Home Blog Page 130

Riding Summits with Carl Kuster

SnowTrax TV
-
0
Riding Summits with Carl Kuster

AJ heads back to Sicamous BC to ride with Carl Kuster this time in-tow with his brother and Co-Host Luke. The boys are in for a treat as Carl shows them the fun side of endless powder and a 150+ horsepower sled.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel!

5 REASONS NOT TO BUY A HYPERSLED

Kent Lester
-
0
5 REASONS NOT TO BUY A HYPERSLED

We give a lot of space to writing about the biggest, most powerful offerings in the snowmobile business.

True, most of the hype coming from the snowmobile OEMs is focused on the 800-850 class and the turbocharged 4-stroke sleds from Cat and Yamaha.

Interestingly, when it comes to plunking down cash for a new ride, a considerable number of the masses walk past these hyper models and look for sleds maxing out at about 130-hp.

Yes, there are still plenty of sales for the big-inch, big-horse sleds but the actual sales stats favor the tamer beasts.

Here’s why:

1. The 600 class is really, really good. If you spend any time riding the newest crop of 600 2-strokes, you’ll soon learn how powerful and quick-accelerating they are. We continually meet people who tell us they actually prefer the manners of a 600 compared to an 800 or 850.

2. You’ll save at least a grand, and usually more, by buying a 600 instead of an 800. If you go for a 600 over a turbo, you’re looking at three to four thou difference. Buying a Viper instead of a SideWinder will save you at least the same as the comparison between a 600 and an 800.

3. Most 600s use the same shocks and tracks as 800s and turbos. Thus, the riding experience is almost identical, save for more top end on tap with the bigger-inch sleds. It means you can pretty much trail ride a 600 head-to head with the bigger stuff day-in, day-out.

4. The used-sled market trusts used 600-class and mid-sized 4-strokes more than used big-inchers. It’s always interesting to us how, three-years-old, there’s not much difference in the resale price of a 600 compared to a hyper (with the exception of the turbo-4-strokes). Could it be because the perception is bigger sleds lead a harsher life?

5. You will be in the majority. Talk to people who own ACE 900s, 4-TECs, Vipers, and any 600 2-stroke and they will tell you how happy they are with the quietness, lack of smoke, reliability, durability, gas mileage and pure riding pleasure they get. It’s why these sleds are the meat of the snowmobile market.

2017 Rider Reactions – Timbersled

Staff Report
-
0
2017 Rider Reactions – Timbersled

Hear what both first-time riders as well as owners have to say about Timbersled.

Learn more at: timbersled.com

Historic Arctic Cat Performance at Snocross

Supertrax Online
-
0
Historic Arctic Cat Performance at Snocross

St. Cloud, Minn. (Nov.29, 2017) – In what is already regarded as one of the most impressive and dominant debuts of a brand new race snowmobile in the history of snocross, Team Arctic racers launched into the 2017-2018 ISOC National snocross season and landed a debilitating blow on the competition. The results were monumental: 14 wins in 20 classes, and 25 out of 60 podium finishes for Team Green. For the riders, crew and fans of Team Arctic, it was a race for the ages and a revelation of what’s to come.

The list of class winners was a mixture of new and familiar names. Tucker Hibbert was as dominant as he’s been at any point of his phenomenal career, going undefeated to win both Pro finals by a substantial margin. Factory Team Arctic’s Travis Kern and Dan Benham each traded wins in Pro Lite, a class that was crowded with Team Green riders in both finals. Wes Selby won Pro Am 30 Plus, while Ryley Bester and Trent Wittwer each scored a win in the Sport classes. Sophia Hulsey won Jr. Girls, Jesse Hallstrom led the 200 Stock brigade, Drew Freeland topped Transition 8-13 and Tucker Haala captured Champ 120. And the indomitable Anson Scheele announced himself in the Sport and Junior categories with authority by scoring three class wins!

These and the other Team Arctic racers highlighted in the results below were boosted by the biggest winner at Duluth: the all-new stock Arctic Cat ZR 6000R SX.

The product of an intense effort by Arctic Cat engineers and racers, the new snocross ZR revealed itself as the ultimate weapon of Stock class warfare thanks to its ProCross chassis and ARS front suspension with taller spindles and revised geometry; a longer 137-in. track and revised SLIDE-ACTION rear suspension; the added power of a more refined C-TEC2 EFI engine; and an array of ergonomic improvements.

“This might be the all-time greatest performance at the Duluth opener by a single brand in the 26-year history of the race,” said Mike Kloety, Team Arctic Race Manager. “The competition is strong, but we were getting holeshots and handling great in rough bumps and tight corners. Our riders came in stronger, healthy and prepared, and they raved about the confidence they feel on the new ZR 6000R SX.

