OSM 10.5

2021 TIMBERSLED PEAK

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WE TAKE A FIRST LOOK AT THE 2021’S

POLARIS NEVER HAVE ENOUGH NEW! YAMAHA 2+4 EQUALS A GOOD TIME! ARCTIC CAT FIRE CYLINDER ONE! SKI-DOO TURBO’S AND OVER-ACHIEVERS!

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THE WORLD SEEN FROM ABOVE 10,000 FEET Location: Two Top Mountain, Montana Rider: Tyler Swarm Machine: Polaris 850 Khaos 155

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THE WHOLE STORY It only takes one frame for a photo‌ However, it takes four more to tell the whole story.

Location: Two-Top Mountain, Montana

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FEATURES

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YAMAHA 2021 2 + 4 EQUALS A GOOD TIME!

POLARIS 2021

NEVER HAVE ENOUGH NEW!

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 10 • ISSUE 5

ARCTIC CAT 2021 FIRE CYLINDER ONE!

SKI-DOO 2021 TURBO’S AND OVER-ACHIEVERS!

TIMBERSLED 2021

MORE OPTIONS, HARDER CHOICES!

66 GEARBOX DEPARTMENTS 14 DRIFTS INDUSTRY NEWS 16 21 SUDOKU WORD SEARCH 22 23 SUDOKU

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FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES CONTACT 1-888-661-7469 President & Publisher: Richard Kehoe Copy Editor: Rick Bloye Art Director: Darryl Aspin Production Manager: Tendra Crossman General Manager: Michael Blakoe Advertising Sales: 1-888-661-7469 Director of Sales & Marketing: Andrew McEwan Sales & Marketing: Ben Morrison, Andrew Gurman Administrative Assistant: Sarah Day Photographers: Todd Williams, Jeff Hann, Taylor Batch, James Wicken, Rob Alford, Richard Kehoe, Tendra Crossman, Mike Blakoe, Ben Morrison, Logan Gamble, Maria Sandberg, Shelby Mahon, Chris Burandt, Emily Wicklund, Brian Caswell, Levi LeValee, Kristen LaVallee Contributing Writers: Mark Boncher, Jason Kawczynski, Jeff Steenbakkers, Levi LaVallee, Chris Burandt, Tyler Swarm, Ben Morrison, Andrew Gurman, Darren Desautels, Rob Alford, Jordan Hammack, Richard Kehoe, Mike Blakoe, Logan Gamble,

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ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 10 • ISSUE 5

drifts

Richard Kehoe

THAT ENDED TOO QUICKLY

You would have never thought that this was the last ride. A great group to ride with. L-R. Brent Kore, Steenbakkers and the Jeremy.

So

many of us experienced the winter of 2020 closing too early, and this was not because of lack of snow or ice, but because of an unpredictable global pandemic.

And while it was shorter than any year that I can remember, there were still so many great rides that we were a part of.

This year began busier than others, and the snow kept falling until the March Break. Our team rode for weeks straight, and sometimes from one ride right into the next.

This past February, Levi Lavallee even made it out to ride with us in North Bay, Ontario, which was an amazing experience to say the least. No matter where Levi goes, people flock to him; they love and want to meet him, and he always makes more than enough time for everyone. We were only in North Bay for three days, but we could have easily spent a week exploring around the city and trails.

Our annual trip to Montana to ride the 2021 snowmobiles

A few unmarked redirects combined with a couple wrong guesses makes a great 500KM day on these trails.

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was a huge success, and I look forward to “snow shoot” each year. In total, twelve of us made the trip, which included cinematographers; shooters editors; writers; riders and a host. Each of us made our trip across North America to meet up in West Yellowstone. From the moment we all arrived, to the moment we all departed, it was intense. Many would think that it is more of a ‘leisure’ type of trip with champagne flights, but let me tell you, it’s not. If you turn away for even a second and miss a shot, you won’t be able to recapture it. If you miss getting video on a specific sled, you won’t be able to include it in the show next year. If you don’t have enough seat time on a sled, how can you possibly offer an opinion? If it wasn’t so organized with the right group of our twelve people, it could spool up just like an SRX making a pass at a speed run. It’s important that you have the right mix of people, have a plan and stick to it. Needless to say, I can’t wait for you to see our footage of this event.

The problem was that they never showed the milage….

We were planning a 5 hour tour. No problem!

Instead we were served an 8 hour survival mission.

Four days after returning from Montana, Brent, (cinematographer) Kore at 10,000 feet. You couldn’t miss him.

Jeremy (social media, driver, and an all-around important guy to have around) and me, loaded the Ford F250 up and made our way out to Limerick Lake Lodge to meet up with Steenbakkers. This place is awesome! A true-find, nicely situated two hours from the office and two hours from Jeff’s in Ottawa. The trails and terrain in this area vary hugely. If you go south, trails are high speed rail grade, mixed in with some severely fun, tight, twisty stuff that was very well groomed. To the north it opens up and the trails get wider and speeds can get up as you start getting into the hills. The hospitality of this entire area, including restaurants like Hideaway Primitive Grill, will floor anyone.

Limerick Lake Lodge now holds a special place in all of our hearts, and some great memories were made while there.

With that ride being cancelled as well as a few others, When we loaded our trucks and parted ways with Jeff in the parking lot that day, I remember we kept positive, remembering the amazing times we had. I looking at him and saying, “I’ll see you first thing next week thought about riding 525 kilometers in one day with Jeremy, to meet Levi in North Bay. And riding all the 2021 sleds with for New Brunswick buddy.”

We both laughed as we got into our trucks as we were all our amazing team in West Yellowstone. And I thought back on what turned out to be my last ride of the year with some looking forward to it.

Not only does New Brunswick offer some of the very best great guys in Limerick Lake. To my happiest riding days trails in the world, but we had both planned to ride our triple between these rides of burning endless tanks of fuel with two-strokes just for the one-day, down the trail they call my kids on 200s. I will always stay positive and think back to the look on my children’s faces when we were out riding this “Piston Alley”. What could go wrong with that plan?

As we were loading sleds and getting organized for our trip, winter - these are the special moments that will be cherished.

Until next season, stay safe, we’ll get through this, and I received the news. Trail systems everywhere were shutting we’ll see you in September! down, this was due to a worldwide pandemic.

My best days are spent watching these two.

On top of Two-Top Mountain

news

COR POWERSPORTS ACQUIRES USXC USXC racing has been sold to Todd and Andrea Myers, the current owners of Cor Powersports, effective date will be Thursday, April 30th, 2020. Former owner, Brian Nelson would like to thank the USXC’s dedicated community of participants, event sponsors and existing crew members for eight great years of cross-country racing. Brian furthered that he encourages all to support Todd and Andrea by continuing to support the USXC. The circuit’s name will remain USXC Racing with events, sponsors and crew members virtually the same. From all of us at On Snow Magazine and Snowmobiler TV, thank you Brian for eight amazing years of racing!

WEIR WINS CSRA PRO OPEN TITLE In the shortened CSRA race season, Jake Weir proved that consistence is key to winning in taking home the Pro Open title in 2020. Rounding out the top three and only 25 points behind Weir is RJ Roy followed in third by Taylor McCoy. In Pro Lite, Jack Polito took top honors followed by Cael Firth and Cameron Wachtler. Other Pro class champions include Ryan Hunt in Pro Snow Bike, Brooklyn Karkoulas is Pro/AM Women and Fancois Turgeon in the Pro/AM Vet class.

