state of the sport 1993

 
From a snowmobiler's viewpoint, this is one of the best years for sleds we've seen in quite a while. While there are some nifty new snow vehicles available, most are limited production models and you have to get them early.

Seems that the snowmobile manufacturers, two of whom are celebrating major anniversaries, are opting for caution. The production runs of all four sled makers will be conservative for the 1992-93 season. Bombardier, which introduces a nifty new "Z" series, is only going to make a couple thousand of the MX Z and the 800cc Mach Z production run will only be in the hundreds. Ditto with Arctco and the awesome 900cc Thundercat triple. Polaris executives have already told us that production of the 750cc Indy Storm, Indy XLT, and Indy XCR models is virtually sold-out for September due to extremely successful spring promotions.

With production limited in certain models, an economy that continues to stagnate, and caution by the sled makers, the 1993 model year should be good but probably not overwhelming when it comes to sled sales. As consumers, many of us are uncertain about many things as well.

However, as Ski-Doo's head man, Tony Kalhox told the assembled masses at the June International Snowmobile Congress, this is going to be a great year for snow. He claimed that the volcanic spewing of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines would result in colder than normal conditions. He was right about summer being cold in the Midwest. Let's see if his predictions hold.

If they do, his company's new sleds will be some of the most in demand models. After a week long test riding and photo session in West Yellowstone last March, we couldn't help but come away impressed with Ski-Doo. The MX Z was an immediate favorite. It has a solidly reliable powertrain and the new chassis is extremely responsive. The trailing arm front suspension may look like Polaris' but we can tell you that this sled isn't a "Yellow Indy." The MX Z and Mach Z have their own distinct personalities. The MX Z is a trail animal. You can't put enough miles on this sled. It is truly that much fun to ride. You'll take it off trails, into deeper snow, everywhere. It is the most fun Ski-Doo to ride since the original Olympiques.

The Mach Z is an awesome triple headed experience. It has the first 800cc Rotax since the early 1970s. This one is a triple.

But Ski-Doo engineering didn't stop there. The Mach I won't need the back up of an "X" version. The base Mach I starts off with the potent 669cc Rotax RAVE twin that powered Ski-Doo to the Formula III championship at Eagle River last January. On the Plus side, there is a fuel injected model created by Mikuni expressly for the non-RAVE 580cc twin. Then, the Grand Touring draws on last year's fundamental Plus running gear but with extremely plush touring niceties. Even the Safari series has been revamped to make it an especially attractive buy for folks on a budget.

Overall, Ski-Doo really got its act in gear. It was painful at times for the Canadian company, but blowing out inventory and taking a hard look at itself is going to pay dividends this year and into the future.

While Ski-Doo looks to the future, the firm recalls its past as it celebrates 50 years of pioneering over-snow technology.

Yamaha celebrates 25 years in the snowmobile business, but don't look for any big "blow outs," that's not the Yamaha way. This company will continue to look to the future.

That future won't be as awe-inspiring as it was a year ago. The VMax 4 is a known quantity and the competition has caught up with it in performance. Refinements are the key thing with Yamaha this year. And a little "SX" appeal. The Exciter II SX is a mini-VMax with a juiced up Exciter engine. The new widened front end makes this Yamaha the equal of every other hot 500 class in the business when it comes to handling and cornering. The strut suspension on the SX is Yamaha's best ever. It was always great in straight ahead handling, but now it excels in turns as well. This SX is the "sleeper" of the year.

The most awesome sled of the year comes from Arctco. If the production Thundercats are anywhere near as potent as the test sled we rode last spring, fasten your helmet straps and grab on to the handlebars! The T-Cat we rode was the fastest, most awesome production sled we've ever ridden. In fact, we can't recall any one-off specials that we've ridden that can do what the T-Cat can do.

Cat president, Chris Twomey, suggested that you lead, follow or get out of the way. Chances are you won't be leading the Thundercat, so everyone else better prepare to follow or get blown out of the way. Yes, the 900cc triple-headed Cat was that impressive.

Then, too, so was the 580cc EXT Z. This is a Kirk Hibbert special as rumor has it that this famed cross-country western racer's ideas proved essential to setting up the handling on this machine. The bored out 550cc twin motors and the suspension package with gas shocks lets you pull some impressive riding in some awful conditions. This Cat works extremely well. So do the new Wildcats, led by a fuel injected AWS version. As we speculated last season, the old body style EFI Wildcat is history. The new chassis Wildcat EFI is a treat.

As a matter of fact, Arctco has great confidence in its EFI. You'll find a very crisp running 550 EFI in the EXT and Pantera. The Pantera also gets a unique fiberglass overload spring to assist two up riding on this truly luxurious Catillac.

We've given Cat some grief over the past couple of seasons, but we won't this year. Arctco has the best model line up in its history. Even the sleds that we can't get excited about have been improved in ergonomic ways.

Twomey is right...lead, follow or get out of the way.

Well, the industry sales leader, Polaris isn't running scared. The pre-season sales were the best ever according to Polaris insiders. The Minnesota-based firm has more triples than any other sled maker. And more experience with them.

The hot triple is the 744cc which comes with the Indy Storm. The all new triple in the XLT is a 580cc unit with common cylinders and heads. And, of course, there is the 650cc fuel injected triple in the RXL series.

According to an announcement made by Polaris president Ken Larson at the International Snowmobile Congress, Polaris is expected to limit production below its peak of a couple seasons ago. He also reiterated the Polaris philosophy that centers around profitability and not numbers of units produced. Polaris has been exceptionally well managed over the years and it looks like that will remain the case into the future.

A further indication of the Polaris approach is its near fanatic concern about quality. While frequently over used, the word quality at Polaris means everything from prompt response when the telephone rings to overall excellence in product. Polaris is currently putting together educational programs to upgrade quality and maintain excellence. This is no buzzword. The drive for quality started with the chairman of the board and the executive management team which completed the first blocks of training before introducing the program company-wide this summer. The drive started at the top.

With sales pegged at 150,000 units - give or take a few thousand - for 1993, the snowmobile industry is serious about watching what it builds. The remaining four sled makers managed to get themselves into a mini-inventory fix over the past few years. They seem to have recovered and are approaching the production runs with caution and conservative programs.

There are probably more niches in snowmobiling for 1993 than there were in the heyday when more than 100 companies came and went in the business. This is good. In fact, considering that a 1993 dollar bill is worth three 1973 dollars, the overall price of sledding hasn't really increased all that much. Twenty years ago, the sport didn't have the trails it has today nor the reliable sleds. Overall, this will be a great year for new models...if you get one early.