2023 is there 55 anniversary

[VK540V]

Sure I’d love to see a bunch of updates and things but let’s be honest with eachother, what has skidoo and Polaris “innovated” that makes them so far ahead of this “outdated” chassis everyone wants replaced. I promise you it’s all minor stuff but you’re making it sound like yamaha has an old 78 exciter with leaf springs on front of it. And if you’re referring to the $2000 tablet for a gauge that skidoo has that won’t work unless your phone is hooked to it and there is cell service I’d say look at ns1 or copitrail and you’ll have more for less and still have a better front end with a better motor. Do you want a 10% better rear suspension and innovation for a 30% increase in prices with an tablet for a dash all for the low cost of $26000? I honestly would have been content with every manufacture sitting for a cpl years till things settled.

That said. Sure I would love to see a new. Bulkhead design moving motor back, lower if they could do both, and rider little bit more forward and higher with updated plastics but nothing crazy.

That said since sidewinder was introduced (2017) the things changed, the new front end works great, the revisions to rear suspension were minor and impressive, the new ski isn’t amazing but a great factory ski that works for most. New handlebar controls are really nice and streamlined an push button start is nice. The iqs shocks are a nice package, sure it would be nice if center shock was part of it but even your $2500 up charge skidoo smart shocks dont adjust center shock.

I think you ought to spend more time studying what both Doo and Poo have released since the Procross chassis was unveiled for snowcheck in the spring of 2011. In short you are delusional if you believe that Cat has kept up with its competitors when it comes to making sleds lighter, better riding, better performing and more capable. Notice I didn’t include Yamaha in that statement becuase they are currently a joke who do not even manufacture their own sleds.

Do I want that to change? Yes! I want the Yamaha sled division to come back that existedin the 80’s and created truly innovative and excellent performing sleds. Right now they are such a joke it’s depressing to even talk about them.

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

You’re right I probably should open my eyes and see what they got. Oh wait I own a 2022 Polaris vr1 also. Sooooo back to me being delusional and not knowing or comparing to what’s out there?

 

[darv]

you guys need to face faxes that Yamaha is done the R&D is closed know this month no more R&D being done an now engineers where all let so what does that tell we will be driving all Cat sled painted yamaha colors the only thing in those sled will be yamaha will be motors .

 

[VK540V]

You’re right I probably should open my eyes and see what they got. Oh wait I own a 2022 Polaris vr1 also. Sooooo back to me being delusional and not knowing or comparing to what’s out there?

You’ve got to be kidding if you think Cat has kept up with the competition. They don’t have an 850, they are running the same chassis since MY12, their skid hasn’t changed in 10 years, their C-Tec 600 is less reliable than the Suzuki make motor it replaced. They’ve dropped all of the 4-strokes from their line up, except for the Thundercat. Cats sleds are too heavy and nothing significant has been done to reduce their weight.

For those keeping score Polaris came out with the Pro-ride chassis in MY 10, the Axys chassis in MY15, then the Maytrx in MY21. You could try to argue that the Matry is just an Axys with different body work (that’s what I though initially) but go through the parts diagrams and bulkhead part numbers don’t match, the over structure is new and different as is the seat and tank. Not to mention Polaris finely dropping the junk show beaver tail rear skid that never worked as advertised and replaced it with a modern conventional skid similar to the R-motion. Oh, gee, they just released a new 4-stroke, boosted mountain and trail sleds and lead the industry with light weight.

I’m not as familiar with Doo but they just released yet another generation of the Rev that appears to be an evolution of the Gen 4 with many new improvements.

And what has Cat done again…..?

 

[20/80]

No matter what Yamaha does or doesn't do they will sell out all their 23's at a higher price, some are still waiting on their pre ordered 22's, that's the bottom line for Yamaha, a big smile as you hand them your money when they really didn't do anything except sell you on some new gimmicks and shiny new stickers, why change anything if that works.

 

[VK540V]

No matter what Yamaha does or doesn't do they will sell out all their 23's at a higher price, some are still waiting on their pre ordered 22's, that's the bottom line for Yamaha, a big smile as you hand them your money when they really didn't do anything except sell you on some new gimmicks and shiny new stickers, why change anything if that works.

This is an interesting article. Makes more sense why Yamaha has divested itself from snowmobile production.

What is the Future of Snowmobiling? [Video] |

Is snowmobiling a declining sport? The 7 signs discussed in this article reveal the answer!

powersportsguide.com

 

[20/80]

This is an interesting article. Makes more sense why Yamaha has divested itself from snowmobile production.

