OSM USA 9.2

DON’T MISS THE WORLD’S LARGEST SNOWMOBILE SHOW!

PRESENTED BY

TORONTO INTERNATIONAL SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCTOBER 19-21 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

ALL-NEW INDY XC850

www.osmmag.com

MOUNTAIN 10 BACKCOUNTRY MUST HAVES VENERABLE VIPER THE LAST SLED YOU’LL EVER OWN?

@onsnowmagazine VOL 9 • NO 2 • $ 5.95

DISPLAY UNTIL DEC 31, 2018

DISCOVERED EVEL KNIEVEL SNOWMOBILE

DON’T COMPROMISE PERFORMANCE & COMFORT WHEN SAFETY IS A PRIORITY

TEAM FX JACKET

The Team FX Jacket combines high perfomance with our life saving, ultra-light-weight, F.A.S.T.™ Constructed of a durable nylon shell featuring HydrX™ with Omni-Stretch™ inserts and a removable liner. The Team FX also has lifesaving, lighweight F.A.S.T. Float Assist Safety Technology.

Offering buoyancy assistance when submerged in water. F.A.S.T. allows riders to stay afloat, while rapidly draining water and self-leveling to assist the escape. Feel confident knowing you are wearing life saving F.A.S.T.

WWW.POLARIS.COM

PAS S O N A T R A D I T I O N THOUSANDS OF MILES IN THE MAKING.

2 01 9 I N DY® XC 1 2 9

|

2 01 9 S W I TC H BAC K® P R O - S

|

2 01 9 R U S H ® XC R ®

Follow more epic trails, celebrate more riding firsts and find more thrills in every mile.

All because you’re BORN FOR MORE.

NO SHORTCUTS

Boasting the thickest lens in the industry, a massive field of vision and SCOTT’s proprietary lens lock system, the SCOTT PROSPECT SNOWCROSS delivers on all fronts. Leave nothing on the table, your time is now. Allow the SCOTT Prospect to Defend Your Vision during your unwavering pursuit of victory.

SCOTT-SPORTS.COM | © SCOTT SPORTS SA 2018

MADE IN THE USA

CHRIS BROWN

clicked

HANG TIME Cody McDonough defies gravity as he busts a Rocky Mountain drift in Pemberton, BC. Rider: Cody McDonough Photographer: Johan Hisved Location: Pemberton, BC

clicked

BREAK THROUGH Not every photo shoot occurs during blue bird days. Getting the shot during adverse conditions separates the shooter from the photographers.

RIDER: Levi LaVallee LOCATION: Revelstoke SHOOTER: Pär Berglund

contents

46

FEATURES 42 46 TIME TRACKS

THE EVEL KNIEVEL SPECIAL

BIRTH OF A PATRIOT

MAKING THE POLARIS 850 PATRIOT

12

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

60 68 74

60 BEST INDY EVER THIS MIGHT JUST BE THE PERFECT SLED

BACKCOUNTRY READY

10 MUST-HAVES FOR THE BACKCOUNTRY

VENERABLE VIPER COULD THIS BE THE LAST SNOWMOBILE YOU’LL EVER OWN?

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

86GEARBOX COLUMNS 16 36 40

DRIFTS

RICHARD KEHOE

WINGING IT WITH LEVI

LEVI LAVALLEE

BACKCOUNTRY CHRIS BURANDT

92

FLOAT BOWL

PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS

74

18 28 29 30 32 34 78 82 94

INDUSTRY NEWS WORD SEARCH SUDOKU TAKE 5 LAWN ORNAMENTS THE FAB 4 INDUSTRY 411 5 MINUTES WITH… LAST GASP

42 68

VOLUME 9 NUMBER 2

FAST CYLINDER REPAIR SERVICE NiCom® Plated

WE PURCHASE USED AND WORN CYLINDERS

President & Publisher: Richard Kehoe Editorial Director: Pat Bourgeois Copy Editor: Rick Bloye

Lubricated Piston Skirt Coating $35.00 Plated Big Bore Kits • Core Exchanges Endorsed by MCB Performance/RK Tek

Art Director: Darryl Aspin Production Manager: Tendra Crossman

Full Service Nikasil Cylinder Services

Snowmobiles • ATVs • Mercury Marine Watercraft • Motorcycles

Toll facebook.com/ 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

General Manager: Michael Blakoe Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Sr. Manager Sales & Marketing: Matt Clark Sales: Ben Morrison Coordinator: Logan Gamble Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day Photographers: Todd Williams, Brian Brown, Erik Fleischhacker, David McKinney , Brandon Caplar, Brett Moist, Aaron Belford, Joe Wiegele, Gary Walton, Lissa Marsolek, Steve Hamilton, CJ Ramstad Archives, Pat Bourgeois, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Matt Clark, Brandon Caplar Contributing Writers: Levi LaVallee, Jason MacDonald, Matt Clark, Tyler Swarm, Darren Desautels, Jacob Travers, Jordan Hammack, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Mike Blakoe, Matt Clark, Logan Gamble, Jeff Steenbakkers Subscriptions 1-888-661-7469 or info@osmmag.com

FACEBOOK.COM/ONSNOWMAGAZINE

OSM is published five times a year by OSM Publishing Ltd. Office address and undelivered copies and change of address notice is: PO Box 551, 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada. Telephone 1-888-661-7469. Printed in Canada by LoweMartin Group, Dollco Division. • Copyright 2018 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

HEAD OFFICE 27083 Kennedy Road Willow Beach, ON L0E 1S0, Canada toll-free ph: 888-661-7469 toll-free fax: 888-680-7469 email: info@osmmag.com www.osmmag.com

14

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

2019

SIDEWINDER X-TX SE 141 /// YOU DECIDE WHERE THE RIDE ENDS NEW STEALTH CONTROLS I 998 GENESIS TURBO ENGINE I FOX® ZERO QS3 SUSPENSION

CROSSOVER CAPABILITY WITH INDUSTRY LEADING POWER

*Model may not be exactly as shown. Shown with optional accessories.

drifts

Richard Kehoe

GET YOUR TANKS TOPPED UP. THE SEASON IS ABOUT TO START!

If

you’re anything like me, you’re anxious for the winter to hit. Sled season is almost here, and there’s no time like the present to gear up and start spending a little more time in the garage. We’ve already been organizing our gear, and to be honest, I can’t wait for the sweet smell of race fuel.

Fall temperatures have set in, and field events and swaps are the talk of the shop these days. These are great places to start tackling your season’s hit list. Sometimes it’s the only place that you can get your old parts and collectables, or great deals and bargains on the items you’ve been looking for. Of course we were again at Haydays in Minnesota for the yearly brew ha-ha. Temps were gold, dust was at a minimum and deals were had. Outdoor events such as Burl’s Creek and Haydays can be a tough visit when you have to factor in the weather.

Don’t worry if you missed the above swaps, you can still get an old time swap in at the SLEDARAMA Snowmobile Show, Swap Meet and Show & Shine in November. This swap has grown and is continuing to grow and is only snowmobiles.

The “Grass Roots of Sledding”. Last year on the Saturday before the show, a half-inch of snow fell. It put some in to their winter coats, and others in the mood to sled. Everything was melted by 10am and there was a huge turnout. Sledarama is set for Sunday November 18, 2018, gates open at 8:30am.

Visit sledarama.ca for more information.

Our next stop on the way to the snow season is the 31st Annual Toronto International Snowmobile, ATV & Powersports Show, and October 19-21, 2018. This is the Worlds Largest Show of its kind, a true Powersports enthusiasts fantasy weekend. Everything in snowmobiling and ATVing all under one roof. If you’re needing anything for the upcoming season this is the easiest place to get it. From a new ride to a tow vehicle, to seeing the latest and greats products the industry has to offer. All the brand new 2019’s will be on display, it’s where you find out what’s new and what on sale! Manufacturers, distributors and dealer displays, even more tourism destinations, vintage snowmobiles and clubs, race teams, Snowcross, ice drags, grass drags and vintage racing… it’s the show you can’t miss. There’s even a huge Used Market, and let’s be honest, no one wants to drag their sled home on Sunday night.. deals are everywhere.

NEW THIS YEAR is the One Day SUNDAY SWAP in hall 3, swappers will set up in the crisp early hours on Sunday morning and a sea of vintage gold will be on display at the show. The Ulitmax Live freestyle show has new headliners such as; Brett Turcotte, Brody Wilson, Scott Murray, and London’s Kassie Boone.

Gearing up for the season couldn’t be any easier, and the parking is free! For more information visit torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

JANUARY 4-6, 2019 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE TORONTO

motorcyclesupershow.ca • 1-888-661-SHOW (7469)

16

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

KLIM’s entry into the GORE-TEX® insulated jacket/bib market was headlined by the Klimate Parka/Bib years ago. Since then, it’s received multiple updates in fit, style and material durability.

The Klimate provides a substantial 300 grams of 3M™ THINSULATE™ Insulation.

# K L IML IF E

K L I M .C O M

news

WITH FUTURE IN DOUBT, 01 IRON DOG RACE IS BACK ON When the Iron Dog Board of Directors met this past summer, the fate of the long-standing cross-country race across the rugged Alaskan bush was in jeopardy. Rumors of cancellation or at the very least, temporarily suspending the race until additional finances could be secured seemed at the time to be a very real possibility. But at a follow-up meeting in late August, the board voted unanimously to resume the race. According to Iron Dog President Jeff Johnson the race costs more than $400,000 to put on each year.

But thanks to sponsors who came on board this summer, and a commitment by more than 50 racers who said they want to be in the race this year, the race is back on for 2019. The board is also looking at adding more board members to help run the race and hiring a new executive director. While the race will stay relatively the same, some aspects will change. “More than likely we’ll not hold the ceremonial start in downtown Anchorage,” Johnson said. “We can spend our money in better places. The parking and maneuvering downtown wasn’t working out. We had a great turn out in Big Lake (last year) so we’ll just do other things there.” For more details on the race, changes in store, register or sponsor support, visit www.irondog.org

02

FXR LAUNCHES 2019 SNOW COLLECTION In the relentless pursuit of continuous improvements and keeping with the same passion for over 20 years which stays true to the bold styles that makes FXR who they are today, FXR has launched their 2019 Snow collection. Developed with performance and versatility in mind, this collection represents the blood, sweat and tears from a massive global team of designers, technical product specialists, manufacturers, test riders, racers, and ambassadors that are all dedicated to making sure every rider has the best experience on snow! To check out the complete 2019 Snow collection head over to fxrracing. com and enjoy!

18

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

news

MORE COLOR FOR THE TASTY MEAT TEAM

03

With the dog days of summer behind us and the dust of Hay Days settled, snocross chatter and announcements have started to heat up. Other than Tucker Hibbert’s retirement announcement this past spring, buzz of impending rule changes, driver swaps, and team shuffles have been quiet. However, our favorite meat snack race team Judnick Motorsports sent us an update with talk of bolstered support from Klim and more color pop to their rather mundane all black motif from year’s past. This is likely just the start of plenty more snocross chatter as the countdown to Duluth nears.

05

CURVE INDUSTRIES BRINGS IT ALL HOME

04

The crew from Curve recently announced they will be bringing all manufacturing capabilities in-house to their Waterville, New York facility. The move will allow the company to have better control over the process, bring products to market faster and greatly expanded their ability to develop new products.

Paris Compression Molding Company will be the in-house manufacturer and will produce Curve Industries’ products as well UHMW products for other businesses. The company is considered to be at the forefront of the UHMW compression molding business.

20

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

CAT ALPHA ONE NOW AVAILABLE IN SIX-HUNDO SIZE

Per usual, the Arctic Cat booth was the place to be this past Hay Days. The local maker not only unveiled two new race sleds, but they also pulled the sheets of an all-new 6000 series Alpha One. Outfitted with a 154” track with 3” paddles, the sled sports the same ProClimb chassis and other bits of goodness found on its bigger 800-cube sibling. However, this one will be powered by the potent and efficient 125-horsepower C-TEC2 6000 series engine.

A new color scheme was also part of the mix and may we add, is the best looking Alpha to date. Quantities will be limited and if spring order sales are any indication, these will sell fast!