“This is what happens when you combine the best snocross machine we’ve ever built with talented and dedicated racers and teams. We thank all of them, plus the Arctic Cat engineers and Race Department personnel who came together to achieve this epic performance. There’s a lot more racing to come this season and we couldn’t be more excited about it. This is the year of the Cat.”

Team Arctic Results from the 2017-2018 ISOC National Snocross in Duluth, MN

Pro #1
1. Tucker Hibbert
4. Logan Christian

Pro #2
1. Tucker Hibbert

Pro Lite #1
1. Travis Kern

Pro Lite #2
1. Dan Benham
2. Martin Molland

Pro Am 30 Plus #1
1. Wes Selby
3. Matt Pichner

Pro Am 30 Plus #2
3. Wes Selby

Pro Womens #2
2. Malene Anderson

Sport #1
1. Ryley Bester
3. Baily Forest

Sport #2
1. Trent Wittwer
3. Kaden Woodie

Sport Lite #2
1. Anson Scheele

Jr. 16-17
1. Anson Scheele
3. Justin Hodge

Jr. 14-15
1. Anson Scheele
3. Andy Pake

Jr. Girls 9-13
1. Sophia Hulsey
2. Addison Bourdages

Transition 8-13
1. Drew Freeland

200 Stock
1. Jesse Hallstrom
2. Landon Giese
3. Lane Giese

Champ 120
1. Tucker Haala

About Arctic Cat


The Arctic Cat snowmobile brand is among the most widely recognized and respected in the industry. The company designs, engineers, manufactures and markets snowmobiles, in addition to related parts, garments and accessories under the Arctic Cat® and Motorfist® brand names. For more information, visit: www.arcticcat.com.

About Textron Inc.

Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Off Road, Arctic Cat, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information, visit: www.textron.com

FINDING THE RIGHT SLED

Kent Lester
-
0
FINDING THE RIGHT SLED

You may have noticed the price of sleds has been creeping upward… oh, for about the last twenty years. Today, prices are mostly in the 5-figure range and I can almost guarantee five years from now they’ll be higher.

It looks like the OEMs have rationalized the concept that snowmobilers will and should always pay higher prices – after all, it’s your loyal duty as a customer.

But there really is justifcation for price increases as technology contiues to ramp upwards and the EPA looms heavily over the present and future of the sport.

The fact is some of the enormous costs of snowmobile development are amortized over a three to five year period with proposed price increases figured in over the full term. It’s only in the last couple years of that term that tooling and development costs allow profits to be gernered.

Sure, we can justify costs and so can the manufacturers, but it doesn’t make us feel any better about the shell-out we have to make at the dealership.

The truth is, most snowmobile purchasers simply cannot afford to make a mistake, which becomes a reality when you’re trying to figure out what kind of sled you should buy.

We’ve always felt the best way to get clear data to our readers is to stack the OEMs against one another in a series of categories most common to the types of riders who would or should be shopping there.

For instance, there are many riders who live nowhere near the mountains but want to look like they’re riding a mountain sled.

The sorry truth is many of these snowmobilers, even those who consider themselves freeriders, would be incredibly unhappy with a mountain sled, or even one that performs close to that ilk.

Same goes for trail riders who want to occasionally venture off-trail. Put them on a freeride sled and its narrower stance and powder targeted handling would bug the daylights out of them.

Here’s a big one: How about buyers who just have to have the ultimate hoorsepower and absolutely demand a sled that looks like it just came off the snocross track, with suspension setting to match? How many are truly happy with sleds like the RR, X-RS and the Pro-X?

Then there are those riders who stack on incredible mileage every year riding out of their state or province and end up coping with a sled with a suspension harder than Vladimir Putin’s conscience.

Don’t get me wrong; there are a lot of riders who can use sleds like that to their full potential and who will absolutely love them. It just sucks when you get it wrong – especially when you know there’s a very similar snowmobile close to that category with the ride, trail manners and engine power that would make riding sheer heaven… but for one reason or another, you missed it.

When you’re choosing a sled, you need to be honest with yourself and evaluate how and where you really ride. Don’t just go with what’s all shiny and new – instead take stock of the needs you have and what sled features you really prioritize. You might just stumble onto something that fits better than Scarlett Johansson’s t-shirt.

YAMAHA’S MOUNTAIN PROGRAM

Kent Lester
-
0
YAMAHA’S MOUNTAIN PROGRAM

Whenever we mention Yamaha’s mountain sleds there’s plenty of tongue-clucking and hissing about how 4-strokes are too heavy to be decent verts.

