

We started on the stocker at the beginning of the year...

fishermen. And of course, I seem to run into OSM’s Matt Clark on the lake here and there as he also commutes to work by sled. It’s by far the best way to start your workday! It’s been a great winter and one of the most exciting ones I’ve had in years. With the acquisition of Snowmobiler Television, we’ve been busy finalizing changes to the format of the Show. Many of the features you find in the pages of OSM will be, or have already been added to the layout of the Show. One of my favorite additions to the STV lineup would be the boys that Bourgeois named the “Three Muffalitos”. And just like their feature in OSM, they’re stuffing their muffs with all sorts of goodness for a trailside feast. If you haven’t seen it, or haven’t watched it recently, visit www.snowmobilerstv.com and click on episode 9 next time you’re in your shop, wrenching on a sled. More recently, a bunch of us were in the shop at the office, working on a few of our sleds, and watching future episodes of STV. We were discussing recent rides we’ve been on, and now between OSM and STV, we have covered a lot of ground on sleds, trucks and planes this winter. Hot topics were the miles traveled and where, the sleds, but most were all about the food. I’ve been on quite a few rides this winter with many great people, but the one ride that stands out the most is this half kilometer long loop where I ride a 120. …with my son of course. My daughter, Kyle has been riding for a few years now, and can navigate her own down the trail, but my three year old son Eric requires a little more supervision going around the loop. I ride on the back

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with him, making sure he isn’t trying to find blue jays or squirrels in the woods. I think we might resemble the Grinch and his little dog Max, riding the big red sleigh, but this way I can make sure we stay on the trail. I’m sure he’ll boot me off next year. We have a great time, and the little guy will push through the cold for hours. This is our Peak-Season issue, so sit back, relax and enjoy the magazine, and I hope you enjoy this Shooter Showcase Special Issue. When you’re out on your sled, make sure to take it all in, take some pictures and submit them to us at info@osmmag.com Until next time, we hope you enjoy the book, and our new episodes of STV.

We were ready for a little more throttle from the 120, and I mentioned it to Cam at Country Corners. Lucky for me the Speedwerx ZR with a Briggs & Stratton engine was available. It goes so fast, you could light your own hair on fire.

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news STRAP UP YOUR BRAIN BUCKET IN ALBERTA

Earlier this winter, Alberta introduced new legislation that will require helmets to be worn while riding on public lands with off-road vehicles. The new law will apply to vehicles for every season including ATVs, snowmobiles and dirt bikes. The move was introduced in an attempt to curb deaths associated with off-road vehicles, and it also will align Alberta with every other province in Canada that already have helmet laws in place.

02 AN EASY WAY TO IMPROVE YOUR RIDE.

IT’S THE COWS STUPID

2017 APPLICATIONS

NOW AVAILABLE! 12

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In the “you can’t be serious” category, the OSM News hounds came across this Global Warming doozy from where else?… California. Already regarded as the ultimate “nanny” state in the USA, California is now trying to control the bodily functions of… wait for it…cows. Yup, California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation that would require farmers to implement equipment to control the methane gasses released from cows as they belch, pass gas and take a poo. While the bill doesn’t outline just how this is supposed to be accomplished, it will surely increase operating costs for farmers, resulting in higher dairy and beef prices in the state, or in some instances, farmers relocating to other states.

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03 ROMPING IN THE TIMBER The snow bike buzz is moving beyond the mountains and into the flats, and the crew at On Snow Magazine is looking to get out in front of the craze. Running our newly acquired Husqvarna FC450 and accompanying Timbersled kit in the ditches, swamps, logging roads, and thick timber across the Midwest, we’re convinced this new form of over the snow travel is destined to be more than just a passing fad. With each ride, our confidence grows, and with it the future of this new sport clearly becomes broader than we first imagined. From backyard romps to tearing up back-country stretches of untracked snow, you don’t need miles upon miles of trails to enjoy. The low hanging fruit is of course, existing snowmobilers, but following close on their heels will be motorcycle riders, followed by anyone who enjoys motorsports looking for a winter escape to fuel their gas and oil passion. What’s more, the current snow bike is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Continued development will assuredly rapidly advance and improve upon an already impressive ride experience, making the snow bike experience easier and more appealing to others who join the fray. Stay tuned.

RIDE MN OR WHEREVER YOU MAY ROAM No matter what you ride, from mountain bikes to snowmobiles, to motorcycles, to snowboards and anything else for that matter, you may have seen a new line of lifestyle gear popping up in your area. We first spotted the RideMN gear about a year ago while riding outside of the Minneapolis area, and this past fall there were several sledheads drinking cold ones and enjoying the 50th Hay Days celebration, proudly wearing the gear. Turns out the entrepreneurs behind this brand are not just avid riders, but they have been creating similar “Ride” brands for other states and provinces so others can share their passion and camaraderie for where they ride. According to Robert Jara, one of the marketing minds behind Ride, “It matters not what you may ride, but that we all ride.” Nuff said. To learn more and to see if there is a Ride Brand for where you ride, visit www.ridebrand.com

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SEE THE NEW 2018 SNOWMOBILES IN PERSON The new 2018 snowmobiles are arriving, and your best chance to get an up close and personal look at them this spring is by attending a 2018 Sneak Peek Tour stop. With seven stops across Canada and ten in the United States, chances are there is one near you, featuring the latest sleds from Polaris, Ski-Doo and Yamaha. To learn more, including venue specifics, show hours and more, visit the Sneak Peek website at www.snowsneakpeek.com. While you’re there you can also sign up to receive a free Sneak Peek can cooler, given away to the first 100-people though the door at select tour stops.

East/Midwest U.S. Tour: March 3-4 – SnoDeo, Colebrook, NH March 7 - Augusta Civic Center, Augusta, ME March 10-11 – SnoFest, Old Forge, NY March 13 - Erie County Fairgrounds, Buffalo/Hamburg NY March 15 - Birch Run Expo Center, Birch Run, MI March 16 - Deltaplex Arena, Grand Rapids, MI March 20 - Wisconsin State Fair Park, Milwaukee, WI March 22 - Central Wisconsin Convention Center & Expo, Wausau, WI March 31-April 1 - National Sports Center, Minneapolis, MN April 3 - Fargo Dome, Fargo, ND

Canada Tour: March 13-14 – Place Forzani, Laval, QC March 17-18 – Capital Helicopter Complex, Quebec, QC March 20-21 – Bell Sensplex, Kanata, ON March 24-25 – Eastview Arena, Barrie, ON March 28 - Red River Exhibition Park, Winnipeg, MB March 30 - Prairieland Park, Saskatoon, SK April 1 – Northlands EXPO Centre, Edmonton, AB

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news

06 HERFINDAHL IS PERFECT The resurgence of cross-country racing continues to gain steam, and currently the king of reading unknown terrain at ridiculous speeds is Christian Brothers Racing’s Zach Herfindahl. At this writing, the Arctic Cat rider is perfect on the season, going four for four in the United States X-Country (USXC) series. Most recently he rocked the Thief River Falls 250 race in the top-dog Pro 600 class, winning by more than a minute over second place. Zach also took home top honors in the Pro Open class. The Pro 600 win gives Herfindahl a 52-point lead in the year-end points chase. The team will now head north of the border for the start of the International 600 event, a multi-day cross country race that will cover 600 miles and seemingly endless miles of uncharted woods, ditch lines and rivers.

SNOWMOBILER TELEVISION ON THE GAS In case you haven’t heard, the kids at On Snow Magazine (OSM) recently purchased Snowmobiler Television, and have started to inject a new energy into the long running SNOWMOBILER TELEVISION program. Ripping a few pages of ideas from the magazine, future episodes of the show will have a greater focus on the places, events and people who best illustrate the lifestyle of the sport. Or course, there will still be an emphasis placed on new snowmobiles, performance parts, ride destinations and racing, but one eye will always be focused on having fun and keeping things fresh and entertaining. The show is currently available across Canada, and can be found on NTV Newfoundland, Global Thunder Bay, CTV, CKPG and WILD TV. Starting next winter, the reach of the show will be even broader, plus you can always catch past episodes online by visiting snowmobilertv.com BROUGHT TO YOU BY

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

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08 ON TOP AT WINTER X Another Winter X-Games is in the books and we have the complete list of podium finishers below in all of the key snowmobile events. What the results don’t show though is how the new Snow BikeCross event was the hit of the four-day extreme competition. With a track that best showcased the capabilities of the bikes and a handful of riders with deep motocross experience and enough time aboard the snow counterpart, the racing was tight for the front runners and extremely entertaining for the casual fan. While snocross and freestyle may have run its course at Winter X, we suspect the Snow BikeCross competition will be a key component of the ‘made for TV’ event for several seasons to come. Snocross Adaptive Gold - Mike Schultz Silver - Garrett Goodwin Bronze - Jeff Tweet

With Tucker Hibbert going for his tenth X-Games gold medal in a row, the win by Petter Narsa was perhaps the upset of the weekend in Aspen. The unusual track design led to carnage in turn one with plenty of restarts, and likely played a role in Tucker being kept from the podium.

The Snow BikeCross event proved to deliver the goods when it came to competition at the front of the pack. Brock Hoyer (pictured) eventually came out on top after he swapped positions with runner up Colton Haaker several times throughout the race.

Joe Parsons throwing down on his way to X-Games gold. Snowmobile Freestyle Gold - Joe Parsons Silver - Colten Moore Bronze - Levi LaVallee

Snow BikeCross Gold - Brock Hoyer Silver - Colton Haaker Bronze - Cody Matechuk

Snocross Gold - Petter Narsa Silver - Adam Renheim Bronze - Lincoln Limieux

Daniel Bodin celebrates after nailing the Best Trick competition.

