Tried a new Grand Touring today

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Attak man

New member
Long story short...been trying to get my wife more involved in our beloved sport...but she hates the cold, and has trouble seeing in snow (due to an eye surgery)...so she cant drive one. For years though, she would go once or twice a season...and..it was usually below zero, with rough trails, and her hanging onto me for dear life...needless to say she hated snowmobiles...until today.

My boss let me take out our brand new 2020 grand touring 900 ace....we went for a nice 40 mile loop, and had a nice lunch..together...it was great 20200105_154258.jpg . The sled was smooth and handled great, I was really impressed with it...the dreaded ski doo "throttle lag"...appears to be gone. The wife enjoyed the ride so much...she asked if I was buying one...she also asked if we could get the model with the heated seat...and then she floored when she asked how much faster the turbo one was.."I'd rather go a bit faster" (I think I actually started tearing up at this point)
She then asked what the price difference was between the one we rode, and the turbo..I told her about $3,000 dollars, and she goes "well, I'd buy the turbo with the heated seat then" I think I created a monster, cause now she's asking me for new boots, a jacket and a helmet...lol
Dont know when, or if I'm gonna do this..but I really did enjoy riding this sled today...with her on the back its alot like our motorcycle, something we love to do.
Maybe I am just getting old..but I enjoyed the wind/element protection, and soft cushy suspension..like I said..it was really nice. Cant wait to ride it again...with her!
 
D

Deleted member 10829

Guest
That's cool! Always more fun when you can enjoy something you really like with someone you care about.
 
dfattack

dfattack

Well-known member
awesome story!

I too am in a similar situation. My wife likes to ride with me once or twice a year. She doesn't want to drive her own and that's fine. I won't take her out below zero, but she's good for a 270 mile round trip in one day. I currently have a 2013 Yamaha Venture but am seriously considering the GT Limited 900T. I've been visiting dootalk trying to get info on the GT 900T and have only read great things about it. My wife and I test rode a GT Sport about 3 years ago and that was very nice. My riding buddy bought a 2019 Enduro 900T last year and I rode his and wow was the rear suspension nice. I believe it's similar setup to the GT limited and to me...you can't go wrong. Anyways, wanted you to know your post inspired me to keep plugging away on my research and maybe pull the trigger soon on a new one.
 
LoveMyDobe

LoveMyDobe

Active member
Can I trade your wife for my Husband? I have a Polaris Turbo 4 stroke 2 up and he hates riding on the back, he sold his sled and pretty much gave up snowmobiling for the General UTV, says he hates the cold. BTW my insurance company told me my rates will never go down due to being a turbo and they haven't in 12 years. :(
 
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garageguy

Well-known member
You should drop your full coverage insurance and just carry liability. I just parted out a sled like yours and could sell you parts real cheap if you wreck somthing. I have a 06 fst and i pay around 100.00 a year for ins.
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
Attak man said:
Long story short...been trying to get my wife more involved in our beloved sport...but she hates the cold, and has trouble seeing in snow (due to an eye surgery)...so she cant drive one. For years though, she would go once or twice a season...and..it was usually below zero, with rough trails, and her hanging onto me for dear life...needless to say she hated snowmobiles...until today.

My boss let me take out our brand new 2020 grand touring 900 ace....we went for a nice 40 mile loop, and had a nice lunch..together...it was great View attachment 61040 . The sled was smooth and handled great, I was really impressed with it...the dreaded ski doo "throttle lag"...appears to be gone. The wife enjoyed the ride so much...she asked if I was buying one...she also asked if we could get the model with the heated seat...and then she floored when she asked how much faster the turbo one was.."I'd rather go a bit faster" (I think I actually started tearing up at this point)
She then asked what the price difference was between the one we rode, and the turbo..I told her about $3,000 dollars, and she goes "well, I'd buy the turbo with the heated seat then" I think I created a monster, cause now she's asking me for new boots, a jacket and a helmet...lol
Dont know when, or if I'm gonna do this..but I really did enjoy riding this sled today...with her on the back its alot like our motorcycle, something we love to do.
Maybe I am just getting old..but I enjoyed the wind/element protection, and soft cushy suspension..like I said..it was really nice. Cant wait to ride it again...with her!
Click to expand...

Good going getting your wife back in the groove! Do what ever it takes on that Attack man. I started riding with the family along thing. I enjoy riding the most ever, with the wife, and kids! Family is FUN! When you try out the 900 T lets us know your thoughts! As it now appears, the true die hard Yamaha guys have thrown in the towel!
 