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

news

GET A BETTER GRIP WITH 06 NEW CAMSO TRACKS Where the track meets the snow-pack is perhaps the most critical performance interaction for a snowmobile. This vital contact patch can make or break the riding experience. From traction, control, flotation and so much more, the track is the secret sauce. Thus, when the crew at Camso alerted us to a collection of new tracks to be introduced this winter, we dropped everything to learn more. Regarded by most as the industry leader in track design and manufacturing, they’re ready for the 2018-19 season with the introduction of three new track designs highlighted by the all-new ICE Storm 150. This pre-studded track features the same unique two-lug height design found in the Storm 150. The cup shaped center band lugs are 1.5-inches tall, while the outer band lugs are of a 1.25-inch design. The shorter lug on the outside allows the track to better pivot in the corners, thereby keeping the sled flat. Now with integrated carbide tips, the Storm provides added control and confidence on icy trails and frozen surfaces. Joining this track is a next generation Hurricane 175, an ideal crossover track for on and off-trail performance; and a new Conquer 260, a deep snow track with a softer rubber compound for improved lift in powder conditions. To learn more about these and other Camso tracks visit them online at camso.co

NEED HELP? 607-533-7434 22

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

news

07 NEW WEBSITE…

SAME GREAT SKI

If you haven’t taken the time to check out the new website from our pals at C&A Pro, now is the time. They have dramatically improved the site and you now have the ability to custom build your skis and see your color choices in action; get tech tips and answers to frequently asked questions; and learn more about some of the company’s brand ambassadors through a new sponsored rider section. The company now also accepts PayPal and PayPal Credit, making it even easier to get the ski of your choice before the snow hits.

08 OLD MAN

WINTER POISED TO RETURN WITH A VEGEANCE

If you’re over the sweltering heat and humidity that’s blanketed much of the country this summer, get ready for a rough winter. According to the Famers’ Almanac, the forthcoming winter season will be colder-than-normal with periods of “teeth-chattering” cold and best of all – the snow is predicted to be plentiful. The prediction further tells us the Northeast will be “cold and white” and the Midwest will have plentiful snowfall for most of the season. According to editor Peter Geiger, the company’s time-tested, long-range formula is pointing towards “a very long, cold and snow filled winter.”

09 TIMBERSLED

DROPS NEW 129-INCHER ARO

Seems track length is becoming a very particular thing. Just a few inches can make all the difference and can deliver ideal balance, just right traction or optimum flotation. This movement isn’t just limited to traditional snowmobiles either. The crew at Timbersled experienced similar performance attributes which is why they have just announced the release of the new Timbersled ARO 129 LE for the upcoming season. The length should give riders the easy to maneuver capabilities of a 120 but serves up 12% more flotation. The snowbike will feature a new 129” Traverse track, longer rails, extended side panels and a new tunnel top that serves up expanded cargo space. The buggy will come dipped in Titanium Matte Metallic, has colormatched accoutrements and will feature the Traverse Ski 2.0 up front with its tri-keel shape.

24

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

FINALLY, A PLACE TO SHOW OFF YOUR SLED

WWW.SLEDBUILD.COM WHAT IS DENNIS KIRK’S SLED BUILD? It’s a place to show your stuff. It’s also a place to view other people’s stuff. What stuff? Cool

SUBMIT YOUR BUILD For a chance at $250

sleds that have been customized, restored to stock condition or even an old restomod sled that is really cool. Doesn’t matter what your snowmobile was or is, this is the place to strut

ENTER YOUR EMAIL For a chance at $100

your stuff and tell everyone all about it! Head to the website and submit your pride and joy for the rest of the world to see.

Or visit the site and check out the awesome sleds others are turning out. Every one of them has a story to tell.

RATE YOUR FAVORITE Let the judges know who rocked the build

news

10

NEW RACE SEASON, SAME VENUES FOR ISOC 2019

We finally got a look at the much-anticipated race schedule for the AMSOIL Championship Snocross series for 2019. With Tucker retired, the anticipation for the new season seems to have new vigor as nearly every top pro approaches the season with a renewed sense of optimism. The venues and order will be a repeat of last winter, with the legendary Duluth National event kicking things off on the American Thanksgiving weekend in Duluth, Minnesota.

NOV 23-25 – Duluth, Minnesota DEC 7-8 – Jackson, Wyoming JAN 4-5 – Shakopee, Minnesota JAN 25-26 – Deadwood, South Dakota FEB 1-2 – Mt. Pleasant, Michigan FEB 22-23 – Salamanca, New York MAR 8-9 – Dubuque, Iowa MAR 15-17 – Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

RED WHITE 11 AND YOU Those sissy boys from the NFL can’t hold a candle to the patriotic pride you’ll feel when you pop for the all-new Patriot F3 lid from the kids at Klim. Decked out in stars and stripes with inlaid “In God We Trust” this will likely be the most wanted helmet on snow this winter. Don’t go taking a knee, see your local Klim dealer today to get yours before they’re gone.

26

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

news

12 PUT TUCKER ON YOUR BACK WITH NEW RIDE COLLECTION

It was an incredible ride…no other snocross racer in the world has amassed as many wins, championships, and accomplishments than number 68. In short, Tucker Hibbert has likely created a record that will never be bested. While his familiar black and green Monster Cat won’t be on the line this winter, or more appropriately atop the box in the winner’s circle, you can still celebrate his accomplishments with a new Incredible Ride Collection of gear. “Since I announced my retirement from snocross, I’ve been looking back on my career and thinking about what an incredible ride it’s been,” Hibbert said. “A lot of people played a role in my racing, including Team 68 fans. They cheered for me during so many race wins, gold medals and championships. They’re a part of my racing history and I hope they’ll be excited about this new line-up I created for them.” Offerings include t-shirts, hats, pins, mugs and more. To get yours visit his online store at tuckerstore. mybigcommerce.com

WORD SEARCH

A FEW SEEroom, AT THEhave WORLDS LARGEST SHOW! Need some time alone in yourYOU’LL thinking a seat on theSNOWMOBILE throne and AND give ATV it a go.

"A few you'll see at the WORLDS LARGEST SNOWMOBILE AND ATV SHOW!" MBRP The Garage V I N T A G E P A W S Y A D N U S Accessories Accessories AMSOIL OFSC Y A M A H A R T R A I L E R S I M Arctic AMSOIL Cat OSM E R A A D A N A C S T R A P H C O BACON Arctic Cat Parts Canada G D P O L A R I S T E N R D R A T Clubs BACON Polaris A C C E S S O R I E S S C L U B S CSRA Clubs Royal Distributing Ski-Doo R M A U S E D M A R K E T R R A U Customs CSRA Skis A R S C M O H A T O U R I S M C C Dayco Customs Stickers G D R O F I K K S T E K C A J O E Dealers Dayco Ford Studs E M N S I I E B L Y R D C R A N D Dealers Freestyle STV H A C T M L T L O G D E A L E R S GearFord Sunday Swap T M A P S E N N E K M I T Y A M K Goggles Freestyle Timken P R E I I O O D I K S R C K C S I Hygear GearSuspension Tourism Trailers R X F R E E S T Y L E T A L Y O S IgripGoggles B E M G O G G L E S A R V E S H A Jackets Hygear Suspension Used Market Kimpex Vintage M N O I S N E P S U S R A E G Y H Igrip Yamaha S T U D S S Y T S R E K C I T S L MapsJackets R O Y A L D I S T R I B U T I N G Kimpex

Maps 28

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

MBRP The Garage

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Sudoku - EASY

9.2/33.2

SUDOKU - EASY

onsnow osmmag.com

OSM The Sport. The Lifestyle. For Snowmobilers. From Snowmobilers.

2

3

8 8

6

1

4

7

4 7

3 3

6

4 2

6 5

OCTOBER 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE

8 7

2

1

1 6

3

2 5

4

9

9

3

6 1

2

7

JANUARY 4-6, 2019 motorcyclesupershow.ca

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

29

take 5

ONE

The lone-wolf, Han Solo, the one and only…is one really the loneliest number you’ll ever know? Here are five solitary ideas for this issue’s Take 5.

METALLICA

The unedited version of the video was long, disturbing and in some ways changed the landscape of music videos from that point forward. When Metallica released the long-awaited follow-up to Master of Puppets, mainstream audiences were just starting to catch-on to the energy and intoxicating music they were producing. The album ‘Justice for All’ transformed the band to mainstream stars, and the single ‘One’ was their first top 40 single in the United States, and also earned the band a Grammy in 1990. Hardcore fans deem ‘Justice’ as the band’s “last pure album” before “selling out” with their follow-up selftitled album often, referred to as the ‘Black Album’.

ALOUETTE VILLAIN

We suspect most young whipper-snappers will view the new Alpha One monorail rear suspension as an industry first.

And while we certainly give Arctic Cat credit for rethinking the modern slide-rail design for deep snow applications, this isn’t the first time a single rail has been employed in a snowmobile. In 1972, the Alouette Villain also featured a monorail design. It was developed for racing, and while it wasn’t very successful in ovals, it proved to be a very formidable grass dragger.

SKI-DOO ALPINE

The Alpine hasn’t been the only single ski snowmobile in the industry, but it’s quite likely the most well-known and successful. The Alpine was Ski-Doo’s workhorse sled and enjoyed a spot in the line-up for 32 years, ending in 1995.

The original Alpine was called the RD8, an acronym standing for Rotax Dual 8-horsepower. The dual referred to the dual track design of the later named Alpine, and the single ski was employed to reduce the chances of the sled getting hung-up on branches or brush while working off-trail.

30

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

THE ONESIE

ALPHA ONE

It will likely be viewed as one of the most significant developments in snowmobile design in the past 10-years.

The single beam rear suspension known as the Alpha-One is poised to forever change how we ride a snowmobile off-trail, and has given Arctic Cat a homerun blast in dealerships across the Snowbelt. The Alpha One serves up intuitive control, less effort, reduced snow load and a dramatically lighter design…and it’s only year one. Alert the ride clinic instructors - wrong foot forward on both sides of the tunnel could very well be a thing of the past.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

If you’ve ever ridden with one knee on the seat and a scarf partially sucked into the intake horn, then you know all about the original one-piece snowmobile suit. Adorned with patches, a flashy buckle around your waist, and smelling as if you had a two-stroke exhaust party in your pants, the onepiece was synonymous with snowmobiling in the 1970s. Today, clothing manufacturers have ushered in the return of the onesie; this time being brighter, warmer and more comfortable than the original.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

31

lawn ornaments The fever for Lawn Ornaments has never been stronger as your submissions keep filling up our inbox. From rusted and forgotten buggies behind the garage, to those purt-near-mint, center-of-the-lawn, almost modern rides just waiting for first snow, we want to see the lawn ornaments in your neck of the snowbelt. Snap a photo and send it in. If your photo is selected and published, you will receive a freshly screened OSM #RunsOnSpray t-shirt.

Email your pics to info@osmmag.com. Remember, curb appeal is nice… snowmobiles are better.

We found this Alpin and couldn’t believe that someone left this fine buggy outside. We couldn’t help but notice the aftermarket ski skin…. or the bunny by the rear bumper!

Like a pack of rabid pit bulls protecting their yard, these RXLs are here for business!

Even when this sled was brand new in ‘88, the 340cc was never known to ‘throttle out of anything’. Buuuuurrrrrp Throttle out! Submitted by David Zahn

32

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

Let’s give a shout out to James Cole for capturing the mood so perfectly with these sweet finds. A mint collection of 600cc Arctic Cats and Ski-doo’s from the early 2000s look like they are slowly being parted out…We’re positive James’s better half is enjoying seeing any progress.

Looks like this Moto-ski was parked at the end of the winter, long forgotten and left behind for another summer… lets draw our attention to the car with numbers in the background, yet again, stored for another winter.

Stay classy Mr. Jason Watts, stay classy.

Here’s a guy that loved his sled so much he turned it into a wheelbarrow. It’s in transition right now with the skis removed awaiting the wheel installation. We have two suggestions for this yard waste moving tool. Remove the spare belt as that looks like it could fetch you a few extra bucks, and load the sticks after you’ve installed the tire.

This has lawn ornament written all over it. On display in such a manner, how could we not publish this beaut?

Jason will receive this issues artistic award from shooting this fantastic ornament behind the dog trees.

As we’ve heard before, “shooting behind trees is artistic man”. Enjoy the shirt!

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

33

Dave Wahl Wahl Bros

My life has pretty much evolved around snowmobile racing since the 70’s so there really hasn’t been much time for the trail. It’s hard to narrow down to four machines that really stand out to me, but these are ones that are memorable, and I own with the exception of the John Deere. Lots of great snowmobiling memories!

1974 John Deere 295 S The first machine that I raced consistently as a Junior was a 1974 John Deere 295 S. This was a fast machine, 40 plus HP with dual Mikuni’s and handling that was far from ideal. It had the laid back steering post/bars that made it more like steering a boat than a snowmobile. The machine had a slide rail suspension with a cleated track. The cleats had offset notches in them so the impending cleat breakage was pre-planned. Made for a pretty light machine of mostly aluminum construction, it even had aluminum skis. Riding this really made me wish I had a 340 S knowing I’d win all the races if I just had one of them!

