May 15, 2008
Staff Training and Demo Rides
‘…whats the buzz… tell me whats happening’ JC Superstar 1970
Taking a break on the SRX story this week except to say I found some more pics of the very first OMV body prototype
and the following clay model. I need the time to figure out how to explain to George, how it is that the SRX was our last 2-stroke project and not the SXViper. I think, technically speaking… you got me George but I’ll still spin up my version for you -later.
The black flies are out in earnest in central Ontario which can mean only one thing. It’s time for our annual ‘gathering of the minds’ with all our our sales and service staff. They will arrive end of next week and we all move into a resort on a small lake outside of Parry Sound. This year, similar to last will have us locked sown for a full day to network and debrief on many subjects. The second day (the best part) will be a full slate of demo rides.
Big blue will be there full of 2008 motorcycles. A second rig is hauling in the ATV’s and the Yamaha navy is arriving courtesy of a fleet of Tundra’s and Tacoma’s. Side bar to the latter-we (Yamaha USA) owns a boat company in the states called G3. We started importing and distributing them ourselves a couple of years ago. So far this has been a real success story. Our G3 boat sales are going through the roof as more people discover the quality and value built-in. Pontoon’s, ‘tin-boats’, deep V’s, they are all worthy so if you are in need of something to keep you busy while we wait for snow…
I’m a bit concerned about our ATV ride. The trail we have chosen is quite flooded in places with the water level being the highest I can remember. It doesn’t help much that a big ATV rally was held on the same trails a couple of weeks ago and they haven’t had a chance yet to repair some of the sippy holes. It always impresses me to see how our sled trails look in the summer. For the most part, aside from a few scratches on the bigger rocks, you’d never know several thousand machines had passed along them. Impact? What impact!
The motorcycle riding in Parry Sound is excellent. Probably one reason the annual Sport Bike Rally has been so successful there. The community opens their arms to motorsports in general. They have even hosted two rounds of the World Enduro Championships which I was fortunate enough to have spectated last season. If the rain doesn’t become an issue, our guys are in for a real good ‘dig’ on the bikes.
Getting back to the navy, I understand we will have at least one new prototype outboard to play with and a fleet of G3′s with various power. We won’t have the 350 V8 this year which is probably just as good with gas at 1.40+ in the bush. I’ll just have to get my ‘squeeze’ from the Waverunners, I really do like the boosted SHO.
Is there anything new you ask? Well of course -both motorcycle and ATV- but you are going to have to check back here on June 6th (or any of our web-sites). I’ll take some pics of the event with my new Canon XSi, digital SLR, which btw, I have been dreaming of owning for a very long time. Funny how it goes, now I am feeling the need for an iMAC.
Next week I am participating in the MESH conference downtown but will try to scribe something of interest to post from my hotel. But for now I gotta get over to the Bass-Pro to grab a new bug-shirt and replenish my supply of Muskol
…time to buzz-off… cheers cr
All good comments cr, and one I like is
May 16th, 2008 at 9:31 pm‘Impact’ what impact?
Take my black buggy up and out there and see where the trail marker ribbon is 12 ft off the ground, tied while sledding.
Pontoonin’ for me is full stream now. Need another Yamaha four stroke soon.
Cheers on this long week end.
chris,
May 19th, 2008 at 1:18 pmgood post! Nice to hear what Yamaha is doing over the summer!
Thanks Chris for all you time and input.
May 20th, 2008 at 2:22 pmPhatboyc bought my 2000 SRX and i take it from his posts on Totallyamaha he is enjoying it just as I did. Great sled.
I am presently in the US and as a motor head like to look around local shops and Yamaha dealers.
I would love to get a Raptor for some good desert running but until I decide to move to the states Canada is still my home.
But i must admit and have a hard time swallowing is the HUGH price difference between the countries.
For instance the new SHO wave running you mention in your last blog.
17199.00 +/- Cdn and 12800.00 US.
Also a Raptor US $7,400.00 and a Cdn Raptor $10,000
Its crazy.
Oh well, thanks for your findings on the SRX and look forward to reading more.
Thank you for theese great pieces of snowmobile history. Awesome reading!
Ike
May 20th, 2008 at 10:58 pmOff topic but rattling the cage. Any chance of seeing some production numbers on the VMAX 4′s Especially the 1997′s
June 9th, 2008 at 5:24 pm