November 18, 2006
Dear Ralph:
I was wondering, does it work to fit a 16†track under a 2003 Edge (Polaris) sled?
Michael Unger
Not really. The tunnel just isn’t wide enough. Some guys have got them in, but most of them jacked up the rear of the sled and spread the tunnel with spacers, and most will admit to having to trim the track to make it work, so I say don’t go there.
Now most of the Arctic Cat 15†sleds do have enough room to do it, we’re pretty much talking long track sleds. And the new Yamaha mountain sleds come with a 16†wide Maverick, so at least all of the long track 4-strokes should be do-able. I suggest consulting with a track specialist (like Tracks USA @ 320-382-6128) as to your specific installation. They work with so many riders they have a wealth of experience that you can benefit from.
November 16, 2006
Hygear has a dual rate spring kit for the Yamaha mono-shock rear suspension system. The spring kit is designed to provide more progression to help eliminate bottoming out while keeping the ride plush. With the dual rate spring system it is possible to set the proper ride height and increase the bottoming resistance deep in the stroke. The kit is also available for the Ohlins electronic shock and the Kayaba RA shock. Hygear Suspension PH: 607-533-7434
www.hygearsuspension.com
November 15, 2006
Check out the Feature article from the September 2006 issue of SnowTech on the Airwave Suspension from TeamFAST and Airlink Performance. Click Here!
November 15, 2006
Doug Stangl of Winnepeg, Manitoba shared with us his method of removing hyfax (sliders) from a Ski-Doo with small track windows; “I have found that if I raise the back end of the sled off the ground, remove the back two bolts from the skid and let it drop to the floor and then loosen the track adjusters right off, I am then able to shift the track over just enough to pull the sliders past the outside edge of the track. After replacing the sliders I use a floor jack under the skid to jack up the suspension to align the holes in the tunnel so I can re-install the suspension bolts.â€
By dropping the suspension partially out of the tunnel and loosening the track all the way, Doug has found this provides just enough slack in the track to pull it off to each side to get the hyfax out of and back into the sled.
November 15, 2006
Next Generation Performance 4-Stroke
Most of the time when we tell you “all new†it’s more a matter of mostly new. Well, this time around about the only thing that isn’t all new is maybe the track. From the skis to the chassis to the engine to the rear suspension, the 2007 Arctic Cat Jaguar Z1 is about as “all new†as you’re going to find.
Starting with the Twin Spar chassis, we find Arctic Cat’s torsionally rigid chassis to mount next-generation suspensions to. The rigid chassis itself is reason to get very excited, as the difference this makes in suspension performance is very noticeable and should also greatly improve chassis durability. Much of this comes from the use of self-piercing rivets instead of welding the aluminum. Arctic Cat claims the chassis will be just as strong after 8,000 miles as the day it left the factory, a hefty claim, indeed.
Arctic Cat engineers have created a trail-riders delight with the new Jaguar Z1 four-stroke. The engine is snowmobile-specific, mounted low and back like the Firecat to enhance handling and mass centralization. Compared to a Firecat, the torsional rigidity of the Twin Spar chassis is over 46% stiffer. A massive rear storage compartment is ideal for long distance rides, as is the fuel economy and range.
Just as important is the rider-forward ergonomics this new platform provides. The seating position of the Twin Spar chassis places the rider with a 90-degree bend in their knees, something Arctic Cat reps were adamant about. They firmly believe this is a better riding position than the REV offers, especially at the knee joint.
Also new is Arctic Cat’s IRP (Infinite Rider Positioning) system; an adjustable seat, handlebars and footrests. The seat has seven adjustment positions, moving about a half inch forward and a 1/3 inch vertically with each of the seven positions. This amounts to a total of 3.66†forward and 2.41†vertical movement range. A thick (7.17â€) of seat foam enhances the comfort with a forward slant to keep you in the cockpit. A cam lever at the rear of the seat lets you unlock, adjust and re-lock the seat with one hand.
