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The Promotional Limited Warranty consists of the standard 12 month factory warranty plus an additional 36 months of additional promotional limited warranty coverage for a total of 48 months of warranty coverage. Any additional warranty coverage after the initial 12 month factory warranty is subject to a $50.00 deductible per visit. *Deferred Payments Example: On a 10/1/18 unit delivery where the Amount Financed is $10,000, your Down Payment is $0 with no interest until March 1, 2019 and no payment until April 1, 2019 followed by 36 monthly payments of $311.09 each. Interest rate is 7.49% [APR is 5.86% (E)]. The above financing programs are offered

by Sheffield Financial, a Division of Branch Banking and Trust Company. Member FDIC. Subject to credit approval. Approval, and any rates and terms provided, are based on credit worthiness. Other financing offers are available. Rate advertised is based on minimum bureau risk score of 700. Minimum Amount Financed $1,500; Maximum Amount Financed $50,000. Other qualifications and restrictions may apply. Offer effective on eligible and qualified units purchased from a participating Sheffield dealer. Offer subject to change without notice. [« E » means estimate] All SnowCheck offers are valid at participating Polaris dealers only. See your local dealer for details. Offers are valid on MY19 SnowCheck orders placed between 3/05/18 - 4/17/18. Consumer must take delivery between 8/1/2018 – 12/31/18 to qualify. Professional rider on a closed course. Polaris® recommends that all snowmobile riders take a training course. Do not attempt maneuvers beyond your capability. Always wear a helmet and other safety apparel. Never drink and ride. ©2018 Polaris Industries Inc.

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contents

26 FEATURES

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GRITS, GUTS & VICTORS

WE RECOGNIZE THIS YEAR’S CHAMPS

19 & NONSTOP BEYOND THE HYPE. FIRST IMPRESSIONS AND WHAT’S NEW

RECORD SETTER DAVE MARSHALL AND HURRICANE PERFORMANCE BLISTER ICE WITH 203MPH RUN

50GEARBOX COLUMNS 12 DRIFTS

RICHARD KEHOE

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FLOAT BOWL

PAT BOURGEOIS

DEPARTMENTS INDUSTRY NEWS 14 WORD SEARCH 20 21 SUDOKU GOT RISERS BRAH? 40 SHOP HUSTLE 48

COVER RIDER: RICHARD KEHOE

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drifts drifts RICHARD KEHOE

WAVE GOOD-BYE MS. WINTER!

focusing on their motorcycles or side-by-sides. Some have even started talking about boating and fishing, we’re all ready for Spring.

Spring is when we hit New Brunswick. For the most part the frigid temps, the concern about wind chills, and the shorter days are all behind us. By this time of year everything has been dialed in from the sleds and gear, right down to the tow vehicle and trailer. Our trucks and trailers are full with sleds and riders for the closing of the season.

This years snow shoot in Montana was fantastic and I would like to send a huge thank-you to all of the manufacturers, and Marge and her crew from the West Yellowstone Chamber of Commerce for another great riding experience – 28 consecutive years for me, and I wouldn’t miss it!

I’m looking forward to our East Coast rides and we’ll see you soon white powder…

I hope you enjoyed reading OSM this season and we look forward to bringing you more of the World’s Largest Snowmobile Magazine for the 2019 season.

Thank-you to all that contacted us and submitted photos pring 2018 has arrived – although most still have snow landing and below freezing temps in their parts, as a to our contests throughout the year. Tuck away the sleds matter of fact, I’m watching a sled and an ATV drive out and enjoy the warmer weather, and smoke some meat… I’m trying smoked meatballs this June, I’ve already dusted off our on Simcoe right now… Huts are due to be off March 15.

Many friends and neighbors have already switched gears Myron Mixen Pittmaster Smoker! Bring on the meat!

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news 01

HAS THE ELITE MET ITS MATCH?

The popularity of the Ski-Doo Elite and the vehicle’s two-seater, open cockpit design has intrigued sledders for the better part of 40-years. So much so, Ski-Doo resurrected the design on three different occasions. The last version was the most refined and powerful, with four-stroke power giving the twin-tracker, bucket seat buggy enough thrust to exceed 80mph on the hard pack.

However, after getting a glimpse of the latest concept from Nissan, Ski-Doo can possibly shelve the Elite for good. Based on a 370Z roadster, the car was shown to plenty of eye gawkers during the Chicago Auto Show this past February, and it immediately captured the imagination of would be winter explorers. With a 332-horsepower V6 under hood, the 370Zki touts a track kit from American Track Truck out back, oversized skis up front, and a 3-inch lift kit to make room for the snow ready equipment. t.

SNOWMOBILE 02 ELECTRIC IS CHARGING TOWARDS RELEASE Rumors and rumblings of an electric snowmobile have been buzzing about for some time now. In fact, even Taiga Motors, the subject of this update, has teased us with past electric snowmobile prototypes. This time however, the results look real and if all goes to plan, the Taiga TS2 will hit the snowpack in consumer hands next winter. The sleek designed vehicle has all the makings of becoming the industry’s first successful electric snowmobile. It looks way cool, weighs in under 500-pounds, accelerates 0 to 60mph in just 3-seconds, has a range of 100km (62-miles), and can

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be recharged in as little as 20-minutes. While most sledders will want much greater range, the very idea that Taiga has developed a successful vehicle that has a performance laundry list that is not just acceptable, but palatable for some sledders is a major accomplishment. The company is already taking orders on the estimated $15,000 Canadian MSRP vehicle. The company is asking for a $500 CAN refundable reservation payment, with an expected delivery in 12-18 months. Learn more at taigamotors.ca

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news

03 AUSTIN RIPS THE BURN

Seems we were so stoked with this shot provided by long-time OSM shooter Todd Williams, we goofed when it came time to identify the ripper who was side-hilling the burn zone. The man on the bars is Austin McDaniel who hails from New Hampshire, but has been shredding the white stuff all across North America. Nice line Austin…nice line.

