Go snowmobiling. Why not?

[Bakemono]

http://snowmobiles.yamahablogs.ca/2008/ ... g-why-not/

In the mid-west states, the official start of winter is Hay Days, well here in Ontario its the Go Snowmobiling Show. Kind of interesting to watch the buzz around the office as we start to prepare our media fleet, show units and demos for the upcoming season. The metal crate remains are getting stacked by the back door awaiting the arrival of Sanford and Son and our storage shed is becoming swollen with new sleds in need of trail permits. Still haven’t spotted my new Apex GT buts that’s probably a good thing… which brings me to a small muse.

Snowmobiling differs from all the other products we sell in the way the hardware is viewed.

Motorcyclists are very tuned to their bikes but in the end, its clearly the ride and image which create the emotional response. ATV’ers can be very aware of the machine and its features but end of the day, its the promise of exploring and related outdoor activities that become available given the access afforded by the bike. Outboards, well these are essentially appliances used to propel the main vessel and aquatic focus of the owner. That leaves snowmobiles.

No other product recieves so much critical attention relative to the design and performance. What I’m trying to say is many sled heads put the equipment ahead of the riding experience. It’s more important to achieve an extra hundred foot lead at the end of the lake than to be outside riding in the first place. Carrying an extra 5 mph throughout a long stretch of woop-de-dooed trail, takes precedent over cruising the same section and enjoying the view. If I had a nickel for every brand blind, POS diatribe issued by an impassioned rider in defense of their chosen sled, I’d be a rich man.

I try to imagine what it is like in this day and age for a newbie, who may be attracted by the notion of getting into the sno-mo game. More than likely the initial attraction is all about outdoors access , breaking away from TV induced ‘cabin fever’ and floating over endless miles of the white stuff in search of adventure. How long does it take for this person to get sucked in to the ‘mines bigger than yours’ mentallity? How quickly will they decide only one brand is worthy of ownership and all others should be critized and scoffed? You should have at least a 130hp horsepower with a foot and half of suspension to enjoy a groomed trail. And, oh yeah, if your sled is a bit heavier than your friends, you’re in big trouble. How many will get turned off by the sheer cost and competition of it all returning to the safe comfort of the living room and This Week In NASCAR?

If only we had as much energy devoted to promoting the enjoyment of being comfotably outside on a sparkling winter day with the whole world to explore. No strings, no pressure no equipment complex. Which brings me to the point.

Mark Lester from Supertrax asked me earlier this week what I liked most about snowmobiling. Easy question… at first glance.

Give it some thought! I did. ;-) cr

Food for thought. It should be about getting out and enjoying the ride, not in who has the newest, fastest sled.

 

[big_ry_ry]

This is one person's opinion , and in any recreational machine has those that want the bigger and badder. That statement would be true for motorcycles, dirtbikes, atvs. Why would they make a hayabusa 1500cc racing bike that any john doe can buy and they would never ever use the full potential of that bike?? The thing can go over 200mph and your telling me that this bike is for the freedom? And a raptor atv that is built for speed is also for exploring?

I think the main reason for most people to get into RV's is for the ride no matter what is is (atv, moto, sled) and there will always be people who are just in it for the HP, this is not just limited to snowmobilers to me that article is stating his opinion and not fact... This is not limited to snowmobilers it is with every rideable machine.... Riding lawn mower racing....hello...lol

I also agree it should be about the ride and not about how fast

 

[yamadoo]

Bakemono I agree it is worse in snowmobiling and Big_ry_ry yes it is in all sports.

I in now my "MIDDLE AGE" am falling back in love with snowmobiling for the right reason's, it is fun beautifull, it is a rush, I am with friends and family.

I can not wait!

Yamadoo

I think I will start a thread with that ?

 

[Bakemono]

This is one person's opinion , and in any recreational machine has those that want the bigger and badder. That statement would be true for motorcycles, dirtbikes, atvs. Why would they make a hayabusa 1500cc racing bike that any john doe can buy and they would never ever use the full potential of that bike?? The thing can go over 200mph and your telling me that this bike is for the freedom? And a raptor atv that is built for speed is also for exploring?

