Watch out - now anyone can snowmobile

D

doug

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Feb 1, 2005
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Mid-Michigan
You think the trails are congested and beat-up from too much traffic now, wait until the general public learns that anyone with the money can now enjoy snowmobiling without having to know a thing about getting and keeping a snowmobile running: The new Yamahas with EFI.

Talking to some people who got into sledding back in the early 70's, most of them got out of it because they had too many breakdowns (fouled plugs, smoked belts, poor electrical systems, etc...) or were too hard to start. I think this has held true to a certain extent still; I know a couple of people with enough money to buy or rent new machines in the past few years that had terrible times because the machines quit running due to some simple problem like leaving the choke on, or a blown belt.

Call me selfish, but I seem to like it that snowmobiling was a little "exclusive" because the machines needed at least one person in the group with at least a little mechanical ability or feel for the machines. Now enter the 4-stroke with EFI: no more fouled plugs, no more knowing how much to choke it, no more revving them a little to keep them cleaned out while idling on warm days, etc...

Yamaha has created a machine for the "masses"
Better start building more new trails and hotel rooms
Watch out for the newbies with more money than brains
For the "wrenches" - think of all your buddies sleds you won't have to fix!
 
Don't worry the other 3 manufacturers will keep the break downs up.. lol.. Oh come on.. That might be taking it a hair far. But worth noting.. You still have the cold weather issues. If you see a few more big breasted blondes from Evanston, Il coming up it will definately be an upgrade to the bar seen. ;)
 
You may be on to something, both my wife and my buddies wife wan't a new Yammi. Amazing too, my wife is a die-hard Polaris rider.
 
So are we comparing this to the Bayliner debackling of the boating industry? They build boats that are so cheap that anyone can buy one and go boating/skiing/fishing/partying at any lake. Never owned one, never will.... I have 3 boats and not one of them is a Bayliner. My experiences over the years (been boating longer than sledding) is that 9 times out of ten, the moron who's in trouble or causing trouble is in a Bayliner or similar craft (there are other manufacturers building similar boats, uugghh!).

On sleds, it's usually a Cat rider!! :yam:
 
I guess look at this way if the woman don't witch about the smell anymore, it will be less nagging on you all together, but that might mean they will want to go more... Double edge sword. lol.
 
Interesting topic.

I havent carried a spare throttle cable in 20 years, and as long as snow is cold I can get away with just the boys.

The numbers show snowmobiling sales have been falling since 97 (as an entire industry) and I would connect that more to $$ than stink or maintenance. If I am wrong we should see a comeback that may have a positive impact. (mfg will continue to compete for the business)
 
I wouldn't compare this to the "Bayliner" scenario - these sleds ain't cheap. There have been "cheap" sleds for years- the 340-380 fans for $3,500.

I think I would classify this as the sleds are more "user-friendly"
 
I hope you guys mean on the top side of the sled, because under the hood is still a lot of crap jammed in there. Which equals not very user friendly.
 
Waterfoul said:
So are we comparing this to the Bayliner debackling of the boating industry? They build boats that are so cheap that anyone can buy one and go boating/skiing/fishing/partying at any lake. Never owned one, never will.... I have 3 boats and not one of them is a Bayliner. My experiences over the years (been boating longer than sledding) is that 9 times out of ten, the moron who's in trouble or causing trouble is in a Bayliner or similar craft (there are other manufacturers building similar boats, uugghh!).

We like to call them Bay-Whiners..... If all you need is a hull to get you to the beach and do sme fishing go for it. But if your crossing Lake Ontario I will be in my old mans 35' SeaRay (which is actually 39' long and 12'6" beam). I have been in many 12'+ waves in that boat and I felt very comfortable. The waves just keep rolling down the deck and over the top. For fishing the lakes and bays of NYS I just can't beat my 18' Welcraft center console with remote control trolling motor, live well, great fuel economy and just ok speed (38mph).
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runwatyabrung: your not kidding - these things look like a b...tch to work on. Granted, they will probably need less work, but man it's tight in there.
 
Yah, but didn't Bayliner sell themselves on being a Brunswick company like Sea-Ray? So are we saying Yamaha is going to build an "ECONOMIC MODEL"? Hmm I guess it's the VENOM for now. LaLaLa
 
I dont agree with the " anyone can snowmobile " Look at the pencil neck that drives his Jaguar to work in the snow and complain's that he got stuck. What part of the gene pool is he from ? Snowmobiles and the folks that drive them are a breed of there own. Sure they are better than the old days and are improving every year but that still does not mean the average pencil neck is going to buy one and his wife one to go out in the cold. Cold weather scares people away. I for one do not wear driving gloves on the way to work when it snows, I have seen the pencil neck with the artic hat and gloves peering out a frost hole in the window, white knuckling the wheel and going 35 MPH. Now that type of person will never buy a new snowmobile. They think we are nuts ! That is exactly the what we need them to think. Tag me as the " crazy idiot out in the cold " I will wear that badge anywhere ! Never am I the pencil neck wishing for spring ! There are the anti's we need to watch out for, they want our trails and our trail permit money. I for one believe a guy who is buying for the first time should be broken in by a veteran. Never are those people thinking about the other guy or what happens when they are flying down a ice road and a car pulls out of a driveway, let alone what to do when in a difficult situation. I have seen the unexperienced following so close they are almost touching, not able to see in the snow dust, cruise right through a stop sign and ask " what stop sign ? " Those things are not in books ! There are people that know nothing about the sport, on high performance machines, driving way past there ability. This is where we need to focus some effort.
 
Pencil-necks don't like the cold? Look at all the skiers!
I've been at my dealer on busy Saturday afternoons with all kinds of people that appear mentally unfit for the sport inquiring about rental sleds.
At least I doubt the new Yammis will ever be used as rental sleds, thank god.
Keep them on the pull-start two-strokes.
 
Your Bayliner comments are out of line - my dad bought one in 1985 and it has been a great source of entertainment over the years. The only problem with it in 20 years - 1 CDI unit. You may say he bought junk, I think it was and still is a pretty nice boat. His ability to find quality at an affordable price has been proven time and again thoughout my meager 35 years on this world - last year he brought home a 1997 Vmax XTC 600! Great sled, switched me back to Yamaha after 20 years on cats and a Doo. Now I ride a Viper.

The more people that can get outside an enjoy boating and snowmobiling the merrier. There will always be a cycle of riding, people's family and financial situations change throughout their lives, and it's all good. People grow up too.

: )
 
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