If you want to find out more about this key feature, this post is for you. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know about tunnel protectors under one roof!

What are Tunnel Protectors?

On liquid-cooled snowmobiles, the heat exchanger is mounted above the track in the tunnel, and with good reason. While the track is spinning, it’s continually throwing fresh snow on the exchanger’s surface, which keeps the temperature of the coolant down.

This system works safely as long as the track doesn’t feature any studs. But a studded track would be dangerous for the heat exchanger because if the rear shocks bottom out, the studs could cut deep grooves into the heat exchanger.

This is where the tunnel protectors come into play, as it can keep the studs away from the exchanger.

Tunnel protectors are long sliders that have to be installed on both sides of the heat exchanger. If the track gets dangerously close to the heat exchanger, these sliders can stop it before the studs could reach the surface.

Surprisingly, while a couple of sleds come with tunnel protectors as standard, many others come without this important safety feature.

Are Tunnel Protectors Necessary?

General wisdom says that tunnel protectors are necessary on any sled that utilizes a studded track. If you run a studded sled without these sliders, you risk the track ripping up the tunnel and the heat exchanger. And heat exchangers are very expensive and hard to replace!

In contrast, tunnel protectors are really affordable and easy to install. Because of this, it’s recommended that you install proper tunnel protection if you’re considering studding your track.

And contrary to popular belief, tunnel protectors are not just necessary on liquid-cooled sleds.

On fan-cooled snowmobiles, the tunnel’s surface can also be exposed to the studs, so some protection on these sleds is always recommended if they utilize studded tracks.

If you are in the market for a tunnel protector kit, it’s recommended that you stick with OEM parts for the best fit and safety reasons. They are typically made of plastic, but some of them are made of aluminum.

Conclusion – What Do Snowmobile Tunnel Protectors Do?

Snowmobile tunnel protectors are aluminum tubes or plastic sliders mounted above the track. They are designed to keep the track away from the heat exchanger and the top of the tunnel. That’s why they are a must on any studded sled!

Without this protection, the studs could penetrate the heat exchanger or the surface of the tunnel.

Therefore, these additions do an excellent job on fan-cooled snowmobiles as well. Although fanners come without heat exchangers, the studs could damage the inside of the tunnel.

As a final word, if you’re considering studding the track on your sled, make sure that you invest in the appropriate tunnel protection!

References: Fast-Trac Traction

If you want to find out more about snowmobile belly pans, this post is for you.

We at PowerSportsGuide have gathered all you need to know about this key feature. Besides the basics, you can read about how to clean and fix a broken belly pan!

What Is a Belly Pan on a Snowmobile?

A snowmobile’s belly pan, also known as a tub or hull, is a large body part mounted on the bottom of the frame. OEM belly pans are typically made of plastic or fiberglass, while some custom and aftermarket pans are made of aluminum.

But are belly pans really necessary on a snowmobile? Keep reading to find out the answer!

Is a Belly Pan Necessary on a Sled?

Many riders say that a belly pan is necessary on a snowmobile if you want to ride off-trail. You never know what might be under the snow, so there’s always a risk that you will accidentally hit a stump, rock, ice ridge, or other debris. Unfortunately, these can damage your engine or front suspension.

This is where the belly pan comes into play!

It works to protect the bottom of the sled to prevent these types of damage in many cases.

Another advantage of a belly pan is that it can increase the floatation of your sled and prevent snow built-ups in the chassis. What’s more, it can give your sled a custom look!

Therefore, if you are considering riding off-trail, you can’t go wrong with a belly pan. It’s still far cheaper than fixing the engine and/or other front-end parts on your sled.

Drawbacks?

A belly pan adds some extra pounds of weight, which is never desired on a mountain snowmobile. Another drawback of having a belly pan is that it can crack or break in a collision.

On top of that, a blown belt can shoot a hole into the belly pan or can even break a larger piece off of it.

If this happens, you need to know how to fix it.

What is the Best Way to Repair a Belly Pan?

Repairing a snowmobile belly pan can be tricky in many ways, as removing it is not an easy task! Therefore, the best way to repair a belly pan is to fix it without removing it.

How can you fix a damaged belly pan?

As a rule of thumb, it always depends on the type of damage and the pan’s material.

One of the most common types of belly pan damage is one or more cracks on its surface caused by small collisions. You can stop these cracks from splitting further if you drill a small hole at each end of them.

If it has more significant damage, you can fix it with a plastic welding kit, which offers a permanent and nearly invisible fix. But if you don’t want to invest in this kit, you can still remove the belly pan and take it to an auto body shop, as they typically have plastic welders and offer this type of repair as a service.

If you’re looking for a cheap solution and don’t mind the bad aesthetics, you can place a plastic or aluminum plate over the hole and fix it with pop rivets.

It won’t win design awards, but it works!

Is it Hard to Change a Belly Pan?

If you are looking for the most stylish solution, best practice is to invest in a new belly pan. Besides pricy OEM units, you can find many used ones on eBay.

Although it’s not hard to change a belly pan on a snowmobile, it can be very time-consuming. This is because you have to pull out the entire engine, exhaust pipe, or even the suspension on most sleds to replace the belly pan. (However, the exact process varies from one sled to another.)

It can be a lot of work, especially if you’ve never tried it before!

Cleaning a Snowmobile Belly Pan

Let’s face it, belly pans can become very dirty over time. What can you use to clean them?

Simply put, the best materials for cleaning a belly pan are Simple Green, Cat Cleaner, Westley’s Bleach White, or some old fuel if there’s any nearby. You will also need some rags and a scrub brush, as the exhaust side typically needs more care!