04 WILL TRUMP STEEL AND ALUMINUM TARIFFS IMPACT SNOWMOBILING?

Just before this issue of OSM went to press, President Trump announced new tariffs on aluminum and steel imports to the United States. The proposed 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum tariff is intended to boost domestic production of these materials and put the United States on a level playing field with countries like China, which has been accused of “dumping” these metals into the global market for several years. For sledders, this move could impact the retail price of future sleds from domestic makers Arctic Cat and Polaris. Polaris for example, purchases about $300 million worth of steel and aluminum each year, but according to Polaris CEO Scott Wine, the impact will be minimal. Instead, Wine is more concerned how such tariffs could impact countries who are hit by the tariffs, resulting in less consumer spending power and ultimately, reduced retail sales overseas for his company. Currently both Canada and Mexico will be exempt from the tariffs.

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news

05 CAMSO IMPROVES DTS 129 CONVERSION; PLUS $500 EARLY ORDER OFFER

The Camso crew has been on an incredible roll as of late, innovating and promoting a host of new products including their snow bike conversion kit. Engineers at the company have further improved the kit with new suspension geometry and additional suspension travel, which is said to improve control, comfort, and performance. What’s more, the company is offering an extra incentive with all orders placed before May 11, 2018.

Dubbed the Snowrush Progam, a pre-order of the improved DTS 129 kit will also include a personalized graphic wrap and transport wheel kit. Combined, the Snowrush incentive has a value of more than $500 and is included at no extra cost when you pre-order a 2019 Camso DTS 129. To learn more and to secure your kit visit www.camso.co and click on the Snowrush link.

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news

05

BARN BOOTS FOR SNOW With KLIM already under the Polaris umbrella, it would seem they would have little need for another cold weather boot manufacturer.

But when you’re on the gas, you keep your foot planted to the floorboards. Turns out big P recently inked a licensing agreement with Portland Product Werks, and the company will be offering Polaris branded boots this coming fall. If you’re a runner, you may already know Portland, Oregon is known as somewhat of a hotbed for producing athletic shoes. Yet, at first glance it would seem the company has a few lessons to learn when it comes to boots for sledders, let alone a drastic need to upgrade their equipment.

Nice leather jacket eh bud?! Look past the nearly 30-year old Indy snowmobiles and rusting flatbed trailer, and you’ll find Levi jeans tucked inside the company’s first sledder offering.

WORD SEARCH

UNTIL NEXTthinking SEASON! Need some time alone in your room, have a seat on the throne and give it "Until Next Season!"

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DOWN TO THE WIRE FOR ROY AND JOANIS With just five races left on the season for the Canadian Snowcross Racing Association (CSRA), things are shaping up to be a dogfight between Huber Motorsports Polaris teammates RJ Roy (#14) and Dave Joanis (#115) for the year-end championship. As this final season issue of OSM goes to press, RJ holds a slip 6-point margin over Dave, with five races to go.

Unless they both suffer a major meltdown, it appears one of them will be hoisting the hardware and twisting the keys to a new 2018 Chevy 2500HD pickup, courtesy of the Mike Jackson GM Dealership. The CSRA battle will continue in Kitchener with a double-header, and the season will wrap up with a triple-feature at Horseshoe Valley Resort, March 30-April 1. Check back in for updates at snowcross.com

GARDNER AND MILLEY LEAD SKI-DOO SWEEP OF CAIN’S Forty-one teams started the famed Cain’s Quest cross-country endurance race, but only 17 finished, and leading the pack was the Ski-Doo team of Maine/Southern Snow Riders consisting of Robert Gardner and Andrew Milley. The grueling 3200km, GPS guided, day and night race treks across the remote Labrador wilderness and is as extreme as any race can get. Featuring every type of terrain imaginable and weather extremes, racers and their machine have to be ready for anything. The winning duo of Gardner and Milley were followed by fellow Ski-Doo teams Innu Hawks and Rough & Wild, giving the maker a sweep of the podium. What’s more, of the 17 teams that finished, 13 were aboard Ski-Doo snowmobiles, including the first 7 finishers.

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OLDS AND MORGAN CONQUER ALASKA WITH IRON DOG WIN Few snowmobile races in the world combine the challenges and distance for which the iconic Iron Dog is known for. Covering more than 2,000 miles, the journey is one part race, one part perseverance, and one part survival. To simply finish is a major achievement. To win it is the stuff that snowmobile competition dreams are made of. Those dreams came true this winter for

Chris Olds and Mike Morgan, who completed the course from Anchorage to Nome to Fairbanks in just under 37-hours. Competing on special, prepped Polaris Switchback XCR buggies and wrapped in KLIM gear, the win was the third for Olds who has competed in the Iron Dog Pro ranks 16 times, and the first for Morgan who finally found the top of the box after 8 attempts.

STEPHENSON MAKES THE RIGHT MOVES TO EARN FIRST WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

Photo Credit: John Sandberg

PERSERVERANCE PREVAILS

FOR AARON CHRISTENSEN If we told you we weren’t secretly rooting for long-time Polaris cross-country racer Aaron Christensen to have a break-out season, we’d be lying. Aaron is the epitome of perseverance and dedication, and this winter those two traits in many ways described his championship season. Already the winner of the long-distance award each race weekend, Aaron makes what is often a 13-hour drive from Metiskow, Alberta to get to the races, a trip he has been making for more than a decade. While he races in the pro ranks with some level of factory support, Aaron is more akin to a

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privateer, working at his family’s Polaris dealership, spending time with his wife and two children during the week, and pounding ditch-lines and carving up river bottoms on the weekend. This winter, all the pieces fell into place for Aaron, who started out slow but came on like a house on fire mid-season. A huge victory in the Iron Man 250 got the ball rolling, and from there he never looked back, grabbing a podium at every remaining race including a career defining win in the I-500. When the totals were tallied, Aaron bested Wes Selby by 34-points for the championship.

