January 14, 2009
Frozen Field Trip
I just came in from the trail having spent the morning riding with Mark and AJ from Supertrax along with Crusty and LMV from Ontarioconditions.
This morning as the sun was rising, the temp was hovering at minus 32C (minus 26F for my southern friends) thanks to a passing Alberta Clipper. I believe it was even colder last night when we came in around midnight after some trail recon and sled break-in sessions. – I can hear Yellowknife chuckling to himself as he reads this… those boys think this is T-shirt weather. – Now I know what some of you are thinking, were your hands cold? Yep. Glad I wore my leather mitts and installed the elephant ear deflectors on my Apex… ‘nough said.
The Six Star Snowmobile club have been grooming constantly for days and their trails are purrrfect. Now, with the advent of the cold temps, they are tightening up really good and the folks heading up this weekend will be in for a real treat. I was leading out our group this morning and had the pleasure of virgin, unmarked, groomed, pool-table, for the whole ride. The only time I felt the suspension move was when landing, after taking a bit of air off some of the drops offered up by the rolling terrain.
I was quite pleased when Mark came off our new 2010 xxxx after riding a 2009 and claimed it was immediately quantifiable as a home run. I was on the 2010 mule the night before and also had some good impressions but I was a little concerned that it’s virtues may not be that readily apparent to our guest riders. But when AJ finished his turn with similar comments to support his dads accolades I knew we were OK.
Here’s the first pic of the new 2010 Yamaha to appear on the web
At this point I figure some of you are wondering just what were we riding. Well as much as I’d like to say, I can’t because the information is embargoed until February 10th. You might want to check out the Yamaha web sites on that date to see all the new sleds. If you are interested in our 4 wheeled products we will also have a big announcement on the 10th. And if you need a little back-up power we’ll also be pulling the sheets off a new generator. Feb 10, noon EST. I’ll also drop a post here on Sled Talk with my own insights into the new sled(s) and I may even offer up a comment on what new sled I’ll be riding next year. Jon and I are currently in a Mexican Stand-off regarding my new ride but I’ll figure things out and let you know… 
cheers cr
It’s a terrible (but entertaining) thing to tease a fellow like that. As for the top pic, its the center console display of a toyota tundra; and the second pic, I’ve seen clearer images of bigfoot. Have fun cr. The rest of us are waiting… impatiently.
Most astute LS that is indeed the Tundra console… we run Toyota trucks exclusively at YMCA… something for which I am grateful… as far as the pic goes, it was really cold, best I could do…
cr
January 14th, 2009 at 9:40 pmThere’s something not quite fair about throwing this out here while some of us are stuck working the Boat Show!!!!!
If you need anymore shakedown miles accumulated….I’m just a phone call away!
January 14th, 2009 at 11:42 pmCR, If 2010`s have less weight, less fuel consumpton, working hand warmers and suspension that dont fall apart twice in season, my friends would be happy. Those are the things I hear they complain alot about.
But, like I´ve heard before from Yamaha, we a minority here in scandinavia… One can only hope.
I hope the new Vmax was (?) a good ride. Looking forward seeing them in feb.
Ike
January 15th, 2009 at 10:47 ami have a big “*” on my calaneder now. Its almost time to update the 06 attak. can’t wait!!! p.s. I have elephant ears on my sled too and am getting sick of being teased about it but they do work!
Hey SG, I am willing to bet your elephant ears will be the envy of any hecklers this weekend at minus 25… cheers cr
January 15th, 2009 at 2:17 pmYou are excellent at creative writing, and telepathy!!
Cheers,
January 15th, 2009 at 3:01 pmYK
Chris,
Thanks for Feb. date for the 2010 Sleds. Just added the date to my calender.
Could we get some more info on the Yamaha sleds in the snowcross races?
Keep up the good work.
Mark
January 15th, 2009 at 9:09 pmFrustrating as it is I look forward to seeing the 2010′s. I say frusrtating because I love to keep up with the new and improved. I would love to keep up to the Jone’s but I just purchased an xtx; which I love by the way.
January 15th, 2009 at 10:34 pmSo far only one complaint is a crease in the tunnel. I have heard recently that the rtx se (which has the same tunnel) has an updated plate to reinforce the spot where my tunnel has creased. I have called Yamaha Canada but there seems to be some confusion when I tell them it is the same tunnel minus the extension. I have made it clear that the extension is not where the problem is. Anyway some sort of feed back would be appreciated. I know you are busy and I do appreciate the work you put into the website. Thanks a mill.