The adjustable handlebars are really unique. A single locking lever top and center lets you move the bars fore and aft as well as being able to rotate the controls. A total of 3.32†forward and 2.11†vertical movement can be made, with a handlebar rotation of 85 degrees. The footrests can also be set to one of three positions, allowing the Jaguar Z1 to comfortably fit a wide range of rider sizes and styles. Also, a riser block can be installed to raise the bars even more, as the cables and wiring is said to be long enough to allow some further personalizing.
An adjustable height windshield offers five positions, from low and fast to tall and wind blocking. Total movement is in an arc with 3.55†of forward and 1.1†of vertical movement. All you do is unscrew the locks on each side, reposition the windshield and re-lock it.
Up front we find the seventh generation AWS front suspension. A CNC-machined front sub frame provides a strong mount, a key piece to making the Twin Spar chassis very rigid due to the lack of welds. Forged spindles and shock towers also increase the strength and rigidity of the front end and reduce the weight. The upper a-arm returns to a more traditional design with the shock inside the “Aâ€, unlike the Firecat’s AWS-6. The turning radius is back to where it should be, and steering effort is light due to a progressive steering ratio that uses a solid roller bearing on the steering post.
In the rear of the sled we find the “Slide Action Rear Suspensionâ€. This novel approach to suspension coupling comes from the 440 SnoPro race sleds. Rather than solid mount the upper mount of the front torque arm, a U-shaped slot allows some movement within a slot at this location. This allows you to maintain full front arm travel while controlling weight transfer under acceleration to help keep the skis on the ground for improved cornering and acceleration. The Slide Action reduces harshness by allowing a softer transition during coupling, instead of a definite crossover point from uncoupled to fully coupled. The slot allows the whole suspension to shift rearward when coupling, which provides an added anti-squat feature as well during acceleration.
Bottom line, your skis stay on the ground more often which means better steering response and handling across the board. Big-bump G-outs are less frequent, yet small chatter ride quality remains intact. The sled squats less when you gun it, and track tension is more consistent through the range of suspension travel. Getting the skid frame in and out of the sled is also easier. And finally, changes in rider weight are not as big of a deal with this arrangement, the suspension is more forgiving.
One long awaited feature is push-button electronic reverse. The Jaguar is fitted with the ACT Diamond Drive gearcase, and for 2007 the system has been enhanced with an electronically actuated mechanical reverse. The rider pushes a button under the throttle on the right-hand block and the system pops an actuator that locks a planetary gear for fast and positive reverse engagement. It is quick, smooth and always works; no engine stalling like is common with the reverse-rotation systems found on some 2-strokes. Yes, it weighs a bit more, but it works well.
Other technology in the drive train includes a four-tower primary with four flyweights, great for getting the extra torque of the 1056cc twin through the belt and into the gearbox. A 10.5†secondary clutch offers a lower ratio and provide a smooth low-speed take off while increasing high speed consistency with reduced belt slippage. A non-threaded belt adjuster aids in quicker belt fit and deflection.
The Jaguar Z1 is powered by an all-new compact 1056cc twin-cylinder 4-stroke. This high-compression fuel-injected engine features four valves per cylinder and has a power delivery more like a two-stroke; it builds with the engine RPMs, for Arctic Cat-like acceleration.
An O2 sensor and feedback system provides phenomenal economy, making this the cleanest Arctic Cat, ever.
Several unique technologies make their debut on this engine; Arctic Cat’s patented anti-engine braking takes away the harsh compression braking found on other four-strokes, giving the Jaguar a feel more like a two-stroke when you release the throttle. The Z1’s exhaust cam has a patented automatic de-compression system, so turning over the big bore twin is easier on cold mornings.
A breather system on the Z1 oil tank keeps oil in the tank and out of the engine compartment if the machine is tipped on its side, and a low oil pressure shut down system will shut the big twin down if oil pressure becomes too low, a safeguard to enhance durability.
Motor mounts are focused at the engine’s center of gravity, providing smooth operation despite the big twin architecture. Stainless steel exhaust system resists corrosion and keeps the system looking good for years.
How ’bout that snow-specific motor? This two-cylinder dry-sump 4-stroke fitted with EFI is built for one thing – snowmobiles. No compromises here, but it does cost more. It fits down into the chassis much like a Firecat engine, for a low center of gravity and centered mass. This greatly masks the extra weight of the extra hardware of a 4-stroke.
