April 6th Green Bay Sneak Peak
- Thread starter indy_500
- Start date
skiroule
Well-known member
This is kind of a continuation of the Green Bay show. The show moved to the Twin Cities this weekend, which I think was the next stop.
We showed up an hour or so after it opened today. From an interest perspective, I would rate Cat #1, Polaris #2, and Yamaha a distant third which is surprising because this is a pretty strong Yamaha market. It didn't seem like Yamaha put a lot of enthusiasm into this show. They only had one long track and the hood was missing. If you're going to pull the hood, have one with it on. Appearance sells.
The show was packed but not so much that you couldn't sit on models you were interested in. It's funny how when you see the machines for real, your opinion changes. Fortunately I didn't see something that would want me to go further into debt tomorrow but my two favorites by far were the 800 Assault Switchback and the Cat XF SnoPro. I thought I would like the white XF, but in the flesh it came up short. I'd definitely go with the black now.
It will be interesting to see how the numbers fall out next year.
We showed up an hour or so after it opened today. From an interest perspective, I would rate Cat #1, Polaris #2, and Yamaha a distant third which is surprising because this is a pretty strong Yamaha market. It didn't seem like Yamaha put a lot of enthusiasm into this show. They only had one long track and the hood was missing. If you're going to pull the hood, have one with it on. Appearance sells.
The show was packed but not so much that you couldn't sit on models you were interested in. It's funny how when you see the machines for real, your opinion changes. Fortunately I didn't see something that would want me to go further into debt tomorrow but my two favorites by far were the 800 Assault Switchback and the Cat XF SnoPro. I thought I would like the white XF, but in the flesh it came up short. I'd definitely go with the black now.
It will be interesting to see how the numbers fall out next year.
indy_500
Well-known member
I hope they cleaned the tunnel before the minneapolis show!!!
bearrassler
Well-known member
Our show is Wednesday the 13th in Fargo at the Fargodome. I am going to go and check them out.
skiroule
Well-known member
I hope they cleaned the tunnel before the minneapolis show!!!
Actually it looked a little off color - a little like eggshell white
skiroule
Well-known member
Check out the Bearcat "Groomer Special" - Heated seat, winch, even a strobe light....
D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Going to the Duluth show on the 18th!
indy_500
Well-known member
that was the color of the tunnel down by the running boards. Everybody getting on and off practically stained it. The new chassis itself looks A LOT better in person but that white/orange limited edition sled is just a mess waiting to happen.
bearrassler
Well-known member
Our club had a Bearcat T660 (2007 or 2008) with a groomer that we used some. It worked OK in sheltered areas but not in the wind blown ones. I sold it for the club last year though, we are going to look at the new one but are not interested in it.
I think it is set up more for local club trails. like runs to the club house or short un groomed trails in towns or to dealers or ungroomed trails over lakes the big one wont go over etc etc.I think cat should sell them to clubs at just over cost or at minn dealer cost to clubs.I think most clubs would think about buying one if the price was right.would it not be nice if say 60% had one I know it would make a big impact on local in town to gas trails swamp trails short in town trails the stuff that never gets hit buy the big boy would be no biggy with that sm drag.heck just from members houses to the trail for the guys who actualy maintane trails would be worth it.my club pisses to much away on charitys that have nothing to do with the sport to ever save the money to get one but it would be very nice
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D
Deleted member 10829
Guest
Nothing new
Yamaha really has nothing new this year and last year it was only the EPS. They don't even do BNG. Maybe next year they will come with something new! Otherwise, pretty boring from them right now.
Yamaha really has nothing new this year and last year it was only the EPS. They don't even do BNG. Maybe next year they will come with something new! Otherwise, pretty boring from them right now.
The 2011 Apex didn't look a lot different from the 2010 but it was a new sled, bumper to bumper, not just EPS. New front geometry, EPS, new motor and exhaust, redesigned hood,windshield,seat and tail section, new 128" skid, different ski's. I'll admit it's not an exciting year coming up for Yamaha but they have a solid trail riding fleet of sleds that will outlast anything in the industry. Argue all you want but it's the truth.
Chad@M&M
D
Deleted member 10829
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Yamaha sure didn't market a new bumper to bumper sled, that's for sure. First time I had heard that. Who's arguing about Yamaha? Nothing wrong with being reliable and boring. You better like the same old red, black and blue though with very little change in look from year to year. Yawn. A common theme from all the shows I hear is there is no interest at the Yamaha display.
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bearrassler
Well-known member
Went to the Fargo show last night, like everyone had said, the Polaris and Arctic Cat areas were full and the Yamaha area was empty. It was to bad that Ski Doo had there show a month earlier. It is better for the industry to have one show. The sleds looked good, and I liked the white Cat.
skiroule
Well-known member
So are you ready to sign on the dotted line? (Don't tell Indy you liked the white Cat- he starts twitching)
I really liked the XF. Of all the Cats, it seemed to have the best rider setup for me - not sure that windshield would handle the N.D. wind though.
indy_500
Well-known member
lol, nice and clean! The black and green cat looked sweet in person. Seeing sleds in person can really change your opinion! Online, the only cat I thought that looked good was all black, it looked decent in person, but the green/black was a lot nicer looking.
bearrassler
Well-known member
I really liked the XF also, but I have had Polaris sleds since 1980 and was a Polaris dealer for 12 years. I also like the Switchback Assault, with the highest windshield available and also mirrors. I didn't care for the graphics that much. I asked the Polaris rep how he thought a 55 year old republican would look on it. He didn't care for the graphics either. I have to decide soon but I need something, my sled has about 9000 miles on it now.
indy_500
Well-known member
just curious, what do you currently have?
skiroule
Well-known member
Wait a minute - one of your other posts said you were 54. You seem to be changing your story.
At 9000 miles, I'm betting on the Polaris Star. My brother just keeps racking up the miles on his four pre-06 models (2 RMKs and 2 XCs). I think they have something like 45,000 combined miles with only one top-end rebuild.
Maybe it's old age, but I've grown to really like the retro graphics on the new sleds. I love the Polaris TX look and even though I've never owned a Cat, I always thought the El Tigre' graphics, which AC has resurrected, were just plain cool. If you could get an Assault with the TX graphics, grab it!
mspease, you're up next. We expect a full report on the 19th.