The path to the World Championship at the Eagle River Derby Track for young Blaine Stephenson certainly wasn’t the one of least resistance. Despite poor qualifying, a mechanical, and an “off” leading up to Sunday’s big race, the 22-year-old found himself in the final field.

A deep pack runner for the first half of the race, racing luck soon had Blaine running third on the final restart.

The green, white, checkered finish meant it was an all-out sprint for the front runners, or in Blaine’s case, avoiding the two-sled tangle in front of him on the final lap, in order to put himself into the lead. Navigating his Polaris through the tangle and turns three and four, gave Stephenson the Pro Champ World Championship.

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ANSON SCHEELE DOMINATES JR RANKS; BRODEUR IN WOMEN’S Almost everywhere you look, up and down the ISOC class ranks, Arctic Cat racers are cleaning house. In the hotly contested Pro Lite division, the year-end crown will most likely land in the hands of Jacob Yurk (Cat) or Daniel Benham Jr. (Cat). One rung down, the Sport crown is a contest between Trent Wittwer (Cat) and Ryley Bester (Cat). Shaking things up however, is projected Pro Am Women’s Champion Megan Brodeur (Doo) who holds a 40-point lead over Malene Andersen. Finally, there is the fast rising star of Anson Scheele, (pictured) who is destroying both the Jr. 14-15 and Jr. 16-17 classes with repeated top of the box results. Oh yeah, he’s on a Cat as well.

Photo Credit: Alicia Dick

HERFINDAHL AND SELBY WIN SOO-500 Celebrating the 50th running of the legendary Soo-500 ice oval enduro, the event has unquestionably become one of the most coveted victories for any racer to add to their bucket list of wins. This year the Christian Brothers racing duo of Zach Herfindahl and Wes Selby did just that by besting the packed field of competitors in the 500-lap affair. The race became an all-out dogfight during the final 100-miles, as the top four teams swapped positions and crossed the line, all within 20-seconds of each other. The racing was so intense, even Arctic Cat Race Manager Mike Kloety said it was one of the most hard-fought race performances he has ever witnessed. The win gave Team Arctic their third Soo-500 championship, and spelled redemption for Selby and Herfindahl who finished second a year prior.

SIMPLY UNSTOPPABLE HIBBERT IS CHAMP AGAIN To say the competition (and in some ways the sanctioning body) have tried everything to knock the winningest snocross racer of all time off the top of the mountain would be an understatement. While it may have appeared Kody Kamm was poised to be the rising star who would finally unseat Hibbert, the not-so-young-for-snocross veteran had other plans in 2018. With 10 victories on the season, and two races remaining at this writing, Tucker has proven once again there is nobody better than the T-Train. While he may take less risks and is more calculating in his approach, no one can match his ability to move through traffic, even on tracks where passing seems almost impossible. Along the way, Tucker also challenged the rules put in place by the International Series of Champions (ISOC) a couple of seasons back. Known amongst fans as simply the “Tucker Rule,” the inverted starting grid rule penalizes the top qualifier by giving them last pick on the front row. Perhaps Tucker was frustrated or he simply deemed it was time to make a point, but in Salamanca, New York, Tucker chose a back-row start, despite being the number one qualifier. The move sent race officials into a scramble, delaying the start of the race as they looked to sort out the move. But there was little to sort out, Tucker made the decision and there were no rules preventing him from doing so. From there he sliced his way through the field, gaining significant ground on leader Kamm lap after lap. At the checkered, Tucker finished second, proving a point few could argue. If there would have been one more lap, Tucker would have undoubtedly won the race, putting an exclamation mark on his wordless statement regarding the rule. Despite those fireworks, in the end, barring some freak incident in Lake Geneva, Tucker is the king…again.

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ARCTIC CAT ALPHA ONE There’s little doubt that the most talked about innovation for 2019 is the single beam, rear suspension dubbed the Alpha One from Arctic Cat. It’s being heralded as a “game changer” by many experts, and it very well could live up to these expectations if all the early positive reports hold true, when actual riders take to the snow next winter. For certain we can say the single beam design results in a sled that is much, much easier

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to “tip-in.” Our mountain crew spent the better part of a day on the sled in near perfect, fresh and plenty-deep snow conditions, and they all agreed the Alpha One was heads and shoulders above the current Mountain Cat design. However, they also agreed there is a significant learning curve to the new design, (remember how the REV forced us to ride sleds differently) and will require more saddle time to adapt. For expert

riders, the Alpha One will most likely transform the riding experience. As for the rest of us, we never once had to put both feet on the same side of the running board, instead keeping our feet slightly back from the stirrups, and initiating far less effort to get the sled to lean. The sled reacts so easily, we often applied too much pressure, resulting in the sled turning in too soon, and in some occasions, forcing us to step off.

FROM EVERY VIEW, IT APPEARS POLARIS HAS DONE THEIR HOMEWORK WITH THIS ENGINE.

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POLARIS 850 PATRIOT The new big bore motor from Polaris is an absolute home run! There we said it, and while some may say it’s too early to judge, we have nearly 500-miles on the new motor at both sea-level and altitude, and have experienced nary a glitch. From every view, it appears Polaris has done their homework with this engine. Remember, this is the first all-new from the crankcase up motor for snowmobiles since the infamous 900 Fusion, and we all know how that turned out. This time around, no stone was left unturned, and the end result is an engine that is an absolute beast in terms of power, silky run-quality, rev-happy demeanor, and is deemed rock-solid, based on the standard 4-year warranty Polaris has included. If you thought the 800HO was a quick revver, the new Patriot is every bit as good, if not better. What’s more, the engine has a what we’d call another gear, a point in the powerband where the exhaust valves fully-open, letting the big twin breathe free.

The “tune” of the engine transforms from howl to growl and the power is stunning. While Polaris won’t disclose actual horsepower numbers, the official word is the new 850 delivers 9% more, or as one engineer put it, “it’s more than enough.” Better than the Ski-Doo 850 you ask? We think so.