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TAIGA MOTORS UNVEILED PREPRODUCTION Zach Herfindahl notched another class championship with 340 points and three race victories. King Herfindahl bested Aaron Christiansen with 336 points, and Justin Tate with 318 points for class crown. In the Pro Open class, Justin Tate rode to the season championship, with David Brown in second, and Taylor Bunke finishing in third.

HERFINDAHL WINS ANOTHER USXC PRO 600 CHAMPIONSHIP Zach Herfindahl notched another class championship with 340 points and three race victories. King Herfindahl bested Aaron Christiansen with 336 points, and Justin Tate with 318 points for class crown. In the Pro Open class, Justin Tate rode to the season championship, with David Brown in second, and Taylor Bunke finishing in third.

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news

POLARIS SNOWCHECK ASSURANCE EXTENDED TO MAY 1 Recently Polaris has extended their snowcheck season to May 1, 2020. This extension comes with some added bonuses. Right now, if you snowcheck a 2021 Polaris sled you can expect the following: • 0% financing for 48 months with a 2-year warranty. OR, you can choose a 4-year warranty and 0% financing for 12 months • $1000 Golden ticket rebate towards a 2022 Snowcheck, available on RMK or SKS models.

• Dealers can now accept Snowcheck orders and deposits over the phone.

More information available at www.snowmobiles.polaris.com

A LITTLE BACKYARD FUN

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Seven year old Knox Pole from Marcy, NY rips up the backyard on his ZR200

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I

ing, t’s been a long time com k in bac lly fina is ha ma Ya but e gam ke tro the lightweight 2-s and ity util s, ain in the mount ieve trails! It was hard to bel e r giv up that Yamaha would eve y, but the onl its mantra of 4-strokeersports pow and nt, ere market is diff than they in general are different were back in 2003.

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The Mountain Max LE is back to a standing applause. The new single beam, 2-stroke 800cc Mountain Max LE is available in both 154” and 165” track lengths.

M

any of the teenage riders today weren’t even alive to see new 2-strokes with blue paint on them, but 18 model years ago, Yamaha introduced the RX-1 and boldly went all 4-stroke soon after (save a couple of models here and there). The motocross 4-stroke movement was driving a lot of recreational vehicle decisions when they pushed through 4-strokes.

Plus, the EPA was coming down hard on emissions for snowmobiles (and everything else because they seemingly had nothing better to do). The buzz around the industry in the mid-late 2000s was all about credits, meeting mandates, being cleaner, etc. And environmentalists were out in force with well-funded legal teams fighting non-existent issues in places like Yellowstone.

Well, the industry responded with a lot of 4-strokes from all the manufacturers. But soon came about new electronic fuel injection engineering in sleds, and direct injection, and the dirty carb motors became dinosaurs. Yamaha was at the forefront then in 2003, but as changes were made, and consumers showed their true wants and needs, it became apparent

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that by having a 4-stroke only line, it was impossible to stay relevant, particularly in the mountains.

This, market forces, and partnering with Arctic Cat / Textron brought Yamaha to where it is today in the snow business… and their recent decision to bring back the iconic 2-stroke Mountain Max name for the backcountry, and the new 2-stroke Venom for the trail was smart.

MAXIMIZING OPPORTUNITY Yamaha has had a positive relationship for several years now with Arctic Cat and their parent company Textron. That continues to flourish, and is evident in the 2021 lineup from the only overseas player in the snowmachine game. Probably the most important news (especially from a dealer sales standpoint) was the announcing of the Venom Mountain Max. The Mountain Max has the 794cc twin CTEC2 dual stage batteryless EFI motor in it, produced by Arctic Cat. Team clutches utilize the ponies this engine puts out, and efficiently sends power to the snow. Coming in either a 165 (3-inch pad-

dle) or a 154-inch (2.6-inch paddle) length, this sled shares almost everything with its kissing cousin, the Cat M-sleds. Yamaha’s naming for the chassis is the SRV-M chassis, but it is the Cat mountain chassis.

This all blue sled is really one of the best looking on the snow, and with the mountain single-beam rear suspension, (also known as the Alpha One) it is one of the most maneuverable in the deep snow as well. QS3 shocks all the way around give this sled a fantastic ride, and the rear shock has the lock-out function too.

The front suspension is the same dual A-arm as the Cat’s, and underneath is the Yamaha mountain skis with a stance of 36-inches.

The Mountain Max comes with plenty of standard amenities like a 20-inch tunnel bag, standard goggle bag, and of-course, push button start and reverse. A lightweight brake disc and reinforced running boards add to the bonus features on this machine.

But the Mountain Max is not alone in the 2-stroke offerings from Yamaha in the off-trail market. There’s the new SX Venom Mountain! That’s two new 2-strokes for everyone who likes to travel

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For what it is, the single piston 400cc, 65 HP Mountain Venom is very capable in the mountains.

into the deep snow, and this one’s another of the ¾-7/8 sized sleds that are available now through both Arctic Cat and Yamaha.

We’ve said ¾ sized in other articles, and the literature is 7/8, but honestly the truth is somewhere probably in between. If you look back in time, these smaller sleds are the same size (or bigger) than many of what were considered full sized sleds just 15-20 years ago.

With everything brand new, there is no denying the capability and the impact that these sleds will have. The liquid cooled 397cc single-lung batteryless EFI powered sled has the mono-rail rear suspension, electric start, reverse, exhaust power valve and more. It’s shorter and lower seat makes it perfect for families or smaller riders looking to indoctrinate people into the epic deep snow conditions that the 146-inch (2.0 lug) track can tractor through.

Like we’ve said in previous reports on these smaller sleds, they are unbelievably good at flotation, especially when ridden by smaller, lighter operators. The narrow body work and smaller (yet stable) 38-inch ski stance allows riders to have more precision and flatter cornering on the trail than a full-blown mountain sled, but it’s lightweight

and geometry make it easy to pull over in the powder and carve turns with ease.

Clutching is done by CVTech on the Venom and all of the new mid-sized sleds from Yamaha and Cat. A big 11.7-gallon fuel tank gives these sleds a long range of use between fill-ups. Full A-arm front suspension with 8.3 inches of travel, complimented by 12-inches of travel in

the rear suspension means that this sled can be a training tool for jumps, and all the maneuvers your 13-year-old will put it through, trying to ride like the pros. We had lots of time on this sled, and took it along on rides with Mountain Cats, RMK’s, Summits and more from every manufacturer. It’s fun, flashy, and will surprise you with its capability.

The Mountain Venom also has a single beam rear skid, just like the new Mountain Max’s.

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TRAIL SLEDS ARE JUST RIGHT After a couple years of trimming, revamping, dialing in, and focusing, the Sidewinder trail and crossover sleds are all working to perfection. The past four years, Yamaha really figured out exactly how to align these machines into a slim but perfect lineup, focusing on longer tracks which they found better balances the additional weight in the front end, from a turbo four stroke motor. There are 8 Sidewinder options for 2021… the 137-inch LTX-LE, GT, and LE, the SRX-LE, STX-GT, the

XTX-SE and LE, and the BTX-LE. The GT sleds are more touring oriented, SE a little more performance oriented, and the LE are for the rider than just has to have it all and super performance. The SRX is for the ultimate speed-focused and groomed trail/ lake racer person. The XTX continues to be the crossover king of the Sidewinder line and the BTX is as close as you get to a mountain machine in the Sidewinder for 2021. These sleds are wearing some great new suits for 2021, and are now easily

Thank you! Yamaha’s new Stryke single keel skis were a real step up in every way from the usual “twenty something year old” Tuner ski.

