2020 Release

[Farmer 73]

well I am raising my kids up in the sport and I hope many others are too. its up to us to include them and get them out on the snow. all three of my kids love the sport.

I have 4 kids that all LOVE snowmobiling! They are all grown with the last one in college. They would all love to be back in it but can't afford it!

 

[thor452]

is that why you have 7 sleds in your stable? and com'n really you can get a nice RX1 or apex for less than 4 grand now I have seen some at 2500 great sleds and less than most would spend on most hobbies.

 

[vector boy]

As a dealer, Yamaha needs to change their whole lineup and have 2-strokes in all categories to compete.

As a younger rider, Yamaha needs an affordable, yet capable sled to intrigue people to either get into the sport or to switch brands.

Ya, you can buy a pre-owned sled, but being a mountain guy, most people don't want to buy a pre-owned sled unless your plan is to completely tear it down and rebuild it all. Yes, I have a 2018 MTX LE. Yes, a good chunk of my expenses go to my sled. However, I know with a lighter weight 2 stroke, that's CHEAPER right off the bat, and since I only keep sleds a couple year I don't need to worry about engine rebuilds, I will be on something else for the 2019-2020 season, and if Yamaha doesn't change anything, I will no longer be a dealer for Yamaha sleds. Pretty sad when all I ordered was SnoScoots, and that's only because I wanted a couple of the blue models on hand.

You guys can sit here and play the "Just buy a pre-owned sled" or the "reliability sells" or "the price difference isn't that much" cards all you want, but the millennial generation doesn't necessarily care about the fastest thing out there. Look at where all the manufactures are going with the motorcycle segments. Smaller, affordable, FUN machines. Most people my age (early to mid 20's) I talk to all say the same thing. "Ya, it's fun to go fast, but I prefer to just be out riding with my friends". Sleds are the same thing. I enjoy having 200+hp on a factory sled, I love the feeling of the long pulls and having the skis just floating in the air, but I could have just as much fun on something with not as much power, a little bit lighter weight, and still just as capable as a sled because of the people I'm with, not because of what I'm on.

 

[Farmer 73]

is that why you have 7 sleds in your stable? and com'n really you can get a nice RX1 or apex for less than 4 grand now I have seen some at 2500 great sleds and less than most would spend on most hobbies.

My kids are ages 32 Colorado, 30 Wisconsin, 26 central Ill, 18 in college! So what are you telling me? Even if I give them each one of my older sleds, what are you telling me? If I do what I do now, maintain, transport, and help pay for them to go ride my sleds when they can, they still can't justify at this time in their lives to get into the sport the way their Mom and Dad are! So what are you telling me? Am I the only one in this situation, or is this the norm?

 

[Yamajon1]

My kids were raised with sleds and many family vacations up north. Now that there in college they have no time for that. They had kitty cats a TTR 90 and 4 wheelers but neither of them have a desire to get into motor sports. Almost none of there friends do either.

 

[Deeppow16]

As a dealer, Yamaha needs to change their whole lineup and have 2-strokes in all categories to compete.

As a younger rider, Yamaha needs an affordable, yet capable sled to intrigue people to either get into the sport or to switch brands.

Ya, you can buy a pre-owned sled, but being a mountain guy, most people don't want to buy a pre-owned sled unless your plan is to completely tear it down and rebuild it all. Yes, I have a 2018 MTX LE. Yes, a good chunk of my expenses go to my sled. However, I know with a lighter weight 2 stroke, that's CHEAPER right off the bat, and since I only keep sleds a couple year I don't need to worry about engine rebuilds, I will be on something else for the 2019-2020 season, and if Yamaha doesn't change anything, I will no longer be a dealer for Yamaha sleds. Pretty sad when all I ordered was SnoScoots, and that's only because I wanted a couple of the blue models on hand.

You guys can sit here and play the "Just buy a pre-owned sled" or the "reliability sells" or "the price difference isn't that much" cards all you want, but the millennial generation doesn't necessarily care about the fastest thing out there. Look at where all the manufactures are going with the motorcycle segments. Smaller, affordable, FUN machines. Most people my age (early to mid 20's) I talk to all say the same thing. "Ya, it's fun to go fast, but I prefer to just be out riding with my friends". Sleds are the same thing. I enjoy having 200+hp on a factory sled, I love the feeling of the long pulls and having the skis just floating in the air, but I could have just as much fun on something with not as much power, a little bit lighter weight, and still just as capable as a sled because of the people I'm with, not because of what I'm on.

This statement cant be any more true. I'm 23 years old and everything you have said is true. I'm a performance guy and like high horsepower things but is it really needed? No! Yamaha needs to come out with a 2 stroke or they will have no sleds in 10 years. Yes Yamaha's run forever but people don't care about that any more. That's the whole reason I switched to cat this year. They are way lighter, A LOT cheaper and I can go anywhere a sidewinder can and its not even close to 200hp. I'm very happy with it and extremely excited to get to ride it this winter. Just look at the 4 manufactures are Haydays this year, Cat Polairs and Ski-doo were all packed most of the day and Yamaha had way less people there. Theres a reason for that. I'm not bashing Yamaha I just think they need to make some serious changes to draw in younger people that are coming up through the sport like myself.