The crew from OSM was one of only three publications who had the opportunity to ride the new 850 Patriot, direct from the Polaris headquarters in Roseau. Editor Bourgeois joined SnowTech and Sled Magazine from Quebec, along with Polaris engineers for an official burn on a brisk day in January. Bourgeois came back singing the virtues of the Patriot.

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S#K 3I - DS KO OI - D9 O0 O0 A9C0E0 AT UC RE BTOU R B O Rumors of infusing the three-cylinder 900 ACE engine with forced induction have been swirling about for some time, so it wasn’t too shocking to finally see the “charged” motor in the line-up for 2019. According to Ski-Doo, this engine represents the first snowmobile specific, turbo-charged four-stroke engine for the company, meaning no pieces were borrowed or adapted for the application. The sled specific design produces 150-ponies, a number that may seem “short” for those who were hoping the company would come up with enough power to compete with the king of swing, Yamaha Sidewinder. Ski-Doo officials claim they wanted to come with the “right package,” meaning

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the right balance of power to mate with the chassis and intended application. The new motor is available in a few different model configurations including touring, (great fit) Renegade Enduro, (one up trail cruiser) and a Renegade XRS. All utilize the throttle-by-wire technology and three driving modes (Sport, Standard, and ECO). For certain, the 900 Turbo has ample thrust, propelling all models forward with blur-type velocity, but power delivery can be abrupt, and in some instances, hard to control. While we would expect the Sport mode to deliver intense acceleration, control is more akin to a light switch. We’re hopeful further refinements to this will be made prior to production.

THINK OF IT AS FOX QUICK SWITCH 3 SHOCKS WITHOUT THE KNOB. INSTEAD, BOTH FRONT SUSPENSION SHOCKS AND THE REAR ARM SHOCK FEATURE COMPACT SERVO MOTORS, ALL OF WHICH ARE LINKED TOGETHER AND CONTROLLED BY A LEFT-HAND CONTROL BUTTON WITH GAUGE INDICATION.

ARCTIC CAT/YAMAHA IACT/IQS The marriage between Yamaha and Arctic Cat continues, and this means most of the hot new technical innovations for the coming winter can be found in both flavors.

Our favorite is the new, from the handlebar controlled iACT or IQS shock valving system. Think of it as FOX Quick Switch 3 shocks without the knob. Instead, both front suspension shocks and the rear arm shock feature compact servo motors, all of which are linked together and controlled by a left-hand control button with gauge indication. Just like the Quick Switch design, the system serves up three levels of compression damping (Soft, Medium, and Firm). The best part is you can control these settings while on the

fly, with nearly instant results. The system can switch between ride levels in just a fraction of a second. This means you can adjust your suspension to meet changing terrain as you drive. See a big kicker or road approach you want to send, click the shocks to firm; or the trail is an ocean of washboard chop, dial it back to soft. The system is also smart enough to recognize when you activate reverse, at which point it stiffens the rear shock and softens the front to help eliminate the rear of the sled from “diving” and potentially digging down or climbing atop the snow flap. No doubt this is only the tip of the iceberg for this type of shock control technology.

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POLARIS PRO CC REAR SUSPENSION Could this signal the end of the break-through outside-the-tunnel Pro-XC suspension? While time will only tell if the performance and positioning of this new traditional skid from Polaris says anything, we believe the end is in sight. The new suspension is very traditional in design, and shares the long front arm set-up used in both the Pro-XC and IGX suspensions.

The rear drop-link is pushed as far back on the rail as possible and features two-way coupling.

The new design has very broad shoulders, meaning it needs little adjustment for a variety of conditions and loads. While we found the Pro-XC set-up in Pro-S models to exhibit better groomed trail handling, the overall performance and easy to adjust nature of the Pro CC has us thinking that this is the future of Polaris shorttracker suspension design.

YAMAHA/ARCTIC CAT NEW CONTROLS It’s the little things that sometime matter, and attention to detail touchpoints such as the handlebar controls can be a difference maker when plopping down nearly 15 big ones on a new buggy. The controls on Arctic Cat sleds (and Yamaha counterparts) were getting a bit long in the tooth, and with the need for a fresh button to control iACT/IQS, Cat went to work designing new ones. The new backlit

SKI-DOO RAPID ADJUST SKI STANCE While you won’t find this trick feature on any 2019 models from Ski-Doo, this accessory is so simple and smart, we simply had to make mention. The high-strength plastic lever allows you to adjust the width of your front ski stance in just seconds. Simply flip up the lever, slide the ski on the spindle to the desired width, and then snap the lever back in place. The accessory offers two-inches of adjustment and fits all Pilot DS-1, DS-2, and DS-3 skis.

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and more compact controls now incorporate a push button start for twostroke models, (similar to Ski-Doo) and hand and thumb warmer controls with gauge indicators. Also included is a new throttle block and stand-alone kill switch, which can now be rotated down and out of harm’s way. While we can’t give the new controls the best in class nod, they are a significant improvement.

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YAMAHA SRX By now you know the SRX has returned, and the menacing blue beast is packed with a few tweaks to make the Sidewinder in SRX clothes even faster than last year’s speed champ. To gain more warp factor speed, the new SRX now spins a shallow 1-inch lug Ripsaw track, and touts a lowered ride height. To attain the lowered ride height, the use of new dual-rate springs lets the sled have more “ride-in”, but maintains final rates to resist bottoming. Being the hero model for 2019, the SRX also receives IQS shock control, new handlebar controls, and of course classic SRX colors. While we can’t say for certain how much faster the SRX is than last year’s Sidewinder, we were surprised at just how much fun this set-up is on the trails, even those littered with bumps. The 1-inch lug track allows the sled to “slip” over bumps and be “backed-in” on the corners. This combined with power-on and pitched exits makes for a laugh inside your helmet ride we can’t get enough of. Don’t worry, it’s still stupid fast.