Here’s a great tutorial on how to clean the belly pan on a sled:

Conclusion

A belly pan is a large plastic body part mounted on the front bottom of snowmobiles. In a nutshell, the main advantages of having a belly pan on your sled are as follows:

• Prevents snow build-ups inside the chassis.
• Protects the front parts of the sled from hitting stumps, rocks, and other objects.
• Increases floatation in deep snow.
• Gives the sled a customized look.

As you can see, having a belly pan on your snowmobile is a great idea, especially if you regularly ride off-trail!

References:

Snowmobilecourse.com

1. High-performance engines
2. Non-insulated engine compartment
3. Short exhaust pipes
4. Small and inefficient mufflers
5. Aftermarket modifications
6. Reckless riding
7. Poor maintenance

If you want to find out more about these factors, keep reading. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

Are Snowmobiles Noisy?

Just like any other powersport vehicle, snowmobiles are very noisy. But let’s face it, making noise is part of the fun for many riders. The exhaust sound of these revvy engines is nothing, just music to the ears of most snowmobile enthusiasts!

But at the same time, this noise can disturb many other people like skiers, hikers, and landowners around the trails. As you will see, this can lead to a lot of severe problems!

If you feel your sled is loo loud, don’t worry as there are a lot of ways to make it a little quieter.

But why are snowmobiles so loud? And how loud can they really be?

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and take a closer look at the leading causes, why these machines produce excessive noise!

7 Reasons Why Snowmobiles Are So Loud

1. High-Performance Engines

Powersport vehicles, as the name suggests, utilize powerful engines, and snowmobiles are no exception. Their power mills rev at very high RPMs and deliver a ton of HP. Turbocharged snowmobile engines put out more than 200 HP even in stock condition!

And the more powerful the engines are, the more noise they emit.

Also, due to limited space, manufacturers want to build their engines as small and lightweight as possible. Besides the performance, these factors are the main focus rather than noise issues!

Finally, as we’ve discussed, buyers want snowmobiles to be loud, so it’s not in the interest of manufacturers to build quieter snowmobiles.

2. Non-Insulated Engine Compartment

Although snowmobile engines are very noisy, their engine compartment isn’t covered by thick insulating material like cars and trucks have.

Instead, their engine is only surrounded by a flimsy hood and side panels, including several vents.

Therefore, the sound-absorbing abilities of these body parts are very marginal.

3. Short Exhaust Pipes

Unlike cars, the exhaust pipes of most snowmobiles sit in the engine bay. And since space in the engine compartment is very limited, the pipes are much shorter and less effective.

The number of exhaust pipes also affects the noise level of snowmobiles. While the newest snowmobiles are usually “single piped,” vintage sleds came with “single,” “twin,” and “triple” piped exhaust systems based on the model.

The more pipes the exhaust system feature, the louder the noise it generates. That’s why vintage big-bore “triple-triple” snowmobiles are among the loudest snowmobile models on the trails. (Triple-triple: a 3-cylinder engine has three separate exhaust pipes.)

4. Small and Inefficient Mufflers

Just like the pipes, the muffler of snowmobiles is also smaller and less efficient than those used on cars. In most cases, snowmobile mufflers sit in the engine bay right beside the engine.

However, on some 4-stroke sleds, the muffler is mounted under the seat, just like on many sportbikes.

5. Aftermarket Modifications

Although snowmobiles are pretty loud even in stock condition, many owners increase their noise with aftermarket modifications.

These mods are originally intended to reduce the sled’s weight or increase its engine performance, but they also make the machine louder as a side effect.

One of the most popular aftermarket modifications is installing a race-intended aftermarket exhaust system, not to mention “straight-piped snowmobiles” with mufflers removed!

In most states and provinces, these modifications are illegal and adversely affect the reputation of the sport.

6. Reckless Riding

For many owners, snowmobiling is all about hammering the throttle all the time. This means these machines are ridden very fast for most of their lives. And the faster the sled runs, the more noise it emits.

While trail snowmobiles see many adrenaline rushes at WOT, their mountain-intended counterparts get a lot of mistreatment, but in a different way.

For example, off-trail snowmobile riders are prone to playing a lot with the throttle and “blipping” it all the time to keep their engines responding.

7. Poor Maintenance

Last but not least, neglected maintenance can also make a snowmobile significantly louder. A broken muffler/pipe or an exhaust manifold leak can cause extreme noise!

A broken exhaust is not only really annoying, but it also reduces the effectiveness of the system and can lead to engine malfunctions.

How Many Decibels is a Snowmobile?

As a rule of thumb, the noise level of snowmobiles is about 68-110 decibels from 50 feet. However, the sound level of a sled depends on many factors like its age, engine type, and features. Newer sleds emit about 65-78 decibels of sound at WOT, while older models from the ‘60s – ‘70s generate 90-110 decibels, measured at 50 feet.

Vintage snowmobiles are typically much louder because there was no noise regulations pertaining to these machines until the mid-70s.

In contrast, snowmobiles produced after 1975 are designed to emit no more than 78 decibels while operating at full throttle and emit no more than 73 decibels while running at 15 mph (both measured at 50 feet.)

How Far Away Can You Hear a Snowmobile?

Since snowmobiles are extremely loud, they can even be heard from hundreds of feet away. According to Snowmobile.org, under wildland conditions, you can’t hear a snowmobile if it’s more than 750 feet away. In contrast, around normal campground sound levels, snowmobiles are barely noticeable at a distance of about 400 feet.

Therefore, with “normal” operation, a stock snowmobile is hardly audible if you’re in a house. Since people typically keep windows and doors closed in cold weather, a snowmobile running at 50 feet can generate a sound level of 41-47 decibels inside the house.

Also, if the trail is 200 feet away from the house, sleds can generate an interior sound level of 29-35 decibels. This is lower than 47 decibels, which is considered the “average evening household sound level.”

