During the first week of March 2015, I had the chance to attend for the first time the 2016 Snow Shoot held in West Yellowstone, Montana. This is when the four snowmobile manufacturers show and let us try out their new models of the upcoming season. If you do not know what I am talking about, here is an example. For a snowmobile journalist like me, it is like covering the Stanley Cup final for a sports journalist. It is a privilege that is not offered to everyone and I am extremely grateful for the chance I had to attend this event organized by snowmobile manufacturers in a wonderful decor.
It was the chance for me to test not less than 45 snowmobiles during this event, mostly trail snowmobiles. Our whole team tested more than 80 models. Some of the tested snowmobiles are more remarkable that others. For personal reasons and according to our own type of riding, our favorites differ from one columnist to the other. So, here are my own best picks for each manufacturer.
Arctic Cat
It is hard to choose among so many attractive models! But, let’s go! At Arctic Cat’s this year, the redesign of the Bearcat lineup is my best pick. The whole lineup!!! We are not talking here about just a few improvements. No, it is a totally new snowmobile. The Bearcat is built on the new ProUte WT platform inspired by the Pantera ProTour chassis. In terms of motorization, the Bearcat has abandoned the 5000 and 2000 engines of last year for the 7000 and the new 3000 engines. I found that the 7000, a 4-stroke engine of 1049cc, was very well adapted to the Bearcat. It is powerful and offers lots of torque.
I really liked its handling on trail. The 3000 is a new 4-stroke engine of 700cc that develops 65 hp. In this edition, top speed is not quite impressive, but the engine offers very interesting softness and torque at low speed along with being very silent.
Arctic Cat Bearcat 7000 XT 2016
Besides the new chassis and the new engines, Arctic Cat had other surprises for the Bearcat. Firstly, the new WR3 transmission with 3 engine speeds, including the Super Low, the first in the industry that really lets you work with this snowmobile. On High setting, top speed is very honorable for a utility snowmobile. Also, we have the new skis with variable width between 8 and 10 in. / 20,3 and 25,4 cm for incredible floatation, and the new X-TRA Action rear suspension. Arctic Cat even introduces a touring edition, the Pantera XT, to complete its 20 in. lineup. A 3-up snowmobile fully equipped that performs on trail as well as its younger sister, the Pantera. A Bearcat GS edition is available with trail groomer accessory.
Arctic Cat Bearcat 7000 XT GS 2016
In brief, all Bearcat models I tested have nicely surprised me with their agility on trail in terms of handling and suspension. I totally forgot that I was riding utility snowmobiles on long distances. I liked the wind protection, the ergonomics and the comfort of the seats. Colors and finish quality also catch your attention.
Steve with its Arctic Cat best pick for 2016
Ski-Doo
It has been rather easy to choose my BRP favorite because it is truly my best pick, even my love at first sight!!! The Renegade Enduro in the 1200cc edition is quite a snowmobile. Firstly, its style is extremely attractive. The Valcourt manufacturer’s engineers were inspired by Enduro motorcycles to create this design. These bikes run on long distances in remote regions and are famous for their reliability. This is what we feel when we see the Renegade Enduro for the first time.
The Renegade Enduro 1200 is my Ski-Doo best pick for 2016
We notice right away its robustness with its big front bumper made for easier off-trail adventures. The new color « Northern Lichen » with the black painted tunnel and its seat with topstich and Enduro logo have really caught the attention during our tests in Montana. But my crush is not only due to its great looks; the high-tech features of this snowmobile also seduced me.
Among others, I would like to mention the updating of the proven 4-stroke engine of 1200cc with the iTC (Intelligent Throttle Control) that allows the pilot to choose among three riding modes. The response in Sport mode makes the 130 HP roar instantly while the Standard mode develops this power very nicely. The ECO mode is avalaible for increased fuel economy.
