Why Are We Brand Loyal With Snowmobiles?

misty_pines

misty_pines

Member
I wonder why so many of us (me included) are so brand loyal when it comes to snowmobiles? I am much more brand loyal when it comes to sleds then I am with cars, ATVs or other things. Some of it might have to do with the passion of the sport I am thinking.

My story is that when I was a kid back in the 70's, my Uncle was a small Ski-Doo dealer and sold them from a shed on his farm. My Dad owned Ski-Doos and Moto-Skis when I was growing up. I have always paid the most attention to Doos and when I finally got old enough to buy my own, I bought what I knew the most about and haven't turned back since. Lots of nice sleds out there, especially now and lots of options which is great.
 
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jr37

Well-known member
I think alot has to do with what you were raised with. I would probably still be driving a Scorpion if they were still made. I know I was excited when there was an attempt to restart the company. I had a bad experience with a Yamaha, and have been with Cat ever since '91. I think all the green on my clothing may clash with the yellow on a Doo anyway.
 
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jroz

New member
My first sled was a 1971 Yamaha SL338, next was a Yamaha SW396, next was a 1976 Cheetah 440, next was a 1978 Yamaha 440 Exciter, then a 1981 440 SRX, then a 1994 Ski-Doo MX 470, then added a 1987 Exciter 570, then a 1997 MXZ583, then a 2003 REV 600HO, added a 2002 Grand Touring 600 Sport. I bought the 1994 and 2003 new, everything else was used. AFTER the divorce, I own nothing. My brother is nice enough to let me ride either the 1994 MX470 (that I sold to him in 1996), a 1998 Formula Z 583, or a 1998 MXZX440. I have ridden Polaris sleds many times, but I just don't like the mushy feel I experienced. (I haven't ridden an IQ chassis or the Yamaha 4 stroke either.) Out of all those machines, the 2003 REV was the best...duh!!! The worst...either the '81 SRX or the '87 Exciter. Yamaha had a BAD decade.
 
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jr37

Well-known member
X2 on the Yamaha bad decade. I had an '89 Exciter. 2 blown engines in the first 1700 miles. Didn't even fix it the second time. Traded it on a '91 EXT Special and never looked back.
 
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yamahauler

Active member
I agree..has to do with how you grow up...but as I get older I am willing to try something else. My dad worked for Yamaha in the snowmobile division and I learned a lot about them as well as all other brands as they tested those for competition comparison. I do still think Yamaha still makes the best sled but it is getting to costly.
 
Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
It's because Arctic Cat is the BEST! and all others are junk! :rolleyes:

Oh, wait a minute, I have owned Yamaha and Polaris too and enjoyed them too.

Seriously though I have seen some folks that actually seem to base part of their personal identity on the brand of snowmobile they ride, as in if something negative is said about that brand, it is like saying something negative about them. A little freaky if you ask me, but have noticed this in more than just a handful of cases.

-John
 
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jroz

New member
I LOVED my Yamaha's...when they ran. The Bombardier's have been zero-defect, except for the piston ring deal with 600 HO. That '87 Exciter was the biggest POS I ever had.
 
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dcsnomo

Moderator
It's an interesting question. I did not grow up snowmobiling, started 5 years ago. First sled was a used Polaris, then a used Yammi, vintage Ski-doo, then a new Cat. I buy what I think is the best value, but I seem to be turning into a Cat man.
I also think it is hard for the average sledder to understand model line-ups and features on multiple brands and knowing 1 brand well increases the comfort level when shopping.
 
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jroz

New member
I think you should go by decade. In my opinion (LOL), nobody owned the 60's, Ski-doo had early 70's, Yamaha owned late 70's to about 1982, Polaris and Cat filled out the 80's, Polaris had the market until about 1996, Ski-Doo for 2 years, Cat for 3 years, Polaris had a year before Ski-Doo rolled out the REV, which was the benchmark until 2007. (Breathe!) Everyone caught up...now, I think everything is pretty much even. Is that a cop-out?
 
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elf

Well-known member
I grew up on old Cats, a 1971 399 Panther. Rode that thing through high school. Got out of college in 1990, started working for Polaris in 1993 and started riding Poo's. Moved on in 2000 to different jobs but have stuck with Poo because they've always been good to me. Never had a breakdown or have one strand me on the trail. Not as brand loyal as I used to be (my wife also worked for Polaris but she now rides a Doo) but as long as the sleds treat me well, I'm happy.
 
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samc

New member
This is funny. I do agree with the decade statement. Seems to be accurate.
The only loyalty should be to the sport - period
 
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local897

New member
There all good when they run and there all junk when they dont! It's just that easy. As long as your riding it realy dont matter to me. Brands are just something to get your buddy that dont ride what you have a hard time!
 
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rocky367

Member
Funny, I'm brand loyal to John Deere, first sled my dad had was a Liquifire 440 and I keep thinking that was the best and wonder what if? I currently can't be called brand loyal as I have a little bit of everything except a Ski-Doo. Have a Polaris, 2 Yammers and a Kitty Cat (if that counts). My jacket is yellow as I got a deal on it as a end of season deal, wife wants a newer sled for herself but wants black and red, otherwise I'd be looking for a Doo just to fill out the roster.
 
misty_pines

misty_pines

Member
Great responses by everyone. As John said, some take "their" brand very, very personal to the point of being over the top about it. A little ribbing about brands is fun, but some get pretty crazy about it. The manufacturers do a great job marketing these days and do a good job keeping you loyal to your preferred brand. As a person that leans toward Ski-Doos, I have to remember to keep an open mind...being a guy that loves crossover sleds, that new Polaris Assault sure looks nice...see, I'm trying!
 
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ezra

Well-known member
my first sled was a kitty cay then a lynx then puma first brand new sled was a 300 enticer the blue one rode that one for yrs .then I started working after school and have owned every brand under the sun some times 3 or more a yr.then I had a bud who could get sleds in race program out of salvage at AC so I was buying cats very cheap for yrs pretty much driving a new sled every yr for less than 200 bucks after selling the next fall. then I thought I would toss in a doo 800 because it was so new in 03 bad crank and back to cat 1 main reason cat was way in fr of the pack dumping the trailing arms.2they usually have the fastest out of the box the yrs I am buying a new sled.I never liked the green I still want a black M with some old school purple and chrome old school EXT graphics with a black and white leopard print seat.I also think some of the coolest looking vintage sleds are cats come on man a king cat with all that motor coming out the hood and the huge Montana pipes who would not want to be associated with that image. some day I will have to bust open the bank and buy one to put on display in the shop
 
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whitedust

Well-known member
Difficult for me to understand the brand thing. I like them all & buy the best tech with best bang for the buck. With Yamaha Attack GT now & best sled I ever had for my style riding. Another brand tops Attack performance at right price & I would consider. No blind brand loyalty for me if better sled is released I'll be riding it but pretty much a 4s only guy now. Had real bad luck with all 2s so done with that just don't last as long as 4s. Over all I think Poo has best looking sleds this year but need to do more with 4s to get me.
 
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