1988 Ski-Doo Twin Track Life on the racetrack got a lot easier when I made the switch from a single track machine to the 1988 Ski-Doo Twin Track. It had the same 340cc Rotax but instead of burping the throttle with a front end push, you just put it to the bars. A cable from the steering post connected to a Can-Am motorcycle friction clutch disengaged the inside track when turning and lots of throttle made it turn. The A-frame suspension offered consistent front end bite from the start to finish. Twin Track machines were great in the corner, but you really needed a death grip on it from the flagman to corner entry. My best racing memories were on this type of machine!

1982 Ski-Doo Elite The 1982 Ski-Doo Elite was mint. This machine was a real cruiser having an electric start, reverse, stereo and a powerful type 454 liquid cooled Rotax. Black in color with gold pinstriping makes for great styling. It has dual 15” wide tracks that’ll go through almost anything. If you did get stuck, hopefully you could find a Bombardier to pull you out. Unsure of top speed but 35 MPH is plenty fast with the leaf spring front suspension.

Stylish and functional!

1963 Snow-Trac ST-4 The 1963 Snow-Trac ST-4, another twin track machine but of a much different type. My life has for sure slowed down now with 15 MPH being a good safe speed and less chance of spilling your favorite beverage. Seating six semi-comfortably is a terrific machine for touring the northern swamps with not much chance of getting stuck. Powered by a Volkswagen air-cooled engine with a 4-speed transmission connected to two large clutches they called “variators”. This allows it to be steered with a steering wheel, when turning the track slows down on one side and speeds up on the other not pulling the engine down. Made in Sweden by Aktiv and distributed by Arctic Enterprises in the 70’s. Good times…

34

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

DRY

FIT

WARM

DRY

FIT

WARM

BREATHABLE

INSULATED BREATHABLE FIT

FIT

ADJUSTABLE

SUMMIT SHELL

DRY SULATED M

TED

DRY

DRY

FIT WARM FIT ADJUSTABLE BREATHABLE VENTS BREATHABLE FIT

WARM

BREATHABLE ADJUSTABLE

VENTS

JACKET (SM-2XL) $250.00 (3XL-5XL) $275.00

BIB (SM-2XL) $250.00 (3XL-5XL) $275.00 WARM BREATHABLE BREATHABLE ADJUSTABLE INSULATED ADJUSTABLE

arctiva.com

winging it LEVI LAVALLEE

HIS, HERS AND THE GOAT WOOHA! Another Hay Days is in the books and if you weren’t thinking sleds, you are now! If for some reason you’re reading this issue of OSM and you haven’t heard of Hay Days, you best book a trip out to Minnesota next September because it is a snowmobile concoction that you must try at least once. It’s so good, I haven’t missed a Hay Days since my very first one when I was only 8 years old!

This year was one that I will especially remember because after not having the time to explore the swap for the past several years, this is the year I finally made time to go find me some treasures.

I only had a little over an hour to visit the swap, which means I barely made a dent, but even in that short span I found 2 new microwaves in boxes; the same 1987 four-wheeler I grew up riding as a kid; Santa Claus; and multiple 1993 XLT Specials which still give me goose bumps! My goal for the future is to make a full lap through the swap because you can’t wait to see what’s next! One row you will find a “Mona Lisa” and the next row you find his and hers toilet seats! It’s fun overload!

Practicing for the grass drags.

Just look at those studs… in Kyle’s hands ladies!

My first snowmobile.

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

36

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

winging it LEVI LAVALLEE

LEVI LAVALLEE With the greatest snocross racer of all time!

Pumped on this gift from FXR, for being on the cover of their catalog.

How can you pass on “His” & “Hers” for only $2 a piece?!

Another fun adventure this year was my run in with the GOAT. I really wanted to get a picture with him, but I wasn’t sure if he was going to Ram me with his head or with his truck! ;) After much thought, I finally decided that my safest play was to come out of the closet with my “super fan” shirt. It worked! Thank goodness it did because after seeing him in those white lightning “retirement shoes”, I know for sure I wouldn’t have been able to outrun him if he started charging me! LOL It was great catching up with Tucker and Mandi, and I wish them the best as they start a new chapter in their lives.

They say Hay Days is the “Official Kick Off to Winter”, and it sure does get a person excited for snow season. We have lows in the 30s coming in the 7-day forecast, which has me grinning. But before that, we have 80s tomorrow, and the lake is calling. Time to go turn lemons into lemonade. – Levi

38

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

You know Tucker Hibbert is a big deal when even your uncle has a 68 pin.

I never thought to buy my appliances at Hay Days.

Another rip before it’s hibernation time for watersports.

The crew at FXR had the best cornhole game ever!

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

#mbrpnation Follow Us @mbrp_powersports

LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN

ENHANCED SOUND AND PERFORMANCE

2-YEAR WARRANTY

“The benefits of MBRP – It gives you more power, it’s more responsive and the weight savings are huge!”

- Ryan Hunt #729 Pro Athlete from Bailey Motorsports

trail exhaust

race exhaust

headers

See our MBRP Snow / ATV & SXS product at mbrppowersports.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

39

backcountry CHRIS BURANDT

TO MOD OR NOT TO MOD…

I

t’s getting to be that time of year when people are starting to get crazy about their sleds! Whether you have a new sled on its way, or your pride and joy is staring back at you in your shop, visions of the next new add-on consumes many people’s thoughts. I question I get asked a lot is, “What’s the first thing I should do to my sled?” This is a tough one for me to answer. As many of you know I love building lightweight, super sleds!

It’s something that I thoroughly enjoy, and I’ve learned a ton from these builds, both on and off of the snow. However, in my opinion the new mountain sleds coming out these days are definitely more capable than most of the riders that are riding them. So, my answer in many cases starts with this approach: There’s no amount of money you can put into your machine that is going to make you a better rider. So, rather than initially spending money to make your machine better, why wouldn’t you spend that money to make YOU better? This leads me into talking about what we actually do here at Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure. Investing a little money into improving your skillset as a rider, (which, by the way, you’ll be able to take with you forever) will help you maximize your time on the snow, and enable you to get the most out of your machine, whether it’s stock or modified.

Too many times, I have customers show up on their completely modded out sleds, that still struggle with basic mountain riding techniques. In some cases, the modifications they made, actually made their sled harder to ride, not easier. As more and more riders are venturing off trail and or heading out to experience mountain riding, the single most important thing to focus on is rider technique! Our main focus at Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure, during the 3 days our riders are with us on the mountain, is teaching them how to let the sled do the work versus the rider doing the work. Most riders are selftaught, which leads to developing bad habits and working harder on the snow than need be.

40

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

For all you readers out there who follow me on any of my social media outlets, you see that a lot of my posts are fun tree lines on turbo’d sleds, doing gnarly things in the backcountry. Now, while these are things I really enjoy, it’s not what my typical day at work looks like. Most of my days on the snow are actually spent riding stock sleds and pushing people’s riding skills, all while teaching them key techniques to help them master off trail riding. Here’s how it typically goes for our clients over their 3 days at Burandt’s Backcountry Adventure: Day 1: The first day on the snow is seeing where the skillset is for each rider in the group, and then focusing on breaking their bad habits, while incorporating new and proper techniques to make getting on edge and staying on edge easier on terrain ranging from open hillsides to gnarly treed slopes, depending on their skill set. At the end of day, we often hear the comment, “I thought I was doing it right and I clearly was not.”

Day 2: On Day two, our riders are working on incorporating the techniques we learned the previous day, into their new way of riding, versus reverting back to their old habits. It’s important for them, in a pressure situation, to do what we are teaching, instead of what they used to do. A couple of examples of this is to rely on proper technique to go across a sidehill versus speed; ride with a finger on the brake at ALL times, be on edge more than you think, and eyes up is a big one, and asking yourself as you’re riding, if it feels hard, what are you doing wrong? When everything comes into place, riding should be easy with little to no effort.

Day 3: This is my favorite day! On day three the riders in our groups are doing things they never thought they would do on a sled, and going places they never thought possible. Gone are the bad habits, and gained is the ability to have absolute control of their machine. Slow and in control is key, and having a plan B are all things that are becoming second nature now. One of the most rewarding parts about my job is seeing progression from my riders. It’s so awesome!

So, am I telling you not to buy goodies for your snowmobile? Of course not! There are actually several products out there I use that will help make your riding experience better. But before you go all out on your sled, it might be worth it to ask yourself this, “Can I outride my stock machine the way it is?” If the answer is no, it might be time to look me up for an adventure of a lifetime, in Colorado, BC or Chile!

Let it snow!

Chris Burandt www.chrisburandt.com TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

41

time tracks

42

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

The

Evel Knievel Special

It

turns out that 2018 has become the year to pay tribute to the legendary daredevil Evel Knievel.

Despite it being more than 10-years after his death, (Evel died on November 30, 2007) the resurgence of the legendary motorcycle stunt man is due, in large part, to the History Channel’s live broadcast of Evel Live, a recreation of three of Evel’s most historic jumps, performed by Nitro Circus ring leader Travis Pastrana. The jumps included the famed Caesars Fountain jump in 1967; the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum jump from 1973, where he soared over 50 cars; and the 1975 King’s Island, Ohio jump over 14 busses. Travis nailed all three recreated jumps, but things were much different when Evel attempted them nearly 50-years prior.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

43

time tracks

In fact, it was the Caesars Palace jump that Evel failed to land that helped jump start his daredevil career. To this day, the footage of Knievel crashing at nearly 90mph and tumbling head-overheels will make grown men cringe. Evel crushed his pelvis, broke his left hip, right ankle, hands and wrist. He also suffered a concussion that put him in the hospital, and in a coma for nearly a month. Yet, it was this jump that prompted television promoters to stage other jumps for Evel, which eventually led to the 90-minute CBS live broadcast special Evel

Knievel’s Death Defiers in 1977.

Robert Craig Knievel was born on October 17, 1938 in Butte, Montana. He was raised primarily by his grandparents Ignatius “Iggy” and Emma, and the big sky state would be his home throughout much of his career.

The Death Defiers show was the first time Evel was given the opportunity to host and perform stunts on his own show. The feature stunt had Evel jumping the distance of 90-feet, over a salt water tank filled with 13 great white sharks. In addition, several other

Born in Butte, Montana, Robert Craig Knievel went by the name Evel and used the unusual spelling as he didn’t want people to think he was actually evil.

44

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

up-and-coming daredevils would be performing stunts, and one of them was Ron Phillips, a trusted member of Evel’s crew and also a Butte, Montana native.

Ron was tapped by Evel (and also paid $25,000) to perform a snowmobile distance jump in Chicago.

Unlike Evel, who didn’t necessarily care for snowmobiles, and considered them noisy, smoky machines that scared wildlife, Ron had a long history of racing snowmobiles. He competed throughout the northwest, and traveled as far east as New York where he raced in the

Known for his motorcycle jumps, the orange painted Ski-Doo RV is the only known snowmobile that Evel ever owned.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Weedsport World Championships. In addition to oval racing, he also raced a handful of cross-country races during his 9-year career.

The 1975 Ski-Doo TNT RV used for the jump was originally purchased by Evel in Butte, Montana. The sled was equipped with a handful of tweaks for the jump, including different handlebars and a few engine mods.

Always the promoter, Evel contacted Ski-Doo and began negotiations with them for the Death Defiers show.

Ski-Doo offered Evel $10,000 to use the sled for the show. Evel scoffed at the offer, and countered with a more

robust $1 million counter-offer. Ski-Doo immediately declined. With that, Evel had the sled stripped of all decals (the 245RV decal now on the tunnel was added at a later date) and had the hood painted orange by a local Butte body shop.

As fate would have it, Evel never performed his shark tank jump, instead crashing during a rehearsal run for the jump and breaking both of his arms.

The stunt turned out to be Evel’s last motorcycle jump. However, the show did go on and Ron Phillips performed the snowmobile jump with mixed results.

The sled launched nearly straight up from the ramp and tail landed with brutal

force, knocking Ron unconscious and delivering a spinal injury that never allowed him to ride a snowmobile again.

After the jump, the sled was brought back to Butte, and was given to one of Evel’s relatives. They put the sled up for sale, and Dave Quick from Anaconda, Montana purchased the sled and rode it over the course of the next two winters.

