Supertrax had a chance to put some good miles on various versions of Yamaha’s new Sidewinder a week ago and came away impressed – not just with the new turbocharged sled but with Yamaha’s formerly quiet business demeanor now replaced with a genuine go-for-it mentality. Horsepower is now officially king at Yamaha.

We rode Sidewinders in 129 R-TX trim, a 137 L-TX and a new 141-inch version called the B-TX. We’re told the “B” in B-TX stands for Backcountry riding. The sled features the new 998cc counterbalanced triple based on the 1049 Viper engine (but in no way the same) equipped with a roller secondary clutch – a first for production Yamahas.

Regardless of which track length you choose, the Sidewinder rocks. There’s a claimed 180-ponies in the corral and this sled feels like it every time you dip into the throttle. The power comes on low and never feels laggy as it accelerates voraciously up to its redline.

Smooth? You bet. This mill thinks it’s running on electricity – no vibes in the footrests or at the bar ends – just velvety acceleration until your brain hits the panic overload button and you ease out. Crazy fast, and the new roller secondary responds intuitively to track loads, backshifting perfectly every time.

In fact, to compliment the roller, Yamaha is also using a new version of its stellar YXRC primary clutch. We didn’t hear much about it (still in final calibration) but we suspect it will be physically larger and beefier to handle the excessive horsepower of this bullet. We heard it will be called the YSRC but will confirm later.

In the conditions we rode, we got to sample how the sled handles in hard, frozen conditions and in powder snow. We liked the handling in the loose stuff better but found suspension calibrations to be very good in all models. Yamaha has definitely taken a step up in this department with all of its sleds this year.

Also, many Viper models are now using Fox QS-3, 3-position shocks up front in lieu of air shocks. We love this trend and it has made a world of difference not only to how these sleds ride but also in how they handle.

Without question, the biggest news from Arctic Cat this model year is the new 9000 series of turbos.

As many would have already guessed, Yamaha and Cat collaborated on a completely new 3-cylinder engine and it is the smoothest turbo engine ever bolted into a snowmobile chassis.

First, the details on the new triple: This mill, from outward appearances, looks like the steadfast 1049 used in the Cat 7000. It’s true, some of its design facets are based on that engine, however, it now displaces 1000ccs and has a balance shaft.

Power output is a claimed 180-stallions and after riding it for a week, we believe it.

The engineers actually lowered compression to 9:1 and dished out the crowns of the pistons to accommodate the turbo’s voluminous air flow. It uses three throttle bodies, an intercooler and has a nifty cast exhaust manifold routing between the Yamaha-developed turbocharger and its necessary plumbing. Open up the hood panels and this baby is loaded with shiny pieces and offers not much of a view of the engine itself – a pretty amazing job of packaging.

Combined with the new engine and Cat’s new-last-year TEAM primary and secondary, the 9000s rock. The flagship model is the ThunderCat – a 137-inch tracked beast that can haul the mail, and do it with a velvet-smooth demeanor.

In fact, the most impressive result of the new turbo engine is its driveability. These sleds, along with improved suspension calibrations this year offer linear, predictable handling and, totally unlike the former 9000, are not plagued with laggy, sudden power delivery.

There’s been a claimed 10-lb weight drop up front and it actually feels like way more because the sled does not understeer or push in high speed corners and tracks nearly as well as an 800. Turbo addicts will immediately notice how refined this sled’s handling manners are.

We won’t spend much time discussing the new 9000 bodywork – we’ll let the photos tell the story – but suffice it to say, airflow has been a priority. We love the new look and we’re totally impressed with this sled.

We think there’s tremendous motivation for former Cat Turbo owners to move into this gentle-giant-carrying an AK-47’s turf.

We’ll give you more details on the other new Cats tomorrow.

At first glance, the 2017 Polaris model line may be identified for what isn’t new. Huh? There’s no new engines, no new chassis platforms, no 4-stroke and no Indy 800.

The good news, however, is some fresh applications of the AXYS front clip have replaced some of the stalwart Polarii models that have been based on the former Pro-Ride. More later.

THE 2017 Switchback Assault 144 is way more than just a parts bin update using a combo of the former SW 144’s parts and stirring in the AXYS front end. The calibration team has worked wonders with this sled’s handling and suspension and you simply cannot believe how good it rides now. Note we did not say, “how good it rides for an uncoupled skidframe”. Nope, we’d put this sled’s ride right on par with some of the best coupled suspensions in the biz. A standard 1.75 track and great shocks combine with the longer front arm tech Polaris introduced to the industry with the RUSH. Results are absolutely stunning! You have to ride this sled. We wouldn’t have believed it, either.