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Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

Snowmobile Best Trick Gold - Daniel Bodin Silver - Brett Turcotte Bronze - Joe Parsons

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Arctic Cat was the first manufacturer this winter to drop the bomb on new iron for next winter with the long awaited release of their new C-TEC2 800 twin. We were lucky enough to ride both the trail tuned ZR8000 Sno Pro, (see the full ride report elsewhere in this issue) as well as the new M8000 mountain buggy. Our head honcho from the OSM Idaho Wrecking Crew, Tyler Swarm, joined the Arctic Cat western engineering crew for a few days in early February to rip the M8 and reported back grinning from ear to ear. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The improved low end torque is immediately noticeable,â&#x20AC;? said Tyler. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They eliminated the bog and hesitation found with the old 800â&#x20AC;Śthe new C-TEC2 8 is crisp, efficient and clean running. The sled feels lighter and more nimble, and the small changes they made to the suspension make a huge difference on snow, especially in trail chop leading to the powder and in big rolling G-outs. The sled responds instantly and gets atop the snow quickerâ&#x20AC;Śthis one is going to be hard to beat.â&#x20AC;?

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE â&#x20AC;˘ VOL 7 â&#x20AC;˘ ISSUE 4

PEAK SEASON

Adventure Bacon Balaclava Belt Boots Frozen Fuel Gloves GPS Hand Guards Heated Everything Helmet Hydration Ice Beef Jerky Miles OSM Map Safety Comes First Skis Snow Snowmobile Studs Tracks Traction Truck Winter

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tand up and let the loud can bark! Seems our call out for big risers was met with open arms and plenty of enthusiasm. More than a few of you “know a guy” who not only likes to “standup”, but does so with nothing less than 12-inches of finely cra ed riser. With that we p our flat brim cap and give you a one fisted salute with a cheap can of cold barley pop to this issue’s best riser submissions. Congrats to Josh from Guelph, Ontario! His riser pics were selected as our faves for this issue, and Josh will receive a freshly screened “Got Riser” OSM T-shirt for the eﬀort. Have you seen a crazy handlebar riser set-up on a snowmobile in your neck of the woods? If so, snap a few pics and send them to our curmudgeon editor, and you could find a new OSM T-shirt in your mailbox. Simply email your riser pics to editor@osmmag.com.

Josh from Guelph, Ontario sent us these pics, along with a quick note on big risers and cold beer. “Hey boys! Just wanted to start oﬀ by saying I love the magazine. I’ve been a big fan for a long time and I love the Clash of the Border Beers in this month’s issue…too funny! I’m sure everyone has that friend with the big risers, and here’s a couple pics of my friend’s rides. By the way, I snapped these while enjoying some of our great “Great White North Brews”, in this case a cold Sleemans! Keep up the good work guys and girls. Cheers, Josh.”

Lucas from southern Ontario sent us this pic of his 2013 Yamaha Nytro with what he calls a “lake eﬀect bar riser”.

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Avid OSM reader Matt S. sent in this “trifecta of rise” which included a throwback John Deere Spitfire, along with a way too tall setup on a powder parked Firecat. It’s a long way down from the top Matt.

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From the interweb came these riser submissions from Suave83. Do you ever lift Brah?!

“Dan the Brapp Man” hit us up with this slightly crusty Ski-Doo, outfitted with the popular bar riser and ProTaper bar combo. Judging by the garbage can of empties in the corner, Dan not only stands up, but is well hydrated too.

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winging it LEVI LAVALLEE

MIND OVER MATTER

ave you ever made something into more than what it actually was, due to fear? Afraid to go on a ride at the amusement park because you thought it was too scary? Didn’t try a food because you told yourself you wouldn’t like it? What’s surprising is how often the thing you thought you were afraid of turns out to be not that bad after all; instead you find it somewhat exhilarating, knowing you overcame your fear. Each year I head into my freestyle practice for X-Games with an optimistic mindset. Last year, I banged up my ankle in snocross, and wasn’t able to compete in freestyle. This proved to be added motivation for this year’s event, and I was determined to throw down the run I had been working on the year prior, because we (the crew and myself) felt it was a good one. With nearly two seasons of practice with this particular run, our confidence was high, and I should have known better than to start thinking that way. You can never assume things are going to be

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easy, because once you do, Murphy’s Law kicks in. In the weeks leading up to X-Games, we had a stretch of brutally cold weather. The weather compounded a long list of complications including equipment that wouldn’t start; a foam pit lift crane breaking down; blisters on my hands from “cooking” them with overly aggressive hand warmers; high winds limiting practice, and the list goes on. All this adversity was beginning to weigh on me, and what was supposed to be an easy year of just knocking the dust off an existing run, was turning into an all-out battle against weather, equipment and my mind. Time was running out. I still hadn’t been able to get some good practice in, and that’s when self-doubt kicks in and you start having conversations with yourself. “Are you going to have enough practice in to feel confident? What if I forget the tricks, or I can’t execute them like I know I can? Are we going to continue to have all of these issues? Will

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I ever get in any practice? What if I injure myself in the mad rush to get some practice in?” The inner chatter gets so bad, it can mentally cripple you and leave you feeling depressed and hopeless. The pressure that riders put on themselves is usually the main reason a rider would feel this way, and I’ve seen riders become so depressed, they don’t want

to leave the house, let alone practice. This was the direction I was headed. Fortunately, I’ve learned to become aware of this anxiety, and I’ve found a remedy for overcoming this self-inflicted “pity party”. You have to ride for yourself first. When I feel my anxiety starting to rise, I try to immediately re-frame my mindset and say to myself,”God puts the heaviest burden on those who can

handle it.” This empowers me and gets me back to solving the problems instead of feeling sorry for myself. I had to pull myself out of my pity party a couple times this year, and sure enough, the last week of training went almost perfect! The weather came around, all of the equipment worked, tricks came back bigger and better than before, and by the time we left for X, I was ready.

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winging it LEVI LAVALLEE

LEVI LAVALLEE Assuming the worst was behind me, we arrived at X-Games feeling good. In fact, everything was great until the first time I got on my sled. We were down on power and it was messing with my backflips. The crew did everything we could think of, and it wasn’t getting better, so we decided we needed to swap motors. That’s when Leighton Motorsports came through huge. Trace Leighton was gracious enough to lend us a motor for competition, and

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once we got it in, my sled felt like home again! Our crew was able to swap out the motor in record speed, and get me back on the course right at the end of freestyle practice to see if it was going to work. I went out and back-flipped a half dozen times and knew right away it was going to work! Our last practice was the morning of competition. I had to play catch up, performing all my tricks and getting my run dialed. Things went great and we were ready to go hunting for an

X-Games medal! After some mistakes in my first run and sitting in 4th, I knew I had to make it happen in the second run…and I did. I put down my entire run as smooth as I ever had, and it was enough to earn me a bronze medal! Knowing all the adversity we had to overcome, I’m extremely proud of this year’s bronze medal. And the confidence gained has me more determined than ever to return to Winter X-Games next year and turn this bronze into gold.

Y R A N O I T U L EVO

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RAVES, FLAMES AND RANDOM RANTS

SPRAY NOT INCLUDED On Snow Magazine subscriber James Phillips sent over this Kijiji ad (Canada’s version of Craigslist) and noted the classic sales pitch “runs on spray”. We sent James an official OSM Runs on Spray t-shirt for the effort. Seen an interesting, outrageous or funny snowmobile ad in your searches? Send it our way and you could garner yourself an official OSM shirt.

TRIPLE ANCHOR? in your recent Anchor of the Month it claimed the Mach had a Monstrous 670 Rotax triple. The problem with this statement is the PRS Chassis would only fit a 670 twin, the 780 triple came in ‘93 with the introduction of the DSA chassis. Keep doing a great job. It sure is nice to look at the magazine rack and find a good read. Tom – Huntsville, Ontario Hey Tom, thanks for the correction. I’m sure our brains were well shaken thinking back on past rides with the “anchor” Mach. Smooth she wasn’t. By the way, we didn’t find any beer included with your letter, what gives? – Ed.

FRESH BEEF Hey OSM gang. My buddy rescued an almost froze-to-death calf on the trail the other day. Thought you might enjoy the photo. Jayme M – Amateur Cattle Rustler Jayme, have you considered contacting Arctic Cat with your “Calf in a Box” accessory idea? We wish there were more qualified cattle rustlers.

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GEOGRAPHY LESSON I was very upset to read in your Border Beer Battle article that Molson Canadian is brewed in cities across the great land from Moncton to Vancouver. For the record, Molson Canadian is also brewed in St. Johns, Newfoundland. In case you didn’t know it is part of Canada! Harry P – Canada Fan Dear upset in Canada, sounds like you could use a Molson, no matter where it’s brewed. We’ve been kicking around the idea of starting a geography magazine but we’ve been unable to find our way. Ignorance is bliss, that’s our motto.

LITTLE RED SNOW WAGON Dear OSM Editor. I have a one of a kind snowmobile that I built for my son. It’s a Radio Flyer wagon that transforms from a four-wheel summer vehicle into a mean machine snowmobile. I’m sending you this picture because I think it’s pretty bad ass, but I’ll let the professionals be the judge. It takes 20-30 minutes to make the transformation and it goes around 15-20-mph depending upon rider size. In the summer it does donuts and rides wheelies, and in the winter it tears up the snow. Thanks for your time. Brad B – Moorhead, Minnesota Brad, that is one sweet looking wagon. We completely get the transformation aspect but in all seriousness what kind of doughnuts does it make? Powdered, glazed or our favorite, jelly filled. Please advise and send samples.

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FEELING THE LOVE OF OSM Here’s a love story for you kids. Todd Gabrielson and Carla Goulart met on a snowmobile trail, so it was only fitting after they discovered their true love for each other that they get married on the trail. They were married this past New Year’s Eve near Grand Rapids, Minnesota, and I preformed the ceremony. In keeping with the snowmobiling theme I tucked their vows inside an issue OSM naturally. Rusty E – Grand Rapids, Minnesota Rusty, great story and nice job on helping them tie the knot. Does she have a sister?!

