maxwell
Active VIP Member
Thanks to Martin Motorsports i had had the chance to spend 3 solid days on the new Lynx Boondocker 165"/4100 model.
This is an interesting machine, at first glance most might assume this is just a different looking Summit, and dont get me wrong there are some similarities. I had this machine in my garage and i was staring at it for a an hour or so and the more i looked at it the more differences i found.
I have had so much interest and messages about this machine than initially anticipated. The most common question was would you choose this over an NA expert? i will post my findings and you will see that there is not really a straight answer to that because the machines are very different.
What i liked...
1. Narrower running boards ( to a degree )
2. curved plastics
3. Rigid rear suspension with No t motion ( some aspects )
4. Fit and finish
5. Factory brake reservoir protector, factory 12v plug.
6. Extra space around the tank
7. factory extreme mountain grips
What i didnt like...
1. Extra weight, you can feel it
2. The skis have to go and there is something wrong with the ski/rubber design. It allows the ski to flop down.
3. Bar riser, should be expert model height IMO
4. bars are standard diameter, i prefer the small diameter
5. Rear bumper
6. Front shocks, i feel these need to be KYB 40 to keep up with that rear skid.
7. Clutch calibration. I checked part numbers are the same as the expert but the ones i rode wanted to be on clicker 4? Generally NA summits run on clicker 3 at my elevation.
Overall this machine is a ton of fun, There are some aspects that i like and some that i dont. Through my testing i am able to 100% confirm that the machine will hold a steeper sidehill line in fresh snow easier, and more predictably. I am of the belief that this is due to the slightly narrower running board, the more refined curved in side panels, the rigid skid with no t motion, and the more forward A arm geometry. The Cockpit around the tank area has been narrowed and this is also a nice improvement jumping side to side. While the narrow boards are nice for side hilling i did find that my foot had a tendency to miss the running boards when performing technical maneuvers. This is likely just something that you would get used too with seat time. The rear suspension is phenomenal. Its like nothing i have ever rode before. Deep snow performance i would say is the same but you get this machine on a whopped out trail and WOW. Cuts through them like butter i have never experienced something so smooth.
From my findings the lynx has far superior trail performance. It tracks much better, with zero darting. It is more stable, and can handle the bumps like no other product on the market. However with the rear suspension working so well in the bumps i did find the front shocks to be holding it back. I think with KYB 40s in the front this would be a much better combination and more balanced. For deep snow technical riding the front skis and ski rubber needs to go. They have tooo much floatation when you are trying to dip a ski into the snow to perform a maneuver. They also make the machine harder to sidehill in low snow conditions. For whatever reason The way the ski and rubber are designed it allows the front of the ski to Dip down below horizontal when unloaded. This is a big problem as i ended up with the sled piled into some creek bank walls where i know for a fact my expert would have pulled through them.
I dont know the exact specifications on weight but i know the Lynx is heavier and you can feel this when riding and getting unstuck. It has beefier rails, suspension and chassis. Not bad things but in this technical riding game weight is important. I forgot to mention the rear snow deflector, it works great and doesn't hinder riding at all. The brackets are aluminum and the deflector is plastic. That may break but the aluminum brackets are strong. I really don't think its necessary but perhaps for long durations of trail riding as the tunnel is even shorter with less cooling.
Overall if i could take bits and pieces from this Lynx and put it on an expert you could build the ideal machine. But for now i still feel the Expert package summit is the better value. Its very clear when riding this sled that it is meant to be ridden hard and fast on backcountry trails and not necessarily built for high elevation deep snow riding. That being said it does perform well at both. If they had a boosted option i may be inclined to give it a shot for the season. But once you go boost it is very hard to go back to these NA machines. Some have asked me if the changes in the Lynx makeup for it being Non turbo and the answer to that is a definite No. This sled performs similar to an NA expert but caries extra weight and price tag. That being said it is stronger and has a better rear suspension so these are things you need to take into consideration if you are thinking about a lynx. If i had more time i would have liked to try the Expert skis and bar riser on the machine and give it another try.
Below are some comparison photos and measurements. Lots of interesting things here.....
If you have questions ask away. I think i spent more time on this machine than most have so far Next to Rosco and Ribbi so i have a very good feel for it.
Lynx VS 2021 Summit Expert Turbo - Tunnel Length
as you can see the tunnel is much shorter. Full width of the level which is 2"
While it seems to flip over slightly easier i had a really hard time getting the leverage on the bumper when getting unstuck as you are leaning further over the track.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Linq/ tunnel area
- much less room for accessories here...not so sure you could get 2 full Linq accessories on here? i did not try though. This is a 165 vs 165 so the 154 would have much less again.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - running Boards
Full Inch narrower. Less foot room but helps side hilling steep terrain.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - skis
Almost 2" wider. Great floatation. Not so good for tech maneuvers
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Cockpit area
Lots of extra space here which is a welcomed improvement. I don't believe the geometry is different they just removed unnecessary plastic. I sure like this.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - side panels
Look how the panels curve inwards towards the A arms. I firmly believe this aids in cutting through the snow better on a steep sidehill. Even though the overall panel width remains the same.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Rear suspension measurements
I don't know what this means but its worth a discussion. This Measurement is from ski Bolt to Rear ski mount bolt
This is an interesting machine, at first glance most might assume this is just a different looking Summit, and dont get me wrong there are some similarities. I had this machine in my garage and i was staring at it for a an hour or so and the more i looked at it the more differences i found.
