Denis's Yamaha 2020 Top Picks
I was fortunate enough to be part of the Snow Shoot 2020, once again held in the beautiful little town of West Yellowstone, Montana. The choice of this city, which has hosted the Snow Shoot for ten years now, is mainly due to its impressive trail network, access to countless places where off-trail riding is possible and, of course, very impressive mountain trails for those who love mountains.
Year after year, snow conditions vary a lot, and this year it was by far the one with the most snow. We had a blizzard that lasted almost four days. So, don’t be surprised if you don’t see a lot of sun in our photos.
In early March, Yamaha launched its 2020 snowmobiles (Read…). While we could expect a big year of announcements, the manufacturer preferred to be careful by increasing the number of models from 13 in 2019 to 16 in 2020. Despite this relatively small number of models, the manufacturer can propose a model for the vast majority of snowmobilers… And Quebec snowmobilers have not been forgotten!
Indeed, the manufacturer has finally modified its offer of packages (DX, SE, and LE) to meet the needs and demands of snowmobilers. The DX package has been replaced by the GT package which offers shock absorber packages like the LE package (Spring only). Besides, GT models are equipped with higher windshields and more practical storage bags. No wonder the model that impressed me the most was a GT, the Sidewinder S-TX GT.
By 2019, Yamaha had removed the S-TX from their lineup, which surprised me a lot. The combination of the 146-inch SRV chassis and chassis is, in my opinion, the most successful Yamaha has offered us in recent years. For 2020, the Sidewinder S-TX is back, but in a touring version for two since this model is equipped with a heated passenger seat and overload springs. There is also the rigid rear trunk and the 16-liter auxiliary tank, which provides a total capacity of 50 liters for this snowmobile. Unlike the 2018 version, the Sidewinder S-TX GT 2020 features new Stealth controls and handlebar start button, adjustable front shocks on the Fox QS3 and 4-intensity heated handles and thumb.
On the trail, even in rough snow, the Sidewinder S-TX GT offers excellent performance. Thanks to the 146-inch deck with the Ripsaw II track with a 1.25-inch profile. Despite its long track, it is easy to handle and offers a precise ride.
The surprising Genesis Turbo engine gives you all the power you want with its 200 HP. The engine is smooth and predictable, which makes long rides very pleasant. The pulleys allow all this power to be efficiently transferred to the track.
That’s why the Sidewinder S-TX GT is my favorite Yamaha snowmobile in 2020.
Note: The rigid side cases on the photos are available as an option (SMA-8LN73-00-00-00)
