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FRESH ON FRESH The all-new AXYS Pro-RMK shrouded in cover. Photographer: Todd Williams Scotsman
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PITCHED Pro racer Bobby Menne backs it in as he prepares for the Soo-500 Photographer: Joe Wiegele
contents. CRISP CUTS
GAS STATION VITALITY
70
SHOP MOTIVATION
52
FEATURES 66 22 70 36 52 74 SCENE IT?
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FUTURE TENSE
HAYDAYS 2015
FROM THE MIND OF CHARLES BOMBARDIER
TIME MACHINES
GAS STATION VITALITY
1974 ROLL-O-FLEX WILD ONE
EIGHT NOT-SO-SURE-FIRE CURES FOR STAYING UP
CRISP CUTS
4 FRESH CUTRIDES FOR 2016
SHOP MOTIVATION TROPICAL EDITION. HOT BREWED BEERS FOR COLD WINTER NIGHTS
82
PRESEASON GEAR BOX
36
TIME MACHINES
66 22
Scene It?
COLUMNS 12 DRIFTS
RICHARD KEHOE
34 WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE
96 FLOAT BOWL
PAT BOURGEOIS
98 LAST GASP
32
FUTURE TENSE
DEPARTMENTS INDUSTRY NEWS 14 WORD SEARCH 20 ANCHOR OF THE MONTH 30 TAKE 5 32 MUFF OF THE MONTH 44 46 ROOTS SHOP HUSTLE 48 LAWN ORNAMENTS 50 80 TEARDOWN FIVE MINUTES WITH… 92 INDUSTRY 411 94
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 2
FAST CYLINDER REPAIR SERVICE NiCom® Plated
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Production Manager: Tendra Crossman General Manager: Michael Blakoe
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Snowmobiles • ATVs • Mercury Marine Watercraft • Motorcycles
Toll Free 866-922-5066 www.usnicom.com US Chrome Corporation 650 Oak Park Ave. Fond du Lac, WI 54935
FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT 1-888-661-7469
HUGE SELECTION OF ALL MAJOR AFTERMARKET PISTONS
Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Matt Clark Sales & Marketing Coordinator: Cody Speares Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day Photographers: Todd Williams, Brett Moist, Aaron Belford, Gracey Dove, Joe Wiegele, Lissa Marsolek, Steve Hamilton, CJ Ramstad Archives, Jason MacDonald Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Justin York, Tyler Swarm, Suzy Stenoff, Darren Desautels, Ross Antworth, Dale Cormican Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com OSM is published five times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 716, Elk River, MN 55330. Telephone (888) 661-7469. Head office address is PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone 1-888-661-7469. Printed in Canada by LoweMartin Group, Dollco Division. • Copyright 2014 OSM Publishing Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for unsolicited manuscripts. Subscription rates for magazine $19.00 per year, $29.00 for 2 years. $37.00 for 3 years.
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • Billet Wheels • Billet Wheels with replaceable rubber • Snowflap Savers
• Billet pull cord handles and choke levers • Gas Caps • Custom Risers
• Offset and re-location axles • Big Wheel Kits • Billet grills and Snowflap plates
905-830-1636 www.tricked-toys.com • info@tricked-toys.com 10
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
PO Box 716 Elk River, MN 55330 Tel: (888) 661-7469
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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PROUDLY BUILT ON THE SAME SOIL YOU RIDE ON
What Belt are you? Download the app to find out!
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Richard Kehoe
DRIFTS
I’M PREDICTING SNOW!
As
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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
atvworldmag.com
PRESENTED BY atvworldmag.com
Friday, October 23: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 24: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, October 25: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
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FREE PARKING
history repeats itself, come September we’re swamped at OSM and under the gun with numerous projects, multiple magazines, programs and trade shows that all overlap each other over the next six months. Haydays 2015 - we were there and the weather was as good as we could have hoped for. It wasn’t too hot, and the rain held off. As an exhibitor of Haydays, and a guy that likes touring the swap, good weather is all you can ask for… Other than that tasty taco truck, that was replaced by a donut and smoothie truck. BBQ’s were a big hit, and we really enjoy them. If you were there, we hope you made it over to our booth. We were jammed, selling out of subscription cards. If you were one of the few that came by on Sunday and we had run out, please visit www.osmmag.com to subscribe, use Promo Code: IWASATHAYDAYS and we’ll hook you up with the special offer! We recently managed to visit a few different museums like Top of the Lake, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and the Snowmobile Barn in New Jersey. If you have the time or find yourself close to either of these places, it’s worth a stop, even if you have to go out of your way a little. Pat and I drove a few extra hours to check out the Snowmobile Barn on our way to the Eastern National Grass Drags. For us, it completed the road trip. It’s memorable for sure, to see that great collection of snowmobiles. We took in a lot of amazing sleds over the weekend. Well, in this issue of OSM 30.2, you’ll find our famous, and ever so popular “Shop Motivation” article with a twist. We have great columns written by leading industry and real world snowmobile enthusiasts, and a few educational sled reviews. You’ll enjoy our usual ‘keeping it real’, fun filled, regular but never predictable, ‘Departments’. Our Pre-Season Buyer’s guide, complete with a list of pieces, parts and accessories you’ll want on your shopping list this season, is nestled between these pages. You’ll read about the upcoming 28th Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, giving you the update on what’s to come and the various features of the show, such as the insane Freestyle shows, with headliners like Heath Frisby. Don’t miss it, October 23-25, 2015 at the International Centre. Until next time, I’ll be trying to keep up with all that’s to come in the world of Snowmobiling! Like we say, “The Sport, The Lifestyle - For Snowmobilers, From Snowmobilers! J
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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SNOWMOBILE FREESTYLE RETURNS TO WINTER X The snowmobile freestyle community let out a cheer this past September as Winter X Games announced snowmobile freestyle would return as a featured discipline for the 2016 event. The freestyle show will join snocross and adaptive snocross as the only snowmobile events, joining five ski and six snowboard events. Winter X Games will celebrate 20-years when the festival takes over Buttermilk Mountain in Aspen, Colorado, January 28-30, 2016.
ARCTIC CAT MOVES DOWNTOWN According to an article published in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal, Arctic Cat recently finalized a 13-year lease of a historic building in the North Loop area of downtown Minneapolis. Known as the “warehouse” district by locals, the North Loop is one of the fastest growing areas in Minneapolis and is home to the newly built Minnesota Twins baseball stadium and several condominiums that have risen from other renovated former warehouse buildings. According to the article, the former Western Container building is five times bigger than Cat’s current leased digs in Plymouth, Minnesota, and with plans to expand by 50% over the next five years, the new building will have up to 200 workers there in the near future. According to Arctic Cat president and CEO Christopher Metz, “It’s where (the North Loop) manufacturing and distribution really occurred 100 years ago, and we love the rough-and-tumble historic nature of a 100-year-old brick building, which plays very well to who we are as a company.” According to our sources, there’s also talk of a showroom/museum to be included in the design plans. There was no mention of a tentative move-in date into the new digs.
ROYAL DISTRIBUTING GIVES BACK TO THE GROWING SPORT OF SNOWMOBILING
Royal Distributing will recognize the many Volunteers at the OFSC that make snowmobiling in Ontario as great as it is by offering all 16 clubs a $500.00 cheque from Royal Distributing for a total of $8000.00. Cheques will be presented to the districts over the weekend of October 23-25, 2015 at the up coming Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show. “We at Royal know the hard work and dedication that the clubs put forward to make snowmobiling great in Ontario, and we are proud to give back to each club.” - John Mochrie, CFO, Founder, Royal Distributing.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Enter to
Win! Three (3) night Stay Breakfast Each Morning Dinner Each Night
ARCTIC CAT ZR 6000R SX
The ProCross chassis returns and the big news for 2016 is the including of a new rear arm adjustable “Hole Shot” device to improve the all important starts in snocross racing. The “device” is not necessarily new, as it has been tested on factory mod sleds throughout last year. The spring loaded cam lever allows the rear arm to “precollapse” just as it would under heavy acceleration. Once the arm is compressed past the point where the cam is holding it in place, the motion of the rear arm returns to normal. Other improved or new bits on the 6000R SX include a new 129” x 15” x 1.65” snocross track with 20% more effective lugs; new brake pads; new lightweight stainless brake disc; and several new suspension and chassis components for improved durability.
PLUS $100.00 in Gift Tokens
Visit the OSM facebook for complete details and entry form!
www.facebook.com/ onsnowmagazine 16
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
ARCTIC CAT ZR 6000R XC
Arctic Cat remains the only manufacturer to develop and build a factory race sled specifically for cross-country racing. This dedication shows in the results too as Cat year over year remains the dominant sled to beat in real world terrain racing. The new 6000R XC comes to the line this season with the new TEAM Rapid Response drive clutch; a new exhaust system with lightweight resonator that reduced weight by 7-pounds; new pistons for improved durability; a new ECM map for improved performance and durability; and a host of chassis and suspension improvements that all point towards improved durability for the punishing world of cross-country. The national USXC cross-country season kicks off December 19th in Gonvick, Minnesota.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
1:16PM The moment your snowmobile ride made you forget everything else.
DISCOVER ONE OF EASTERN CANADA’S BEST SNOWMOBILE DESTINATIONS! Set high on a cliff overlooking the mighty Saint Lawrence River, the luxurious Fairmont Le Manoir Richelieu is the ideal destination for snowmobile enthusiasts. We welcome you with unrivalled hospitality, award-winning cuisine, elegant accommodations and easy access to the remarkable snow-filled terrain of the enchanting Charlevoix region. Come experience it for yourself.
DELUXE SNOWMOBILE PACKAGE
PER NIGHT
Accommodation in a Fairmont guest room Full buffet breakfast at Le Bellerive One draft beer per adult Heated, indoor parking for your snowmobile Indoor/outdoor heated saltwater pools, skating rink, Multisport Centre • Access the network of snowmobile trails directly from the hotel • All members of Club Casino Privilèges receive a $10 per stay credit at the Casino de Charlevoix • Direct underground access to the Casino de Charlevoix
DECEMBER 19TH 2015 TO MARCH 23RD 2016
RENTAL OF SNOWMOBILES AND EQUIPMENT AVAILABLE AT THE HOTEL.
FROM
$ CDN
219
*
• • • • •
RESERVATIONS 1 800 441 1414 fairmont.com/richelieu-charlevoix
* Per room, per night, based on double occupancy. Gratuities included. Taxes not included. Subject to availability. Parking for a maximum of two snowmobiles per room.
onsnow osmmag.com
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SKI-DOO MXZX 600RS
The boys and girls from Valcourt get the nod this season for the most changes to a race buggy as the new 2016 600RS will rumble to the line with a much changed engine, all new exhaust, new clutching and less weight than the previous iteration. Big changes under the hood start with new cylinders and crankshaft that are said to deliver more power and quicker revs, a key performance attribute in the snocross world. A new tuned pipe is mated to the new cylinders and is finished off with a lightweight muffler that sheds a whopping 6-pounds over the previous design. The other big change under the hood is the new pDrive clutch. The new design is said to reduce friction, reduce weight, tighten tolerances and deliver more consistent performance with greater durability. Rollers replace the traditional slide buttons on the clutch while a compact and open design sheds weight and keeps things running cooler than the previous design. Finally a new snocross designed track sheds another 2-pounds and touts stiffer lugs and more paddles for the all-important holeshot.
FIRST 75 PEOPLE WIN WITH HONDA CANADA
Over the weekend of October 23-25, at the 28th Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, be one of the first 75 people to visit the Honda Canada booth on Friday, October 23rd, and TM you will receive special prizing from Honda Canada! Honda has added the groundbreaking brand-new full-size side-by-side Pioneer 1000 to its display this year. Be there to see it for your self! The 40th Annual North American International Motorcycle SUPERSHOW, the big one by the Airport, the only Big Show that continues to gain momentum, the only Motorcycle you’ll need to attend, North America’s Biggest Motorcycle Show will be held January 8, 9 & 10, 2016 at the International Centre. Visit www.motorcyclesupershow.ca today for advanced tickets!… Save $3.00 and beat the ticket purchasing lineups!!
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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POLARIS IQ RACER
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To say the IQ Racer is getting long in the tooth would be an understatement. The IQ dates back to 2004 where it was created in the Roseau race shop from the remains of a test mule IQ chassis and Fusion plastic. Obviously there has been several improvements and new technologies introduced since, and more importantly the IQ has proven to be an incredibly competent snocross sled over the past decade; with several race wins and championships to its credit. For 2016 little has changed big picture wise with the IQ Racer. Aside from new graphics and subtle performance and durability tweaks, the biggest updates can be found inside the Walker Evans Racing shocks, where significant development and testing was employed to create a shock package that offers greater and easier adjustability for racers. The front IFS shocks feature high speed, low speed and rebound adjustability with 28-low speed positions, 22-high speed positions and 16-clicks of rebound control. The track shocks also serve up greater adjustability and together the new shock package will make it easier for mechanics and racers to make between race adjustments.
ARCTIC CAT/SHERCO SNOW BUGGY PEEK-A-BOOS AT HAYDAYS It was another busy and bustling weekend at Haydays with the typical big crowds, lots of beer, a hint of dust and of course a few first looks at new iron and new aftermarket trickery. Over at the big corporate Cat display, the kids from Minnesota held their annual barbeque feed a high noon and followed up the robust sauce fest with a first look at their new snocross and cross-country race sleds for the upcoming season (you can read about those else where in the News section in this issue – Ed.). Joining the engineering crew onstage for the brief run down on the new sleds was snocross king Tucker Hibbert and USXC reigning champ Zach Herfindahl and Wesley Selby. After the covers were pulled off the new race buggies Arctic unexpectedly had one more product to show the throng of fans. As the throaty rumble of a single cylinder four stroke motor came to life, the rear lift gate of one of the transporters rose up above the backdrop and gave all of us a first look at an Arctic Cat snow bike…uhhh…cycle…ummm…buggy. With a few revs of the motor and hundreds of cell phones at the ready, Cat brass was basically mum with details, simply saying, “…we wanted to give everyone a little taste at what we have cooking at Arctic Cat.” The obvious first thought is the Cat snow bike was a combination effort between Yamaha and Arctic Cat, with
Yamaha supplying one of their four-stroke dirt bikes such as the WR 450 F. But after looking closer at our photos and chatting with Yamaha executives later in the day…it clearly is not. In fact, Yamaha was just as surprised as everyone else when the green colored snow bike rose to the sky. We did a quick look around the interweb and compared the frame and side cases and castings of the engine in this photo with those of current bikes from Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Suzuki, KTM, Husqvarna, and ATK, as well as engine cases from Kymco. Nothing appeared to match. However after more digging we found a match…Sherco. Who is Sherco you ask…the company was founded by Marc Teissier and has built highly competitive trials bikes dating back to 1998. The company is based in Nimes France and has since expanded production beyond trials bikes to include a vast array of motocross, enduro and supermotard models with engines that include 250 two-strokes, and 300 and 450 four-strokes. The bike seen here in the Arctic Cat snow bike…umm buggy project appears to be a Sherco SEF 450 R. As a result, the brief glimpse of the Arctic Cat snow buggy leaves all of us with more questions than answers. Has Arctic Cat entered into a new partnership with Sherco? More importantly, does this put the Arctic Cat/Yamaha relationship on thin ice? Talk amongst yourselves.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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DON’T MISS THE SHOW!