Trees and snowbanks can also work like natural sound barriers and can efficiently reduce noise pollution. This is why thorough trail planning is critical in any residential area!

How Loud Can a Snowmobile Be?

The noise limit of snowmobiles varies by state but typically falls into the range of 78-90 decibels. Keep in mind that if you don’t obey the restrictions, you could face a penalty of hundreds of dollars! What’s more, in certain cases, the authorities can even impound your sled!

However, these are not the worst consequences that “loud snowmobile riders” have to contend with.

In most states, a great part of the trail network goes through private lands. And as you might assume, private landowners don’t appreciate the excessive noise of modified snowmobiles!

In the worst-case scenario, the owners can refuse to sign the upcoming annual agreement, which unfortunately leads to the closure of the trail.

You would be surprised at how many trails have to be closed for this unfortunate reason.

Consider a Sound-Testing Event

If you want to make sure that your sled complies with the local laws, you may want to visit a sound-testing event. These events are typically held each year by the local authorities.

The great advantage of these free snowmobiles sound tests is that if your sled is non-compliant, there won’t be any enforcement action taken against you. Instead, you will only be advised to fix/modify your sled to keep it within legal noise levels.

Related Questions

What is a Trail Can on a Snowmobile?

The trail can on a snowmobile is a trail-legal aftermarket muffler. They are typically in compliance with the sound limits, so they can be legally used on the trails in most states.

However, keep in mind that some states prohibit aftermarket modifications on snowmobiles that increase their total noise emissions. Don’t forget to check the local laws and regulations before you do any mods on your sled!

What Does MBRP Stand For?

Simply put, MBRP stands for Martin Barkey Racing Products.

MBRP is a well-known aftermarket exhaust manufacturer that produces exhaust systems for cars, trucks, and various powersport vehicles.

How Many Decibels is the MBRP Trail Can?

MBRP trails cans typically emit 88 decibels but don’t hesitate to check the manufacturer’s official website for further information.

Is it Bad to Straight Pipe your Snowmobile?

Straight piping your snowmobile is a very bad idea. Without a muffler, your sled will be extremely loud, which is not only illegal but it would be very disturbing to others. What’s more, the engine needs adequate back pressure to run properly.

Therefore, strait piping your sled may result in various engine malfunctions, not to mention potential ear damage. Remember that these problems still exist even if you ride on your land in the middle of nowhere!

Conclusion – What Makes a Snowmobile Loud?

Snowmobiles make excessive noise, especially when operated at full throttle. In a nutshell, there are seven primary reasons why snowmobiles are so loud:

1. High-performance engines
2. Non-insulated engine compartment
3. Short exhaust pipes
4. Small and inefficient mufflers
5. Aftermarket modifications
6. Very fast and aggressive operation
7. Poor maintenance

As a final word, don’t forget that there is a limit to how loud your snowmobile is allowed to be. Snowmobile noise limits vary from one state to the next but typically fall into the range of 78-90 decibels.

Make sure to check the local laws and keep your machine within legal noise levels to stay legal and don’t disturb others!

References:

UpNorthLive

SuperTrax Mag

• Reduced rolling resistance = less HP loss
• You can drop the outside wheels
• Weight savings
• You can install a longer track
• Less wear on the hyfax
• More nimbleness = better side-hilling abilities
• Customized look

If you want to find out more about the purposes of big wheel kits, this post is for you. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

What is the Purpose of a Big Wheel Kit for a Snowmobile?

It’s safe to say that the main purpose of a big wheel kit is to reduce the rolling resistance of the track, which results in more power and higher track speed.

How can these big wheels lower the rolling resistance?

In a nutshell, since the diameter of the wheels is larger (typically 8”-10”), they don’t have to make as many rotations. Also, when the track turns at the rear of the skid it doesn’t need to be as sharp, so it robs less horsepower.

But contrary to popular belief, a big wheel kit won’t make your sled significantly faster, so you won’t notice anything different on the speedo.

Another hidden advantage of big wheel kits is that you can drop the outside wheels, which translates to less weight.

What’s more, eliminating these wheels can make the snowmobile tip easier. It makes the sled easier to throw around in powder, while its side-hilling abilities also improve significantly.

Because of this advantage, big wheel kits are typically used on mountain snowmobiles to make them more nimble. Without the intrusion of the outer wheels, the sled can carve through the powder much easier.

Thanks to their design, big wheels extend below the hyfax to help prevent wear on the hyfax.

Also, many riders like big wheels as they give a customized look to their sleds. While having a big wheel kit on a mountain sled has many advantages, they are almost exclusively used for design purposes on trail machines.

On top of that, bigger idler wheels allow you to put a larger track on the same kit. For example, you can move to a 144” track from a 141” without additional modifications.

On the other hand, don’t forget that a big wheel kit always reduces the footprint of the track. So even if you add a larger track, you can expect about the same footprint. A bigger track will mean more weight to rotate without significantly increasing the track size on the ground.

Big wheels can be made of plastic, carbon fiber, or aluminum, and they are always available in kits with an axle, bearings, and other required hardware.

Conclusion

Big wheel kits do an excellent job on mountain snowmobiles, as they make the sled more nimble. The critical advantage of big wheels is that you can drop the outer wheels so the track can run on the two inner wheels only.

This results in better carving and side-hilling abilities, which can be a game-changer in the mountains.

These wheels’ larger diameter also leads to less rolling resistance, resulting in more power, faster track speed, and less wear on the hyfax.

Last but not least, big wheel kits can give an awesome look to any sled. This is why you can even see these wheels on some trail sleds as well!

