Customize Your Polaris Snowmobile

While it may look like Polaris went into a holding pattern for the 2014 model year, you don’t have to. Polaris’ seeming break in advanced technology gives the snowmobile aftermarket a chance to catch up to what the northern Minnesota snowmobile manufacturer has already put out on the snow.

In case you haven’t noticed, Polaris worked its way through the recent economic doldrums by pumping up either new or revised products to keep customers interested. Not convinced? How about the RMK with the belt drive and incredibly low weight? So, maybe the 2014 models look a little “same old, same old,” but it gives the aftermarket a chance to fit new product concepts that can help you personalize your ride heading into the 2014 snow season.

There are a number of options to take a static stock Polaris and turn it into your personal on-snow custom statement.

It’s A Wrap

One of the most obvious ways to set your sled apart from the commonplace is to give it a custom wrap. Of course, Polaris and its dealers offer wraps, but to get a really fresh style, check out Sledwraps.com. This Vermont-based company started out nearly 10 years ago and now offers both a suite of off-shelf wraps as well as full customization capabilities to make your sled a trail star.

According to SledWraps, the company stays aware of trends as well as establishing its own trendsetting designs. Since the folks at SledWraps are also riders themselves, they have a snowmobiler’s sense of what looks good on the snow and they do hands-on testing of materials and new designs.

The Vermont-based SledWraps offers you spectacular and vibrant “wrap” options that will set you and your sled apart on the trail on in the powder. (Image courtesy of SledWraps)

The company feels that its product stands out because of the premium materials utilized in designing the wraps, the attention to fit and the completeness of the kits it sends out to customers.

SledWraps states: “…Our designs are superior but what good is a killer design if it is not manufactured with killer materials? SledWraps.com is dedicated to all aspects of creating a superior decal. We have been manufacturing snowmobile decals for years and have tested everything under the sun – nothing compares. Using innovative ADS Technology eliminates all concerns about decal application to snowmobiles.”

The end result is a graphic with 15mm of protection and an aggressive adhesive that lends itself to a nice thick decal offering excellent protection as well as easy installation characteristics.

To get this level of quality, the company follows a four-step process that starts with the first layer’s 2.2mm of highly aggressive acrylic adhesive. The idea is to offer superior adhesion to “low energy” plastics while still allowing clean removal.

High quality wrap materials, vibrant standout inks, and clever designs have made SledWraps a go-to company when riders look to achieve unique or custom personalized style. (Image courtesy of SledWraps)

Then comes a vinyl layer of polymeric matte white vinyl, coated with 2.2mm of highly aggressive acrylic adhesive, and backed with a premium 90-pound liner for excellent lay-flat characteristics. SledWraps claims that its vinyl has almost twice the peel and tack values of most competing products and is specially formulated to accept the eco-sol inks they use to produce its vivid prints.

This eight-color inking process represents the latest in digital printing technology to offer customers extensive color choices along with the superior longevity characteristics of its solvent inks.

The final clear gloss vinyl layer is both protective and conformable. It is expressly designed to enhance the durability of the inkjet prints when exposed to harsh environments. SledWraps notes that it contains UV inhibitors to prevent yellowing and a barrier-coat to preserve shelf life and adhesive strength.

If a “stock” wrap doesn’t do it for you, ask about a custom sled wrap, which will start at $500 (plus shipping). Be aware, though, that the company requires payment in full to place a custom order – it’s to cover the investment in artwork and time. But, once the custom graphics are designed you will receive an email proof for approval.

The wraps are contour-cut to fit a specific machine and model and are designed for do-it-yourself installation. There’s even an online video to help you in addition to the printed instructions that come with the kit. SledWraps notes with pride that it designs, prints, and builds all of its graphics on-demand. Of course, this means that it won’t have left over kits to discount. But, the company does offer a “3-Wrap Discount,” where if you order three or more stock or custom SledWraps you qualify for $50 off per wrap.

To see what these wraps look like or to get more information, check out http://www.sledwraps.com/.

