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Lavallee To Set Record Distance Jump

Staff Report
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After some dramatic build up, Levi Lavallee finally announced on his Facebook page that he’ll be attempting to jump his sled longer than ever before.

Noted by the title of his YouTube video, he’ll be aiming for a world record distance that would surpass his current record of 301 feet.

To move you than much closer to the edge of your seat, he’ll be jumping across 300 feet of open water!

All this is slated to take place live on ESPN from San Diego California on New Year’s eve 2010.

In one word: Awesome!

Watch preview below:

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: BRP XP-R Carbon Light Helmet

Mike Lester
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS: BRP XP-R Carbon Light Helmet

Just opened up my brand new BRP XP-R Carbon Light Helmet and am now anxiously pacing my office in anticipation of my first ride.

Its shell is made from 100% carbon fiber composite and reinforced aramid fiber and my immediate impression is that I can’t believe how light this helmet is. There’s a noticeable difference between this lid and mine from last season. BRP’s claimed weight for this lid in a LARGE is plus or minus 1275 grams. I’ll be doing my own weights and comparing to other helmets in an upcoming report, but one thing’s for sure, it feels like I’m holding a handful of feathers.

Putting the XP-R Carbon Light on, it’s immediately comfortable and fits perfectly. Not that previous helmets have felt like a stack of bricks on my shoulders, but there’s absolutely no strain whatsoever to my neck as I sit here typing this (yes, I’m actually wearing the helmet while typing this).

Key to getting your helmet to fit right is to actually measure the circumference of your head and then compare it to the sizing chart provided by the manufacturer. Getting a good fit can be difficult when ordering online and you aren’t able to try the helmet on beforehand, as sizes will actually vary from brand to brand. However, following the fitment chart can resolve any discrepancies and will usually get your lid fitting right.

The padded cold-weather insert adds additional protection across my face (particularly my nose) and up the sides of my face. My only concern without actually field testing this helmet is that there’s quite a bit of space left unprotected from wind and cold on my forehead. Luckily I have an amazing balaclava and I’m fairly confident that when combined with the thick foam on my goggles, frostbite won’t be an issue whatsoever.

Bottom line, this is one of the coolest looking lids I’ve owned by far and I’m even more stoked to get out on the trails now. Stay tuned for a full report with more specs and opinions after the first big snowfall.

For more about this product visit store.ski-doo.com

Polaris Engine Program May Shift

Staff Report
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Polaris Engine Program May Shift

It doesn’t take a wizard to notice Polaris has not been putting a high priority on its 4-stroke engine program the last two years.

The super-reliable Polaris-Weber 750 with a turbocharger tacked on produces consistent power in the 140 range and is a very pleasant engine to ply on trails – especially in it’s 2-up Touring iteration.

When it comes to raw sizzle, though, Polaris seems to be headed in the direction of big-inch 2-strokes as evidenced by its new 2-injector 800 which, quite frankly, we’ve found to be a rocket!

This mill is very clean and produces a lot less warm-up smoke than some 2-stroke competitors because of its on-demand oil pump that only feeds oil at off-idle RPM.

It’s all good and this is a wonderful performance engine but we have to ask the nagging question: “Is this engine a stop-gap or is it clean enough to keep the EPA happy for several years?”

Our guess is that Polaris will not be developing any more 4-strokes in the near future but right now is working on a direct-injection 2-stroke program that will take the company through to the end of the next decade.

Don’t think for a moment Polaris hasn’t been working on DI engines for at least the last four years.

There is very good technology out there already in production that does not infringe on Ski-Doo’s E-TEC design and we think Polaris either has it or is working on licensing it from someone else (and it ain’t Ski-Doo).

NEW DIESEL COAT FROM DRIFT RACING

Press Release
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NEW DIESEL COAT FROM DRIFT RACING

Because Black is Always In-Style

Black never goes out of style, and neither will the new Diesel Coat from DRIFT Racing Performance Gear.

Its waterproof and breathable, D-Tex-coated outer shell with 360-degree 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material is matched by 100 grams of Unifil insulation for all-day warmth and dryness.

Zippered chest and back vents let you customize your riding comfort, while two zippered outer pockets deliver ample storage and versatility.