1. Remove the E-start
2. Remove the mechanical reverse
3. Replace/lighten the seat
4. Use plastic skis
5. Modify/replace the exhaust system
6. Port or replace the track
7. Install a belt drive
8. Replace the gas tank
9. Install custom running boards
10. Invest in carbon fiber panels and hood
11. Invest in a carbon fiber chassis
12. Upgrade your suspensions and arms
13. Consider a big wheel kit and aftermarket sliders
14. Install a lighter brake
15. Shave some weight from the smaller parts (lights, bolts, etc.)
16. Don’t carry unnecessary equipment
17. Lose some bodyweight

If you want to find out more about these methods, you’ve come to the right place. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the best tricks on how to lighten your sled!

How to Make a Snowmobile Lighter?

1. Get Rid Of the E-Start

There’s no question that one of the most common ways to make a snowmobile lighter is by eliminating the electric start. The e-start on a sled weighs about 20-25 pounds with a regular battery, so replacing it with a pull-start seems like a good idea.

If you insist on having the e-start on your sled, you should consider a lithium snowmobile battery, as these batteries weigh as little as 2-4 pounds!

2. Remove the Mechanical Reverse

Another system that adds noticeable extra pounds to your sled is the mechanical reverse. So, if you have an older sled with a mechanical reverse, you should consider removing it.

Unfortunately, not having a reverse gear can be a drawback in many situations, so the decision often comes down to personal preference.

3. How to Make a Snowmobile Seat Lighter

Another great way to lighten your sled is if you shave some weight off its seat. How do you do this?

As a rule of thumb, there are two common ways to make a snowmobile seat lighter. The budget solution is to cut some foam from the seat and replace it with Styrofoam. But if you are not on a budget, you may want to invest in a lightweight aftermarket snowmobile seat.

Older sleds especially feature unnecessarily large seats, which are often full of water. As you might assume, this water makes them very heavy!

What’s more, there also is usually a large plastic under the seat, which results in a lot of extra weight. If you have the skills and tools, you can modify your stock seat to make it lighter.

Let’s face it, not everyone is a DIY person. If you are looking for something off-the-shelf, you should look at aftermarket mountain snowmobile seats.

These seats typically sit on a frame to make the entire unit lighter. Another advantage of this design is that it offers a taller seating position and storage space under the seat.

Weight savings?

Extra lightweight snowmobile seats like BOSS or SKINZ are not cheap, but they can reduce the weight of your sled by 5-10 pounds!

4. Make Your Snowmobile Lighter with Plastic Skis

If you have an old sled with heavy metal skis, it makes sense to replace them with lighter plastic skis.

They are not only lighter than their metal counterparts but they also have deeper keels, offer better floatation, and create much less drag in turns.

 On top of that, they last longer as they aren’t prone to deforming and bending like metal skis.

5. Lightweight Snowmobile Exhaust Systems

Replacing the exhaust system can also help to lighten your sled. Lightweight aftermarket exhaust pipes and silencers offer a weight savings of 10-20 pounds and can add a lot of extra horsepower to your engine as well.

On top of that, the sound of a well-tuned aftermarket snowmobile exhaust is music to the ears!

Drawbacks?

Mainly the price tags, as compared to other modifications replacing the exhaust can be very pricey.

6. Lighten Your Snowmobile’s Track

Generally speaking, there are three common ways to save some weight on the track of your sled:

• Port your stock track
• Invest in a lighter track
• Consider a shorter track

Porting a snowmobile track means drilling holes onto the track’s surface, resulting in 4-6-pound weight savings.

This process not only lightens your track but as a hidden benefit, it helps the skid get rid of the accumulated snow, resulting in further weight loss.

Although poring the track is common among mountain riders, not every rider agrees with this solution. Therefore, if you are considering porting your track, it’s recommended that you consult with a professional before you cut the first hole!

Instead of porting, your other option is to invest in a lightweight snowmobile track. The lighter the track, the easier you can handle your sled in powder. Also, a lighter track ensures better acceleration and deceleration as well.

But while porting doesn’t cost anything, new tracks always come with hefty price tags.

If you are considering replacing your track, you can also purchase a shorter track, which is lighter and makes your sled more nimble.

On the other hand, the smaller footprint results in less traction and floatation. Again, it comes down to personal preference!

7. Install a Belt Drive

Another lesser-known trick to make a snowmobile lighter is replacing the chain drive with a belt drive. Unfortunately, the chain drive adds a lot of weight to the sled as the chaincase is filled with heavy oil.

Therefore, installing a belt drive on your snowmobile can save you up to 6-8 pounds! As a hidden benefit, you also don’t have to change the oil in the chaincase anymore, which leads to cheaper and easier maintenance.

On top of that, a belt drive means less rotating mass, so it spools up much faster than a regular chain drive. Therefore, it delivers more usable power to you!

8. Lightweight Snowmobile Gas Tank

If you want to drop some extra pounds, you should consider an aftermarket fuel tank.

Lightweight snowmobile fuel tanks can be made of both special composite plastic or carbon fiber.

Typical weight savings are about 7-10 pounds, while many have 1-3 gallons more capacity over stock tanks.

Also, carbon fiber snowmobile tanks look awesome and are much stronger than their plastic counterparts.

It also has to be mentioned that a fuel tank swap causes a weight saving towards the front of the machine, which ensures a better riding experience.

9. Replace the Running Boards

Let’s face it, factory running boards are often far from ideal. They can easily accumulate snow and ice buildups, which result in a lot of extra weight.

This is where aftermarket running boards come into play. They are lighter than their stock counterparts, and thanks to their design, the snow can easily fall through them.

At the same time, these custom running boards are really wide and offer excellent traction for your boots.

10. Consider a Lightweight Hood and Panels

Another great way to lighten your sled is to replace the hood and the side panels with lightweight aftermarket units.