THE 28th ANNUAL TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW Is coming and it’s filling up fast! The usual aftermarket vendors are excited for its upcoming arrival, as are the multiple participating OEM’s like Polaris and Arctic Cat, and Tourism Boards like the Ontario Tourism Travel Pavilion. Don’t miss it OCT. 23rd through 25th at the International Centre. www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
WORD SEARCH
NEEDinSOME TIME ALONE IN YOUR THINKING HAVE THE THRONE GIVEit IT A Need some time alone your thinking room, haveROOM? a seat onA SEAT theONthrone andAND give aGO. go. < < <"POLARIS < < < < < < < < < (J-Z)" <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< S W I T C H B A C K L D C X J P H P Z A F D N F R A T S R N R R Lil Andy I K A R T E D I W M U Y B O P E LongTrak Mustang F R H I K V T L T U K T X P L N Playmate T X E L C C H G M S L G L T A G ProX RMK H A Y R H P A X U T J E Y U Y N Rush Shift W E C O I Q T R A A W O D R M I Sport Touring T T G K S F W A T N L B N B A R Sprint StarTrak R K Z W P G R L S G R P A O T U Star E S T A R T R A K U N A L L E O Starfire SuperSport G L Z T I E D X T I I O I X B T Switchback TC A D A H N Q U A N S K Y L F M T TL Y V E R T I C A L E S C A P E R TX Trail Touring O I N G U G H F Y H S U R V B O TurboLX Escape V T T R A I L T O U R I N G T P Vertical Voyager M Z C M K D T R O P S R E P U S WideTrak
POLARIS (J-Z)
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
SCOTT LCG SNOW CROSS GOGGLE
C
M
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MJ
CJ
CMJ
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ENHANCE YOUR PERSPECTIVE NO SHORTCUTS Stay out in the unexpected and prepare for any sort of ride with the simple and versatile SCOTT LCG Snow Cross goggle featuring interchangeable lenses. Sometimes, turning back isn’t an option but with the right gear you can keep on the throttle.
SCOTT GOGGLESMICASPORT.COM | MADE IN THE USA | SCOTT-SPORTS.COM SCOTT-SPORTS.COM IMPORTATIONSTHIBAULT.COM © SC O TT SPO R TS SA 2015 | Photo: arcticfi lmcrew.com © SCOTT SPORTS SA 2015 | Photo: arcticfilmcrew.com
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A NEW AND MUCH IMPROVED TERRACROSS TRACK WAS THE CENTRAL GATHERING SPOT FOR MANY. THE ACTION WAS INTENSE, AND DESPITE A SMALL FOOTPRINT, FEATURED SEVERAL LINES AND PLENTY OF PASSING.
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Haydays 2015 The kick off to the season happened in grand fashion this past September, on the outskirts of Minneapolis/St. Paul. With perfect weather, 80-acres of field and woods was once again transformed into the ultimate snowmobile festival. Haydays delivers a sensory shock to every nerve in your body, and reaffirms that snowmobiling passion knows no bounds.
CHICKS DIG OSM… YA BETTER GET YOUR OWN IF YOU WANT TO ATTRACT THE HOTTIES.
THE DUCK DYNASTY BOYS HAVE NOTHING ON THE RUMPELSTILTSKIN OF DRAGS.
THE OUTLAW BUGGIES RULE THE DRAG DIRT, AND WALTER JOY OF NORTHWOOD, NH TOOK TOP HONORS WITH A SCORCHING SUB 4-SECOND RUN OF 3.98926 AT 139.79 MPH. 22
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
BUMPY THE DIRT CLOWN… YOU CAN’T MAKE THIS STUFF UP KIDS.
TUCKER HIBBERT…HEARD THIS KID IS KIND OF A BIG DEAL?
KLIM HELD THEIR FIRST ANNUAL ARMPIT-SNIFFING CONTEST. THERE WERE PLENTY OF HANGERS, BUT FEW SNIFFERS
AS WE MENTIONED IN OUR LAST ISSUE, THIS SNOW-BIKE THING IS TAKING OFF. OUR PALS FROM RAPTOR PERFORMANCE WERE AT DIRT DAYS WITH THEIR NEW TWIN SKI CONVERSION. THE DESIGN IS SAID TO DRAMATICALLY TRANSFORM HARD PACK PERFORMANCE.
ARCTIC CAT DID THEIR ANNUAL “PULL THE SHEET” AND ATTRACT A CROWD REVEAL ON SATURDAY. THE NEW SNOCROSS AND CROSS-COUNTRY SLEDS WERE ON DISPLAY. WE SNAPPED THIS ONE PHOTO, BUT ADMITTEDLY, WE WERE THERE FOR THE FREE BARBEQUE.
WE LONG FOR THE DAY WHEN THE OPEN FACE HELMET MAKES A TRIUMPHANT RETURN. THINK OF HOW MUCH FREEDOM YOU WILL HAVE FOR ACTIVITIES.
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RUMORS OF A SLINGSHOT TRICYCLE DISTANCE JUMP AT HAYDAYS NEVER MATERIALIZED…MAYBE NEXT YEAR.
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ROSS MARTIN, ISOC SNOCROSS CHAMPION AND DAN ADAMS, BACK COUNTRY, FREAK OF NATURE BOY.
YAMAHA GATHERED CONSUMER OPINIONS ON A SMATTERING OF NEW GRAPHIC OPTIONS AND SLED COLORS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION. 24
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
NO MATTER THE BRAND OR THE TIME OF DAY, DISPLAYS AND BOOTHS ACROSS THE SITE WERE TEAMING WITH SNOWMOBILERS AMPED UP FOR THE SEASON TO COME.
THE BOYS FROM ROX SPEEDFX ONCE AGAIN HAD A BITCHIN’ DISPLAY ON HAND, HIGHLIGHTED BY THIS ON-POINT ACE.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
TUCKER HIBBERT SIGNATURE SERIES
“Having your suspension dialed-in can be the difference between winning and losing. When everything’s right, you’re more comfortable, confident and in control. My signature series will help you ride at your best and keep you ripping all day long. I worked closely with FOX to develop a trail performance suspension package that will take what you can give it and leave you feeling like a champ.” - Tucker Hibbert
Own the Trail
No stranger to winning, Tucker Hibbert’s competitive nature doesn’t shut off when he’s away from the track. Tucker worked with the FOX development team to develop a setup geared for pure trail performance. The result is an application-specific Hibbert calibration that rails corners, soaks up jumps, and eats up small chop. FLOAT 3 EVOL RC2 Front Ski Shock
ZERO C2 Front Track Shock
ZERO RC2 Rear Track Shock
RIDEFOX.COM/HIBB ER TSS REDEFINE YOUR LIMITS
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CUTTING EDGE DESIGNS, OR THE RESULT OF TOO MANY HOT DOGS AND BEERS THE NIGHT BEFORE…YOU BE THE JUDGE.
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THE SHARPEST DAMN SNO SCOOT WE’VE EVER SEEN.
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AT MILE MARKER 6, WHILE CRUISING THE SWAP, WE ORDERED OUT FOR PIZZA…AND THEY DELIVERED.
TOO MUCH TIME ON ONE’S HANDS. TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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LAWN MOWER DRIVING TIPS WERE HELD ON THE HOUR IN THE SWAP.
SWAP SO BIG IT NEEDS TWO “DAYS”. FORTUNATELY, IT LOOKED AS IF HE GOT A GOOD LIE AFTER A BAD BOUNCE OFF A 74 CHEETAH.
SOME WALK THE SWAP…OTHERS LET THE SWAP COME TO THEM.
WILL ARM WRESTLE FOR BEER. TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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BIG TRUCKS WERE THE IN THING THIS YEAR…NONE WERE AS BIG AS THE MOTORFIST F650.
SCENE IT? ON SN
ACCE
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AGAZ
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INE
THESE TWO FRIENDLY FELLERS STOPPED BY THE OSM BOOTH, LOOKING TO GRAB A FEW COPIES FOR THEIR BUDS…YOU SHOULD SEE THEIR LAWN MOWER. IF IT MAKES NOISE WITH GAS, YOU’LL FIND IT AT HAYDAYS.
THE BOYS FROM COMPOSIT TRACKS WERE CAMPED OUT NEXT TO OUR BOOTH THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND. NEEDLESS TO SAY, WE GOT THE INSIDE TRACK (NO PUN INTENDED) ON THEIR LATEST OFFERINGS, AND HINTS OF COOL THINGS TO COME. WATCH FOR IT IN A FUTURE ISSUE. 28
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BOBBY MENNE’S OSM SPONSORED SOO-500 SLED WAS ON HAND; WATCH FOR A FULL STORY ON MENNE’S SOO EXPERIENCE IN THE NEXT ISSUE.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
denniskirk.com 888路243路5068
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Anchor of the month
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
Anchor of the Month Ski-Doo Stratos NAME: ________________________________________________________
Blueberry Blue COLOR: _______________________________________________________ Valcourt, Quebec BIRTHPLACE: __________________________________________________ Blue Lagoon FAVORITE MOVIE: ______________________________________________
Wood paneling and low racing windshield. ACCESSORY I WISH I HAD:_______________________________________ Genesis – Land of Confusion; Elton John – FAVORITE SONG: _______________________________________________
I ______________________________________________________________ Guess That’s Why They Call It the Blues; Fats Domino – Blueberry Hill
SCHOOL YARD BULLY:____________________________________________ The Polaris Indy
To be the vehicle of choice for the blue Telletubby. ASPIRATIONS:__________________________________________________
“You think you hate it now…wait till you drive it.” FAVORITE MOVIE LINE:__________________________________________ – Eugene Levy, National Lampoon’s Vacation ______________________________________________________________
“Is that a windshield from a Buick?” THINGS OVERHEARD AT THE LOCAL WATERING HOLE:_____________________________ Bridge Rebar IF I WEREN’T A SNOWMOBILE I’D BE:_____________________________ There perhaps was never a more awkward time for Ski-Doo snowmobiles than during the late 1980’s, when the Quebec based manufacturer was desperately trying to find its way with quirky models and over the top engineering exercises. Few of those unusual models rivaled the “oddness” of the 1987 Stratos and its two-up sibling, the Escapade. Keep in mind, this was the era of independent front suspension design. Every manufacturer knew leaf springs were soon to be dead and the company who came up with the best and most affordable independent design stood a strong chance at gaining major sales and market share over the next decade plus. Ski-Doo already had an independent suspension (the Positive Reaction Suspension PRS) in their Formula models, but the end target for the future was still moving. What’s more, Ski-Doo as a company lacked direction and had a knack for doing things their own way. The Stratos is a prime example of this. The PSS (Positive Steering Suspension) had a strut similar to the Yamaha design of the day, hidden beneath the rubber boot delivering a meager 5-inches of travel. The sled was also shaped like a watermelon, with a wide bulbous front hood and matching bubble windshield that protected Ski-Doo’s telltale buckhorn handlebars. With two fan-cooled engine options, the Stratos wasn’t a performance sled, but it did prove to be durable. Along with the unusual design, quirky front suspension, the sled looked to add way more comfort than other sleds of the day by providing a ridiculous amount of wind protection as well as directing hot air from the motor into the rider “cockpit” area. The Stratos in many ways represents the last of the misfit models from Valcourt. The sled was gone after the second model year as Ski-Doo began to streamline their overall lineup. The Formula design was soon spread across much of the line and kept the brand in the mix until 1993 when they launched the Direct Shock Action (DSA) MXZ. TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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BOATS MERCURY BOATEL
Based in the small town of Mora, Minnesota, Boatel was known for their houseboats and pontoons, but in an effort to diversify their manufacturing capabilities they entered the snowmobile business in 1965 by purchasing the Abe Matthews Manufacturing Company and rebadged the already existing Trailmaker model. A few years later, Boatel decided to jump all-in, leaving behind the boat business and introducing the luxurious and very pricey Grand Prix model. A few years later, the Boatel run was over.
In the 1960s Mercury was a dominant player in the marine industry. They had the resources and the performance to mop up other boat motor brands of the time. So it was disconcerting to the Mercury crew to see their marine competitors not only enter the snowmobile fray, but start to have some success as well. That didn’t sit well with the highly competitive Mercury brand, thus in 1966 they acquired several top snowmobile models, tore them down, dissected them and shortly after launched their first snowmobile model in 1968. Those early Mercs were quirky compared to others, but eventually the competitive fuel was fully ignited and Mercury became a dominant force with their low slung Trail Twisters and Sno-Twister snowmobiles.
LARSON
Ironically before Larson Boat Works of Little Falls, Minnesota manufactured their first snowmobile for the 1967 model year, the company owned a major interest in Polaris Industries. Of course at the time, Polaris was still a small northern Minnesota company that had yet struck gold with their sleds. In fact it was during this time that Polaris launched the Comet, a sled that nearly forced the company to close its doors. Thus Larson sold its shares in Polaris and set out to produce their own snowmobiles. It was a short lived venture lasting only three model years, ending with the Larson Hawk in 1969
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
OMC
The Outboard Marine Corporation (OMC) was a major player in the blossoming snowmobile industry in the late 1960s and early 70s. In fact they manufactured sleds under three different brand names: Evinrude, Johnson and Snow Cruiser. The models were basically the same between brands, with each having distinct colors and graphics. The Evinrude Skeeter was the debut sled for OMC, hitting the snow for the 1964-65 winter season. The Snow Cruiser was built for Canadian sales but was discontinued after 1971. From that point on Johnson and Evinrude were sold on both sides of the border until OMC ceased snowmobile production at the close of the 1976 model year.