In 1979, Dave traded the sled to Maurice Eddie of Kalispel, Montana for a 1941 Plymouth 4-door. The sled remained in Eddie’s possession until 2001, when it was sold twice in one year and ended up in the hands of Jerry Kienbaum. In Jerry’s possession, the sled resurfaced on a few occasions, coming “home” to Butte for the town’s annual Evel Knievel Day’s summer celebration.

Most recently, the Gottschalk family from Kimball, Minnesota purchased the sled to add to their fast growing and vast snowmobile museum collection.

Scott and his sons Trevor and Travis have dived headlong into the vintage and antique snowmobile hobby after spending years collecting John Deere tractors and associated memorabilia.

According to Scott, despite having some incredibly rare and desirable race sleds, the Evel Knievel Special is easily his favorite.

Evel never made it to his own show, instead spending it in the hospital after a rehearsal crash. Then, big time television stars Telly Savalas and Jill St. John were hosts of the 90-minute program.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

45

onsnow osmmag.com

46

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

STRONGER, TOUGHER, AND MORE POWERFUL, THE NEW 850 PATRIOT® IS THE TALK OF THE UPCOMING WINTER SEASON. The anticipation for this

JIM BARCZAK,

Polaris Senior Design Engineer (pictured) and Ricky Jaeger, Platform Manager for Snowmobile Powertrain, were our personal guides when we visit the Polaris assembly plant this fall.

motor from Polaris faithful is off-the-charts, and thousands have ponied-up to be first on the snow with the new big block rocker.

With more than 500-miles on an early build version last winter, we can’t blame them.

The new motor is smoother, pulls harder, revs quicker and legs-out with even more speed. But there’s more to the new domestic twin than just power and torque.

After getting an exclusive look inside the Polaris engine manufacturing facility in Osceola, Wisconsin, our confidence for rock-solid reliability is higher than ever.

Each component and fastener is recorded and mated to a specific engine; every step in the assembly is checked and doublechecked; and the sound of a new engine coming to life just minutes after the last bolt is secured was music to our ears.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

47

onsnow osmmag.com

2

1

The center drive water pump arrives in Osceola as an assembled sub-component. Here it’s installed into the crankcase and secured with a snap ring.

Every Patriot starts life with the engine identification pin-stamped into the crankcase.

3 4 Once the cross-shaft is in place, the impeller is installed. The high-flow design of the impeller ensures the big-pony 850 stays cool in the most demanding conditions.

48

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

The new crankshaft arrives in special crates which cradle the all-new design. With a larger clutch taper for durability, the crank is visually robust, but is designed for low-inertia, with the weight kept near the center of the crank, in order to create the quick-to-rev nature we’ve come to love and expect from Polaris engines.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

5

6

Prior to installation, every crank is measured for “runout” to ensure it meets strict tolerances. We soon learned checking and double-checking is part of the assembly process at every station.

What quickly becomes apparent with the new engine is that Polaris engineers wanted to make sure they put the “beef” in areas where it mattered most. This massive PTO crank bearing is visual testament to this.

7 With the crank ready for installation, the case halves are prepared for assembly. Sealant is applied with a robotic arm that precisely positions the sealant in just the right location and quantity for an optimum seal.

8 The center gear which drives the water pump features an oiler integrated into the case for long-lasting durability. As an extra measure of “building it right”, the cavity is pre-oiled prior to assembly to avoid potential damage during initial start-up.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

49

onsnow osmmag.com

9

10 With the crank lowered into the case, the fitment is checked again, prior to the case halves being mated and secured.

With the case ready to receive the crank, the PTO bearing and seal are installed.

11 While it’s hard not to focus on the new 850 coming to life on the primary assembly line, there’s plenty of unique attributes taking place within the sub-components as well. The new VForce® reeds for example are an all-new design, unique to the 850 Patriot®. With carbon fiber petals, the reed cage features a secondary seal on the inner portion of the cage for an optimum seal and maximum durability.

50

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Unique to the 850, these new engine mounts caught our eye. The more robust design is coupled to a new location on the engine, making for improved integration into the AXYS chassis. The end result is reduced vibration to the rider, and a more consistent center-to-center for improved clutch performance and increased belt life.

12

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

13 Jim Barczak, a senior design engineer for the 850 Patriot®, was one of our “tour” guides while we watched the new engine come to life. Jim was as proud as a first time father during our time in Osceola, and he proudly showed off new packaging, designed to keep the cylinders and pistons safe during transportation and handling. Not long after, he was handing out cigars in the cafeteria during lunch break.

14 Every 850 cylinder and pistons come as a matched set from the vendor to ensure perfect tolerances, maximum performance and long-lasting reliability. To ensure this perfect match remains, every piston and cylinder is scanned and recorded prior to assembly. If at any point the mated components happen to become separated, the system won’t allow assembly to continue.

15

Every station in the assembly process is linked and communicates the assembly process to a central computer.

If an error or incorrect tolerance is detected, the assembly technician is alerted immediately. Here the pistons are scanned to ensure they are in fact the correct pistons for the mated cylinder, and have been installed correctly.

With all components verified to this point, the cylinder is torqued to the crankcase. Once again, every nuance is controlled and checked by the system computer.

The technician has no choice but to torque in proper sequence, and the correct specifications must be met.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

16 ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

51

onsnow osmmag.com

14 The new 3-stage electronic exhaust valve system is one of the areas where the new 850 has found additional power, thanks to a new design that touts fewer parts, has improved fit and seal and features a lightweight magnesium base.

Proper valve movement is critical for performance, and this entire exhaust valve sub-assembly is secured to this jig to ensure the valves are true, prior to cylinder installation.

16 When the correct mated head is affixed to the matched cylinder and piston set, a green code is displayed, allowing the technician to move on to the next step. Once again, every step of the assembly process is verified multiple times, and every key component is paired with other matched components. When you want to build a high-performance two-stroke, exacting tolerances like these are required to not only make power, but more importantly, make it durable.

52

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

15 Every engine is measured for optimum head squish clearance, (the distance between the piston crown and the cylinder head). While some manufacturers choose to achieve this tolerance through the use of different base gaskets, the Patriot utilizes matched cylinder heads.

17 Mated pistons, mono-cylinder and heads is so critical to performance, a second check is performed through a barcode scan after the deck to dome measurement is complete.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

19

With the internals of the engine completed, a crankcase leak test is performed.

18 With all systems green, the head is finally torqued using a DC tool that simultaneously torques all fasteners in a specific sequence.

20 Another new component found on the 850 Patriot® is a lightweight throttle body assembly featuring a fixed, contact-less throttle position sensor, (TPS) factory-set in the correct position upon assembly. The no-contact design won’t wear out, and the TPS will not inadvertently move, unlike previous adjustable versions.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

53

onsnow osmmag.com

22

21

Another area of improvement on the new 850 is electric output. A high-output stator, unique to the Patriot engine, is part of the Power Boosting Regulator (PBR) system that equates to easier starts and maximum power output, even at idle.

The Patriot was built to be a very robust platform, and this means certain areas of the engine had to be made heavier, such as the crank. But those weight gains were nullified in other areas. The flywheel assembly for example, utilizes a magnesium recoil cup. Not only is it lighter, it also reduces rotating mass, which in turn allows the 850 to rev quickly.

24 The new recoil on the 850 (bottom) is noticeably larger, both in size and venting. The oversized openings deliver improved cooling for the high-output stator.

23 Durability and performance improvements are found within every component of the Patriot, including the exhaust manifold. An extra thick, six-bolt flange is machined flat for improved fit and less chance of cracking after several seasons of abuse.

54

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

The 850 is nearing completion when the recoil is secured. Next the engine will pass through a clear curtain and enter the initial “start-up” room where it will come to life for the very first time.

25

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

26 When the engine first enters the “start-up” room, the technician connects all the necessary elements and scans the engine and the ECU. When the engine is scanned, the “fingerprint” of various “sorted” components such as fuel injectors and oil pump, tells the computer which specific fuel map program should be installed into the ECU.

27 The ECU is then plugged in and the correct program is installed. Once again, every step is double-checked through a fail-safe process.

29 28 We have ignition. With a few quick pulls of the recoil via an automated arm, the 850 bursts to life. A quick diagnostic check of all the essentials and the engine is then given the final seal of approval before being shipped to Roseau where it will be fitted to a 2019 snowmobile. To watch a short video of an 850 coming to life for the very first time, visit our website osmmag.com.

Before the engine is wrapped for shipping, the engine serial number is applied. The number matches the crankcase number which was pinstamped during the very first operation of the assembly process.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

55

31

30 As the engine leaves the start-up room, an exhaust valve stroke test is performed. This ensures the valves stroke fully, and there is no binding or friction.

Patriots ready for shipment. As fast as the engines come off the assembly line in Wisconsin, they are placed on special pallets and loaded onto trucks. According to Jim, the engines will find their way into a new snowmobile within days.

RTH NORICA’S E AM BILE MOINE W O Z SN AGA

T

BES M

subscribe at www.osmmag.com 56

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

GET IT! NOW

DAY!

RIBE TO

SUBSC

ONLY

$19 FOR ONE YEAR

1.888.661.7469

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

MADE IN CANADA

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

EASY AND RAPID INSTALLATION WITH THE ASSEMBLY TOOL

NEW APPLICATIONS FOR 2018.

SEE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

NEW FOR 2018

PMM 162SS 7/8 TALL BACKER DESIGNED FOR TALLER LUG TRACKS

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

57

onsnow osmmag.com

RICKY JAEGER - LEADING THE PATRIOT INTO BATTLE

driveline inertia. While we added mass to the crank for durability, we kept the inertia in-line with the 800HO engine. This makes the 850 Patriot ultra-responsive for cornerto-corner acceleration, straight-line pulls or flickability in the powder.

Ricky Jaeger, Platform Manager for the 850 Patriot

If

If you want to know the details behind the most powerful and most durable Polaris snowmobile engine ever built, Ricky is your man. As platform manager for Polaris snowmobile powertrain, Ricky has led the charge to bring the Patriot from war room battle plan to the snow-covered front lines. Having spent time at Caterpillar, Mercury Marine, and the past 12-plus years at Polaris, Ricky knows his way around an engine, and he’s especially proud of the new 850 Patriot.

EDITOR - I think most everyone will agree that the latest generation 800 HO engine (introduced for model year 2015) was a home run. Aside from ushering in a host of run quality and durability improvements, it was the motor’s hit and quick-torev nature that everyone fell in love with almost immediately. When it came time to develop the 850, what were the primary objectives and performance targets?

RICKY - The 850 Patriot primary focus was again durability. We took all the lessons learned from the 800HO development and further improved upon them with a clean-sheet engine to take the 850 to a new level of class leading durability.

Obviously we also wanted to deliver on the same performance characteristics everyone loved with 800HO, so acceleration and response were the other two critical deliverables. To be honest, horsepower wasn’t a key focus of the program, but I think you’ll agree, the team did an outstanding job of delivering class-leading power as well.

EDITOR - They certainly did. You mentioned a design goal was to mimic the 800HO in terms of how it revved. How did you go about doing that?

RICKY - Definitely. There was a significant focus on developing best-in-class

58

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

EDITOR - Obviously, the motor was already deep into the development cycle when Ski-Doo/Rotax introduced their 850 motor a year prior, but why did you (Polaris) choose an 850?

RICKY - Over 4 years ago, as we were launching the 800HO to the public, we already had several concepts on the snow evaluating various bore and stroke configurations. In the end, we leveraged these on snow evaluations to determine the architecture that would take 800HO performance to the next level. Those parameters eventually became the 850 Patriot. If you do the math it’s actually an 840cc motor that over-delivers and is optimized for durability, performance, inertia and power. Of course, we had to let the marketing folks put their stamp on it too (laughter).

EDITOR - Aside from the motor’s quickto-rev nature, we found another endearing quality was how the motor was inclined to “over-rev” on a long pull, something other new generation motors simply won’t due.

How did you manage to gain this trait in today’s age of computer-controlled engines and high-regard for durability?

RICKY - This engine has been tuned with a wide power band and a rich torque curve that allows the engine to pull hard through a very wide range of RPMs and vehicle loading conditions. This “over-rev” quality was just one of the traits we had in mind from the start as we engineered the components. Through it all we knew we wanted speed and a quick revving motor but it also had to be durable in a multitude of speed, load and performance conditions.

EDITOR - Obviously delivering even greater performance is often the goal of any new motor, but after seeing an 850 come to life in Osceola, Wisconsin, it appears there was even more emphasis on engine durability.

RICKY - No question, durability was our number one priority right from the start. This included improvements in how we design,

develop, validate and manufacture the engine. The Patriot really was a clean sheet for us, not just in the engine itself but all of the processes associated with it. When you were in Osceola you saw first-hand how the final assembly, system controls, process verifications and final testing of every engine is extremely robust, all in an effort to reach our durability goals. Everyone on the team is extremely excited to get these into customer’s hands.