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identified on a package basis with similar color combinations across the Yamaha lineup. The SRX is in traditional Yamaha blue and silver, the LE in ink blue and a lot of high vis orange, and my personal favorite is in the GT wearing black and regal gold, and finally, silver frost and jet orange on the SE. The Sidewinder sleds are big 4-stroke EFI liquid 3-cylinder turbos, but honestly, they’re all extremely well controlled now.

Some of that comes from a new trail ski,

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THE SIDEWINDER TRAIL AND CROSSOVER SLEDS ARE ALL WORKING TO PERFECTION

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The new ink Blue/Orange colour combo is only available the Sidewinder L-TX LE and X-TX LE.

the Stryke. This new ski offers adjustable shims for the ski rubbers that allow you to make inputs that can either change steering effort and aggressiveness, allow for changes for snow conditions, and change effort and comfort. Adjusting front and rear shim is how you change the attitude of this ski. Plus, there is a new carbide design.

All this put together with several years of shock/spring calibration, and working with correct track options has helped make these 200+ hp sleds become extremely manageable on the trail and in forays offtrail. The new ski comes on all the Sidewinders except the XTX-SE and BTX-LE... which get the wider, but very trail behaved Yamaha mountain ski.

With it’s Yamaha racing blue, the Venom SX is sure to turn a lot of heads in 2021 and could also be known as a ‘one in a decade’ type snowmobile.

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Also new on the LTX-SE is a new lowheight racing windshield, The LTX-GT gets a new smoked medium windshield, and the SRX-LE has a new blue seat and matching tail flap. The LTX-GT and 2-up STX both have the new smoked medium windshield, and both come in the aforementioned retro/tough looking black and gold scheme with painted tunnels.

The XTX-SE gets the new race-height windshield, and the BTX-LE is unchanged except for the new graphics.

The SR-Viper returns again for 2021, but shockingly in just one chassis, the most popular LT-X 137-inch track. While many new buyers have gravitated to the ultra-reliable 998cc turbo found in the

sidewinder, the workhorse of the past (the 1049cc naturally aspirated motor) has now seemingly become Yamaha’s one and only full size entry sled for 2021. Two color choices are available for MY21, the silver and black standard and the new gold/black when you choose the SE package.

But that’s not all that’s new in the trails, the all new 2021 SX Venom is here too!

Like the Venom in the mountain version, this mid-size sled comes with the 65hp 1-cylinder 2-stroke liquid EFI motor. This is a trail-focused 121x14x1.00 tracked sled that fills the gap in the line-up between the 200cc Snoscoot, (with new painted tunnel for 2021) and the full-sized sleds. It is similar to the ZR200 from Arctic, and utilizes the same mini-slide-rail rear suspension.

In the utility segment, the Transporter returns with the addition of the Transporter and the Transporter Lite, both brand new for this year. The Transporter Lite is in the smaller ¾-7/8 sized chassis, with the same 397cc punchy 2-stroke motor. This is a more utility-oriented sled with a long 146-inch rear skid with flip up rails. A nice big windshield keeps you toasty warm, and all the amenities of the Venom are on here too, plus a rear utility rack! The Transporter 800 is new to the line and powered by the AC twin liquid 794cc SDI 2-stroke motor. It has Team clutching, a 153-inch suspension with the articulating rails and 2.25-inch lug Powerclaw track. This sled

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There’s nothing wrong with 2-strokes, both Mountain Max’s feature Arctic Cat’s 800cc, 8000-Series C-Tec2 engine.

works great in deep snow, for pulling things, hauling gear in the rear rack and more. A narrow 38-inch ski-stance allows it to move through tight trees and perform well off-trail.

Mountain skis, mountain seat, mountain handlebars with grab strap, and other amenities make this an extremely capable, and fun little buggy. The Transporter 600 is still available, but will be

offered only in its 2020 form.

Finally, the lineup would not be complete without the venerable (and only remaining Yamaha built chassis) utility/touring models. The recently revised 2-stroke VK 540 returns and is unchanged for 2021, as does the VK Pro II. The VK pro is the ONLY utility/touring sled on the market with electronic power steering. This is a very important option for an important segment of the market. The RS Venture TF also returns with no changes for 2021.

The all-new Transporter 800 positions Yamaha very nicely in the growing performance utility market. The Transporter 800 also features an 8000-series C-Tec2 engine.

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BY JASON KAWCZYNSKI

et ready for the biggest snow year out of Polaris in a e decade! While the other thre fair ir the manufacturers certainly had intent share of new stuff, Polaris was a with k par the of on blasting it out new a re’s The ts. duc pro new flurry of ry new motor, a new chassis, and eve ed in add of k thin goodie that you can ! t?!? star we do re whe between…

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WHAT….ANOTHER NEW CHASSIS?

IF

you rode a sled in the AXYS platform, you know that they are just about the easiest machines to ride, anywhere across the entire Polaris lineup. Whether it is a trail sled, crossover, or mountain machine, the last thing we would have ever expected to see is another new chassis this season, but Polaris did it anyway and shocked everyone!

The all new MATRYX platform capitalizes on a lot of the stellar engineering qualities of the AXYS, such as the Aluminum/Carbon Fiber chassis and structural bonding, but brings the overall quality and ride to a whole new level. The pilot is now positioned to be more centric and in a better ride location to take advantage of the inertia of a turn, and there is great overall balance and feel.

Straddling the sled, you quickly notice that it is 3-inches narrower at the knees, and in front of you almost 5-inches at the console.

Sitting on this sled was reminiscent of the ’07 Phazer. Its narrow feel is very familiar to what many of us ride the other 8 months of the year - a dirt bike. The side panels are sculpted in a manner that it clears room for more mobility on the seat. When sitting, your knees have tons of room in

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front of you and you are not riding the plastic like some other late model sleds.

Easy to ride is an understatement.

Aggressive turns can be done with minimal weight transfer required, and the skis nearly always remain planted. The narrow chassis gives you tons of room; so much so, that many of us often found ourselves sliding towards the bars. But you always feel incredibly comfortable, wherever you end up in your seating position.

Looking at these slim machines, you would think it is going to be a cold ride, but you would be wrong. Polaris also incorporated greatly increased wind deflection into the design. Extensive testing in their computer modeled wind tunnel optimized every curve on the body panels to deflect the breeze in every direction, except towards the rider. Even the models with the short windshields do a phenomenal job of keeping you warm, to the point we found ourselves happy to stand up from time to time.

The most impressive part of this new chassis was the fit and finish. Polaris logos are enjoyably hidden around the machine, which goes to show their dedication to top quality.

LOOKING AT THESE SLIM MACHINES, YOU WOULD THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A COLD RIDE, BUT YOU WOULD BE WRONG. POLARIS ALSO INCORPORATED GREATLY INCREASED WIND DEFLECTION INTO THE DESIGN.

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The new Matryx VR1 doesn’t disappoint in either the 650 or 850cc trim.

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MORE POWER PLEASE!

Now in its third production year, the 850 has been proven to be a very reliable motor, and continues to be backed by a full four-year OEM warranty when you springorder your new model. For Polaris to feel good about handing these huge warranties out and still keep the price low, is making a bold statement of how good these motors really are. With their commitment to this new chassis, 2021 will only include one offering of the 800 Liberty motor found in the Titan line-up. All other line-ups including the Titan, will offer the 550 fan (Evo), 600 Liberty, 850 and yes- the all new 650 Patriot.

