September 22, 2009
Stocking Stuffers
Was leafing through a fresh copy of Motoneige Quebec yesterday when I stumbled across a new product that caused me to stop in my tracks. At first I was a bit stunned, not sure whether to laugh or if this was the real deal. Now that I have explored the subject with some female co-workers and given it some more thought, I figure this could create impact exceeding the womens right to vote and female liberation movement of the 60’s combined. Folks if there was ever any doubt, clearly we are now equal; women can stand up to pee!!
Okay right about now I probably have offended someone or triggered a complaint to my superiors, just because… but before you get all sensitive I truly believe this is a practical (and somewhat entertaining) product that could benefit our sport.
I can imagine what it must be like for the girls out on the trail every time they need to relieve themselves and have to remove three (or more) layers of clothing, exposing themselves to a 30mph frigid cross-wind, not to mention trying to squat in three feet of snow with out ‘bottoming out’ after having trudged a 100 feet into the bush to get out of sight (and snowball range).
Probably about the only thing left that a modern women would envy in a man is our ability to whip it out and take care of business whenever nature calls. Well leave it up to the French to come up with a solution. The Liber T pocket urinal may well be the best thing for women snowmobilers since Snow Cruiser introduced electric start. Think 
about this for a minute. What we often take for granted can be a big hassle for our wives or GF’s, perhaps to the point of cutting a ride short or at the least having to suffer out on the trail. This little doo-dad, given half a chance, could make everyone’s day a little brighter… It certainly does fit the definition of ’stocking stuffer’ with Christmas just around the corner. I especially like the camo version 
Our G-Force friends ran their first test at Bonneville today 
experiencing a mechanical problem with the overdrive mechanism (they disconnect the secondary clutch and go direct somewhere over 170mph) but they did manage to hit 186mph prior to shutting do
wn. The marshalls were concerned about the impact G-Force 1 would have on the race track but this trial proved it was just fine. They are green to go for a world record attempt. Check out the pics on PassionYamaha (photos courtesy of Richard Hotte).
On another subject, we have some cool hardware we are working on for release sometime this season. Jon and I have been kicking around some ideas and I think it may be time that we use SledTalk readers for some new product feedback and I plan to enlist some ‘test riders’ as soon as we get snow. We may supply some special parts to the right people or even invite them to join us on a test ride. Not sure how I’ll be able to choose but I figure I’ll start with the guys who have left comments here in the past and see where that takes us. If nothing else it’ll be worth a free lunch and some gas for somebody Cheers cr
Keep me in mind as a test rider, I’ve been able to ride since mid to late november the last couple years and I hope this year will be no different. And besides, my middle name is “free”
That’s good because under our current budgets if we ask someone to ride a new prototype this December and give us some feedback their assistance will have to come free… cheers cr
September 23rd, 2009 at 7:41 amcr,
got 385,000 air miles saved up on my Avion card. Case your invites come abroad.
Since when do you require an invite?? You have been an official test rider for this company as long as I can remember
cr
September 23rd, 2009 at 8:49 amChris,
OK – I figured out the issue with comments now – I have been reading the blog from the email updates, they do not open right into the blog so you have to click thru to it! Not sure if others experience this either!
I would love to do some test riding and product research for you – anything related to the Nytro interests me please!
Cheers,
DAMIAN
Are you trying to trick me into commenting on just what it is that we’ll be testing? How about you ride it and tell me what it is?
cr
September 23rd, 2009 at 9:42 amOk, I read a thread on TY, and there is a pic of a NEW Yamaha ski called the MT9, but you haven’t commented on it yet.
To me this is huge news (bigger than the Liber T), as this has been a thorn in the backside of Yamaha. You’d think that there would some sort of press release from Yamaha to get the news out there, but I see nothing.
Do you have any info to share on this new ski?
Hey Gary, please see my response to Sledfreak’s comment under the Injection Is Cool post, ‘I will serve no wine before it’s time’ (and I agree with your thoughts) Thanks cr
September 23rd, 2009 at 10:39 amLook…if you need someone to test your new/improved Apex just ask! I’d be more then happy to help and would probably even buy YOU lunch.
September 23rd, 2009 at 1:18 pmI’d never heard of the Liber T before. I can’t stop chuckling about it!
