First Ride Impressions

[DennyTuna]

We have just enough snow (6") @ home to take out the thunderwinders and get the break-in period done yesterday. Team Turbo Response Unit (1-50th LTX, 1-Racing Blue LTX, 1-Thundercat) all snow checked 18 units. We did the break-in by the book, first 100 miles under 6000 rpm. That was agonizing but we got it done. Definitely need to crank the center shock on the winders as recommended by the awesome TY folk, out of the box it is heavy steering. The Thundercat had a much lighter feel out of the box than the winders. I wonder if its from the different shock package on the T-cat (QS3 front and rear shock, cat shock for the center) VS. a full compliment QS3r on the winders. The tuner skis never saw snow as both winders have curve skis with bergstrom triple points. Now the fun part, once I hit the 100 mile break-in I was ready for a little more power...hold onto your lid....wholly crap! My helmet strap was not tight, on the first pass @ 90 plus my lid was creeping up. This is gonna be one hell of a fun sled this winter, endless power it seems like. Our group is headed to the UP on January 6th for a week so I'll take the time then to get the balance and rebound dialed in then. The seating position felt great, the bars felt great in its stock position for me. The seat warmer is very hot, even on low it got really really HOT! I switched out the stock windy for a medium sport windy, I like it a lot. It adds more wind protection and flares out nicely for hand protection. The other winder did the medium windy which is 2" higher than the sport, it had a turbulence with it that felt a little weird in the cockpit. I don't know maybe at higher speeds it gets better. The TD clutch kit was spot on, smooth engagement. I don't know what stock felt like as it never saw snow either. I will get a better feel for the TD kit in a few weeks but, I'm sure I will like it. All in all the sled felt great, love the ergos, the power and once the balance is dialed in it will be an awesome year on the LTX-LE sidewinder. Can't wait!!!

 

[vodoo child]

Good report Bud. Mine goes on her maiden voyage next week the 26th to either Maine or if I'm solo the s@*t show called Tugg Hill! I'm setup similar to you. Red and white med sport windy, power madd gaurds, 5.7 pilots with 7 1/2" shaper bars, 192 studs in stud boy double backers and shocks as per Rocker Dan's setup! Stock clutch's for now! I hope this Yamacat treats me as good as my Attak GT has!

 

[snowbeast]

Good report Bud. Mine goes on her maiden voyage next week the 26th to either Maine or if I'm solo the s@*t show called Tugg Hill! I'm setup similar to you. Red and white med sport windy, power madd gaurds, 5.7 pilots with 7 1/2" shaper bars, 192 studs in stud boy double backers and shocks as per Rocker Dan's setup! Stock clutch's for now! I hope this Yamacat treats me as good as my Attak GT has!

Unless we get some more snow,i would hit tug hill,maine is on the slim side as I type today,there may be a little panning in Rangley area and maybe a tad RR bed rolling in Caribou too,but that's it.

 

[vodoo child]

Unless we get some more snow,i would hit tug hill,maine is on the slim side as I type today,there may be a little panning in Rangley area and maybe a tad RR bed rolling in Caribou too,but that's it.

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

 

[WinterWolf]

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

I’m heading up to N Aroostook on the 26th to pick up my 50th anniversary Winder, and to ride that week. I have quite a few friends that are locals, who live in the St John Valley, and they are grooming in Madawaska and St Agatha, and Frenchville and Fort Kent. Expecting more snow Tuesday/Tuesday night, and again Friday and Saturday. I’d wait before you commit to go to Tug Hill if I were you(that place is stupid).

Only 4 degrees right now In Frenchville...gonnabe -15 f tonight.

 

[SumpBuster]

Good report Bud. Mine goes on her maiden voyage next week the 26th to either Maine or if I'm solo the s@*t show called Tugg Hill! I'm setup similar to you. Red and white med sport windy, power madd gaurds, 5.7 pilots with 7 1/2" shaper bars, 192 studs in stud boy double backers and shocks as per Rocker Dan's setup! Stock clutch's for now! I hope this Yamacat treats me as good as my Attak GT has!

Tug hill looks great..Some of the woods trails might be crap, but a nice loop of the hill should net 90 miles or so from C ville around the horn. Run some of the hill roads like Corrigan, down and back, to add some more for early season shake down.

 

[SumpBuster]

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

LOL...isn't that why we got winders, to take the g outs?? Off hill, like Westernville, Camden, etc are great, when there is snow. Lots of field's to open the hyperdrive window...

 

[snowbeast]

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

Generally by late dec. or first week of jan. we have trails open in most of the state,there may be some good riding in portage/Eagle lake ft kent area and the crown,as long as you are not planning on next weekend,you may be ok,but remember this,in late dec. early jan we always get a warm up and a mess of rain that comes in on either back side or overidding top of clouds that brings rain at end,to finish off the early snow,i have lived here all of my 62 plus years,and have seen this more than I like,but truth be,its happening way to often now,than ever before,lets keep our fingers crossed,but we are still only going to get what the Lord wants us to have anyways. So Merry Christmas to you and family,and be safe when you do get out and about.

