Brand Loyalty??

[Attak man]

Ok...I think we have all seen enough brand bashing to last us a lifetime....we all get caught up in it (I have too)...and we all get defensive if somebody is picking on our brand....How many of you have actually owned all FOUR of the current brands in the past 25 years?? I have...and just like you... I have my preferences....I know what brands have been the best for me over all. What dealers have treated me the best ( in a 150 mile radius)....etc.

I think brand loyalty starts at the dealer level....and the only way to find out if your dealer is worth a squat is to have a problem...a good dealer will do everything in his power to help you and keep you on brand X?? I believe that is my experience...and that is why I buy where I buy....and I ride what I ride.

We all get caught up in brand loyality.....WHY??? Because we have a passion for what we do...and passionate people are tough to change....and let's face it...alot of us are biased because of our fathers and what they rode...or disliked.....my dad had sno jets and yamaha's in the early 70's....he disliked scorpions and ski-doos...but liked rupps chapperral's, and a few arctic cat model's....and yeah he was disgusted with me...when I brought a ski-doo to his house..(something about..."what's that yellow blob out there...did the dog pee in the snow bank"....lol)...yep...I still bought ski-doos even though my father didn't like it....but I will admit...it felt funny to me...like I was rooting for the russians in the olympics.

I think what makes our sport fun is that there are 4 brands....who doesn't bash their buddies brand X sled??? IT'S FUN!!! ...

The only thing I don't like is somebody telling somebody else what they ride is all wrong...or they must be "stupid" ride brand X......HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR SOMEBODY ELSE??

I am no different than any of you...I get defensive when somebody says something about my brand...I try not to...but we all can get sucked into it....I guess it's that passion...eh???

 

[eagle1]

It wouldnt be no fun if people didn't get all defensive. lol
Would own one from all for if I could afford it!!!! So far i've owned 2 out of 4 brands. Polaris/Yamaha. Soon to be 3 of 4? not sure yet.

 

[anonomoose]

Ok...I think we have all seen enough brand bashing to last us a lifetime....we all get caught up in it (I have too)...and we all get defensive if somebody is picking on our brand....How many of you have actually owned all FOUR of the current brands in the past 25 years?? I have...and just like you... I have my preferences....I know what brands have been the best for me over all. What dealers have treated me the best ( in a 150 mile radius)....etc.

I think brand loyalty starts at the dealer level....and the only way to find out if your dealer is worth a squat is to have a problem...a good dealer will do everything in his power to help you and keep you on brand X?? I believe that is my experience...and that is why I buy where I buy....and I ride what I ride.

We all get caught up in brand loyality.....WHY??? Because we have a passion for what we do...and passionate people are tough to change....and let's face it...alot of us are biased because of our fathers and what they rode...or disliked.....my dad had sno jets and yamaha's in the early 70's....he disliked scorpions and ski-doos...but liked rupps chapperral's, and a few arctic cat model's....and yeah he was disgusted with me...when I brought a ski-doo to his house..(something about..."what's that yellow blob out there...did the dog pee in the snow bank"....lol)...yep...I still bought ski-doos even though my father didn't like it....but I will admit...it felt funny to me...like I was rooting for the russians in the olympics.

I think what makes our sport fun is that there are 4 brands....who doesn't bash their buddies brand X sled??? IT'S FUN!!! ...

The only thing I don't like is somebody telling somebody else what they ride is all wrong...or they must be "stupid" ride brand X......HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR SOMEBODY ELSE??

I am no different than any of you...I get defensive when somebody says something about my brand...I try not to...but we all can get sucked into it....I guess it's that passion...eh???

Manufacturers of all sorts work really hard to make you brand loyal. Clothing, matching helmets, gloves, accessories....they want you to stay there.

But the truth is that all makers have had good and bad stuff out there, just like cars and trucks, each manu has some that aren't that good and others that are pretty good. Other than longer term reliability, everyone should shut off the sound bites and look at the sled before you buy it and then test drive each one to see if it fits. But this is in an ideal world and many buy because of the guys they ride with or where they got a good deal or who they have to deal with in regard to dealership if they do buy something.

For the record, a little ribbing on what you buy isn't all bad....geez it's a blog don't yah know....got to write about something.

