Future of sleds...with rising fuel prices

[obr]

Do you think the manufacturers will start making sleds with smaller and more fuel efficient motors? Like they did with muscle cars in the 70's?

Do you think we've seen the peak hp/displacement motors now or do you think they will put out more BIG hp, and even turbo's on more motors than AC's done now???

I'm a bit worried...I don't care to much about mileage, but the 4000 miles Trail riders prolly do..especially when the sleds are also starting to cost more and more...

 

[yardfarmer]

I don't think peeps would buy 340's or smaller. I would bet the aftermarket engine peep's would love the increase in thier business.
That being said, I do think thier will be more attention toward emission. Thier was an artical posted about an electric sled, range of 18 miles, build by some college kids to use on some ice shelf research project.

 

[powdersledder]

I don't think peeps would buy 340's or smaller. I would bet the aftermarket engine peep's would love the increase in thier business.
That being said, I do think thier will be more attention toward emission. Thier was an artical posted about an electric sled, range of 18 miles, build by some college kids to use on some ice shelf research project.

That was one of the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge sleds. Right now the SAE site is down but here is a link to the keeweenaw reasearch centers site http://www.mtukrc.org/snowmobile.htm

The one you are thinking of was built by University of Wisconsin Madison


As for the original topic, I can see more development of the 600 and 700 class 2-strokes(phase out the 800+) and more reseearch into lightweight 4-strokes.

I know Polaris is rumored to have a 1000cc XLT triple 4-stroke

 

[rotax]

That was one of the SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge sleds. Right now the SAE site is down but here is a link to the keeweenaw reasearch centers site http://www.mtukrc.org/snowmobile.htm

The one you are thinking of was built by University of Wisconsin Madison


As for the original topic, I can see more development of the 600 and 700 class 2-strokes(phase out the 800+) and more reseearch into lightweight 4-strokes.

I know Polaris is rumored to have a 1000cc XLT triple 4-stroke

Xtra Light Tripple and 4 stroke in same sentance...huh!
Yes, yes I do ride a 4 stroke. But its still heavy!

 

[Rush44]

I think we might start seeing more propane sleds now that the market is starting to incorporate them more. Very clean burn, great high octane fuel.

 

[thefullmonte]

Snowmobiling is becoming an elite sport along with many others. Sled prices in the $10,000 range the need for a large displacement gas guzzling tow vehicle. For the plains states, there have been too many low snow years so even trail sleds are not a wise purchase. Less and less the family oriented sport we used to see.
The mountain segment seems to be the only somewhat stable part of snowmobiling. And for many this requires long journeys out west. Mountain riders are probably always going to want big hp motors. Four strokes will however be the inevitable future. Emissions and fuel economy. Like it or not it is and will continue to effect our industry.
Sled lines and options will have to be limited if manufactures hope to stay afloat. Carry over sleds by the dozens sitting on showroom floors year after year . Not to mention manufactures having to provide incentives and discounts can't be helping their situation.
I guess in the end I would expect to continue to see big hp in the mountains. The race line of sleds and a smaller more fuel efficient trail sled. Something like a 500cc four stroke.

 

[WFO or go home]

Unfortunately the sled market has been in the toilet for many years. Fuel prices and a slow economy may spell doom for the industry. I bet we will see our options dwindle in the future.

 

[R J]

It's a good thought, I don't know? I think the recreational OEM's need to pay attention to see if people will simply buy or not in this day and age. Some will, some won't, it's the fence riders that are easily swayed one way or another.

 

[likkerpig]

I will ride no matter what the price of gas is. Don't care one way or the other. I don't get the opportunity to ride every weekend, but for 1 week a year we get to head West and leave it all behind. That, to me, is priceless.

 

[2001rmk700]

I will ride no matter what the price of gas is. Don't care one way or the other. I don't get the opportunity to ride every weekend, but for 1 week a year we get to head West and leave it all behind. That, to me, is priceless.

totally agree you cant take your money with you to the grave so use it doing something you love.

 

[bluebear]

I think the bigger issue is fuel costs for tow vehicles. Our diesel vs. sled gas costs aren't even close. High diesel prices mean two things for me (living in Minnesota and riding out west): 1. Fewer trips 2. More people per trip.

Chris.

 

[Nate]

Do you think the manufacturers will start making sleds with smaller and more fuel efficient motors? Like they did with muscle cars in the 70's?

Do you think we've seen the peak hp/displacement motors now or do you think they will put out more BIG hp, and even turbo's on more motors than AC's done now???

I'm a bit worried...I don't care to much about mileage, but the 4000 miles Trail riders prolly do..especially when the sleds are also starting to cost more and more...

Could buy my Vector, gets great fuel mileage

 

[TBWdracula2003]

well gas around here has went down...

 

[danieln]

I could handle rising fuel prices alone, but Im more worried that it will be a hard time finding a job when we have extreme high fuel prices.

 

[tbeaton]

Unfortunately the sled market has been in the toilet for many years. Fuel prices and a slow economy may spell doom for the industry. I bet we will see our options dwindle in the future.

manufacturers could help slow sales by cutting costs on sleds. i know there is a lot that goes into them, but 10+g's for a sled is crazy. you want to sell more sleds, make them affordable for people. the same goes for trailers, 3+g's for a clamshell trailer is nuts.

 

[tm8man414]

personally i think the dumbest thing the manufactures could do would be to make a smaller engine. and gas is going to be extremely high be fore i stop riding!!!

 

[obr]

NATE!!! I would, but you need to make up your mind...before I can buy, you need to sell...LMAO...

And...well. I'm not sure if it would be the dumbest thing to do, as most people care more about fuel efficiency than motor...You know, mountain riders is a SMALL SMALL group, the averege rider rides trails, and lots of them, and spend alot on fuel....

 

[tm8man414]

but people wanna sacrifice the loss of power for better fuel economy

 

[Rush44]

but people wanna sacrifice the loss of power for better fuel economy

I don't want to ride with any of those people

 

[WFO or go home]

manufacturers could help slow sales by cutting costs on sleds. i know there is a lot that goes into them, but 10+g's for a sled is crazy. you want to sell more sleds, make them affordable for people. the same goes for trailers, 3+g's for a clamshell trailer is nuts.

Those items are only going to get more expensive. All the plastics and metals have escalated in price to the point of putting the manufacturing in this country in a strange hold.

I will be sledding this year irregardless of the fuel price, but the extra money is going to come out of other aspects of my budget. Looks like I will be cutting back on the meth this year.