Wyman Pond Racing

Johnny Rotten · WPR God

RE: First Ride of the Year

Caboose · Bitch Rider

Great report #5. Glad you are liking the new sled.

I've been to Bob's Ski Doo and picked up some coolant, chain case oil and XPS oil. I'll bring that in case anyone needs to top off. I'm bringing my tools and extra trailer tire. Don't forget your communicators, I think it will be great to have communication on this trip. The distance between cities is sizable and one way of keeping the sleds going is to work out the small stuff over the communicators. We can work out some hand signals with Bob and make him aware of our moves.

Bob from Bob Ski Doo did the Cote' Nord to Sept Isles trip in December and told me all about it. He said the views are spectacular and no polar bear sightings.

This trip is going to be awesome.

See everyone Thursday morning, bright and early

#7

Johnny Rotten · WPR God

The Black Ops training has come in handy now again, you are doing it right when people believe it was equipment malfunction. I couldn't allow evidence of #5's "alleged" offs. However, I now know there is a double agent in the riding crew because they seem to remember something which means the "mind eraser" device "malfunctioned" (what's the reference, easy one).

Great report #7, hated that you had to drive alone. Ride report for the new machine in a separate post. This new Star is a very very different ride from the big Yamadoodle (when it was in motion). I did suspect it would, just because it weighs a reported 70-100 pounds lighter with almost as much claimed HP (124 vs. 130). This sled you ride, you are not a passenger, you are an active part of the handling. You can influence the turns and body language of the sled with your movement in the saddle, which is very comfortable btw. However, I felt that you sit on top of this sled, not "in" it. The sit-stand transition was not quite as perfect as the XTX, which I thought was the ultimate for a trail machine, but I do think I've confirmed I will raise the bars just a touch after this expected cold cold trip to Cote Nord.

As #7 reports, and from a comment by the Pres (this thing is an animal) I will say the least surprising thing about the sled is the motor has good pull and did not disappoint. However, very importantly, the gas mileage did very much disappoint. Even taking into consideration the loose conditions, I was very gentle on the paddle and although there was only 53 miles to gauge it on, this sled got only 10mph, which is a big negative. I should expect this mileage as it is essentially the same motor I have been riding for years with that exact mileage, somehow I was led to believe it would get better with the electronic injection fuel delivery. Hmm. At least this has a slightly bigger tank (12 gals), but that's still under 150 mile range. Well, that's no worse than what I expected on the 4-stroke I owned, and with changing that tank out for the stock, would have had well under 100 mile range which is totally unacceptable now. Like riding with #1776 on the 800.

The sled was cold. Yes we were riding in below zero temps, but he wind protection is limited. Miss the old comfort of the last generation cross country sled from Polaris, but they want it to look cool so we must pay the price of image. hand controls seemed to be in a good location, but my old gauntlets do not enclose the control cluster on the left hand bar so I have to take my hand out to make a change. Not a huge problem. No hand/thumb warmer indicator, just look at a the 3 position switch (old school, not 8 heat levels, just Hi and Lo). Was a little worried about the digital display, but it was easy enough to read. Did not have a chance to ride it in the dark so not sure about that or headlight effectiveness. The engine is not quiet but has a nice note at song so we'll see after a long day of riding how much the head hurts. The electric reverse is still novel to me, weird, but it worked just fine.

There was some ice build up in the tunnel, in these extreme temps and with the loose conditions, but nothing that interfered with the operation of the sled, just some rubbing sound/vibration until a chuck would break away now and again. Pulling into lunch, of course a Ski Doo owner had to make a comment about someone riding another brand (God forbid!), not sure why it is they feel compelled to do that, maybe it's because their sleds were so goddam ugly for so many years in the 80's, the older riders still getting over that. My only regret is that immediately after I tossed back a good-natured rib to defend myself, I did open the hood to troubleshoot a problem that had gone to full failure during the morning. My key ignition was not starting the sled any more (it had been happening intermittenly). I just confirmed it was the switch itself had come apart, so I had to start with the pull rope the rest of the day - I am soooo glad they left this on the machine! I have since repaired the switch and have a new backup for our trip.

The sled is very agile, that's the best word I can think of to describe it, so it's not super stable, and planted, more like point and shoot, but as the afternoon wore on and we got more hi speed miles in, I was beginning to experiment with how to take corners at speed. The brake is amazing, quickest I've ever ridden, although I have to realize there is more track on the ground, and no more high pitched squeal thank heavens. There were no bumps today so I did not experience how it handles stutter bumps which is something that is important to me. No big G-outs that I can recall. I did not get covered in snow dust from the rear which was a concern of mine with this crazy rear end. I have mounted mirrors and can't wait to try them!! They look awesome!! Installed ice scratchers now just in case. And a cargo rack to have some storage beyond the windshield bag. #2 wants to see more storage come, but maybe down the road.