For example, the hood on old sleds with instrument clusters and gauges can weigh about 25-35 pounds. By replacing a heavy hood, you can shave a remarkable 10-20 pounds directly off the front of the sled!

Besides the hood, you may want to replace the side panels, the belly pan, and other smaller units as well. The most stylish and lightest snowmobile hoods and panels are made of carbon fiber, so they can give your sled a personal look.

But it’s also good to know that these units are pretty flimsy, so mounting an airbox or headlight on them is usually hard to impossible.

If you are considering fabricating your hood and panels, don’t forget to cut some vents into them, which must be covered with a mesh material.

If your snowmobile has a lot of openings, they allow a lot of snow to accumulate inside the machine. And these snow and ice buildups can add significant weight to your sled!

To avoid this, try to seal up the nose of your sled as much as possible.

11. Carbon Fiber Snowmobile Chassis

Just like the panels, the entire chassis of a sled can be built of carbon fiber. Besides its weight, another key advantage of carbon fiber is that it doesn’t fatigue like aluminum.

However, carbon fiber snowmobile chassis are incredibly expensive, so they appear rarely in the marketplace. Another drawback is that this material shatters instead of bends, making it less attractive for the average rider.

12. Lightweight Snowmobile Suspensions and Arms

Just like other major parts, the suspensions of snowmobiles are also really heavy. The general rule is that a stock snowmobile skid weighs about 50-70 pounds! In contrast, the weight of aftermarket skids ranges from 25 up to 45 pounds.

You can also cut off a couple of extra pounds by investing in carbon fiber A-arms and aftermarket shocks. For instance, Fox Float shocks are about 6 pounds lighter than stock units.

13. Big Wheel Kit and Sliders

You can make the skid even lighter by installing a big wheel kit and aftermarket sliders on it. At first glance, big wheels seem heavier than stock idler wheels, but surprisingly the exact opposite is true.

Big idler wheels are made of aluminum so that they can be lighter than stock wheels despite their larger dimensions. However, the main idea behind big wheel kits is to reduce the track’s rolling resistance, which can rob some engine power.

Another great way to shave some weight off your sled is to install an aftermarket slider. They are typically made of unique materials, so they have a much higher melting point.

This feature allows you to bolt off the inner wheels from the skid. As a result, you can expect a weight savings of 4-8 pounds while the new setup provides more slider wear.

14. Lighten a Snowmobile Brake

When it comes to making a snowmobile lighter, the brake system is often overlooked. An aftermarket brake disk swap can lighten the sled up to 2 pounds, not to mention the lightweight brake hubs, calipers, mounting hardware, and titanium bolts.

Many aftermarket part manufacturers (like Brembo) offer complete brake systems for snowmobiles. They not only shave a couple of pounds but run cooler and deliver a better performance.

The lighter disk also means less rotating weight, which translates to a slightly better throttle response.

15. Remove/Replace Smaller Parts

You can also lighten your sled by replacing/removing some smaller parts.

If you don’t ride on trails, you can consider removing the lights and their wiring. You can also replace some smaller parts like brake and throttle levers, bolts, or handlebars with lighter units.

Unfortunately, these tiny parts are pretty expensive compared to how much weight they can save for you. For example, installing a titanium bolt kit on your sled can shave off about 3 pounds of weight while it costs hundreds of dollars.

16. Have the Right Accessories

Let’s face it, snowmobile riders are prone to carrying everything but the kitchen sink on their sleds.

If you are looking for the easiest way to make your sled lighter, make sure you only carry the really essential equipment.

If you use a lot of fuel, creating a “fuel depot” somewhere near where you ride also makes sense. This means you have to carry the extra fuel on your tunnel or in a sleigh behind you and take it off when you arrive at your spot.

This way, you can run your sled with only a half tank of fuel as you can return to your depot to refuel anytime.

This trick allows you to save about 20-25 pounds on a half tank of fuel, and you also don’t have to carry another heavy jerry can with you if you need extra fuel.

17. Lose Some Body Weight

Riders spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars trying to make their snowmobiles lighter, while it would be much cheaper and beneficial to lose some bodyweight instead.

This simple method is not very popular, although it has many advantages!

Besides the weight savings, if you get in better shape, you will have more energy for your rides and won’t be as tired at the end of the day. Eventually, it would lead to a better overall riding experience!

Here’s a great tutorial on how to get in shape before the next season:

Consider a Lighter Sled

To the regret of many mountain riders, aftermarket snowmobile parts are often quite expensive. With the above, you could easily shave about 80-120 pounds off your sled, but be prepared to spend several thousands of dollars.

Because of this, often, the most economical way to get a lighter sled is investing in a newer and more lightweight model. Let’s face it, it probably makes no sense to spend thousands of dollars on an old sled just to shave off some weight.

Conclusion

There are many advantages to making your sled lighter, but the most important of these are as follows:

• Better power-to-weight ratio
• Higher top speed
• Better acceleration/deceleration
• Easier handling in powder
• Easier to dig out if you get stuck
• Better hill climbing abilities
• Easier to load/unload your sled on the trailer/sled deck
• More fun!

There are countless ways to make your sled lighter. The most common methods include removing parts like the electric start or mechanical reverse.

You can also shave a lot of weight by swapping your seat, exhaust system, panels, or other features out with lightweight aftermarket units.

Whatever part you replace, make sure not to remove key features and never sacrifice the reliability of your sled. Safety is always the most important factor on a sled, especially if you ride off-trail!

Disclaimer: Before you do any modification on your snowmobile, make sure it’s legal in your state or province. If you don’t have the required skills and tools for these modifications, best practice is to leave it to a professional.

