What Sled was the Biggest Gamechanger in History?

[Modman]

sorry, multiple posts

 

[Modman]

Kinda changing the story as you go along...lol

You really should review the history. Its common industry knowledge that the Blade paved a path for centralized mass in the chassis. Don't base your judgement on the single picture shown. The concept of the Blade was to move the engine lower and centralize as much of the weight as possible, and keep the rotating mass low in the chassis to avoid gyroscopic effects. This is why the engine was mounted backward.

The rear frame is a pyramid, bolted to a front frame pyramid. Call it a "box," or a pyramid, or whatever you like. As noted earlier, "rider forward" is a marketing concept because it sounds better and makes it easy for the layman user to understand what is happening to the rider position in relation to the significant change in weight distribution. The concept from all of this was moving the weight forward and down in the chassis, whether the Rev looks exactly like the Blade or not. Look at the brake disc on the blade driveshaft. Mount a guard on it and you have the the Ski Doo 6 years later.

It's all right here, direct from Gerald Karpik himself, if you are still not a believer: https://snowgoer.com/snowmobile-features/fasts-blade-10-years-later/2655/

 

[Pedaling pete]

You really should review the history. Its common industry knowledge that the Blade paved a path for centralized mass in the chassis. Don't base your judgement on the single picture shown. The concept of the Blade was to move the engine lower and centralize as much of the weight as possible, and keep the rotating mass low in the chassis to avoid gyroscopic effects. This is why the engine was mounted backward.

The rear frame is a pyramid, bolted to a front frame pyramid. Call it a "box," or a pyramid, or whatever you like. As noted earlier, "rider forward" is a marketing concept because it sounds better and makes it easy for the layman user to understand what is happening to the rider position in relation to the significant change in weight distribution. The concept from all of this was moving the weight forward and down in the chassis, whether the Rev looks exactly like the Blade or not. Look at the brake disc on the blade driveshaft. Mount a guard on it and you have the the Ski Doo 6 years later.

It's all right here, direct from Gerald Karpik himself, if you are still not a believer: https://snowgoer.com/snowmobile-features/fasts-blade-10-years-later/2655/

Yeah I can maybe give them credit for centralized mass. But not the pyramidal frame design.

 

[Firefly]

2005 M7 gets my vote. That little 700 made a lot guys who spent thousands on there sleds look silly! This was my 2006 M7 SnoPro, the only thing they needed was reverse!!!

 

[Bernoff]

In my opinion, the Boivin Snowhawk is/will be the biggest game changer in snowmobile history. Its really the only real game changer, as snowmobiles are basically the same idea as when they were introduced. The snowbike world is a growing sport, with unmatched handling ease, however the lack of warranty on a 25k unit is a major turnoff for many, including myself. The narrower 34” stance on the 22 Doo and Cat Alpha are examples of where the sleds are headed. My $0.02, Holio

I can agree that warranty might be an issue. You "are" taking motor bike engine that is built primarily for relatively HOT temperatures and making it run in a deep freeze. I have found that my repair bills to fun Factor ratio has changed dramatically. If I fall off the bike it usually ends up only a few feet away, I am not watching it roll or continue on its merry way down the hill. It is the same with bikes as sleds if you look at the tree you will run into said tree. I think the builders of the track kits have upped their game with reliable units for the average guy. If you want you can begin the process of modification same as sleds. I am not in the know but would expect a specific motor to come out in a few years for the bikes. I find the 450cc motor gets me around in the trees just fine but if your more into the open areas well then more power and more gears are needed. Personally very interested to see what is coming in the future. Heck if they make the sleds narrower they may as well just have one ski and everyone will say what took them so long.

 

[niner]

2005 M7 gets my vote. That little 700 made a lot guys who spent thousands on there sleds look silly! This was my 2006 M7 SnoPro, the only thing they needed was reverse!!!

M7 was a great sled. Still have mine. Was even better as a 174.

 

[Firefly]

I did the same thing but sold it a few years ago! 174" Timbersled rear suspension then RK Tek's 800 Big Bore in it.