Hey Chris you have tweaked our curiosity yet agian ….can I take a stab at this…say Industry 1st Yamaha Hybrid snowmobile ?
Dang you nailed it… our new 4 cylinder hybrid uses a lightweight 4-stroke twin engine grafted onto a direct injection 2-stroke twin. The 4-stroke will pull everything up to 8300 rpm then a computer controlled servo disengages from the 4-stroke and locks into the two stroke which only operates between 8300 and 8500 rpm, that’s where it gets superior fuel efficiency and makes equivalent power but only within this narrow power-band. If the 2-stoke falls below 8300 rpm, fouls a plug or seizes up… the servo immediately shifts back to the 4-stroke and you always make it home without messing up everyone’s day… pretty cool huh!
cr
January 16th, 2009 at 1:02 pmHey Chris. You guys are stirring up quite a buzz again this year. Can’t wait to see this thing. Oh and hey, if it’s not too late, could you have the engineers install some working handwarmers and marine grade (waterproof) electric connections and relays? It would be much appreciated by us all. Thanks
January 20th, 2009 at 8:58 am-Doogs
hi folks, wtf with this rumor of hybrid technology with a 4 stroke engine on a 2 stroke base. its absolutely insane. all the weight in a 4 stroke angine is in the head. valve, cams, and all other component is a terible weight on a 4 stroke engine, please explain how did they build something like thatand what is the reason of that technologi. im thinking that the guy who write that is too stoned. smoke weed everyday…
long life to 2 strokes engines
Well now Mr Necks… you have me wondering who actualy is the one that is partaking in too much green. I assume you are referring to this response i wrote to Kellys comment: “Dang you nailed it… our new 4 cylinder hybrid uses a lightweight 4-stroke twin engine grafted onto a direct injection 2-stroke twin. The 4-stroke will pull everything up to 8300 rpm then a computer controlled servo disengages from the 4-stroke and locks into the two stroke which only operates between 8300 and 8500 rpm, that’s where it gets superior fuel efficiency and makes equivalent power but only within this narrow power-band. If the 2-stoke falls below 8300 rpm, fouls a plug or seizes up… the servo immediately shifts back to the 4-stroke and you always make it home without messing up everyone’s day… pretty cool huh!
cr”
Sorry to confuse you but I thought the intended humor would be clear to all, not to mention my little 2-smoke dig, It’s a joke!!
BTW ‘Long life to 2-strokes’ may be perceived by some as somewhat of an oxymoron in this day and age… peace out dude
cr
January 24th, 2009 at 10:14 amso i guess we won’t see them in Port perry this weekend? will we see you Chris?
Thinking about riding to Scugo in the morning to scout a particular trail and I plan to ride to Port Parry on the 11th for a dealer meeting… I’m on a blue 09 Apex with umbrellas covering the handle bars (large white Nytro fabric hand protectors) … cheers cr
January 29th, 2009 at 1:43 pmHey CR,
I`ve been born with blue blood, my grand-father had a yamaha dealer and then my dad took over, now its out of the family but the dealer is still there and i`m still here, since i was born in 1981, well all i rode is a yamaha…now every year, at the end of January comes a season called “rumors” and let me tell you, we`ve seen so many things beeing mentionned, but the things is that our customers have so many expectations that they would like to create their own sleds, with their own unbelievable specs, but hey these guys are the ones who makes it happen because they are our customers, its okay to dream its part of the snowmobile world and hey, don`t worry they`re listening and will put a big smile on your face, take it easy CR.
(Haven`t you guys ever tought about testing your sleds in the gaspe coast, with snowfall surpassing imagination and freezing temperatures, you`ll have it all, a test facility here would be just a perfect fit for both you guys and the economy of our region)
I agree the Gaspe is awesome riding and offers it all including some fair altitude and vert. We have tested there in the past, we did final durability test for Vmax 4 in Mont Joli with the assistance of our dealer P .Labointe et fils… as for the future… dream on my friend!! cheers cr
January 29th, 2009 at 4:17 pmIf maximumsled has released the sleds and this is all Yamaha has offered. Why all the hype over an accessory plug, changeable bearings and fixed hand warmers. Are you kidding me? Please tell me this company has more to offer for their top end trail sled.
February 10th, 2009 at 11:04 am