Our last poll asked which is the best crossover sled. Out of 1520 votes, the results were as follows:
40.99% – Ski-Doo Renegade XP 600 (623 votes)
29.01% – Polaris Switchback 600 (441 votes)
15.13% – Yamaha Vector LTX (230 votes)
14.87% – Arctic Cat Crossfire 600 (226 votes)
Take part in our latest poll! We ask:
Which is the best big hammer trail sled?
1. Yamaha FX Nytro RTX
2. Ski-Doo MX-Z 800XP
3. Polaris IQ 800
4. Arctic Cat F-8 Sno-Pro
Scroll down to cast your vote!!
Volume 19, Number 3
The first ever Supertrax BEST IN CLASS AWARDS issue will be landing in mailboxes and on newsstands soon!
We’ve carved out six segments for this year’s awards and we’ve gone out on a limb to identify the sleds that stand out this season.
We also shoot out the MX-Z 800R, F8 Sno-Pro, FX Nytro RTX and the IQ 800. Plus we show you the potential your Polaris Shift has in our ‘Hop Up’ feature.
Also, go way back in history to Oval Racing’s Boy Scouts to read about the final years of Polaris Factory Racing.
With all the attention the Shift, Phazer and the 500 Trail XP have received this fall we think it’s very likely we’ll see a value priced F-Series Arctic Cat for MY 2009.
A base model F platform sans moveable seat, handlepole and a 121 x 15-inch, .88 sneaker instead of the 128-inch meat.
Power? How about the 500cc liquid cooled, lay down Suzook with a single throttle body EFI system used on the Sabre Cat 500 EFI a couple years ago?
Analog gauges, rationalized trim and comfort accoutrements would be the order of the day as well.
Stay tuned.
Loyal readers of Supertrax know how our fallen friend CJ Ramstad loved vintage sleds. In fact CJ was a collector himself with pride in an especially immaculate ‘68 Panther.
This January 26, 2008 the traditional Waconia Vintage Trail Ride will be run in honor of CJ. This year it is renamed the “The C.J. Ramstad Memorial Trail Ride”.
The ride will be a fundraiser for another of CJ’s passions, the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain, Wisconsin.
Karla Ramstad has agreed to lead the trail ride on CJ’s Panther. This event, held in Waconia, just south of the Twin Cities, has grown year after year with over 400 classic sleds in attendance.
Supertrax will be on hand for this extra special running of the ride. For more info contact mwvss.com or call 651-462-4497.
The just discontinued RT (Mach-Z) platform with its potent 1000cc SDI engine is rumored to be re-emerging as an XP based 1000.
This rumor has been perpetuated by open admissions from some in the Ski-Doo brain trust who have nodded at the XP chassis’s ability to swallow the 1000 SDI mill in one gulp.
It’s apparent any competitive, non-turbocharged 120hp/600 class 4-stroke needs to displace at least 1000ccs. We think it’s possible Ski-Doo has a 120/600 class 4-stroke engine ready for insertion in the XP.
Ski-Doo is obsessed with protecting its increasing market share by responding to the market. In short, BRP is not about to let the Yamaha Nytro, the first 4-stroke snowmobile to possess credibly “light” weight, mow the lightweight grass established with the XP chassis.
The twist in this report is this: It’s also possible the entire rumor is actually centered on the 1000 SDI 2-stroke showing up in the XP.
Merry christmas to all Supertrax fans!
4-strokes rule, period. I own a 2007 Apex Mountain. I’m very happy with it and it seems other 2-strokers are convinced that this is the way to go.
I admit they are heavier and plug changes and oil changes are time consuming, but when you start to look at how these sleds are constructed you can see where the extra weight is.
They are the best built sleds on the snow. If you disagree, you probably never looked at one close enough.
Around home there have been close to 10 guys that have switched to the future of 4-stroke Yammies.
Over and out.
Corey
Question:
Dear Motorhead,
Have you had much feedback on the 2008 Switchback sleds having issues with snow and ice building up in the rubber boots on the steering arms?
I have had other riders tell me they are ripping them off as the steering freezes up. The boots are only held on by 2 bolts and a pop rivet.
Did Polaris have a better design in the past as Ski-Doo experienced this problem on older models but the new XP sleds have no boots at all?
Also, the side panels on the Switchbacks seem quite hard to remove, especially in cold weather. Has Polaris made any statements that you know of regarding these drawbacks???
Doug
Response:
Thanks for your email!
We used a limited build 08 SB 700 last year and are still riding it now with over 2500 miles on the odo. No boot problems.
The side panels are tricky – here’s what we discovered from repeated use. First – practice putting the clutch side on in the garage where its warm. Then when you’re outside you’ll have a much easier time.
Put the front tabs in first, then swing the panel closed positioning the lower tabs and the awkward upper rear tab carefully over their respective openings.
Once you have this done and verified everything lines up a simple downward tap will engage all three tabs (two on the lower edge and the weird upper rear tab.
I know this sounds oversimplified but after we practiced it I can almost throw the panels at the sled and have them lock on.
Good luck!
Motorhead Mark
Question:
Dear Motorhead,
I own a 2007 FST Crusier. I was told by a Polaris rep at a snowmobile show in October that the four second boost would be available as an upgrade for my sled, my dealer tell’s me the only upgrade available is better cold weather starting.
Also my sled has the ace electronic suspension when I shut the sled off for the day, the next day its at the lowest setting and has to be reajusted.
Is this what it is suppose to do? Any info you could give on these questions would be appricated.
Thank You,
Simon
Response:
Thanks for your email!
As of last week Polaris indicated the ECU on 07 FST’s can be “re-flashed” at no cost to owners providing better staring, improved mileage and the 4 second overboost feature – as on the MY ’08 FST’s.
I assume your sled is still under warranty and to this end I would suggest you have the electronic shock checked by your dealer – this is not the way it should work.
Thanks,
Motorhead Mark
Question:
Dear Motorhead,
I have a 2007 Yamaha RS Vector that will sputter and quit when the tank level gets low (around a 1/4) like it is out of gas.
If you spray a little starting fluid in it it will then pick up and run. It acts like it is out of gas, but for some reason it just loses its prime.
My brother has the same sled and experienced similar problems. We took them back to the dealer and he says he has never seen this and we have tried everything from checking the gas tank vent to cutting an angle in the vent hose on top of the carbs in case it was sucking onto something to cause it to lose its prime.
The hose is the last thing we did before I put it away for the summer and am waiting to go out again to see if it still does it.
My question is have you ever seen this and could you suggest a remedy? I like the sled but reliability issue is not what I want to worry about every time I leave the trailer.
Thanks!!
Shaneon
Response:
Here’s some informed info directly from Yamaha on what to check.
Couple of things come to mind.. Is he going by the electric fuel gauge at 1/4 tank? Have they actually checked the physical fuel level?
The other thing I have personally experienced – the fuel pick-up / filter is on a piece of line (or two, can’t remember on Vector) that dangles in the bottom of the tank.
I have seen it where the sled is put over on its side and the fuel line gets hung-up on the fuel level sensor float which is kind of like a toilet tank float valve (please disregard the analogy).
He should get out a flash light and take a close look in the tank and make sure the pick-up is lying in the bottom He can pull out the little white filler neck thingy to get a better look.
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