 

[Joholio]

Interesting schtuff

 

[Machomachoman]

I doo, they took a concept and improved it, and made it cost effective to manufacture

just like the Japanese

 

[KatMan]

I can agree that warranty might be an issue. You "are" taking motor bike engine that is built primarily for relatively HOT temperatures and making it run in a deep freeze. I have found that my repair bills to fun Factor ratio has changed dramatically. If I fall off the bike it usually ends up only a few feet away, I am not watching it roll or continue on its merry way down the hill. It is the same with bikes as sleds if you look at the tree you will run into said tree. I think the builders of the track kits have upped their game with reliable units for the average guy. If you want you can begin the process of modification same as sleds. I am not in the know but would expect a specific motor to come out in a few years for the bikes. I find the 450cc motor gets me around in the trees just fine but if your more into the open areas well then more power and more gears are needed. Personally very interested to see what is coming in the future. Heck if they make the sleds narrower they may as well just have one ski and everyone will say what took them so long.

i agree with alot of your points.

Really all you need to do to improve on a snow bike is have 2 skis in front.

and a bigger engine

and a longer, wider track

and a pyramid design

and a muff pot,,,

 

[Cableguy]

and a cvt

 

[Kibbels]

March 1971 - The unveiling of the Kitty Kat..!!

 

[CUSO]

You guys have it all wrong...

Apparently, it's the fresh cracked egg breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons..

 

[Bernoff]

i agree with alot of your points.

Really all you need to do to improve on a snow bike is have 2 skis in front.

and a bigger engine

and a longer, wider track

and a pyramid design

and a muff pot,,,

Ya I could really do with the Kick Ass Muffpot

 

[snopro]

You guys have it all wrong...

Apparently, it's the fresh cracked egg breakfast sandwich from Tim Hortons..

Lol. Who is doing the marketing/advertising for Tim's now? Who runs a commercial saying we want to try something different with your brekky sandwich this morning and put a real egg in it instead of the powdered ones we have been pedalling to you for years? And now the new dark roast commercial where they say after 7 yrs they finally got the blend correct? Not really inspires me to eat there. What else are we eating there that is fake food?

 

[imdoo'n]

the greatest sled in all time Snow and Mud history was Joey's Phazer, that thing could hit a 100mph. caused more heart attacks on sno n mud than any other. kept the boys busy for months. Bogs is still getting over the mental anguish lol.

 

[mxz800x]

1969 Ski Doo Nordic, started the trail sled movement, by the end of the 70's they were all trail sleds. It wasn't until the 90's where some attention was paid to going in the snow.
View attachment 233050View attachment 233051

do you own that sled. It looks awesome?

 

[CUSO]

Wait... Tim Horton's has food.... and coffee?? LOL

Back to the topic:

I think the biggest Gamechanger was that the snowmobile industry closed in on the aftermarket manufacturers and offered things like extrovert drivers, roller secondaries, better piping, ergos, risers, running boards... etc.

Lol. Who is doing the marketing/advertising for Tim's now? Who runs a commercial saying we want to try something different with your brekky sandwich this morning and put a real egg in it instead of the powdered ones we have been pedalling to you for years? And now the new dark roast commercial where they say after 7 yrs they finally got the blend correct? Not really inspires me to eat there. What else are we eating there that is fake food?

 

[RGM]

2020.5 skidoo turbo will go down in history as the game changer of the year.

a couple back in the day that stood out.

97 Polaris RMK 700
M7 M cat series.. these were radically light and we started to see turbo kits show up
Rev and XP series sleds
Yamaha mountain max
V-Max 4 banger

Yup every model change was always a bit better but the Turbo was a lot better.

 

[longtrack 156]

No it's not mine. Sorry to say this, I hated the Ski Doo Nordic for how it, (and some others), changed snowmobiling. I see some here one found an old Phazer and are really pleased with it. My son bought a new Phazer when they came out in 1984 and my 1971 Moto-Ski Zephyr would run circles around it in the snow. I have an old Phazer which I modified a bit for snow.
360 lbs 27" ski stance