Got something to say? Let us know by dropping us a line at editor@osmmag.com

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OW M

AGAZI

WACONIA RIDE IN It’s been called the world’s largest gathering of vintage and antique snowmobiles, and this past January the annual gathering on the shores of Lake Waconia in south central Minnesota didn’t disappoint. The featured brand was Sno-Jet and Kawasaki, (given the Japanese maker bought out Sno-Jet in 1976) and with hundreds of show sleds on display, the event was “on the pipe” all weekend long with a bustling swap meet; drag racing; oval racing; loud pipe contest; guest speakers; raﬄe items; a live auction and of course, plenty of bench racing.

We had barely parked our rig and already editor Bourgeois spied this well-worn Scorpion helmet.

One of the best things about the Waconia event is the true “riding” nature of the event. Along with an organized trail ride, you’ll find sleds puttering about the ice pack and in the parking areas all day long.

Oddities are sure to be found here. The Bearcat is a rare buggy which was built in New York for only two model years - 1973 and 1974.

While there are plenty of paint-by-thenumbers, perfectly restored sleds on display, there is plenty of individuality on display as well.

Nomobiles…yep found those too.

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Despite a brisk north wind sweeping across the lake, the swap meet was brimming with vintage, antique and early IFS sleds, parts and collectibles.

BELOW: It’s the occasional score like this ultra-low mile Suzuki that keeps us coming back to Waconia year after year. You read it right…24 actual miles.

A pair of well used Ariens sleds created a gawker slow down for these two well-dressed fans.

“Yeah, we got a driver for that.”

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sceneit

ABOVE: The early “boom” days of the sport were glorious times when it came to trinkets and trash. Patches were popular, and these used originals will fetch a tidy sum at the Waconia swap meet.

There were more than a few swap meet deals sealed around the burn barrel at this year’s event.

Happiness is a good running, vintage Cat and a heater.

No mistaking the bright red of a Bolens. The hidden headlight is tipped open with a dash lever to expose a twin beam burst.

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Editor Bourgeois was oh-so-close to nabbing this very mint toy set. It was complete, and the paint was near perfect on the little riders.

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ACCE

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GAZIN

One of our favorites at this year’s show was this Snow Cruiser, complete with a genuine OEM track extension kit.

“I’ll trade you a pork chop for that Rupp chaincase.”

ABOVE: Despite having a great snowpack early in the season, warm weather and rain prior to the event left little more than a concrete glaze in most places. Fortunately, the manufacturers had planned for this event 50 years ago.

Dance as if no one is watching.

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Manufactured in Lanigan, Saskatchewan, this 1969 Ski-Bee Scout owned by Valdi Stefanson, has a face only a mother can love.

ABOVE: Snow bikes are new you say…think again. The Shrew Snow Cycle was a kit available in the early 1970s, and was designed to fit most popular bikes of the era.

BELOW: Vintage events are no longer just for old leafer iron. Late 1980s and early 90s iron is fast becoming the “next big thing”, and now is the time to snap up a few of your favorites.

ABOVE: Of course, the featured brand was well represented, and this pair of Kawasaki Interceptor 550s were looking showroom fresh. Not all sleds are deemed highly collectible, but all old iron is welcome at these kinds of events, and personalization is encouraged.

Our bud Randy from Minnesota was beaming with his swap meet purchase. We got a text later that evening with a photo showing the Fox Trac clock glowing in a fluorescent hue, and the words “it works!”

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The real show stoppers are located inside the nearby ballroom, where an impressive display of Sno-Jet and Kawasaki sleds could be found. More than just sleds and memorabilia, a Saturday banquet features racers, engineers, and other dignitaries sharing stories about the featured brand’s past.

BELOW: The glory days of oval racing produced some of the sport’s most interesting snowmobiles, and the Sno-Jet Thunderjet was one of the most iconic.

Open fire, hot dogs, cold beer and B.S. …what more could you want?

Few things say vintage love like a pair of chrome megaphones.

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Another interesting part of the inside display at the Ride In included collectibles, marketing materials, accessories and clothing.

Sunday is show day at Waconia, and this year’s “judged” sleds numbered nearly 200 strong.

BELOW: Early 1990s muscle sleds are starting to find a place at Waconia. The allure of these big displacement sleds never goes out of style.

The Roper sold through Sears in 1983 featured a 2-horsepower engine for backyard fun.

BELOW: Behold, the top chefs behind the nearly world famous Waconia Ride In pork chop.

In 1978, the Tournament of Champions was introduced to the oval racing series. The series featured equally prepped Kawasaki sleds driven by the sports 10 best drivers with an international twist, where the top five drivers from North America went on to race the top five European drivers.

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Perhaps the most interesting category at Waconia in recent years is the Rat Sled group, where only your imagination sets the boundaries.

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MADE IN CANADA

BEST STUD BACKER ON THE PLANET…PERIOD ALL IN ONE DESIGN BILLET AIRCRAFT GRADE ALUMINUM ADDED TRACTION LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN EASY AND RAPID INSTALLATION EASY AND RAPID INSTALLATION WITH THE ASSEMBLY TOOL

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We nearly missed snapping a photo of this Sno Pac Pacer as it was leaving the show hill. We tracked down the owner and hope to feature the sled in a future Time Tracks.

There are few sleds in our opinion that are more drop dead sexy than the mid-70s Team Arctic Sno Pro sleds.

Sunday featured oval racing sanctioned by the Oval Racers Alliance (ORA). ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

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take 5

Decades

No matter what flavor or color snowmobile is your favorite, history often becomes the ultimate judge and jury when it comes to defining a sled of significance. In this issue’s installment of Take Five, we look at the past five decades and the snowmobiles that defined them.

1960’S SKI-DOO OLYMPIQUE It was the little yellow sled that for many, introduced them to the sport. The Olympique first debuted in 1965 as an official name, replacing the alphanumeric designator found on similar models before it. Its roots can be traced back to 1959, when Joseph Armand Bombardier introduced the first Ski-Doo. Lightweight and compact, the simplistic Olympique was the sled that not only defined the 1960s, but transformed the sport from work to play.

1980’S YAMAHA PHAZER It was dubbed the snowmobile that Buck Rogers would love, and so would your mother. The Phazer, which debuted in 1984, delivered a level of futuristic styling and innovation not seen before. More than a looker, the lightweight and agile Phazer proved to also possess performance and reliability, that when combined with other innovative models unleashed by Yamaha during the decade, would propel the maker to the top of the industry.

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1970’S ARCTIC CAT PANTHER Today’s snowmobile in its most basic form, owes a lot to the Arctic Cat Panther. The sled debuted in 1966, and today is simply referred to as the “Black Panther”. Featuring a low-in-the-pan, front mounted engine and a riveted aluminum chassis, the Panther introduced the slide rail suspension, an innovation still employed today in virtually every snowmobile produced. Arctic Cat was king through the 1970s, and it was the Panther that proved to be the stepping stone for every Arctic Cat model that followed.

1990’S POLARIS INDY History clearly shows that the Polaris Indy was certainly not the first to introduce independent front suspension technology to the sport. Yet, it was the first to do so with a level of success that would ultimately propel the Roseau maker to more than 13-years of industry dominance. While the Indy first debuted in 1980, slow and steady momentum led to a decade of dominance during the 1990s. During this time, the Polaris Indy simply defined the modern snowmobile…and for good reason.

2000’s SKI-DOO REV Model year 2003 will go down in snowmobile history as a harbinger of future snowmobile designs. The Ski-Doo Rev dramatically changed how we ride a snowmobile. The rider forward design made the driver a more active part of the riding experience, delivering a level of ride quality and handling never experienced before. The Rev chassis and other iterations that followed, rocketed Ski-Doo to the top of the snowmobile food chain, and forced other makers to incorporate similar designs or be left behind.

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1 (866) 802-2404 ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

time tracks

THEN CAME

SKIROULE

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osmmag.com

onsnow From the Farm Fields of Quebec to the Kilkenny Cup…How the Sleek RTX Altered the Course of Snowmobile Development and Design

the son of a farm equipment manufacturer, Rejean Houle had dreams beyond making clunky equipment intended for working the

land. He dreamed of skimming over it, especially during the frigid winter months when life slowed down. Based in Wickham, Quebec, the Houle family business wasn’t far from the doors of another burgeoning manufacturer, the J. Armand Bombardier’s Ski-Doo shop. Houle saw Bombardier’s Ski-Doo snowmobiles and envisioned himself build-ing a similar machine. His father scoffed at the idea, but Houle was determined, waiting until his father was out of town and using the factory resources to build a prototype. Roughly three years later, in 1966, Houle began production.

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time tracks In the late 1960s, snowmobiling was taking North America by storm. Everyone wanted one of those new-fangled snow machines, and without much effort, sales of Houle’s machines took off. He called them Skiroule, combining the word “ski” with the first letter of his first name and the last four letters of his last name. Little did Houle know, his venture would be a catalyst that would turn the snowmobile industry on its ear a decade later. While Houle was the visionary behind the Skiroule brand, it wasn’t until the Coleman Company bought out Houle on October 23, 1969, that the Skiroule brand would really take off. Houle, who had broken his leg racing earlier in the year and had retired from racing, was named President of Coleman’s new business. Coleman was set to take the brand be-yond Wickham and began looking into ways to grow sales of its dark green machines. By 1968, snowmobiling was a multi-million dollar industry. There were more than 30 companies building snowmobiles that year, and 20 more entered the market in 1969. The Coleman organization recognized this, and knew it had to take steps to try and set itself apart from the pack. It also took notice that by 1969, racing was playing a major role in both the development and marketing of snowmobiles. The burgeoning United States Snowmobile Association (USAA) oval racing circuit had over 1,000 com-petition members alone. Racing is where they could make up ground. In the fall of 1969, a 16-man racing team for Skiroule was pieced together to compete against the better established teams from such makers as Scorpion, Rupp and Moto-Ski, along with established giants Arctic Cat, Ski-Doo

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and Polaris. In response to increased

engines or race-tuned engines. They

low-slung RT and RTX models for

factory involvement, USSA, perhaps the

were engine-on-tunnel designs, fighting

1972. They were some of the first in

biggest racing association at the time,

against more modern, front-mount

the industry to blend artistic styling to

started to im-plement more rules. One

designs from other manufac-turers.

mechanical performance. The RT/RTX

such rule was designed to help the “little

One bright spot for the brand was Gilles

models featured a lower center of gravity

guy” by setting a limited build number for

Villeneuve, a young 20-year-old racer

and a front-mounted engine, instead of

factory race sleds, in order to qualify for

from Quebec, who had been re-cruited to

the tunnel-mounted design used in 1970.

stock class racing.

pilot a sled for the 1970 season.

