AmSnow.com is now SnoWest.com
BACK-END BREAKDOWN
Three sleds with three different takes on smoothing out your backside:
Ski-Doo 120-in. rMotion, 15.5 in. travel. Long considered the best in the industry for trail riding, the rMotion offers easy adjustability and a “set-it-and-forget-it” sweet spot. Just about any rider can set this suspension to their liking. But the shorter length allows for a minimal amount of push through rough corners, and now the 129s are becoming the new norm.
Arctic Cat 129-in. Slide-Action, 13.5 in. travel. It’s the first of the current 129-inchers to hit the consumer market. A coupled suspension with movement lets you control transfer while maintaining front arm movement to keep skis planted during hard acceleration and big bumps. A smaller, 1.5-inch rear shock diameter only slightly limits performance.
Yamaha 129-in. SingleShot, 11.8 in. travel. This first-year rear skid features a single-shock design (vs. the dual-shock of the other two). Massive shock cylinder volume and extra air chamber have an awesome anti-bottoming effect. The new 129-inch length required an updated geometry that smooths stutters nicely and drops weight. It’s only missing a front end to match the ability of the rear suspension.