It’s YAMAHA time!

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Another great looking ride for the 2016 season has arrived and been readied for action.

The selection of this Yamaha long term trial sled would be an easy pick for any spirited pace, long distance touring rider.

When our Partners at Yamaha Motors asked us what sled SledMagazine.com wanted to showcase, we knew exactly what model we wanted. We specifically requested the extremely sharp looking 2016 SR Viper L-TX LE to experience and report on the following LTX LE features.

SR 137 – Dual shock, drop link, sliding front arm, rear suspension with RipSaw II track.

Will the 137 length offer all the benefits of greater comfort, capability, versatility and floatation without any drawback in handling? How will the SR dual shock skid feel, perform and transfer? How about when you turn up the wick and abuse it a little, more than a little, or a lot?

QS-3 – Fox Quick Switch coil over shock package with piggy back capacity chambers.

Will the 3 ultra easy performance settings accurately match the needs of a wide variety of riders and conditions? Will the QS-3’s become a proven evolution in premium trail shock simplicity and performance?

YPD – Yamahas’ Performance Dampers

Chassis performance dampers have proven to be significant in the automotive industry. Will the agility, stability and driver sensation benefits transfer over to snowmobiles or is it just a gimmick? To make an honest comparison, We will begin our LTX LE season without the YPDs installed and have them added during the first scheduled service by our supporting dealer Frank’s Motorcycle of Essex Vermont

Tuner 3 Skis

What’s the big deal with removable loops, reconfigured structure, repositioned spindle location and altered keel design? And is it all worth needing to get a new set of QualiPieces RollerSkis to fit them?

Heated trail seat

We never had it. Do any of us really need it? Once we have it, will it be an awesome creature comfort feature that we will want to have again and again?

Greg Gilbert of Sledmagazine.com, a new Yamaha Viper and Sales, Service, and Parts Director Kamran Pelky of Frank’s Motorcycle, good times!

The 2016 LTX LE was selected as one of our Editors best picks and we can’t wait to see if we were correct after an entire season of riding it. We want to know the same things that you want to know!

Thanks to our partners at Yamaha Accessory & Apparel our 2016 LTX will feature many Viper specific Genuine Yamaha accessories. They will include Front sport bumper, Smoke medium windshield, Combo truck bad, Windshield bag, Goggle bag and telescopic sport mirrors.

Our traction products will include a 1.325 Mack Stud traction package with 96 true 5/16 from base to tip studs, Red true color round aluminum backers and exclusive Mack Stud support collars. Our new friends Jim and Carla at Mack Stud in New Hampshire have also supplied a set of 6” 60 degree carbides from their new line of value priced carbide runners. See the entire traction product line and their 5 year no bend no break warranty at MackStud.com

We are very proud to have our partners at QualiPieces return to our long term trial program with their exclusive RollerSki wheels , Trial Blizzer ice scratchers and Top Gold carbide runners. Their totally new QualiPieces.com website will help you find exactly what you need.

Large enough to serve, Small enough to care

No trial can be complete without the participation and assistance of our supporting dealers. I’ve known the Owners and staff at Franks Motorcycle in Essex Vermont for over 20 years. Their attention to quality, detail and customer service has never varied. www.franksmotorcyclesales.com

BMW Motorcycles, Yamaha Snowmobiles and exceptional service

Thank you to Lester, Jeanette and Kamran for being an important part of our Yamaha trials. Let the adventures and 2016 trial begin!

Greg Gilbert

Greg's first snowmobile experience was in 1968 when his Grandfather purchased a new Ski-doo Nordic 371 package including dog sled as a surprise family gift. “Grampy” thought that the Gilbert's would enjoy the new sport of snowmobiling and he was right. Since that first ride as an 8-year-old, snowmobiling has provided Greg with one of the greatest pleasures of his life. The experiences, excitement, adrenaline, adventures, freedom, memories and friendships have relaxed and rejuvenated him throughout his life. From 1985 – 1996 Greg was an active member of the “Arrowhead Mountain Snowmobile Club” in his hometown of Milton Vermont, holding positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, trail coordinator and membership chairman. Greg has also been involved in all aspects of trail construction and grooming as well as regional and statewide involvement. Greg has ridden over 130,000 miles throughout Vermont, Maine and all regions of Quebec. His riding experiences have been predominantly throughout Quebec since his first introduction in 1984 averaging 4000-5000 Quebec miles over the past 25+ years. Throughout 35 years of Quebec snowmobiling Greg has had positive interactions with many members of various groups and organizations. Greg is often in a unique position of being a comfortable, non-threatening bridge to better mutual understanding and communication of how we can work together to strengthen and protect our sport. Over the years Greg became well known throughout Quebec as “Greg du Vermont”, before joining the SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca team in 2012 as a Columnist / Test Rider. Greg has written over 100 articles for SledMagazine.com / Motoneiges.ca, attended manufacturers Snow Shoot and Sneak Peek media events beginning in 2012 and is frequently seen at snowmobile events in both the US and Canada. Greg brings a unique personal perspective and style to his articles and has been a positive ambassador of snowmobiling for over 35 years. He is known throughout his hometown as the guy who thinks and talks about winter all summer long.

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