A wider ski stance, tuned pipes, one carb

After a disastrous 1970 season,

For the following season, Skiroule

per cylinder, lightweight clutches and a

Skiroule regrouped and decided that

unveiled the then race specific RTX

one-piece molded track all equated to a

if it was going to compete with the big

model, and for the following year

huge improvement over the older design.

factories, it needed a competent race

independent Canadian designer Tony

Racers could get an RTX with a Sachs

sled. Its 1970 racers were basically

MacKeen borrowed inspiration from

292cc single, Sachs 340cc single, Sachs

production sleds, fitted with race

that race model and penned the sleek,

or CCW 340cc twin, Sachs or CCW

The SnoPro Skiroule for the 1976 season featured an independent front suspension, and proved the concept with multi-ple wins. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

time tracks 440cc twin or 800cc Hirth triple. A sliderail rear suspension design with unique split rails was on par with its competition. With the young Villeneuve leading the team, Skiroule looked ready for competition, headed into the 1971 season. Where they struggled in 1970, the team found success in 1971. Villeneuve won the Modified 440 class at the World Series race in Boonville, New York, beating the factory Yamaha sleds that had dominated the class, as well as ace Sno-Jet racer Jim Adema. While they did not post results at the level of some of the more established factories, no one could discount Skiroule anymore. The next season, Skiroule returned with a lineup of RTX racers virtually

identical to its 1971 lineup. Villeneuve

to Boston industrialist Herbert M Karol’s

at Alouette the following year and won

was be-ginning to establish Skiroule, as

Montreal-based HMK manufacturing

the Eagle River World Championship in

well as himself, as one of the racers to

company, and the brand subsequently

1974. By the 1975-76 season, Skiroule

beat, especially at the Eastern races and

announced it was taking a break from

was back racing, and Villeneuve, along

in Que-bec. Villeneuve took second in

racing and would not return with a factory

with his brother Jacques, were back with

the 340 class at Eagle River that year.

effort for 1973.

Skiroule. Given free rein and full access

It wasn’t enough though. With a looming

It wasn’t the end of Skiroule’s racing

to the company’s engineering facilities

gas crisis and the snowmobile industry

endeavor however, and it wasn’t the

including its dyno room, the brothers

experiencing declining sales across the

end of Villeneuve’s relationship with

developed a snowmobile that would

board, Coleman sold the Skiroule brand

the com-pany. Villeneuve found a ride

revolutionize snowmobile racing.

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Independent front suspensions had been tried before the 1976 season, one even on Villeneuve’s twin-track Alouette. But it was the independent front suspension found on the Villeneuve developed 1976 Skiroule racer that proved the concept could work…and win. At the Kilkenny Cup in late January of 1976, Gilles cleaned up in the Super Mod classes on what, up to that point in the season, was the roughest track that any of the racers had encountered. The independent suspension found on the low-slung Skiroule ran fast and smooth. It became evident from that moment forward, inde-pendent suspensions not only were a clear competitive advantage, but they would be an engineering focus for consum-er sleds in the years to come. HMK built Skiroule snowmobiles until filing for bankruptcy during the summer of 1976. What started as a passion for Rejean Houle, one he had to hide from his father in order to get off the ground, became one of the most intriguing manufacturer stories in all of snowmobiling. Had it not been for Skiroule’s introduction of the 1971 RTX, and the company’s aggressive pursuit of racing success, the evolutionary development of the snowmobile might look very different. Today, the unmistakable RT and the more coveted RTX continues to turn heads with its stunning and sleek design, with the factory racer RTX sitting atop the list for Skiroule collectors.

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C- TEC2 REFI NED ... 800 HAS LANDED

I F T H E RE ’ S O N E W O RD T H A T BE S T D E S C RI BE S T H E MU C H A N T I C I P A T E D REPLA C E ME N T T O A RC T I C C A T ’ S S U Z U K I 8 0 0 T W O -S T RO K E , T H I S IS IT. A F T E R I N D I C A T I O N S P O I N T E D T O W A RD S T H E RE L E A S E O F THE A L L -N E W MO T O R F O R MO D E L Y E A R 2 0 1 7 W E RE Q U E L L E D L A S T SPRIN G, A RC T I C C A T H A S F I N A L L Y U N L E A S H E D T H E I R N E XT BI G THING … A N D BY A L L I N D I C A T I O N S I T W A S W O RT H T H E W A I T .

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THE

new C-TEC2 800 represents Arctic Cat’s second proprietary snowmobile engine built at their St. Cloud, Minnesota powertrain facility. The first of course was the C-TEC2 600, which by all indications after nearly two full seasons on snow in consumer hands, has been nothing short of a knock-it-out-of-the-park home run. Developing an engine from the ground up is a daunting task, to say the least. Having it be the company’s first, comes with even greater challenges. But much to the credit of Arctic Cat and its powertrain engineers, the dual stage injected engine has lived up to the power, durability and efficiency claims that Arctic Cat made when it was launched. Not surprisingly, the new 800 engine shares a great deal of architecture with

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its 600 sibling, and brings with it more power, more torque and greater efficiency than the soon to be retired Suzuki 800. Of course, only time will assure us that it will also emulate the same level of durability of the smaller C-TEC2 as well. It was this all important attribute in mind as to why Arctic Cat most likely held back the 800 until the 2018 model year. According to Arctic Cat snowmobile General Manager Erik Nelson, who appeared very transparent while talking about the current and future vision of Arctic Cat snowmobiles, Arctic Cat simply will not release any new product, regardless of how great the consumer demand is, until it is ready. And after an afternoon spent riding the new 800 motor in the midseason release ZR 8000 Sno Pro, we can comfortably say, this one is ready.

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T H IS N E W MOTOR DELIVERS MORE IN EVERY KEY CA T E G O R Y AN D D O ES SO W I TH A L EV EL O F P R EC I SI O N AN D I N ST AN T R ESP O N SE

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R E A D Y T O RE V For those hoping for a mega horsepower twin from Cat, the debut of the C-TEC2 800 might be viewed at first glance as a miss. But we can confirm that this new motor delivers more in every key category, and does so with a level of precision and instant response that is heads and shoulders above the 800 of old. Producing 160-horsepower, the new engine pumps power at, or near the top of the much coveted big bore category. But there is more to the new C-TEC2 800 than peak power; with an 18% increase in mid-range torque and a heathy 36% increase in low-end torque, the new engine delivers the kind of grunt, acceleration and response that should make both trail riders and powder hounds nod with approval. To achieve these gains and still retain run quality and reliability, Arctic Cat engineers utilized many of the same technologies found in the C-TEC2 600, such as dual stage injection, slotted piston induction and electronically

“

controlled oil metering. They then mated them to new technologies exclusive to the new 800 motor. The boost in power and response is a result in large part to a new Arctic Power Valve system which features three-stage, electronically controlled exhaust valves for the primary port and auxiliary ports. A traditional guillotine valve is used for the primary port, while unique rotating “halfmoon” valves are used for the auxiliary side ports. The entire power valve system is precisely controlled electronically, based upon a host of parameters including pipe temperature, barometric pressure and throttle position to name just a few. Other new technology in the mix includes larger 50-mm throttle bodies mated with new 4-petal, “W” shaped reed cages for optimum air-flow and response; a new fuel-rail damper designed to absorb injector pulses, allowing for consistent and accurate calibration and fuel delivery; and a new single plug combustion chamber that has been optimized for both power and efficiency.

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A TRADITIONAL G U I LL O T I N E V A L V E IS U SE D F O R T H E PR I M A R Y PO R T, WHILE UNIQUE R O TATI N G “ H AL F - M O O N” V AL V ES AR E U SED F O R T HE AU X I L I AR Y S I DE P O R T S.

THE NEW C-T E C2 800 IS BE T T E R I N E VE RY WA Y early release 2018 ZR 8000 Sno Pro employs a color and graphic treatment similar to the Arctic’s race sled offerings this winter.

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Over the past several years, Arctic Cat has employed a steady progression of improvements to their M-Series models. With each step, the sled has become more nimble, refined and capable. The early release 2018 model represents a culmination of those efforts, in what we believe is the brand’s best deep snow model ever.

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onsnow More than just a new 800 motor, the M-8000 Sno Pro will also debut the Ascender platform, which is comprised of a host of M-Series improvements and weight saving attributes, wrapped up in fresh, narrowed plastic.

While our time spent with the new motor was very limited at this writing, we can say with certainty that the new C-TEC2 800 is better in every way, compared to the 800 it replaces. Gone is the burble and stumble sometimes found with Suzuki 800, and in its place is a more crisp, more responsive, and more rev friendly motor with gobs of torque. The motor simply feels happier, with a

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quick to rev demeanor that satisfies with plenty of power. Adding to this, the motor is more efficient as well, with a claimed 30% reduction in oil consumption and fuel economy that we suspect will be slightly better than the 800 Suzuki and on-par with other 800 class competitors.