Polaris engineers based this new 650 motor on the 850, sharing most of the same parts, sans the top end. So, expect this motor to be plenty overbuilt for putting out 600 class horsepower, of course leaving us to assume this motor will be rock solid reliable, even more so than Polaris’s last gem.

As for performance, oh yes, she is fast.

You can count on a solid 10% more power versus the 600 Liberty motor, and we can tell you that with the clutching, it feels like a whole lot more. This motor is a rocket off the line, and feels fast enough to keep up with some 800 class machines. Bouncing back from the 850 to the 650, sometimes we even forgot which model we were on.

Both have incredible low and mid-range

The XCR will always be Polaris’s heavyweight champ in the ring.

power, but with the 850 only really edging out more into the high range. The clutching is phenomenally smooth on either, and akin to the smooth delivery you would expect in a 4-stroke machine.

Don’t forget that with all this new tech comes better economy, and you can expect a whopping 40% increase in fuel mileage and substantial reduction in oil consumption with the addition of direct injection technology.

The new 650cc Patriot has power and speed.

When we rode it we felt it wa s more of a lazy 8 than a 650. We also like that Polaris put a 650 motor back into the rotation.

BETTER TECHNOLOGY THAN A FLUX CAPACITOR Sled technology is getting better and better every year with the big four. Analog gauges and little information at your fingertips is becoming a thing of the past. But Polaris again went crazy on upgrading this on their new models when designing the new Ride Command 7S display. This unit has it all; full-color touch screen, easy to read GPS, preloaded with a very detailed base map and Ride Command extensive trail archives. Its message

display is completely configurable to show you any and all vehicle data, delivered the exact way it’s most important to you. It even comes with rider tracking so you can keep tabs on your riding group running any sleds using the Ride Command displays or iOS or Android app on their phone. You can even keep track of your riding buddies nearby running the 7S display without any cellular coverage, by using the point to point wireless built into these units.

THIS GAUGE EVEN COMES EQUIPPED WITH CONTROLS FOR CUSTOMIZING YOUR HAND WARMER TEMPERATURE.

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This gauge even comes equipped with controls for customizing your hand warmer temperature. Gone are the days where you had to constantly change from high to low during the ride to keep that temp just right at different riding speeds. These smart warmers don’t rely on electrical current to set the range from high to low; now it can be set at the exact temperature you want them to be. So, as it gets colder or your ride gets faster, they automatically compensate to keep the same temperature for consistent set and forget functionality. Best of all, you can adjust the hand and thumb warmers independently, and configure two preset settings that you can control from the bars.

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STORAGE GALORE The MATRYX comes standard with plenty of storage! The rear has an under-seat compartment which replaces the AXYS tunnel bag, and is even larger. Plus, there is an additional 7.6L of storage behind the display that could certainly fit anything else you could possibly need.

We were generously offered to ride each and every one of these new MATRYX models, (yes, we are spoiled) along with many of their competitor’s sleds, side-by-side over the course of a week. After our test riders all got their first turns on one of them, the following days we found each other racing to sit on one of them and reserve our next day’s choice of MATRYX rides, which probably says enough of how much we enjoyed them.

LOCK & RIDE FLEX The all-new lock’n ride flex system gives owners the easiest way to add storage or extra seating to their machines. Simply push down to secure your accessory, and it’s in place. To remove, just lift the handle. You can even adapt this tech to your old t-slot tunnel accessory mounts with the flex adaptor kit.

LIGHT YOUR RIDE To light your night ride, Polaris equipped these new machines with a projector style LED light. This differs from most other ‘reflector’ style Halogen or LED lights where they are not precisely positioned like featured here. Each light is essentially an individual unit so they could point them all in the exact spot to cover a wider and more specific location on the trail, and not spill out into areas that you don’t need to illuminate. Even the hand guards are lit for a little extra OEM provided bling.

There’s a lot of nice touches on the VR1. Among them, Polaris incorporated a mirror in the side panel design. You’re welcome trail riders.

The 7S Display has a long list of capabilities and features. Riders can use the touch screen or can use the controls on the left handlebar to change views and functions. Not only can you pair your phone to make calls and listen to music, but GPS and Ride Command are also on the 7S Display.

They call it the NightBlade Headlight. Six projector beams gives off a lot of candle power. add in the lite up hand guards AND local law departments may be getting a few UFO calls.

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TACKLING THE TRAILS The big news of course is the MATRYX platform, and it comes in a few different models for 2021, each coming with your choice of the Patriot 850 or the all new 650. The Indy XC Launch Edition is the only in-season MATRYX offering, and it comes in either a 129” or 137” track length, Walker Evans Force front shocks with three choices of track options, the 1.25” Ice Ripper, 1.35 cobra or the 1.5” Storm, our personal favorite.

Those choosing to spring order can also get all this new tech in the Indy VR1. This SnowCheck only package is exclusive to get the new 7S display, as well as the Walker Evans Racing Velocity® shock package. These shocks are a fully configurable coil-over/reservoir design with high-low compression adjustment, a mid-mounted bridge, and of course, are fully rebuild-able. The VR1 also comes in the same 129” or 137” track options as the XC, as well as the same three different track choices.

Most of the other trail models return for 2021, but remain on the AXYS platform with the exception of the Rush being discontinued this season.

For the crossover riders, the all new MATRYX Switchback Assault 146” adds just a bit more length over the MY20 Assault 144 (also returning unchanged for 2021). The new Assault comes configurable with a trail biased 1.35” cobra track, mid-range 1.5 ice storm pre-studded or 1.6 cobra, and the all new, deep snow capable Cobra 2.0 Crossover track which replaces the Series 4 models in the prior Assault. The 7S display and the WER Velocity shocks like the VR are standard as it is also a Snowcheck exclusive model. Two of our favorites from 2020, the Switchback Pro-S and XCR models also return mostly unchanged, and now remain the only two machines that have the Pro-X style rear suspension.

Don’t forget the Titan for 2021; it still comes standard with the 800 motor, paired with a new driveshaft and track design.

This gives the king of utility crossovers a substantial reduction in vibration and track noise for a much better ride.

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Matryx XC 850

MORE MOUNTAINS

Hey mountain riders! For the first time in years, the flatlanders actually get the first nod at a newly released chassis, instead of it coming out in the mountains first. But no worries, all mountain models for 2021 remain on the proven and lightweight AXYS platform. This only makes us wonder what Polaris has in store for 2022. It’s going to be a long year of waiting to find out, but this mountain lineup still is one of, if not the best, so we can safely say that you will be in great shape, whatever you choose.

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RMK RETURNS

The RMK models return with minor changes. The standard RMK 144 is only available in the 600 Liberty, but unfortunately, not the 650 Patriot yet. The Pro RMK in season models will be offered only with the 850 Patriot motors and options for both the standard chaincase or the

QUICKDRIVE 2

QuickDrive 1 system, in some new colors.

For the SnowCheck models, you can opt to get the Quickdrive 2 with the new track options, and now a 165” length as well as the previous 155-163-174” skids.

The RMK Khaos now is offered in three different track lengths for 2021. The 155”

again, along with now a 163” and 165”, similar to the range of the Pro’s. All Khaos models are SnowCheck exclusive, and each come equipped only with the Quickdrive 2 system. Coming in new bold color choices, the Khaos sure catches the eye as well.

If you choose to spring order, you can opt to get the new Quickdrive 2 drive system, paired with an all new 2.75” or 3” series 8 track in the mountains, but again, only a Snow Check exclusive option. This new drive system brings an even lower inertia design than the QD1 with a 10% lower gear ratio, delivering better throttle response and a significantly lower rider effort.