Oh, and deep snow performance has been improved in about a dozen ways too, so it truly acts like a full bore crossover, dual purpose ride.

The resurrection of the historic Polaris XCR nomenclature is applied to two new 120-inch RUSH models: The XCR 800 and the XCR 600. These sleds are serious models targeted at all-out cross-country and ditch warriors.

Polaris started with the Pro S (not the Pro X) and proceeded to rework nearly every area of the chassis for stronger off-trail results: Rails are reinforced as are skidframe suspension arms.

There’s a new, larger front track shock. The front end’s Walker Evans have been recalibrated and feature rebound damping clickers. A huge drilled brake disc is used and a 1.5-inch track is featured. Rugged, solid idler wheels are used all around. Apparently all the parts used are right out of Polaris’ own race shop, so it goes without saying, this sled is suited for racing, pretty much right out of the box. In case you’re wondering, we’ve ridden it and were extremely impressed with how well it rides in chatter, stutters and rollers. Although a bit more serious than some of its competition’s wannabe race sleds, the XCR is totally manageable for trail riders.

The utility-targeted VOYAGEUR 600 has been heavily revamped and now uses the AXYS front clip in combo with a reworked shock-in-skid tunnel and skidframe.

There are no more Pro-Ride based RMKs in the mountain segment. All models are now using AXYS technology, including the all-new Pro RMK 174. This ultra-long vert sled has had many revisions made and was not just a tack-on of a longer track and skidframe to the former 162. The tunnel geometry where the tunnel meets the front bulkhead was radically reworked to accommodate the extra length so the sled would climb-out better and get on top quicker, at the same time without sacrificing deep snow maneuverability.

The new extremely limited-edition RS Edition 2017 Arctic Cat ZR 6000 is a celebration of the man whose passion for Arctic Cat snowmobiles spans 55 years and whose innovative spirit is immeasurable: the legendary Roger Skime.

For more than five decades Roger Skime spearheaded many of the most innovative snowmobiles and designs – all fueled by his competitive spirit and insatiable desire to build the best snowmobiles in the world. His is dedication to Arctic Cat has inspired generations of engineers and riders whose passion reflects his example. And through it all he became a living legend.

The RS Edition ZR 6000 reflects that legendary passion with a unique, commemorative styling design and component selection that grace the newest Arctic Cat snowmobile design. The RS Edition is as exclusive as it is unique, with production limited to orders taken only during Arctic Cat’s 2017 Snowmobile Dealer Show.

The foundation of the RS is the class-leading power of the popular Arctic Cat C-TEC2 600 2-stroke engine and the bump-taming ride of the light- weight ProCross chassis.

An engine that Skime loves dearly, the 6000-series 600 C-TEC2 2-stroke is designed, proven and manufactured by Arctic Cat. It features Dual-Stage Injection (DSI), batteryless EFI, APV electronic exhaust valves, exhaust pipe temperature sensor and electric oil injection. It’s the same engine that’s dominated cross-country racing for the past two years, a sport dear to Skime’s heart.

The lightweight, ultra-tough ProCross chassis delivers the intui- tive handling and optimal ergonomics that Skime and the engineering team have spent their careers pursuing. It’s matched by the ARS front suspension and a SLIDE-ACTION rear suspension combination that effortlessly carves corners and swallows bumps. Skime invented the slide-rail suspension, and the SLIDE-ACTION version on this 2017 ZR is the ultimate expression of that original design.

The RS Edition ZR 6000 comes with all-new body styling with in-creased airflow for optimal under-hood heat management. New side panels and hood are easily removed for simplified access to key compo- nents. New side panels and hood are easily removed for simplified access to key components. An LED headlight is visually distinctive while delivering optimal lighting performance.

Special livery for the RS edition includes graphics and a custom green-striped seat cover design executed in such a way that harkens back to classic Arctic Cat models from the past, yet that is also new and uniquely fresh.

Roger’s penchant for premium components is reflected in spec of his signature machine. Quick-switch FOX ZERO QS3R Kashima ski and rear track shocks (with QS3 Kashima on the front track) offer the ultimate in adjustability and performance. TEAM Rapid Re- sponse and Rapid Reaction clutches deliver optimal driveline performance and durability. A rear storage bag, hand guards, tunnel flares, curved Sno Pro brake lever and stout ProMountain front bumper are additional items that grace this special machine.

The Roger Skime Edition ZR 6000 is truly limited in production, all but ensuring its collectability now and in the future.