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RIDE IT NOW The arrival of the new C-TEC2 800 is certainly welcome news for most Arctic Cat faithful, but perhaps the even bigger, and frankly better news, is the mid-season release of two 2018 sleds this winter with the C-TEC2 800 engine secured under cowl. Slated to arrive at Arctic Cat dealerships starting the first week of February, a ZR 8000 Sno Pro available in 129 or 137-inch track lengths, and a M 8000 Sno Pro available in 153 or 162-inch lengths, will give many a chance to sample the new motor this winter. The two limited-build, early release models will deliver more than just a new 800 engine. Both will feature a sampling of other new technologies, slated for the full 2018 line-up, to be released later this spring. The ZR 8000 will employ Next Gen bodywork, first seen on 2017 turbo and Roger Skime models, as well as the new Team Rapid Response II clutching, with its auto adjusting belt tension feature and improved drive ratios. The long track M-Series will usher in even more newness, starting with

At first glance, the new C-TEC2 800 appears to be a near identical clone to the smaller 600 displacement mill. But upon closer inspection, the bigger brother motor touts unique attributes making it even better.

what Arctic Cat is calling the Ascender platform. This new mountain design incorporates many of the changes the M-series has underwent over the past several years, and bolsters it with significant weight loss and a dramatically narrower design. To get there, the early release M 8000 features all new Next Gen bodywork, which is sleeker and narrower by 3-inches, and incorporates the new, easy to install and remove side panels found on turbo models in 2017. The narrowed bodywork not only enhances looks and improves snowmobility, it’s also lighter. Joining the new look plastic are a

“

J O IN I N G T H E NEW LOOK PL A ST ICS A R E A N U M B ER O F W EI G H T SAV I N G EF F O R TS ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

number of weight saving efforts including a new light-weight molded tank; a new aluminum drive shaft; new hollow jackshaft; a lightweight brake assembly, featuring a new caliper, disc and pads; and a new composite steering support. In total, the 2018 M-8000, (without electric start) touts a weight savings of 13-pounds. Beyond weight savings and new power, the 2018 M-8000 Sno Pro has a smattering of performance and ergonomic enhancements as well. The new aluminum driveshaft has been moved down and back for increased clearance of the 3-inch lug track. This change also allowed Cat to employ the use of an 8-tooth sprocket, (versus 7) which in turn reduced the approach angle of the track, resulting in a sled that should get on top of the snow quicker. In addition, narrowed running boards (1inch) and revised footrests and tunnel supports will allow riders to move forward on the sled by as much as 2-inches. The sled also receives the much improved and virtually adjustment free Team Rapid Response II drive and driven clutching combo. On the suspension side of things, the M-8000 Sno Pro will come equipped with revised FOX Float 3 shocks; the rear track shock touts an additional inch of travel, and it along with both front ski shocks, feature increased air-volume for a more compliant ride, early in the stroke.

While difficult to see in this photo, the large guillotine primary exhaust port valve is joined by two rotating valves for the auxiliary side ports. The three port valve design is controlled electronically, and the primary and auxiliary ports operate independently of each other for precise control of exhaust port openings, resulting in instant response and optimum power throughout the entire operating range.

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M ORE TO COME We suspect the new C-TEC2 800 engine and the early release ZR 8000 and M-8000 Sno Pro models are just the tip of the iceberg for Arctic Cat. We’re confident there are more surprises forthcoming, as we learn about the entire line-up in late February. Until then, we will be logging more time aboard both early release models, to gain insight into the all-new motor and key changes made. Look for our first ride reports online at www.osmmag. com and at our sister video outlet www.snowmobilertv.com It was a proud moment for Arctic Cat and their business partners at FOX Shocks as they unveiled the fruits of their labor in terms of the new C-TEC2 800 and early release new models. Pictured from left to right: Pat Hanson, Kevin Thompson, Andy Beavis, Brian Dick, Kale Wainer, Ryan Hayes, Lars Matheney (FOX), Donn Eide, Troy Halvorson, Rick Strobel (FOX), and Lynn Berberich.

SVX450 C RE A T I N G A N E W CAT E GORY While the new C-TEC2 800 engine was stealing the spotlight, at least for the time being, the buzz and anticipation surrounding Arctic Cat’s SVX-450 snow bike continues to build momentum. While the SVX is certainly no secret, with Arctic Cat giving glimpses of the bike at various events for nearly two years, the final production version is still slightly shrouded in mystery, maybe more after Erik Nelson, Arctic Cat’s General Manager of Snowmobiles, gave media in attendance at Cat’s new downtown Minneapolis digs, an update on the much anticipated vehicle. “What we have shown thus far is not exactly what we are coming with,” said Nelson. “We have been very diligent and cognizant of that…we are creating a new category.” According to Nelson, the tentative plan for the SVX includes race validation and continued sound and emissions testing this winter, followed by a dealer showcase in late February, and marketing and demo

events in March and April of 2017. Nelson made it clear that the SVX was going to be different from current “kits” for motorcycles, from the vehicle’s patented combination brake and clutch system, and co-patented rear suspension, to a digital gauge, cold weather fuel mapping, and headlight and fuel tank capacity. “A dirt bike is not a snowmobile,” Nelson added. “It’s a big gap between them. This is a very complex program, and one of the most challenging we (Arctic Cat) have ever tackled. We are creating an entirely new space as a manufacturer.” Following Nelson’s comments, media in attendance were invited to sample the latest iteration of the SVX at ERX Motor Park in Elk River. While the

vehicle we rode was similar in many ways to current snow bikes, it was much more refined than previous versions we were shown, and we were again reminded that the forthcoming production version could very well look and perform much differently.

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Mac’s Gadget Satchel

OSM’S RESIDENT WRENCH

, also known as the twirler of tools, has an uncanny ability to make lemonade from lemons when the unexpected occurs on the trail, in the bush, or deep in the backcountry. Armed with a tool roll the size of a small loaf of bread, Mac has mended snapped control arms, busted secondary springs and failed drop links with little more than aspen limps, duct tape and the remnants of an empty tin of dip. So just what the hell is in that bag? Mac gives us a personal tour.

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T OD A Y’S L ATEST CR OP OF T E C H N O W OND E R S COOT ER S A R E U ND E NI AB L Y S OM E OF TH E M OS T A D V A N C ED AND REL I AB L E W E ’ V E EVER T HROW N A LE G OVER. T HE “ G OOD O LD DAY S ” OF RI DI NG F O R A N HOU R, AND W RENC H I N G F OR T HREE ARE L O N G G ONE. S T I L L , NO M A T T E R HOW “ G O O D ” Y OU R BU G G Y IS, “ S T U F F ” HAP PE N S.

hether you are building a house or h ah hot rod, you need a plan. But even with the best plans, accompanied with the high highest quality supplies and talented people peopl to do the work, you won’t get anywhere without proper tools. The same goes for trailside repairs. Of course, today’s latest crop of techno-wonder-scooters are undeniably some of the most advanced and reliable we’ve ever thrown a leg over. The “good old days” of riding for an hour, and wrenching for three are long gone. Still, no matter how “good” your buggy is, “stuff” happens. Now you know your regular crew of riding cohorts are well versed in staying out of the pucker brush, and avoiding “heavy” contact with each other. I mean a ski shoved up the tunnel of your buddy’s scooter is just a sign of friendship. And when the riding day is over, you cap it off with some red meat on the grill, and popping a few tops on some cold ones. Of course, not every ride is this perfect, and when someone in the group mutters, “I’m gonna invite so and so on our next ride”, you’d best be prepared. Most snow-mo-friends possess the mechanical aptitude to keep most new scooters running for the winter. Heck, there are even a few who can do the same with a vintage buggy. But when “Joey Heavy Thumb” runs in a little hot, and manages to modify the front suspension of his sled because he was riding five levels over his ability, you’d best have a plan, and better yet, a tool kit that can save the day. Having a well prepped tool kit, or in my case, tool roll, doesn’t mean you load up the entire contents of your toolbox from the shop. You need to be smart about this or you’ll soon be packing 25-pounds of made in Bangladesh tools around for the entire winter. As my Dad always said, “You gotta have a strategy son.” This means thinking through the “what if” scenarios and planning for them. Tools should have multiple uses, and they shouldn’t break the bank either. After all, they’ll most likely spend most of their time rattling around in the trunk of a sled, until that fateful day when they’re called into action.

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onsnow ASSO R T ED W R EN C H ES Go get yourself a set of open and box end wrenches. While you could worry about standard or metric sizes, (I carry a few of each of the most popular sizes) make sure you have the wrenches that fit key fasteners. Things like suspension bolts are must have sizes, and a box wrench for those are key to get them torqued ght a er the repair.

ZI P TI ES Where in the world would we be without zip es? Remember when Joey Heavy Thumb busted up his plas c? Dragon s tch the repair, and zip e a branch to his handlebars for an instant, speed limi ng governor.

S MA LL TOWE L You know that hand towel at the hotel you used to mop up the spilled oil running down the side of your reservoir…bring it with you and stuﬀ it in your tool kit. Great to clean up leaks and grime, and it can also be used as a campfire starter…bonus!

AD J U STAB L E P L I ER S More than just pliers, the du es for this beauty are nearly endless. Being fully adjustable, it will fit any fastener you can reach, plus you can twist wire, operate a broken thro le cable, and open the lid of a cold one when the day’s ride is over. I call them survival pliers.

D U C T T AP E Do I really need to explain further? As if anyone goes anywhere without 100mph tape!

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onsnow FL A S HLI GHT Not the large ones that double as a weapon, you’ll never get through airport security with that. Instead, go small and go bright. Newer LED versions are ridiculously bright, long las ng and extremely compact.

MULTI-BI T D R I V E R

M U L TI - T O O L

B AI L I N G W I R E AN D SI D E C U TTER S

As sleds have become more sophis cated, they’ve employed all sorts of crazy fasteners including Torx and hex, along with standard Phillips varie es. Instead of jamming your pouch full of several diﬀerent types of drivers, an all-in-one mul -driver is a be er op on.

You could go high-buck and opt for the brand name Leatherman or Gerber, but chances are this handy item will get le on a running board or lost in the snow. Your local big box Home Depot, Canadian Tire, or local hardware store will likely have a “knock-oﬀ” near the front counter for way less.

Must have items and the uses are nearly limitless. We’ve secured snapped suspension components with this stuﬀ and ridden not just back to the trailer, but for the rest of the weekend. Bend it straight for a hot dog cooker, or string it over a fire to dry your gloves. This stuﬀ is golden Jerry, golden!