GLASTRON
While most snowmobilers will never associate the Glastron name with snowmobiles, the company was actually a major player in the snowmobile industry after they purchased Sno-Jet in June of 1968. Under Glastron’s guidance, Sno-Jet flourished. Of course, like most snowmobile manufacturers of that time, poor snow, brutal competition from nearly 100 other brands, and the oil embargo in 1974, forced Glastron to look for a way out of the snowmobile business. Ironically Kawasaki wanted to get in on the action, and Sno-Jet was sold to them in 1976.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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onsnow Headhsot by Todd Williams • www.toddwilliamsusa.com
osmmag.com
WINGING IT WITH LEVI LEVI LAVALLEE
MYSTIK MANGLER HANG UPS Getting my fix jumping the RZR 1000 as I wait for the snow to fly!
H
aydays…it’s fun just to say it! Everything about Haydays gets me jacked up; the sleds; the gear; Terracross racing; grass drags; freestyle; cool trucks…you name it and it’s there. If you’ve ever walked the swap meet, you also know that everything including the kitchen sink (literally) is there. We had so much fun again this year at Haydays, having the new FOX “Signature LaVallee” QS3 shock launched at Haydays was an awesome bonus. I am so pumped about the new QS3 shocks because now it’s faster and easier to tune the shock for your kind of riding. I had them on my Polaris AXYS this past season, and they make it so easy to have the right suspension set-up for whatever the conditions. Cruise the trails with a plush set up when “Quick Switch” is on the soft setting, then switch the Quick Switch to the firm setting and you can blast the ditches like a snocross racer! I’m so excited to go out and do some on and off-trail riding this winter with them. Another thing I was excited about this year at Haydays was Terracross. This type of racing has been a learning experience for me, being I have very minimal time on four wheels, let alone trying to go fast in one. This year I spent a little more time behind the wheel, and although I didn’t always keep it on all four, I learned a lot about driving, and overall, the Haydays TerraCross race
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went pretty well. In the first heat race I was able to pass for the lead after a few laps and go on for the win. I was the 2nd qualifier going into the final, so I was pretty excited! In the final I was in second off the start and was in the position I wanted to be...but as we came around on the second lap, I ran into the leader as we went over the “Mystik Mangler” causing me to get hung up on top of the tires. I sat there highcentered on the tires and went from 2nd to around 10th until someone bumped
My daughter Liv digging the new “Levi 2” XCS C&A Pro ski.
Had my new Signature “LaVallee” FOX QS3 shock on my Polaris AXYS at Haydays.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
LEVI LAVALLEE
DISTANCE WORLD RECORD HOLDER FOR SNOWMOBILE JUMPING
Whether it’s launching his sled 412 feet to a new world record or conquering gravity to land gold medal-winning tricks year after year, Team Mystik rider Levi LaVallee shows the world how to dominate. And Mystik® Lubricants is by his side for every RPM. We’ll be by your side too, providing the very same extreme performance, wear protection and long engine life. No matter what kind of machine you ride, count on our custom-formulated engine oils and greases to experience Lubrication Domination.® For exclusive videos and content from Team LaVallee and Mystik, visit MYSTIKLUBES.COM or check out Facebook.com/MystikLubes .
VIDEO
Scan here to see Team LaVallee in action at the 2014 X Games in Aspen.
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My buddy Joe Wiegele and I saying hi as we film for the new “Winterruption” series coming out this winter.
into the back of me which got me moving again. I was able to pass a handful of drivers, eventually finishing 5th. I was disappointed I made that rookie mistake, but was excited about my speed and consistency after I got going again. The second round of racing started off a little rough as I made some big mistakes in my qualifying heat, causing me to have to go to the LCQ. Fortunately, I was able to win the LCQ, giving me the 14th qualifying position for the final. It’s super hard to pass on the tight Terracross tracks, so I was so pumped to be able to move my way through the pack, finishing in 5th place. Later I found out I had the fastest lap of the race, which lets me know I have the speed, I just need to get more consistent and I will be in good shape! Once again Haydays didn’t disappoint and it fully engaged my WFSS (waiting for snow syndrome)... Check out the WFSS video http://on.fb.me/1MADWqa on the Polaris Snowmobile Facebook Page to learn about my struggles. Hopefully, I can make it through this fall until the snow starts flying! Wish me luck! J
If only that was snow dust.
Zak Mason surfing during our last lake session of the year!
Cole Cottew and I at Terracross.
Kyle prays for his life as I “send it” off a jump in the RZR 1000! LOL!
-Levi
The Team LaVallee rig was loud and proud at Haydays.
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Liv hanging with the guys at the shop.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
THE BETTER FITTING HELMET
GMAX
GM64
MODULAR SNOW HELMET
Gmax has raised the bar on what a snowmobile helmet is supposed to be! Gmax is excited to introduce the GM64 Modular Snow Helmet. Built from the ground up to meet the needs of todays snowmobiler. • Features a “Perimeter-Frame-Design” that provides unequaled wind and cold protection that today’s new rider forward snowmobile designs subject the riders too. The perimeter frame design allows for one constant sealing surface for the shield and jaw to help keep the snow and cold out. • “Dual Pivot” modular jaw design allows the flip jaw to rotate further back and low on the crown of the helmet. This increases the line of sight when in the raised position and it lessens fatigue by maintaining an even distribution of weight across the helmet. • “Squeeze & Lift” jaw release design is easy to operate with a gloved hand. • Features a metal to metal jaw closure. • Quick detach inner sun shield that is UV400 coated. • Controls for the inner sun shield are located on the left side and is easily operated by a gloved hand. • Traditional side chin and forehead vents have been removed. Low profile forehead vents are in place that can be opened and closed easily with a gloved hand to allow individual comfort needs. This helps in keeping snow dust and wind from entering the helmet. • State of the Art anti-fog coated, maximum seal double lens shield comes with anti-scratch hard coated outer lens for a longer lasting clear view and is UV400 coated. • Removable snap in deluxe breath guard is adjustable and stays with the jaw when raised. • Deluxe snow chin curtain helps reduce wind and cold air from coming up into the helmet keeping the rider warm and comfortable. • Removable/washable interior and adjustable cheek pads allow for a comfortable and customizable fit. • Coolmax® comfort liner and cheek pads wick the moisture away from your body and the fabric dries quickly. This added performance keeps you dry and comfortable. • The included interior vent plugs allows the rider to plug off the vent channels located in the styro of the helmet, customizing the air flow for the conditions. • Padded D-Ring chin strap with a retention snap. • Electric shield versions come with and optional cord clip that attaches to the trim ring of the helmet, this helps to keep the cord out of the riders way. • Lightweight D.O.T. approved thermo plastic poly alloy shell. • Helmet bag included.
visit your local dealer or go online to see the complete line of gmax helmets W W W. G M AX H E L M E T . C O M
Distributed in the U.S. by:
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Time Ma ch ines
‘74
Roll-O-Flex Wild One 340 F/A
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Rise and Fall of “The System”
I
t’s easy to lump Roll-O-Flex in with the countless snowmobile manufacturers who came and went in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Most of those companies were looking to get their foot in the door of the snowmobiling world and make a quick buck on the booming sport. RollO-Flex may have started on this trajectory, but they quickly changed and emerged as an innovative player in the industry, even if for only a short period of time. Based in Regina, Saskatchewan, Roll-O-Flex got its start as a maker of farm equipment. Seeing a chance for a cash flow stream in the winter months, they started re-branding Boa Ski snowmobiles for the 1968 model year. That year Roll-O-Flex sold four models - the Apache, Cherokee, Comanche and the Wild One; model names that the company would stick with for its tenure in the industry. Sales were good, and by 1970 the company’s president, Herb Padwick, pulled some strings with contacts he had in the Canadian government, and secured a government grant for $2-million dollars (interest free) for Roll-O-Flex
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Ti me Machines
1974 Roll-O-Flex Wild One 340 F/A to begin production of snowmobiles of its own design. This money was part of an employment incentive, and was contingent on Roll-O-Flex dumping its farm equipment business and moving strictly to snowmobile production. It was a daring move, but one the company felt would pay off. Roll-O-Flex started production of its own snowmobiles in 1970, and rolled out a new line of sleds for the 1971 model year. Everything was designed in-house, and manufacturing of the sub-assemblies was farmed out to vendors, with the exception of the wiring harnesses which they did themselves. By the summer
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of 1973, as the company ramped up production for the 1974 model year, RollO-Flex had refined its design and even had a compelling marketing strategy behind its sleds. They called it “The System.” T h e S y ste m co n si ste d o f co me t primary and secondary clutches which were calibrated in-house; a frontmounted Kohler engine; zinc-plated bulkhead; “no torque distortion” motor mounts; wide-stance skis; aluminum chassis; a die-cast and adjustable chaincase; disc brake and an innovative rear suspension called the “SuperFlexion, Super-Ride, Super-System. One
thing not called out in The System was the exhaust, which was also developed in-house, primarily by a guy named Gene Glaze. Glaze had been a field tester for Bombardier when he was hired by RollO-Flex as an engineer, mostly in charge of exhaust and clutching. Glaze quickly became a vice president within the company and owned a minority share Padwick owned 51-percent, Padwick’s son owned 40-percent and Glaze owned the balance. Glaze was a self-confessed workaholic, and would often spend all night in the R&D room located in the basement of the factory.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
COMP insulated GEAR A performance blend of race-inspired design and all-weather comfort. Comp Insulated begins with the appearance of the RR collection and adds an extreme condition insulation package and multiple oversized zip-vents. Race ready looks with an endurance mentality, the Comp Insulated is for those who approach trails with a healthy competitive streak. Comes in jacket, bibs and gloves in mens, womens and youth sizes.
SIX COLORWAYS AVAILABLE
www.arctiva.com
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Tim e Machines
1974 Roll-O-Flex Wild One 340 F/A
Roll-O-Flex started with CCW engines, but was unhappy with them. Working directly through Yamaha Motorsports in California, Roll-O-Flex secured Yamaha engines for its snowmobiles, starting in 1972. The Glaze-tuned Yamaha engines, combined with the company’s innovative Super-Flexion suspension and rubber track, made the sleds formidable competitors in the performance world. In fact, they were giving production Yamaha and Yamaha-powered Sno*Jets a run for their money on the trails. As the company was poised to head into the 1974 model year, it announced its plans to go Sno Pro racing. Yamaha, already faced with competition on the racetrack from its own engines with Sno*Jet, declined Roll-O-Flex’s request to supply race engines. This was at a point when both production and race machines had already been calibrated for the Yamaha engines. Scrambling, Roll-O-Flex was able to land Kohler as a race engine supplier, but it left virtually no time to develop exhaust and calibrate clutching. While this was going on, International Harvester had visited Roll-O-Flex in the summer of 1973, and the two were talking
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buyout. With International Harvester nearly set to write the check and purchase Roll-O-Flex, it backed out, supposedly due to reports of widespread track failures in Massey-Ferguson snowmobiles. On top of this, a change of government in Canada left Padwick without the friends in high places that he once had, and the new government came to collect on its grant. Eventually, the company went into receivership and held a bankruptcy auction April 19-20, 1974. Seemingly against all odds, Glaze managed to build three Sno Pro machines, basing the look of the machines straight off the production Wild One. Glaze fabricated an aluminum chassis with an offset front end, combined with the company’s SuperFlexion rear suspension. With little snow that winter, Glaze made the decision to stay home from big events such as Beausejour and Eagle River, choosing to race closer to home. Lack of proper gears for the double roller chain setup meant he struggled with speed and blown belts on the longer, half-mile tracks, but on shorter tracks the sled was tough to beat. Facing bankruptcy, Roll-O-Flex produced less than 500 production Wild One snowmobiles for 1974. Equipped with Kohler race engines, there were 290cc, 340cc, 400cc and 440cc models available. All 1974 Wild Ones came with twin Mikuni carburetors, CDI ignition, temp gauges, tach, shocks and hydraulic brake. Tuned racing pipes were optional. Out of all 1974 Wild Ones built, most were
burgundy and gold, and only 20-25 were white and red. The 1974 Roll-O-Flex Wild One was a hint of what might have been for the company, had bankruptcy and low snow not shot them down. The sled pictured is owned and was meticulously restored by Randy and Teresa Holland, along with their son Ross. While the white color alone makes it a rare find, reports of even fewer white Wild Ones outfitted with the 340cc freeair Kohler makes this particular Wild One truly wild and ultra rare. J
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
Welcome to a land of snow Over 1100 km of perfectly groomed trails One of the longest SNOWmobile seasonS A world of discovery
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MUFF
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of the month
Each issue, head chefs Steve Hannah (Fluffy) and Darren Desaultels (Desi) will share their favorite recipes and Muff Pot techniques to help you create a trailside feast. Got a Muffpot recipe of your own that you’d like to share with our Muff Masters? …email us at mom@osmmag.com
PIPING HOT POTATO & KOLBASSA SKILLET In
Of course, as a regular reader of OSM and Muff of the Month, you know one of those key elements is cooking delicious meals in our exhaust heated pots. What started out as only one or two cooking buggies has now turned into a full team effort. In fact, there isn’t a single sled in our group of riding buds that doesn’t sport an aluminum cooker, and usually every one is stuffed with something tasty for later in the day.
this instalment of M.O.M., we travel to the east to a secret hangout south of Bancroft, for a little get down with the Old Hastings trails. This area is really special to the Muff gang because of its mostly empty trails and really nice topography. Its also a great area to find a scenic vista and enjoy a nice hot lunch. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times, anything we can do to make our rides more interesting, only increases my desire to get out and ride our old iron even more.
The headline alone caught my attention, and after giving this recipe a sample, it’s been deemed a “keeper” for future Muff rides.