I think the main reason for most people to get into RV's is for the ride no matter what is is (atv, moto, sled) and there will always be people who are just in it for the HP, this is not just limited to snowmobilers to me that article is stating his opinion and not fact... This is not limited to snowmobilers it is with every rideable machine.... Riding lawn mower racing....hello...lol

I also agree it should be about the ride and not about how fast

I think the point that the author was trying to make is that snowmobilers are much more focused on new technology and outright performance.
Look at how many people on forums are obsessed with which sled is the lightest, has the most horsepower and the most suspension travel.
You dont really see that as much in the motorcycle and ATV communities. Whens the last time you read a post by someone on a forum where they talked about the scenery or how much fun a section of trail they ride on is? Its all about speed, light weight and suspension travel.
Ive also noticed that a lot of people seem to have the attitude that once something new comes out, the older stuff is suddenly junk.
In the past I noticed that a lot of people seemed to have an attitude once Yamaha made the switch to 4-strokes that sleds like the SX Viper and SX Venom were suddenly no good and not worth even owning.
IMO, the old 2-strokes were good sleds before the 4-strokes came out and they remain good sleds.
So, you can see what I mean when I say it seems like snowmobilers are focused more on whats newer and faster and less on just enjoying the ride and the overall experience.

 

[tkuss]

I see all different sides of this article. The thing I love most about snowmobiling is getting out in the middle of the woods and just enjoying being outdoors with my friends and family on a winter day. Than again I also love getting the adreline rush of ripping through a quick little 30 mile ride. I think one of the main reasons snowmobiling is so much different than other sports is the fact that the average snowmobiler only gets a 3 month riding season. After the riding season all we are left to do is look and stare at the sleds. Soon you get sick of just staring and you start realizing what dislike about it and you start fixing, adjusting and buying new parts for it. Alot of which I belive people wouldnt buy if the season was all year long. Also in the long off season, we are not able to compare different brands or models by testing them, all we can do is talk, and soon the talk turns into bashing. I also tend to notice, or at least it seems like once the season is underway and we are in the middle of it, alot of the brand bashing on all the sled sites slows down greatly and the post are all about how fix the sleds.
People will be in the sport for all different reasons, such as they are looking for the high horsepower adrenaline rush, there bored and looking for something to do or maybe they just love snowmobiling.

 

[mr rxl]

I agree. Getting out and just having fun is what it is all about. Sled $13500.00,trail pass $100.00, helmet $300.00, suit $500.00. Being the first one at the cook shack.....priceless.

 

[1CrazySledder]

I'm with all points. I love the trail. It's what allows me to run 90-110 mph on my $26,000.00 sled. lol

I do know what you mean. I also get absessed at times on what can I do to my sled now and when I get on the trail, I usually don't notice the sights. People I ride have to tell me about them. lol

There are times though when I just cruse, and it is great.

 

[sleddheadd]

i have been snowmobiling since before i could walk, i remember tyring to be faster than everyone and outrun the other guys. i also remember my first solo ride and what a rush it was! i think i was in 4th grade or possibly sooner on a 1971 ski-doo nordic 640 my first ride was in 1969 on an evinrude bobcat ss. as the years went on, i would eventually go out on my own with the doo.without being within eyesight of my father. soon i would be working a part time job and bought my first sled by myself a 1974 arctic cat with a cat-o-matic transmission lol.... and that brought me to the northwoods of wisconsin for my first trail experience. way off the beaten path and it seemed to take us forever to drive there but what a difference! beautiful scenery, lots of forest, rolling hills, wildlife. i was in heaven it was like being on a highway paved with snow! of course the next time i went up it turned into who could be fastest through the trails and never seemed to let up from there. after polaris ,cat and another doo finally tried yamaha and here my devotion has stayed. and after bujying a 4-stroke i am now back to enjoying the trails! the smoothness, quietness, yet power when needed......or wanted.lol....it is nice to sit back and enjoy the scenery, just enjoy the outdoors! there will always be someone faster! i'll meet you at the next stop sign... go ahead!