LA T EX G L O V ES Pull out a pair of these and give them a snap. Chances are you’ll get the a enon of your riding buddies quick, and they’ll be looking at you in a diﬀerent light for the rest of the day. There’s no shop sink with Lava soap in the backcountry. These work well for any messy repairs involving grease or oil. Nuﬀ said…really. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

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FIRST BURN

BLAZING SADDLES Yamaha Sidewinder LTX LE

he Yamaha Sidewinder has been one of the most hotly discussed sleds this season. With early release rumors of an engine capable of producing horsepower exceeding 200-ponies in stock trim, bench racing has been hot and heavy leading right up to first snowfall. Yes it’s fast, damn fast, but did we really need to tell you that? Once the straight-line lake lurkers were sa sfied, the rest of the riding world wanted a bit deeper understanding of this big pony buggy. Lesson’s learned from the hyper sled days of the 1990s, which went like hell and handled worse, le many with a bad taste in their mouth. So, is the Sidewinder any diﬀerent? Before we get into the meat of the ma er let us preface this ride report with a sprinkle of less than desirable riding condi ons. Here in the land of 10,000 lakes, riding condi ons for the past two winter seasons have been miserable at best. Turns out this winter hasn’t been much be er at this writON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

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ing. Snow has come ođen but so too has warm weather and worse yet, rain. Sধll things were looking good for our first extended burn with big red. Snow in the northern part of the state was stacking up to levels not seen in several years, and with grooming in full force we were poised to unleash the “Winder” on the sweeping trails of one of our favorite stomping grounds. But alas another round of warm temps swept in and moisture returned in the form of rain. Over our three-day ride, riding condiধons turned from near perfect to a mixture of mashed potato snow with gravy on top. Not deterred we racked on the miles on the fresh out of the crate Sidewinder and managed to mix in plenty of wide open lake and river running for good measure. As we’ve experienced with every Yamaha we’ve tossed a leg over since the Apex first introduced high-thrust fourstrokes to the sport, things are bit taunt early on. But as the miles add up the engine keeps geষng beħer. Despite being fresh from the crate, the Sidewinder

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bested other 2017 big bore two-strokes in our mix. This is not to say the Sidewinder delivers blistering acceleraধon from corner to corner, in fact in the ধght trails the quick to rev two-stroke sleds were quicker in both acceleraধon and not surprisingly in cornering nimbleness. Yet the moment things straightened out, the “Winder” was ready to eat with only tracধon limiধng its capabiliধes.

The known Arcধc Cat ProCross chassis is assured and stable, and it was unhinged by the added power provided by the Genesis 998 Turbo. Complimenধng this stability were well calibrated FOX Quick Switch 3 shocks on all four locaধons. Each also featured the anধ-sধcধon benefits of Kashima coaধng. When it comes to all-around performance and “get-ađer-it” trail running, there’s no beħer shock package. Compliant, com-

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onsnow fortable, confident and best of all easy to tune, even for newbs. With the impending invasion of warmer weather and deteriora ng snow condi ons, the three-day burn started with firm, well-setup trails and ended with mashed potatoes. Throughout the changing condi ons, the thirdgenera on Tuner Skis were a constant point of discontent. With vague ini al turn-in, heavy steering eﬀort, and wanting to trench as the snow began to so en, these Tuners need more “tuning”. Overall the Sidewinder LTX feels relaxed. Despite having the instant thrust of 200-ponies stuﬀed under the cowl, you can sit back and rally this buggy.

The other big-bore twins in our weekend mix delivered stronger returns when we crept forward on the console and got “up on the bars” when nego a ng twisted trails. Conversely the Sidewinder allowed you to sit back and just let it happen…smoothly. The rewards are more comfort and less fa gue at days’ end. Since the marriage between the tuning fork and the ki y, Yamaha has made a concerted eﬀort to ensure a Yamaha snowmobile (even one built in the litter box) is s ll a Yamaha. While we applaud this eﬀort, there also comes a me when you need to bite the bullet (or is it cat nip), and go with what works. In this case the ski found on the Arc c

RAVES

Cat Thundercat (and to a lesser degree the clutching combo) are be er. To our simpleton minds, the more that can be shared between the two brands in both components and calibra on can only make both brands be er. If iden ty is what Yamaha is concerned with, make no mistake the Genesis Turbo residing under cowl in the Sidewinder is pure Yamaha. No other manufacturer can deliver a four-stroke hyper powerplant with a trifecta combina on of raw power, instant response and me culous refinement…all with third decimal point precision. go, all while enjoying impressive fuel economy numbers.

UNDENIABLE HYPER-FORCE POWER IS BOTH MANAGEABLE AND LETHAL. STABLE CHASSIS IS BOLSTERED WITH CONFIDENCE AND COMFORT VIA QUICK SWITCH 3 SHOCKS. SEARING LED LIGHTING WILL HAVE YYOU CURSING YELLOW-HUED HALOGEN ALTERNATIVES.

TUNER SKIS NEED MORE TUNING TO OVERCOME FALSE TURN-IN, HEAVY EFFORT AND TRENCHING.

FLAMES

SHOWROOM FRIENDLY FLAKE OF POLYCARBONATE POORLYY IMITATES A WINDSHIELD. COMPARED TO CAT RAPID RESPONSE, YAMAHA DRIVE AND ND DRIVEN LACK UPSHIFT AND BACKSHIFT EFFICIENCY.

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lawn ornaments The “ornament hunting crew” was back on the road and hitting the alleyways earlier this winter, in search of the not-so-elusive yard buggy. With the snow pack growing, it takes a trained eye to catch a glimpse of that rusting, tattered and sun baked sled, patiently waiting for the owner to return, splash some fresh petrol in the tank, and ride off into the sunset. Don’t forget, if you come across a lawn ornament on your next road trip, snap a few pics and send them our way. If your pictures appear in a future issue, you’ll find yourself in line to receive an official OSM #RunsOnSpray t-shirt. Talk about making your friends jealous! Email your pics to editor@osmmag.com

Waiting to “rake in” some more trophies at the local radar run.

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Four season recreational parking in northern Minnesota. Boat, wheeler, motorcycle, sled…we’re fairly certain there’s a lawn mower and garden tiller in there somewhere too.

An anonymous submission illustrates just how sexy a yellow Ski-Doo can look in a “field” of spring blossoms.

No trailer park is complete without a selection of gently used buggies. We sniffed out this Kijiji ad, “Lost interest…priced right…everything is there…somewhere”.

This photo is clearly from the pre-sled deck era, using the inverted cinch strap loading method.

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WITCHING HOUR IS NEAR The last whispers of sunlight bathe Lake Tahoe before darkness arrives. Shooter: Travis Alley Location: Lake Tahoe, California

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RISE TO IT Ripping the 2017 Polaris Assault up and over a fresh deposit of late March snow. Shooter: Pat Bourgeois Location: High Above Earthquake Lake, Montana

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HOOK AND PITCH Throwing it in and throwing it back to the oval racing roots of the sport in ORA competition. Shooter: Pat Bourgeois Location: Lake Waconia, Minnesota

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EXPOSED The simplicity, power and beauty of classic IFS vintage racers ready to battle. Shooter: Pat Bourgeois Location: Lake Waconia, Minnesota

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BULL RING

Awash in a sea of color at the starting line of last winter’s Red Bull Snow Boundaries Shooter: Jim Urquhart Location: ERX Motor Park, Elk River, Minnesota

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GHOST ALLEY Guardians of the powder, an alley of snow ghosted trees line the pathway to the top. Shooter: Travis Alley Location: Lake Tahoe, California

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RIP CURL Riding the edge of winter’s frozen surf. Shooter: David McKinney Location: Backcountry of Spokane, Washington

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WASHED OUT Jay Mentaberry getting as close to scrubbing a sled as you can. Shooter: David McKinney

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RIM OF HELL Nadine Overwater packing the lip of a booter before sending it. Shooter: David McKinney Location: Revelstoke, B.C., Canada

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REMNANTS Past tracks give way to the recovering effects of an overnight dusting. Shooter: Chris Johnson Location: Medina, Minnesota 90

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PUSHING BOUNDARIES Cole Cottew killing terrain during the Red Bull Snow Boundaries race. Shooter: Chris Johnson Location: ERX Motor Park, Elk River, Minnesota 92

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OCTANE SALUTE Muted voices, affirmative head nods and simple gestures define the end of a solid day. Shooter: David McKinney Location: Afton, Wyoming

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METAL ART A vintage Yamaha brazenly displays the intricate artistry of horsepower. Shooter: Chris Johnson Location: Waconia, Minnesota

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shop hustle

Bully Dog Performance Tuner When it Comes to Towing Power,

More is Never Enough 98

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ore power; it’s the magic elixir that seemingly cures whatever ails you. Whether you want to be faster on the snow pack, stronger on the tarmac, or smoother with the ladies, having a liħle more oomph on tap gives you the confidence to throw down at a moment’s noধce. For the past several years, we couldn’t help but noধce the flashy display and buzz surrounding the Bully Dog booth at the big Hay Days show. Aside from the billows of black smoke emanaধng from the burly diesel drag truck perched atop their rolling road dyno, there were plenty of sledders standing shoulder to shoulder inside the booth, snapping up the company’s performance tuners for their daily driver or tow vehicle. Back in the day, before trucks were rolling computer processors, puষng more muscle to the ground required a smaħering of hardware followed by mechanical know how. High flow intake manifolds, header pipes, big liđ cams and hoħer igniধons were all part of the mix to get your box on wheels and accompanying trailer,

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onsnow rolling with more grunt. But modern technology has changed all that, at least for shade tree tuners. Today’s modern engines are controlled by sophis cated computers, and to get more power to the ground, you need to reprogram the computer to “tell” the engine to operate differently. If it sounds like heady stuff, it is. It’s for this reason that a company like Bully Dog, who’s engineers and computer programmers spend endless hours tweaking, tes ng and tuning today’s trucks to deliver more power and greater efficiency, have become the truck tuners that owners have turned to when looking for more. Tuners have become a coveted performance accessory for many truck owning gear heads and as we discovered, a must have addi on for snowmobilers who tow. If you can overlook the complexi es required to reprogram a modern vehicle’s engine management system, a performance tuner can be a simple and easy performance upgrade. In layman’s terms, the Bully Dog tuner enters your vehicles computer and extracts the stock profile and replaces it with a “hopped-up” version that has been extensively tested for not only performance, but headache free reliability. All you need to do is plug and play. In less than 60-minutes you’ll enjoy the benefits of more power, more torque and improved efficiency. Our vic m for our Shop Hustle tow test was Editor Bourgeois’ 2014 Ford F-150 with the over-achieving EcoBoost 3.5 Liter engine. The truck had just over 10,000 miles on the clock when we first installed the system, and now the counter is nearing 50,000 with nary a glitch.