This system, designed in partnership with Gates, is a really significant performance increase over the QD1. We can’t see why anyone would want to opt in for a chaincase model in their RMK anymore, considering the consistent reliability of these designs.

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BY MARK BONCHER

I

would say that Arctic Cat is doubling down on 2-stroke technology, but they are rea lly ‘single-ing’ it down! By now everyone has heard about the new mid-size snowmobile Cat rele ased for 2021, the Blast. A lot of us have had plenty of time to read up on it too, as we’ve been managing a lot of things from home lately. Tha nkfully, my boss wants me looking at new sleds all day on my computer, so I don’t have to worry about get ting in trouble at work!

That said, the new single-cylin der 2-stroke EFI powered Blast sleds had lots of hours put on the m by

yours truly and the rest of the staff here at OSM. I even traded paint with our photographer and the big boss here a couple times, mo stly at a blistering pace of 35-55 mph.

That’s not a knock against the se new machines, it was a riot… or a blast… or doggone good old fashioned fun!

Cat put out more than just a new chassis and motor this year though, including more Alphaone suspended sleds, and some other great changes. Let’s stay focu sed on the news that could re-shap e the snowmobile industry though .

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STAYING SINGLE IS NOT A BAD THING!

Y

ou don’t need to feel like you are cheating on your big twin 800 when you are on the new Blast. It is a different kind of sled, a different feel, and an experience all to itself. We had more fun with a group of these on the trail than we did on almost anything else we rode for the 2021 model year. The smaller size, 397cc 65hp super lightweight and lively Blast ZR, M, and LT sleds were extremely capable both on the trail and off. This powerplant is the first for the industry, not even 50 pounds, and can be used in lower snow conditions as it is a liquid. It is even lighter than many fan-cooled twins. The thump of single cylinder motors is taken out with a counter-balanced shaft which drives the

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waterpump. 3-stage exhaust valves afford a torquey feel.

With fuel injection, electronic oil injection, reverse and easy electric start, these sleds are modern and edgy, but also tame, warm and give you a chance to re-live days when everything was not a white blur going by you. Liquid cooled and with enough suspension (and optional big spring available) that anyone can ride these. Don’t want your new buddy to lean on your shiny new 165hp rocket sled?

Have him/her get on one of these! Excited to get your daughter or son riding with the parents and not getting intimidated?

These are perfect!

The ZR and M Blast sleds are filling the long vacated gap in the snowmobile

line-up where dozens of ‘step-up’ models used to be available. And doing it with modern technology! They complement the ZR200 very nicely, and now your little ones can start on the 120, move up to the 200, then the Blast, then a 600 liquid, full size sled. As far as a succinct, tight, well positioned and affordable line-up goes, AC might be now leading the charge. They even made updates to the ZR 200 suspension to be able to adjust spring pre-load in the skid, and ski shocks to 5 new settings, and a new, lighter rail design. Oh, and the 120’s get the new shocks too… Cat really has the entire family in mind, and they will continue to have success winning new customers over with that mentality.

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Weighing in at roughly 400lbs, these are a fraction of the weight of a full size sled, but you still get a 121x14x1-inch lug track and slide-rail suspension in the ZR. The LT has the longer Cobra 146x15x1.6-inch track and Xtra-Action skid, and the mountain M-version has the single-beam Alpha One rear suspension and Challenger 146x15x2-inch track.

Torsion springs are there to set ride height and sag inside the 1-piece tunnel. Flotation is great off-trail, and you will go through a lot more snow than you probably think possible.

Just like the big Cat sleds, these have an adjustable ski-stance, but it is a 37-39 inch adjustment. There are twin tube hydraulic shocks, and the more utility oriented LT has a rear rack and taller seat to go along with a taller 15.5-inch windshield. The ZR and mountain have a smaller 4-inch windshield and they all have a digital gauge.

Clutching is done by CVTech on both the primary and secondary, and stopping comes from the Stealth master cylinder and lightweight caliper. The resonator is the same as the 800 sleds and paired with a new pipe. The side panels and skid plate are off the Alpha sleds, and the headlight is shared with the smaller ZR 200. Finally, the 11.7 gallon fuel tank is shared along all the lines. The engineers were certainly trying to use parts that could be used across several sleds, but also came up with all new aspects like a lightweight centerline steering system.

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There is more than enough jam in the jar of this single cylinder 400cc, 65 Horse, 2-stroker.

STAYIN’ WARM! If you are worried that these sleds might be cold, (like the smaller Phazer from Yamaha a few years back, and the smaller Freestyle from Ski-Doo) don’t be. The larger windshield can be put on any of these and the windflow lets the rider sit in a nice little bubble. Hand grip warmth was excellent, and honestly, you will move around on these sleds more, so you are actually more active, keeping you warm as well. Also, with a top speed of realistically no more than 75mph at sea level, you won’t be traveling back in time on these anytime soon.

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The single beam Riot X is definitely more off-trail than on.

ATAC, RIOT X, AND MORE COOL NEWS! The change-on-the-fly suspension system Arctic Cat has been using got a new name this year and is no longer the iAct, but is now called ATAC. The nicest thing is that the front and rear suspensions can now be independently adjusted on the fly. Three shock settings of soft, medium, and firm are still used, and you can also save 2 customized rider settings.

This is available on the ZR sleds, but now also on the new Mountain Cat M-sled. The Mountain Cat ATAC also has an on-the-fly lockout function for the rear lockout shock. This system aids in climbing and customizing the mountain

riding experience for riders who like to ride varying terrain and conditions.

The ZR limited trail sleds are available in 6000 and 8000 CTEC motors, and with either the QS3 shock package all the way around, or the ATAC shock system. The RR only comes in the 8000 motor and the XC only comes in 6000 engine package.

There were several upgrades for the ZR, RR and XC sleds including a carbon fiber torque control link and motor mounting with lighter A-frame. The dual runner wearbar is replaced with a single runner, a new chaincase fill plug and more. The Thundercat also returns for 2021, but the

track is the 1.25 lug, not the shorter 1-inch lug that comes in the Yamaha SRX version of this 200+ hp 4-stroke turbo. You can pick from a QS3, or ATAC shock package in this sled.

The Riot X crossover is the other big news from Cat this year. This is a 146-inch sled, and it comes with a 2.6-inch lug track and the Alpha monorail rear suspension.

The Riot X also comes with the option of the new ACAT suspension system with 1.5 IFP shocks or the 1.5 Zero QS3 shocks. This is basically a high-end, shorttrack mountain sled with the AMS front suspension, vertical steering post, running

Unlike it’s cousin from across the pond, the Thundercat features a 1.25” Ripsaw II track. Many believe that the 1.25” lug track is more trail friendly and produces less track spin than the 1” lug on Yamaha’s SRX.

The change on the fly suspension system called the ATAC system, is available on the ZR and the new Mountain Cat models. Drivers can change the suspension setting to soft, medium or firm depending on the riding conditions.

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boards extrusions, Pro-Climb 7 G2 mountain skis, and adjustable 39.5-41.5 inch ski stance. This is an 80/20 off-trail versus an on-trail focused machine.

The standard Riot crossover sleds got updates too like changing to the more trail version ZR handlebars, the new carbon TCL and different A-frame, the new 11.5-inch single wearbars like on the ZR, and more little things. The standard 146-inch Riots come in either a 6000 or 8000 motor, and the option of either a 1.6 or 1.35 lug track.