 

[whitedust]

I have owned all 4 brands & I'm always looking for a better mouse trap technology wise. For me riding unplowed FRs, crossing lakes & fields + big mile days on trails Yamaha Apex XTX is the best sled for me. Pat's is a great Yamaha dealer but could buy Poo & Cat thru them just not best sled tech for my needs.

 

[slimcake]

Must be a yamaha thing... LOL My dad had polaris and I have polaris. Dealer is good. sleds have been good. Nuf said.

Ok...I think we have all seen enough brand bashing to last us a lifetime....we all get caught up in it (I have too)...and we all get defensive if somebody is picking on our brand....How many of you have actually owned all FOUR of the current brands in the past 25 years?? I have...and just like you... I have my preferences....I know what brands have been the best for me over all. What dealers have treated me the best ( in a 150 mile radius)....etc.

I think brand loyalty starts at the dealer level....and the only way to find out if your dealer is worth a squat is to have a problem...a good dealer will do everything in his power to help you and keep you on brand X?? I believe that is my experience...and that is why I buy where I buy....and I ride what I ride.

We all get caught up in brand loyality.....WHY??? Because we have a passion for what we do...and passionate people are tough to change....and let's face it...alot of us are biased because of our fathers and what they rode...or disliked.....my dad had sno jets and yamaha's in the early 70's....he disliked scorpions and ski-doos...but liked rupps chapperral's, and a few arctic cat model's....and yeah he was disgusted with me...when I brought a ski-doo to his house..(something about..."what's that yellow blob out there...did the dog pee in the snow bank"....lol)...yep...I still bought ski-doos even though my father didn't like it....but I will admit...it felt funny to me...like I was rooting for the russians in the olympics.

I think what makes our sport fun is that there are 4 brands....who doesn't bash their buddies brand X sled??? IT'S FUN!!! ...

The only thing I don't like is somebody telling somebody else what they ride is all wrong...or they must be "stupid" ride brand X......HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR SOMEBODY ELSE??

I am no different than any of you...I get defensive when somebody says something about my brand...I try not to...but we all can get sucked into it....I guess it's that passion...eh???

 

[lenny]

brand loyalty can be good and it can be bad. It's good if the brand has earned it's keep but for some they will buy no matter how many times their brand fails them. Not to pick on any brand but I know an older couple that are loyal to their brand and will not consider a different manufacturer. A few years back they had some serious electrical problems and than one sled blew up. A friend of mine said how many times can you make the same mistake,,because there were other issues these people had but they just said that's what they like. I think many people will bad mouth a sled even though they never rode it but sure can bang on them because they just can,,that's what gets my panties in a bunch. I personally have not ever bought a new Doo but I have a good friend who is a die hard Doo man and his sleds have been good for him. Honestly they are all good and I could buy any of them depending on what riding I want to do. The only sled I wouldn't want would be a 2s trail sled and that's because I'm old and don't ride much trail these days but if I did ride trail it would be 4s because I am old and love smooth cruising sleds

 

[anonomoose]

So Lenny....does this mean that you are just getting old??

 

[squat]

Ok...I think we have all seen enough brand bashing to last us a lifetime....we all get caught up in it (I have too)...and we all get defensive if somebody is picking on our brand....How many of you have actually owned all FOUR of the current brands in the past 25 years?? I have...and just like you... I have my preferences....I know what brands have been the best for me over all. What dealers have treated me the best ( in a 150 mile radius)....etc.

I think brand loyalty starts at the dealer level....and the only way to find out if your dealer is worth a squat is to have a problem...a good dealer will do everything in his power to help you and keep you on brand X?? I believe that is my experience...and that is why I buy where I buy....and I ride what I ride.

We all get caught up in brand loyality.....WHY??? Because we have a passion for what we do...and passionate people are tough to change....and let's face it...alot of us are biased because of our fathers and what they rode...or disliked.....my dad had sno jets and yamaha's in the early 70's....he disliked scorpions and ski-doos...but liked rupps chapperral's, and a few arctic cat model's....and yeah he was disgusted with me...when I brought a ski-doo to his house..(something about..."what's that yellow blob out there...did the dog pee in the snow bank"....lol)...yep...I still bought ski-doos even though my father didn't like it....but I will admit...it felt funny to me...like I was rooting for the russians in the olympics.

I think what makes our sport fun is that there are 4 brands....who doesn't bash their buddies brand X sled??? IT'S FUN!!! ...

