We recently received a couple of new 2021 models from Yamaha Canada and had the opportunity to try them out on our local trails.

Yamaha loaned us a trail-based 121-inch Venom (the base model) and a 146-inch Transporter Lite.

Both sleds use a 397cc EFI single with a CVTech primary clutch and Invance secondary, are well equipped with electric start and reverse, a tidy digital gauge on the dash, a tether switch and one-speed hand/thumb warmers.

Our first sampling on this particular day was the 146-inch Transporter Lite and it actually both surprised and impressed us.

We know some of our hardcore readers won’t necessarily spasm with curiosity and excitement about this utility-targeted lightweight but we’re here to tell you it’s a really good sled when applied to its intended purposes.

The fact is, both the Venom and the Arctic Cat BLAST are aimed at a value conscious market that usually includes new riders, teenagers on their first full-sized sled and women who don’t want to lug around a more powerful or heavier piece of iron. Applied this way, the sled is more than ideal – it’s perfect! Using it as an off-trail sled makes even more sense!

What surprised us were its other capabilities. In the past we’ve been critical of both the BLAST and the Venom for not having a sway bar. After riding it on fairly high-speed, twisting trails, we have to confess it doesn’t matter that much. The sled stays level and turns in predictably, although limited a bit in the precision department by its deep-snow skis.

Although the uncoupled skid was expected to be harsh, it really isn’t. This full 15-inch-wide track is articulated and has 1.5-inch lugs and works in harmony with a skidframe that is nicely calibrated to handle bumps at reasonable trail speeds. By the way, get used to reasonable (speeds) because this longtrack appears to be geared low and although the 2-stroke single delivers really good torque, it doesn’t exactly propel the Transporter at break-neck speeds.

What it does is deliver nice bottom end and especially good mid-range power to keep the rider fully entertained. The sled is responsive, fully flickable on the trail and feels as light as a Styrofoam-injected feather. There’s so much track here in comparison to the overall mass of the sled, flotation is never in question.

It really excels when you hit the deep powder. We were curious to see how good this sled was off-trail and it truly didn’t disappoint. We hit the powder running and immediately discovered the snow was a lot deeper than we anticipated. No worries at all! The Transporter Lite dug in and literally floated its way through the stuff!

Steering was surprisingly accurate because of the Lite’s wide skis. We backed off the throttle to see if it could accelerate back up through the powder and that’s exactly what it did. The nose was high and the track was churning and it just paddled its way to the top. Tunz of fun!

We liked the seat and the windshield was a B-plus. We wish the manufacturer had splurged on 2-speed hand heaters (they only work on Scald and Off positions) but overall, the Transporter Lite is comfortable and easy to love.

The sled does feel small from the driver’s seat but not as small as the vanilla 121-inch Venom.

In our opinion, this is the most desirable Venom-series for buyers who want the most for their buck in this class of sleds. We definitely feel the upcharge for the longer track and tunnel, wider skis, better windshield and increased versatility is well worth the extra moolah. This is our fave Venom!

Oh, and don’t let anyone tell you this is just a utility snowmobile; it’s too good on trails to have to wear that name tag!

This year, there are so many new riders out on the trails – and prospects for many more next year – we’re wondering what kinds of sleds are attracting new riders to the sport.

Although value-priced sleds in the 60-85-hp range haven’t been the biggest volume sellers in the snowmobile market the last few years, we think the OEMs will be building even more of this type of sled as soon as next year. Why? Used sled prices are through the roof.

Here’s our list of new-rider priorities:

Keep in mind, we’re talking about NEW riders, not those who were hardcores a few years back and suddenly are re-enthused to get back into snowmobiling after a half decade lay-off.

SUSPENSION

We think this is the most critical feature novice snowmobilers are looking for. The problem is, you can’t tell what a sled rides like when you’re looking at it in the showroom. This is why it’s super-important for the OEMs to prioritize a snowmobile model’s suspension compliance above all.

If a new rider gets on the sled they’ve just purchased and are uncomfortable or beaten up after an hour on the trails, they’re not going to recommend either the snowmobile or snowmobiling to the rest of their family or their friends.

We think this especially applies to the lower priced and entry-level sleds the manufacturers are offering – the level where most new-to-snowmobiling new-sled buyers enter the sport. However, it also should apply to dealer setup.

It’s really helpful when dealers take into account the size, weight and experience level of the people who will be riding the sled and then make suspension adjustments to suit them before the sled hits the snow.

PRICE

The reason many first-time snowmobilers get into the sport is because they rode a friend’s sled and liked it. Frankly, it’s pretty common knowledge more novice riders buy their first sled used rather than new.

With the lack of good, used sleds priced cheaply in the marketplace right now, we think this “buy used” trend is coming to the place buyers would consider a new, value sled with a full warranty as their first ride rather than pay an inflated price for a used sled with a dubious history.

Fortunately, the industry has some really good, well equipped value sleds available in MY2021 and a buyer can get into these brand new, fully warranted snowmobiles for very reasonable prices.

We’re not saying price is the first priority – many new buyers will pay more to get more features and comfort, up to a certain level.

COMFORT

Warm windshields, comfy seats and good hand and thumb warmers go hand-in-hand with priority #1 – good suspension.

New riders should be over-impressed with how comfortable they are when riding. We also like the trend toward multi-featured digital instruments on many of the current value models offered – and the fact pretty much everything in this price range comes with electric start and reverse.

POWER

Believe it or not, ultimate power is not even registering a blip on this rating scale. Not to say new riders don’t want the thrill of experiencing engine performance every time they mash the throttle flipper; it’s just that a 60-85 horsepower sled feels plenty fast to a new rider.

As new value-conscious sleds are planned out in the future, horsepower in that range is definitely where OEMs should be targeting new customers.

In the past, sleds in the lower percentile of that HP-range have tended to be stripped down, bare bones models with basic suspensions and spartan comfort amenities. Why not include coupled suspensions with basic gas cell shocks on all 65-hp sleds along with other comfort and convenience features?