The ARS II trail-oriented front suspension is here, and there’s also the laydown steering post and 42.5-43.5 inch stance adjustability.

Ice scratchers are standard and so is the Pro-Climb 7 G2 mountain ski. This is a 50/50 on-trail versus off-trail sled. The only other more 50/50 oriented sled in the lineup is the Norseman X8000 utility and touring sled.

As for the mountain sled lineup, well that got the attention last year with the Alpha One rear suspension. But this year the M8000 Hardcore Alpha One has several track options in the 154 or 165-inch lengths. 3.0 inch lugs come on all the 165’s, but you can get a 2.6inch lug on the 154. Fox QS3 or QSL, shock options are available on the Hardcore. The Mountain Cat mentioned earlier comes in a 154 or 165-inch option with the ATAC only available on the 165. Only 3-inch lugs come on the Mountain Cat though, and the same QS3 or QSL shock options. The mountain heat exchanger is still here too, in order to keep the ice buildup to a minimum.

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BY MARK BONCHER

ievderdogs, over-ach leeper sleds, un e’s er th t bu ll, wi at you ers; call them wh just an th 21 20 r fo oo line-up more to the Ski-D rbo. mountain sled tu a of ws ne the big sled#1 to say that the I know, it’s tough in most og rd de un ustry is an builder in the ind a lot more word, but there’s any sense of the i-Doo Sk te this year from gravy on the pla nce. We gla st fir might see at y an m at wh an th sampling this days thoroughly spent numerous ec-based ds from the Queb year ’s buffet of sle ats in tre sty e are lots of ta Ski-Doo, and ther . the 2021 line-up

S

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The MXZ Sport features a new 600c EFI engine that produces a friendly 85HP.

TRY THE TRAILS… AND CROSSOVERS!

WE

will get to the mountain turbo, so just hold your horses… we are equally as excited with what we rode on the trails from SkiDoo. The new 2021 RAS X front end was something that we were not expecting, and it’s no joke. With a 1.5-inch wider stance and adjustable from 42.1 inches to 43.9 inches, this is something that was missing in Ski-Doo’s repertoire.

Plus, you get 10mm more usable travel, so the bumps get squashed with even more effectiveness.

In addition to the new front end, there’s a couple new skis as well. The Pilot skis have been a staple of Ski-Doo trail and cross-over cornering for years, but the new Pilot X skis take it to another level.

With 10% more lateral surface area and 10% more rigidity, these skis bite hard, continue to be predictable, and don’t increase your effort as a driver. The keel is 31mm longer as well. The enemy of an enjoyable ride is often uncontrolled darting, and these skis do a great job (as the

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former Pilots did as well) of keeping you straight and confident.

There is also a new Pilot TX adjustable ski. These replace the TS skis and have a similar blade that can be extended out from the keel, or retracted in by the turn of a cam in front of the ski spindle. The running plate (blade) is longer, (63mm more exposed) and is made to work better in loose snow and changing conditions. SkiDoo says this is an ‘enhanced side-wall effect’, but basically it gives more area to push snow when you dive into a corner that has new, loose, or even sugary snow.

A new attack angle of the runner also helps with predictability. One complaint on the former TS skis was that the runner often caught in corners at inopportune times creating an unpredictable kick or ski-lift.

The new TX skis aim to lessen this. The rear of the ski is also shorter and tipped-up more, and the side-keel of the ski is 2mm deeper too. With the new RAS X, these skis seem to have hit the spot much better and should improve the experience for an array of riders.

If the front end and skis weren’t enough for you, there is a new rMotion X rear suspension as well! The rMotion certainly is still one of, if not the best, trail rear suspension produced, but the X version improves on it. The rear arm is longer and lighter, and the rear arm shock is 15mm longer as well. The front arm grew by 30mm and is mounted 7mm higher and the arm lays flatter. There is also a tooladjustable weight transfer adjuster on the rail too, so no more having to adjust limiter straps if you want a more playful, or more planted, flatter cornering front end. New wheels all the way around are lighter too… overall the suspension lost 5 pounds, gained 10mm of travel, and handles better.

This is what you want for the bumps, as it offers more adjustability, better mogul compliance, and less ski-lift than any other trail rear suspension for 2021.

In the all new 850 Renegade X-RS, this front and rear suspension is potentially the best all-around, high-performance set-up for the trail on the market. The sweet spot for the trails continues to be

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The second generation 600R E-TEC engine doesn’t disappoint and surprisingly at altitude gave fits to a slightly larger mill. We can’t wait to get on this 600 ripper on the trails in 2021.

The new Pilot X and TX ski (above) give Ski-Doo a real handling edge on the trails.

the 137-inch Renegade package in our opinion. Furthermore, the spring buy sleds are available in MXZ and Renegade and Backcountry, with the X or X-RS packages. The Backcountry spring buy sleds get the ultracapacitor SHOT system too… which we still wish was available for more sleds in the line.

In addition to the new suspensions, the carb and fan motors are now gone from the trail and all of Ski-Doo’s lines. Replacing these motors is the all-new 600 EFI motor. My personal favorite trail sled with this motor in the line is the Backcountry Sport model, which besides the lower power, doesn’t sacrifice much in comparison to the ride of the standard Backcountry, but leaves you with over $3000 left in your wallet. The new motor allows Ski-Doo to meet all EPA guidelines without using credits. It is cleaner, gets great fuel economy, (Ski-Doo says 17.7mpg, but yet to be verified) and it has better oil economy.

Based on the 600R ETEC and utilizing the pDrive clutch, this

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The easy to operate and navigate new wide screen, color display is nothing short of amazing. It can do everything but call the boss to give a valid excuse when you miss work to ride… But it will let you call in.

85 hp rated motor is simple. It has no rave valves, no DI, and a mechanical oil pump.

All of Ski-Doo’s lineup comes in the Gen4 chassis as well… more on that later.

Finally, the MXZx with the 600R motor, updated last year with more power, is quite possibly the most fun trail sled out there. Like another 600 now on the market from Polaris, this sled darn near makes having an 850 in the trail obsolete. It’s that strong!

The RAS X front suspension provides flatter covering and exceptional handling. The RAS X was designed in conjunction with Ski-Doo’s near perfect rMotion X rear suspension.

Ski-Doo redesigned the rMotion suspension, featuring a longer front arm with an adjustable angle design that is designed to work with the RAS X front suspension. No question about it, Ski-Doo is going to thrill a lot of performance trail riders.

Many Ski-Doo riders felt that the performance and ride of the MXZ’s couldn’t get much better…they were wrong.

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The 2021 Summit X, Expert package featuring the 850 E-TEC Turbo had everyone that squeezed it, grinning.

KEEPING IT COOL! On the Summit sleds there is a new QRS Vent Plus secondary system, plus a belt monitoring system. The monitoring systems give you warnings on the gauge when your belt is getting too hot for the load being put on it, but will not shut the sled down immediately. This is great, especially in the backcountry where WOT pulls are the norm, often for more prolonged periods than other usages. That said, heat is obviously the enemy of belt life, and this is one cool pre-emptive measure that honestly, we think should be in every sled. Belt temp is an issue for all sleds from the trail to utility, and we’re excited to see this new system proliferate.

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THE MOUNTAINS ARE CALLING! Yes, this was the big early news from Ski-Doo… the first purpose-built OEM 2-stroke turbo, with warranty, that makes 165+hp pretty much at any altitude.

Disclaimer - until you reach roughly 8,000 feet, but still, that is an incredible feat!