EDITOR - Horsepower or torque…what matters most in a big bore snowmobile motor and where does the new 850 sit?

RICKY - Boy that’s a chicken or the egg question! But honestly, they are forever linked - it’s all about finding the right balance between the two to achieve your performance goal. The move from triples to twins in the late 90s was driven by the torquey nature of twins and the feeling of that corner-to-corner burst or the instant hit you get when going through the trees in the mountains. Our testing of the 850 Patriot has shown we have both classleading power with a wide torque curve that doesn’t just show up on the dyno but more importantly in the sled. I think several riders found out over the last couple of winters that our 800HO would hang with competitor’s 850s…we expect the 850 Patriot to dominate.

EDITOR - If you think it about it, no other vehicle on the planet has a more advanced two-stroke engine than a snowmobile. Where do you see the future of two-strokes?

RICKY - Two-stroke engines will continue to thrive in snowmobiles. They have an incredible horsepower to weight ratio making them the perfect match for sleds.

The Patriot is just another step in our commitment to innovate, enhance and improve the performance and durability of two-stroke engines.

EDITOR - In 10 words of less, how would you describe the new 850 to someone who has yet to experience it?

RICKY - Class Leading Durability, Unrivaled Acceleration, Ultimate Responsiveness.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

IT’S HERE…

Visit WoodysTraction.com to Hookup!

Enter your factory snowmobile’s year, make, & model, and let the Hookup Traction Guide do the rest.

See which traction products Woody’s recommends for a balanced trail ride like never before.

Hope, MI, USA • woodys@wiem.com • © 2018 IEM.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

59

onsnow osmmag.com

60

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

Photos and Story: Pat Bourgeois

Check the calendar and fuel up the DeLorean, as the

success of the Polaris Indy is about to come full circle, and it’s even better the second time around. When the Indy first broke on the scene in 1979 as a limited build racer, it started the wheels of the Indy legacy in motion. Over the next 20-plus years, the Indy would eventually become the poster boy for how a snowmobile should look, and more importantly, perform. It was the industry benchmark, was emulated by nearly every manufacturer, and propelled the company to becoming the market-share leader for nearly 15-years straight. No question, Indy was king.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

61

onsnow osmmag.com

It

should be noted, the rise of the Indy to such lofty heights didn’t happen overnight. In fact, it was a slow and steady progression that took nearly 10-years to mature and eventually catch fire. With the first production Indy TX-L appearing in 1980, it wasn’t until the late 1980s and early 1990s when the Indy effect exploded.

Fast forward to 2019, and the same slowburn is happening again. The roots of the second-generation Indy can be traced back to 2008, when Polaris introduced the shockingly low-priced Shift. Similar to the early Indy, the Shift represented a sled that was pure performance, no frills, and most importantly, it just worked. For those who owned a Shift, they recognized almost immediately the appeal of this sled, but for the most part, it lived in relative obscurity within the Polaris line-up until 2013. This was the year the “bottom” of the Polaris line made the move to the

62

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

then still new, Pro-Ride chassis and with it, the Indy name returned.

From 2013 through last winter, the Polaris Indy has been increasingly gaining favor both within the Polaris fortress, and more importantly, with riders. Year over year the Indy gained performance, options, and appeal. Through it all, one thing remained consistent, the Indy was damn fun to ride.

Then the 2019 model year sleds arrived, and suddenly the Indy bull-rushed the spotlight. Until this winter, Polaris was content to peg the Indy in both 600 and 800 (until the 800HO arrived) power offerings, as a little brother to the more elaborate Rush Pro S, Pro X, and XCR models.

After-all, the outside the tunnel Pro-XC rear-suspension was visually assaulting, and since its introduction as Pro-Ride in 2010, was pointed to as the trail performance leader in the Polaris stable. Then along came the 2019 Indy XC 129.

Open up a Polaris brochure you’ll quickly discover Indy has become the focal point for trail performance. From the full-blown XC, the trail equipped SP, and the new rider friendly EVO, Indy has something for everyone.

YOU’LL BE HANDING OUT FAT CUBAN CIGARS AND RUBBING YOUR BELLY WITH COMPLETE SATISFACTION.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

THREE-WAY PUNCH While we had been expecting the Indy to make the transition to the AXYS chassis to accommodate the 800HO motor, we never anticipated it would also incorporate the addition of an all-new engine and rear suspension. When combined, the 850 Indy is quite possibly the best trail sled for 2019…and it likely will get even better.

If you’re a regular reader of our rants, you know we’ve had a soft spot for the Indy since it first returned. The simplicity of execution and the sheer smile it can put on your face was truly a throwback to the roots of the sport. For certain, the more technically advanced Rush Pro S was a better performing sled, delivering more comfort, better handling and more of a wow factor at the local watering hole.

What’s more, after continued improvements and tuning, the Pro S became our favorite trail sled, eventually besting the Ski-Doo MXZ when we felt team yellow took a handling step backward with their GEN4 chassis. But deep down, we still dug the Indy. It was the little sled that could, often did, and continually reminded us of how good the feeling of railing trails can be with the right sled.

But with the Indy XC now in the mix, suddenly the Rush and Indy are on equal footing. Even Polaris views them as equals, with similar pricing and giving them each equal billing in the marketing spotlight. For now, the Rush still has an oh-so-slight edge in comfort and flat cornering, but not for long we suspect.

The Indy comes with new PowderTrac TR running boards, a robust design featuring more traction; an extended flat section of board more suitable for standing, and giving riders more boot placement options for comfort and control; and huge clean-out holes to greatly reduce the chances of snow build-up atop the running boards. They also look trick and could be spring ordered in an assortment of colors to further personalize your Indy.

Coupling certainly isn’t new to the industry. The idea to link the front and rear arms was first developed by the Karpik boys in the development of the legendary FAST M-10 suspension, and has been employed by every manufacturer in some manner since. The fixed forward moment of coupling and adjustable rear moment allows riders to control the weight characteristics of the new Indy.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

63

onsnow osmmag.com

Nowhere does the new 850 Patriot show its visceral punch better than in the lightweight Indy XC.

64

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

QUICKER, LIGHTER, FASTER There’s already been plenty said about the new 850 Patriot engine, and none of it disparaging. While powertrain engineers set out to develop an engine that was bullet-proof first, and more powerful second (see Birth of a Patriot this issue – Ed.), it appears they nailed both. While only time will prove the reliability of the 850, the much-coveted attribute of power has been assuredly delivered in ample portions.

When the 800HO was launched a few years back, it brought a new kind of power to the Polaris fold. It wasn’t simply more power, it was the manner in how it was delivered. The engine revved quick like a twostroke dirt bike, and pulled like reindeer running late at Christmas. The new 850 Patriot does the same with even more gusto, smoother run quality, an addictive exhaust tone, and a top-end rush that busts past triple digits with ease.

Of course, the 850 is nestled into an assortment of chassis options for 2019, including the Rush, but it’s the lightweight simplicity of the Indy and the assumed reduced rolling resistance of the new Pro CC suspension that suddenly has the Indy sitting atop the Polaris performance pecking order. Crack the throttle and your riding buddies will be jealous; groomer operators will curse you; and you’ll be handing out fat Cuban cigars and rubbing your belly with complete satisfaction.

And what about that the new rear suspension? If there was any harbinger regarding the future of the Pro XC outside the tunnel suspension found on the Rush, the new Pro CC has spoken. For certain it is the worthier adversary when going to battle against big bumps and harsh terrain at race type speeds. We suspect the Pro CC will be the suspension of choice for cross-country racers from the USXC to the Iron Dog this winter.

Polaris hung tough to the “short” and long-time industry standard 121” suspension, but there is no ignoring the improved traction, bump-bridging ability and stability of the slightly longer 129-incher now found in the Indy. The skid is bolstered with rail reinforcements; touts new rising rate shock ratio ideal for big bumps; and reintroduces coupling to the Polaris rear suspension arsenal. It’s the return of coupling that really sets the Pro CC apart from the Pro XC, giving it a near ideal blend of weight transfer and bump compliance.

We found the suspension to be superbly balanced, providing transfer when needed for launch, front bite for cornering confidence, and a predictable and stable attitude when charging unpredictable terrain. If the skid has a shortcoming, it lacks the plush comfort the Pro XC has developed, as well as the flat and buttery cornering traits we’ve come to love with the Rush Pro S. But this is only year one, and we suspect this skid will get only better with time. So good, the outside the tunnel design of the Pro XC could very well be shelved in subsequent years.

The AXYS chassis and front suspension are known commodities to Polaris faithful, and the Walker Evans compression adjustable shocks feature needle valve technology to deliver improved ridezone comfort, without sacrificing harsh bottoming resistance. Unless you have a very smart butt, the Walker units require several clicks to generate tangible results to your bottom side.

IT IS THE WORTHIER ADVERSARY WHEN GOING TO BATTLE AGAINST BIG BUMPS AND HARSH TERRAIN AT RACE TYPE SPEEDS

Both the front and rear shocks feature an improved clicker location that is easier to access for quick adjustments.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

65

onsnow osmmag.com

Standard rail beam reinforcements on the new Pro CC suspension speaks to the performance nature of the skid.

Polaris engineers tell us the Pro CC tips the scales only slightly lighter than the more complex and cumbersome Pro XC. We don’t have numbers yet, but we can tell you the new suspension feels more nimble with less rolling resistance than the outside the track design of the Pro XC.

Everything about the new Pro CC suspension speaks “big bump capable” such as these oversized motion ratio control rods.

The Rush Pro S still holds a slight edge in flat, buttery cornering on smooth trails, but we suspect the Indy will be just as good with a season of tuning and refinement.

66

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Perhaps the biggest nag associated with the Rush platform was the lack of storage options. The new 129-incher Indy has plenty of open tunnel, and features the same accessory attachment slots used by RMK models, opening the door for a large assortment of already developed attachments.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

Polaris customers will have a choice this winter, the plusher, flatter cornering Rush with Pro XC suspension, or the quicker, faster, big bump ready Indy XC.

The office space of the new Indy in AXYS trim is narrow and comfortable. Just like the “old” Indy just felt the way a snowmobile should, the same holds true with the next generation Indy.

A BETTER INDY The original Polaris Indy truly built the Polaris brand. It el elevated the company from time spent under the ownership of Textron, to become the unequivocal leader of the snowmobile industry. The Indy in some ways gave the company the concon fidence and wherewithal to expand into other areas including off-road and motorcycles. The Indy was more often than not, the best sled on snow year after year, delivering front of the pack performance, tough as nails durability, and most imporimpor tantly, fun on the snow. It was the sled that defined an era of snowmobiling history, and it might just do it again.

Much like the first Indy, the new generation Indy has slowly crept its way into the hearts and minds of snowmobile enthuenthu siasts. In our opinion, the 2019 850 Indy XC 129 is the best performance snowmobile for 2019. The 850 motor is a rocket, the Pro CC suspension does it all, and the sled puts a smile on your face you simply can’t wipe off. The Indy is back, and it’s better than ever.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

67

onsnow osmmag.com

68

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

DAN ADAMS of Next Level Riding Clinic is not only an expert rider, but also a helluva mountain man. To learn more about his clinics and other services, visit his website at nextlevelclinics.com.

THERE'S nothing better than a

day in the powder, but as any seasoned backcountry rider will tell you, once you leave the parking lot, anything can happen. Most of us have learned about the more obvious “must-haves” such as an avalanche beacon, probe, shovel and extra fuel, but what else should you bring? We went to our pal and backcountry riding expert Dan Adams, owner and operator of Next Level Riding Clinics, and here is his top ten list of things you need to be backcountry ready.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

69

onsnow osmmag.com

1.

2.

3.

70

A PLAN HAVING A PLAN EACH DAY YOU HEAD INTO THE BACKCOUNTRY SHOULD ENTAIL THE FOLLOWING: Where you’re riding (based on the daily forecast and experience of the riders); who you’re riding with (similar ability levels, proper gear, good communication); and what times will you be riding from start to finish, and making someone who won’t be riding with you, aware of those times.

A FIRST AID KIT Having a first aid kit either in your backpack, (recommended) or somewhere on your sled is definitely a must have. First aid kits have improved a lot over the years, but there are still a few items that I add to make them more robust for backcounbackcoun try riding. Throw out things like bug spray and include the following: super glue to close small wounds; a tampon (it makes a great fire starter as well as a first-aid item); batteries for radios, flashlights, transceivers, etc.; Quick Clot (a powder used to stem bleeding, it’s also available in a gauze form); duct tape (a small roll is excellent for small repairs, you will be amazed at what you can fix); pocket flare (used to help others locate you when other forms of communications don’t work; fire starter (there are a number of companies offering different types of fire starters, but the one I really like is made by Wetfire. The starting tinders work really well even with damp wood, making them a must have when out in the backcountry.)

