1997 skidoo formula s
Amsnow
More money doesn't necessarily mean a better sled. Take the Formula S,for instance. Spend some time looking at what this low-cost snowmobile has to offer; you might just end up saving a few dollars and still get what you're looking for in a snow machine.
To start, the Formula S uses a recoil pull. From there, the trusty 368cc Rotax fan-cooled twin takes over. Fed by a pair of 30mm Mikuni carbs, this sled uses a pair of econo-pumpers to add a little zip. This is the same power configuration found on the Touring E, Touring E LT and the Skandic 380, all of which are designed to haul loads. So it stands to reason that when you put this engine setup into a solo machine, it is going to seem stronger and faster. It does. The tuned exhaust and new tuned muffler alsoadd to its power and efficiency.
The big consideration this season is a sled's power-to-weight ratio.This is one of the biggest assets on the Formula S - it is pretty light.Weighing in at a reported 430 pounds, this sled doesn't need much to propel it down the trail, and you won't need much to pull it out of a drift. In comparison, Polaris claims that a dry Indy Lite weighs 391 pounds and Cat reports Puma's dry weight at 407 pounds. Both of these sleds sport 339cc twins.
Since the Formula S is lightweight, the mechanical, self-adjusting brake works fine, especially since it comes with a brawny, glove-sized lever on the handlebar. Ski-Doo was looking for a place to save you a few bucks;this is one of the places it turned to on the Formula S.
Another place Ski-Doo saves you money is in the suspensions, specifically in the shocks. The front end is supported by the Direct Shock Action system,which features a trailing arm design and uses radius rods for stability.The 7.5 inches of travel are controlled by a pair of hydraulic shocks. These could be upgraded easily to gas for an even smoother ride, but are not necessary on this sled.
In the rear, Ski-Doo went with the SC-10 Sport configuration, which provides 10 inches of travel. Again, hydraulic shocks are standard on the Formula S, but upgrading to gas won't hurt at all. In fact, if you do upgrade the shocks on the sled, essentially you will have a low-power, lightweight Formula 583.
In appearance, we thought the low windshield, hood design and graphics give the Formula S a sporty look. The one thing we did not like when we looked at it, though, was the unpainted tunnel. While it undoubtedly saves money, we would rather pay out the extra few dollars, and have a machinethat looks little more finished.
Ergonomically, the Formula S benefits from current concepts built into the higher-priced models. The seat is soft and the straight-style handlebars make it feel a little racy. The foot-rests fit nicely and won't make you feel cramped. In general, man and machine work well together on this snowmobile.
While you won't find a lot of standard features on the Formula S straight out of the box, Ski-Doo offers many add-on options. Both electric startand reverse gear are available, as well as heated grips and throttle lever.You can also improve the instrumentation with an electric fuel gauge, tach and hour meter. If comfort and touring are more your style, you may wantto consider an adjustable backrest, luggage rack, mirror kit and a higher windshield, or you may just buy a Touring E LT straight out because that's basically what you've just built.
All in all, the Ski-Doo Formula S offers a sound purchase for budget-conscious snowmobilers. While it doesn't come with many bells and whistles, the Scan be easily enhanced to create your own custom machine. If you are inthe market for an entry-level sled or a second machine, we suggest you take some time and look at the Formula S.
1997 Ski-Doo Formula S
Overall Height: 44.1 inches
Overall Length: 107.3 inches
Weight: 430 lbs
Ski Stance: 40 inches
Engine: Rotax 368cc fan-cooled twin
Exhaust: Tuned pipe
Clutch:
Drive: Bombardier Lite
Driven: Formula cam, on countershaft
Suspension Travel:
Front: DSA swing arm, hydraulic shocks, 7.5 inches
Rear: Long-Travel SC-10 Sport, hydraulic shocks, 10 inches
Fuel Capacity: 10.6 gallons
Key Features: Self-adjusting mechanical brake, speedo, mechanical fuel gauge, injectionoil level indicator, high beam indicator, hood grills, front bumper, parkingbrake, low windshield. Optional: electric start, reverse, hand and thumbwarmers, high altitude kit.
Retail Price: $3,399