Available in Freeride, X, and Expert packages, this all new turbo is putting 2-stroke power-added motors on the map, and potentially not just for snowmobiles… but we will see! No longer is your only turbo option in the mountains an aftermarket kit for a 2-stroke, 4-stroke, or a heavier OEM 4-stroke. We’ll save a lot of the technical jargon for the full story on this motor and the Summit sleds it comes in, but suffice it to say that the power is seamless, the lightweight feel is totally flickable, and it sounds sexy too! The new, one-piece lightweight hood and small lightweight seat on this steroid pony negate a lot of the additional weight put on with the turbo.

There’s been a lot more done in the mountain line too, including dropping the Summit Sport, (replaced with the Backcountry Sport mentioned earlier) and also dropping the 137 Freeride. Granted, the 137 was never really a mountain sled, but the Freeride sleds now start at the 146-inch length, but only available across all models in the narrow stance with the loss of mid-width 137. You will also notice that the 175-inch version of the Summit X was dropped too. The SP model that is the main in-season Summit gets the spindle, ski-stopper, steering and handlebars from last year’s Expert package as it is upgraded for 2021. Oh, and to be clear, all the spring buy and in-season models are available with the SHOT system.

The standard 850 non-turbo Expert packages also receive the lightweight hood, shedding another six pounds and making the best power to weight ratio in

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The first factory built 2-Stroke turbo

the lineup for those low elevation riders not needing the addition of the turbo.

Finally, the Summit X packages get a lot of the Expert package upgrades from last year too, including the seat, steering and handlebars, plus the spindle, ski-stopper, and short tunnel. You will notice a new 4.5-inch digital gauge on the Summit sleds for 2021. The Backcountry 154 with either a 2 or 2.5-inch lug track could certainly be lumped in with the mountain sleds this year too, as it was not too long ago that a 154-inch sled with 2.5-inch lugs was a serious mountain sled. To sum up, with both the 850 and 850 turbo available now, in so many optional packages across the deep snow line, you can really dial in what you want.

The 850 E-TEC produces 165 ponies and now with a turbo directly from the factory it will continue to produce 165 horses all the way to up to 8000 feet. If you are still climbing after 8000, Ski-Doo says that it should have a constant 40 horse advantage the rest of the way up.

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NEW LINQ SLEIGH A brand new pull-behind sleigh utilizing the linQ system was introduced this year as an accessory, mainly focused on the utility market. But let me tell you, I have an older version pull-behind sleigh and this one makes it look like an antique.

There is a hard cover that has linQ accessory options on top, (think gas can that doesn’t have to go in the same place as your lunch cooler) plus plastic hyfax/ carbide runners, dividers, and more. Santa better pack this sleigh, in his sleigh, for me!

ELINQ

It sounds a little strange when you first hear about it, but this is a DESS cord/tether and a helmet power cord in one! Yep, you heard that right. With a little installation, you can have a magnetic cord that is connected to the power source to heat your helmet and that same cord tees off to your DESS as well.

This is really cool stuff and only available through Ski-Doo!

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TOURING/UTILITY IS NOT AN AFTERTHOUGHT Not just in the eastern Canadian forests, but also on the plains, in the Midwest and northern states, and even out west, utility and touring sleds are in high demand.

Ski-Doo has this market constantly in its sights, and now all the Expedition, Skandic, and Tundra sleds are in the G4 platform. The Skandics alone dropped 3080 pounds, depending on the exact model this year.

The Expedition (touring AND utility focused line) has numerous upgrades for this upcoming season including the spring-only SE getting upgraded HPG front and center shocks. The SWT has the three engine options just like the SE and LE (600r E-TEC, 900 ACE turbo, and 900 ACE naturally aspirated). Plus the SWT get the new high backrest and the heated passenger grips. The Extreme 850 in the Gen4 chassis is one of my favorite sleds to ride of any machine in the entire line-up, and you can hold the skis up seemingly forever on it… but it has no changes other than color. The Expedition Sport now comes in the Gen 4, with the 900 or 600 ACE motor, or the new 600 EFI motor.

The Skandic is a backwoods utility and touring rider’s dream. The main calls to glory for this machine are the telescopic (what many affectionately still call the pogo-stick) front suspension, and the

articulating rear suspension with lock-out feature for towing. The front suspension allows for the belly pan to aid in flotation, and the articulating movement of the rear of the rail in the skid allows you to back up easier in deep snow and traverse areas that would be more difficult. Three models are available for 2021 including the SWT, WT, and Sport. There are various engine options across all three, but the Sport is only available with the new 600 EFI motor.

The SWT and WT have all kinds of great features like a multi-linQ plate and rear rack for accessories, high capacity battery, 4.5-inch digital display and more.

The Tundra Extreme is no longer in the lineup, but the Tundra LT, and Sport are in for 2021 and now in the Gen 4 chassis.

This was a welcome sight for the Tundra as its prior design remained unchanged for nine years. Engine options are the 600 EFI 2-stroke or 600 ACE 4-stroke.

Things like an added radiator, rear rack, telescopic font end, linQ base kits, heavy duty rear bumper, and more make these more value-focused sleds still extremely desirable and well-equipped.

The Cadillac of the snow is back in the Grand Touring as well, in the Gen 4 chassis again too. It is available in Limited and Sport packages.

REVELSTROKE, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA Experience the serene ambiance of country log living surrounded by panoramic views and nestled at the base of Mt. MacKenzie. Situated on a parklike acreage, we are directly below Revelstoke Mountain Resort with the ski lifts on our doorstep.

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BY JASON KAWCZYNSKI

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BRING ON THE SHORTIES

T

hese new “S” platforms are certainly not made for the youth market, as say the Ripper is, but rather focused for our “vertically challenged” riders. No, we don’t mean flatland riders that fear the mountains, but rather you guys and girls that were not given the family genes to become a basketball star.

The main focus is specifically seat height. Timbersled engineers were aiming to make an intermediate model with as many features as their taller counterparts, but combining a lower ride height. This was not only just for shorter riders, but those of any height and new to the industry, that

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could ride a snow bike with a bit more confidence, being able to operate it more flat-footed.

In the dirt world, there are countless different models from a 50cc youth bike, up to the big bore enduros. Each and everyone in between offers a huge range of power, weight and yes, seat height choices. So why not bring this flexibility in choice to the snow bike scene…….well consider it done.

In 2021, riders will have two different shorty options; the Riot S and Aero S. Both models will provide a 3-inch reduction in seat height. This is accomplished by a combination of a 1.75-inch lower front spindle, and

the rear suspension compressed by 3-inches. The rear shocks being shorter also receive new heavier springs and re-valving to keep the ride similar to their taller equivalent’s standard modes.

The Riot S is similar to the regular Riot in most respects including color packages and most of its standard features. But with lower seat height, you lose an equal amount of rear travel, where the S model is 10-inches versus 13 on the standard fixed install kit, and 18-inches versus 21 on the TSS kit.

The ARO S is again very similar to the standard ARO package. Offered only in the 129” track length, most of its

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features are identical, but lose the rear travel, 9-inches versus 12 on the standard fixed install kit, and 17-inches versus 20 on the TSS kit.

Riding these new platforms, you instantly feel more comfortable. Putting a leg over the seat was easy, and never do you feel the bike might tip over while jumping on. Taking each in the meadows, you could easily put a foot down if needed for slow maneuvers and hard turns. Riding hard pack snow or trails finally becomes manageable on a snow bike, as you could maneuver more like you would on a dirt bike in the turns, leaning hard and putting a foot down. With the more gradual approach angle and quicker spool up, you can install these and have great performance, even on a 250cc bike, but have the even better option to install these kits on a full-size bike with ample power for wherever the day’s ride may take you.