INGREDIENTS: 1 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 3 cloves of garlic 2 large Yukon potatoes 10oz of kolbassa sausage –halved and sliced thin 1 cup of frozen, canned or fresh corn ½ cup of red or yellow peppers, chopped salt and pepper to taste PREPARATION: Warm the oil in a large skillet. Once hot, stir in the onions and cook them for 3 or 4
minutes. Add the garlic and potatoes, mix them up in the oil, and let them heat for a few minutes. Now is a good time to throw some salt and pepper on them while they’re cooking. Now introduce the sausage to the mix and cook it all up until the taters are soft. Stir in the roasted peppers and corn and heat until everything is cooked through. We made this recipe at the cottage, the night before our ride. On a level of difficulty, this one is relatively low. Even the Yamaha riding newbs in our group were able to follow along through the entire process. I only pick on our blue friends because they can’t mount a pot on their sleds, due to the rear exiting exhaust. They’re kind of like seagulls on a plowed field when the lunch stop happens. We now make them carry buns and other snacks to complement our meals. On occasion, I’ve been known to throw the newly unsealed ketchup and mustard bottles in their sled for the ride home. Because you’re savvy to the tips from last month’s article, you know we don’t want that in our tunnel bags. “Umm,
Heated up and ready to serve…the best part about cooking with a pot is there’s no limit to what you can do…let your imagination run wild and toss it in.
We often bring along bread, or better yet, some type of “classy” bun to serve up the “piping” hot meal.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
onsnow osmmag.com
Our good friend Randy from New York State was showing us how to set a trap for a Yeti by using cheese, water and some of the leftover, crisped kolbassa from the corners of the pot.
You know you did well when the trail side lunch stop is filled with only the sound of happy eating. hey guys could you carry this out for us,” like offering a fat kid candy… they take it every time. As previously mentioned, the gang is really starting to up the ante when it comes to the recipes, meals and flavours that are coming out from under the hood. On this particular ride, one of our cohorts made apple crisp in his pot. Following in our new found tradition of not telling others what you are packing for the ride, he somehow kept it under
wraps the entire day, until it was time to eat. Finally, when lunch was almost over, our buddy Bruce saunters over and releases the latches on his pot and pulls out a gloriously baked apple crisp. Hey, nobody can refuse fresh baked apple crisp. The entire group, including another one not associated with us at the trail intersection, stood up and took notice. Damn! Nice work Bruce.
Bruce topped off the meal with his secret, pot baked apple crisp.
Another successful muff pot adventure. Do you have a favorite pot recipe you’d like to share? We’d love to hear about it. Drop us an email at mom@osmmag.com
Till next time…Keep Muffin’
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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T
his installment of Roots comes to us from Jeff Supinski, President of Erlandson Performance Incorporated (EPI). Now, most of us identify with the company as being one of the preeminent performance shops when it comes to clutching either your stock or modified snowmobile, ATV or side-by-side. The EPI name has been associated with performance clutch kits since 1991, so it’s no surprise that the folks behind the name have been life long snowmobilers. Jeff recently came across a collection of photos from his snowmobiling youth. While growing up in St. Paul Minnesota didn’t provide Jeff and his parents the opportunity to ride out of their “backdoor”, his family and friends hauled their sleds to Luck, Wisconsin nearly every weekend during the winter months. From the looks of things, Jeff’s parents had a lot of snowmobiling friends, and they weren’t afraid to skip a little water on occasion. Jeff has many fond memories of riding with his parents, and this collection of old iron and vintage apparel brought a smile to his face (and ours) as he recalled his personal snowmobiling “roots”. Do you have an early snowmobiling “roots” memory and photo you’d like to share with us? We’d love to see it and share it with the OSM family. Email us at editor@osmmag.com
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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SHOP HUSTLE
Most carb issues can be found in the float bowl. This Mikuni round slide from a forgotten in the weeds ZRT 800 was victim of badly degraded ethanol fuel resulting in a thick dark sludge covering all of the internal brass.
Toilet Bowl Envy Carbureted sleds are a dwindling breed. But if you’re like most snowmobilers you’ve likely “hung-on” to a few faves from the past that still employ the round slide Mikuni or other similar carb. If so, you likely know all too well how the ravages of time, lack of use, and today’s ethanol spiked fuel work together to create a green, hardened funk inside the float bowl and other fuel passageways. When it does, removing, dismantling and cleaning the carb and associated brass parts is the only way to get your scooter up and running again. Over the years, the shop monkeys here at OSM have tried virtually every off-the-shelf carb cleaner and chemical dip we could find, all with varying results. That is until we found our favorite blend of cleaning solutions at our local grocery store and our brass has never looked better.
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If you don’t know your way around the inside of a carburetor ask someone who does or simply go online and you’ll quickly find an exploded view of a carb schematic. If the carb is a basket case, remove every hunk of brass you can find. If it just needs a quick clean, go for the top of mind items like the main jet and the always prone to plugging pilot jet.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, OCT 24-26, 2015 2014 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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You can reuse the solution more than once; a discarded pickle or mayonnaise jar with lid is an ideal cleaning/soaking container. Simply drop the dirty brass into the mixture, give it a swish and set it aside. Depending upon how dirty the brass is, you’ll want the parts to soak for a minimum of an hour. For really dirty items, we typically let the solution work overnight.
Part one of our magic carb cleaning formula can be found in the cleaning aisle of most grocery or big box stores. Toilet bowl cleaner does an amazing job on brass parts but it MUST BE the right kind. Stay away from the newer gel type cleaners; it needs to be a pure liquid cleaner. Our favorite is “The Works” brand, it has the same consistency as water and is generally the cheapest one on the shelf…bonus!
We removed all of the brass from the bottom of the venture to the float bowl. Make sure to remove any rubber or fiber type gaskets that might be used, they will not survive the toilet bowl cleaner bath. Also pay attention to what kind of fuel inlet needle your carburetor has, some have a rubber tip and must be cleaned with more conventional cleaning solutions.
After soaking in the toilet cleanser overnight, your brass parts should come out looking shiny. Before you reinstall you’ll need to neutralize the toilet bowl solution. We’ve tried spraying carb cleaner and a vinegar soak, both with mixed results. A solution of pure lime juice or lemon juice turns out to work the best. Not only does it remove any remaining toilet cleaner residue, but it also leaves your jets smelling great. After the soak, dry the parts using compressed air.
Boom…more often than not the jets and associated brass parts go back into the carb looking better than they ever did…even new. Don’t forget to reinstall any removed rubber or fiber gaskets; refuel with treated, nonoxygenated fuel, and fire that buggy up.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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LAWN ORNAMENTS
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T
he summer hunt for lawn ornaments continues and more and more of you have taken to the back yards, forgotten tree lines and that cluttered mess called your neighbor’s lawn, to seek out and photograph forgotten snowmobiles. What’s more…with fall upon us, those hunks of iron and plastic will become more prevalent than ever. So get out and find those “ornaments” and send us your best shots.
Remember, every issue one lucky lawn ornament submission will win a newly screened OSM #RUNSONSPRAY t-shirt. Send those pics to editor@osmmag.com
Avid OS M resident, reader and nort h B lovely or rad Dolinski st ern Minnesota umbled nament e up find his xamples f while tr on these somewh ather-in-law’s ying to la ere in th e underb wn mower, hidd en rush.
d lines of There’s no mistaking the squared jawe particular this s Seem k. wor body Indy the original allntal rime example may have employed an expe season wheel kit.
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Fresh as a daisy… and ready for cold weather with a mega high window.
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Congrats to Erica Stoll… this month’s winner of an OSM #RUNSONSPRAY t-shirt.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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4 FRESH CUT RIDES FOR 2016
e
very new model year, the manufacturer line-ups are comprised of a large majority of warmed over sleds, ranging from fresh graphics to a smattering of new tech features. But let’s face it, what every good snowmobile junkie wants to know is what’s really new, and more importantly, is it worthy of plunking down your hard earned cash. So, with no fluff, no filler and no cheerleading…here’s our cut on four fresh hunks of snow borne metal for 2016, and where they’ll be in our stable for the coming season.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON ON SNOW SNOW MAGAZINE MAGAZINE •• VOL VOL 630• ISSUE • ISSUE2 2
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THE ENDURO
Crisp Cuts
Cool name, dig it or don’t earth tone color, (also available in black) and a top combination of features and technology. Yeah, so maybe when you dissect this sled down to the stand-alone components, it might appear to be just another Renegade, but this combo platter works. The brush dozer image conveyed by the burly, wrap around tubular front bumper allows you to make your own parking spot - front and center at the local watering hole while you enjoy a greasy, double bacon bypass burger. With four engine packages to choose from, (800 E-TEC, 600 HO E-TEC, 900ACE and 1200 4-TEC) there’s power for everyone. Plus, with the new Intelligent Throttle Control (iTC) technology found on both four-stroke models, power delivery can be custom tuned as well. The big story with the Enduro is found out back where the rMotion suspension has been mated to the cab adjustable Air Ride suspension. We’ve raved about the rMotion since it first hit the snow, and now with an air sprung rear arm shock, adjustments to this broad shouldered suspension just got easier. There are five pre-set air-spring levels, all of which can be selected from a handlebar mounted rocker switch and displayed on the gauge. While the Air Ride set-up in the touring segment makes sense, we weren’t so sure about the application in the more aggressive riding ranks of the Renegade. Turns out the convenience of the saddle adjustability mates well with the rMotion’s “works everywhere” characteristics. In fact, unless you’re charging big trail junk at big digit speeds, the Enduro air setup performs incredibly well, mimicking the performance of a Gade-X model in most situations. The Enduro also comes standard with Pilot TS adjustable ski blades, Ice Ripper XT track, and well appointed finishing touches like an Enduro embossed seat and added wind protection of the REV-XS platform, which for 2016, now also wraps around 1200 4-TEC power. While most Enduro models will likely never leave the trail, we see ours being equipped with quick release storage accessories, a dash mounted GPS, and an oversized brush cutting machete, affixed to the running board side for true grit offtrail riding. See you in the swamp.
Your shop floor will hate ‘em, but your high-speed trail loving throttle thumb will be digging the pre-studded, Ice Ripper XT track that comes standard on the Enduro.
This model year, the 1200 4-TEC is wrapped in the REV-XS skin, which touts better air deflection and slightly better warmth.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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BELOW: One of our favorite features of the Enduro is the brush friendly front bumper.
The dial adjustable ski runners found on the TS Pilot skis could change ski technology in the very near future. The idea is simple and more importantly, it really works. The large top mounted dial adjusts the amount of carbide blade protrusion below the ski keel, and features a handy, spindle reference mark. TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Crisp Cuts Finishing touches like the Enduro’s embossed seat cover has been one of the many things that have set Ski-Doo apart from the other brands in the showroom for several years. The stuff just looks tight.
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Finishing touches like the Enduro’s embossed seat cover has been one of the many things that have set Ski-Doo apart from the other brands in the showroom for several years. The stuff just looks tight.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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Crisp Cuts BIG ADVENTURE We like storage on our sleds, and more times than not we will sacrifice looking cool for cubic volume, all in the name of riding more and riding longer, even when the mercury dips to below-stupid. For this reason alone, we were attracted to the Polaris Adventure when it first hit the snow pack in Pro-Ride chassis architecture. Three glorious storage compartments hung from the back of that sled, and what’s more, you could easily remove them and look hip enough to have a latte at the clubhouse. There was however, one big problem; the motor. Oh, we don’t mean the little 600 Liberty mill has flaws; quite the contrary, she’s a ripper. But when we load up and hit the big white ribbons, we want the big pull and the bigger digit speeds that only an 800 mill can deliver. Finally, in 2016 we have it, and not just any 800, but the new arm-yanker 800 H.O. Does the 800 Adventure combo work? As they say in northern Minnesota, you betcha! The beauty of the Adventure platform is beneath those creature comforts and luggage; there resides the heart of a Switchback Pro-S in virtually every shape and form…need we say more? The Pro-S Switchback is a beast, especially on high speed, twisting trails. Hammer down…find your rhythm and the Adventure rails corner with a level of precision the Pro-Ride chassis could never emulate…even on paper. More importantly, the fresh from the case 800 H.O Liberty mill pulls harder and longer than a dentist on a wisdom tooth. But there’s more to the 2016 Adventure big bore than just the motor; the Polaris kids decided to bonus the suspension with easy to adjust FOX Quick Switch 3 coil-over dampers up front, and a new spring/air combo shock at the rear. The addition of an air spring to the rear shock is said to allow you to make quick adjustments on the trail to accommodate the added load of passenger or gear. Throw in a burly bumper, mirrors, tall window and blacked out tunnel, and you have a knockout combination of power and glory.
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The new FOX Quick Switch 3 shocks are featured on three of four manufacturer sleds this winter, and the Adventure gets the nod for Polaris. The ‘keep it simple’ adjustment allows anyone to effectively tune the front suspension.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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A simple, above the tunnel valve port allows you to increase or decrease the air spring rate of the rear track shock, complementing the traditional coil over spring found there as well. The jury is still out on this one, as we did not have the time to adequately ride and adjust during our late season romp.
The true genius and appeal of the Adventure is found outback where two removable hard-side bags and a top mounted soft-sided bag are secured to a rear, trellis style tubular frame.
Don’t let the softer side of the Adventure fool you. Beneath the luxury and the luggage lurk all the makings of a Switchback Pro-S.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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VECTOR REBORN Lately, when the conversation turns to Yamaha, the Viper is the first and last sled mentioned in the conversation. In fact, many times it’s the only sled. But this year Yamaha has given us several bold reminders that they continue to build some amazing snowmobiles on their side of the globe - none more so than the dramatically refreshed Vector XTX. With a new engine management system; new rear suspension; new rear FOX shock; new 1.75” track; and the addition of FLOAT 3 front suspension shocks and factory installed Performance Damper on the spring LE model, the crossover Vector is practically more new than old. We’ve always had a warm spot for the Vector, even if the riding position is a throwback to the days before rider forward/upright seating. The motor is butter, and now with the introduction of the Yamaha Chip-Controlled Throttle system, where riders can select from one of three computer, servo controlled throttle actuation modes, the power delivery is both more precise and dare we say, smoother. This is way more than a rev limiter type system; it’s a true, multi-dimensional design, taking input cues from several sensors and then applying the proper fuel and air flow for your choice of a Sport (S) Mode, Touring (T) Mode, or Entry (E) Mode. While you might think the Sport Mode is all you’ll ever want or need, we found ourselves dipping into the touring mode when running smooth and winding trails. The power delivery is ultra smooth and predictable, and regardless of mode, the system has no lag or detectable inaccuracies. This is next level stuff that will only expand from here, so stay tuned. The other big “newness” is found to the rear, where a much lighter and more traditional rear suspension delivers a dramatically improved ride over the previous mono-shock design. The new skid serves up more consistent track tension, but the big pay-off is the skid’s vastly improved ability to eliminate or reduce the spine tingling effects of those unexpected “G-Outs”. Part of this can be attributed to the new FLOAT 3 XV shock, which as the nomenclature implies, has added air spring volume to better control those types of bumps. We found the new Vector XTX so good, we had to have one for our fleet, and we went all in and opted for the Spring only LE version, with added bump control and adjustment capabilities of FLOAT 3 shocks up front, and weird science harmonics of the Performance Damper factory installed at both ends.