The only thing I don't like is somebody telling somebody else what they ride is all wrong...or they must be "stupid" ride brand X......HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR SOMEBODY ELSE??

I am no different than any of you...I get defensive when somebody says something about my brand...I try not to...but we all can get sucked into it....I guess it's that passion...eh???

"your dealer is worth a squat"

Hold on now, brand bashing is one think but now you bringing me into this, lol

 

[gary_in_neenah]

I'm quite sure that all four manufacturer's have a quality product and your choice depends on a myriad of things like eye appeal, cost, dealer and service, and the list goes on and on. Even some of the younger folks may be subject to Peer Pressure, "Geez what would the guys think if I bought that Yellow one."

This Winter is one for the record books so get out there and enjoy it. Ride what you're happy with and be happy that you're riding.

 

[lenny]

So Lenny....does this mean that you are just getting old??

actually,,,,yes!

 

[dfattack]

I like brand loyalty.

I don't like when people say you are bashing a brand when they are merely pointing out real life issues/problems and product failures. That doesn't mean you are bashing...unless one continuously brings it up over and over again.

I for one am very happy we still have four brands. Competition is absolutely necessary for all of us. We all benefit from there being competition through the innovation that comes from the competition.

I don't like hearing when certain brands have so many mechanical failures. I would rather pick from four reliable brands and simply choose which sled to buy based on my particular needs and not based on who's engines blows up the least.

 

[Team Elkhorn]

I'm not so much brand loyal, but there are a few brands I would never buy.

My beef is, theres just so much misinformation that gets spread on forums. Sometimes I'll try to head it off at the pass, if I have the energy. When I'm out and about and I overhear some guy spreading some total BS, I'll ask him to prove his point. He'll say he heard it on a forum, and acts like it came from THE burning bush itself.
Heck, did you hear a certain snomo brand caused the Spanish Inquisition too.... I just never expected that.

 

[Attak man]

I'm not so much brand loyal, but there are a few brands I would never buy.

My beef is, theres just so much misinformation that gets spread on forums. Sometimes I'll try to head it off at the pass, if I have the energy. When I'm out and about and I overhear some guy spreading some total BS, I'll ask him to prove his point. He'll say he heard it on a forum, and acts like it came from THE burning bush itself.
Heck, did you hear a certain snomo brand caused the Spanish Inquisition too.... I just never expected that.

I agree...I say ride as many new models as you can....one may suit you better than another...For example a friend of mine just bought a vector...he thought that power steering was over kill on a sled...and he was told the EPS makes a heavy sled...heavier...then he rode it and couldn't believe how awesome it was....ending up buying the sled on the spot...if he hadn't rode it...he'd still be on here bashing yamaha...lol......So much BS and Bad info on the internet...You really need to ride them yourself...it's the only way.

 

[agriffinjd]

I'm a Yamaha guy. I don't bash the other brands (other than good natured jabs at friends). I did see a newer Polaris RMA towing a newer Yamaha FX Nytro on Saturday though...usually you don't see that because either a) Yamaha's don't break down (lovers of Yamaha) or b) Yamaha's are too heavy for anything but a groomer to tow (haters of Yamaha)!

 

[kip]

Now that's funny!!!

 

[lenny]

is it true that in 2015 Yamaha is going to have seat, skis, bars, sus tubes filled with helium to lighten them up? I heard that on the www

 

[samc]

I've owned all 4 brands and currently we have all 4 brands in the family. I think the kids are becoming brand loyal though. Sons on a Yamaha, Daughters on a Cat drives me nuts, Wife will not give up Skidoo and I currently have a Polaris. Stinks when/if something breaks. Ughhhhh

 

[Banjo Man]

I have owned 3 out of 4 brands. (never had a Doo) and think their all good, just differant strokes for differant folks. I prefer the gas and go of a 4s Yami but had Poo Indys that lasted 14,000 and 15,000 miles with just routine maintenance and wear parts. I don't do off trail so the weight factor of the Yamaha doesn't come in to play, but if I did I would seriously look into another A/C or a Doo.

 

[cuzzinolaf]

I'm dealer loyal.

 

[squat]

I've owned all 4 brands and currently we have all 4 brands in the family. I think the kids are becoming brand loyal though. Sons on a Yamaha, Daughters on a Cat drives me nuts, Wife will not give up Skidoo and I currently have a Polaris. Stinks when/if something breaks. Ughhhhh

Or runs out of gas. lol