 

[biffdotorg]

I understand what you mean by this, but by me we have Highlands Yamaha, Port Yamaha, Richs Yamaha, Rock River powersports, powersports 1, and recreation plus. All of which only sell Yamaha brand, and no others. I'm sure this could change if Yamaha dumps their sled lineup, but for the meantime It seems as if they are hanging in there

Exactly, so those guys I bet would love/hate the idea of that Cat chassis/cat powered Yamaha two stroke. Yes, they could finally once again offer up a two stroke to the customers asking for it. But they would need to brush up a mechanic on the Ctec2 engine for that one model. If it's their only choice, at least they would have one. But I'm sure choice number one would be a true blue Yamaha 2-stroke.

 

[Stormbringer]

Ya maybe a better product line might help Yamaha somewhat. But I go back and say look inside the restaurants, bars, and hotels. You would be hard pressed to see a group of twenty somethings on sleds. Subtract the young ones riding with the dad or grandfather to make them happy. It is not just snowmobiling, it is all outdoor activities. Look at Harvey Davidson, I bought a new bike in 96 and there were a lot of hot looking ladies on the back end of the bikes. Go out and look today it would scare you! Look at how many golf courses has closed as well. The younger generation are not outdoor fans like us baby boomers. For the most part they are IPhones and computer games. My son rides with me because it is me, his friends do not. When he goes on a sled trip it is with a bunch of 50 and 60 year olds.

 

[1nc 2000]

I see alot of the younger crowd riding. They are all boondockers. They don't go to bars and restaurants so much due to their riding style doesn't take them there on the trails.

 

[Snowaddict]

I'm not sure where most of you ride, but everywhere I go I see a bunch of backpack toting, open faced helmet, goggle wearing, cowboys. These ain't 50 somethings or baby boomers. I always wonder where these youngsters get the dough for the newest equipment and latest and greatest gear. A good example was in cable last year for the weenie roast. Whether it was on the trail, at the outlaw drags, or grudge matches, the younger riders were everywhere.

 

[greatwhite89]

The "young guys" definitely love the off trail, latest and greatest. They must also have parents with thick pocket books, or they simply don't care about financing all their toys at high interest rates. These are probably the same guys who can't read trail signs and are not part of a club.

I'm not sure where most of you ride, but everywhere I go I see a bunch of backpack toting, open faced helmet, goggle wearing, cowboys. These ain't 50 somethings or baby boomers. I always wonder where these youngsters get the dough for the newest equipment and latest and greatest gear. A good example was in cable last year for the weenie roast. Whether it was on the trail, at the outlaw drags, or grudge matches, the younger riders were everywhere.

 

[cobrajet ltx dx]

I'm not sure where most of you ride, but everywhere I go I see a bunch of backpack toting, open faced helmet, goggle wearing, cowboys. These ain't 50 somethings or baby boomers. I always wonder where these youngsters get the dough for the newest equipment and latest and greatest gear. A good example was in cable last year for the weenie roast. Whether it was on the trail, at the outlaw drags, or grudge matches, the younger riders were everywhere.

Exactly!!!!!!
And to ad, have you noticed there rigs towing the latest and greatest.

 

[TrueBlue]

The "young guys" definitely love the off trail, latest and greatest. They must also have parents with thick pocket books, or they simply don't care about financing all their toys at high interest rates. These are probably the same guys who can't read trail signs and are not part of a club.

Those are most of the guys that cause are trails to close, because they go where you are not suppose to go. No respect for land owners.

 

[Deeppow16]

As a 23 year old I agree with every ones comments above. There are very few of us that enjoy trail riding or going fast. We would rather test our skills up in the hills. Sadly for me I'm the last guy in my group that still rides so there are also a lot of young people getting out of the sport. Luckily I have met a couple guys that are willing to drop everything and go ride just like me. As for the guys that are not respecting the land I see that first hand and all I do it shake my head. I also wonder how all these high schoolers can afford a brand new sled, jacked up truck and fancy trailers. Back when I was in high school all I could afford was Polairs Edge but I had a great relationship with that sled and have regretted selling that sled. All I know are things are changing and its going to be interesting to see where the industry goes.

 

[sideshowBob]

Ya maybe a better product line might help Yamaha somewhat. But I go back and say look inside the restaurants, bars, and hotels. You would be hard pressed to see a group of twenty somethings on sleds. Subtract the young ones riding with the dad or grandfather to make them happy. It is not just snowmobiling, it is all outdoor activities. Look at Harvey Davidson, I bought a new bike in 96 and there were a lot of hot looking ladies on the back end of the bikes. Go out and look today it would scare you! Look at how many golf courses has closed as well. The younger generation are not outdoor fans like us baby boomers. For the most part they are IPhones and computer games. My son rides with me because it is me, his friends do not. When he goes on a sled trip it is with a bunch of 50 and 60 year olds.

There is no doubt that the wave of collecting recreational toys that began with the Baby Boomers is on the decline. The trend has swung towards more life experiences like holiday travel and less clutter and consumption of time and money that snowmobiles, motorcycles, trailers, planes, boats ect bring.
When you look around at your local Yacht club, snowmobile club, and flying clubs ect the age of the majority of members is definitely 50+++
Private recreational aviation, as an example, is virtually non existent and the market on used sailboats is dead, both of these activities were booming in the 70s and 80s.
Things change and if snowmobiling and other power sports are to survive and thrive it will be on rentals...not on ownership.

JM.02c