I will wrap up with absolutely the quote of the day, which #7 is always good at keeping things in perspective. While loading up at the end of the day, he asked how I liked it, after my reserved assessment, he said, let me ask it another way: How many times did you overheat today?? I smiled, with my recalibrated perspective and said, zero smiling ear to ear. Thanks #7, for helping me see how much better the sport is with this machine over the last. Well done.

Great day with great riding partners. Apologies to #2 for the two mishaps on your beautiful machine, please let me know if there is a scratch anywhere on that machine from my little excursions, they were both soft landings but let me know if you find anything and I will make it right. Looking forward to the annual trip.

#5

Pres · Tag Hgugr

MORNING STATS :

53.3 MILES

17 MPH MOVING AVERAGE

MAX ELEVATION 1631 FT

MIN ELEVATION 966 FT

TOTAL TIME 3:03:37

AFTERNOON STATS:

36.6 MILES

31 MPH MOVING AVERAGE

MAX ELEVATION 2453 FT

MIN ELEVATION 995 FT

TOTAL TIME 1:10:37

GrabberRaster 0017.jpg

Pres · Tag Hgugr

NICE REPORT 7....

SOME PHOTOS....HOWEVER MY CAMERA MALFUNCTIONED...ALL OF #5'S CRASHES ARE GONE

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wymanpondracing/albums/72157668267464979

GPS : COMMING SOON

Caboose · Bitch Rider

1/7/2018 First Ride of the Year

On Sunday morning, 3 members of the club headed north. #2 and #5 departed from Leominster and #7, flying solo, departed the crispy cold of Easton, MA. The plan was to meet at the Valero gas station at Twin Mountain. Arriving 20 minutes early and with plenty of time to register the sled and shop, #7 noticed the -21 degrees on the trusty Toyota outside thermostat. Ouch. The other two joined and picked up a few goodies for the day and we were off. I cautiously suggested going out to breakfast to let the sun get the temps into a more reasonable riding temp.

We arrived at the launch point at Nash Stream at 9:45. The boys got dressed and fired up the sleds. The cold weather made the electric starts a little scary weak for the Pez. All three sledders were ready to roll by 10:00am. I have not forgotten that I saddled up last. This was the maiden voyage for #5 and his new Polaris. He was all smiles as he headed off into the trail of white fluffy powder.

We headed east and south down 117 on smaller wooded trails. The loose snow on the trails had us pushing a bit. It was a slower pace being the first ride of the year and also very few straightaways. #2 lead us in the morning stating he wanted to go through Dummer and Milan. This was a trek he and I made last year. The cold did not come into play until later in the day. The woods and twisting turns kept the blood flowing and the speeds down. There were plenty of stops for chats and switching of the sleds.

#5 had a couple incidents, but not on his new sled. He and the Pez had switched as we headed into the mountainous region near Dummer. He drifted a bit to the right and soon noticed that the trail was not under him anymore. He found a deep rut and got the #2mobile stuck in the fluffy snow. I was tail gaiting him at the time and saw the whole thing up close. It happens to everyone, "Let he who has not drifted off the trail cast the first snowball" (says that in the bible). #5 had another incident a couple minutes later, but I did not see it.

It was sunny and possibly above zero by 12:45pm at our next stop. We encountered several Dogsled teams. We respectfully let each team pass so as not to disturb the huskies. I mentioned that I generally am on the lookout for oncoming sleds, moose and deer. I just did not consider Dogsled teams on this really cold day.

We finally made it north up route 19 to the familiar town of Errol for lunch and snowmobiling talk with the other riders. In hindsight, we spent way too much time here. Riding days are simply for cruising and enjoying the trails, theres plenty of time for banter in the trucks. We wanted to get back to Nash Stream before sundown. Thinking it would be an hour or two, we put the thumbs to the bar and went back the usual way from routes 19 to 28 and back to superfast 5 for that home stretch. I could feel the late afternoon cold on my neck. I was wearing a new helmet and I was a little uncomfortable so I twisted and moved things around under my chin. This was the biggest mistake of the day. Next time I feel the nasty cold on my skin, Im stopping. I got some awful frost bite on my neck. I felt the pulsating all the way home. There is lots of swelling and a discolored ugly mess.

All in all it was a pretty awesome day. We rode about 100 miles. It was great to be riding on a snowmobile again. I missed it like crazy. It was a tremendous way to kick off the season. #5s Polaris has a strong motor and a high riding position. I enjoyed riding it immensely. Great purchase, it will serve you well in Quebec. Lessons were learned by this rider about protection from the cold and wind. #4 and #10 were missed on this trip. Its always more fun when the core of the club is all there.

#7

-- Edited by Caboose on Thursday 11th of January 2018 08:25:32 AM