SteveO Gone

[SumpBuster]

We have a state-wide speed limit in Minnesota of 55 MPH. Can't hardly get my muffler hot at 55 LOL. The maddening thing about speed limits is the legislators who draft and pass this S*&^ don't know a snowmobile from a riding lawn mower! Most of them have never been on one and have no clue. As we all know, there are places where 80-100 is safe and also places where 35 is too fast (parking lots, events where there's lots of people, city streets, etc. Did "they" really have to pass a law supposedly to keep us from killing ourselves?
In Wisconsin, I think the official wording is something like "speed that is appropriate for conditions" or something like that.
Oh well .....

I agree. We have lots of this, pretty safe to let er rip. But not in the woods, narrow trails, or even well traveled high traffic trails.

 

[mikextx]

Hell yeah Kinger, go dump another $14k on another lemon. Lol. The delusion runs deep here. A buddy of mine has an 18' SWer, bone stock, no tune, maintained well. 2 wrecked weeklong trips to the U.P., once last year, once this year. Blown up chaincase both times. They just put the same crap parts back in on warranty. Musta also been a lemon. He claims good engine in a POS cat. Lol

 

[mikextx]

P.S. , I'm glad you got to go ride last weekend. Doo or not

 

[actionjack]

Sidewinder 210 HP (Cant count 300 HP upgrades)
Driveshaft bearing clearance
Chinese bearings wheels etc
Upper gear in the chaincase
Chain adjuster
Clutch offset
Too much float
front shaft issues where shock attaches
Primary and Secondary rollers (Although mine have been good for 6K miles)
Tri Hub
Roll Over valve
Crappy skis

Apex 160 HP
Front A arm bushings
Bearings and wheels
Crappy Skis
Exhaust gaskets
Exhaust Flex pipes
W Arms breaking
Suspension Rails Breaking
Ohlins wiring issues
Ohlins adjuster junk
Driveshaft bearing replace every year
Handwarmers
Headlight

All the rivets under the gas tank are loose on an Apex at the same miles. I've done far more fixes on my Apexes than I have on my Winder.

Broken and leaking oil tank
Leaking running board coolers
chaincase gasket
ground block short
broken headlight tabs
Wheels

I will say I think I only had the driveshaft bearing replaced once because I popped the seal and cleaned and greased it every year.

Most of the time I use less gas than the 4 850s e-tecs I ride with on the regular. I haven't calculated MPG for 2 seasons because my mileage is so good. I stopped carrying my temp gun after the 2nd season on the Winder because I never had clutch issues other than wanting a bit more RPM.

Yeah dont buy a Winder go buy one those cracked in half 850s.

 

[Preacher]

Love my Apex’s and I still drive them but Rocker Dan’s Sidewinder RTX is light years ahead of any sled I have ever driven.That sled can do things that no other sled can do.It is absolutely addictive and I’ve never had more fun snowmobiling

 

[Motorhead]

I agree. We have lots of this, pretty safe to let er rip. But not in the woods, narrow trails, or even well traveled high traffic trails.
View attachment 153448

Agree 100%.
I enjoy the power and speed of my Winder, but one has to practice defensive driving every day out on the trails.

There are plenty of safe spots to turn on where I ride, if all is clear ahead, otherwise just wait until next safe opportunity, and again practice defensive driving at all times.

Part of the reason for my weekday rides is the lack of traffic.

So many reasons for being proactive while on the trail:
Sleds sliding through corners on ice.
Sleds that don’t handle well and dart coming at you.
People stopping just over a hill. Usually newbies not realizing the danger.
I mean the list can go on and on of why one has to be defensive, and wait for that opportunity to let Er Rip, and have enough experience to know when!

 

[SumpBuster]

We have a state-wide speed limit in Minnesota of 55 MPH. Can't hardly get my muffler hot at 55 LOL. The maddening thing about speed limits is the legislators who draft and pass this S*&^ don't know a snowmobile from a riding lawn mower! Most of them have never been on one and have no clue. As we all know, there are places where 80-100 is safe and also places where 35 is too fast (parking lots, events where there's lots of people, city streets, etc. Did "they" really have to pass a law supposedly to keep us from killing ourselves?
In Wisconsin, I think the official wording is something like "speed that is appropriate for conditions" or something like that.
Oh well .....

I agree. We have lots of this, pretty safe to let er rip. But not in the woods, narrow trails, or even well traveled high traffic trails.

Agree 100%.
I enjoy the power and speed of my Winder, but one has to practice defensive driving every day out on the trails.

There are plenty of safe spots to turn on where I ride, if all is clear ahead, otherwise just wait until next safe opportunity, and again practice defensive driving at all times.

Part of the reason for my weekday rides is the lack of traffic.

So many reasons for being proactive while on the trail:
Sleds sliding through corners on ice.
Sleds that don’t handle well and dart coming at you.
People stopping just over a hill. Usually newbies not realizing the danger.
I mean the list can go on and on of why one has to be defensive, and wait for that opportunity to let Er Rip, and have enough experience to know when!