Quoted output is a stout 125 HP through the 1100 (1056cc), yet it is said to be cleaner than the T-660 engine! Cat engineers wanted the narrow, laydown parallel twin to have a power delivery more like the 2-strokes they were used to, so the torque curve increases through the RPM range instead of being as flat as most 4-strokes. This was to provide a “feel†of acceleration more like a 2-stroke. Engine compression braking is all but gone via a patented anti-engine braking system.
Ride Impressions
Wow. We didn’t fully realize the difference a rigid chassis could make. The Jaguar is noticeably heavier than say a Firecat, but the difference in ride quality and handling is most impressive. The rear suspension soaks up the bumps better than most anything, dare we say approaching an M-10 in comfort but more capable across a wider range of conditions. The skis stay planted, the thing rails flat, and the overall perception is nothing but solid. The engine feels to be right there with a Yamaha RS Vector, and the power really does build instead of the flatter torque from the Vector. Cat engineers wanted a 4-stroke trail sled that felt more like an Arctic Cat. In this, they succeeded.
Less mass seems to be in front of you with the engine where it is. The sound of the engine isn’t as pleasing as a Yamaha 3 or 4-banger, but it’s not as industrial as a Polaris FST either.
Overall we’ve been nothing but surprised by how the Jaguar Z1s have worked for us. We’re not crazy about the styling, but as you ride it you realize it is truly better by design. We scoffed at the adjustable seat at first, then tried it in all positions as the conditions varied. Low and back for flat running, high and forward through the bumps does make a difference.
The 2007 Arctic Cat Jaguar Z1 is available in three colors; Black, Green or Red and retails for $10,499.
November 15, 2006
One Naughty Little Mountain Sled
Back in 1984 the first Phazer captivated the snowmobling world’s imagination with its innovative styling. Now, 23 years later, Yamaha is going to screw up everyone’s stereotypes and impressions of what a mountain sled should look like, what it should cost and, gulp, how light a four-stroke snowmobile really can be.
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As mighty and as powerful as the RX-1 and now the Apex 4-strokes are, they are heavy sleds. Now here we have a 4-stroke mountain sled that claims a dry weight of under 500 pounds. Seriously. Yamaha knew they had to shatter the weight thing once and for all, so where the Apex and Vector lines are street-bike based, the Phazer models are dirt-bike based. We’re talking engine heritage and chassis construction. The Phazer models are powered by a new 2-cylinder 500cc 4-stroke that is more or less two of their 250cc dirt bike engines morphed into a single motor with EFI, high compression and a knock sensor. This ain’t no cheap motor, this is first class high end stuff right out of the gate. Five valve heads let the screamer spin up towards 12,000 RPM, with output shaft speeds geared down to sane levels for drive belt transmission performance.
According to Adam Sylvester, Yamaha Snowmobile Product Manager, the first priority in designing this model was to make it as light as possible without sacrificing strength. Second was to give it a level of handling and responsiveness not found on other liquid-cooled mountain sleds. Third was to tweak the throttle response to give mountain riders more squirt when they hit the gas. Fourth was to maintain the sled’s value. The last piece was styling to make it look as sleek and nimble as it is.
Sylvester continues, telling us the Phazer Mountain Lite’s first two design mandates, light weight and nimble handling, are closely related. Their engineering department began with a lightweight 2-cylinder engine and proceeded to build the sled around it – literally. The engine is buried down into the belly of the beast, as low and as centered as possible. The tube-style chassis is strengthened with Yamaha’s exclusive controlled flow die casting technology, providing a very rigid chassis without a lot of weight. That rigidity allowed the suspension engineers develop a very precise handling suspension setup.
Besides the mass-centralized compact chassis, the Phazer Mountain Lite also has Yamaha’s new sport rider-forward ergonomics. The narrow, YZ-style seat and wide bars are tall and forward to put the rider into a sport aggressive posture for instant inputs and feedback from the chassis, which works awesome in wide open powder bowls when you just want to carve and toss the little bitch from side to side.
