Five Under-Appreciated Snowmobiles

Story by Jerry Bassett Photos by Jerry Bassett Aug. 18, 2011

There's value on the showroom floor if you look for it

We admit to being totally spoiled. We get to test ride virtually all the newest sleds, talk smack and insult the hard-working engineers who design the newest of the new by offering petty opinions about things we like and don’t like. But, hey, that’s what we do.

It’s easy to pick out our favorites of the new sleds, but we also know there are some under-appreciated models that get short shrift from us snowmo-writers. Some of these sleds just don’t generate the excitement of the latest models with their “trick” suspensions or high-performance engines. That doesn’t mean that they aren’t worthwhile sled purchases.

For example, not all 2012 Arctic Cat models will be based on the newest chassis and have the “praying mantis” suspension look. And while the new stretched-out Rush-based Switchbacks give Polaris fanciers a great new crossover choice, the value of the Shift and Turbo-powered 4-strokes can’t be underestimated. And there are other under-appreciated models you might want to take seriously as well.

Polaris Shift 550

Introduced in 2008, the Polaris Shift concept was to bring affordability and performance together in customizable sled package.

Polaris tried to make its original Shift models the make-it-yourself personal sled with a wide range of consumer add-ons like a “retro” graphic package and lots of Shift bolt-ons available through Polaris dealers and an accessory catalog. The first Shifts from 2008 were all black, making them an easy palette to work graphics.

Still, the Polaris concept of offering a sled that brought on-snow performance together with good dollar value still resonates in model year 2012. The base Polaris Shift 550 enjoys an enticing price point of US$6,399. You get a solid performer with a virtually bulletproof two-stroke 550cc twin that puts out enough power to let you ride trails all day within legal speed limits. The chassis is proven with supple suspensions that utilize a reliably sporty Ryde FX shock package. There’s also a 136-inch Shockwave track for consistent on-trail grip.

For 2012 the Shift 550 sheds its all-black style for a conservative white with tastefully simplified graphics. And, of course, you can still find a great selection of accessories to personalize this ride.

Polaris Turbo

Polaris’ turbo models offer surprisingly stout straightline performance in a package that makes all day trail riding smooth and efficient.

At US$11,199 the 2012 Polaris Turbo IQ LX blends on-trail fuel efficiency with understated performance. The turbocharged 750cc Polaris twin offers surprising performance to serious trail riders looking to cram miles into a long ride. Granted, this is not a sled we’d chose for ditch banging, but for a week of point-to-point destination riding, this is a sweet ride.

The turbo four-stroker has evolved nicely since it first appeared in the Polaris line up. It is very under-appreciated for its straightline performance. Incredibly smooth off the line with a 15-inch by 136-inch Hacksaw track to grip snow, the 2012 Polaris Turbo LX quickly instills in its rider a need to watch the speedometer as tracking triple digits can come quicker than you expect. We’ve always been amazed at this sled’s quiet speed. Its easy off the mark launch and exceedingly smooth power delivery lull you into thinking it’s not as fast nor as quick as the speedo numbers tell you. Being a four-stroke, the turbo also grants better than average fuel economy for a sled with its top end potential.

We figure that this sled will get the ol’ walk-by on dealer showroom floors, but for serious long term value, the 2012 Polaris Turbo LX has a lot to offer for the right buyer. We consider this sled a very good value as it comes with a 12-volt outlet so you can plug in accessories and it also offers a standard heated shield plug, plus mirrors and a rear storage bag.

Arctic Cat F5

Based on the previous chassis and suspension generation of Arctic Cat models, the F5 LXR offers exceptional handling in a virtual “one sled fits all” package.

With all the news about the “new” 2012 Arctic Cat line up, we expect the value-leaders from Arctic Cat may take a pass early in the season. That doesn’t mean that one of our all time favorite Cat sleds, the F5 trail sportster, shouldn’t be a consideration. It offers “old” Arctic Cat technology, which evolved into top trail status and exceptional rider-forward handling. Powered by the same Suzuki-built 500cc two-stroke twin as the one in the Sno Pro 500, the F5 gets ample performance out of its 85-horsepower drive train.