Our test riders who were not as experienced with snow bikes felt that a platform like this could really help them learn to become better riders in a much shorter timeframe. Launching this might have been the smartest move in the industry for Timbersled, as they can now expand to more new riders.

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gear

1

FXR M Ranger Instinct Lite Mono 20

The FXR premium Ranger Instinct SX Pro mono is designed for those who attack the terrain and demand the most from their equipment. New sublimated logos infuse color into the high-mobility Omni-Stretch shell, while ACMT with HydrXPro, creates a duallayer moisture shield to keep you dry and comfortable. Leather insteps grip the side of the bike or sled, so that you can ride with greater confidence.

Check it out for yourself at www.fxrracing.com

3

FXR W Renegade FX Jacket 20 All new design for 2020, FXR’s Women’s Renegade FX Jacket features a full OmniStretch shell for superior durability and maximum active-ride mobility, coupled with FXR’s exclusive F.A.S.T. technology that delivers both buoyancy assistance and exceptional insulating qualities. When the removable Thermal Dry active liner is paired with our dual-layer ACMT lining, the insulating value will keep you warm on the coldest days of winter. Visit www.fxrracing.com

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2

Global Star Spot X Out in the backcountry, finding a cell signal can become a chore, so why not take that extra safety measure

with Global Stars SPOT X. The SPOT X provides 2-way satellite messaging so you can stay connected to remote and lone workers, even outside of cellular range. Connect SPOT X to your smartphone via Bluetooth wireless technology through the SPOT X app to access your contacts and communicate easily. This includes direct communication with emergency services to pinpoint your exact location. SPOT X is flexible too, and each unit has its own mobile phone number so units can be reached via cell or other SMS devices at any time.

Go to www.globalstar.com today!

4

C&A Pro XCS Crossover Skis

The Xtreme Crossover Ski and XCS crossover snowmobile skis by C&A Pro offer the best performance for today’s high-tech and high-powered crossover sleds.

This ski features outboard keels for precise control, snow scoops to maintain grip and they are tapered for sidehilling and offer the best performance for both on and offtrail riding. Go to www.caproskis.net today.

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6

5

CastleX Code Jacket

Schaeffers XP 2-Cycle Oil

Whether you’re out on a trail, in a cross-country snowmobile race or

power gliding across the water, you need high performance oil that’s ready for adventure. Our Supreme 9000™ Full Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing Oil is designed just for that. Supreme 9000™ Full Synthetic 2-Cycle Racing Oil keeps engines and other critical parts clean, giving your machine a like-new performance. This premium, ashless

oil reduces smoke emissions and prevents exhaust port blocking. Its clean characteristics prevent hard carbon deposits from forming so you can enjoy a smooth but powerful throttle.

Check it out at www.schaefferoil.com

7

CastleX Code Jacket is constructed from Ultra tough polyester/nylon shell with 3M™ Thinsulate™ Original Insulation (100g body/80g sleeve) AND a removable liner (100g body/80g sleeve). The overall insulation weight combined (200g body/160g sleeve). You need waterproof? The Code Jacket is designed with 5,000mm/5,000g/m² Ven-Tex® 1.0 windproof, waterproof, breathable coated shell materials and DWR coating. Critical seams sealed and Comfort-Flow™ polyester mesh lining. Ventec® 2-way zippered core vents with snow blocker mesh. Velcro adjustable cuffs with Internal Lycra® hand gaiters. Zippered internal cap pocket plus dual Spandex™ storage pockets. Visit www.castlesales.com for more details.

CKX Mission Helmet

The CKX Mission Helmet was developed in the utmost secrecy by the engineering team, the Mission is a full-face helmet dedicated to trail driving enthusiasts. Light and stealthy, it provides enhanced protection from the cold and considerable noise reduction. Inspired by the enduro style with its adjustable and removable peak, it comes with an oversized shield, which completely clears the mouth when removed. This helmet is a must have, and in addition to providing unparalleled comfort, the system contributes to reducing internal fogging, frost and condensation. You need to check out www.ckxgear.com

8

Tekrider Tekvest The Outback Designed for mountain and back country riders who already ride with a back or “avy” pack, and ideal for para rescue workers. More and more off-road dirt riders have chosen the outback by tekrider.

Cut 2” taller than a regular tekvest for stand-up riders. The new, narrow shoulder width design can comfortably be worn on the outside of a riders suit. www.tekrider.ca

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9

Arctiva Rise Summit Helmet

The Rise Summit Helmet by Arctiva is made with an injection molded polycarbonate shell, MIPS Brain protection system and a Dual forehead, chin and rear exhaust vents to increase airflow. The fully removable polyester moisture wicking liner and cheek pads make this helmet extremely functional. It was designed with an open flow mouth guard with aluminum mesh. Breathbox, chin curtain and vent plug kit are included.

DOT and ECE Approved. www.arctiva.com

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gear

10

Bergstrom Skegs Triple Point Carbide

We are proud to introduce the latest “unparalled economical solution” for your traction needs. The Triple Point Carbides from Bergstrom Skegs provide function that has never been seen before! All Triple Point Carbides use a round 1/2” host bar with hard surfacing for strength and function. By keeping all three points as close to the center of the ski as possible, they can avoid the deficiencies of wider platforms. Find out more at www.bergstromskegs.com

11

Bite Harder Carbide Sharpeners

BITEHARDER’s diamond coated carbide runner and stud sharpening tools are designed to simply and effectively maintain your snowmobiles traction, so you get repeatable traction performance and the highest levels of safety, every time you head out on the trail. Stay sharp with BITEHARDER because, Power is Nothing Without Control. See all their products at www.BITEHARDER.com

Bikeman Big Bore Kit AXYS 850 TO 900 BIG BORE ENGINE KIT

12

Bikeman Performance is setup right at a state-of-the-art R&D facility, and they were excited to get their hands on the Polaris AXYS 850 powerplant. They received a pre-production sled to start testing early on, and quickly realized that there is plenty of room for this beast to get even better. The cylinder walls have plenty of beef to bore out to a massive 88mm. The computer simulation laid out a great starting point for development and with fine refinements and full fuel control using the all-new Torque Link technology, the 900 was born.

It takes the regular Polaris 850 full BMP exhaust, 900cc Billet Head and a BMP Big Bore Muffler. www.bikemanperformance.com

Scorpion EXO-AT 950

13

Sled Slut Sherpa Sweater

Stay warm during Winter, Fall and Spring with the NEW Sherpa Sweater from Sled Slut Apparel! 100% Polyester, they’re fuzzy and warm. www.sledslutapparel.com

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The EXO-AT950 can be used as a full face ADV helmet with external peak visor attached, or the peak visor can be removed, and you have an aerodynamic touring helmet. Our oversized eye port is extremely wide for greater peripheral vision and downward visibility, and the modular chinbar can be conveniently flipped up when you stop to get gas or ask for directions. The internal drop down Speedview® sunvisor and KwikWick® II liner will keep you comfortable all-day long even as lighting conditions change throughout ride. Additionally, the no-fog Everclear® face shield can be removed, and you can use the EXO-AT950 as a dirt helmet with goggles for off-road use. Three shell sizes made of Advanced LG® Polycarbonate and dual density EPS, result in a helmet that is light weight, strong, and protective. www.scorpionusa.com