References:

Snowmobile.com, Snowest.com

• Towing capacity: 250-1,500 pounds
• Tongue capacity: about 20-60 pounds
• Overall weight capacity: about 100-500 pounds
• Cargo area weight capacity: about 10-50 pounds
• Rear rack (carrier) weight capacity (depends on the model)

If you want to find out more about snowmobile capacities, you are in the right place. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

How Much Weight Can a Snowmobile Hold?

As a rule of thumb, a snowmobile can hold about 100-500 pounds depending on its make and type. Kid-sized snowmobiles can carry about 100-200 pounds, while the weight capacity of full-sized sleds ranges from about 350 up to 500 pounds.

It’s also good to know that these weight capacities refer to the maximum weight that the sled can carry, including the operator, passenger, and cargo.

Since you can carry heavier items on the tunnel of the sled, this number is often referred to as the “snowmobile tunnel weight capacity” and “snowmobile weight limit.”

If you can’t find this specification on your sled, don’t worry. The most common sources of where you can find your sled’s weight limits are as follows:

• Warning decals on the sled (mainly on the tunnel)
• Owner’s manual
• Dealers
• Manufacturers

If you want to carry cargo or a passenger on your sled, it’s highly recommended that you check and follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Keep in mind that overloading your snowmobile can lead to losing control or damaging the tunnel or the suspension system. What’s more, carrying too much weight can even cause the sled to tip over.

Therefore, keeping safety in mind, the load on your sled should stay below the official weight capacity!

Snowmobile Cargo Area Weight Capacity

Many snowmobiles have a lockable cargo area under the seat or at the rear side of the tunnel. Depending on their size and location, the weight limit of these storage areas varies widely but it typically ranges from 10 up to 50 pounds.

For instance, the Polaris 550 Indy’s storage cargo has a 30-50-pound weight limit depending on the model. In contrast, The Yamaha VK Professional II can carry only 11 pounds in its storage box.

Besides these lockable storage areas, utility snowmobiles are usually equipped with a rear rack or carrier. Keep in mind that this rack also has its own weight capacity.

Snowmobile Weight Distribution

Besides overall weight capacity, distribution of the load is no less important, as it heavily affects the sled’s stability, handling, and braking distance. When it comes to snowmobile weight distribution, the key is to load the weight evenly on the tunnel. Also, you have to place the gear as close to the rider(s) as possible to centralize the weight.

Besides the capacities, manufacturers also have recommendations regarding the proper weight distribution in the Owner’s Manual. In addition, you may find these tips helpful:

• Do not hang heavy items from the rear of the tunnel.
• Always attach cargo to the tunnel tightly and securely. The best practice is to invest in innovative LinQ connectors or other OEM attachment systems.
• Always adjust the suspensions to accommodate the additional weight.
• While carrying cargo, always ride at lower speeds and turn gradually. Also, always allow longer braking distances as the increased weight makes the sled harder to stop.
• Never exceed the maximum weight limit of your sled!

How Much Weight Can a Snowmobile Pull?

Snowmobiles are often used for towing another sled in case of emergencies, sleighs, or other cargo. But how much weight can you pull with a snowmobile?

The majority of snowmobiles can pull about 250-1,500 pounds depending on the make and model. For example, the towing capacity of the Ski-Doo Tundra is 573 pounds, while the Scandic series can tow a remarkable weight of 1,500 pounds. You can find the Yamaha VK 540 and VK Professional II with a towing capacity of only 264 pounds at the other end of the spectrum.

If you want to pull a trailer with a rigid tow bar, you must pay attention to your sled’s tongue capacity.

A snowmobile’s tongue capacity typically ranges from 20 up to 60 pounds. If you are looking for your sled’s exact towing and tongue capacities, you should take a closer look at the owner’s manual or find the warning stickers on the tunnel.

Takeaways – FAQs About Snowmobile Capacities

As a takeaway, we’ve compiled the most frequent questions about snowmobile capacities!

How much weight can a snowmobile hold?

The majority of snowmobiles can hold about 100-500 pounds. Kid-sized sleds can typically carry 100-200 pounds, while the weight capacity of full-sized models is about 350-500 pounds. This overall weight capacity of a snowmobile always includes the weight of the riders and the cargo.

How much weight can a 120cc snowmobile carry?

120cc snowmobiles can carry about 100-140 pounds, depending on the model. For example, the Polaris 120 Indy weight capacity is 140 pounds, while the Ski-Doo Mini Z can carry 100 pounds.

One of the smallest production snowmobiles, the Arctic Cat Kitty Cat, also came with a weight capacity of 100 pounds.

How much weight can a snowmobile pull?

The towing capacity of snowmobiles typically ranges from 250 up to 1,500 pounds.

What is the tongue capacity of a snowmobile?

The tongue capacity of a snowmobile is about 20-60 pounds.

Where can you find the weight capacities of a snowmobile?

The tow and weight capacities for a snowmobile can be found on the warning decals on the tunnel as well as in the owner’s manual. If you can’t find these specifications for some reason, you may want to contact a dealer or the manufacturer for further information.

It’s also highly recommended that you never exceed the weight limit of your snowmobile, as it may result in loss of handling/stability and severe damage.

How much weight can a Skandic tow? 

The Ski-Doo Skandic can tow no less than 1,500 pounds and has a tongue capacity of 35 pounds.

What is the best snowmobile for pulling heavy loads?

The best snowmobiles for pulling loads and carrying heavy items are arguably utility sleds. These machines are built on a heavy-duty chassis and propelled with an extra-wide track for increased traction. But if you are not stuck on using snowmobiles, you may want to consider a tracked side-by-side or a geo tracker. They can be great alternatives to utility snowmobiles under certain circumstances!

References:

Ski-doo, Polaris, Yamaha Motorsports, Arctic Cat

If you want to compare the pros and cons of these systems head-to-head, this post is for you.

