1990 skidoo safari lc amp formula mx

A funny thing happened on the way to our report on the Ski-Doo Formula MX. You see, we also borrowed a brand new Safari LC as a point of reference. Since both sleds have essentially the same engine, we thought that we could get a good impression of the two different suspension systems used on the sports model MX and the trail touring LC.

Well, we did. What was going to be a story about the Formula MX turns out to be a story about the Safari LC. And a little bit of both.

We went into the story with the attitude that the MX would be a sporty sled with ample power and very good handling. It is.

We also suspected that the Safari LC would have ample power, but handling would be below the level of the MX. It isn't. It is different. But it is as good as the MX, but at a different level.

If we were racing cross country, we'd take the Formula suspension. If we were going cross country, we'd take the Safari LC.

The Safari LC hasn't gotten a lot of ink mainly because it was a late season addition to the Safari line. It wasn't available last Spring when we did our photo/test session out west. That's Ski-Doo's error.

Our error would have been if we didn't experience this top line trail cruiser personally.

It is similar to the two-up Safari GLX. It doesn't have reverse gear, the two-up seat, nor the added on-board storage boxes. It does have a single carb 462cc Rotax liquid-cooled twin with rotary valve. It does have the TRA clutch. It does have the new trail suspension, known as Transverse-A. And it does have lots of on-trail zip.

We also think that this is the nicest styled Safari. Tricked out in hot "Plus" red with nice trim attention, the LC stands out on the trail and parked in front of most pit stops.

Versus the Formula MX, you sit up higher and the engine isn't located as low in the engine bay. It also means that you don't have to use a fuel shut-off switch to keep gas from being pumped into the engine by bouncing slide valves in your carbs when trailering. We like the electric start that comes standard on the LC, since we found the 462cc twin has a long recoil travel when compared to other brands. We also found the primer easier to deal with on the electric start model. Although we have to be honest and say that the primer isn't all that bad once you get used to it and learn the particular sled's idiosyncrasies.

While we're on the subject, we understand the thinking behind the primer. As explained to us, the primer forces Ski-Dooers to warm up the engine before hopping on board and racing off. It's a forced way of making snowmobilers baby the engine and help prolong engine life. We have noted that on other sleds with fuel enricheners (chokes), we can start a cold engine and jam the throttle full wide open for a quick blast across the lake. In most owners' manuals that is a prescribed "no-no." Common sense and fear of a major repair bill is supposed to stop us from doing such a thing. Ski-Doo engineers take the opposite tactic and force us to warm up the motor first. Now, frankly, the primer isn't our favorite thing to deal with. But we have learned to live with it and found it isn't that big of a deal once we acquired some experience.

Once running, we quickly learned to appreciate this engine- in either MX twin-carbed form or LC single-carbed form. As far as we are concerned, this is one of the most enjoyable powerplants in the industry. It is responsive from low end to top end. It has good torque, adequate top end, and very smooth trail manners.

Since the LC has a single carb there is no need for the two-step throttle control used on the MX. The LC throttle is light and easy to pull on a day's ride. The MX with the two-stage throttle is equally easy to use if you aren't moving up to the full open position where it becomes stiffer. Without thinking about it, we didn't realize how little you actually go beyond half throttle when enjoying a leisurely trail ride.

If you are a trail rider and not a trail racer, you will enjoy the LC more than the MX. The Formula suspension is stiffer and more suited for speed. The LC unit is extremely well designed for choppy trails where you take moguls at slower speeds and want more immediate cushion and perhaps care less about progressive reaction to hard bumps that you'd encounter at higher trail speeds.

In cornering we were delighted to discover that the Safari LC has MX cornering power and an ability to carve turns almost as smoothly as the sportier Formula model. The LC has a very thick sway bar that transfers lean extremely well without transferring excess steering harshness.

The Transverse-A on the Safari LC was light and precise. The MX front end carried more weight and while it carved the turns with greater precision, we were impressed with the Safari's sporty handling through the "twisties."

Across the lake, we found the LC was about as quick off the mark as the more powerful MX but down an easy five miles per hour on top end. The MX gets better mid-range performance from the twin-carb set-up too, but the LC is no slouch and playing catch up isn't like chasing a bullet with a 4x8 panel of plywood.

What didn't we like? Well, we found that the little plastic gizmo used to hold up the center of the large LC windscreen was history within a hundred miles. It didn't seem necessary anyway. We would like an optional reverse gear on all sleds that weight more than 400 pounds, this one included. With studs and carbides, these sleds are brutal to drag off a trailer.

What else? We'd like to see the MX get a cushioned gas tank like that on the Plus, Mach I and Safari LC. It just looks cheap not to have it on a sporty sled like this.

If we had to choose between one of these 462cc powered Ski-Doos, we'd opt for the Safari LC. Nothing against the MX, but we like the trail touring ride of the LC better. We also feel that when we want to get into the "spirit" of flogging the sled down the trail for sport, the LC will perform well at speed, too. The MX is bred for performance riding and is heavier and stiffer riding for plain, no hurry trail touring. For those of you who consider yourselves sport riders at least 75 percent of the time, go with the Formula series If you have the wherewithal to admit that you like comfort with a modicum of sport riding, opt for the Safari series- especially the Safari LC.

Both are fine sleds and will serve you well. But we have to admit that we found the Safari LC to be the most pleasant surprise of the year. It is a good all around performer with ample power, above average ride and handsome good looks.
Like we said, it would have been a loss not to have experienced the Safari LC. Consider it for the future. It is a good value and a delightful snowmobile on any trail. This new Safari series is the best ever touring sled from Ski-Doo.