YAMAHA SPRING POWER SURGE Every spring the manufacturers look for ways to attract customers into dealerships and lay down some fresh towards the purchase of a new model snowmobile. The early order program is a great way for manufacturers to gauge interest, and more importantly, adjust build numbers for the coming winter. Yet, with fickle winters and an industry that at times thinks it’s still operating in 1998 retail conditions, dealer inventory has become an issue for all manufacturers. To clean out the pipeline often requires one of two paths; lower prices significantly with big rebates and incentives to sell the non-current units, or build way less. The later approach is the smart move and the best for dealers, but most manufacturers are not willing to absorb the pain associated with it. Yamaha however, has stepped up to the plate, and for 2019 they have significantly trimmed their model offering, and will put significant focus on sales during Spring Power Surge. In fact, if you want a popular Limited Edition Sidewinder model, or the hot new SRX, you must buy this spring. Come winter, only four full-size sleds will be offered along with the SRX120 and SnoScoot models. In addition, Yamaha is sweetening the pot with a sweepstakes and a chance to win a Yamaha snowmobile of your choice, a generator, or pressure washer. Visit yamahamotorsports.com for details and see your local Yamaha dealer before April 16…you’ve been warned.

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POLARIS REACT FRONT SUSPENSION While the big picture view may not show much has changed with the Polaris PRO RMK line, other than the addition of the 850 Patriot motor, in reality there have been a host of upgrades made to the mountain maven fleet, the biggest being the introduction of an all-new front suspension dubbed the React. Touting new geometry, a revised sway bar, and an adjustable stance going from a narrow 36-inches to 38-inches, the forged A-arm and spindle system is stronger, and further improves the deep snow handling of the Rocky Mountain King.

With a day in the saddle in the Idaho backcountry, our mountain crew found the changes to be seamless. As one tester put it, “You can’t quite put your finger on it at first, but the new RMK just works better in every situation with less effort.”

SKI-DOO 600R ROTAX If you’ve been paying attention, then you’ve already seen and read our initial review on the new, second-generation 600 motor from Ski-Doo. We had a chance to rally the new motor in MXZ trim this past winter, and instantly fell in love. While the 600 engine of old was good, the new motor is one that is damn near perfect. Want an engine that is just happy? This is your mill. Outfitted with all the latest in ETEC goodies, the motor produces a legit 125-ponies, and has a much better run quality than its big brother 850. This one gets our vote as the best six-hundo on snow next winter.

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WHILE THE 600 ENGINE OF OLD WAS GOOD, THE NEW MOTOR IS ONE THAT IS DAMN NEAR PERFECT. WANT AN ENGINE THAT IS JUST HAPPY? THIS IS YOUR MILL.

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ARCTIC CAT/YAMAHA 200 ELECTRIC START The ZR 200 and matching sibling SnoScoot were the runaway hit of the season. Dealers sold out early, and kids were quickly becoming addicted to the sport. If there was one shortcoming of the homerun, mid-sized sled, it was the difficult to start nature it exhibited when cold.

A too lean condition from an undersized pilot jet (remedied for 2019); a too short recoil rope (remedied for 2019); and perhaps most importantly, the lack of electric start which forced mom or dad to get the buggy going, were about the only nags anyone could find. Now all of those issues have been addressed for 2019, and the big one is the inclusion of electric start. Next year, Yamaha will still offer a pull-start version in addition to standard electric start, and Arctic Cat will go e-start only. You better hide the keys, the kids are home from school.

SKI-DOO SHOT EXPANSION While only available during SkiDoo’s spring order program, the battery free, no weight penalty, push button SHOT starting system will be made available on Renegade Backcountry models. This marks

the first time the technology can be found on a “trail” sled, and likely represents a harbinger of things to come. The technology eliminates nearly 20-pounds, compared to a traditional electric start system.

POLARIS SLS SPRINGS If this photo looks like someone may have stretched a ballpoint pen spring a bit too far, you’re sniffing down the right path. The spring represents a new technology Polaris is utilizing in their premium, deep snow sleds that their team first discovered on mountain bikes. The patented technology creates a stronger steel spring that delivers the same ride characteristics of a traditional spring, with less coils and subsequently less material. The result is a spring that is lighter than a much more expensive titanium spring. The SnowCheck exclusive spring is found on all four locations, and sheds nearly 3-pounds versus traditional springs.

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POLARIS LIGHTWEIGHT XT HYFAX They say the devil is in the details, or in this instance, weight reduction. What you’re looking at is a new hyfax design Polaris is calling XT Hyfax. There’s no rocket science going on here kids, just a smart and simple idea to eliminate material that is simply not needed. You’ll find the design on several models including PRO RMK and Indy XC buggies.

TIMBERSLED IMPROVED RIPPER Even the little guys are getting love for 2019, including the Timbersled Ripper conversion kit designed for 110cc bikes.

Updates include a new 93-inch tack with 1.25” lugs; a new dual arm rear suspension for improved lift in deep snow; 2.5-inches of adjustable ride height to fit more riders; and easier installation for Dad on Christmas morning.

YAMAHA/ARCTIC CAT HAYES STEALTH BRAKES With new controls on both sides of the handlebars, Arctic Cat improved another rider touchpoint with the introduction of a new Hayes Stealth master cylinder and lever. You’ll instantly notice the improved bend and reach of the lever, but it’s likely the details you won’t see that perhaps represents a bigger deal, especially for mountain riders. A more robust reservoir features support towers which in turn protects it from damage, especially in situations where you may “roll the sled” to get unstuck. While we wish the brakes had more feel, we can keep wishing with a better grip, thanks to the new design.

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POLARIS INDY EVO We gave you a deep dive on the new introductory sleds from Polaris last issue, but the sized right, powered right, and priced right sleds represent such an important step in gaining new riders, we had to make mention again. Since that report, we had a chance to ride both the rope pull and key twist versions, and their capabilities are better than we anticipated. While we would have liked a quieter powerplant, we also understand an affordable retail price is a primary driver for new riders. With that being said, the EVO hits the sweet spot.