We have to agree that 4-stroke weight isn’t always a hardcore mountain rider’s best friend, however, 4-strokes are all Yamaha builds and by utilizing Arctic Cat’s pretty advanced mountain chassis tech, sleds like the SideWinder M-TX are actually impressively proficient in most mountain situations.

The truth is, Yamaha’s mountain program has seen some very real advancements in the last two years. Most of this is in chassis development because of Yamaha’s engineering partnership with Arctic Cat.

If you look at the Yammer website you’ll learn there are virtually no mountain sleds using anything less than the 998cc turbo and there’s a reason for this: Power!

To a large degree, power cancels weight and 180-200 stallions can get you up and over a lot of deep snow and out of tricky situations, despite the extra weight you’re carrying.

Okay, I’m not trying to blow menthol on a situation most mountaineers are not going to buy into – and yes, I admit, for tricky maneuvering, side-hilling, powder hooks and generally challenging vertical events, a 2-stroke will get you through better nearly every time, but here’s where the SideWinder MT-X really gets traction (pun intended): Mountain climbing.

When it comes to pure unobstructed vertical climbs, there’s nothing better than a turbo. Not only do you not lose power as altitude increases, but the pure, brutal oomph of these 4-strokes makes them very appealing.

If you attend a hillclimb race, you’ll learn that sleds like the 9000 Cat and Yamaha SideWinder are in attendance and very evident.

We believe Yamaha is well aware it’s SideWinder M-TX program will not capture sales from the hardest of the hardcore vertical crowd, but there is a very real place for it – a place where it can actually excel.

SHOULD YOU USE ETHANOL?

Kent Lester
-
0
SHOULD YOU USE ETHANOL?

Ethanol is another term for alcohol and you’ll see notices on most gas pumps telling you the fuel you’re putting in your sled has a percentage of it blended with carbon-based gasoline.

There’s been a lot of questions raised about whether or not it’’s harmful to your engine – and a lot of misinformation. Here are some facts to consider:

1. Ethanol does not lower the octane of your gasoline.

True. The fact is, pure ethanol has a much higher flash point and actually boosts the octane rating of gasoline. Since most fuel suppliers only add 5-10-percent ethanol to their gas, they actually have to dumb down the octane rating, chemically, to compete with pure gasoline.

2. If the above is true, why not use more ethanol?

The downside of ethanol is that it is more caustic than gasoline and can wash away 2-stroke oil from moving parts quicker than pure gas. This is not a problem with mixes up to about 25-percent ethanol (not available anywhere, as far as we know) and it’s why the oil companies usually don’t exceed 15-percent.

3. Ethanol can destroy your fuel system parts.

This was true a couple of decades ago but all snowmobiles since about 1978 use grades of plastic and rubber for impellers, floats and lines that are impervious to ethanol. If you have a vintage sled built prior to that date, however, you might want to look around for ethanol-free gas.

4. Ethanol always has water in it.

This is only partially true and is most common with marine engines and vehicles that are stored for long periods of time in places where there’s temperature variance.

Ethanol will absorb water from condensation much quicker than gasoline and it’s why it’s not a bad idea to drain your tank and fuel system when you put your sled away.

If the temperature where you’re storing it is reasonably constant, like a heated garage or barn, you can get away without much moisture absorption, but you still definitely should always use fuel stabilizer.

Hibbert Sweeps Snocross Season Opener

Supertrax Online
-
0
Hibbert Sweeps Snocross Season Opener

November 27, 2017 – Tucker Hibbert hit the 2017/2018 ISOC National Snocross season swinging, winning both Pro finals at the season opener in Duluth, Minn. The 10-time champion made a statement riding with confidence on his all-new Monster Energy / Ram Truck backed Arctic Cat ZR 6000R SX race sled.

Spirit Mountain featured a rough, technical track for the 26th running of the Duluth National. Known for his ability to find fast lines on challenging racecourses, Hibbert had a near perfect weekend winning three of his four qualifying races and both final events.

The main events Saturday and Sunday played out much the same for Hibbert – quick jumps off the start line, exiting the first turn in the top-five of the 15-rider fields, taking the lead in lap three of the 22-lap races and riding unchallenged to the finish.

Up next is the Jackson Hole Snocross National December 8-9 in Wyoming. Born just 35 miles away in Driggs, Idaho, it’ll be a homecoming event for Hibbert. Stay up to date with his schedule and race preparations by visiting tucker-hibbert.com.