Belt Drive Upgrade

As mentioned, Polaris managed to get the weight out of its top-selling RMK with new construction techniques and by offering the first production belt drive system. While new to production sleds, this particular technology appeared on Crazy Mountain Motorsports designed sleds in 1999. That history allows the Montana-based aftermarket specialist to claim that its design “…is the best drive system on the market today.”

Crazy Mountain Motorsports devised its system for its unique CMX series of deep powder, mountain ascendant proprietary sleds, but it shares the design to fit as an upgrade to Polaris’ 2011 to 2014 Pro-RMK models.

Crazy Mountain Motorsports has designed belt drives since 1999 and offers a nifty upgrade for the Pro-RMK’s final belt drive system. (Image courtesy of Crazy Mountain Motorsports)

Specifics of the upgrade for the Pro-RMK require a change in the stock sled’s center-to-center jackshaft to track shaft distance. The stock distance is approximately 7.5 inches, but the Crazy Mountain Xtreme Drive System (CMXDS) requires 8.5 inches from center-to-center. The change is achieved by relocating the Polaris driveshaft down one inch and back one inch. The jackshaft remains in its stock location. The Crazy Mountain Motorsports update allows enough clearance to run a three-inch paddle track with eight-tooth drivers if desired.

Crazy Mountain Motorsports claims that the track’s attack angle is improved with the drop and roll, making the sled able get up on the snow better with minimal trenching.

According to Crazy Mountain Motorsports, the billet-machined CMXDS plate bolts to the Polaris PRO chassis exactly where the cast chain case or, on the 2013 model, where the cast belt drive plate bolts on. A template that bolts to the chassis is provided to locate the PTO end of the track shaft.

Crazy Mountain Motorsports notes, “There is very little modification needed to the stock chassis, so if you buy a new PRO you can put the stock drive system back on and install your CMXDS on your new sled.”

Claimed advantages to the CMXDS include:

• Stronger billet plate is more precision than cast case or cast plate.

• The idler/tensioner gives you the ability to properly tension the belt or replace the belt in the field as well as allowing for different sprocket options to change gearing.

• The Billet Aluminum Sprockets are hard anodized to make them wear resistant.

• CMX Proprietary Belt (a Gates belt technology) has a carbon fiber cord, making it stronger and longer lasting than a chain.   For more information about this upgrade and to review other custom products from Crazy Mountain Motorsports, check out http://www.crazymtn.com/. The Ultimate Tunnel Bag
  Creative thinking and Polaris’ proprietary Lock & Lock system make the Burandt Tunnel Bag a “must have” for serious riders.

  As you must have noticed in recent years, the snowmobile manufacturers have discovered the value of keeping parts and accessory sales in-house. Polaris offers a complete arsenal of Pure Polaris-specific gear designed to keep its customers loyal. Give the sled makers credit; one way that they make sure you purchase sled-specific gear is to design sleds with fitments that can only work with proprietary linkages such as the Polaris “Lock & Ride” system or Ski-Doo’s LinQ set-up.

  If you have a newer Polaris with “Lock & Ride,” one item that may not set your sled apart so much, but will definitely set your convenience ahead on the trail or in the mountains, is the Burandt Lock & Ride Tunnel Bag. We give Polaris a tip of the helmet in coming up with this product.

  Working with famed backcountry rider Chris Burandt and the baggage and storage gurus at OGIO, Polaris accessory designers created a unique Tunnel Bag that mounts securely in place with the Lock & Ride technology. But, the real key is the utility afforded in its cargo area. You’ll find ample room for necessary survival gear. You’ll also have a padded and protected space for an on-trail lunch. And, there’s even a waterproof space to put your electronic gear – a GPS, cell phone, etc.

  The Burandt Lock & Ride Tunnel Bag is constructed of a ballistic nylon and “truck” tarpaulin material. Storage capacity measures up to 2,500 cubic inches. Retailing for US$199.99 (CA$219.99), the bag also features integrated backpack straps. To order this product, check out http://www.purepolaris.com/.