The 2010-11 Yorkton Snowmobile Dealer's Tour kicked off with a pancake breakfast at Schrader Motors, hosted by the Yorkton Sno-Riders Snowmobile Club. Proceeds of the breakfast were donated to the Prairie Women on Snowmobiles, a group which raises funds for cancer research.
Schrader Motors owner Rick Bradshaw says the dealership carries Yamaha snowmobiles, motorcycles and ATVs as well as Honda and Suzuki recreational equipment.
Bradshaw announced that Yamaha was the first to put power steering on their high end Apex snowmobiles. While it doesn't sound like a big thing, it actually created a lot of buzz in the industry, earning the Apex the Sled of the Year, Bradshaw reports. It will definitely change things in the industry. It won't necessarily eliminate other machines, but, he notes, Yamaha put power steering on an ATV four years ago and now every company has power steering on ATVs. "They're saying that this is probably a game changer in that other sleds are eventually going to follow. It makes them more stable and easier to ride long distances for extended periods. With the trail system that's what people do," Bradshaw explains.
Other than that, most of Yamaha's product line-up has remained unchanged. Yamaha sleds are different from all others in that they are all four stroke sleds. "We're basically turn the key, start it, drive it type machine," Bradshaw adds.
The dealership offers full service and accessories as well as snowmobile clothing. The clothing line is basically a Yamaha line which co-brands with a waterproof line called Klim. They also work with FXR and produce their own line called Tric. "We also sell all the different helmets, goggles and gloves and all the stuff people need to go riding," Bradshaw lists.
This year there was good interest in sleds as early as this spring when Schrader Motors placed its orders.
The early snowfall is going to help the local industry, Bradshaw says. Dealerships will be offering enthusiasts a lot of good deals on machines and accessories, he suggests. "Right now there are a lot of promotions from the companies on last year's product and new machines that are moving well. I think it's going to be a good year," he predicts.
The turnout for the tour was very good with customers looking for sleds, clothing or accessories as well as Christmas presents, Bradshaw notes.
He points out that the local dealer's tour, which began as an industry trade show at the Parkland Agriplex with the first provincial snowmobile show in the early 1990s and evolved into a tour at all four Yorkton dealerships in 2002, is unique. The current tour saves dealers the cost of moving everything to the central location as well as rental fees. Some of the money saved is turned over to the local Sno-Riders Club which helps with their trail system which helps the dealerships in the end by getting customers into their stores.
Bradshaw says he's had inquiries from dealers across the province asking, "How do you guys make that work?"
"Luckily all four dealers get along well enough that we work with the Sno-Riders and make it happen," he closes.
Local Ski-Doo dealer, Paul Smolinski of King's Sport and Leisure, says dealers are very happy to have the current snowfall this early in the season. The snowfall, which may have contributed to the great turnout for the annual dealers' tour, has certainly created some exciting times for both snowmobile dealers and enthusiasts.
The Ski-Doo product line has introduced the 800 Etech, which features leading edge technology for fuel delivery in a two stroke engine, and the new 600 Ace, a fuel efficient four stroke rated to 30 miles per gallon in trail conditions, which is virtually unheard of in a sled, Smolinski reports.
He says he's proud to be part of the Bombardier membership club support program which provides $10 per member to local clubs for trail and program maintenance.
In addition to sleds, King's Sport and Leisure also offers a full line of clothing and accessories as well as one of the best maintenance shops in the area.
King's Sport and Lei-sure was the winners of the Saskatchewan Snow-mobile Association Dealer of the Year Award last year. "We're extremely pleased and proud of that. If any customer chooses to deal with us not only do we want to give them excellent pricing and a timeless sale, but we're there to look after them on the service and accessories after the sale as well," Smolinski states.
King's Leisure Sports is very pleased to be working with the York-ton Sno-Riders Club and a part of the very strong snowmobile community in the area, he closes.
Last year the Rush was named snowmobile of the year with a totally new rear end suspension. Polaris has expanded the line this year to include other models and engine sizes, Vanhove announces. "There's almost every engine size for every type of rider," he claims.
