What new Innovative features would you like to see in our sport

dfattack

Well-known member
Like everyone else I'm appreciating all the new improvements by the sled manufacturers each and every year. They do impact our experience while enjoying our time on the sleds. I keep thinking about things I would like to see added to the sleds or even our gear. Two things come to mind right away...Dash/gauge packages with built in GPS, with the map on the dash just like what's in the cars but the size that makes sense. The second thing I would like to see is built in speakers in our helmets. I ride with the Modular 2 and would love to have a full noise isolating ear muff stitched into the side of the helmet padding so we didn't have to wear the in-ear headphones. I use the sure noise isolating ear buds and after a long day riding they bother me a little.

I would be interested in hearing everyone's ideas. I'm not looking for ideas that could never happen...I mean real world possibilities.
 

whitedust

Well-known member
Iceripper track options,don't want or need built in sled GPS use the hard drive between my ears, clicker shocks all around, like the Yamaha guage pod not much lacking there bring back EC mono ohlin shock, useful windshields stock. Built in sled GPS going to add big bucks to sleds not going to ride better just cause electrical problems handheld GPS just fine. New sleds are high tech now not sure they are lacking maybe trim some weight from 4s models & injected 2s that can go 15,000 miles without meltdown. I think 2s engines will fade away for trail sleds 4s going to take over in coming years. Injected 2s engines purpose built for powder sleds maybe 2s only future.
 

Cat600

Member
The button to flip for 3 feet of snow to drop instantly on Nov. 1 and stay till April 15 and never melts away.
 

dfattack

Well-known member
Iceripper track options,don't want or need built in sled GPS use the hard drive between my ears, clicker shocks all around, like the Yamaha guage pod not much lacking there bring back EC mono ohlin shock, useful windshields stock. Built in sled GPS going to add big bucks to sleds not going to ride better just cause electrical problems handheld GPS just fine. New sleds are high tech now not sure they are lacking maybe trim some weight from 4s models & injected 2s that can go 15,000 miles without meltdown. I think 2s engines will fade away for trail sleds 4s going to take over in coming years. Injected 2s engines purpose built for powder sleds maybe 2s only future.

I agree with the track options from the factory. Once you ride your new XTX you will Probably see where you don't need the EC Ohlin Mono shock. I also agree that built in GPS isn't necessary, however I would rather have it built in instead of having to carry one. When you have iPods, phones, emergency gear, toilet paper :)...it would be one less thing to carry. Don't know if I agree with that addition of a GPS being "BIG BUCKS" but of course it could be optional. I know you travel the same routes all the time so for you it wouldn't be a worthwhile feature, but when you like to travel to new areas like I do I really like having GPS with me all the time.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Like everyone else I'm appreciating all the new improvements by the sled manufacturers each and every year. They do impact our experience while enjoying our time on the sleds. I keep thinking about things I would like to see added to the sleds or even our gear. Two things come to mind right away...Dash/gauge packages with built in GPS, with the map on the dash just like what's in the cars but the size that makes sense. The second thing I would like to see is built in speakers in our helmets. I ride with the Modular 2 and would love to have a full noise isolating ear muff stitched into the side of the helmet padding so we didn't have to wear the in-ear headphones. I use the sure noise isolating ear buds and after a long day riding they bother me a little.

I would be interested in hearing everyone's ideas. I'm not looking for ideas that could never happen...I mean real world possibilities.

Can't you get helmet speakers for communicators? I can't imagine wearing earbuds under a helmet all day long.

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I'd like a new 600cc sled with hand and thumb warmers for $6000. That's it.

I think that's about what the leftover Indy's were going for. Pretty much everything a trail rider needs...
 

blkhwkbob

Active member
I would like a non-hybrid 4WD SUV tow vehicle that could get 30 MPG all day (no trailer) and 20 MPG while towing a simple, two placed enclosed trailer. Ideally, 225HP, 3500lbs tow rating and 20 MPG while towing. It would change the sport.
 

dfattack

Well-known member
Can't you get helmet speakers for communicators? I can't imagine wearing earbuds under a helmet all day long.


I'm not sure what you mean about communicators? if you mean the communications devices people use to talk to each other...I don't really want that. I'm looking for good quality speakers built into the helmet...like the over the ear type with soft material that can go around your ear and sound great like sound or noise isolating headphones. I would like to simply plug the iPod into my helmet and be done with it.
 

srt20

Active member
I would like a non-hybrid 4WD SUV tow vehicle that could get 30 MPG all day (no trailer) and 20 MPG while towing a simple, two placed enclosed trailer. Ideally, 225HP, 3500lbs tow rating and 20 MPG while towing. It would change the sport.