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The new Chip-Controlled Throttle engine management system features a dash mounted button where you can cycle through the three distinct modes.
The new 1.75-lug track delivers amazing lift in the powder, yet still has admirable on-trail manners.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Crisp Cuts
XV stands for Extra Volume, and the new rear track shock from FOX delivers more overall volume than an EVOL chamber, and is an exclusive design for the Yamaha SingleShot application.
There’s a lot going on with the new YCCT engine management system, with a computer capturing data from several retrieval points, including your thumb, and then instructing the small servo motor located at the bottom of the throttle body rack to do the rest.
Traditional in design, the SingleShot continues to use only one shock to control suspension movement, and includes the use of a drop link with front and rear couplers.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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CROSS TREKKING Splitting hairs in the crossover segment has been a trend as of late, as the segment continues to morph and change with more models and more spin-off varieties being developed each model year. Case in point is the new for 2016 CrossTrek. Dimensionally speaking, the CrossTrek is a ZR Sno Pro dressed in gentleman’s clothes. The performance tuned 137-inch Slide-Action rear suspension, wide stance ARS front suspension and premium FLOAT 3 shocks at the front, and internal floating piston gas shocks at the rear are equal to the Sno-Pro ZR in every way. Even the seat and handlebar configuration is the same. So what makes the Trek…trek? It comes down to the more versatile 1.5-inch lug Cobra track and convenience details. The added lug height and slightly less aggressive side-bite when compared to the ZR’s RipSaw II delivers greater powder snow performance, without sacrificing much in terms of on-trail bite and big lake speed. Then come the details of standard mirrors, a taller window and “smallish” rear saddlebags. While the differences may seem subtle, the all-around performance advantage of the Cobra track is more noticeable, especially if you ride paths less travelled. If bombing logging roads, ditches, meadows, and brushed over ditch grades are part of your riding repertoire, then the CrossTrek should get the nod over the ZR. The beauty here is once you return to the trail, the CrossTrek gives up little in terms of trail ripping. Then there’s the all-important intangible ingredient known as image. Where the ZR screams racer, the CrossTrek speaks more softly, thanks to its more sophisticated graphics and standard creature comforts. But with the same four engine options as the ZR, ranging from the sophisticated 6000 two-stroke twin, all the way up to the hyper speed, turbo charged 9000 series four-stroke, the CrossTrek most definitely carries a big stick.
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Bigger window and standard mirrors represent the “other” differences beyond the Cobra track when it comes to comparing the CrossTrek to a ZR. Is it enough to warrant another model? Time will tell.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Like nearly every 2016 Arctic Cat model, the CrossTrek will come shipped with the new TEAM Rapid Response drive and driven clutch system. Developed jointly by Arctic Cat and TEAM, the new secondary sheds weight by eliminating the inner steel hub and using the shaft itself as the sliding surface.
Another key feature of the TEAM design is the complete assembly steel spider with a 30% wider roller and 70% increase in button surface area. In total, the new TEAM system is said to dramatically extend both clutch and belt life by a significant amount.
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Storage is becoming a bigger priority with new sled buyers, and while the CrossTrek side bags are small compared to other offerings, they are standard equipment and easily removed.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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In
this issue’s installment of Future Tense, Charles Bombardier and his team of designers have dreamt up a new take on the fully enclosed, over the snow vehicle. Inspired by the 1940 Bombardier B7, (the B was for Bombardier and 7 represented the number of passengers the vehicle could hold) one of the first snowmobiles ever designed and produced by Joseph-Armand Bombardier, the Mirage, appears on the snow swirled horizon like a futuristic dream.
About Charles Bombardier
The grandson of Joseph-Armand Bombardier, Charles has a wealth of experience in the design and engineering of vehicles during his time at BRP including the Can-Am Traxter, the second generation Ski-Doo Elite and the Can-Am Spyder Roadster. In 2008 Bombardier founded a private Research and Development Center and developed electric urban transporters and electric ATV prototypes. With a passion for innovation, Charles is deeply involved within the design community and acts as an expert and a consultant to support inventors, companies and basically anyone interested in new applications for mechanical engineering. His website www. charlesbombardier.com promotes open innovation and along with a team of designers they are constantly dreaming, innovating, and creating new concepts and publishing them for all to see. As Charles puts it, “Our mission is to inspire kids, students, inventors and tinkerers to improve existing modes of transportation and imagine what the future holds for us. We share our concepts with the world so they can grow faster, evolve and become a reality one day.”
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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From the mind of Charles Bombardier and his team of “dreamers”, this season we take a look at the ‘not so out of this world’ future of snowmobiles. From the probable to the seemingly impossible, could these ideas end up on a future trail near you?
Editors Note:
Do you have a vision for a future over the snow vehicle, a new generation snowmobile, an innovation, or maybe just a “what if” idea you’ve been dreaming about? Tell us about it and Charles and his team of designers and dreamers just might bring your idea to life in future designs and sketches. Drop us a line at editor@osmmag.com and if your “dreams” are selected, you’ll find them right here in a future issue of OSM. TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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The Mirage was inspired by the very first over the snow vehicle designed and built by Joseph-Armand Bombardier in 1940…the B7. 68
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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In the 1970s, Ski-Doo’s Research and Development center built two advanced snowmobile prototypes under the project name Mirage. The vehicle had no relationship to the like named, and more traditional Moto-Ski Mirage snowmobile. Instead, the R&D developed Mirage was a fully enclosed snowmobile equipped with a steering wheel, four seats and sharp geometric forms, (as Charles puts it) similar to exotic cars of the time. The Mirage concept shown here is a hybrid blending of the original Bombardier B7 snow vehicle and those two Mirage skunk works vehicles from the 1970s. More than just an elegant design, Charles and his team gave additional thought to the “guts” of this machine. Built upon an aluminum frame, it’s designed to be powered by a 240-horesepower, Volkswagen Touareg Turbo Diesel engine. Known for its durability, power and torque, the turbo diesel would allow the fitment of tracks at the front of the vehicle as well as the back, giving the Mirage the ability to become a true workhorse. The Mirage shown here however, has skis affixed to the front, and an “oversized” 150-amp alternator would deliver enough power to the electrical system to employ the use of an electric power assist steering system, easily turning the large skis, which are mounted to a strut type suspension. Configured to carry up to six people in a 3+3 design, the internal layout could also be changed to garner more room for cargo. According to Charles, his team of designers developed several iterations with varying track and ski options, including an extended track version for additional flotation. Large windows on all sides of the vehicle deliver a wide field of vision, and an electric powered sunroof incorporates a modern automotive feel to the vehicle. The overall look was inspired from art deco and automotive design cues from the 1950s.
The Mirage concepts shown here were designed by Boris Schwarzer.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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N O I T A Y T S T S I A L G
A T I V
EIGHT NOT-SO-SURE-FIRE CURES FOR STAYING UP
HEY
, you’ve been there. Ya just got off a long workweek, the trailer is loaded, and your plan is to meet the “boys” at your favorite northern riding destination, for a weekend of riding and hydrating. All that lies between you and two days of snowmobile intoxication is 250 miles of two-lane highway. Already beaten down by your half-wit boss and catching grief from your (ahem) better half as you point the tow rig north, your pupils are dilated and your lids feel like steel shutters. Determined to press on regardless, here are ten gas station goodies that may help get you there, or get you sick trying.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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GAS STATION VITALITY
1
5-HOUR ENERGY SHOT
Sure, you could chug a 32-ounce Frankenstein or Purple Cow, but why fill up on all that “other crap” when you can inject the good stuff in one little 2-ounce bottle. Available in a bunch of flavors, we tend to grab the extra strength stuff because…well…why wouldn’t we. The little bottles allow you to chug the acidic mix like Joey Chestnut eats hotdogs. While it’s the double shot of caffeine that likely gives the juice a kick, we keep telling ourselves it’s the ridiculous 2,000mg B-vitamin shot and amino acids that help as well… albeit doubtful.
JERKY BY THE POUND
3
2
Bits, pieces, end cuts…call it what you want but when we see one of these non-descript jumbo bags of locally smoked and seasoned beef at our nearby fuel and fill, we immediately grab a few pounds. Sure, the national stuff like Jack Links grabs all the headlines and funny commercials, but it’s WAY overpriced. Heck, we’ve considered offing our own cow and smoking the entire 1,800-pounds rotisserie style, in revolt of Jack’s egregious pricing. While smoked meat won’t prop your eyelids like caffeine, the annoying chunks of grizzled and sinewy fat stuck between your teeth for the next three hours will.
DOUBLE GLAZED DOUGHNUT
Who doesn’t love a sugar-bombed doughnut, especially the gas station variety? Fresh? If you consider being baked in a factory six states away, two weeks ago and injected with enough preservatives to embalm your grandmother, then we’d say…fresh enough. The key here is the sugar overload that will have you twerking behind the wheel for another solid hour, and your dentist grinning with dollar bill signs in his eyes when you return for your six-month check up.
HORNY GOAT WEED
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We know you’ve seen that little packet of Horny Goat Weed in the bathroom vending machine and thought to yourself…hmmm what could it hurt. Well we tried it and lived to tell about. Each little magical box, which features a smitten goat ready for action, has two blue caplets inside. As any good snowmobiler would, we took them both, sticking to the old motto “more is more”. After another hour of driving, we felt only a slight tingle in the nether regions, which turned out to be nothing more than a needed bathroom break, followed by an upset stomach.
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RED MAN CHEWING TOBACCO Down the road from our family farm, a neighboring farmer drove a rusted out Dodge Power Wagon that featured a distinct, paintless and rusty patch of corrosion from the top edge of the driver’s window to the rocker panels. It was the result of years of chewing and spitting the chewing tobacco for real men…Red Man. Each pouch is packed with sticks, stems, and probably dirt, and will have non-chewers hurling on the shoulder in under ten miles. That should keep you awake.
END OF THE DAY COFFEE If your sledding travels are anything like ours, planning is for quitters. Unlike some of our riding buddies who come prepared with a fresh thermos of coffee for the late night road hours, or worse yet, spend valuable beer money on one of those foo-foo whipped creamy dreamy coffee drinks, we like to take our chances with the potent stuff. Bust through the doors of any off the beaten path gas station past 9:00pm and chances are the coffee in the pot has been steaming for the better part of six hours. That means all the worthless water has evaporated, leaving you with a pure shot of black beans and caffeine…lots and lots of caffeine. Two packs of sugar to kill the bite and you’re good.
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MAGNA-RXTRA The way we figure it, if “he’s up” you will be too. According to the back of the provocative packet, this stuff is made by “real doctors” for real results. Who’s gonna argue? The supplement facts reads like a packet of organic fertilizer purchased down at the farm supply store with more bark, grass, roots, seeds and ground up leaves than a compost pile. Our friend the horny goat weed is in there, as too is Oyster meat…Oyster’s have meat? We took both pills on an overnight pull last winter, and while we can’t say for certain if it worked, the fact that everyone else in the truck kept asking if I was “up” kept me awake.
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If it’s good enough for the good old boys who navigate the two lane with 18-wheels of chrome and steel, overloaded a by a few tons, it’s good nuff for a couple of redneck sledders, traveling after dark. The…ahem…dietary supplement is jammed with caffeine, around 250mg per capsule. That’s the same as three mega cups of coffee, without the need to stop in thirty miles. With three to a packet and fortified with such unknown things as Guarana extract, Korean Ginseng, (not sure if it’s north or south) White Willow Bark and something called Uva Ursi Powder…at the very least you’ll stay awake wondering what the hell you just took.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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SHOP MOTIVATION
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The Tropical Edition HOT BREWED BEERS FOR COLD WINTER NIGHTS The way we look at it…shop time is beer time, and after enduring a full winter of cheap swill from last season’s Shop Motivation featuring the cheapest beers we could find, this season’s beer review had to be different, our innards demanded it. As much as we love snow, cold and the winter season, we admit the nights get long and endless hours of wrenching in the shop has us thinking of warmer days, sandy beaches, clear blue water and especially the beer. From Hawaii to Mexico to the Caribbean, there’s just something tasty about those golden lagers. This winter we’re bringing the beach to the shop and we’re doing the hard work for you by tipping back 12 tropical inspired beers…all in the name of research.
Kona Longboard Island Lager ORIGIN: HAWAII (THE BIG ISLAND)
The Hawaiian Islands are out there, I mean there’s a lot of water between those lumps of hardened lava and the mainland. Knowing this, it only makes sense they brew their own golden thirst quencher. The Kona Brewery sipped from its first batch of Big Wave Golden Ale back in 1995, and now brews more than 12 varieties and is the top selling craft beer on the islands. The Longboard Lager we selected doesn’t feature a twist off cap, so you know it’s legit, I mean they clearly don’t want just any redneck shop monkey sipping these suds. It’s pleasantly smooth and bold at the same time, and doesn’t have any hints of that uptown, overly hoppy craft beer snob flavor either. The Longboard is the right blend, so you can keep ripping caps and chugging suds as your twisted crank rebuild project slips deep into the night.
Landshark Lager
ORIGIN: ST. LOUIS MISSOURI Nothing could be more tropical or beach inspired than St. Louis right? With Jimmy Buffet cranking on the big shop speakers, the Landshark brew is sort of like that homeless vagrant hitchhiking his way to the Gulf of Mexico…he knows where he wants to be, but right now smells a lot like he’s been sleeping under an overpass. Like any “good” skunky beer, proper chilling is a must with the “Shark”. A few degrees above freezing, and Landshark turns into a not so affordable sink drain cleaner. Drink carefully.