PROPER TOOLS Going into the backcountry without tools is scary!

Don’t pretend it won’t happen to you or your group, accidents happen, sleds break, it’s just part of the sport. Having the right tools isn’t hard, but it’s often overlooked. I make a tool list based on the following repairs: • Handlebar and control adjustments such as throttle and brake levers. Be sure to include a variety of screwdrivers and needle nose pliers.

• Front and rear suspension; this should include a variety of open-end, sockets and Allen wrenches.

• Engine, clutch and drive system tools; this may include similar tools needed elsewhere on the sled but it’s worth giving your sled a once over to ensure you have what’s necessary to make small repairs.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

4.

5.

WOOD SAW Packing a saw is an essential tool that every mountain rider should have. Whether you need it to get your sled out of a jam, or to assist in starting a fire when lives depend on it, a good saw is an absolute must. I personally really like the saw from Frankensled. Even though in most cases, a saw like this is overkill, I’d rather have more saw than not have one at all.

RADIOS

Communication within a riding group is, in my opinion, one of the most important elements to riding safely in the backcountry. The BC Link two-way radio from Backcountry Access (BCA) has set the benchmark for easy to use, handheld radios, and we use them every day throughout the winter season. Whether I’m teaching a riding clinic, or just out for a rip with friends, I’m usually asking the group about radios about the same time I’m asking about avalanche equipment. They are just as important and a must have!

6.

LAYERING

Companies like Klim have put a ton of research into their gear, and have really helped the snowmobiler become more aware of the type of clothing they should use when riding in the backcountry. Beyond all the tough, waterproof, functional outerwear that exists in the marketplace, having the right layering underneath is crucial to staying warm and dry throughout the day.

My advice is to dress for warm weather, but have the gear along for colder temps. As a mountain rider, my intentions with my day are to get really aggressive with my sled, and that often means I’m working hard and probably sweating. I want layering that will aid in keeping me dry, especially at skin level, so as the day goes on, I can stay dry, even once the sun starts going down. Keeping your riding gear as light as possible, but still providing the necessary warmth is key, and layering is a fundamental component to that.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

71

onsnow osmmag.com

7.

8.

STRETCHING Stretching before you ride is very important. Putting together a short routine each morning prior to riding will greatly improve your mobility and reduce your chances of injury. At NXT LVL we try and stretch before every clinic and have come up with a great series of specific stretches that target muscles used while riding.

MUFF POT or HOT DOGGE Having a hot lunch while riding in the backcountry is amazing, and although it may not be a must have, it’s a great way to keep the body warm and provide a nice substitute to the typical PB&J.

9.

SATELLITE PHONE, SPOT, OR INREACH

Today’s technology has really helped the backcountry traveler stay connected to the outside world beyond our cell phones. Companies like Spot, InReach and even Garmin have developed communication devices to save your butt when it matters most. At NXT LVL we carry a Spot tracking device as well as the Spot Global Phone each and every day. The tracking feature is a great way for anyone not riding with you to keep an eye on you via their computer or smart phone. Having the ability to stay connected is a must in the backcountry, and will greatly improve your chances of survival in the event of an emergency.

10.

TRAINING

Wearing a backpack, shovel, probe and transceiver are only the beginning. Taking the necessary training courses to really understand your avalanche equipment is a must before heading into the backcountry. An avalanche Level 1 class as well as a wilderness first-aid class are great stand-alone courses. Remember, know before you go.

72

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

hat if you were faced with the choice of having to buy just one snowmobile to ride for the next 10, 15, maybe even 20-years? What sled would you choose?

Frankly, it’s a proposition we’ve never given much thought to around the On Snow offices. Seems we’re a bit spoiled, thanks to a fleet of new iron arriving at the start of each snow season - some courtesy of the manufacturers for long term evaluations, others arranged through local dealerships, and still others we’ve purchased. Yet, when a good friend started talking about buying one more new sled before hanging it up and finding a warmer place to roam during the winter months, we gave the notion of “one last snowmobile” a long hard look.

74

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

75

onsnow osmmag.com

With so many makers opting to burst their showroom fresh snow machines with huge splashes of color, we found the black and grey Viper to be one of the best-looking buggies on snow this winter.

W

hen the SRViper arrived in 2014, Yamaha had already proven to the world that a performance four-stroke snowmobile wasn’t just possible, they shattered expectations. The 2003 RX1 proved it could be done; the Apex refined it; and the Viper broke down the final barrier. The marriage between Yamaha and Arctic Cat allowed the four-stroke engine expert to lower their high-performance Genesis triple into a race proven chassis developed by a company that prides itself on winning terrain races, and plenty of them.

For 2019, Yamaha has made the tough (but right) decision to reduce production, get their loyal dealers healthy, and in short, do the right thing for the good of the industry (hopefully other makers follow suit). In doing so, much of the focus on the 2019 line-up was in boosted Sidewinder models – but the one Viper model that remains, (at least for now) is in our opinion, one of the best all-around snowmobiles for 2019.

The SRViper L-TX is one of those sleds where nearly all the pieces fit just right, and with the slightly longer 137-inch track, the versatility of the Viper adds bonus points to the mix. Stable, planted and serving up ample traction on-trail, the longer footprint allows the Viper to delve off-trail as well. But it’s the proven and robust construction of the chassis and the faultless performance and durability of the Genesis triple that gives the Viper the nod for long-term ownership. We’re talking way long pal; the Genesis motor is capable of racking up 50,000 miles easily.

Turn the key and the motor instantly settles into a steady

76

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Unfortunately, the Viper wasn’t privy to the updated handlebar controls found on most other Yamaha models for 2019. No matter, they function as expected and the layout is roomy and comfortable.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

onsnow osmmag.com

staccato idle. Once warmed, the deep rumble is matched by a torque laden powerband that is perfect for trails. It hits and pulls with linear consistency and does so with a laid back, easy to manage demeanor. Any rider of any ability will love the Viper. What’s more, so will your wallet.

After an initial break-in service, the cost of ownership is slim, thanks to virtually no maintenance, no need for oil and great fuel economy.

Of course, every sled has room for improvement and the Viper is no different. The one-dimensional Tuner III skis do a great job at eliminating darting, but lack bite for performance burns, and also exhibit heavy steering effort in certain conditions. A swap to the Yamaha Mountain skis is good alternative if you want to keep things in the tuning fork family; otherwise there are several aftermarket options that will improve overall handling in a wider range of conditions.

We know the Viper is no featherweight, and if dancing dirty ditch-lines or bombing wind lipped drifts is more your thing, lighter

two-stroke alternatives will better suit your fancy. But if logging trail miles in comfort and with confidence is where your passion takes you, the Viper will fit the bill like a well-tailored suit.

For 2019, the Viper L-TX comes with few changes over the 2018 version, other than new colors, new graphics, a sporty window, and revised idler wheel and rear axle design. A trip through the Yamaha accessory book will take care of the rest.

Smooth, that’s the Viper in action. The Genesis triple is about as predictable as they come, and ideal for squeezing out smiles and miles on groomed, twisted trails.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

EVERY SLED HAS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND THE VIPER IS NO DIFFERENT.

The Dual Shock 137 skid is tuned with high-pressure gas shocks on both arms. The SRViper lacks quick turn clickers, and out of the box calibrations skew to the softer side of things.

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

77

industry 411

M

ost know the kids from Curve for their industry changing ski design, but over the years the company has expanded into other areas including suspension, performance, protection, and customization. Yet, at the company’s core, they remain “The Handling Experts.” Most recently, the company hired marketing whiz kid Cody Schuster to further expand Curve’s reach. We caught up with Cody before the pre-season, show season madness hit, and got up to speed on the latest happenings at Curve for this issue’s 411.

OSM - Tell us about the initial idea that sparked Curve Industries and how the company came to be?

CODY - Curve Industries shipped its first set of skis in 2008, but the story goes back much further. It all began when Nick Pryputniewicz (CEO/Founder) and Sean Stumvoll met in college in 2002. Both were avid snowmobiling enthusiasts and weren’t satisfied with any of the current ski offerings.

Being engineers, they thought that they could do better.

They began developing the idea and prototype of the first Curve ski as their senior project at the Rochester Institute of Technology. The “idea” was a ski with variable geometry that would manipulate the snow to create a “rail” beneath it, in essence a ski that acted as if it were on rails resulting in vastly improved handling and reduced darting. After graduation, and many years of development, Curve Industries officially came to be.

OSM - Skis are your “bread and butter” product, what is your best seller and why?

CODY - We are best known for our XS ski model; this is our trail performance offering and the original “Curve” ski. The XS is unlike any other ski on the market. It has a parabolic design, much like a downhill ski. This design paired with our “variable geometry”, the continuously changing diameter of the pockets on either side of the keel, allows the ski to manipulate the snow, giving you the most accurate

Everyone at Curve is an avid rider. This gives them insight into the riding experience, and to better understand the performance characteristics customers are looking for. Here, Cody himself is ripping some fresh near the company’s headquarters in Waterville, New York.

78

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

predictable handling, with very little steering effort involved.

OSM - It seems everyone has a “better ski” solution, what sets Curve apart from the rest?

CODY - It’s our iconic parabolic shape; unlike other skis, we don’t have a traditional square keel. Our ski is really a onetime solution. You can take them from sled to sled to sled.

I’ve spoken with customers who have put tens of thousands of miles on their Curve skis. If that’s not a testament to durability, I don’t know what is. All of these things work together to really give you a cornering experience unlike any other. The proof really is in the pudding, you have got to try it to experience the difference for yourself.

OSM - When riders buy a product, they want to make sure it works. How do you go about testing your stuff?

CODY - We have a 100% money back guarantee, that’s how much we believe in the product. However, customers simply don’t send them back. Once they try them and get their sled setup properly, they love them. We also do a bunch of demo rides during the season. Pull your sled up, and we’ll swap out your stock skis for a set of Curves and let you try them for yourself. We receive a lot of great feedback at those events, and more times than not, people end up leaving #curveequipped.

Racing is an important element in the development, testing, and marketing of Curve products. Here cross-country racer Dustin Dohrn is flashing the Curve XS ski.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

S M A RT . S A F E . S E C U RE .

NEW:

• LED LIGHTS INTEGRATED INTO REAR LOADING BAR EXTRUSION • SUPERGLIDE WIDE EMBEDDED IN RAMP • ADJUSTABLE FOOT PAD RISERS • EASY SLIDE LOADING BAR WITH LED LIGHTING

OPTIONAL: • • • •

ALUMINUM OR WOOD DECK LONG TRACK DECK EXTENSION UTV RAMP SEE WEBSITE FOR MORE OPTIONS

THE NEXT GENERATION OF TRUCK DECKS Optional Deck Extension and UTV Ramp

MARLON CANADA

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

Single Loader Sled/Quad Deck

Dedicated UTV Deck

www.marlonproducts.com

SNOCAPS TRAILER ENCLOSURES

844-223-8148

Get dirty on the trail.

Not the trailer!

5 Year Warranty!

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

WWW.SNOCAPS.NET

MARLON USA

CALL TOLL FREE: 1-866-930-9411 Spanaway WA. USA For Eastern Canada and US Distributors please visit our website

SPEEDY SNOWMOBILE RENTAL WE RENT BIG SLEDS!

1200 RENEGADE

YAMAHA VIPER

(866) YOU-SLED rentsnowmobile.com Kirkland lake

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

79

industry 411 OSM - Curve now offers more than just skis, tell us about some of your other product offerings.

CODY - Curve Industries offer a slew of accessories for skis to customize your ride and help fine tune your XS, XSM, XDI, XDP skis to your riding style and the snow conditions. We also distribute some other products such as Elka suspension products and Racewerx protection products. As The Handling Experts, we really focus on products that improve the handling performance of your machine.

OSM - What’s the best way to purchase your products?

CODY - You can purchase our products online at curveindustries.com, or simply visit your local dealer, we have distribution set up all across the US and Canada. The product is available through Western Power Sports and Parts Unlimited dealers here in the States, and in Canada we have distribution setup in Ontario through Mike Island, Manitoba with Sun and Snow ENT LTD; in Alberta we’ve got Don’s Speed Parts; and in Quebec/Maritime DL Perform is carrying the product.