We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the key factors to consider under one roof!

Snowmobile Pull-Start vs. Electric Start Comparison

If you are hesitating between an e-start and a pull-start snowmobile, there are five main factors to consider:

• Convenience
• Weight
• Costs
• Complexity
• Maintenance

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about these factors in detail!

Convenience

There’s no question that the only, but significant advantage of having an electric start on a snowmobile is that it offers more convenient rides.

Let’s face it, pull-starting a snowmobile was never a comfortable task. But as snowmobile engines grew larger, it became more and more challenging to pull-start them. And the more energy you waste yanking the rope, the less you have left for the ride.

Therefore, it’s no coincidence that big-bore 4-stroke snowmobiles come exclusively with an electric start. (Surprisingly, some older 4-stroke sleds were offered with pull-starts. But these models featured a special decompression system, which is commonly used on 4-stroke dirt bikes.)

Besides 4-strokes, an e-start is also a nice addition to any 2-stroke sled, especially on the big-bore 850cc models.

Pull-starting these large engines can be exhausting, especially in the mornings when the engine is cold.

While trail riders are much less likely to restart their engines, mountain snowmobiles have to be restarted quite often.

Riding in deep snow is often tricky, and sleds are prone to rolling on the slopes and even getting stuck. This means mountain riders have to restart their sleds many times a day, often in deep snow and quite awkward positions.

As you might assume, it’s not easy to pull start a sled in these situations!

This is where the e-start comes into play, allowing mountain riders to fire their engines up with a touch of a button.

Many mountain riders say that the convenience the e-start offers far exceeds the little extra weight.

It can be especially helpful after you’ve got your or someone else’s sled unstuck and you are exhausted. It’s nice if you can start your sled without any additional exertion!

Weight

It’s safe to say that the biggest counter-argument against the e-start systems is their weight. While it’s not a big deal on trail sleds, the extra weight is always a problem on their mountain-specific counterparts.

The heavier the sled, the easier it is to sink in powder. This is why mountain riders try to shave as much weight as possible off their machines!

While the weight of e-start systems was significant with regular batteries, the newest lithium batteries can virtually reduce the system’s weight by half.

And that’s not even mentioning the ultra-light Ski-Doo SHOT system, which weighs as little as 2 pounds!

For your convenience, we’ve compiled the weight of these different e-start systems into one chart:

If you’re a mountain rider, you should consider investing in a lightweight lithium battery to make your sled lighter. Also, the newest mountain Ski-Doos with the innovative SHOT system also deserve a serious look!

Costs

Another con of an e-start system is that it’s typically available at an extra cost. While some sleds come with an e-start as standard, this convenient feature is a factory option on many models.

However, it’s still cheaper if you order a snowmobile with an electric start from the factory, as separately sold e-start kits come with really hefty price tags.

Complexity

Besides the obvious weight and cost increase, the e-start also makes the sled more complex. Just like many other systems, the electric start is just another feature that can go wrong.

But contrary to popular belief, if the electric start goes wrong, it won’t leave you stranded, as snowmobiles can be emergency-started by a pull rope wrapped around the clutch.

What’s more, don’t forget that pull-ropes may also break, typically at the worst time and place possible.

Keeping safety in mind, some riders have both systems on their sleds. Why not?

You can simply install a pull-start on your sled and leave it behind the side panel, even if it has an e-start system. It’s like having extra insurance on your sled, you never know when you will need it!

Maintenance

Except for the innovative Ski-Doo SHOT, every regular e-start system needs a battery, which requires maintenance for optimal performance.

And snowmobile batteries are prone to going wrong due to overlooked maintenance, especially during summer storage.

Conclusion

So which is better, a pull-start or an electric start? It seems there’s no clear winner here, as it comes down to personal preferences.

The primary and only advantage of an e-start is it makes starting the sled much more convenient. It’s awesome when you just press the button and go instead of having to pull the rope many times.

But at the same time, an e-start adds extra weight, costs, and complexity to the machine. On top of that, the battery also requires attention and periodical replacement.

If you want to find out more about the electric start systems on snowmobiles, you are in the right place. We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this post!

Do Snowmobiles Have an Electric Start?

While an electric start is standard on many snowmobiles, this is still just an option on some models. Snowmobile electric start systems include a starter motor, battery, and cables, which cause a noticeable weight difference. But surprisingly, some sleds are still only available with a pull-start. It is usually the smallest kid-sized snowmobiles that lack this convenient feature.

To make starts easier, the electric start has been commonly used for a long time, especially on trail snowmobiles. Although these systems mean some additional weight, this is not an issue on a trail sled.

And let’s face it, pull-starting the big-bore trail snowmobile engines (especially 4-strokes) is not an easy task. Therefore, an electric start on these sleds is a must!

But when it comes to mountain snowmobiles, many of them are still available with a pull-start, and with good reason. On these sleds, low weight is a high priority, so manufacturers want to shave off as much weight on these machines as possible.

Also, small-bore youth snowmobiles typically come without an e-start, as pull-starting their small engines is very easy.

How does an Electric Start Work on Snowmobile?

The electric start on a snowmobile works pretty much the same as it does in a car. The heart of the system is the high-torque starter motor, which is attached to the crankshaft through the flywheel. When you turn the ignition and press the START button, the starter motor begins to turn the flywheel (and thus the crankshaft), allowing the engine to start.

Keeping safety in mind, the system contains a starter solenoid that works as an electric relay. This solenoid is inserted between the battery and the starter motor and activated by the START button.

Pressing the button allows the voltage from the battery to go through the system and activate the starter solenoid, which powers the starter motor.

The latter is hooked up to a flywheel, which is directly attached to the crankshaft. Therefore, when the starter motor is spinning, it’s turning the engine through the flywheel. The other key systems like ignition, fuel, and charging come to life and fire up the engine.