The new suspension system is out of this world Vanhove reports. "You can put 150 miles on this thing and go dance the rhumba at night because you're not going to feel like you've done it," he suggests.
The Assault RMK and the pro RMK, 446 pounds and 448 pounds respectively are among the lightest snowmobiles on the market. "You just think about turning and this sled carves up the mountains and the side hills that we get through here," Vanhove insists.
"There isn't a snowbank in this part of the world that's ever going to get you stuck. You'll just float over it and enjoy your day riding," he adds.
Polaris offers a strong line of two up touring machines from the 550 fan cooled to 600 liquid cooled liberty, to the 'king of kings, the Turbo Four Stroke which offers great fuel economy, no odor and four stroke dependability and longevity, Vanhove says.
"It's a very exciting time to be in the snowmobile industry," he offers.
With this year's early snowfall it's going to be a good year for the sport and to be a Polaris rider, Vanhove proposes.
Och's also has a full service department and a full line of accessories. They currently carry some $300,000 worth of helmets and gear, Vanhove points out. "There's everything to outfit the little guy to adults in helmets, mitts, coats and jackets as well as all your safety gear," he says.
Snowmobiling is something to be enjoyed and to enjoy, you have to be warm. "With Polaris clothing and accessories, you're going to be warm," Vanhove declares.
Och's will have deals running from now until Christmas on helmets. Rather than sell helmets at retail, Och's reduces prices. "Snowmobiling can be an expensive sport. We want to make enjoyable and cost effective for everybody," Vanhove states.
Anyone who reads this article on Thursday when this paper comes out and goes into Och's Motor Sports, Vanhove promises to give them a good deal on Thursday.
Another major stop on the recent Yorkton snowmobile dealers' tour was Brown's Leisure World, the local Arctic cat dealership.
Owner Ward Brown says there haven't been many new advances introduced to the product line this season. The products which have worked very well over the past few years have been refined in several areas, Brown states. "For this year we've kept with what we had and as a dealer I'm happy because we know it works," he declares.
Last year Brown's started to turbo the two stroke engines, Brown announces. The dealership is the Canadian distributor for the push turbo. "We're doing a lot of sleds, putting turbos on them right now. They're working really well. It's kind of the new thing out. Everybody was doing motor mods and nitrous and now we're into the turbos," he notes. The turbos are better because previously some who weren't trained tuners were blowing engines up. Brown claims. The turbo kits are easier to install and provide better, more consistent power, he adds.
Brown's Leisure World offers a full line of sleds, parts and accessories, ATVs and the clothing to go along with the recreational products.
The full service department features three Cat Master trained technicians as well as a parts and support staff.
The dealership currently carries some non-current products in its inventory which are offered for some very good deals, Brown announces.
The new 2011 machines offer a very good two year warranty. "We have very good rebates on the '09, and '10 products and a very good warranty on the 2011 products," Brown sums up.
He echos the sentiments of snowmobilers when he says its see the early snow conditions. "I can't remember the last time we've actually had really good snow in November. Usually we're praying that we can snowmobile by Christmas time when all the families are together. Maybe this year we can have a little family bonding and some enjoyment," Brown says.
The early snow is good for everybody, not just the snowmobile industry but also related businesses, people who sell clothing and those who sell snow shovels and snowblowers. "It's really good for our area because that's what we live on for the six months of winter, is lots of snow," Brown closes.
Warning!
The Yorkton Sno-Riders wish to advise everyone to exercise caution when attempting to cross ditches and other low level areas where excess water may be accumulated due to the higher than normal moisture levels this fall. The high amount of early snowfall this year has also greatly reduced the chance of ice freezing in most areas. There also have been reports of thin ice on lakes and rivers.
The Sno-Rider's trail system will remain closed until conditions improve for the safety of trail groomers and trail sign marking crews. There are a high number of fallen trees across and along our trail system that need to be removed in wet areas that are not accessible until freezing conditions exist before the trails can be opened.