OSM - Do you offer any type of warranty or guarantee?

CODY - We do, we have a 100% product guarantee. We warranty any product where the integrity of the product is compromised. Obviously, we won’t warranty negligence, but if something out of the ordinary were to happen, we’ll take care of you. I think I’ve seen one ski come back that we had to warranty. Our skis are incredibly tough, you’ll have a really hard time damaging them.

80

OSM - What new Curve product has you most excited and why?

CODY - I think our new XSX loop is going to be a huge hit this year. For years, customers have been asking for colored loops and we’ve finally got them, not to mention the addition of a couple of new colors like fuchsia and high-vis. The XSX loop also features a more ergonomic handle, fitting perfectly in your hand.

OSM - Tell us something about the company that you wish more people knew.

CODY - We’re just a very small group of hardcore snowmobilers just like you. We’ve got a product we truly believe in and we want to share our passion with the customer.

OSM - What is something you are sure to find inside Curve headquarters bathroom?

CODY - Oh jeez, I can tell you what you won’t find there lol.

We’re not too good at remembering to reorder things like toilet paper until it’s too late.

OSM - Where is your or Curve employee’s favorite place to ride?

CODY - Whenever we can ride locally that’s the best, we’ve got some really diverse terrain right in our backyard. We’ve got rolling hills, open fields, some technical wooded areas, and of course lots of trails.

OSM - You recently moved manufacturing “in-house”.

How will this benefit the company and your customers?

CODY - This has been a long time coming. We’ve wanted to get into manufacturing for some time now, and an opportunity presented itself that we jumped on. Manufacturing products in-house will allow us to expand our product line and even explore some new industries as well. Stay tuned, because we’ve got some exciting stuff coming in the future.

OSM - What’s next for the company?

CODY - Once we have our in-house operation all sorted out and processes streamlined, we can begin development of our next great handling product, I guess you’ll just have to wait to see what it’ll be.

Just this past summer, Curve announced they would be moving manufacturing capabilities in-house. These two hydraulic presses will soon be in action, and the Curve crew will have even greater control over current products, and the flexibility and freedom to develop new ones.

Visit the Curve Industries site and you can purchase a chance to win this custom build Arctic Cat ZR8000. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold, and you can see the sled in person at a number of fall shows. www.curveindustries.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

OSM - In 10 words or less tell me why someone should choose Curve?

CODY - For the most accurate, predictable, durable cornering solution, choose Curve.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Race team support and testing goes far beyond Curve’s stomping grounds in New York. Team Maine sported Curve skis when they competed in the arduous Cain’s Quest race.

The Thruster is a Curve accessory designed to deliver added flotation, improved side-hilling, and increased cornering performance.

Branching out from trail skis, the Curve crew also offers speed and drag skis. The XDP has been in the winner’s circle with many top teams including D&D, Bikeman, and Excell Motorsports.

The XS ski is the one that started it all for Curve, and it remains their top seller and a top performer. Available in a wide range of colors, the ski is priced right and is ready to customize with mounts, loops, wearbar, and other Curve accessories. We’re looking forward to railing another pair this winter.

The “Leading Edge” was developed to address slow speed and deceleration tracking and darting on rutted or hard pack trails. It can be installed on any Curve ski with stunning results.

The XSM Ski is designed for off-trail and mountain riding and features a parabolic keel profile specifically for powder.

This year the company will offer the new XSX ski-loop. With a more comfortable shape, you can choose from 10-different colors to give your buggy a custom look.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

81

Skinz From startup mountain bike company, to one of the biggest aftermarket performance and protection hardware designers and manufacturers in the snowmobile industry – Jeff Hawksworth and the family owned and operated Skinz has become a household name for snowmobilers around the globe. More recently, the company moved their operation from Minnesota to Arizona, a bold step even for a company known to push further and take the risks necessary to challenge the status quo. Constant evolution has led to some of the most advanced and significant products the industry has seen in the last 10-years, and they’re just getting started.

OSM - Let’s start with the elephant in the room, Skinz moved from the heart of snowmobile country, Minnesota, to Arizona…what gives?

SKINZ - The biggest reason for our relocation is the labor issues in Minnesota. We found Minnesota just wasn’t a good fit for a small business like ours. For 12-13 years we struggled to find and retain viable labor. In addition, the political culture in Minnesota wasn’t conducive for growing a company like ours. Skinz is a company that creates, designs and manufactures every single item we offer, or manufacture for other companies. It’s imperative we find and retain quality labor and work in a state that understands small business.

Arizona might be the desert, but we found we can build product here with a solid labor force in a right to work state. The move was and has been difficult, but the future of the company has never looked brighter OSM - Last time we checked in with the crew at Skinz it was the fall of 2016, the company was on quite a roll thanks to an arsenal of in-demand products. It’s safe to say innovation is your calling card.

What’s new in terms of product?

SKINZ - As the snowmobile continues to evolve, we’re constantly bringing new items to the market as well. We continue to develop our Helium line of lightweight panels which also helps to make the machine slimmer and more efficient. We also developed a new silencer that is very quiet. In fact, the exhaust note is equal to OEM levels. Other items include new geometry on front suspension components for the Polaris 850 along with Tri-lite running boards. We

82

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Skinz Helium Hoods are taking the industry by storm.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

Skinz

Skinz designs, builds and manufactures their products in-house.

also have aggressive, mountain styled gauntlets designed in cooperation with Chris Burandt. We just have all kinds of new items…we’re always on fire when it comes to new ideas.

OSM - You know, many companies would be content to find some success and then ride the wave. But Skinz is different, you keep looking far forward and taking risks. Why do you push so hard?

SKINZ – Our ambitions can be traced back to the origins of the company. We started as a very small bicycle company building accessory products in 1996. In 2003, we moved back to Minnesota to work in a snowmobile related business with my wife’s family. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out as planned, and we found ourselves in a dire situation.

Instead of throwing in the towel, we did the unthinkable and pushed Skinz into the snowmobile industry, and as they say, the rest is history. In some ways we absolutely knew this was

Skinz is a family affair.

84

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Running boards are one of the company’s specialties.

They are the originators of the tube-frame design.

what we were supposed to do. Once you have your calling, it’s very easy to stay motivated and it still drives us today. Our momentum continues to get stronger year-after-year.

OSM - One of the biggest reason’s the crew here at On Snow is a big fan of Skinz is that you design and manufacturer everything in-house.

You very likely could have the same component produced for less and much faster if you outsourced. Why is doing it all important to Skinz?

SKINZ - It’s paramount to us at Skinz to build our own product. Because of this we’re able to develop our own identity with the product. There’s no way we’re going to hand over something we designed and developed and let someone else take it from there. As we see it, it was given to us, and it’s our job to finish it. The customer is what we cherish most. The customer is the very essence of why we do this. For some

it’s about the money, but we believe if you do things the right way, the money will take of itself. You can’t recover from a bad product. There are a lot of U.S. businesses that send product overseas to get built, we won’t do that. That’s not who we are. Skinz products have a special feel to them, a level of quality that goes unspoken. We have this because we’ve maintained who we are and our identity.

OSM - You have some of the biggest names in the sport as ambassadors for Skinz. How valuable is their role in the development, testing and marketing of your products?

SKINZ – We’re so fortunate to have the relationships with the riders we have.

They’re not just business relationships to us…we all work for the same results and things are very reciprocal…their input is invaluable. While we ride in the backcountry too, they have an insight that we sometimes don’t get. From all this we discover areas and products

Chris Burandt and Skinz developed these removable Grizzly Rider Gauntlets which allow the use of thinner gloves for improved grip and control.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

that are new. Some are small wins, other are huge. When Dan Adams, Chris Burandt or Bret Rasmussen get together with us, it almost always leads to a new or better innovation.

In addition to these guys, we have so many others who are part of our family for the same reason. They ride, test, give us input and we improve. It’s one of the biggest assets to our manufacturing. Since we build everything, we’re constantly making running changes to products throughout the year. We don’t have to sell out of something before we can make a change, it is done on the fly. Our riders are the best anywhere and they’ve done so much for us through their contributions. We couldn’t do it without them.

to Toron

SINCE 1918

motorcyclesupershow.ca

JANUARY 4-6, 2019 INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • TORONTO MOTORCYCLESUPERSHOW.CA

OSM - Two years back, Skinz teased us with some “crazy surprises.” What words can you leave us with this time around?

SKINZ – A lot has changed since then. We’ve moved from Minnesota to Arizona, and we’ve moved our manufacturing in-house. I think we’re just as excited and curious what the future holds. Now that the move is over and we’re finally feeling settled its time to cut loose and work on some ideas we’ve had bouncing around for some time. Stay tuned, it could get interesting.

Check out our custom design FLASH gallery

facebook.com/

The Tri-Lite Running Board is the latest innovation in running board design from Chris Burandt and Skinz.

FACEBOOK.COM/ONSNOWMAGAZINE

Bumpers, bumpers and more bumpers…another Skinz specialty.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

85

3

gear

1

M Boost Lite Dri-Link 2pc Monosuit Still wearing a suit from the 90’s and complaining about the cold weather while riding!

I think its time for a much needed upgrade to FXR’s M Boost Lite Dri-Link 2pc Monosuit!

The M Boost Lite Dri-Link 2pc Monosuit from FXR is designed to keep the snow out and the rider comfortable/moisture free because of its Dry vent system, seam sealed lining in critical areas, and 450D polyester shell with Hyrdrx Pro laminate. If you are looking for a jacket with the latest and greatest features for the on trail/off trail rider the FXR M Boost Lite Dri-Link 2pc Monosuit is for you, head over to www. fxrracing.com

2

C&A PRO XCS Crossover Skis

Looking for the right ski that will take you on/off trail with top of the line performance for todays high-tech crossover sleds? The Xtreme Crossover Ski from C&A Pro features an outboard keel that gives you precise control, snow scoops that maintain grip and are tapered for side-hilling giving you the best performance for on/off the trail. With an overall weight of 7.9 lbs, adjustable/flexible tip, 1” center keel height, and a 6 ¾” wide profile. Choose your colour at www.caproskis.net

86

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

CKX Titan Air Flow

Backcountry enthusiasts, you are going to love this!

The CKX Titan Air Flow is a more ventilated version of the CKX Titan helmet, specifically designed and optimized for backcountry riders. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced off-track snowmobiler, or a snow-cross enthusiast, this version of the Titan helmet will enable you to live your passion like never before.

Get the product now while supporting your local dealer at www.Kimpex.com

4

Motorfist Peak Goggle LTD

Looking for a new stylish pair of goggles that can do it all? Motorfist has the pair for you! The Peak Goggle has a spherical dual snow goggle lens for a larger field of view, triple density face foam for comfort, and a wider foam area to make sure that there are no gaps to allow in the cold breeze. For a custom fit to your helmet there are hinged outriggers and silicone printed straps to prevent the strap from moving along the helmet. Choose your colour of the Peak Goggle at www.motorfist.com

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

6

5

FXR Helium Prime Helmet

FLY Ignitor Pro Heated Gloves Don’t let your hands suffer while riding the cold nights, Fly’s Ignitor Pro Heated Gloves will keep your hands warm and toasty while out on the trails. Built with a full leather pal, integrated hard knuckle armour, and is touch screen compatible making it easier to use your phone or GPS! With 7.4v lithium ion battery and controller with 3-heat setting you wont have any issues keeping your hand warm and comfortable. We can’t wait to try them out. And the stainless core heating technology has superior life even in the worst conditions.

Purchase Fly’s Ignitor Pro Heated glove at www.flyracing.com

You can never have to many helmets, just hid the others from the wife. New for 2019 is FXR’s Helium Prime Helmet that has a super-lite composite fiber shell constructed from carbon fiber, Kevlar, and aerospace grade fiberglass, it also comes in 2 shell sizes to give you optimum fit, comfort, and safety. For added protection FXR integrated an intrusion resistant rear diffuser that transfer impact load to compatible neck braces and a rubber nose frost/roost guard plus impact absorbing chin composite. Added benefit of FXR’s Helium Prime Helmet is its engineered 365 vent control system for year round usability.

Head over to www.fxrracing.com.

Dayco XTX HPX HP Belts

7

Make sure you have one of Dayco’s performance belts the XTX, HPX, or the HP wrapped around your clutch. Dayco belts are specifically engineered to give your machine top performance at any RPM. With high temperature polymer and engineered reinforcements, there is nothing these belts can’t go through. We can’t stress in of the importance of a spare belt, pack it before you BRAAP! Find the right belt for your snowmobiles make and model at www.daycoproducts.com/snowmobile

8

Curve XSX Loop

Add some style and colour to your machine is easier than you think! Order up Curve Industries XSX Loop, built with comfort and style in mind this ergonomic handle has a reduced weight, unmatched durability, and is available in multiple colours. Head over to www.curveindustries.com and find the right colour for your machine!

