well, you need to understand that the snowmobiling industry is MUCH stronger and more mature than the ATV industry. by mature, i mean that it's members understand the history and past struggles they fought to get the snowmobiling populus where it is now. they have seasoned lawyers, a HUGE lobby to congress and most importantly -- now this is a slap on OUR wrists -- they have participation. go to the land/environmental forum at this website and look at the quality and number of the posts. (for the number one factor which will impact the future of our sport -- land/environmental issues -- we don't seem to be paying much attention to it, do we??)

while we are doing yamaha's advertising for them on how sweet their new quad will be, the snowmobling clubs are planning thier next board meeting and trail opening. are we confused as to how this works, or what?

 

Hey roostking, Thanks for serving your country. As a Marine, you know about things like courage, adventure, challenging yourself, adversity, and on and on and on. I currently serve proudly for the Army and am also familiar with these and many other concepts(you know where I am coming from). I look at some of the quads people are riding and have to laugh. It is harder to ride a Banshee through tight sections, but it can be done. I have never been beat by a polaris or 300ex. Both great machines, but come on, get real.

 

lets see Andrew ,goofballs buy raptors because they can't get cute girls and sensible people buy cannondales. I think I see your logic in this.

 

Great history lesson on snowmobiling, to bad for all their maturity and seasoned attorneys they were kicked out of yellowstone.

 

I don't know if you can really make a distinction between the ATV and Snowmobile industries. They are almost all just seperate divisions of the same company. Polaris, Yamaha, SkiDoo/Bombadier, Artic Cat. You'd think these companies would put the same way of thinking to both divisions.

 

and here, ladies and gentlemen, we have what amounts to the perfect illustration of my atving "maturity" assessment.

tell me, kaiser, when will you be fed up with making a fool of yourself on this website?

 

you make a good point -- from the companies' point of view. i was referring to the public sentiment and support for our sport. from that standpoint, there is a marked distinction between the two industries. snowmobiling simply has a broader support base and comparative user participation. but it's an older game, too. where i live in michigan, you can operate a snowmobile just about anywhere. try that with an atv, and the dnr will be happy to help you load it into the truck...

 

Fakie,
Someone from MI calling someone from OH boring is like someone from WV calling someone from KY a hillbilly. You act like you are from Big exicting Hollywood or something.
The other thing is I don't recall saying everyone! I'm sure SOME people need the speed. But anyone who says they have no idea what I'm talking about as far as these guys that buy the fast quad just to beat on slower ones, buy CBR's etc to pick up girls, you guys are lying right through your teeth! If you are sticking up for this type of guy well then maybe my statement hits a little to close to home....?
Roostking,
As far as girls liking the fast stuff I'm not sure about all that. Where I'm from all the "decent" women seem more interested in who can hold a job & the like.
Remember I didn't say the Banshee or Raptor was a bad quad. Just some of the people who buy them only buy them to outdrag other quads. It just seems for $6,500 a guy can actually buy an ego. And don't lie because you guys know exactly who & what I'm talking about.
c-ya,

 

hey man, just razzing you - sorry i offended. i'll tell you, i'm with you all the way on the cheeseball aspect of banshee owners. i am a banshee owner, but i have NEVER worn a pair of those cheesy oakley sunglasses, couldn't care less about drag racing, and the only thing i usually pick up at taco bell is a raging case of salmonella. ride on....

 

Fakie,
That is what I'm talking about. I'm not saying ALL Banshee/Raptor owners. Just some are like that & it's too bad. I mean I met a guy who traded in his 400EX because he got beat by a Banshee. So he buys a Banshee & whips some guy on a 300EX. I'm thinking what is wrong with you! But back on the trails where you can't go over 25mph, the 300EX was awesome. I think the Raptor is a cool quad. (except for "stealing" the Tecate body) But for the guys that just buy them to say they have them they need to grow up. As for me I'm gonna wait and see what Kawasaki is gonna come out with. I heard something this winter... Kawasaki's old Tecate were soooo cool. Hopefully something like that & I hope they follow the Raptor's lead & INCLUDE reverse. I really wish Polaris would just drop the weight on the 400 & add dual A-arms. The 400 motor is a monster & with a low weight & good suspension they'd be in business, I for one love the straight line acceleration of the auto.
One other company that has the guts to build a monster but hasn't yet... Artic Cat. Now that would be neat.
I think the big 4 stroke motors are a sign of things to come but I like Cannondales idea of a lot of power out of a smaller motor myself.
c-ya,