SKI-DOO GEN4 WIDE In order to make room for some of the 2019 goodness introduced by Ski-doo, most notably the 900 ACE Turbo, the maker also introduced their second generation widebody design. This time featuring GEN4 plastic, the new look gives room under-hood for the turbo, as well as the air-pump for sleds with the air-shock suspension out back. The design is also warmer, thanks to more windcutting attributes and touts a more comfortable seat design for sit-down trail cruisers.

Turbo models features a vented top cowl where the intercooler is housed and looking for a cold flow.

This side-by-side image gives you good perspective on how the EVO “sizes-up” compared to a full-sized Indy.

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www.osmmag.com

GOT RISER

sers eye to spot ri d e in ra -t ll e ndrew M. It takes a w . Good eye A e c n ta is d is from th

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Nikola sent u top mo s this colorfu unted mirrors l riser pic. Lov e the u to com s plete t he look e .

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left to right: Amanda Ryan Biemond, Dora Marshall, all, rsh Ma ine Ela t, nd Hildebra Marshall, ve Da z, art Sw al che Mi and Justin Steckly.

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L L A H S R A M E V A D h it w e Ic r te s lI B e n a Ic r ur H d an

n u R H P M 3 0 2 more of it, ever have been in pursuit of speed and bIlers mad Snowmo ing the 1970s, Dur . pack snow the ss acro ks e trac over-snow machine

since the first fastest. A decade ed battle to claim the title of world’s the manufacturers were in a heat onal Snowmobile Nati the as kness broke new barriers later, the quest for speed and quic tors looked to peti com and , fast g goin ent series for Speed Run (NSSR) was the preemin within the held e the sanctioning body, but also thos break records held not just within s, and the time ern mod to d ld Records. Fast-forwar then popular Guinness Book of Wor it was as ular pop and ing allur as petitions remains tallure of radar runs and speed com char or tors ever, attract the number or competi recently during those early years. Few how and ) SSR (NB s, Run th Bay Snowmobile Speed Micheal k. topping speeds as the does the Nor mar ur r-ho e-pe -mil 200 ical s cracked the mag lifea a long-time competitor of the serie eved achi the crew of Hurricane Performance .2 203 of Swartz, (driver) Dave Marshall, and d spee mile terjaws when they posted a quar ched long dream and dropped plenty of laun heal Mic how ’s here zing accomplishment, miles-per-hour. To celebrate this ama crew member words of Hurricane Performance the in hero ing hold rd from zero to reco Amanda Biemond.

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It’s

been an 11-year journey of radar speed runs with North Bay Snowmobile Speed Runs, (NBSSR) but in early March in North Bay, Ontario, Hurricane Performance made history.

Surrounded by family, friends and teammates, Dave Marshall achieved his lifelong dream of breaking the 200mph barrier with a recorded run of 203.2mph (327km) in a quarter-mile, (1320ft) with driver Micheal Swartz making the daring run.

Since the evolution of Hurricane Performance in 2012, Marshall has been making pass after pass on his journey to the top. Several monumental runs including 186.3 and 187.3 started his exciting climb towards the magical 200mph barrier. Last year, Marshall and team set the previous record of 192mph.

With great ice and wind conditions, Hurricane arrived at Canada vs the World with their sights set on the magic number.

Right out of the trailer, the Hurricane sled made a pass of 181.1. On the second pass, fans were amazed with an astonishing run of 197.9mph, an unseen record!

Then, on the next run, it happened.

Crowds erupted, team members hugged, and tears were shed between owners Dave and Elaine Marshall of Prescott when the speed of 203.2mph lit up the board. Mashall’s daughter Hurricane Dora also shared in the record excitement, setting class records of her own that weekend with NBSSR. At the close of the weekend, Swartz and Marshall were recognized with top speed of the weekend. Marshall was also presented a hat for his accomplishment of breaking the 200mph barrier; a

RIGHT OUT OF THE TRAILER THE HURRICANE SLED MADE A PASS OF 181.1.

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ON THE SECOND PASS, FANS WERE AMAZED WITH AN ASTONISHING RUN OF 197.9MPH, AN UNSEEN RECORD!

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hat NBSSR owner Claude Levasseur said he had been holding onto for this moment for nearly 5-years.

Marshall thanked NBSSR owner Claude and NIki Levasseur; his race family and driver Swartz for all of their support on this journey; as well as his home team consisting of Brandon Lasenba, Ryan Hildebrandt, Justin Steckly, and Amanda Biemond. He also gave a special honorable mention to his beautiful wife Elaine Marshall. Without her Marshall said, the journey would not

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have been as fun. Her constant support throughout the years, helping hand and sharing in the vision has propelled Hurricane Performance towards the goal.

Shortly after the achievement, Marshall announced the retirement of the Hurricane outlaw sled. Although unsure what the future plans are for the record setting sled, Marshall remains committed to the company’s future. Marshall plans to focus on the summer racing circuit and growing his world class performance company.

MARSHALL THANKED NBSSR OWNER CLAUDE AND NIKI LEVASSEUR; HIS RACE FAMILY AND DRIVER SWARTZ FOR ALL OF THEIR SUPPORT ON THIS JOURNEY;

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Bergstrom Skegs Front End Handling & Wear Bar Solutions

C

arbide wear bars do just that, they wear out. It’s just part of being a snowmobiler, and when it comes to replacing them, there’s a ton of choices in the aftermarket. Bergstrom Skegs, based out of Rockford, Illinois, offers full circle solutions to remedy any handling issues you may have, while also offering the longest lasting wear bar on the market. Any season you don’t have to change the wear bars is a success in our books.

Bergstrom Skegs has a toll free number set up, to direct you to the proper offices, based on your website. We were directed to Clark Wilson, the Canadian half of the Bergstrom Skegs of the operation, and he offered his expertise to set up our Yamaha

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Sidewinder XTX 141”. No matter which way you try to slice it, a 141” uncoupled skid isn’t really going to be able to muster much “slicing” in the twisties at all. We knew we’d placed a tall order for Clark and the Bergstrom product to fulfill, and we were interested to see the results.