Tucker Hibbert – Duluth National Results
Saturday, November 25 – Pro Round 1
Round 1 Qualifying: 1st
Round 1 Qualifying: 4th
FINAL: 1st
Sunday, November 26 – Pro Round 2
Round 1 Qualifying: 1st
Round 2 Qualifying: 1st
FINAL: 1st

Tucker Hibbert – #68 Monster Energy / Arctic Cat / Ram Truck On his win Saturday night:

“It’s an awesome night. It feels so good to start the season with a win. I feel really strong and the sled is working great. Honestly, I wasn’t super happy about my line choices. I kept thinking there’s got to be something better out here. After searching for a while I decided to stick to what I knew was working. Having a race like this gives me a lot of confidence.”

On his win Sunday and taking the weekend sweep:

“You always hope to have a weekend like this but I didn’t expect it to be this good. I don’t have enough good things to say about my sled. Everyone at Arctic Cat – the whole engineering crew worked so hard to make this sled the best it could be. I feel like we’re just getting started and have so much we can improve and build on. I’m grateful for this opportunity and no matter how many times I stand up here [the podium] it means a lot to me. I have so many good memories at Spirit Mountain.”

Weekend highlights:

“It was really fun to be back at the racetrack with my team. Everything just clicked and that’s when it’s fun. Nothing beats seeing your hard work pay off. We had a lot of laughs in the trailer this weekend and, to me, that’s what makes a race weekend memorable.”

Looking ahead:

“We’re in a good position and it feels great to leave the first race with the points lead. It’s a good place to be and I know we can keep improving. I know everyone will show up at the next round stronger so we need to make sure we’re doing the same – keep pushing and keep improving.”

Detailed race reports from ISOC
Saturday: snocross.com/2017/11/25/tucker-hibbert-wins-round-1-at-spirit-mountain/
Sunday: snocross.com/2017/11/26/tucker-hibbert-sweeps-season-opener-at-duluth/

2017/2018 ISOC National Snocross Schedule
Duluth, MN // November 24-26, 2017
Jackson Hole, WY // December 8-9, 2017
Shakopee, MN // January 5-6, 2018
Deadwood, SD // January 19-20, 2018
Salamanca, NY // February 16-17, 2018
Mt. Pleasant, MI // February 23-24, 2018
Dubuque, IA // March 9-10, 2018
Lake Geneva, WI // March 16-17, 2018

About Tucker Hibbert
Tucker Hibbert, 33, entered his first race at the age of eight and today stands as the most decorated snowmobile snocross racer in history. He’s a two-time FIM World Snowcross champion, 14-time X Games medalist and 10-time national snocross champion. Now in his 18th professional season, he holds 129 Pro National victories. For more information on Hibbert, visit tucker-hibbert.com.

WIN A ZR 200 FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS RACING

Supertrax Online
-
0
WIN A ZR 200 FROM CHRISTIAN BROTHERS RACING

During the 2017-2018 race season Christian Brothers Racing will be giving away a 2018 Arctic Cat ZR 200 snowmobile to one lucky fan.

The giveaway is open to fans 17 years old and younger and they must be signed up by a legal parent or guardian.

There will be opportunities to sign up at each ISOC National Snocross event, and only one entry will be allowed for each eligible fan per event. The winner will be drawn Saturday, March 17, 2018 at the ISOC Lake Geneva Grand Finale in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin and need not be present to win.

Christian Brothers Racing will also be giving away a Troy Lee Designs youth helmet at every ISOC National Snocross event weekend.

The drawing is open to fans 13 years old and younger and must be signed up by a legal parent or guardian. Only one entry will be allowed for each eligible fan per event.

The child must be present to win. Fans can sign up for both the Arctic Cat ZR 200 Snowmobile giveaway and the Troy Lee Designs Helmet giveaway at the Christian Brothers Racing merchandise trailer at every race except for Wyoming, where sign up is TBD. We’ll be letting fans know where to sign up at the Wyoming event via the team’s Facebook and Twitter feeds.

Christian Brothers Racing will kick off its 2017-2018 season Friday, November 24, 2018 with the snocross team competing at the AMSOIL Snocross National in Duluth, Minnesota.

For more information on Christian Brothers Racing visit: christianbrosracing.com.

RIDING ABITIBI-TEMISCAMINGUE, QUÉBEC

John Arkwright
-
0
RIDING ABITIBI-TEMISCAMINGUE, QUÉBEC

Somehow, the winter weather gurus got December 2015 mixed-up with October.

October, 2015 was cold and snarly and by the end of the month I was sure we were in for a long, cold, snowy winter. It just never happened and by December many traditional snowbelt areas languished in the double digits above freezing with little or no snow by Christmas.