Amen!!
 

eagle1

Well-known member
dfattack- This setup might intrest you. check out http://www.trailjamz.com/

I would prefer they keep things simple- choice of windshield, decent set of carbides,belt holder, HID headlights, 12 volt storage compartment for cell phone, more than ounce of storage would be nice, not ohh we sell nice bags. And choice of color/ graphics.
 

xcsp

Member
For the gps, I wouldn't want to see a "factory built-in", much easier to use a Garmin or similar, less cost.

Ski Doo has good storage options for most models, rear seat, Linq system and now an add-on storage compartment with provisions for a gps. Also a built-in belt holder on the clutch cover.

For the price we pay for new sleds, how about a longer than 1-year warranty? Should be more like a 3 year warranty.
 

Hoosier

Well-known member
Can't you get helmet speakers for communicators? I can't imagine wearing earbuds under a helmet all day long.


I'm not sure what you mean about communicators? if you mean the communications devices people use to talk to each other...I don't really want that. I'm looking for good quality speakers built into the helmet...like the over the ear type with soft material that can go around your ear and sound great like sound or noise isolating headphones. I would like to simply plug the iPod into my helmet and be done with it.

Gotcha. I never thought about tunes on a sled. I prefer the therapeutic sound of the 2 stroke revving. To each his own though!
 

dfattack

Well-known member
Gotcha. I never thought about tunes on a sled. I prefer the therapeutic sound of the 2 stroke revving. To each his own though!

I used to say the same thing...but my son convinced me to try listening one time and now I'm hooked. I never thought I would like it because I'm the kind of guy who likes it quiet when I'm on the lake fishing or just hanging out on the boat. I can even drive long distances in the car without tunes. there's just something about listening to my tunes while riding. Can't explain it. But since I can't hear the outdoors so much while on the sled...it's a nice alternative to the constant sound of the motor/track/wind. I do like the sound of the engine too, just not 8-10 hours of it and once I put tunes to my ride it's hard to ride without it.
 

dfattack

Well-known member
To clarify, I'm asking about ideas that everyone would like to see in the future. Forget cost, cheaper sleds, free gas, lots of snow... let's assume manufacturers ran out of improvements to make to the chassis, ski's, etc. I guess I'm wondering with all the creative minds out there what are some of your ideas that maybe most of us haven't thought of.

Another idea I would like to see is the option to cut horsepower by some percentage temporarily on the sleds while a younger rider or newer to the sport person was learning how to ride. I have an extra sled or two but they are too much for a new person to handle...horsepower wise. When my son started riding I bought him a fan cooled 500cc class ski-doo. He already had experience driving the two up sled with me on the back, but once he was on his own I got one year out of the fan cooled sled because the second year he was good enough to keep up with the older guys and he was pushing his engine so hard on the long grade runs we'd make in between trails. He couldn't keep up and we ended up waiting for him. Sorry for the extra background, but I would have liked to have been able to limit the higher horsepower sled for a year or two then open it up after I could see he was ready. Anyways, I'm certain there has to be things me and my friends haven't thought of and was trying to provoke a stream of cool ideas....
 

whitedust

Well-known member
To clarify, I'm asking about ideas that everyone would like to see in the future. Forget cost, cheaper sleds, free gas, lots of snow... let's assume manufacturers ran out of improvements to make to the chassis, ski's, etc. I guess I'm wondering with all the creative minds out there what are some of your ideas that maybe most of us haven't thought of.

Another idea I would like to see is the option to cut horsepower by some percentage temporarily on the sleds while a younger rider or newer to the sport person was learning how to ride. I have an extra sled or two but they are too much for a new person to handle...horsepower wise. When my son started riding I bought him a fan cooled 500cc class ski-doo. He already had experience driving the two up sled with me on the back, but once he was on his own I got one year out of the fan cooled sled because the second year he was good enough to keep up with the older guys and he was pushing his engine so hard on the long grade runs we'd make in between trails. He couldn't keep up and we ended up waiting for him. Sorry for the extra background, but I would have liked to have been able to limit the higher horsepower sled for a year or two then open it up after I could see he was ready. Anyways, I'm certain there has to be things me and my friends haven't thought of and was trying to provoke a stream of cool ideas....

Doo does that this year with the 4s Ace 900 lower limit I think is 45mph then can move back to full HP just hit a button for HP mode you want. Perfect for your purpose little interest for me. Lots of people were checking out Ace 900 GSX at Wausau show & I couldn't get near the sled. I think it was a big seller for them this year.
 
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