An additional internal MP3 player pocket features a tangle-free neck cord system, and adjustable cuffs complete the package.

Sizes run S – 5XL and Tall, with a MSRP of $179.95 U.S./$219.95 Canada.

Available now at North American powersports dealers.

About DRIFT – DRIFT, based in Plymouth, Minn., designs, produces and sells high-performance apparel for snowmobile and motorsports enthusiasts. DRIFT gear is available at powersports dealerships throughout North America. For more information about DRIFT products, go to www.driftracing.com.

Windshields Should Shield Wind

Staff Report
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Windshields Should Shield Wind

It’s become so annoying to us we’re going to start naming names about the silly low windshields on some sleds.

Really, what’s with the windshield on this year’s RUSH Pro-R sleds? C’mon, we’ve got helmet visors bigger than that. Sit on this sled on a below zero day at 70 per and you are going to get frostbite.

This one is so small it doesn’t even deflect the wind, it just sits there with nothing to do. The marketing guy that dreamed this one up should be forced to ride it all year in Thompson, Manitoba.

Some of the Yamaha Nytro windshields are pretty small, too. I think Yamaha at least made an attempt to reroute some air this year by adding a bit more surface area and a few crimps in the Lucite. Still sucks.

Kudos to Ski-Doo this year for making its base MX-Z windshield one that is functional and reasonably warm. It’s a huge improvement and saves you some moolah because you don’t have to buy another one after you’ve gotten out of the hospital after your bout with hypothermia.

If you want to know how a windshield should work, check out the Twin Spar Cats. The base models’ windshields are great on these, but even Cat is tempted to use ridiculously low windshields on, guess what.. its fastest Turbo sleds. Yeah, I need that: A 177-horsepower sled with no functional windshield.

Please help us!

Yamaha Encourages Avalanche Training

Press Release
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Yamaha encourages riders to arm themselves with proper education

So you’ve attended an avalanche briefing, and you’re up-to-date on the latest avalanche activity…you’re prepared to handle a serious situation, right? Wrong. It would be nice if they didn’t exist, but avalanches are a dangerous reality when it comes to riding snowmobiles in the mountains.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to help you deal with avalanches safely and effectively.
Yamaha understands the hazards involved with mountain riding, that’s why every Nytro MTX sold is available with a free BCA Mountain Kit—the only manufacturer to do so.

“It’s a start, but riders need more than equipment to safely handle an avalanche,” says Yamaha Motor Canada’s Western Regional Sales Manager, Randy Swenson. “Yamaha’s commitment to providing riders with the tools necessary for avalanche safety goes beyond the BCA Kits. We strongly advise riders to attend accredited Avalanche training courses. Anything less is not sufficient.”

Avalanche education was presented at Yamaha’s Western dealer meetings, with 200 dealers signing up for accredited training courses.

From that, many dealers have partnered with programs like HangFire and TriggerPoint to offer courses to customers in their stores.

“Too many people are ‘depending on’ these free awareness seminars which do not include the level of knowledge and training appropriate to dealing with a real life avalanche situation,” adds Swenson. “Don’t be fooled into thinking you are properly prepared.”

Yamaha urges you to pay the $300 and sign up for an AST-1 level course—it is the only way to develop the skills you will require to save lives.

For a complete listing of dates and courses offered, please visit www.trigger-point.ca or www.hangfiretraining.com.

Additional information can be found at www.avalanche.ca and avalanche.org.

To learn more about Yamaha’s BCA Mountain Kit sales program, go to Yamaha-motor.ca.

BRP SCHOOLS SKI-DOO RACERS ON 2011 RACE SLED

Press Release
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BRP played host to over 110 racers for the first of two race schools this past weekend in Sturtevant, Wisconsin at their Evinrude production facility.

The racers were kept busy all day with a seminar type format that covered everything from basic setup to athletic training.

There were vendors on hand from traction, performance and parts companies including the BRP Mobile Support truck, Woody’s traction, Goodwin Performance, C&A Pro skis, Stud Boy traction and Action Graphics to help racers prepare for the start of a new season with special race school pricing.

In addition the major race circuits were on hand allowing racers to complete membership and race registration forms in advance of their first events.