What is the Future of Snowmobiling? [Video] |

Is snowmobiling a declining sport? The 7 signs discussed in this article reveal the answer!

powersportsguide.com

Some good points and info, thanks for sharing

 

[STAIN]

This is an interesting article. Makes more sense why Yamaha has divested itself from snowmobile production.

What is the Future of Snowmobiling? [Video] |

Is snowmobiling a declining sport? The 7 signs discussed in this article reveal the answer!

powersportsguide.com

When I see articles like this I feel like it up to people like us here on this forum, people who are passionate about snowmobiling, to move the sport forward.
It is up to us to introduce new people to riding. Get our sons, daughters, nephews and nieces involved. Get them away from their phones and out on the snow.
It is up to us, if we have the ability, to show others how to maintain your sled and make adjustments to maximize the fun factor.
It is up to us to teach them about trail etiquette, and how to ride safely.
It us up to us to show them how this whole trail system is built on the backs of volunteers and private land owners and the importance in helping, however little, the maintenance and upkeep of that system and land owner relationship.
All this being said, I believe this Covid B.S. has brought more people out doors. Even though our season this year was short, I saw more older sleds, more women, more families and generally more sleds on the trails. Ther have been more sled rental shops in a few areas.
Some may dip their toe in and then find out it is not for them. But some may continue riding.
Our state membership has been up the last year, so that is a good sign.
We can, as group, throw are hands in the air and lament that "it is a dying sprot" or we can try to get more people involved and help them along when we do.
I know around my area, I see more people getting back into sleds the last few years. People who rode years ago then life got in the way and they had to put some things aside. A few younger people buying sleds .
Sometimes all it takes is a ride on a newer sled and people get hooked again. New sleds, ALL new sleds are so much better than 25 years ago that people are astounded after they ride one. Used ones, even 10 years old are still pretty good rides compared to the older stuff we all rode "back in the day"

I guess my point is that our future is up to us, what are we doing to improve it?

 

[VK540V]

I agree with what your saying but the prices of sleds is going to do more to drive people out of the sport than anything. I think Venoms are way overpriced for a 400cc single. Polaris now wants $13,000 for an Indy 600 SP which is their “budget” performance sled. Even a fan cooled Indy short track is now over $9,000.

I just don’t see the sport growing with prices like that.

 

[20/80]

All good points, what we need is some really good snow years in area's that have been lacking snow, always seem to spark and boost the interest in snowmobiling, it has been bad here for a couple years now, a lot of sledders are selling out for a SXS or holding on to the old iron instead of buying new, we used to get tons of snow, now you have to travel every weekend if you want to go sledding.

 

[STAIN]

I agree with what your saying but the prices of sleds is going to do more to drive people out of the sport than anything. I think Venoms are way overpriced for a 400cc single. Polaris now wants $13,000 for an Indy 600 SP which is their “budget” performance sled. Even a fan cooled Indy short track is now over $9,000.

I just don’t see the sport growing with prices like that.

Prices are out of control. With retail prices soaring, used prices follow suit.
I bought my first new sled when I was 22, a Jag AFS. I cant remember the price to compare to todays entry sleds.
I know my first sled bought with my own money was $200 when I was 17 . A 1972 Ski-doo sliver bullet. Those days are gone.
I do like what Ski Doo brought to the table with their NEO series.

 

[74Nitro]

I agree with what your saying but the prices of sleds is going to do more to drive people out of the sport than anything. I think Venoms are way overpriced for a 400cc single. Polaris now wants $13,000 for an Indy 600 SP which is their “budget” performance sled. Even a fan cooled Indy short track is now over $9,000.

I just don’t see the sport growing with prices like that.

But they're all selling out.
Everything is nuts right now.
Just seemed to be getting over COVID and now war across seas!

 

[Upstater57]

Expect limited supply for 2023. My guess is that Yamaha will add more 800 models and Cat will add more 4 stroke models. Both will limit total production.

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Well one place where I ride is $7.29 for 90 non ethanol. Between filling our own vehicles and then sleds that will take a shot at sales. Wondering how many current people that snow checked have canceled them after fuel prices jumped in past week.

 

[VK540V]

Well one place where I ride is $7.29 for 90 non ethanol. Between filling our own vehicles and then sleds that will take a shot at sales. Wondering how many current people that snow checked have canceled them after fuel prices jumped in past week.

The recent spike in prices, $5.63 for 90 octane in my area has caused me to cut back on riding. Now I’m more inclined to go when conditions have good light, not just whenever I want. I suspect those newbies to the power sports market are having second thoughts about if they want to stay with the sport. Sleds get terrible MPG, and a long ride with a group of sleds for your family gets expensive quick.