One objective was to develop trend-setting styling, in the same tradition of the original Phazer. Yamaha stylists went to work cutting all of the empty space out of the sled. If it didn’t serve a purpose, a gap was eliminated and the outer body work moved inward. You can see this in the hood and bellypan, but it is best executed in the front end. Never before has a snowmobile been designed with a naked front suspension. It’s somewhat common in the sport ATV market. The same holds true for the styling cues on the seat and exhaust. Style-wise the Phazer Mountain Lite is a very good blend of ATV, dirtbike and snowmobile.
Riding Impressions
Don’t be so quick to judge this “little†mountain sled until you have the chance to ride one for a day. Right away, riders see the “80 HP†rating and they think they know how it’s going to work. Uh uh uh. Not so.
80 HP is the peak rating, and this is a four-stroke. That means it makes power across a fairly wide range of engine RPMs, so you don’t have to spin it that high to get it going. While the peak power is more like a 500cc 2-stroke, the bandwidth is more like a 600cc 2-stroke. The bottom end pull could even be more like a 700cc 2-stroke, for a while at least. It flattens out on top instead of continuing to peak, but getting there is actually surprising.
Gearing and calibration do wonders for this little scooter as well. It is geared down significantly from their short track cousins, and the amount of lift and acceleration afforded are met with a reduced top speed and a calibration that really is aimed at off-trail operation.
The front end styling gives one the impression that something is missing, but your eyes quickly adapt to the naked front suspension. We’re not so sure about how this will carve through certain types of wet snow, but it does look rather, well, futuristic. Minimalist, as well.
Riding the Phazer Mountain Lite, you have the sensation of the sled being a true _ size of “traditional†snowmobiles. This is a new sensation from a 4-stroke Yamaha. Up to this point, the 4-stroke Yamahas have been stellar groomed trail cruisers, and the Phazer models are on the other end of the spectrum, being so much smaller, lighter, and agile in comparison. You actually could forget it is a 4-stroke, as it shatters the mold of what we have come to expect from 4-stroke sleds up to this point.
Churning though the deep snow, the engine stays smack in its wide powerband, and the EFI system keeps the little 500 twin humming along smoothly and in tune, all the time. The Camoplast Maverick track is a whopping 144†long with 2†lugs, seemingly overkill for an 80 HP mill, but let that tell you something – this little thing will likely surprise you at where it can go and what it can do. Through the trees you will rule the roost, it’s climbing where it’ll lose ground speed, big time.
Built on a 14†tunnel, ala Firecat logic, the Phazer is narrower and agile, a real boondocker’s delight. There will be a great number of riders who just like playing in powder, not needing to climb to great heights to get their fix, and they will be attracted to the Mtn. Lite in droves. It is about as close as one can get to the flickability of an M-Series Arctic Cat in another brand. There is however, a sway bar up front, which provides stability going down a forest road or trail, but out in the deep it is not really all that noticeable. The balance afforded is well distributed.
Of all the new Phazer models for 2007, our staff agreed that the Mountain Lite was the most impressive of them all. The narrow nature and agility were best suited for the playful riding in deeper snow, and the throttle response gave us impressive capability to flick it around in and out of spots that would usually require greater effort. The sled made you feel like a better rider, a true sign of excellence. Yamaha built this sled to let people go out and ride for not a lot of money and just have a good time.
The 2007 Phazer Mountain Lite is available in one color package – White and Sliver – and retails for only $7,199.
November 15, 2006
The industry’s first GORE-TEX riding boot is “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry®â€!
Whether you live to carve through fresh powder all day long, pound out a 200-300 mile day or just ride casually through winter’s beauty, you’ll do it with warm and dry feet in Klim’s new Adrenaline Boot. The Adrenaline Boot is the only snowmobile boot on the market with a GORE-TEX membrane and W.L. Gore and Associates’ famous “Guaranteed to Keep You Dry†promise.
“Our research shows that about 90 percent of competitive boots are neither waterproof nor breathable,†explained Klim President Justin Summers. “But the real soaker for snowmobilers is perspiration, and even those boots that are waterproof won’t let that escape.†The Adrenaline Boot’s GORE-TEX membrane and multi-layer perforated construction meets Gore’s stringent standards for breathability. That means when sledders get moving and their feet start to sweat (more than a pint of sweat a day) the Adrenaline Boot will draw that moisture out to the world, keeping socks as warm and dry as when the ride started!