Victoria
ORIGIN: MEXICO This beer is old, as in the oldest beer brand in Mexico, but it doesn’t taste old. Victoria was first produced in 1865, and was later acquired by the Modelo brewing company in 1935. A Vienna style lager, we can honestly say this might be one of the best Mexican brewed beers we’ve sampled. While nearly every beer produced in Mexico claims they start with pure filtered water, (which is always a good thing in Mexico) we actually believe it when it comes to Victoria. The brown bottle hints old school cool, as does the large script logo, making it the perfect beer for podium celebrations and bench racing wins. Unlike other “poser” imported beers from Mexico, Victoria specifically states their beer should NOT be served with a lime…we couldn’t agree more.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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The Tropical Edition
ORIGIN: MEXICO
Tecate
ORIGIN: MEXICO If you like your beer open and cold…here’s your nectar. In our book, the big T is the ideal tropical themed sledder shop beer. They already are big time sponsors of Indy, Grand Prix, SCORE Off-Road and most recently, dropped down nearly $6 million to be the exclusive beer sponsor for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. The beer is a bit bold, and like any Mexican beer, ya gotta make sure its cold so you can overlook anything foreign that might be floating near the bottom. Just like a knockout punch from Mayweather, Tecate can sneak up on you. The first one goes back at a nice trail pace, but soon the magical, Mexican brew fever creeps into the picture. Like the time you lost your pants in Cancun, you’ll loose count of how many Tecate brews you’ve tipped back, at what is now a fever pitch. Soon you’ll be doing podium interviews with yourself and feeling like Mayweather was using your melon for target practice.
Amigo Grande ORIGIN: WHITE BEAR LAKE, MINNESOTA
Hailing from the Big Wood Brewery in Minnesota, the Amigo Grande is bigger than most “authentic” tropical beers. Tipping the scales at a full 16-ounces, (better known as a pounder in the shop) the friendly Amigo does go down smooth like a well-balanced lager should, and the bigger size means less trips to the fridge for a refill. Now, while the Amigo might not hail from warmer waters, Minnesota does have a lot of lakes and plenty of heat and humidity during the summer months, which is close enough for us. The Amigo only comes in a can, which eliminates that beach side feeling of gripping a cold bottle with sand covered hands. It’s not the best lager, it’s not the cheapest, but it is the biggest…we call that a win.
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Corona Light
Know this…Corona only made our list because we knew our email would light up if we didn’t include it. Probably the most popular of all Mexican beers, at least in the United States and Canada, the reasons for this remain a head scratcher for us. Whether it’s the light version we sampled here or the fuller bodied regular style, both are served with a slice of lime. Tradition you say? We say a requirement. If you ever get a chance to drink a Corona without a squeeze of lime…just don’t. We call it the poser beer of the tropics, because only the wannabe beach bums are drinking it with their oversize board shorts and hockey flow hair cuts.
Dragon Stout
ORIGIN: JAMAICA Ok, so if you’re not really into stouts, but just want to give one a taste, here’s some free advice…make sure it’s cold and in a glass! Second, don’t drink one after a vigorous workout. In fact, a better choice of rehydrating would be a talk glass of warm, expired milk. For the sake of good editorial, we included this Jamaican Stout, and as soon as you handle this bottle, you’ll feel in control… or more like a giant, since the bottle only contains 300ml, maybe less after you spill a few drops upon opening. Our first attempt at Dragon Stout had us wishing that we followed the sound advice above. Served correctly, this stout is good. It pours dark with little head, there isn’t much carbonation, and has a sweet bitterness. One or two of these bad boys and you feel full; no need to buy a six pack.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
Carib Lager ORIGIN: TRINIDAD
Open this bottle and it screams Caribbean. Order one of these bad boys at the bar while on vacation, and the bartender may shoot you a look of approval and give you a nod, leaving you feeling smug and secure that you belong there, even though you look like a hunk of white Wonder Bread that got too much sun. Easily put, it’s refreshing as hell and we know cause numerous times we’ve had large quantities of this exceptional brew. A box of Carib on ice says you’re here to party, but still a gentleman that appreciates his beers. Don’t believe us? Buy a few cases, put them on ice on a hot day, and soon your jokes are funnier, you’re better looking, and your wife just got hotter. A few points of safety, if you’re serving up Carib to friends, make sure it’s really cold. Any Carib served with warmth comes with a free skunk aftertaste. If need be, buy a few extra cases for hot days and drink half bottles. This works especially well for slow drinkers.
Sol
ORIGIN: MEXICO Dating back to 1899, when a German brewmaster wanted to leave something behind while vacationing at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico. He gave them El Sol, which was the original name of this crisp, clear brew. Sol makes a statement from the moment you open the case. It has a classic vintage look, thanks to a painted label right on the bottle in red and white, with a neck that is literally ribbed with class. Sol’s a solid beer that doesn’t require fruit to make it appealing, but some will argue otherwise, so it’s best to have a few slices of limes cut up on the side. Great accompaniment to any Beach Party! It’s so authentic, the only thing on this bottle is the expiry date, and we think it’s only there to satisfy the lawyers.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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SHOP MOTIVATION
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The Tropical Edition
Modelo Especial ORIGIN: MEXICO
It’s good to be the king. Any beer that comes in a fancy bottle, finished with a gold foil wrapper over the cap is not just good, but good enough for any fridge. The Modelo definitely stands out in the shop fridge. This can be a good thing, but sooner or later it gets plucked, and after numerous Modelos, the over the top packaging tends to get in the way. One of our shop viewing party regulars dubbed “Sparky” for his electric personality, is a thirsty connoisseur. His need for more beer, soon had him frustrated with the foil removal process. Instead, he was cracking caps and the foil became a lip-cutting hazard. This beer is not a nail biters best friend. It does however, have a smooth taste of power, and we found it to be a conversation starter. It’s made with filtered water, which is a good thing, being that it’s brewed in Mexico.
Bush Light
ORIGIN: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA What…Busch Light isn’t an island beer….well, hell it outta be. Let’s just be clear…Bush Light is probably one of the biggest overlooked good time brews in the known world. While many flock to the tropics for some relaxing down time, some of us still vacation in four inches of water in a plastic pool on the back deck. If that’s the case, you’re not gonna splurge for a few cases of imported lager…nope, you wanna vacation on a budget. This beer simply kicks anyone’s ass, and is the biggest bango for your bucko. We don’t think we even need to talk about it, it’s that good. Not just good, but a truly reliable brew, so if your vacation is at the Backyard Sandal and not “the Sandals” grab a plastic chair, remove your shirt, lean back and grab a sixer of the Bush Leger (French for light). Your beach vacation just got a whole lot more affordable.
Red Stripe ORIGIN: JAMAICA
We sampled these all night and by the wee morning hours, we loved the way these stubby little bottles made us look. The taste isn’t necessarily over the top great, but it’s definitely ‘ok’, especially if you’re in a back alley, looking for directions in Kingston, Jamaica. Take our word for it, if you’re going to polish off some of these old fashioned stubbies, beware that after five you’ll find your swagger. Your hands may appear to look like those of Zeus, and your witty personality will be firing on all cylinders. But easy there tiger…It’s all an illusion, so don’t go spouting off anything that your sled or your ass can’t back up in the morning. That 1989 Mach 1 you got behind the shop…nope it will not…we repeat, will not compete, win, or finish Cain’s Quest. Just sit back and have another “Stripe”.
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Choko_Design_7.25x4.75_2016.pdf
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SNOWMOBILE & ATV GARMENTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY
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OR TI O N S E U AQ FOR GOT E NT M ND CO M OD A O US W D ROP D G OO … R@ EI N DITO RST E E E T B IL A MA OM AN E AG .C M OS M
TEARDOWN
SELLING, BUYING AND FREE BEER
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BY GOODWOOD AND BEERSTEIN
his is the time of year most snowmobilers are lookin’ to sell their stuff. This seems backwards, what with winter coming and all, but in the snowmobile world, it’s all about movin’ on to bigger and better things, so sellin’ your junk for someone else’s junk that’s in a whole lot better shape is a step up for most of us. We’re not afraid to buy someone else’s failed project, especially after they sunk a bunch of money into parts, trying to get it going and are lookin’ to sell it for a huge loss. Heck, the way we see it, we’re doin’ that guy a favor by takin’ a headache off his plate. Now, ‘ol Beerstein, he’s got a system when it comes to swap meets and sellin’ stuff. One thing we learned over the years is you can’t just park your junk any old way at your swap spot and expect to get top dollar. We were gettin’ some stuff together for
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the first swap of the season the other day, loadin’ up the trailer and whatnot, and we got to talkin’ - what if we could help some of the youngsters out there with their sellin’ and swappin’? You know, share some of the secrets? Beerstein, he’s usually pretty tight-lipped when it comes to this kinda stuff, unless he’s way deep into the cold barley hydration, but this time he was all for it. Heck, he likes hagglin’ more than anyone, so the more people out there willin’ to dicker on price with him, the better as far as he’s concerned. And hey, he’s always had a soft spot for the kids comin’ up in the sport. So here goes, some of Beerstein’s best buyin’ and sellin’ tips. One thing about Beerstein, him just ownin’ stuff makes it more valuable. Take two sleds, one is Beerstein’s and one is just some ‘ol sled; well, even if they’re the exact same shape and exact same model, that
one Beerstein’s owned is gonna be worth more. Not only that, Beerstein can make any ‘ol sled sound like it’s the sled the entire industry was built around. He does his research and you gotta give the guy credit, he can rattle off facts about pretty much any sled on the planet, especially ones he owns and especially about ones he’s trying to sell. That ‘ol sled? Well, that was the first and only year that model came with the black stripe around the hood graphic. By the time Beerstein’s done givin’ his sales pitch, either the guy’s eyes have glazed over, or he’s knockin’ people over trying to get to the cash machine to give Beerstein full askin’ price. Know the back-story… that’s what ol’ Beer says. Speakin’ of knowin’ stuff, you gotta know your market when you go into some of these swaps. We’ll be the first ones to admit that some of these vintage swaps
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
can be dangerous cuz these guys know their stuff. We don’t try to sell stuff by sayin’ it’s somethin’ it’s not, but lettin’ a person think it’s a little more than it is? Well, that’s all fine and dandy. I mean, carve-it emptor or something like that. Some of these big industry swaps where you’re seein’ guys selling fridges and kitchen sinks and skateboards with tracks, well, a sucker’s gonna come by every minute at one of those. But you go to one of those big vintage events, those ones where you got the guys in the fur hats riding around smoking a cigar, lookin’ like they were born with it hangin’ outta their pie-hole? Ya better know your stuff or you’ll get schooled, which Beerstein says means you’re taking way less than asking price. Here’s one most people don’t think of - if you got somethin’ real good, like hen’s tooth rare, don’t set that thing out for everyone to see. Keep it back somewhere like it’s not for sale. One year we parked at the swap and Beerstein, well he was wantin’ to part with his ‘ol factory race sled from his oval racin’ days. Now, we sorta stumbled on this hot trick by accident, see because Beerstein didn’t want it to get all dusty and well, he still wasn’t quite sure he wanted to sell it. So there it sat in the trailer, just the nose sticking out of the trailer door. You wouldn’t believe how many people asked about that sled. Better yet, it kept the tire kickers away and those fellers who wanted to know more about it, well they just kept bringing over free beers for me and Beerstein. According to Beerstein, the only thing better than a cold and open beer is a free one. Ok, so here’s another tip that really gets Beerstein’s Carharts knotted up…checks. Now having a pocket full of cash seems pretty obvious, since we’re talkin’ swaps. Now you want to see ol’ Beer get heated up? Offer him a checks for that 1972 chaincase, complete with rusted-on secondary. Heck, I bet even if you offered him a free beer with it he’d still go off. There’s a few things ya gotta know about seasoned swap guys. First, a lot of them are married, and that means they told the Misses they’re there to get rid of junk and maybe get enough money together to buy her that new shiny silver, twin door ice box. Now if one them guys comes home with a checks…well she’s gonna find out. What’s more…a swap meet is just as much about buying more junk as it is about getting rid of it. Ya can’t do that with a checks. Now old Beerstein, he takes nothing but cash, partly because he likes to frequent the club run beer gardens, and more so because his gal won’t know. Cash is king and easier to hide. Like I said before, when it comes to haggling price, there aint’ no one better than Beerstein. That guy can talk circles around most
swappers. I mean there was this one time when this young, flat brim wearing kid was thinking he was putting the drop on ol’ Beer. If I remember, he was selling some hot buggy that had more stickers than paint, and about 22-inches of bar riser. I’m not sure why Beerstein wanted that sled. Anyways, the kid was too busy sucking on a can Chugger energy drink, and showing off his tats to even notice ol’ Beerstein giving his buggy the eye at first. When he finally did, he made some crack about Beerstein’s age, but ol Beer he wasn’t biting. Instead, he offered up a ridiculous low-ball offer, and then just stared the kid down like he was in some Clint Eastwood movie or something. Next thing ya know, the kid starts dropping the price and before ya know it, ol’ Beerstein is loading that contraption up in the back of his Studebaker. Best offer means offer lots less, and once you do…shut the hell up. Beerstein calls it the paws of death or something like that. So there ya go kids…just a few of ol’ Beerstein’s buying and selling tips…learn ‘em and use ‘em, and we almost garan-tee swap success. J
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Jaws >>>>>> Replacement Pipe & Y-Pipe If you are one of the many that still own a Ski-Doo 583 and 670 cira 1997-1999, and you are in need of a replacement pipe and y-pipe, your search is over. Jaws Performance has just released a replacement pipe and y-pipe for that era of sleds, and it is available now in Canada through Sled Pro distributing. So now you don’t have to scrap your baby because the pipe rotted out. You now have options to get that sled back in peak performance. For complete details check out www. jawsperformance.com
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GEAR BOX
PRESEASON
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IT’S CLOSE BOYS, SO CLOSE YOU CAN SMELL IT. THE FALL IS IN FULL SWING, THE LEAVES ARE CHANGING AND THE SNOW IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER. THAT MEANS IT’S TIME TO DUST OFF THE SLED, GET THE GEAR OUT, TAKE INVENTORY, AND BUILD YOUR “I-NEED-THAT” LIST. WE AT OSM HAVE BEEN SCOURING THE INDUSTRY TO FIND SOME NEW AND IMPROVED PRODUCTS THAT WE FEEL SHOULD DEFINITELY MAKE THAT LIST!