The new adjustable Pilot TS skis provide unlimited adaptability to trail conditions and type of riding. This is a great innovation from BRP, once again the pioneer in this matter. By a few clicks, we can easily give or reduce ski bite. Combined with the Ice Ripper XT track of 15x137x1,25, in the icy conditions we had this year in West Yellowstone, this snowmobile performed in turns just like a F1 while its competitors experienced lack of stability in these conditions.
As always, the rMotion suspension is very efficient in bumps, comfortable, easy to adjust and well adapted to the Renegade Enduro. The Renegade is now on the REV-XS chassis that gives it quite a style. Besides the 1200cc, the Enduro is available with the 900 ACE, 600 and 800 E-TEC engines. With all these features, there will be lots of Renegade Enduro running next season.
Polaris
My 2016 Polaris best pick is the Voodoo Blue 800 Switchback PRO-X that I had the chance to test at the 2016 Snow Shoot. I liked the versatility of this hybrid Polaris snowmobile. Its suspension is designed to attack extremely bumpy trails with aggressiveness. Some test pilots thought it was a little rigid in more regular trail conditions. As I prefer a firm suspension that does not hit the bottom, I just adored the PRO-X suspension. It is equipped with Walker Evans™ shocks for very efficient customized adjustments. The PRO-XC rear suspension is now lighter due, among other things, to the forged aluminum parts.
Polaris 800 Switchback PRO-X 2016
Polaris offer their distinctive AXYS chassis. With their different approach, the result is unique. The riding experience is enjoyable in all conditions because the pilot can easily move back on the seat to give or reduce pressure on skis. So, in powder snow, we want the front end to lift up and float on snow while on trail, we want maximum control in cornering by sitting forward. It may seem complicated, but this is very intuitive and we execute these moves without even thinking about it.
Besides the chassis and the suspension, I must absolutely talk about the 800 Cleanfire HO engine. WOW!!! The performance of this engine in Montana, even at an elevation of about 10 000 feet / 3 048 m, amazed me so much that I had a permanent smile inside my helmet when I mounted a Polaris 800.
Accelerations and throttle responses are impressive with the 137" track of the Switchback PRO-X. My arms must be a few millimeters longer!!! Seriously, I am not going to describe the technical characteristics of this high performance engine, but Polaris may really be proud of this engine that performs at all speeds.
The 800 Switchback PRO-X is my Polaris 2016 best pick
Also, the seat is comfortable, the controls are well located and easy to use. I like the Voodoo Blue color of our test model that catches the eye at first glance. In brief, what a bolid!!!
Yamaha
Yamaha has brought important improvements to many models and introduced some new ones. The most improved snowmobile is without doubt the famous RS Vector introduced by Yamaha in 2005. It is getting better over time, just like a good wine. With the introduction of the SX Viper in 2014, Yamaha fans abandoned the RS Vector saying that its suspension was less up-to-date than the competitors and that its riding position was rather vintage.
The RS Vector X-TX LE 1.75 is my Yamaha 2016 best pick
So, when I saw the new RS Vector X-TX LE 1,75 among our test models that day, I had doubts. But being professional, I decided to test it and bring out its strenghts. After just a few seconds and a few bumps, I thought : « Am I really on a RS Vector??? » The new lighter Single Shot 146 suspension with Fox FLOAT 3 XV shocks is really efficient. It provides good absorbtion of bumps and great comfort. A great improvement that will surely extend the career of this veteran for a few seasons. This suspension combined with a Backcountry track of 15x146x1,75 provides excellent traction, good floatation and great stability in turns.
I also noticed that the proven 3-cylinder Genesis engine of 1049cc with injection has been improved by the new YCC-T technology that offers electronic throttle and three riding modes. I always liked this engine but in Sport mode, I like it even more. Accelerations are regular and throttle responses are good, along with the unique sound of the Genesis. Add to this the EPS, Electric Power Steering, and you get a « new old » snowmobile really pleasant to pilot.
So, against all odds, my 2016 Yamaha best pick is the RS Vector X-TX LE 1,75.