“We built the Adrenaline Boot for serious snowmobilers because we designed them for ourselves,†said Summers. Consumers will find a tough, abrasion-resistant composite outsole with a Kicker Toe to protect the boots from wear caused by traction strips and tunnel bolts. “Our new polyurethane midsole resists packing out better than competitive EVA midsoles,†he added. “We put our Adrenaline Boots on some of the most aggressive, gear-abusing riders we know for thousands of miles to prove out their durability. These boots are made to thrive in the harsh usage serious snowmobilers put their gear through.â€
The new Adrenaline Boot features 600 grams of 3M Thinsulate™ insulation. This offers excellent warmth protection without adding bulk. “The Thinsulate material we use in the Adrenaline Boot is one of the thinnest and toughest insulations on the market. It takes a beating and retains its loft without retaining moisture,†said Summers.
Riders will appreciate Klim’s attention to ankle support and flexibility. The Adrenaline boot is not as stiff as many of the “snowcross†or “snowboard†boots currently on the market. “One of our goals for the Adrenaline Boot was to design it so that people can actually walk in them,†said Summers. “We started with a molded composite skeleton for lateral stability and then worked on the right cutout shape to allow good forward flexibility at the ankle. Owners will be very happy with the walkability of the Adrenaline Boot.â€
Klim brought some of the first snowmobile-specific GORE-TEX jackets and pants to the market, and now offers the first Gore-Tex boot to snowmobiling. “We have a very strong working partnership with the team at Gore,†noted Summers. “That relationship has allowed us to offer snowmobilers the best, most technically advanced riding garments in the world.â€
The Adrenaline Boot will be available as Klim Dealerships in the Fall of 2006. Offered in sizes ranging from men’s 7-14 with a retail Price of only $159.99. Visit www.klimusa.com to find the nearest dealer.
November 15, 2006
The Freestyle Explosion
Last year Ski-Doo introduced their simpler, lighter, smaller and less expensive Freestyle. Powered by a single-cylinder 300cc, it demonstrated the basic elements of a less complex snowmobile that could be loads of fun without such a high price. Attracting younger riders was the main idea. It was perfectly suited for “tweener†riders – between the pint-sized Mini Z and full-sized fan-cooled sled. Strong sales (many areas were sold out early in the season) confirmed that the market for a lightweight, easy-to ride, radical-looking sled is strong.
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While the concept was valid, the narrow ski stance and small engine narrowed the appeal of the machine greatly. Now for 2007 witness the Freestyle explosion. Ski-Doo has broadened its appeal with a more powerful engine and two new packages for more experienced riders. Once there was one, now there are four. All of the three additional models are powered by a revised version of the twin-cylinder Rotax 550cc fan-cooled two-stroke.
The Rotax 550 fan has been in production for a number of years, and gets revised port timing for the Freestyle models to give it even more bottom end and midrange, a re-shape of the powerband (if you will) to best match the application.
The narrow stance 300 is now called the “Freestyle Session 300Fâ€. Also offered is the Freestyle Session 550F, the Freestyle Back Country 550F, and the rad-looking bad-boy Freestyle Park 550F. Where the original Freestyle was intended and equipped mainly for play in meadows and approved areas, with light trail riding, the Park targets more experienced riders who want top performance. The Back Country will especially appeal to riders wanting to head into deeper snow for freeriding, or snowboarding.
All of the Freestyle models remain true to the vision; smaller, simpler less complex sleds that are less expensive and within the reach of more buyers, especially younger ones.
Freestyle Park
Here is the extreme Freestyle sled, ready to take on trails and stunt parks. The orange and black Freestyle Park is a tricked-out model with upgraded shocks, more powerful engine and race-style handlebars. Eating up bumps – in the trail or snow park – are standard HPG shocks in the front and rear, as well as the snocross-proven SC-4 rear suspension. For stable cornering, the ski stance is widened to 39†and a sway bar is added. A 121†x 15†x 1.25†lug track boosts traction.