2 Before you head out to the shop with your new tuner, you’ll want to make sure it is updated with the latest performance software for your application. The Bully Dog site has easy to follow directions on how to do this. Once you download the “tune” for your vehicle, you’ll need to transfer it to your Bully Dog via the microSD card and supplied card reader. Once the “tune” is on the micro SD card, reinstall the card into the Bully Dog tuner and then attach the entire unit to your computer via a supplied USB cable. This allows you to power on the Bully Dog tuner and confirm you have the right “tune” loaded. Again, follow the supplied, easy to follow directions step-by-step.

1 The Bully Dog GT Gas tuner comes with everything you need for installation including a suction-cup windshield mount. We opted for the stouter RAM mount, (MSRP $39 US) which oﬀers greater adjustability. We’ve only had the mount come detached from the windshield twice over the past year, and both times it happened in severe cold weather while the vehicle was parked. Both times we quickly reattached the RAM mount and we were back on the road.

3 Probably the most diﬃcult aspect of the Bully Dog install is finding a “switched” power supply. Once you’ve located one, a single wire is run to the supply, and back to your final tuner mount location. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

shop hustle

4 With the power cable routed, next you’ll need to route the communication cable to your vehicle’s diagnostic port, often located under the dash on the driver’s side. This is the same port used by service technicians to diagnose failure codes. One thing we should point out, it’s not necessary to permanently install the Bully Dog Performance Tuner in your vehicle if you simply want to install the performance tune of your choice. However, if you want to utilize the added features of the tuner such as the Driving Coach, or if you want to try diﬀerent “tunes”, it’s easiest to have the entire system installed in the vehicle.

6 Now it’s go time. With the key on in the “run” position, but the vehicle NOT running, go to the Bully Dog main menu and choose “Install download”. From here, all you need to do is follow the instructions. Take your time and read the on-screen instructions carefully. During this critical step, the Bully Dog system will enter your vehicle’s onboard computer, extract the stock tune and store it on the microchip, and then install the custom performance tune in its place. Think of this step as the “no-man’s-land” step. If you don’t follow the instructions precisely, you can potentially have a vehicle with no information, or missing information within the computer. In other words, take your time. The good news is Bully Dog is armed with a staﬀ of techno geeks who have just about seen it all, and should be able to help you out if you do screw up.

5 After you have the system physically installed, it’s time to give your vehicle a performance tune. Typical install time is around 30-minutes. If your battery is weak, or if you’re like us and you don’t want to take any chances, hook up your battery to a charger to ensure you have ample power to complete the installation. Bad things can happen if you have a power failure mid-way through an install. You have been warned.

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7 During the installation process, you’ll be asked a series of questions, allowing you to customize your tune. You can choose performance modes, transmission characteristics and override factory limits such as top speed. Go big or go home as we say.

8 The instructions don’t come right out and say it, but things might go “goofy” during the download. Rest assured this is perfectly normal, so sit back and enjoy the light show. The system is simply running hundreds of diagnostic tests as the new tune is being uploaded.

FEATURING:

• SUPERCLAMP • NEW SUPERGLIDE WIDE • SUPERTRAC

When the tune is complete, you’ll be given an all systems go signal. Time to start your vehicle and hit the road. One of the cool things about the Bully Dog Performance Tuner is the driving coach and additional information the system gives you. You can customize the gauge as well, allowing you to see the information you deem most valuable.

OPTIONAL: • • • •

Aluminum or Wood Deck Long Track Deck Extension UTV Ramp See Website For More Options

THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRUCK DECKS Expandable Side Rail to Accommodate 1 or 2 sleds

MARLON CANADA CALL TOLL FREE: 1-866-930-9411 Chiliwack BC. • Stony Plain AB. • St. Andrews MB Ontario • Quebec (Francais) • Maritimes

LED Lighting on Headache Rack and Under Truck Deck

Optional Deck Extension and UTV Ramp

www.marlonproducts.com

MARLON USA CALL TOLL FREE: 1-866-930-9411 TACOMA WA. USA

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10 As part of the Bully Dog performance upgrade to our 2014 Ford F-150, we also added a Cold Air-Intake system. It’s super easy to install, and we noticed a discernable diﬀerence between having just the “tune” installed versus the “tune” and cold-air combo. You’ll be prompted during the installation, asking if you have the Cold AirIntake installed, so the appropriate “tune” can be employed.

A key part of the Cold Air-Intake system is the oversized, high-flow 8-layer cotton gauze air filter that flows huge amounts of air over stock. Bully Dog sells replacement filters as well as pre-filters for extreme conditions.

HARTMAN, INC.

33 Years Experience on Yamaha!

YAMAHA SPECIALISTS Established in 1984

20 Years experience on Yamaha

Custom Set-Ups For Each Individual Customer - Not One Size Fits All Tom Hartman will personally help you with your questions!

CANADA Customers: No Duty Nafta Agreement No Broker Fees Order Tracking and Insurance

KIT E BOLT-IN COMPLET

Pump Gas er rg Turbo Chak In-Stoc

Turbo Charger Kits Yamaha Long Track Kits Lightweight Parts Lightweight Exhaust & Batteries Simmons Ski's & Scratchers Tracks & Drivers

Yamaha Custom Clutch Kits Billet Multi Angle Helixes Team Roller Secondary Clutches Belts & Much More!

www.hartmaninc.com (208) 468-1073

Hartman, Inc. 102

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See Websi te for Full Catalo g& Free Tech Tips

400 S Grays Ln - Nampa, ID 83687

Just like the smiling crew at the Bully Dog Hay Days booth, the company has well trained technicians and trouble shooters ready to take your call, should you have any questions during your installation, or if an updated “tune” becomes available for your vehicle.

shop hustle

The Verdict We intenধonally installed the Bully Dog system in two separate steps. We first wanted to see what kind of gains we could achieve with just the performance tune. While we certainly noধced a more eager vehicle and improved shiđ characterisধcs when towing, (we selected the tow tune for our transmission) the power didn’t leap out, nor did fuel economy improve. It should be noted that gains on a gas engine are going to be marginal in the first place. Most modern factory tunes are actually preħy damn good, especially in late model trucks. Sধll, the Bully Dog system should sধll net you an addiধonal 10-20HP, depending upon your applicaধon. When it comes to diesel engines however, the performance gains are vastly more. However, when we combined the Cold Air-Intake with the Performance Tune, things changed in a hurry. Total power gains are said to be near 45-horsepower, and we could definitely “feel” the improvement by the seat of our pants. What’s more, towing power also improved, and along with the added power, we improved the average fuel economy by an average of 1.1 miles-per-gallon. The average retail cost of the Bully Dog GT Gas Tuner is $429 (US), although that price will vary, depending upon applicaধon. The Cold Air-Intake for our 2014 Ford F-150 had a retail price of $339 (US), and again prices will vary, depending upon applicaধon. Bully Dog also has a new line of tuners in the mix dubbed the Bully Dog BDX for newer applicaধons. It has an MSRP of $399 (US). To learn more, visit the Bully Dog website at www.bullydog.com. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 7 • ISSUE 4

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gear

Fly Back F C Country Pack

FXR Heated ted Transfer Glove

When it comes to purchasing a new w pair of gloves for the snowmobile season we at OSM take ake that decision very seriously, we all know the gloves can an make or break our time on the trails. FXR has brought in the e heat transfer glove that has 3-stage thermal heat setting that can be controlled from the exterior gauntlet of the glove. Around each finger is a heat element that can provide you with up to 4.5 hrs of warmth on the trails. This glove is made out of durable nylon, reinforced grain leather that is strategically placed on the palm and thumb, polar fleece lining, and is waterproof. This glove comes with 2 rechargeable 7.4V lithium batteries that include a wall charger. FXR Heated Transfer Gloves www.fxrracing.com

Dragon NFX2 Goggles

When riding day and night on long rides we go through many lighting transitions, and with that our vision is affected. Dragon has brought in the rapid-fire lens that allows you to change your lens frame from a dark to lighter lens, giving you optimum clarity. The NFX2 provides you with an airtight seal around the frame and an antifog system that gives you peace of mind. With its 100% UV protection and triple foam lining you will be bale to hit the trails for hours at a time. The NFX2 goggles come in a variety of colors. For more information www.dragonalliance.com

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Bef Before heading out for a ride whether it’s for the day or only for a few hours, being prepared for what could happen on the trail can help in any situation. The Fly Back Country Pack has the ability to take all the essentials - plus more! This backpack has a tool pouch that has an Thi organization system for up to 12 tools and parts, org a sseparate utility pocket for your cell phone and wallet. There is a 70oz hydration bladder to keep you hydrated wherever you are. Fly has improved the comfort on the shoulder straps and back padding for the long hauls. It’s a tool pack, backpack, and hydration system all-in-one! Visit www.flyracing.com

Woodys Track Clip Tool

No matter when or where you’re sledding, one thing to not over look is your track clips. More common than not over the course of the season some do fall off and with that decreases the performance of your snowmobile. Woodys has come out with the Track Clip tool that makes it easier to replace missing, broken, and bent clips on your track. With this tool you are able to get the proper bend and precision that you need for each clip and are able to use this tool without having to take the track off the sled. This is a 2-part unit that is made out of hardened steel for maximum performance and ease. The anvil is locked by the two shoulder bolts and can be used up to 2” lug length. Woodys Traction www.woodystraction.com

Boyesen RAD Valve

There’s always that one buddy who thinks he’s the best, one up him this season by adding the Boyesen RAD Valve to your machine. Boyesen has taken their RAD Valve and created an aerodynamic intake technology system that maximizes peak performance for a 2-stroke machine. This is all done through surface optimization, model-specific reed petal tensioning, material fuel resistance, and multi-stage reed timing. The RAD Valve is a true bolt on performance booster that maximizes flow velocities for you machine with no modifications needed. More information about the RAD Valve performance intake system at www.boyesen.com

6 Arctiva Rise MX Snow Helmet The Arctiva Rise helmet is an MX style helmet designed to take on the snow. With its unique venting system, it’s designed to keep you cool on the warmer days and the vent plugs will keep the cold out. It has moisture wicking liner, dual density EPS, and a wide eye-port for excellent vision on the trails. Provided is an adjustable breath box to protect you from the cold, snow, and build-up on your goggles. The Arctiva Rise helmet can also come with an electric shield. Available in an orange/black/white combination. Go to www.arctiva.com for purchasing.

