Department > Adventure Toys
ATV Snowmobile Guide, Part 1
Looking for hot sled action on the cold slopes? We got your hardware right here.
by Rob Reaser
photography by the manufacturers
If you live in the snowy climes, or enjoy annual pilgrimages to winter wonderlands, you know that powder puff time is nigh. To set your snowmobile season off on the right track, we want to let you in on the latest offerings from the sled manufacturers for the 2005 model year. Everyone has something new to crow about, so check out the following skid-and-track monsters, then choose your weapon!
Arctic Cat T660 Turbo ST
It’s all about the “Woa!” At least it is if you’re talking about the new Arctic Cat T660 Turbo ST. There’s 110 horsepower banging out of this 658 cc three-cylinder four-stroke beast. The base engine is the same as that of the naturally aspirated 660 sleds in the Arctic Cat fleet, but in the T660 Turbo it comes with a few specific upgrades, such as a forged crank and pistons, shorter rods, and a different cam profile. Then there is the turbocharger, from which the T660 gets its whomping kick. The setup was designed to be turnkey in operation, and seamlessly accommodate elevation changes. It does this via a sensor, ECU and electronically controlled waste gate.
The Turbo ST is positioned in Arctic Cat’s Trail Performance sled segment, and as such is dressed for the occasion. Skis are of the 43 inch plastic variety, and are tacked to double wishbone A-arms with gas IFP shocks, adjustable preload springs and a sway bar. Front suspension travel is 9.2 inches. In back is the FasTrack Long Travel slide rail with adjustable torsion springs, T.S.L. rear arm and Arctic Cat’s position-sensitive gas rear shock-all good for 13.5 inches of travel.
Features unique to the ST package include ZR handlebars and ZR-style seat, hot-red paint with white stripes, and a low-cut chromed windshield. The Turbo ST utilizes a 15-inch wide track, 12 gallon fuel cell, and hydraulic disc brake.
Ski-Doo GTX
If touring is your snow game, the Ski-Doo GTX Limited is the machine you’ve been looking for. Consider this the Cadillac of the snow. Nearly everything about this sled has been developed to offer high-end performance handling with touring luxury.
Consider the seating. The steering is positioned so that the driver can be more relaxed when compared to all-out performance sleds, yet still remain at the pivot point for a more comfortable ride and optimal maneuverability. The seat itself is actually a 2+1 design. In other words, the second seat can be moved backwards and a smaller third seat installed between the two to allow a small child to sit between two adult riders. Luggage capacity and convenience is also not forgotten. New semi-rigid saddlebags feature water-resistant shells that are rigid enough to retain their shape, but flexible enough to stand up to a few hits. They’re also lockable.
The luxury, however, doesn’t stop there. Consider the fully adjustable backrest, wind-shielded and heated passenger handholds, and the passenger visor outlet.
The GTX Limited comes with two engine options. Top dog is the 800 H.O. Rotax, with the Rotax 2-TEC 600 H.O. SDI also available.
In addition to the Limited model there are two other GTX units available-the Sport and the economy-minded Fan. The Sport comes with three engine options and the Fan with two. All are built on Ski-Doo’s REV platform and come with Brembo hydraulic braking, 15-inch tracks and 10.6-gallon fuel tanks.
Ski-Doo Mach Z
“Mach” invokes the notion of serious power-whether it’s airplanes, automobiles, or in this case, sleds. That’s exactly the case with Ski-Doo’s new Mach Z. Appropriately called a “musclesled” by the company, the Mach Z delivers in the power output department with its brand new 2-TEC 1000 semi-direct injection Rotax engine. This is a fresh two-stroke, twin-cylinder engine with 1,000 cc displacement that’s capable of producing upwards of 165 horsepower. Even more interesting is that it achieves this with top-notch fuel economy and U.S. EPA 2006 emissions compliance. The fuel injection system features two injectors per cylinder to provide excellent power output at the bottom and top end. The small injectors take care of business when the engine is at low rpm. Crank up the throttle and the larger injectors come online. The combination delivers smooth idle, great throttle response and massive top end output.
All that power is transmitted to a 15-inch track via a new TRA V primary clutch, which is high on durability, easy to adjust, and built with lightweight aluminum levers. Stopping comes courtesy of a new Type RT racing brake with a wave-style disc for better heat dissipation. The SC-4 rear suspension is also new. Compared to the older SC-3 design, the new version collapses the suspension more horizontally and better resists squat. Bump absorption is also improved, and there’s less kick under compression. The result is significantly crisper and more predictable handling.
Other standard features include electronic reverse, full instrumentation, 1+1 capable seating and dual-carbide skis.
Polaris 900 Fusion
The blend of man and machine. That’s why Polaris calls its newest sled “Fusion.” Thanks to a variety of user-defined features, the 900 Fusion may be the most adaptable sled ever made. Here’s why.
The Fusion is based on the new IQ chassis — “IQ” in this case referring to “intelligent.” For starters, there is the Rider Select steering system, which offers seven distinct positions for the handlebar. The lower positions are designed for comfort, allowing the rider position to move backwards to a more relaxed ergonomic position. When the trail becomes more exciting, the rider can move the steering system to the middle positions. This achieves the ideal balance for a trail sled. The “attack” position puts the steering bars high and forward, providing maximum agility and promotes sitting-to-standing transition. Even the seat is designed to accommodate the changes in driver positioning. It’s wider towards the rear for cruising comfort, then tapers on the forward end when the handlebars are up and a more aggressive riding style is called for.
The intelligence quotient is even applied to the suspension. It’s built for optimal stability while minimizing bottoming out. The IQ suspension features variable caster engineering that allows the caster to change as the suspension goes through its range of motion. Progressive motion shocks help keep the ride smooth in the toughest terrain.
Powering the 900 Fusion is the Liberty two-stroke 866 cc powerplant. It’s a twin-cylinder engine tuned for wide rpm performance and a broad torque curve. Because of its peculiar cant and low position within the chassis, a high degree of balance and low center of gravity is achieved.
Yamaha RS Venture
Want to tour the winterlands with your significant other? The Yamaha RS Venture is your ticket. Luxury is what this machine is all about — from the skis on up.
The big news is the introduction of the Genesis 120 engine. It’s a four-stroker with three cylinders and four valves each. The result is a compact, lightweight engine design capable of producing 120 horsepower and a broad torque range. Ancillary benefits include quiet operation, fuel efficiency and low emissions. And at 973 cubic inches, there’s plenty of power on tap.
The RS Venture rides on an all-new suspension. Called the Pro Comfort, it has a long-travel torsion spring rear setup built for a smooth ride and good traction. You can even adjust it for solo or two-person riding. Up front is a lightweight double wishbone arrangement with aluminum front shocks, revised geometry for consistent steering effort, and nine inches of suspension travel. To stop, riders can call on the hydraulic ventilated disc brake.
The luxury ride and high-output engine represent only two-thirds of the RS Venture’s top-shelf appeal. The rest can be found on the ergonomics and accessories list. For long solo jaunts the rear seat and backrest can be removed to increase storage space. Dual mirrors, positioned up high and flanking a tall windshield, accentuate the touring look. Additional goodies include handlebar and thumb warmers with heat level memory reset, LCD instrumentation, electric start, and reverse function.