With the added power of a standard 550cc fan-cooled engine combined with the ultra lightweight and nimble RF platform, trail riding and playing in snow is really fun. The official dry weight spec is 410 pounds! Trail ride it, play with it, it’s all good. For ultimate maneuverability, Rotax Electronic Reverse is standard.
Of course, Ski-Doo designers had to match these upgrades in substance with upgrades in style, too. The Freestyle Park looks trick with an extra-low windshield, riser block, J-hooks and Acerbis handguards. The body reflects a radical attitude with new grey body panels with spicy orange hood and graffiti-style graphics.
The 2007 Ski-Doo Freestyle Park sells for $5,849.
Freestyle Back Country
The new long-track Back Country package improves your capability for heading into deep snow and freeriding. The more powerful 550 Fan engine does a surprising job at spinning the 136†x 16†x 1.25†PowderMax track, and with an official dry weight spec of 415 pounds (four hundred fifteen – no, that was not a typo) the Back County floats where others sink. Pulling this one out of the rhubarb is equally as fun; it’s really much less of an issue.
You can bang on this one as well, as it too is fitted with the capable SC-136 rear suspension and HPG shocks, front and rear. The wider 39-inch ski stance and sway bar makes it very trail capable as well, giving the Back Country a wide swath of conditions that it works well in. A speedometer, cargo rack and center grab strap are all standard issue as well.
The 2007 Ski-Doo Freestyle Back Country sells for $5,849.
Freestyle Session
For 2007, Ski-Doo is expanding the base Freestyle’s capability on trails, with the added power of the Rotax® 550F engine and a 39-inch ski stance standard. Now riders won’t have to pedal as hard when trail riding, trying to keep up with the rest of the pack. A 300cc/32-inch ski-stance configuration is also still available with the Session package. 550 models also come with a speedometer, standard.
Keeping the Freestyle accessible to its young target, it still starts at an aggressive price point. The 2007 Ski-Doo Freestyle Session 550F retails for $5,399 and the 300F a mere $4,099!
Ride Impressions
Last year we liked the idea of smaller, lighter and less expensive, but felt the single-popper 300 was just not enough. Even for a novice, but maybe a youngster. Getting three new models with a 550 fan is just what the dealers and consumers wanted, and the results are a bullseye. The added torque of the 550 makes for fun ski popping and brisk acceleration, fun but not obnoxious. They remain more of a play sled than an MX Z, but open up the realm of possibilities for younger riders and how they want to use their equipment. Image is everything to them, and these sleds are cool, especially the Park.
We were able to trail ride them extensively, where they performed with ease. The Park was more agile through the trees where the Back Country floated better. Their super light weight makes them a joy to do tricks with where other sleds would land with a “thudâ€. That’s the idea. Not everyone needs to go at warp 9 to have fun. A new age sled for new age riders.
November 15, 2006
Mountain riders have discovered the Arctic Cat M-Series sleds can over tension the track as the suspension goes through its travel. For this reason, many riders have resorted to running their tracks looser than they feel comfortable with.
While many will install extrovert drivers to help deal with this problem, a geometry revision is helpful to cure the root problem; inconsistent track tension as the suspension goes through its travel cycle.
One of the most popular options to help this problem is to install the “M7 Front Torque Arm Relocation Kit†from Holz Racing in Lynden, WA. www.holzracingproducts.com. This innovative ($69.95) kit fixes the track tensioning problem on stock M7 rear suspensions so the suspension can cycle freely without the track over-tightening. This, of course, frees up horsepower and improves the ride quality. Most owners have found this to be a “must have†for an M7!
November 14, 2006
Here is Dalton Pro quality and accuracy at a great price. While not the extreme flexibility or corrosion resistant of the Dalton Pro Ultimate pin kit, this new “mid-range premium” pin kit offers exceptional performance and value. These new mid©range pins are manufactured from high quality billet alloy steel and thoroughly hardened and tempered. Adjustable from 14.5 to 20.4 grams and can be used in any clicker position for a new level of quality and adjustability.
Dalton Industries PH: 902-897-3333 www.daltonindustries.com
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