All true! I always led, but recent years let the young guys, as it's more fun sometimes to stay back and play with predictable buddies. Can't count the number of times people were on my side, stopped in the trail blind hills, you have to be 1000% focussed. I'm back leading again, but prefer to ride weekdays as you said. 2 deer ran out in front of me saturday, though. I think they were wearing doo decals...lol!

 

[cannondale27]

And just to be clear that 20 mile stretch before and after Gwinn was freshly groomed that night. I was first track it was about 8am MI time.Straight as arrow. Blues skies and easily mile visibility ahead and did not see a soul on any of the trail from Muni all the way to Pembine. I stopped at all stop signs and Pinned it the rest by Gwinn and only there. SAFELY! Rest of ride was all twisties. 33,115 and WI Corridor 1. Mi puts out a speed limit I will either quit riding there or start a kitty to just pay the ticket if they catch me.

 

[TrueBlue]

And just to be clear that 20 mile stretch before and after Gwinn was freshly groomed that night. I was first track it was about 8am MI time.Straight as arrow. Blues skies and easily mile visibility ahead and did not see a soul on any of the trail from Muni all the way to Pembine. I stopped at all stop signs and Pinned it the rest by Gwinn and only there. SAFELY! Rest of ride was all twisties. 33,115 and WI Corridor 1. Mi puts out a speed limit I will either quit riding there or start a kitty to just pay the ticket if they catch me.

Thats a long ride by sled. I wold like to take a trip like that some day.

 

[cannondale27]

Thats a long ride by sled. I wold like to take a trip like that some day.

Did muni to BigBay also on Sat. 670 mi for the weekend. Pembine to Muni can easily be done in 4 or 5 hrs its a beautiful ride and big variety of some of the best trails WI and MI have. I wanted to go from my house but club was discussing closing trails Sunday so couldnt.

 

[cannondale27]

Pics

 

[cannondale27]

Steve I hate to admit or say this but all weekend. No actually all year. The only time I ever got passed was fri coming up to the Christmas turn off heading to Wet more I stopped at turn from Gwinn and shortly after had a ThunderCat with a very deep sounding pipe pull alongside. He was slow on trigger so gave him a run but first straight he went by followed by his buddy on a Winder I think. Both had pipes at least. Gone. I pulled over and let the last of that group of 3 a woman in a Purple one piece suit on a Riot I think go by. Then gave her a little run from behind till we met the other two at the Christmas turnoff where one already had his helmet off! No words were spoken just thumbs up from all 3 and two up from me. I had been beat by those two for sure. Not the woman LOL. But anyway how would you feel? I had an excuse. Waaay less power. Its not a good feeling!

 

[SumpBuster]

Steve I hate to admit or say this but all weekend. No actually all year. The only time I ever got passed was fri coming up to the Christmas turn off heading to Wet more I stopped at turn from Gwinn and shortly after had a ThunderCat with a very deep sounding pipe pull alongside. He was slow on trigger so gave him a run but first straight he went by followed by his buddy on a Winder I think. Both had pipes at least. Gone. I pulled over and let the last of that group of 3 a woman in a Purple one piece suit on a Riot I think go by. Then gave her a little run from behind till we met the other two at the Christmas turnoff where one already had his helmet off! No words were spoken just thumbs up from all 3 and two up from me. I had been beat by those two for sure. Not the woman LOL. But anyway how would you feel? I had an excuse. Waaay less power. Its not a good feeling!

No, it isnt!!! A winder is literally a time machine. You can say 'go ahead, I have to put my gloves on...I'll catch up'. And then have a snickers bar, take a few pictures, maybe a short nap, then fire it up, check the air temp, elevation, verify the clock is right, put the gloves on, shield down, say to yourself 'engage', and they suddenly re-appear in a split second!

 

[kinger]

Also, if you had the Winder running properly you'd never, ever swing another leg over an Apex! Guaranteed!

You have that Apex on a pedestal, and I know if I had to go back to one, I'd give up riding first. They were good back in the mid 2000's, but time has left them in the dust. The ride and handling leaves lots to be desired on that chassis!

You guys are funny! Ride on boys!!

 

[TrueBlue]

Did muni to BigBay also on Sat. 670 mi for the weekend. Pembine to Muni can easily be done in 4 or 5 hrs its a beautiful ride and big variety of some of the best trails WI and MI have. I wanted to go from my house but club was discussing closing trails Sunday so couldnt.

I do most of my riding in the UP.(Wakefield) & also northern Wis. The longest ride I have taken is from Wakefield to the Soo. I ride alone most of the times because the other people just keep going to the same places which are not to far away. I leave my machines in Michigan all winter long & my trailer is not available durning the winter months. I have always wanted to do some of the rides with Tom but could not hook up with anybody coming thur Wakefield on M28. Once in a while I will ride with Nick Keller, so I am used to a long day with a good amount of miles.