Clark set us up with a full, front-end solution for our sled with: • 8 inch Triple Point Carbides • 4 inch Good N Ugly Carbides • Ski Savers • Shim Kit

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1 We needed to remove the ski from the snowmobile. This would be a necessary evil later when installing the shim kit, so we might as well remove the ski at the beginning, in order to make carbide removal and reinstall a breeze. We followed this up by removing the existing carbides from both the inner and outer keels.

3

2 By first installing the Ski Savers on both keels, we then proceeded to install the 8 inch Triple Point Carbides on the inner keel, and the 4 inch Good N Ugly carbides on the outer keel of the skis.

4

Before reinstalling the skis, we needed to install the shim kit onto the OEM ski spacers. The shim kit moves the center point of contact with the snow from the front of the rearward, directly under the spindle.

Not only does this ease handling, but it also helps to heavily reduce any darting or handling inconsistencies, regardless of which model you have.

We completed this short and sweet install by reinstalling the spacer and skis onto our machine. It took some patience to get the shimmed ski lined up with the bolt hole, but was still a one man job.

Since installing our Bergstrom steering solution we’ve ran over 2,000 kms, and we are thoroughly impressed at the results. We turned our 141” uncoupled XTX Sidewinder into a machine that can carve trails at speed, but still offer the deep snow performance it seems more riders are now seeking.

The folks over at Bergstrom Skegs informed us they’re in the

process of developing fully molded 1-piece ski spacers, rather than having to add shims to your existing spacer. Not only will this lead to a cleaner looking install, but they also claim it will improve the life of your rubber ski spacers over the stock unit. Furthermore, you’ll be able to swap your stock spacers back on before you trade in your machine, and carry over your 1-piece spacers to your new sled.

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gear

1

X One Pro Monosuit

Tackle any type of riding conditions whether it’s the trails or the mountains, you will have the best of both worlds with Scott’s X One Pro Monosuit.

Constructed with DWR nylon, breathable polyester shell, 2-way water resistant front construction, long adjustment zippers, ventilation, and a relaxed fit you will be able to customize the suit to fit your riding needs. Built into the X One Pro Monosuit is Scott’s Dryosphere technology, which gives the rider a waterproof, windproof, and breathable barrier from the elements you are riding in. Head over to www.scott-sports.com today!

2

Dragon NFX2 Goggles

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

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Pilot Goggles

3

Add FXR’s Pilot Goggles to your collection, with an oversized viewing area and outrigger frame for perfect fit, how could you go wrong? Made with 3-density wind proof load spreading face foam, anti-fog double lens with UV protection, and anti-scratch lens coating.

All the features you need/want out of your goggles are integrated into FXR’s Pilot Goggles, choose your colour at www.fxrracing.com.

4

Water to Air Intercooler Upgrade

Have you been upgrading your machine all winter and looking for the next best thing for your turbocharged AXYS RMK? Boondockers Water to Air Intercooler Upgrade is the next upgrade that you have been looking for! The Water to Air Intercooler Upgrade is designed to improve turbocharger performance by minimizing charge air temperatures. Boondockers developed this intercooler to be lightweight and cooled through the radiator mounted on the underside of the belly pan, this position gives the radiator direct contact with snow and cold air. Go to www. boondockers.com for more details!

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gear

5

Synthetic Slide Lubricant Powersports enthusiasts are always trying to get an edge and find the next best thing to keep their snowmobiles running at peak performance. SSL (Synthetic Slide Lubricant) from Hipertech is a specially formulated lubricant that provides ant-friction treatment at points of contact of the sliders and the track. SSL reduces friction, heat, and slider wear for high performance snowmobiles.

Hipertech’s SSL is an ideal lubricant for icy trail conditions, drag racing, and radar runs. Available in 500 ml, 4L, and 20L! Head over to www.hipertech.com for purchase details.

6

Powerxross Glove For the group of people that like the racer style gloves feel and comfort, Klim’s Powerxross Glove has the technology and features that you are looking for. The Powerxross Glove has a built in 100 gram 3m Thinsulate, Gore grip technology, full leather palm, and fingers with silicon grip. Guaranteed to keep your hands dry all day long. Get the racer style feel and at the same time keeping your hands warm while rallying the trails with Klim’s Powerxross Glove.

Head over too www.klim.com

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Motorfist Scout Backpack

7

Carry the essentials with you at all times when heading up into the mountains or on a trail ride from dusk to dawn. The Scout Backpack from Motorfist was designed around the rider’s needs and wants with vented shoulder straps and back panel to prevent over heating, integrated grab handle, protective goggle pocket, 2 hip belt pockets, and tool pocket. You will also keep hydrated with Motorfist’s 3l hydration ready pack that is integrated into the Scout Backpack. Choose between three available colours at www.motorfist.com.

8

Schaeffers XP 2-Cycle Oil

Use the best and nothing but the best for your machine!

Schaeffers manufactures full synthetic 2-cycle racing oil that keeps your engine and critical parts clean while providing top performance. The XP2-cycle oil from Schaeffers is premium oil that reduces smoke emissions, it prevents the exhaust ports from blocking and hard carbon deposits from forming giving you a smooth throttle response. Pick up a jug of Schaeffers XP Extreme Performance 2-Cycle oil at www.schaefferoil.com

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MARLON USA

CALL TOLL FREE: 1-866-930-9411 Spanaway WA. USA For Eastern Canada and US Distributors please visit our website ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 8 • ISSUE 5

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gear

9 Comp RR Shell Jacket

Black-Ops Elite Balaclava Looking for a balaclava that has it all? Well look no further than FXR’s Black-Ops Elite Balaclava. The Black-Ops balaclava has a built in adjustable neoprene no fog system that will keep you free a clear of fogged up goggles while on the trails.