 

[DennyTuna]

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

Would be nice if PA would get some snow for a change, just so disappointing. It's been 3 years now since I last rode in PA.

 

[Fleecer]

Thanks for the heads up SnowBeast, I've been checking the web site's for all over Aroostook county and no one seems to be committing to trail reports. I'm off from the 23rd till 2nd. Was hoping for Portage/Eagle Lake area to be ride able by now. Oh well, guess I double up on my life insurance, dust off my back brace put my head on a swivel and hit Tugg Hill. God help me!!!!!

I live in Caribou and last night went to Lakeview. The riding was quite good actually. Some of the potatoe field crossings were boney, but nothing to write home about. The rr beds are hard and fast, last night 1/2 throttle would net 112 mph. Still not enough snow to make rt beds flat, hence due to the crown can't go wide open without heading into the bushes. At any rate, most of the trails are groomed north of Caribou and they are announcing 5-10 inches today. Come on up!!!!

 

[snowbeast]

I live in Caribou and last night went to Lakeview. The riding was quite good actually. Some of the potatoe field crossings were boney, but nothing to write home about. The rr beds are hard and fast, last night 1/2 throttle would net 112 mph. Still not enough snow to make rt beds flat, hence due to the crown can't go wide open without heading into the bushes. At any rate, most of the trails are groomed north of Caribou and they are announcing 5-10 inches today. Come on up!!!!

well I guess I know where to get my trail reports now..lol My house in Patten only has about 8-10 inches,and no panning or anything yet,they are getting groomers and tractors ready,but still need another foot,but the cold temps have been good. I was going to call russells and ask if they had opened up her trail yet? Maybe john out of Gary,s has had some one out and about,he is generally on top of reports to,but john don't ride much any more. So are you saying the long lake trail from van buren cove acrossed the lake is froze over?

 

[Fleecer]

well I guess I know where to get my trail reports now..lol My house in Patten only has about 8-10 inches,and no panning or anything yet,they are getting groomers and tractors ready,but still need another foot,but the cold temps have been good. I was going to call russells and ask if they had opened up her trail yet? Maybe john out of Gary,s has had some one out and about,he is generally on top of reports to,but john don't ride much any more. So are you saying the long lake trail from van buren cove acrossed the lake is froze over?

The lake just caught recently...I wouldn' t ride it just yet, but my opinion. The 8 inches you got in Patten, we got too, but it was a wet heavy snow, then froze next day making awesome base. Snowing as I write this, we should be in good shape after this storm!!

 

[JPS]

Would be nice if PA would get some snow for a change, just so disappointing. It's been 3 years now since I last rode in PA.

from Pa we have very few options, Tug hill, old forge Circus, or you have to tow a far distance to Maine or Northern NH. I did ride last year in Pembroke Ontario 2 hours north of thousand Islands not as far as Maine or NH there was a lot of snow, great trails and you did not have to deal with tug hill sno cross want to be"s. 6 hours from N.E. Pa.

 

[SumpBuster]

from Pa we have very few options, Tug hill, old forge Circus, or you have to tow a far distance to Maine or Northern NH. I did ride last year in Pembroke Ontario 2 hours north of thousand Islands not as far as Maine or NH there was a lot of snow, great trails and you did not have to deal with tug hill sno cross want to be"s. 6 hours from N.E. Pa.

It's nice to ride home for sure. But most winters, there is fantastic riding south of the hill. I try to stay off it, if I can, but Williamstown, South and west to Morrisville, east to Barnveld, Camden, to Speculator, you can roll up some serious miles. Even by Excell, just south of route 20, and the Norwich area is great riding. Laffeyette, Pompei, big hills, nice scenery, etc.
We rode from home a few years ago, that being near Howe Caverns, to Morrisville, and theres a trail to the Turning Stone Casino, ate in the Solsville hotel, and back for a 219 mile afternoon ride! Many miles of trails in the lake effect areas south of the hill.....jus sayin!

 

[WinterWolf]

The lake just caught recently...I wouldn' t ride it just yet, but my opinion. The 8 inches you got in Patten, we got too, but it was a wet heavy snow, then froze next day making awesome base. Snowing as I write this, we should be in good shape after this storm!!

Coming up on the 26th...week from today!! Picking up my Winder from Garys Yamaha that day! Conditions looking good and getting better. More snow for you guys Friday night and Saturday too. Can’t wait to get the new sled and try her out. Staying in St Agatha at the motor inn.

Red arrow snowmobile club(St. Agatha) posted today that all their trails are signed and groomed..