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Arctiva Comp RR Shell
Calling all racers: Arctiva has designed a jacket just for you. The new Comp RR shell was built to stand up to the beating that you receive out on the track. The material is a durable waterproof denier polyester. The 2-layer laminated fabric is sealed at the seams and has an even heavier Oxford polyester overlay in the wear areas. The Comp RR also features fleece lined hand-warmer pockets, and strategically placed vents to cool things down when you start to heat up. The designers even built this jacket to accommodate tech vests, and reflective graphics, to make you shine at night. For complete details contact your local Parts Unlimited dealer: www.parts-unlimited.com
Sure Grip Drivable Dollies >>>>>> Have you been wrestling your buggy around the shop all summer and looking for a better alternative to those cheap dollies that always pop out when you hit the slightest bump on the ground. Have you considered the Sure Grip System? Sure Grip Dollies are 100% made in America, and are constructed of solid plate steel and come with premium grade 5 inch solid rubber wheels mounted on graphite bearings. New to the Sure Grip system is the longer wheelbase. By adding 31% more length the designers have created a system that offers even more precise handling over a variety of terrain. You need to see these in action to believe them. Head over to www.suregripdolly.com to see the videos.
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Tricked-Toys Quick Hitch Here’s a really cool new product; the new Quick Hitch from Tricked-Toys. It was designed to install and remove in seconds with no modifications required to the sled. Simply slip the bumper clamps over your bumper, and spin the large clamping nuts until they are tight. The bumper clamps are lined with rubber to protect your bumper, and the new hitch pulls from the outside edges of your bumper which is the strongest part, most other hitches pull from the center of the bumper which is the weakest. All that aside, the LCV (Look Cool Value) is high on this one. Really, who doesn’t want a billet aluminum trailer hitch? For complete details checkout www.tricked-toys.com
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Fly F2 Carbon Helmet
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GEAR BOX
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The F2 Carbon is a race inspired helmet with it’s own unique Fly style and identity. The weight is the first thing you notice, as this helmet is seriously light. The helmet also features 3 intake vents located just above the goggle eye port which helps keeps the goggles fog free. Shown here in racer orange. – Now get out there and be seen. For complete details head over to www.flyracing.com
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osmmag.com
Dragon NFX2 Goggles
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The all-new NFX2 goggles from Dragon are a mash-up of technology and design wizardry. The award winning design features the Swiftlock Technology, which makes swapping out the lens easy and quick. The NFX2 features a pair of integrated levers in the side of the goggle frame, which allows for an instant on-and-off lens switch. You know what this means? No more having to carry two sets of goggles out on the trail. You now only have to carry extra lenses – Boom. For complete details head over to www.dragonalliance.com
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Boost Jacket Guys trust us, the new Boost Jacket from FXR is going to get you noticed by the ladies this season. Do we need to say more? If you want to know the features, you can keep reading... The Boost is an uninsulated shell with a removable liner, which offers up fullseason wear ability. The designers have thrown everything at this jacket; zippered inner pockets on lining and zip out lining, hand pockets with fleece lining, hidden key pocket, removable hood and lycra cuff extensions. So not only does it look badass, it has serious design features to boot. For complete lineup head over to: www. fxrracing.com
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Carbide Grinding Tool
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From the makers of the Biteharder, this carbide sharpening tool comes with a 12v Carbide Grinding motor. This lightweight tool is an engineering masterpiece that allows you to sharpen your carbides using the power from your sled. Ergonomically designed for ease of use and yet small enough to carry in your snowmobile tool kit, this bad boy packs a serious punch. The high torque motor allows you to sharpen your carbides literally trail side and comes complete with a fused battery connector cable which features a universal trickle charger style connector. So no more excuses boys, when you’re cornering is not up to par, it’s no longer because your carbides are dull. For complete details check out www.biteharder.com
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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’s r Dayco e y buguide
GEAR BOX
DAY I L HO
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TRIPLE 9 SWITCH >> GOGGLES
We at OSM use this tool a lot so we felt it our duty to include it in this buyer’s guide. Dayco has a sh#t-ton of belts. The product list is mind-boggling.Ladies looking for an inexpensive gift that is sure to make your happy Dayco makes belts for practically every sled, so you canfavorite imagine sledder how many belts this they Holiday season? The new Switch goggle from Triple 9 is going to set you back around $80.00, but carry. With this new app for your smart phone you can literally scan your VIN number with he’ll think you blew the budget on them. With standard features your phone and it will spit out what exact Dayco belt your sled needs. Just think how cool like new and improved foam (which allows the goggles to breath you will look at the parts counter when you throw that down. getina too MySpace whileNext notstep, letting much air or snow dust), a large nose beak account, and you’re the man. Available on the App Storeand andlarger Gogglelens Play. to help with peripheral vision, you are getting a lot www.daycoproducts.com/Dayco-App. for the price point. There are many color and lens options as well.
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Lastly, any company that uses Darth Vader in a goggle ad needs to get mentioned in our buyer’s guide. For more information head over to your local Gamma De aler: www.gammasales.com
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Pro 2 Hybrid Boa Boot SUB ZERO GLOVE
is a pretty bigcold debate in the offices of OSM as to what is better, BOA or Lace? As the name may suggest this glove is made forItthose really days. Sure both sides of the debate Constructed from Leather and Thinsulate™ Insulation this gauntlet style have strong points. BOA is quicker, tighter, and offers more glove from Motorfist is the flagship of their glove support. lineup. Features include But laces are more comfortable, stronger and easier to replace if they break out reinforced thumb gusset, goggle squeegee, adjustable wristLeave strap, and to smash the debate and come out with an industry first Hybrid on the trail. it HMK 200g of extra insulation on the back of the hand.Boa/Lace The extra pads By on combining the system. the two, the Pro 2 boot offers up serious heel hold all the back of the glove, or as we call them, “Bashing-through-the-sapling while still being flexiblePads.” for comfort and stability. The boot is waterproof, windproof and still No, not really… For complete lineup head over to: www.motorfist.com
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breathable. A big thanks goes out to the designers for answering the call of our debate. Now we have to find something else to argue about… Bottle or Can…huh? Head over to www.hmkusa.com for complete lineup
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>> MBRP EXHAUST XP 800R Clutch Kit
Nothing says loving like a shiny pipe under the tree – Exhaust pipe that is. GGB makes a ton of silencers for a ton of sleds that in some cases boast Ski-Doo owners rejoice! STM Powersports has come out with a clutch kit for the 800cc MXZ, over 14lbs of weight savings. That is big weight savings, and think about it, RENEGADE and SUMMIT. The kit comes with billet aluminum, adjustable TRA arms to stock the proper if you shave 14lbs fromsetthe pipe by upgrading to an GGB exhaust it calibration along with a TRA primary spring. STM says this setup cure theas belt and belt wear the extra pounds you put on at kindawill nets out a heat ‘win-win’ against issues that the stock set ups are notorious for. The kit also gives the option forjust adding more massyourself to You keep telling that when the second helping of Christmas. turkey by…Available from for your local Gamma dealer: the TRA arms if increasing horse power with engine mods. For suregoes this set up is the best bang www.gammasales.com your buck. For complete details check out www.stmpowerposrts.com
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OnSnow 4.75 x 2.25 • Tracks USA 2016 Track ad TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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Engine Ice IS an Antifreeze with Protection to -26°F (-32°C). Perfect For Your High Performance Sled!
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Heated Recon Glove FXR took an already great glove and added heating elements to make the Recon one serious glove for cold weather riding. The 3-stage thermal heat setting is controlled by an easy to use exterior button and can provide up to 4.5 hours of heat. The gloves also come with two rechargeable lithium batteries and a North American wall charger. So if your ride takes you to the deep freeze, then the heated Recon Gloves should be on your “I need that” list. For complete lineup head over to: www.fxrracing.com
for a Enter ce chan rn a Wa to WIN ntage a V Pro inch -S W! (M SRP) 3500 e: $700
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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The newest addition to the GMAX line-up is the all-new modular GMAX 64 Vortex Helmet. The designers at GMAX have taken into account the fact that the sleds have evolved to a rider-forward position so they designed the helmet with more wind and cold protection. The frame design allows for one constant sealing surface for the shield and jaw to keep the snow out. Another design aspect is the new dual-pivoting modular jaw that allows the “flip-jaw” to rotate further back and sits lower on the crown. GMAX even added a lift-assist feature to make lifting the jaw even easier. This is one serious helmet if full face is your thing. For complete details check out: www.gmaxhelmet.com
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>>
BUYER’S GUIDE
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GMAX 64 Vortex Helmet >>>>>>
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Mission XPE Goggle New from FXR this year is the Mission XPE goggle. Just by wearing the goggle you can tell the designers at FXR are serious sledders. The nose-bridge for example was engineered with a high profile to alleviate that annoying irritation on your sniffer. You know what we are taking about. The goggles also feature a vented 2mm impact resistant dual lens (with UV Protection), triple density face foam and a fully adjustable elastic strap that has 3 strips of silicone for maximum grip. For complete lineup and colors head over to: www.fxrracing.com
Side Support Pole
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Here is a unique new product that falls into the category of, “why did it take so long for someone to come up with this.” The Side Support Pole allows you to simply and effectively hold your sled securely on its side. The fully adjustable locking mechanism gives you the flexibility to tip any sled over so you can get to the bottom of your skis…say to sharpen your carbides. The Biteharder Side Support Pole also features a universal handle bar adapter, and a rubber tipped bottom for pavement or garages, a removable snow basket that allows for use in packed snow. Convenience, simplicity, safety and performance!... Just what you’d expect from Biteharder. For complete details check out: www.biteharder.com
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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>>>>>>
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Mini 120 High Performance Speedshop Exhaust Race Kit Looking to shave a little weight and add a few more ponies this year? Speed Shop Inc. has a very cool line of Titanium and Stainless Steel exhaust for most of the recent models. The Arctic Cat 800 and 6000 mufflers only weigh 2.5 lbs in Titanium and only 4.75 lbs in Stainless Steel. The Polaris AXYS 800, Etec 800, Etec 600, and Polaris 800/600 (non AXYS) all only weigh 2.8 lbs in Titanium and 5.35 lbs in Stainless. Not only do you benefit from a huge weight loss, but Speedshop dyno tested them at Dyno Tech Research and they picked up 3 horsepower as well. These are baffled canister mufflers that are trail friendly, not a loud straight through muffler. SSI also has Titanium and Stainless Steel performance pipes too. The Titanium mufflers $399 and the Stainless Steel versions are only $199. For complete line up and details head over to www.speedshopinc.com
Attention all Dads out there! Want to make that 120 go a little faster? Then look no further than the high performance race kit from Goodwin Performance. Designed around racing, there is enough adjustment in the kit to use it for recreation or different levels of racers. The kit includes 1 race clutch, 1 quick-change hub, a # 35 race chain, 2 sprockets, extra set of springs, and governor rod kit. There is a serious speed increase from this kit, so may we suggest you refrain from telling Mom exactly what you are doing out in the garage. Just sayin’. For complete details check out www. goodwinperformance.com
THE REASON WE ARE NAMED DYNOPORT IS:
Dyno = Dynamometer and Port = Porting Mad Scientist Rich Daly
Pipes were an offshoot of our porting, and the pipe business became Giant
Mad Scientist Rich knows pipes and porting - so why would you let anyone else grind your cylinder? - Pipes - Y’s - Big Core Barker - Trail Silencers - Clutch Kits
Photo: Kayla Donley - Dead Center Photography
WWW.DYNOPORT.COM
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CAT POLARIS SKI-DOO
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
HMK Optics
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New from HMK this year is sunglasses. Always being a fashion-forward thinking company it only makes sense that they come out with some really cool glasses. All the styles offer up 100% UV protection and come with a hard case. It is the names of the glasses we are most impressed with: The Jamison, The Jim, The Jack, The Johnnie and The Crow. Have yah figured out the theme? We did. Head over to www.hmkusa.com for complete lineup
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SPX Shovel
New from SPX is the adjustable aluminum snow shovel. Featuring a shovel, 35” saw and fully adjustable handle making ditch digging a breeze. That’s right we bang ditches, and have the t-shirt to prove it. Available at your local Gamma Powersports Dealer. www.gammapowersports.com
INSIDE
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Julie Benton
Polaris Snowmobiles Marketing Manager have a woman in a position such as yours. Do you see yourself approaching things any differently because of it? I have been very fortunate to work with many amazing people at Polaris in the eight years that I have been here, both men and women. It is a fact that many leaders in our industry are men, and I am extremely proud to be a part of a growing group of female leaders. However, I wouldn’t say my approach is different because I’m a woman. I’d say my approach is simply about learning, listening and understanding our customers, and utilizing that knowledge along with my marketing experience to do the best things for Polaris and our riders.
There’s a new girl in charge of snowmobile marketing at Polaris, and the gang at OSM was fortunate enough to chat with Julie Benton during Haydays this past September. Julie has been with Polaris for eight years, and during that time has worked as both a Marketing Specialist and Product Manger, utilizing her Carlson School of Management undergraduate degree, and soon to be completed MBA from the University of St. Thomas in the process. Julie represents a new breed of young, talented and business savvy leaders entering the snowmobile industry, and after talking with Julie for this issue’s “5-Minutes”, it’s safe to say the future of the sport is in good hands. Polaris has been growing at an incredible pace as of late, not just with the powerhouse off-road products such as RZR and Ranger, but also through the launch of Indian, Slingshot and several acquisitions. Obviously, Polaris has deep roots when it comes to snowmobiles, but should Polaris snowmobile fans be concerned about the future of Polaris snowmobiles? Polaris started as a snowmobile company and we are committed to continuing to innovate and grow our snow business. Not only have we introduced several new and innovative products in the past few years, including the new AXYS chassis and 800 H.O. Cleanfire Engine, but also look at Polaris’ recent acquisition of Timbersled. Polaris is clearly dedicated to investing in snow! The vast and diverse Polaris portfolio of brands is an advantage to our company as well as our riders. It allows our company to have an expanded pool of resources and talent to leverage, as we develop the best products available on the market! The Rush and subsequent AXYS with Pro-Ride suspension was a major departure from what was considered the “norm” in snowmobile design, and it came at a time when the industry as a whole was struggling in terms of numbers. Obviously, it has been quite successful, but from a marketing standpoint, has it been challenging to change riders’ perceptions and have them try something different that is “outside the box”? The PRO-RIDE suspension was an industry game-changer when it launched in 2010 on the RUSH. It showed Polaris’ commitment to innovation and pushing technology to new places in order to improve the ride experience for our customers. Snowmobilers crave innovation; however, there was certainly some skepticism in the beginning with this product. What I have found is that the best way to change riders’ perceptions is to let them hear what other riders have to say. Those that have ridden this product agree that it has lived up to the hype. However, what’s great about our current line-up of sleds is that we have options for everyone. So, if you decide that the RUSH isn’t the right sled for you and how you ride, we have options like INDY for those that want a great on-trail sled at a great value.