Constructed with a 4-way stretch material designed to reduce wind to critical areas and wide shoulder/chest coverage for moderate to extreme riding conditions. FXR placed a rear zipper on the back of the balaclava for an easy on and off application. Check out FXR’s Black-Ops Elite Balaclava at www.fxrracing.com

10

Lets kick old man winter square in the B*lls and take back winter with Arctiva’s Comp RR Shell Jacket. A durable waterproof polyester shell, moisture wicking polyester liner, multiple zippered vents for controlled temperatures, and an inner snow cuff for added warmth and comfort are all built into Arctiva’s Comp RR Shell Jacket. Arctiva also added a durable waterproof coating on the shell for maximum barrier against wind, snow, and water. Choose between two colours provided at www.arctiva.com

.

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11

Ignitor Pro Heated Gloves

Do you find yourself chasing the snow up north in the colder weather?

Don’t let your hand suffer, Fly’s Ignitor Pro Heated Glove will keep your hands warm and toasty while out on the trails. Built with a full leather pal, integrated hard knuckle armor, and is touch screen compatible making it easier to use your phone or GPS! With a 7.4v lithium ion battery and controller with 3-heat setting you wont have any issues keeping your hand warm and comfortable.

The stainless core heating technology has superior life even in the worst conditions. Purchase Fly’s Ignitor Pro Heated glove at www.flyracing.com!

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Intimidator Jacket

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. The XS Belt is 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 wear and tear 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

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No matter your riding style, every rider has the same needs and wants when it comes to their jacket, comfort, warmth, manoeuvrability, and we can throw style/look into the mix as well. HMK heard you’re calling and designed the Intimidator jacket with XR-Gold Weather-proof Technology that makes this jacket windproof, waterproof, and breathable. With cascade ballistic material, aqua guard zippers, magnetic flap closure, embroidered logos, and a moisture wicking mesh liner this is the jacket for all styles of riders. We know you are already on www.hmkusa.com adding the Intimidator jacket to your cart, we wont tell the wife/GF if you don’t.

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Pipes Silencers 56

ON SNOW MAGAZINE • VOL 8 • ISSUE 5

Arctic Cat Polaris Ski-Doo Yamaha

ON SNOW MAGAZINE PRESENTS SNOWMOBILER TELEVISION

VISIT WWW.SNOWMOBILERTV.COM FOR STATIONS AND TIMES IN YOUR AREA

floatbowl PAT BOURGEOIS

LEADING BY EXAMPLE In the summer of 1993, the assembly lines in Roseau, Minnesota were humming. Orders for 1994 XLT models alone were nearly unfathomable. While Polaris was already experiencing fantastic growth with models such as the Indy Trail, Indy 400, and the Indy 500, the sheer build numbers for the XLT were reported to be as high as 25,000 units, maybe more. Two years later, the industry build for North America would rival 250,000 units. Times were good.

By now, if you’ve been a regular reader of my column, you know the snowmobile industry is not nearly as healthy as it once was. North American sales have been on a trickle-down decline for the better part of 15-years.

In some seasons, we’ve been lucky to break the 100,000-unit barrier. Yet, for the most part the industry as whole continues to operate as if it were 1999 (sorry Prince).

For certain there have been cutbacks, in many cases they are unavoidable, but budgets aside the basic operating principles of nearly everyone within

the industry, from the manufacturers, to race organizations, to media, to the aftermarket continue to function in the same manner as they did when global sales numbers were at or beyond 300,000 units.

Few know this better than dealers.

The once profitable retail business of selling snowmobiles is a mere ghost of its former self. Most, if not all, dealers make little to nothing when selling a new snowmobile, you read that right, they often make zero. Think about that when you go to make a “deal” on your next buggy. Add to this the uncertainty of snow for some parts of the snow belt, and the snowmobile retail business is certainly not daisies and sunshine for many.

To help, manufacturers have been sweetening the retail pot for dealers and consumers alike with bigger and bigger rebates and no interest loans. This was particularly evident last season, when some manufacturers came out with retail programs as early as September, well before the first flake had hit the

Beyond limited availability, Yamaha is enticing spring buyers with a sweepstakes program where you have a chance to win a new 2019 Yamaha snowmobile.

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ground. Many of these programs are focused on carry-over or non-current sleds, the ones dealers and the manufacturers were unable to sell the previous winter. As a result, enthusiasts have been “conditioned” to wait for the better deal.

Now here’s an even scarier number.

Over the past several seasons more than 35% of all sleds sold are noncurrent models. Blowing out old sleds at deep discounts is not a healthy business plan for manufacturers or dealers.

For model year 2019, Yamaha has taken nothing short of a bold move.

For starters, they have dramatically cut the number of models from 34 to 12, frankly a move other manufacturers should follow. Second, they will offer just 4 full-size sleds during in-season sales next winter, all other sleds must be purchased during their spring Power Surge event, which ends April 16th.

I know what you’re thinking, “won’t they lose sales?” Probably, but it’s the right move. It’s one that will curb the carry-over discount sale conundrum, and more importantly, will ensure the future health of their dealer network.

The “fear” of losing a possible sale has been fueling the dramatic increase in models over the past 15-years, resulting in build numbers for some models as low as 100 units.

Contrary to rumors, Yamaha is not “getting out of the snowmobile business.” The history of this sport has been fraught with challenges, bankruptcy, bad times, and very good times. Along the way, every remaining manufacturer has at one time been the market share leader. While Yamaha currently doesn’t lead the market in terms of new sleds sold, a move such as this clearly demonstrates they still know how to lead.

2018

SNOSCOOT

/// TAKE BACK WINTER 200 CLASS 4-STROKE ENGINE I LONG TAPERED TUNNEL I COBRA TRACK

FUN, EXCITEMENT AND A LOST SENSE OF TIME.

yamaha-snowmobiles.com © 2017 Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A. All rights reserved. Product and specifications subject to change without notice. Professional rider on closed course.

Always wear an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing. Ride responsibly and always ride within your capabilities, allowing time and distance for maneuvering, and respect others around you. Know the conditions. Observe all state and local laws. Don’t drink and ride.