Gotta go and search for the thread about the new ski…
September 24th, 2009 at 1:12 pmHello CR,
Just to let you know our friends from G-Force one has made the record at Bonneville. They hit the mark of 203 MPH as average for the two runs with a peek speed at 211.5 MPH. The world fastest snomo has leave his mark at Bonneville salt speed track.
The crew is very happy of the record!!!
See Ya!!!
Alain Vmax
September 24th, 2009 at 10:48 pmWow, that urinal thing…
That is some serious speed on salt. Hope they do well over there.
Any change to be a european test mule? I know this region is only a small part of the market, but we take the sleds on the edge, and sometime even over it.
Ike
September 25th, 2009 at 12:32 amI’d be more than happy to help with product testing. Anywhere, any time. Actually, I don’t really need to ride anything. I am more interested in your methods, procedures and product targets. I want to see why it is what you end up with as a finished product can differ so greatly from what the customer base actually gets. Good example that we’re all familiar with is the hand warmers (I know.. dead horse). How is it they worked for you, but hardly none of us? Conditions? Gloves? Driving style? I’m fully aware of how a Japanese company does things as I have worked for them myself and even lived in Japan for 4 years. Some of the best people to work for if you understand the culture and ways of thinking.
September 25th, 2009 at 6:54 amCount me in!!! Anytime, anywhere. I don’t care if it is a Bravo, a new touque or a turbo Apex. I’d love the chance to test it out and share my opinions. Just being able to say I was part of it is payment enough. My wife is available as well if you need a feminine opinion.
September 25th, 2009 at 12:32 pmHey Chris, I live 2 miles from the groomed trail system which travels from Sault Ste. Marie all the way to hearst and back around to the Sault. These trails are begging for some protype stuff to be tested… Let me know if I can be of any assistance.
That would be the ideal, think snow! cr
September 25th, 2009 at 1:09 pmbeen watching as well….
I’m surprised they use a clutch at all. The 1/4 midget guys fom the US run sled engines direct drive and the pull off the turns – huge…old Polaris triples.
We laugh…the guys from the deep south that run these things…well..guess nobody told them they had to have a clutch.
September 29th, 2009 at 5:47 pmA chance to test ride with Yamaha, wow! Count me in! Full disclosure: I only had my SRX two winters. (Which is why I was so eager for you to continue writing your SRX story.)
Only tried the trails once last winter. Got a two day pass and what a difference from my usual high speed lake rides between fishing holes to twisty up and down trails. It was a 8 hour ride up but loved the adventure. My fiance (now wife since Saturday) on the back of the SRX with our heavy backpack. My parents on their 05 Venture first time back on a sled in 25 years. We all had fun. Best of all my wife wants to do it again! Saddle bag for the SRX is a must this time.
All this to say Chris if you want a fresh perspective of someone who never tried a newer sled or done much trails. But has lived for winter sport all his life. Count me in.
October 5th, 2009 at 11:23 amThat sled looks like a missile. I think being behind the bars would make me pee sitting down.
Glad to hear you have some stuff coming down the pipe Chris. New stuff is always exciting, especially when it proves to improve.
I’m in Sudbury, Ontario at the moment admiring the various colours of leaves and watching them fall (pun intended)
I’ve got my eye on the trails as I drive across Ontario in the car, trying to send the vibes up to the snow god’s for the big trip here this winter. If any of my where abouts line up with any riding you have going on, let me know and i’ll try to get to you. I’ll be in Ontario from xmas through end of January.
Nice pics!
YK
That just might work out, would like to meet you and offer you a ride on something lets say is… special
keep me posted on your Ontario ride, cheers cr
October 7th, 2009 at 8:43 amHow about Haliburton Forest? I’m sure you have heard of it. I have never been but apparently their trails are always open in December! Could be an awesome place to test gear and sleds early in the season. Would make for an easy ride for you, “Yellowknife” and from Ottawa…where I’m from
.
Hope your ribs are healing well.
Jon and I have been thinking of hitting the forest early this year, might just work out… cr
October 20th, 2009 at 11:09 amOut of the loop for a couple of months. Building a new house and have not had time to update my new email address. Have been following Sked Talk since the being and have found all topics interesting. The T pocket seems a liitle crazy but if it works I’m sure allot of females would find it very useful. Wonder how you came across that one? If you are testing in Ontario I’m in. Was involved in one of your passed test and had a blast.
October 30th, 2009 at 10:46 pm