Usually, the main ingredient for getting trails in shape is a good run of cold weather to freeze up rivers and swamps. The cold came but it was well into January before the online trail maps starting showing green.

The Abitibi-Temiscamingue region in Northwestern Québec always seems to get its trails open early and they’re often still grooming into April. Of all the riding I have done in Québec I’m quite certain the largest percentage of miles has been in the Abitibi Region. Why? The trails tend to be groomed perfectly all the time and, on a full day of riding, you might only meet 20 sleds. Despite this, at night the motels and lodges are full of snowmobilers!

For several years there had been rumors about a ghost trail running southeast of Temiscaming and, while not on the district map, I had ridden parts of it on our trips back to my buddys’ camp in this region. Now, Trans Québec Trail 43 is in place and on the map. Yes!

Last winter we were invited to experience this trail and we arrived in Temiscaming to stay at Au Bercail Motel. Temiscaming had been pounded with a foot of snow on the day of our arrival and come morning, our crew was in for an awesome ride.

When you leave Temiscaming make sure your gas tank is full: The first gas and lunch stop is at Rapides-des-Joachims, 220-kms (130-miles) to the south. Good thing for us we carried extra fuel because after busting through 200-kms of powder we had to gas up two of the four sleds (my 600 Renegade X still had a half tank of gas left. Amazing!)

We rolled into Lance’s Convenience in Rapides-des-Joachims for gas and a bowl of chili and headed up Trail 386 for another 170-km to our night’s destination, Pavillon Park LA VERENDRYE Lodge. The first 90 kms were freshly groomed with not a track in front of us. Really, does it get any better than that?

A word of caution, if you wish to visit Pavillon Park LA VERENDRYE Lodge book well in advance because while they are long on hospitality they are short on rooms! Oh yes, bring cash too, as plastic does not work here.

From the lodge you can take Trans Quebec 63 east for a five to six-day run. We did that in 2015. If you take 386 west through Belleterre you have a three-day or you can choose the route we did through Val-d’Or.

We chose this route because one of our party, Jim, had heard us talk of trail 386 North of Kitcisakik up to Lac Simon. I’ve said it before: Although this might be one of the most fun trails I’ve ever ridden in my life, pay attention to the signs. If you don’t, you’re liable to have a repair bill!

We arrived in Val-d’Or late afternoon after riding another 250-plus km – and not a mile of rough trail. Unbelievable!

Escale Hotel and Suites is a great place to stay in Val-d’Or and the guys were glad to be able to put our sleds in a secure, heated overnight garage there.

Our last day of riding was cold but the skies were blue and the sun was shining. We headed southwest on Trail 309 (my translation: Rapid Seven!) and once again one of my fave Québec trails. It did not disappoint!

At Belleterre we got on to Trans Québec Trail 63 and all too soon we saw the Temiscaming sign showing 100-kms to the end of the ride. We had ridden almost a thousand kms (600 miles) in three days and it was just a small sampling of what Abitibi offers the touring snowmobiler.

You have several options as to where to start this ride and how many days you want to make it. You can start in Temiscaming, Rapide-des-Joachims or even Mont Laurier in eastern Québec.

People ask me, how far is the drive from the border? I tell them it’s at the most, five Tim Hortons coffee stops!

RESOURCES:

For Information on the Temiscamingue Region:
Phone: 1-800-808-0706
Web: tourisme-abitibi-temiscamingue.org
Web: snowwild.com

AU BERCAIL MOTEL:
Phone: 1-800-304-9469
Web: motelaubercail.com

PAVILLION PARK LA VERENDRYE:
Phone: 819-435-2133
Web: pourvoirelaverendrye.com

ESCALE HOTEL AND SUITES:
Phone: 1-800-567-6572
Web: lescale.qc.ca

1...129130131...442Page 130 of 442

POPULAR POSTS

Join the SuperTrax mailing list!

Join the SuperTrax newsletter for first access to deals, giveaways, videos, and articles.


     

    *Subscribing indicates consent to receive newsletter content to the provided email. Of course, you can unsubscribe at any time.

    This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

    CONNECT ON SOCIAL MEDIA

    ABOUT US

    SNOWTRAX has established itself as the most watched snowmobile TV series in North America.
    Each season, the SNOWTRAX crew guides viewers through informative and entertaining content; revealing the inside scoop on the latest snowmobiles, accessories and riding destinations that make snowmobiling winter's greatest adventure sport.
    SNOWTRAX can be viewed weekly during the winter season in Canada on City TV, Wild TV, REV TV and Sportsman Channel Canada and across America on Sportsman Channel.

    © TRAX MEDIA INC 2022