1996 skidoo summit 500

Bombardier is taking mountain sledding seriously. It was obvious when the company introduced the Summit series. It was more obvious when the company based one of its top "techies" in the Colorado mountains and told him to research and develop new sleds specifically for the western powder rider. The fruits of that labor are seen in the 1996 Summit 500.

The newest Ski-Doo mountaineer uses the all new Rotax twin that replaces the old 463cc twin. We liked that old liquid-cooled Rotax, but we absolutely adore the new twin. It is one of those engines that just works. Statistically there's nothing all that special about the new Rotax. It's pretty similar to Yamaha's 500. But it is a "magic" motor in that it combines better than average top-end with very strong low-end and excellent mid-range power. And this is without the RAVE exhaust modifiers, which would further increase performance.

While the Summit 500 is slotted just behind the larger-displacement Summit 670 and Summit 583, in many ways this smaller-displacement Summit is aimed at Yamaha's Phazer-based Mountain Lite. Both are light and nimble. Both have twin cylinder engines in the 500cc range. The Yamaha uses a fan-cooled twin. The Summit opts for liquid-cooling and a rotary valve intake.

The Summit 500's 499.3cc liquid-cooled engine is similar to the 500 we found in the Formula SLS and Grand Touring 500. The main difference between the mountain-climbing Summit and the other two Ski-Doos is that the former uses Bombardier's High Altitude Compensator (HAC) - a system that eliminates the need for rejetting when altitude and temperature change. HAC will take you there without making you stop to rejet. This lightweight device mounts through the side of the air silencer box and senses changes in temperature and barometric pressure. The pressure in the float bowls changes accordingly and the proper mixture of fuel and air is provided automatically.

Designed exclusively for the deep-powder, high-altitude thrills of mountain riding, the lightweight, low-cost Summit 500 is said to have the most powerful
engine in its class.

For maximum performance, two 38mm carbs - ignited by C.D.I. - fuel the engine which, in turn, drives the time-tested Bombardier Total Range Adjustable clutch (TRA) clutch. This year Ski-Doo powertrain engineers have managed to reduce vibration more than ever. This fine-tuned drive system also requires 45 percent less energy to engage. That means power is transferred more smoothly and efficiently to the track.

Making the climb easier is the light weight of the new S-2000 chassis. It's similar to the former Summit's F-2000 aluminum chassis, but it's about 30 pounds lighter and it rides on the new SC-10 long-travel rear suspension with 10 inches of rear travel. Completing the comfort package are two rear gas shocks and 6.5 inches of DSA front suspension. Rear suspension adjustments are made easy with the new limiter strap.

The best way to climb a mountain is to drive a snowmobile with little weight and lots of power. This new Summit is designed to do precisely that. A 37-inch ski stance and new long-travel SC-10 suspension provide comfort and sidehilling capability while the multi-V 136-inch track with 1-1/2" lugs is designed to really dig into the snow. Thirty-degree footrests improve your hold and plastic skis ride higher in the powder.

At 114.6" x 42.5" x 44.1" the Summit 500 weighs in at 472 pounds. All that power is easy to control with Ski-Doo's mechanical, self-adjusting disc brake.

Other standard equipment includes five-inch carbide runners, front bumper, heated grips and throttle lever, mechanical fuel gauge, large face speedometer
and tach, temperature warning light, trip meter, manual fuel shut-off valve, progressive throttle, and a low windshield.

Ski-Doo has created a worthy challenger to Yamaha's Phazer Mountain Lite, which has been one of the best light-footed powder machines to date. Both
offer exceptional snow-ability. The Ski-Doo does it with a new liquid-cooled
twin. Yamaha stays with its fan-cooled twin. If you like to poke around at high elevations, you now have a choice and a hard decision to make. The Summit 500 is exceptional.

1996 SKI-DOO SUMMIT 500
 Engine Type: 499.3cc ROTAX® 494 liquid cooled twin
 Exhaust: Tuned muffler
Clutching
Drive: Cushion drive T.R.A.C., 3 ramps
Driven: Formula, cam, on countershaft
Suspension
Front: DSA; 6.5 inches
 Rear: Long-travel, SC-10 Touring 10.0 in.
Ski Stance: 37.0 in.
Overall Height: 44.1 in.
 Overall Length: 114.6 in.
Fuel Capacity: 10.6 U.S. gallons
Offical Dry Weight: 472 lbs.
 PriceUS  $5,699.00
Key Features: Carbides, heated grips and throttle lever, high altitude
kit, speedo. Optional: adj. backrest, electric start, forward/ reverse,
high windshield.
Riding Impressions: The best deep snow machine around, period. I
actually rode this machine totally submerged in powder with just the top
four inches of the windshield visible. Of the 500, 583 and 670, the 500
was my favorite, but I can't help but wonder how much better it would perform
with a RAVE valve. - Steve Ingram, test rider