I have had so much interest and messages about this machine than initially anticipated. The most common question was would you choose this over an NA expert? i will post my findings and you will see that there is not really a straight answer to that because the machines are very different.
What i liked...
1. Narrower running boards ( to a degree )
2. curved plastics
3. Rigid rear suspension with No t motion ( some aspects )
4. Fit and finish
5. Factory brake reservoir protector, factory 12v plug.
6. Extra space around the tank
7. factory extreme mountain grips
What i didnt like...
1. Extra weight, you can feel it
2. The skis have to go and there is something wrong with the ski/rubber design. It allows the ski to flop down.
3. Bar riser, should be expert model height IMO
4. bars are standard diameter, i prefer the small diameter
5. Rear bumper
6. Front shocks, i feel these need to be KYB 40 to keep up with that rear skid.
7. Clutch calibration. I checked part numbers are the same as the expert but the ones i rode wanted to be on clicker 4? Generally NA summits run on clicker 3 at my elevation.
Overall this machine is a ton of fun, There are some aspects that i like and some that i dont. Through my testing i am able to 100% confirm that the machine will hold a steeper sidehill line in fresh snow easier, and more predictably. I am of the belief that this is due to the slightly narrower running board, the more refined curved in side panels, the rigid skid with no t motion, and the more forward A arm geometry. The Cockpit around the tank area has been narrowed and this is also a nice improvement jumping side to side. While the narrow boards are nice for side hilling i did find that my foot had a tendency to miss the running boards when performing technical maneuvers. This is likely just something that you would get used too with seat time. The rear suspension is phenomenal. Its like nothing i have ever rode before. Deep snow performance i would say is the same but you get this machine on a whopped out trail and WOW. Cuts through them like butter i have never experienced something so smooth.
From my findings the lynx has far superior trail performance. It tracks much better, with zero darting. It is more stable, and can handle the bumps like no other product on the market. However with the rear suspension working so well in the bumps i did find the front shocks to be holding it back. I think with KYB 40s in the front this would be a much better combination and more balanced. For deep snow technical riding the front skis and ski rubber needs to go. They have tooo much floatation when you are trying to dip a ski into the snow to perform a maneuver. They also make the machine harder to sidehill in low snow conditions. For whatever reason The way the ski and rubber are designed it allows the front of the ski to Dip down below horizontal when unloaded. This is a big problem as i ended up with the sled piled into some creek bank walls where i know for a fact my expert would have pulled through them.
I dont know the exact specifications on weight but i know the Lynx is heavier and you can feel this when riding and getting unstuck. It has beefier rails, suspension and chassis. Not bad things but in this technical riding game weight is important. I forgot to mention the rear snow deflector, it works great and doesn't hinder riding at all. The brackets are aluminum and the deflector is plastic. That may break but the aluminum brackets are strong. I really don't think its necessary but perhaps for long durations of trail riding as the tunnel is even shorter with less cooling.
Overall if i could take bits and pieces from this Lynx and put it on an expert you could build the ideal machine. But for now i still feel the Expert package summit is the better value. Its very clear when riding this sled that it is meant to be ridden hard and fast on backcountry trails and not necessarily built for high elevation deep snow riding. That being said it does perform well at both. If they had a boosted option i may be inclined to give it a shot for the season. But once you go boost it is very hard to go back to these NA machines. Some have asked me if the changes in the Lynx makeup for it being Non turbo and the answer to that is a definite No. This sled performs similar to an NA expert but caries extra weight and price tag. That being said it is stronger and has a better rear suspension so these are things you need to take into consideration if you are thinking about a lynx. If i had more time i would have liked to try the Expert skis and bar riser on the machine and give it another try.
Below are some comparison photos and measurements. Lots of interesting things here.....
If you have questions ask away. I think i spent more time on this machine than most have so far Next to Rosco and Ribbi so i have a very good feel for it.
Lynx VS 2021 Summit Expert Turbo - Tunnel Length
as you can see the tunnel is much shorter. Full width of the level which is 2"
While it seems to flip over slightly easier i had a really hard time getting the leverage on the bumper when getting unstuck as you are leaning further over the track.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Linq/ tunnel area
- much less room for accessories here...not so sure you could get 2 full Linq accessories on here? i did not try though. This is a 165 vs 165 so the 154 would have much less again.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - running Boards
Full Inch narrower. Less foot room but helps side hilling steep terrain.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - skis
Almost 2" wider. Great floatation. Not so good for tech maneuvers
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Cockpit area
Lots of extra space here which is a welcomed improvement. I don't believe the geometry is different they just removed unnecessary plastic. I sure like this.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - side panels
Look how the panels curve inwards towards the A arms. I firmly believe this aids in cutting through the snow better on a steep sidehill. Even though the overall panel width remains the same.
Lynx Vs 2021 Summit Turbo - Rear suspension measurements
I don't know what this means but its worth a discussion. This Measurement is from ski Bolt to Rear ski mount bolt
