Do Rider Forward Sleds Equal Unacceptable Wind Protection?

[Frostbite]

I am hyped up as the next guy about the new Yamaha snowmobiles for 06. I salute their willingness to finally commit the resources showing consumers as well as the other manufacturers what a company of their stature is capable of fielding. It appears that just maybe snowmobiles will no longer just be merely a side show built to keep their assembly lines moving during their off season.
Advances in weight weight loss through exotic metals, fuel injection, riding position changes and others make me feel good about our (and their) future.
I do have one concern though as the post title suggests.

Does a rider forward design have to equal an extreme lack of wind protection?

I rode Skidoo's for a number of years with their low and medium windshields. I have the frostbite to prove it (hence the name) where the cold got around my goggles on my moto style helmet. I fear the same thing on these new 06 models. I am sure Yamaha as well as the after market will come to our aid on this subject but honestly what is Yamaha thinking?
Snowmobiling is done during cold weather and good wind protection is paramount to enjoying a ride. It seems looks (athetics) have once again trumped utility in the new sled design.

Frosty

 

[Mighty]

In the case of the RTX and GT with those things called windshields the answer is yes. The ER and Attak no. If you get an RTX or GT dump that ornamental shield and you'll be fine.

 

[Red2003]

Buy a full-face helmet. Moto cross helmets are made for..... well, motocross. Sno cross racers wear them. but they aren't concerned with the cold and they are standing up most of the time anyway.

 

[Frostbite]

Yes, a full face helmet would help but once you've ridden with a motostyle helmet it's tough to go back. I will try it though.
I even noticed when I put an 05 seat on my 03 RX-1M that I was now sitting quite a bit above the windshield and getting cold. I hate to go with a touring windshield but I will if I have to, to stay warm.
Maybe the little"winglets" that are popular on the street bikes to help with wind protection will become popular on snowmobiles as well?

Frosty

 

[SRXSRULE]

Frostbite....I thought you were a mountain rider? I personaly hate a taller shield. The main reason is when riding in powder a taller shield throws the snow right up in your face. With a low one it either falls over the bars or maybe hits ya in the chest. Another reason is when riding in tight trees, you dont want a tall shield catching branches. ===SRXSRULE===

 

[Frostbite]

SRX Rules, Yup I am a mountain rider when I'm not bombing the trails. I live near the mountains but they are very heavily treed in our area. The majority of the time I ride trails either on the way to an open area where I can climb or with some of the older dudes that just ride the trails in the mountains.
I guess I'd be what you call a cross trainer type of rider. I do trails, climbing, and boondocking as well. You're right in every other type of riding (other than trails) the shorter windshield is the way to go.

Frostbite

 

[Freak]

Windshields add weight so they are a no no....

 

[SledderSteve]

Yes, a full face helmet would help but once you've ridden with a motostyle helmet it's tough to go back.

Resist the dark side Frosty, you don't have to go back. All you need to do is add a bit of material, I use "Polar Fleece", to the areas where air gets in around your goggles and your setup will outperform even the Darth Vaderish BV2S helmets.

You can get the material at any fabric store or even cut up an old balaclava for that matter. Secure the fleece to the helmet liner with fabric glue. If you match the color right and secure the fleece carefully it's difficult to tell the helmet's even been altered.

All that being said, I did in fact buy a new BRP helmet to use with my new Apex GT since I screwed up my other ones while mud wrestling my Grizzly.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

older dudes that just ride the trails in the mountains.


Frostbite

Who are you calling old.

 

[Frostbite]

Don't worry J, you have my piss and vinegar from 10 years ago! You are excellent to ride with. It's the old retirees from the Air National Guard that will not get off the trail and won't stop until you have 120 miles of slow going trail riding.
SleddedSteve! Man is that a nice helmet! I like your idea on the fleece material! There is NO WAY I want to go back to a full face. I wear one while riding my BMW in the summer and miss the periphial vision.

Frosty

 

[impalapower]

Re: Do Rider Forward Sleds Equal Unacceptable Wind Protectio

Does a rider forward design have to equal an extreme lack of wind protection?

If you sit higher and more foward, yes you will get more wind. But the manufacturer fixes that with the windshield, and if its still not enough, get a taller one.

 

[Yamahnator]

What Impala said.

Plus some of us are more tolerant than others with the cold. I rarely had a problem last year outside of a few seal problems with the goggles and I ride a lot standing up.

 

[4bangdan]

i really dont think a high winshield is gonna do much to help the huge gap between the cab and winsield.

 

[redrx1rkt]

Doesn't SportTech offer a windshield extension? Seems as though I read about it on this site many months ago.

 

[QCRider]

Windshields add weight so they are a no no....

Please tell me you are joking...