2020 Release

[SumpBuster]

This era and the previous pics was all about global cooling and the coming ice age. I'll go with weather history and stay optimistic! Lol
And not taken in late March either!!

 

[Handy]

Is that a Chevy Vega parked under the deck? My buddy had one in 74 and when pulling his double trailer some would have to drive ahead of him to break the wind or it could not get up to highway speed. LOL

 

[SumpBuster]

Is that a Chevy Vega parked under the deck? My buddy had one in 74 and when pulling his double trailer some would have to drive ahead of him to break the wind or it could not get up to highway speed. LOL

LMAO!! yes it is....I was a glutton for punishment....also had a 76 Cosworth Vega! This stripper 5 speed didn't even have a radio or a movable passenger seat! Good commuter car..27 miles to work one way....could wad it up and not care!

 

[journeyman]

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Rode those Skiroule's many times, our farm neighbor across the county road from us sold them when I was a kid in the '70's.

 

[jjmoneysauce]

We're going to pop 100 pages by today at this rate.

We should create a poll of what we think the new models will be.

 

[biffdotorg]

If we truly believe that the snow belt is moving North (which sounds right) and the riding season is going away. Then we possibly need a new type of vehicle. One that will put the states on their ears as far as how to regulate it. ie the 3-wheeled spyder, and the snowbike.

We need an ATV that can be converted from track to dirt easily. And will perform like a snowmobile not only in speed, but impact on the trails. That way it won't piss off the trail clubs and traditional snowmobilers.

Just imagine if you could get this sort of vehicle to be approved by the state, DNR and clubs, just imagine what a gold mine of a vehicle this would be for the folks that have no idea what next winter will bring.

At this time, a tracked ATV cannot perform like a sled, and cannot be ridden on a trail. But maybe a total redesign could provide the outdoorsman with adequate performance and easy adaptation to be utilized year around. That is the type of vehicle that could gain serious market share for the OEM that can provide it. I can't see it happening with current technology, but it would put the fence sitter at ease knowing they can still use it no matter what mother nature brings.

 

[Farmer 73]

I heard a rumor yesterday that the reps from Cat have to return all their demo sleds to headquarters this weekend! I also heard that they are ceasing production. I believe we are going to hear the future on the partnership real soon! AGAIN RUMORS!

 

[journeyman]

I heard a rumor yesterday that the reps from Cat have to return all their demo sleds to headquarters this weekend! I also heard that they are ceasing production. I believe we are going to hear the future on the partnership real soon! AGAIN RUMORS!

To be honest the way this winter is going I could see all of the mfg's ceasing production temporarily. Sales have got to be down across the board. I just heard 2 weeks ago that this last quarter was one of the worst for Polaris's snow division. I have 2 people related to my in laws that work for the Polaris headquarters.

 

[biffdotorg]

Is there is a reason this is labeled as a rumor? How long do you suppose a plant produces current model year sleds? My guess is by January/February annually, the plant stops production on current model year to re-tool for the upcoming model year. Or even switch staff over to ATV lines etc. I can only imagine, they have produced enough 2019 models to fill show rooms till the spring.

In fact, I would guess there is an inventory on hand just waiting on trucks to deliver what has not already gone out to dealers. They only have two months to clean house before folks start talking spring orders on 2020 models.

 

[Deeppow16]

Is there is a reason this is labeled as a rumor? How long do you suppose a plant produces current model year sleds? My guess is by January/February annually, the plant stops production on current model year to re-tool for the upcoming model year. Or even switch staff over to ATV lines etc. I can only imagine, they have produced enough 2019 models to fill show rooms till the spring.

In fact, I would guess there is an inventory on hand just waiting on trucks to deliver what has not already gone out to dealers. They only have two months to clean house before folks start talking spring orders on 2020 models.

Just 2 weeks ago I saw a fully loaded semi with Arctic Cat crates roll through my town. So up until 2 weeks ago they were still shipping sleds around.

 

[Mileage Quest]

Which way was it going??? LOL... will AC dealers now be Yamaha dealers, pending my predictions and the rumors are true???

 

[Deeppow16]

Which way was it going??? LOL... will AC dealers now be Yamaha dealers, pending my predictions and the rumors are true???

IDK, It was parked. If its coming from Thief River Falls its not going to the cites otherwise it wouldn't be coming through my town(I'm a long ways from any freeway). I really have no idea why it would even be in my town because I have no Arctic Cat dealers even close to me.

 

[biffdotorg]

Just 2 weeks ago I saw a fully loaded semi with Arctic Cat crates roll through my town. So up until 2 weeks ago they were still shipping sleds around.

Exactly, they stockpile crated machines at the plant in huge quantities. The bottleneck is not in MFG, it's in logistics for sure.

I obviously do not know the MFG process or timelines. But for example, when the new 9000/sidewinder series was going into production, we were seeing those hitting the lines early summer. When the new Wildcats were coming down the line, it was a few months after the previous model year was halted. So timeline to retool obviously has to do with how much of it is BNG. And how much of it is a new model.

If there is a new chassis coming, the retool of the plant will be significant. And getting prototypes out will be of utmost importance. That being said, prototypes are usually hand built and not on a line. But once they are near final prototype, that line has to be optimized for any changes.

 

[journeyman]

Exactly, they stockpile crated machines at the plant in huge quantities. The bottleneck is not in MFG, it's in logistics for sure.

I obviously do not know the MFG process or timelines. But for example, when the new 9000/sidewinder series was going into production, we were seeing those hitting the lines early summer. When the new Wildcats were coming down the line, it was a few months after the previous model year was halted. So timeline to retool obviously has to do with how much of it is BNG. And how much of it is a new model.

If there is a new chassis coming, the retool of the plant will be significant. And getting prototypes out will be of utmost importance. That being said, prototypes are usually hand built and not on a line. But once they are near final prototype, that line has to be optimized for any changes.

I see you are about two hours away from TRF, do you have any connection to AC......yourself, family or friends?

I used to but not anymore. One of the AC racers and employees was dating a gal that not only worked for the company my wife does, but her dad was an old classmate of mine. They have since married and she moved up there with him to the TRF's area........his initials are BD. Probably 2nd behind Tucker for current known AC racers. I used to see him at my wife's XMas parties and naturally we talked sleds. At the time he wasn't too thrilled about the Cat/Yamaha relationship.

 

[Mortagleus]

I saw photos from a guys front yard near Toronto 2 days ago......green grass. Same here though around Minneapolis.

Toronto almost never has snow. Our best riding starts about 1.5 hours north past Gravenhurst. And then go a little higher.