C&A Pro Ski Turcotte Signature Ski

For the off and on trail rider, we’d like to know we can glide over the snow with no obstruction. The Turcott Signature Ski by C&A Pro Skis has features that give you high performance such as its outboard keels, snow scoops, and they’re tapered for when you’re climbing the hills. When it comes to your crossover snowmobile you want top performance, precise cornering, and control on and off the trails. This ski has a 6 3⁄4” wide profile and adjustable flexible tip that weighs only 7.9 lbs. For more info visit www.caproskis.com

Camso Ice Attak XT

Over the years snowmobile tracks have vastly changed in performance, traction and the overall style of the lugs. Once you start to notice some rips, tears, and lugs missing from the track, its time to throw in the towel and purchase a new one. We recommend checking out the Camso Ice Attak XT with its aggressive trail design giving you not only better control on the trails but also pre studded lugs for added traction on the ice. With its 1.22” lug height, handling and stability on the trails will be a breeze. Check them out online at www.camso.com

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gear

FXR Blade Verticall Helmet

During your ride you want nt your gear to provide you with the utmost protection against the elements, allowing you to enjoy your time on the trails longer. FXR’s Blade Vertical Helmet is a super lite composite helmet that is constructed from carbon fiber, fiberglass, and kevlar that gives you the feeling like your not wearing a helmet at all. FXR has integrated 10 intake vents and 4 exhaust ports to keep your goggles from fogging up, but at the same time keeping you warm with its progressive density cheek pads and extended rubber nose frost and roost guard. For more information on the Blade Vertical Helmet go to www.fxrracing.com

Biteharder Stud Sharpening Tool After spending a few hours putting in studs into your track to get the best traction on the trails and ice, you find out over time they have already dulled down most likely from traveling down roads to the trail. Instead of purchasing new studs right away, you might want to check out the Biteharder Stud Sharpening Tool. This tool is designed to give your studs its grip back; with its fast and effective two stage sharpening process this tool will get the job done! With the added bonus of not having to remove the studs from the track, this process can be done in 20- 30 minutes. The Stud Sharpening tool uses the diamond coating technology that re-sharpens the tip of your stud at 60 degrees for the best grip possible. Biteharder will give you the grip you need www.biteharder.com

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SuperClamp SuperTrac

Tying down your machines can be a hassle at times but its something that needs to be done to make sure your machines comes home with you and not on the side of the road. Superclamp has a multi-purpose tie down system, the SuperTrac, that makes this process faster and easier. The multi purpose tie down system is a fully adjustable anchor system that can be used in any location that you need tie down points for securing your load. It comes in 12’’, 24, and 48’’ inch strips that have 11 tie down locations per 12” that can be installed in your truck bed and trailer. With the ability to move the deck hook that clicks into the aluminum decking you will never have the issue of finding a tie down point again. SuperTrac can be purchased at www.superclamp.net

Skinz AXYS Front Bumper

For added protection for your Polaris (2015 – 2017 models) with the Axys Chassis, check out the front bumper from SKINZ protective gear. This bumper comes in multiple colors to match your Polaris. Not only does it come with a front bumper that has a sharp angle look that will stand out on the trails, it also comes with an additional lower protection plate. Go to www.skinzprotecivegear.com and purchase your Polaris Pro front bumper from SKINZ today.

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gear

Performance Stud Stars

On the trails you want your track to grab and go without any slippage. Research the Performance Stud Star system that takes your traction to the next level. The system is an all-in-one nut and washer, that incorporates a unique starburst base that replaces the old style nut and washer. The stud backer is made from billet aluminum, which by design, increases traction and provides greater support to your studs by eliminating the critical flex points of your stud. So if you are looking to extend the life of both your studs and your track while adding some more traction, then Performance Stud stars should be on your ‘I need that’ accessory list this season. More details at www.performancestudstars.com

Hygear Custom Axis Racing Shocks

Riders who like to fine-tune their snowmobile by adding performance and aftermarket parts to their machine, may we suggest adding the custom axis racing shocks to not only improve performance but also handling. Hygear Suspension offers a full line of custom axis replacement shock packages to give your sled the slight edge over the others. With its adjustable compression, high volume reservoir, and dual rate springs you will be able to take on any trail condition that comes your way. The axis race shock has a heavy-duty 5/8’’ shaft and heavy-duty bottom out bumper that are hand built to order that can be set to specific riders needs! Hygear suspension is the exclusive distributor of Axis Racing Shocks www.hygearsuspension.com

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Dayco Belts

When it comes to your snowmobile the belt is top priority, Dayco belts is specifically engineered to give your machine top performance at any RPM. With high temperature polymer and engineered reinforcements, there is nothing these belts can go through. Find the right belt for your snowmobiles make and model at www.daycoproducts.com/snowmobile

Fly SNX Pro Jacket Every year new jackets come out with different features and styles giving you an abundance of selections to choose from. Fly has released their new SNX Pro race inspired jacket that was designed to give racers and riders a standard fit coat perfect for riding the trails or the track. This is a waterproof coat with a poly-shell construction and removable thermo liner. When choosing your new jacket be sure to consider the Fly SNX Pro jacket for your next ride. Visit www. flyracing.com for more information.

CAT, AXYS & E-TEC PERFORMANCE!

TekRider TekDuster

After the purchase of a new machine, protection is a high priority and you end up treating your machine like one of your children. TekRider has come out with an all-new cover for your machine called the TekDuster. This cover is a highquality dye that can stretch over your machine for ultimate protection against dust, dirt, and everything in between. TekRider has taken it one step further by providing you with the ability to customize your cover with your logos, brands, or even your favourite picture. Choose from their free designs, for more information and pricing go to www.tekrider.ca

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floatbowl PAT BOURGEOIS

X MARKS THE END? and extensive social media coverage, all to the tune of a lot of money. But is the sport still watching? I’ll give snowbikes a pass this year. The first-year sport was clearly the highlight of this year’s games, at least when it came to gas and oil competition. And given the vehicle’s ability to potentially attract new riders to the sport such as motocross riders, the possibility for growth via X-Games exposure seems valid for now. As for the other snowmobile games, I fear the end is near. When it comes to measurements, I’m sure the marketing departments at the manufacturers have reams of social media metrics that continue The starting line just seconds before the start of the first ever to support Winter X Games. In fact, I snocross at Winter X Games circa 1998. watched the entire competition via live ike moths to a flame, the distinct did the entire snowmobile community. stream and reposted results to our own crackle and shrill of a modified race On that day, Toni Haikonen came away social media channels throughout the sled echoed throughout the valley, with the gold medal, besting Dennis weekend. Guilty as charged. Yet, there is one all-powerful alerting everyone within earshot there Burks and Per Berggren. Winter X had was something “different” about to become the newest crown jewel of measurement within the sport that commence. The year was 1998, and snowmobile competition, the one event ultimately controls every nuance of Winter X Games was still in its infancy. where the eyes of the sport would be industry success … retail sales. For the past 10 years, the snowmobile industry The ski resort town of Crested Butte, intently focused. Colorado was bustling with athletes This past January, Winter X Games has experienced near record low sales from several different disciplines celebrated 20 years of snowmobile numbers. While the reasons for this are i n c l u d i n g t h e f a m i l i a r s k i i n g a n d competition. Snocross has remained many and can’t possibly be completely snowboarding, to the unusual including a part of the Winter X mix, and other fleshed out here; not X-Games; not shovel racing and ice climbing. This was snowmobile disciplines have been snocross; not freestyle; not YouTube; also the year snocross would make its a d d e d . S o m e h a v e s t u c k , o t h e r s not Facebook or any other social media debut, and to the “typical” ski bum, it too haven’t. Yet, as I watched the live platform have altered this flat line was a strange sight to the senses. stream of the snocross race, (which industry trend. You know what they say, if you keep To snowmobile enthusiasts, the wasn’t available via live broadcast as inclusion of snocross into the Winter it had been in the past) I couldn’t help doing the same thing… For the record, I love Winter X-Games. X program was another example of but feel that I was perhaps watching the I was there in 1998 when Toni battled broader recognition of the fast-growing end of an era. sport and of the industry as whole. S n o w m o b i l i n g r e m a i n s w e l l the field for that first gold medal, and I Throughout the 1990s, snowmobiling represented at Winter X Games with continue to cheer for all athletes during was growing at a near record pace, freestyle and best trick taking center the four-day on-snow competition. with North American sales numbers stage, along with the introduction of But the time has come to chart a new exploding from 121,000 units sold in snowbike racing in 2017. With those direction…to try something new… 1990, to nearly 240,000 by 1997. disciplines, many of the participating or revisit a past success. Hopefully, When that first X-Games snowmobile manufacturers continue to support together we can reawaken the eyes of race charged up the hill, not only did s n o w m o b i l i n g a t X - G a m e s w i t h the sport, and showcase the undeniable the entire ski hill take notice, but so too sponsored athletes, event sponsorship attraction of snowmobiling.

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