For several years, the industry has worked hard at trying to attract more women to the fold. Do you foresee Polaris or yourself executing any special initiatives as it relates to this objective in the future? At Polaris, we want to offer the best experience for all riders. We are definitely working on some initiatives to attract new people into the sport, and that includes women, younger riders, and those that have never experienced snowmobiles before. We always want to help breakdown boundaries for riders to help them get into the sport. The opportunity we have right now with Timbersled is a great way to bring a new market of dirt riders into the snow world. In addition, some of our sponsored athletes that host riding clinics, like Dan Adams and Matt Entz, are doing great things to help women get into the sport. They are showing them how to improve their skills in settings, and using techniques that make sense for them. I’m very excited to continue supporting these initiatives and pushing the sport further! Clubs are the lifeblood of this sport. They build and maintain trails and riding areas, work tirelessly behind the scenes when it comes to access and other legislative issues, and often times are the access point for new riders to the sport. What are some things Polaris is doing to support these clubs, and can we expect new ideas going forward? Great question! I absolutely agree that the trail clubs and associations, along with their dedicated volunteers, are critical assets for our sport. Polaris has always been, and continues to be dedicated to supporting these groups. One of our new initiatives that support these groups is the RiderX app. This app was developed to help riders find available trails and waypoints in order to enhance their riding experience. As Polaris looks to continue building the app, we are collaborating with long standing partners like snowmobile clubs, local state associations, and trail support teams. For example, Polaris is offering association clubs the opportunity to advertise their association club name, contact info, and website on relevant maps free of cost.
It could be argued that snowmobiling is a good-old-boys sport, with mostly men buying the product, and mostly men in decision-making positions behind the scenes. It’s refreshing to
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
onsnow INDUSTRY 411
osmmag.com
SPLIT RAIL SKIS
BY
now you’ve probably either heard of, seen a pair, or maybe even own a pair of the innovative looking and even better performing Split Rail skis. This unique ski design was the brainchild of Split Rail President and founder Rob Wrightman. The staff here at OSM has sampled the ski as well, and we were blown away by the performance, reduced effort, and incredible precision of this unique design. This past fall we were passing through the company’s home base in Gravenhurst, Ontario and dropped in to get the full 411 on Split Rail for this issue. Operations Manager Ian Coneybeare was gracious enough to show us around and answer our questions on this truly innovate ski.
During Split Rail’s Switch and Go demo ride days, customers can sample the skis for themselves, and then switch their old skis in for a new set of Split Rails, right on site.
What was the impetus for starting the company? Rob (Wrightman, the company founder and president) really wanted to produce a snowmobile ski that had unparalleled handling characteristics. It was his vision and expertise that led to the first Split Rail ski being developed. Where did you come up with the idea for the Split Rail? After watching powerboat racing on Georgian Bay, Rob noticed that the catamaran tunnel hull boats could turn on a dime at incredibly high speeds, with extreme precision and stability. Almost overnight, the idea came together that snow is just frozen water, so why couldn’t that catamaran design be applied to the snow? Ever since USI and SLP introduced composite type skis, there have been a lot of differing ideas and ski designs introduced over the past 15 to 20 years. Obviously, your ski looks much different than others; why is it better? The Split Rail Ski eliminates darting, corner push, and reduces steering effort because there isn’t a keel. Conventional skis have an inherent design flaw; that being a center keel. When you eliminate the keel, you eliminate darting, you eliminate pushing in the corners, and you eliminate heavy steering effort. It sounds like a bold statement, but it really is true. The Split Rail skis solve all three of those issues. Our customers often refer to the Split Rail skis as having the “power steering effect”. Point the skis where you want to go and it is truly like “riding on rails”!
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Aside from a growing dealer network, Split Rail also attends several snowmobile shows in the fall, including OSM’s own Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV and Powersports show in late October. Look for them this year if you’re at the show.
Skis ready for shipment.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
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How do you test your products? Ride them! We have every model of machine that we make the skis for and test them extensively in every snow condition; from the first snow fall, to deep mountain powder, to even open water, all while trying different carbide and suspension set ups. We have Gueco Racing in Alaska racing with our Split Rail Skis in ICE-X Racing and the Iron Dog Race. The snowmobile magazines have tested them extensively on all different kinds of machines and terrain, with exceptional results. What’s the best way to purchase your products/services? We a have an ever growing dealer network, and we sell directly to customers who do not have a local Split Rail Ski dealer. Contact us through our website at www.splitrailski.com or call us toll free at 1-888-771-9872 and we’ll direct you accordingly. Do you offer any type of warranty or guarantee? Absolutely! We offer our exclusive “Ride Guarantee”. For example, if you buy and register a pair of Split Rail skis this fall, and you’re not 100% satisfied with your new Split Rail Skis, return your undamaged skis for a refund before January 15th 2016 (excludes carbides and freight). We also have a one year warranty against manufacturer defects. Do you have any new products or services that you are looking to introduce this year, or the near future, that has you excited? We have prototype fitments for the Arctic
According to Ian, Split Rail is finalizing details on new fitments for the Arctic Cat ProCross and Yamaha SRV chassis sleds. The results are said to literally transform the handling characteristics of those sleds.
Cat Pro Cross and Yamaha Viper chassis in development. The results from testing the prototypes as with all our fitments are exceptional. The Split Rail Skis completely change the handling characteristics on the chassis into an extraordinarily precise and predictable handling machine, with reduced steering effort. It’s a lot like going from a Miata to a Ferrari. These skis will completely change the way you think of snowmobile handling. Tell us something about the company that you wish more people knew. There are three things that I’d like to mention: The first is that we offer demo rides; December 19th, January 9th, 16th, 23rd and February 6th and 20th at our head office in Gravenhurst, Ontario. If you can’t make it to one of our demo rides, you can even call for a private demo. We call these demos our “Switch and Go Program”, and it allows potential customers to really feel the difference for themselves. Second, the Split Rail Ski is one of the best off trail skis that I’ve ever used. It gives you a very flickable front end with tons of floatation, letting you jump on and off trail with ease. Lastly, our patented Split Rail Ski was designed from the snow up. There is simply nothing else like it. I’m assuming everyone at the company is a snowmobile enthusiast. Where are your favorite places to ride? Enthusiasts might be the wrong word, more like obsessed. In the dead of summer you can always overhear us talking sleds and what will be the best ride of the year. We are located in the heart of Muskoka, and you can’t be in a much better riding area than that. Tight
twisty trails, open meadows, lake running, technical off trail and smack dab in the middle of the snow-belt. This is our favorite place to ride. What’s next for the company? Our goal is to become standard equipment on an OEM snowmobile, which many of our customers repeatedly say to their local dealers and manufacturer reps (this is always appreciated and we hope it continues). In 10 words or less tell us why someone should choose Split Rail? It’s like “riding on rails”! No longer a figure of speech! For more information on Split Rail or to contact them you can call them at 1-888-771-9872, email them at info@splitrailski.com , or go online and check ‘em out at www.splitrailski.com
Back in the hidden confines of the Split Rail facility, new designs are being molded and tested for future applications.
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
The “true” split design of the ski is the design feature behind the pure tracking ability of the namesake ski.
Despite strong demand for Split Rail Skis, the company is well prepared for the season with a huge inventory of skis in stock. ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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Pat Bourgeois
FLOAT BOWL
THE LITTLE ONES Great afternoon to hang at the Excell Eastern Grass Drags in Bouckville, New York
It
was only inevitable the vacant 3-acre lot next to our house would eventually be sold and a new home would be built amongst the jumble of prairie grass that has occupied it for the past several years. I had moved to the “country” in search of open spaces and perhaps in some ways, in an effort to return to my roots of growing up on a farm where you could do what you want, when you want, with no one complaining or even knowing. The new house has taken shape quickly, and the new neighbors have made several trips to their future home – checking on the construction progress and often times simply walking the open spaces of the property that extends far beyond the new home to the tree lined marsh in the back. I know the feeling; I did that often as we built our home, and still do, taking in the sights and sounds that simply can’t be found in an urban setting. Eventually I had a chance to get to know the new neighbors a bit better during one of those walks to the “back”. After the obligatory exchange of names, the conversation turned to work, extended family and hobbies. I motioned to my shop, where two trailers
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were parked out front and through the open door you could see a smattering of motorcycles, old sleds and a collector car. I told him I was a writer, and eventually I showed him a copy of OSM. “Wow, you must get to go to some cool places,” he said as he flipped through the pages of the magazine. I thought about it for a minute and nodded my head in agreement. I do get to travel and ride in some locations that others likely never will. I’ve ridden in practically every snowbelt state and province in North America; I’ve traveled to Norway, Sweden and Finland; and I’ve even ridden across the glaciers of Iceland. All of those “big” trips have left me with some amazing memories, but most pale in comparison to other trips and events I’ve experienced on a much smaller scale. My new neighbor went on to talk briefly about his snowmobiling experience and memories; it was a story that I’ve heard a hundred times before. His parents had snowmobiles and he fondly remembers riding with his father and mother, enjoying hot dogs around a fire, and being towed on a sled in the waning daylight after school. As an industry we often get caught up
in the “big one”. From major snowmobile shows like our very own Toronto Powersports show to the big party on dirt known as Haydays; or major races like the Eagle River Derby or the Duluth National Snocross; or “epic” riding destinations such as British Columbia, the Big Horns, or the amazing trails of Quebec. Yet for every “big one” there are a hundred more little ones - from local swap meets and grass drags, to club radar runs and chili feeds. These small social gatherings and competitions are in many ways the lifeblood of our sport and more often than not create the most lasting memories, just like the one’s our parents and their snowmobiles made with us when we were younger. I was reminded of this just a few weeks ago as Rich (OSM Publisher) and I attended a small grass drag in upstate New York. It was an idyllic setting, with a small swap, some great racing, and bunch of snowmobile enthusiasts simply there to enjoy the day. The pace and size was a whole lot slower and smaller than the much bigger and more hyped Haydays, yet I found myself enjoying the event and new faces I had met that weekend just as much, if not more. There were no big factory haulers, no new sled unveilings, and no after-hour industry parties. Instead it was just a gathering of sledders, a few coolers of beer, and a beautiful fall afternoon. For most of us, those simple childhood memories of riding the family snowmobile around the yard were impactful enough to hook us for life. While we may always search out the epic events and rides as adults, it’s often times the “little ones” that deliver the bigger smiles and bigger memories that last a lifetime. J
TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
onsnow osmmag.com
Every pilot needs a Navigator™ - Woody’s® Navigator™ Ski Protector is exactly that, an accessory that will protect your Pilot ski from wear. While protecting your ski it will also help reduce darting. The Navigator™ works with any single Pilot runner in the market that has a host bar up to 1/2 inch.
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Contact your local dealer and order Woody’s Navigator™ today! International Engineering & Mfg., Inc. • 6054 N. Meridian Rd. • Hope, MI 48628 • 989-689-4911 Email: woodys@wiem.com • www.WoodysTraction.com • © IEM 2015. All rights reserved.
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TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 23-25, 2015 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com
ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 6 • ISSUE 2
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LAST GASP
Greg Goodwin Goodwin Performance
With snowmobiling roots tracing back to the 1970’s, Jeff and Greg Goodwin know a thing or two about racing, competition, performance, and hard work. Their appetite for snowmobile racing has never subsided, even after they hung up the racing leathers and focused more of their time on their growing performance business and the racing endeavors of family and friends. Both Jeff and Greg hold Eagle River World Championship titles and that championship experience has parlayed into one of the most respected performance shops in the industry. We caught up with Greg Goodwin this summer to get his Last Gasp insight before the winter season begins. To learn more about Goodwin Performance and their complete line of performance goodies visit them online at www.goodwinperformance.com
Last time you traveled overseas? At this point I haven’t but would sure like to travel to Europe one of these days.
Last snowmobile ride you took: It was late March near Eagle River, Wisconsin; the season was cut short last year and we didn’t get to ride as much or as long as we would have liked to. Last person that truly inspired you: My son Garrett after his 2011 paralyzing accident; he has demonstrated unparalleled determination and motivation to continue to strive to reach his goals. Last song or band you listened to? Kings of Leon Last movie you saw? I believe it was Unbroken. Last industry event you attended? It happened to be the Western Power Sports/Fly 2016 products preview… some nice stuff coming. Lasting impression that you would like to leave on the industry? Hopefully a very positive impression based on our innovative quality products and services offered over the years. Last adventure you took? This summer after golfing with friends we decided to hike up a ski jump in northern Michigan - those skiers are crazy!
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Last snowmobile you drove that was a real eye opener? Last winter while doing some clutch work on a customer’s Arctic Cat 1100 Turbo XF that wasn’t far from 275 HP. Definitely an eye opener! Last time you pulled an all nighter? A couple of years ago driving back from the ISOC race in Deadwood, South Dakota; I had to crack open some 5 hour energy drink.
Last time you were so cold you asked yourself what you were doing? Back in my Formula 1 racing days, we had a race in Hibbing, Minnesota where the ambient temperature was – 30F. Last product or project at Goodwin Performance that had you truly excited? Because of the different power band on the 800 E-TEC we felt a new TRA ramp profile was needed. After a few revisions we’ve been very happy with the end result.
Last brush with greatness? Every time I see my dad!
Last racing event you attended? It was the season finale ISOC race in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.
Last words your mother always told you? No matter what the situation, always give your best.
Last thing that you hope to be remembered for? Being a great husband, father, and person.
Lasting snowmobile memory that you had? I think it would be winning the 1991 World Championship…on second thought, it would have to be watching my son Garrett winning Gold at the 2015 Winter X Games adaptive snocross this past January in Aspen.
Last cool car, bike, snowmobile that you owned? 2016 Ski-doo E-TEC 600 XRS Last words of advice? With everyone these days living life in the fast lane I’d say to take time to enjoy life, hopefully outdoors.
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/// YAMAHA-SNOWMOBILES.COM © 2015 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Prototype model shown. Final specifications may vary. Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Always ride within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Know the conditions. Observe all state and local laws. Don’t drink and ride.