The schools are widely known for delivering a wealth of technical information to get racers prepared for the upcoming season.

Each attendee leaves with a complete Racing Handbook that will serve as a constant source of tuning information, setup tips and parts diagrams on all the different MXZx 600 RS systems, in addition to nutrition and fitness handouts to tune themselves up.

The final school will be held this Saturday November 6, 2010 in Cambridge Ontario at the Holiday Inn, 200 Holiday Inn Drive, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Really Bad Darting Issue

Motorhead Mark Lester
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Question:

Dear Motorhead:

I have a question regarding a real severe darting problem with my Ski-Doo GTX 500 SS.

Its a 2-up machine, but I have taken the rear seat off and only ride one up now. I also have taken all the load off the rear suspension.

The machine always had this problem, but its seems to be worst now. The carbides are worn on the sides, but I have full in the centre.

Open to any suggestion even changing the skis.

Thank so much,

Gerald

Reply:

Thanks for your email!

I think you only need to do a couple small things here to fix or alleviate your problem.

First, check your skis for any toe-in. If you have even 1/8 inch of toe-in you’re in trouble. Always set to perfectly parallel with pressure forcing the skis out or at least 1/8 to 1/4 inch toe- out in static position on concrete.

Second, replace the outer carbides on your Pilot skis! This is critical as these skis are very stable with dual carbides but are very dart prone with only one carbide.

In your situation it’s time to replace the worn outer carbides and maybe the inner runners as well.

Hope this helps,

Motorhead Mark

MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT

Staff Report
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MORE THAN ONE WAY TO SKIN A CAT

What’s your best guess about Arctic Cat’s engine program for 2012?

We’re thinking something radical is coming from Thief River Falls and we expect new 2-stroke developments in the 600 class. Why?

Cat’s 600cc consumer engine program has been pretty soft the last few years and it’s a big-selling segment with the competition.

Furthermore, the company has one of the fastest 600cc race engines in the business and its hype has been mostly wasted on the public.

We think there’s been a direct injection mill in the works at Cat for several years and it’s just a matter of product development and threading the needle between patents.

Look for a setup with an injector system on top of the cylinder head, perhaps injecting from the side instead of directly over the combustion chamber.

We think Suzuki and Cat may be combining on a pump-equipped system to build really high pressure at the injector to send fuel and air in at the same time.

This means the common system of sending air-only through the bottom end of the 2-stroke may be unnecessary.

Thus, a sealed crankcase would mean you just put oil in like a 4-stroke and change it every season.

BRP LAUNCHES SOCIAL MEDIA SITES FOR MTN RIDING

Press Release
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With its new Rotax E-TEC 800R engine and Ski- Doo Summit Freeride model creating a buzz for the 2011 riding season, BRP is launching a blog and Facebook page dedicated solely to mountain riding.

To kick-off the program, BRP will host a mountain sled webcast with Pascal Vincent, product manager of Ski-Doo snowmobiles, on November 18.

Elevation, the new mountain blog, can be found at mountainblog.ski-doo.com, and under the 24/7 tab in ski-doo.com. Elevation will include articles, videos and photos on everything where Ski-Doo snowmobiles and mountain riding intersect: behind the scenes info, mountain riding events, cool new gear and more. It will also be where riders can keep tabs on the Summit Freerider ambassadors and their escapades.

The Ski-Doo Mountain Riding Facebook page will include the latest news and info on BRP’s Ski-Doo mountain products, events, and tidbits from the Summit Freerider ambassadors. Anyone can access the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SkiDooMountain. But Facebook members who “Like” the page will have the latest information delivered right into their News Feeds, and be able to interact with BRP.

Riders will also be able to comment on Elevation blog articles. Both projects come together for a webcast with Ski-Doo Product Manager Pascal Vincent on November 18. Vincent will cover the 2011 Ski-Doo Summit snowmobile lineup, including technical highlights and changes made between the spring introduction and production.

Vincent will also answer consumer questions on the 2011 Summit snowmobiles, submitted on the Ski-Doo Mountain Riding Facebook page before November 17. The webcast will be posted on the Elevation blog on November 18 at 8 p.m. (Pacific time).

More information on Ski-Doo snowmobiles can be found at www.ski-doo.com.

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