We especially like this Cat’s ability to claw and grip the turns in tight running. It will have plenty of legal speed on the trails and better than average amenities for the all-day rider.

The 2012 Arctic Cat F5 LXR has the fully adjustable handlebar and seat set up that makes the sled a virtual “one size fits all” snowmobile. The LXR includes push button reverse, key start, a digital gauge and rear seat bag. Think sport riding combined with plush nice-to-have features.

Yamaha Venture Lite

Yamaha’s Venture Lite gives you incredible reliability combined with the ride comfort and space of a $20,000 Yamaha Royal Star Venture touring motorcycle.

Many non-snowmobilers know Yamaha’s Venture Lite as the rental sled of choice found at ski resort areas. That may make it under-appreciated by sled buyers, but not by sled rental operators, who like the money the Venture Lite makes them thanks to its Yamaha reliability and durability. About the only time a rental Venture Lite sees the inside of the dealer’s repair shop is for scheduled maintenance or when a renter hits something and breaks something. Other than that, the Yamaha Venture Lite is steadfastly loyal to helping the rental operator turn a profit.

Maybe not the first choice for serious touring riders, perhaps it should be. The Venture Lite offers the room and comfort of a Honda Gold Wing — or, should we say a $20,000 Yamaha Royal Star Venture motorcycle. When you think 500cc four-stroke two-up touring sled, you aren’t thinking luxury accommodations. But, that is exactly what you get. The seating is plush and very fitting for today’s snowmobilers. The windshield offers excellent protection and both front and back riders have heated handgrips and generous foot rests.

This sled’s engine comes with a counterbalancer to control vibration from the high-revving twin and the easy “throttling” and starting of precision tuned electronic fuel injection. It can be difficult to find a sled for less than US$10,000 with this much value. And that doesn’t count the renowned post-purchase value of strong resale that Yamaha snowmobiles are known to have. This two-up value leader may be underappreciated but it is far from being under-featured!

Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 600 ACE

Light enough to toss around on the trail, powerful enough to exceed legal speeds and fuel-efficient to make you smile at the gas pumo, that’s Ski-Doo’s MXZ TNT 600 ACE.

You can almost interchange the narrative of Yamaha’s Venture Lite and the 2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 600 ACE. This is a one-up sport sled designed to eventually replace the 550cc fan-cooled and 600cc carbureted two-stoke models in the MXZ line up. The four-stroke twin-cylinder 600cc ACE motor appeared last season and found its way into some rental fleets. Like the Yamaha Venture Lite twin, the 600 ACE offers good performance and reliable service, two attributes sought by rental operators. But what you’ll like, when you take a hard look at this sled, is the fact that it provides 60-hp and fuel efficiency close to 30 miles per gallon. Did we mention it was engineered to require minimal maintenance?

Aside from its life as a rental sled, the 2012 Ski-Doo MXZ TNT 600 ACE goes beyond the concerns of fleet operation to meet the needs of a serious snowmobiler. This is a TNT in every aspect, which means simply, it is a blast to ride. Yeah, we know that the majority of MXZ buyers will look only at the 600 E-TEC or the 800cc twins, but that’s their mistake. An adept rider will have little trouble and lots of fun keeping up with those higher-powered sleds in the twisties. In fact, should you go for the TNT 600 ACE you’ll find yourself seeking out the tightest forest trails. This TNT is extremely light and easy to fling around. You will learn to work the throttle differently as the power comes in a bit milder (okay, a lot milder) than a 600 E-TEC, but once you get that down, you’ll find that the ergonomics, suspension workings and platform design are meant to be worked hard. That’s the fun part. The other fun part is watching your buddies pay more at the gas pump. This is a fuel efficient motor even when pushed hard.

When it comes to looking at new sleds for 2012, don’t let the glitz of the top-of-the-line hot sleds scare you off from getting an upgrade from the old iron you may be riding now. There are some exceedingly great rides available that may seem under-appreciated until you give them a serious once-over and discover their true value. Happy under-appreciated snowmobiling in 2012!