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

87

gear

9

Ultimax XS Belts

Get superior performance out of your machine with Ultimax XS Belts by Timken. These belts are designed for modern high performance snowmobilers that are designed to provide better consistency and great resistance to cracking because of its high temperature rubber compound. Ultimax belts has a formulated rubber compound found in no other snowmobile belt which is why they stand out from the rest. If it can handle the brutality from top race sleds than it can handle what you put it through on the trails. Further details on Ultimax XS Belts by Timken at www.ultimaxbelts.com

10

HMK Glacier Jacket and Pants

We always take a risk when riding across a lake or down a creek, make the adventure less risky with HMK’s Glacier Jacket and Pants! HMK’s Glacier jacket has flotation assisting closed cell foam with 80g of additional insulation; this addition is a must for the lake runners.

This Jacket also features 150g insulation, powder skirt with snap to pant interface, YKK zipper, and reflective piping. The Glacier pant has XR-Performance 10k/8K weather-proof technology that also features the floatation assisting closed cell foam insulation, YKK zipper, snap to jacket interface, and boot cut. Yes we’ll be wearing these this winter! More details and features at www.hmkusa.com

11

CKX Side hill Zero The CKX Sidehill is a one-piece suit built to meet the needs of the most active riders. The Voltez membrane protects the body from all the elements, keeps you dry and is water and wind resistant. Multiple features such as kneepads, vents, hood and inner cuffs will make this your favourite suit. Backcountry people will love this insulated Sidehill Zero suit. Get the product now while supporting your local dealer at www.Kimpex.com

88

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

12

KIMPEX Rush Ski

Are your old skis all warn out? Your steering not as sharp as it use to be? Probably time to put in a Kimpex order for their Rush Ski, the lightest ski on the market weighing in at 4lbs.

The Rush Ski has pre-drilled holes for faster/ easier installation of runners and has a keel that provides the rider with reduced steering effort and darting. Available ion a variety of colours to match your machine! For further details and colour option go to www.kimpex.com.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

13

Superclamp II

It’s always a hassle when it comes to tying down our sleds and pulling out the straps that are all tangled up and it’s -30, especially after a long haul and all you want to do is get warm. Superclamp has changed the tie-down ways by making a high-engineered composite construction bar that goes over the top of the skis to prevent movement. The centre portion of the bar hooks onto the middle anchor and by pushing down on the handle it puts pressure onto the skis creating a strong hold. No more dealing with 4 straps for one sled! For complete details go to www.superclamp.net

14

DS Women’s Monosuit Ladies are you looking for a new suite for the upcoming winter? Looking for one with style but with all the latest protection features… Then check out Scott’s DS Women’s Monosuit. This one-piece suite provides the rider with ultimate protection from wind/water while still being breathable, soft to touch, and comfortable. You also have the added protection for you cell phone with Scott’s insulated mobile device pocket with napoleon pocket that keeps your phone dry and warm. Keep stylish and comfortable while hitting the trails or side hilling the mountains with Scott’s DS Monosuit. Further details and colour designs at www.scott-sports.com

gear

Lochsa One-Piece

15

The newly redesigned Lochsa one-piece raises the bar for performance-oriented backcountry snowsuits. KLIM knows the demand for the best in durability, ventilation, waterproofing, and engineered the Lochsa to surpass those needs. For deep powder and terrain that demands your best effort, this one-piece promises ventilation and ergonomic, durable construction to keep you at peak performance. KLIM’s drive for constant improvement brings the redesigned Lochsa to the peak of KLIM’s durability scale. More details at www.klim.com

17

16

Summit Series

Slydog Skis “Attack” the snow this season with Slydog’s new mountain ski. The Attack features a new tapered and raised 3 inch tail for improved side hilling and also allows for better reversing. New to the Attack is traction grips for better foot hold and bracing stiffeners for durability. The Attack has an innovative reverse angle keel and snow intake which allows for more lift. The Attack is 7 inches wide, 41.25 inches long and has a keel height of 1.25 inches. The Attack is available in 18 colors and 3 designs.

Price: $455.50 which includes 2 skis, 2 loops, mount kit and carbide. www.slydogskis.com

613-489-5297

jawsperformance.com

Pipes Silencers 90

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

Are you the type of rider that likes to hit the backcountry, but also likes to fride the trails from time to time? Arctiva’s Summit Series Jacket and Pants are the answer to your overheating problems.

The Summit Series is 100% waterproof/breathable nylon shell chassis, keeping you dry and comfortable through out the day.

Arctiva integrated a plethora of vents through out the jacket and pants to provide you with maximum temperature regulation and 750-denier nylon is placed in critical wear areas for additional durability.

Find your size at www.arctiva.com

iend r f t s e b s ’ obiler m w o n s A stuck e r ’ u o y n whe To learn more visit

www.stuckmate.ca

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

ON SNOW MAGAZINE PRESENTS SNOWMOBILER TELEVISION

NEW WEEKLY SHOWS STARTING IN JANUARY! VISIT WWW.SNOWMOBILERTV.COM FOR STATIONS AND TIMES IN YOUR AREA

floatbowl

Pat Bourgeois

ALWAYS A RACER

The scene at the start of the second-coming of the International-500 cross-country race when competitors battled from Thunder Bay, Ontario to St. Paul, Minnesota.

T

he passion for racing has never waned for current United States X-Country (USXC) owner and president Brian Nelson. Racing snowmobiles was in his blood as he began racing during his early teens, and joined the pro ranks with a spot on the John Deere Cross Country team in 1975 at just 22 years. Brian not only had passion, he had talent, winning the famed International-500 cross-country race one year later. He would go on to win many more races, including a repeat of the I-500 in 1978.

Even when he was no longer racing, he couldn’t stay away and became intimately involved in race snowmobile development, and was a key player in the now legendary Arctic Cat ZR series. From there he continued to stay engaged as a team owner and R&D consultant. In later years, Brian would occasionally dust-off his race gear, compete and not surprisingly, win. He won the I-500 senior class in 1995, and competed in the iconic race again in 2011, in the vintage leaf portion of the race, where he finished second.

Through it all, Brian’s passion to race continued to burn, and it prompted him to resurrect the United States Cross Country (USCC) series, after the untimely death of its founder Pat Mach.

92

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

The renamed USXC series dropped its first green flag in 2012, and almost immediately after the first race was held, Brian started planning for the resurrection of the sport’s most iconic and many would argue, most important race, the I-500.

Not surprisingly, he was successful.

Despite several years of set-backs, the return of the I-500 was celebrated in 2013, with Ryan Simons taking the win. However, over the next several years, the race would continue to face challenges, and would not run again until returning for back-to-back runs in 2017 and 2018.

But the challenges of running a race of this nature are daunting. The financial commitment was massive, and the number of volunteer hours Brian and his staff spent on the race were greater than what was required for all other USXC events combined. So, when Brian informed the snowmobile race community this past summer that the circuit had made the difficult decision to cancel the I-500 for the foreseeable future, everyone was saddened, but also understood and accepted the challenges the series faced…almost.

Snowmobile club members of the small northern Minnesota communities of Goodridge and Grygla weren’t about to

let the I-500 go silently into the night.

They called Brian up in the middle of their club meeting and told him the show would go on. They had a plan, they understood the commitment, they knew the hours it would take, but most importantly, they knew their passion to race would not rest.

Just like Brian, many members of this club and the community are die-hard race fans, committed enthusiasts, and some even former competitors. They simply love snowmobile racing, and through hard work and passion, the famed cross-country race would go on.

It’s this same passion for the sport that ensured the iconic Iron Dog snowmobile race in Alaska would continue this winter as well. Earlier this summer, the board of directors were on the verge of cancelling the event due to lack of manpower and financial support. But just like the I-500, the snowmobiling community came together and the racer inside each of them pushed on. In just a month’s time, the board of directors voted unanimously to hold the 2019 event.

Snowmobile enthusiasts are special people, but snowmobile racers burn with a passion for this sport unlike any other, and thanks in part to that passion, the race is on.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

PRESENTED BY

JAN 4-6, 2019 • INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • TORONTO FRIDAY JANUARY 4: 12PM - 9PM • SATURDAY JANUARY 5: 10AM - 9PM • SUNDAY JANUARY 6: 10AM - 5PM J 2019 NEW MOTORCYCLE DISPLAYS J HOT SHOPPING DEALS J MANUFACTURER & DEALER DISPLAYS J 500 EXHIBITORS SPAN OVER 7 HALLS J PARTS AND ACCESSORIES FOR SALE

J MEET INDUSTRY CELEBRITIES J 100 CLUBS, RIDES & RALLIES J CANADA CUP CUSTOM COMPETITION J GIANT USED BIKE MARKET J CENTURY OF MOTORCYCLES EXHIBITION

last gasp

Scott Fleming Timken Belts

Timken, manufacturer of Ultimax Belts, has been on the throttle the past few years bringing not just the snowmobile industry a high-performance alternative for drive belts, but the off-road crowd as well. Designed and manufactured in their Springfield, Missouri facility, Timken knows exactly what it takes to make a durable and reliable belt. From raw rubber to a finished product, the company’s Ultimax Belts have become the hot performance ticket for today’s demanding, high-horsepower snow rockets.

Earlier this year, On Snow took a trip to the company’s belt manufacturing plant to see just how the belts were made. While there, we met up with sales manager and avid enthusiast Scott Fleming to get his first words for this issue’s Last Gasp.

Last ride you took?

I took my 5-year old son for an extended ATV ride out in the bush in the Kawartha’s. It’s never too soon to learn survival skills.

Favorite Band in your iTunes play list?

George Jones and Chris Stapleton.

Last thing you raced?

A snowmobile while cruising down to Eagle River, Wisconsin for the World Championship snowmobile races. We started our ride in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and didn’t want to waste any time getting to the action. We made those sleds fly!

Last time you saw a bear?

At the Toronto zoo.

94

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 9 • ISSUE 2

Last time you pulled an “All-Nighter” Eagle River - the nights at the cabin get a bit crazy.

Lasting riding memory?

Well there was this one time when I got lost. We were testing a belt and giving it all we had. I wasn’t paying attention to the route and discovered I didn’t have clue how to get back. It’s all fun and games until your phone can’t get a signal.

Last beer you’d consider drinking even if it was served ice cold?

Anything in a plastic cup – you never know where it’s been.

Last project you worked on that had you truly excited?

I’m really pumped about Ultimax

sponsoring the Heroes Festival and the Motorcycle Rally in Wasaga Beach.

Heroes is a tribute to Canada’s military and first responders. We’ll be set-up on the beach in the middle of the action.

Last time you laughed so hard you nearly wet your pants?

Doing this interview and editing my answers as we go.

Last New Year’s resolution you didn’t keep?

I don’t like to break things so let’s not go there.

Last words of advice?

Never drink alone. At least not out of a plastic cup.

TORONTO SNOWMOBILE, ATV & POWERSPORTS SHOW • OCT 19-21, 2018 • TORONTO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE • www.torontosnowmobileatvshow.com

1.888.661.SHOW

PRESENTED BY

FRI. OCT. 19 1PM - 9PM

SAT. OCT. 20 SUN. OCT. 21 10AM - 7PM 10AM - 5PM atvworldmag.com

OSMMAG.COM

ATVWORLDMAG.COM atvworldmag.com

atvworldmag.com

SNOWMOBILERTV.COM

NEW SLEDS AND ATVS HUGE MANUFACTURER DISPLAYS LIVE FREESTYLE SHOWS AMAZING CUSTOM EXHIBITS PLAN YOUR TRIP & BUY YOUR PERMITS

CELEBRITY APPEARANCES GIANT USED MARKET AFTERMARKET PRODUCTS ONE DAY SUNDAY SWAP FAMILY FUN

TERRAIN CHANGES QUICKLY.

ADJUST TO IT.

INTRODUCING THE 2019 ZR THUNDERCAT WITH iACT™ SUSPENSION. ®

®

Every trail is a surprise. The turns. The banks. The bumps. The secret is keeping the throttle pinned, and riding until the day is done. The 2019 ZR Thundercat with iACT Suspension allows you to adjust your suspension on the fly, and make the most of every day. Are you ready to thrive in The Wide World of Arctic Cat®?

Always wear a helmet and don’t drink and ride. ©2018 Textron Specialized Vehicles Inc. All rights reserved.

A R CT I CCAT . CO M/iACT