The new snowmobiles are out! What’s in store for 2017? Glad you asked. Below is a quick rundown of what’s new from each snowmobile manufacturer—plus Timbersled.
Ski-Doo was the first to release, so we’ll start with it.
Ski-Doo’s latest REVolution
The fourth generation REV platform is here, along with a new 850 E-Tec engine. This is the first time in 20 years Ski-Doo has released a platform and engine together, and the company is saying this combination “delivers Ski-Doo snowmobiles that are effortless with precise handling and thrilling power.” The other good news is that this platform-engine combination will be available on 2017 Summit mountain, MXZ trail performance and Renegade crossover models. To learn more, see the press release.
Polaris AXYS expansion
Over at Polaris, it’s about making refinements and expanding the AXYS chassis to other models in the 2017 lineup. Several new models have been added—most noteworthy being the Rush XCR and the 800 Pro-RMK 174 3” LE. No doubt inspired by Ski-Doo’s Summit X 174 with T3, the Pro-RMK 174 3” LE is a mountain machine designed for those really, really deep days (think Whistler and Revelstoke, B.C., in late December). Weighing in at 442 pounds, however, the Pro-RMK 174 3” LE is 25 pounds lighter than its competition. To learn more, visit the Polaris website.
Yamaha’s new Sidewinder series
For 2017, Yamaha goes big in the horsepower department with an all-new Genesis 998 Turbo four-stroke engine. Snowmobiles equipped with this new arm-stretching engine are called the Sidewinder series, and it’s available throughout the 2017 lineup from Yamaha (M-TX, X-TX, S-TX, etc.). Plus, there is a new subcategory called the B-TX series that Yamaha says it designed for low-elevation boondocking—it’s a crossover for those who spend most of their days smashing powder east of the Rocky Mountains. To learn more, see the press release.
Arctic Cat releases a snow bike and the Thundercat
The big news from Arctic Cat is the unveiling of the SVX 450 snow bike. We knew it was coming since Cat teased the industry with a glimpse of it at Hay Days, but still, nothing has been said about where the bike platform and engine came from. So far, all Cat has revealed is that the development of the skid frame was a “collaborative effort between Arctic Cat and Camso.” Making headlines in the snowmobile department at Cat is the all-new 9000 Series C-Tec 4 turbo engine, which powers the new ZR 9000 Thundercat. The M series sleds have also been refined, and there’s an all-new Mountain Cat version in the mix. To learn more, see the press release.
An entry-level snow bike kit from Timbersled
For 2017, the Polaris-owned Timbersled Products has released a new ST 120 RAW or basic version of its popular snow bike conversion system. Priced competitively, the ST 120 RAW comes with standard Timbersled features as well as a new EK X-ring chain and the new I-beam rails and bump stops. Also new for 2017 is the Short Track 120 and Long Track 137 limited edition models equipped with premium Fox Zero QS3-R shocks (if you SnowCheck). For more info, see the press release.
Want to see for yourself the new snowmobiles from Yamaha, Ski-Doo and Polaris? Check out the dates for this year’s 2017 Snowmobile Sneak Peek Tour.
