In the mid-west states, the official start of winter is
Hay Days, well here in Ontario its the
Go Snowmobiling Show. Kind of interesting to watch the
buzz around the office as we start to prepare our media fleet, show units and demos for the upco
http://snowmobiles.yamahablogs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/haydays-1.jpgming season. The metal crate remains are getting stacked by the back door awaiting the arrival of
Sanford and Son and our storage shed is becoming swollen with new sleds in need of
trail permits. Still haven’t spotted my new Apex GT buts that’s probably a good thing… which brings me to a small muse.
Snowmobiling
differs from all the other products we sell in the way the hardware is
viewed.
http://snowmobiles.yamahablogs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/hd2.jpg
Motorcyclists are very tuned to their
bikes but in the end, its clearly the ride and
image which create the
emotional response.
ATV’ers can be very aware of the machine and its features but end of the day, its the promise of
exploring and related outdoor
activities that become available given the
access afforded by the bike.
Outboards, well these are essentially
appliances used to propel the main
vessel and aquatic focus of the owner. That leaves
snowmobiles.
No other product recieves so much
critical attention relative to the design and
performance. What I’m trying to say is many sled heads put the equipment
ahead of the riding
experience. It’s more important to achieve an extra hundred foot lead at the end of the lake than to be outside riding in the first place. Carrying an extra 5 mph throughout a long stretch of woop-de-dooed trail, takes precedent over cruising the same section and enjoying the view. If I had a nickel for every brand blind, POS diatribe issued by an impassioned rider in defense of their chosen sled, I’d be a rich man.
I try to imagine what it is like in this day and age for a
newbie, who may be
attracted by the notion of getting into the sno-mo game. More than likely the initial attraction is all about
outdoors access , breaking away from TV induced
‘cabin fever’ and floating over endless miles of the white stuff in search of
adventure. How long does it take for this person to get sucked in to the ‘mines bigger than yours’ mentallity? How quickly will they decide only one brand is worthy of ownership and all others should be
critized and scoffed? You should have at least a 130hp horsepower with a foot and half of suspension to enjoy a groomed trail. And, oh yeah, if your sled is a bit heavier than your friends, you’re in big trouble. How many will get turned off by the sheer cost and
competition of it all returning to the safe
comfort of the living room and This Week In NASCAR?
If only we had as much energy devoted to promoting the
enjoyment of being comfotably outside on a sparkling
winter day with the whole world to
explore. No strings, no pressure no equipment complex. Which brings me to the point.
http://snowmobiles.yamahablogs.ca/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/supertrax-mark-lester_sm.jpg
Mark Lester from
Supertrax asked me earlier this week what I liked most about snowmobiling. Easy question… at first glance.
Give it some thought! I did. ;-) cr
