I first got my thirst for snowmobiles when a childhood friend allowed me to ride his Kitty Cat. I was hooked on the first ride. Years later I was the one who he would ask to help him get it started, or address any technical issues. We would ride every winter until we were too big.
Fast forward 10 years, another friend of mine had 4 sleds and we would go up to lower WI back in the day when we used to get snow down by Lake Geneva and such.
College and what not filled in those years later and there I was at my 40th birthday and what I wanted to do. Go snowmobiling is what I said, the itch came back.
My middle brother was the only one to attend in St Germain. Pats rental was out of 600's, said he had 2 550's. As a former road racer, I said "how much less HP can a 550 have vs a 600?" First sled lesson learned.
My bro and I had a great trip, hook line and sinker back with sleds!
We were at a bar and met a group of guys up from IL for a bachelor party. One guy had a RX-1 I think, the hot Yamaha at the time, and a 700 Cat 2 smoke. Asked my bro and I if we wanted to take them for a spin? Duh, of course (mistake) I rode the Yamaha first, my bro rode the cat. Ripped it right out from from the bar in St Germain, front skis off the ice, let off gas for a sec, back on full, saw 105 on speedo and turned around. Switched sleds, and did the same on the Cat, same effect, sjis in air, crazy fast.
After, I thank the gentlemen who let us ride their sleds and looked at my brother and said "we're screwed now cause our rental sleds wont do that!"
What's my point in this story? Well, 9 of us have been doing a trip tp Gogebic since 2012. 9 of us rent sleds which by default makes me uneasy talking about much here cause you all own sleds and have more "skin" in the game. Its like my road racing bretheren if they allowed people to rent race bikes.
Anyway, back to my point. This year, 5 of the 9 bought sleds and are now part of this crew more then I am, or feel.
However, if anyone were to meet me at a bar or trail head, I suspect we would smile and laugh together because we are a rare breed and we need to stick together! I will own a sled someday, and when i do, I will clog the technical forums with lots of questions. Until then, I am just an avid sled head who at the moment doesnt own a sled but that doesn't mean i don't love the sport or support area businesses.
Fast forward 10 years, another friend of mine had 4 sleds and we would go up to lower WI back in the day when we used to get snow down by Lake Geneva and such.
College and what not filled in those years later and there I was at my 40th birthday and what I wanted to do. Go snowmobiling is what I said, the itch came back.
My middle brother was the only one to attend in St Germain. Pats rental was out of 600's, said he had 2 550's. As a former road racer, I said "how much less HP can a 550 have vs a 600?" First sled lesson learned.
My bro and I had a great trip, hook line and sinker back with sleds!
We were at a bar and met a group of guys up from IL for a bachelor party. One guy had a RX-1 I think, the hot Yamaha at the time, and a 700 Cat 2 smoke. Asked my bro and I if we wanted to take them for a spin? Duh, of course (mistake) I rode the Yamaha first, my bro rode the cat. Ripped it right out from from the bar in St Germain, front skis off the ice, let off gas for a sec, back on full, saw 105 on speedo and turned around. Switched sleds, and did the same on the Cat, same effect, sjis in air, crazy fast.
After, I thank the gentlemen who let us ride their sleds and looked at my brother and said "we're screwed now cause our rental sleds wont do that!"
What's my point in this story? Well, 9 of us have been doing a trip tp Gogebic since 2012. 9 of us rent sleds which by default makes me uneasy talking about much here cause you all own sleds and have more "skin" in the game. Its like my road racing bretheren if they allowed people to rent race bikes.
Anyway, back to my point. This year, 5 of the 9 bought sleds and are now part of this crew more then I am, or feel.
However, if anyone were to meet me at a bar or trail head, I suspect we would smile and laugh together because we are a rare breed and we need to stick together! I will own a sled someday, and when i do, I will clog the technical forums with lots of questions. Until then, I am just an avid sled head who at the moment doesnt own a sled but that doesn't mean i don't love the sport or support area businesses.
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