Department > Adventure Toys
Snowmobile Buyer’s Guide, Part 2
Looking for hot sled action on the cold slopes? We got your hardware right here.
by Rob Reaser
photography by the manufacturers
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Editor’s Note:
In our December ‘04 issue we presented Part 1 of the latest offerings from the top snowmobile manufacturers. Now here’s Part 2.
If you live in the snowy climes, or enjoy annual pilgrimages to winter wonderlands, you know that powder puff time is nigh. To set your snowmobile season off on the right track, we want to let you in on the latest offerings from the sled manufacturers for the 2005 model year. Everyone has something new to crow about, so check out the following skid-and-track monsters, then choose your weapon!
Yamaha RS Vector
While many sleds are built to do one thing well, sometimes you need a machine which can multi-task. That would adequately describe Yamaha’s RS Vector. This is a trail performance sled that can skate through the white stuff like a pro, yet delivers a ride quality that suits the individual rider and terrain.
The RS Vector’s trail performance is due in large part to the suspension-designed to handle everything from all-out riding to easy cruising. At its heart is the ProActive rear suspension system. This is a torsion spring rear design that includes a pre-load adjuster to match the rider’s load to the trail conditions. There’s also a three-position spring bottoming stopper to allow adjustment of anti-bottoming force depending on the level of riding you are engaged in. Up front is a 9-inch travel double wishbone suspension system that boasts a 42.8-inch ski stance (on lightweight saddleless skis) and 40 mm diameter aluminum front shock absorbers. All of this is tacked to Yamaha’s exclusive Deltabox lightweight aluminum die-cast chassis. Its low weight and high torsional rigidity helps the suspension components do their magic on the powder.
Powering the RS Vector is the 973 cc Genesis 120 three-cylinder four-stroke engine. Although compact in nature, it delivers 120 horsepower and ample torque throughout the rpm range. The engine is positioned at a 37-degree tip back with a forward-facing intake and under-seat exhaust to help center the engine mass for improved maneuverability. If you want the luxury of reverse, the RS Vector ER is your pick.
Polaris 900 RMK
If mountain trails are your thing, Polaris also has a new model to navigate the steep and deep stuff. The 900 RMK is basically the mountain version of the 900 Fusion in that the two machines share many of the same features. Like the Fusion, the RMK benefits from the versatility of Rider Select Adjustable Steering. The handlebars can be adjusted up to six inches of total arc (front to back), and up to one inch up and down, depending on your specific needs. Also like the Fusion, the RMK comes with the IQ front suspension with variable caster. Sidehiller 2 skis are part of the package, and feature an offset design that delivers top floatation performance without added width. In back the RMK is built for tough going, with a track length of up to 166 inches and vertical travel up to 18.5 inches.
Another shared item with the Fusion is the 866 cc Liberty engine, but to turn that power into forward progress, the RMK features the Series 4 track with split durometer rubber for maximum bite in hard pack and flexibility in powder. Assisting in the floatation department is a pan design that offers a large surface area combined with a shallow angle. Ditto for the nose pan, shock wells and nose. Combined with the tapered running boards and aggressive tunnel angle, the RMK is built, front to back, with the intent of cutting through deep snow.
Surprisingly, the RMK also offers ample storage space. Up front are sealed console storage compartments and an under-seat storage compartment. Another slick feature is the lighting. Twin beams illuminate the forward path, while “Snow Beams” light up the front of the skis for nighttime technical maneuvers. In addition, there is an optional projector beam for far-off viewing. The lighting assembly is also adjustable up or down via a control knob on the dash.
Ski-Doo Expedition TUV
What has the hardware to muscle through deep snow similar to a mountain sled, cruise the woods with more than a bit of comfort, and lend a hand when there’s work to do? That would be Ski-Doo’s Expedition TUV. The company calls this, “A hybrid touring-utility vehicle for off-trail explorations and on-trail cruises with luxury features.”
You got that right.
For the ultimate in muscle performance, the Expedition TUV is available with the Rotax 4-TEC V-1000 engine that boasts loads of torque. A lighter weight option is the 2-TEC 600 H.O. SDI with semi-direct injection. Even the Synchromesh shift-on-the-fly transmission is designed to deliver all the grunt that’s needed for heavy pulling, yet keep things fun at the top end. The 20-inch wide track is also meant for wrangling deep snow and optimizing traction.
The platform for the Expedition TUV is based on the new Yeti platform from Lynx, which is Bombardier’s European snowmobile subsidiary. Up front is an SUV trailing arm suspension with hydraulic shocks, and an SUV-type rear suspension, also featuring hydraulic shocks. Brembo hydraulic discs provide the stopping power. Additional features include soft two-up seating, heated driver and passenger handgrips, adjustable backrest, high windshield, electric start, standard reverse, anti-slip running boards, and a cargo rack.
If you like the dual-purpose concept of the Expedition, a downgrade model called the Expedition Sport is also available.
Arctic Cat M7
Arctic Cat has built an all-new machine for tackling the gnarliest mountain snow. Called the M7, this is the latest in the M-Series, and although it is inspired by much of the 1M mountain Cat chassis, it’s fresh from top to bottom.
Light and lean may be the best way to describe the M7. Everything here has been developed to conquer the deep stuff, and in true mountain sled fashion, give the rider knife-like maneuverability. Atop the narrow 12-gallon fuel cell, for example, is a rather tall and sculpted seat meant to deliver easy transition from sitting to standing. It’s also adjustable for varying riding conditions.
For deep snow navigation, the M7 offers a number of special engineering features. First is the trim 16-inch tunnel that’s just big enough to get the job done. The snorkel is located high up near the headlights to better keep the air intakes open, and removable snow screens help keep the moisture out. Preventing exhaust clogging is a capped off tail pipe located in the A-arm cavity of the belly pan. Speaking of the belly pan, it comes with removable side panels for easier access to the clutches and brake, and the panels can be removed without tools. Additional weight savings comes via saddleless plastic skis, lightweight aluminum IFP shocks, or optional Fox Float adjustable air springs.
Powering the M7 is a 698 cc two-cylinder engine backed by the ACT Diamond Drive transmission that uses a planetary gear drive instead of the jackshaft and chain case system.
Arctic Cat - www.arctic-cat.com
Polaris - www.polarisindustries.com
Ski-Doo - www.ski-doo.com
Yamaha - www.yamaha-motor.com