A

Attak man

New member
old abe said:
Good going getting your wife back in the groove! Do what ever it takes on that Attack man. I started riding with the family along thing. I enjoy riding the most ever, with the wife, and kids! Family is FUN! When you try out the 900 T lets us know your thoughts! As it now appears, the true die hard Yamaha guys have thrown in the towel!
Click to expand...
Yeah..it's a hard pill to swallow (for us old yami guys)..but if you have an open mind, and are willing to try different brands, you can learn alot. The 900 Ace is a sweet cruiser motor..the older I get the less I care about speed (although the 900 turbo still has my attention, just because it's basically the same HP as my Apex)..The grand touring is a terrific touring sled (the limited is even better). I'm sure the Pantera 7000 limited, and the new yamaha GT Turbo touring are fine sleds too, (but I don't need 200 HP on a touring sled), AND working at a Ski Doo dealer, doesn't suck...lol ...I'm gonna keep riding, and trying whatever I can
I believe it's more fun with family as well, and getting her involved, may make our winters better (instead of her nagging to go some place warm every year by march).

Bottom line is that Grand Touring is an excellent machine for a couple to enjoy winter on...really enjoyed it
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
Attak man said:
Yeah..it's a hard pill to swallow (for us old yami guys)..but if you have an open mind, and are willing to try different brands, you can learn alot. The 900 Ace is a sweet cruiser motor..the older I get the less I care about speed (although the 900 turbo still has my attention, just because it's basically the same HP as my Apex)..The grand touring is a terrific touring sled (the limited is even better). I'm sure the Pantera 7000 limited, and the new yamaha GT Turbo touring are fine sleds too, (but I don't need 200 HP on a touring sled), AND working at a Ski Doo dealer, doesn't suck...lol ...I'm gonna keep riding, and trying whatever I can
I believe it's more fun with family as well, and getting her involved, may make our winters better (instead of her nagging to go some place warm every year by march).

Bottom line is that Grand Touring is an excellent machine for a couple to enjoy winter on...really enjoyed it
Click to expand...

Yes the 900 T has proven to be everything it was said to be, and more! What town is the Doo dealer located in that you are employed? You have a real deal on being able to research the available model sleds!
 
favoritos

favoritos

Well-known member
That is a great story.
I'm always trying to get people into the sport. They have to be comfortable if they want to enjoy. I never want a new rider to try one of my ill riding, set to the extreme machines. I like to put them on something cushy and easy. They can always move up to the crazier machines if they enjoy.
I also try to make sure new riders can see well and stay warm. I know it is tempting to give them hand me down gear, but they are less likely to enjoy. I like simple helmets with good visors and gear that works well. It is easy to over dress and open vents if they get too warm. It is hard to add gear if they are freezing.
 
dfattack

dfattack

Well-known member
old abe said:
As it now appears, the true die hard Yamaha guys have thrown in the towel!
Click to expand...

Isn't that the truth. I'm one of them. I'm actually surprised how many people on Dootalk are in the same boat as us Yamaha loyals. there are some posts that I swear I could have posted myself
 
B

byr 13

Member
Attak man said:
Yeah..it's a hard pill to swallow (for us old yami guys)..but if you have an open mind, and are willing to try different brands, you can learn alot. The 900 Ace is a sweet cruiser motor..the older I get the less I care about speed (although the 900 turbo still has my attention, just because it's basically the same HP as my Apex)..The grand touring is a terrific touring sled (the limited is even better). I'm sure the Pantera 7000 limited, and the new yamaha GT Turbo touring are fine sleds too, (but I don't need 200 HP on a touring sled), AND working at a Ski Doo dealer, doesn't suck...lol ...I'm gonna keep riding, and trying whatever I can
I believe it's more fun with family as well, and getting her involved, may make our winters better (instead of her nagging to go some place warm every year by march).

Bottom line is that Grand Touring is an excellent machine for a couple to enjoy winter on...really enjoyed it
Click to expand...

yes the 900 doo's are awesome
 
O

old abe

Well-known member
dfattack said:
Isn't that the truth. I'm one of them. I'm actually surprised how many people on Dootalk are in the same boat as us Yamaha loyals. there are some posts that I swear I could have posted myself
Click to expand...

The way Yamaha led us astray, 7 to 8 years ago, on a "All new, all Yamaha" sled, all the while knowing that was nothing but BS, finished me with them after waiting 2 years. What a show of disrespect of their customer base! I fell for the idea, that if anyone could build the best 4 stroke snowmobile, it was to be Yamaha? Good luck with that! Then I bought a 4 stroke Doo, and no looking back! I have to give you true die hard Yamaha guys credit, you rode the thing out to the end. dfattack if you do by a Doo 900/900T, you won't be disappointed, rest assured!
 
J

james88

Member
I bought the first 600 ACE when it came out 9 years ago and it is the best sled I have ever purchased!!
Very comfortable and have 6k miles on it with no problems. Highly recommended.
 
S

sjb

Member
To me Attak man, that is just great news. I know my wife started as a passenger with me. 2 years of that she was asking we should get two sleds. Done. Now with two kids in winter sports, we have not rode together in 2 years, but have a trip planned in early March in the UP, pending weather. My son is old enough that I can still sneak out with him a time or two as well. So I sort of justify the second sled with his usage as well.

Last winter we did a family trip, son 14, daughter 9 and my wife. I borrowed my buddies Yamaha venture and it was a hoot. My daughter loved it as well and liked going fast. Great family sport, just wish we could break away more often.
 
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