Can You Add an Electric Start to a Snowmobile?

Yes, the good news is that you can add an electric start to most snowmobiles. Even if your sled features only a pull-start, there is a good chance that you can simply bolt on the starter motor and battery without any significant modifications. However, best practice is to check your sled’s manual or consult with your dealer before taking the first steps.

On the other hand, keep in mind that installing an electric start on a snowmobile can be tricky in many ways as the process entails removing the primary clutch.

If you don’t have the necessary skills and experience, best practice is to leave this installation to a professional.

Snowmobile Electric Start Kits

If you want to add an e-start to your sled, you will need a “snowmobile electric start kit.” These kits include the starter motor with the solenoid, wiring, battery, ring gear, and the required mounting hardware.

Unfortunately, if the electric start wasn’t ordered with the machine from the factory, purchasing it separately can end up being very pricy. The prices of snowmobile electric start kits range from $500 up to $1,000, which doesn’t include labor charges.

How Much Weight Does an Electric Start Add to a Snowmobile?

As a rule of thumb, the electric start can add about 8-25 pounds of extra weight to a snowmobile. The importance of the kit you choose strongly depends on the weight of the battery. While regular batteries are significantly heavier, the innovative lithium batteries weigh as little as 2-4 pounds.

This means a snowmobile ES system with a regular battery leads to a weight gain of 20-25 pounds, while with a lithium battery, it only adds 8-12 pounds.

Drawbacks?

Unfortunately, snowmobile lithium batteries (like WPD, EarthX) come with hefty price tags and provide less performance at lower temps.

Can You Remove the Electric Start from a Snowmobile?

While many riders want to install an electric start on their sleds, others want to remove it to shave a couple of pounds off the weight.

If you’re considering removing the electric start from your snowmobile, keep in mind that some wires may not be removable. In most cases, you can pull out the battery, solenoid, starter motor, flywheel, and mounting hardware without any issues, but removing the cables on some sleds is hard and may even be impossible.

However, the weight of the cables is typically marginal, so you shouldn’t have to worry about them.

On the other hand, keep in mind that if your sled utilizes an EFI (electric fuel injected) engine, it probably needs a battery to energize the fuel delivery system. (Unless it’s a BEFI – batteryless fuel-injected machine, which can run without a battery.)

Also, if you want to use electronics like GPS, audio system, 12V outlets, or a heated visor, these systems require a power source.

If you want to remove the e-start on your sled to save on weight, you may want to consider replacing the battery instead. If you replace the stock battery with a lithium one, you can save about 10 pounds, which is almost half the total system!

Adding a Pull Start to a Snowmobile

If you want to remove the electric start, by all means don’t forget that you have to install a pull start on the engine. Snowmobile pull start kits typically cost about $100-$250, depending on the type of sled. Fortunately, they are available for most makes and models.

If you prefer a hidden look, you can simply keep the original side panel. When it comes to starting the sled, you can simply open the panel to access the starter.

But if you don’t want to open the panel all the time, you have to hack up your stock panel or replace it with a different one, including a cutout for the handle. If you choose the latter solution, you probably have to invest in a new set of decals to make your sled look stock.

It’s also a good idea to install a pull start kit on your snowmobile, even if you don’t remove the e-start. It works like insurance, and you never know when you will need it!

Sure, sleds can even be started with a simple rope wrapped around the clutch, but OEM pull-start kits always offer a safer and more reliable solution.

What is a Shot Starter on a Snowmobile?

What does SHOT Mean on a Snowmobile?

SHOT is an innovative snowmobile starting system introduced by Ski-Doo in 2018.

The key feature of the SHOT system is a capacitor that offers push-button starts without a battery. This revolutionary system is available exclusively on mountain Ski-Doo snowmobiles.

What is the Ski-Doo SHOT? 

What is the Ski-Doo SHOT exactly? Simply put, it’s a unique electric staring system designed explicitly for Ski-Doo’s Rotax E-TEC engines. Unlike regular snowmobile e-start systems, the SHOT doesn’t utilize either a battery or a starter motor. Instead, it uses the magneto to start the engine!

The key advantage of the Ski-Doo SHOT electric start is that the entire system weighs only 2 pounds. In contrast, a regular electric start with a lead-acid battery weighs about 20-25 pounds (which can be reduced to about 8-12 pounds with a lithium battery).

Are you wondering how the Ski-Doo SHOT works? Keep reading!

How does the SHOT Work on a Ski-Doo?

Here’s how the Ski-Doo SHOT system works on a Ski-Doo:

• You have to pull-start the sled before the first ride.
• The system uses the engine magneto as a generator to charge up a lightweight capacitator.
• Therefore, if you stop your engine during your ride, you don’t have to pull-start it again.
• If you want to fire up the engine, you just have to press the SHOT button. This is where the magic happens!
• The electricity from the capacitator flows back to the magneto. It starts to act as a starter motor and spins the crankshaft.
• The engine fires up, and you are ready to go!

It also has to be mentioned that the capacitator is designed to hold a charge for about 30 minutes after shutting the engine off. However, there are rumors that it takes longer in most cases.

This innovative SHOT electric start system is a game-changer for mountain riders who usually have to restart their sleds several times a day!

Can You Add the SHOT Start to a Ski-Doo?

As reported by SuperTraxMax, the innovative SHOT system can’t be installed on older Ski-Doo models. This advanced feature is exclusively available as a factory option on Ski-Doo Summit mountain sleds.

Takeaways – FAQs About Snowmobile E-Starts

Do they make electric start snowmobiles?

Yes, an electric start is available on a majority of today’s snowmobiles as standard or an option.

Do all snowmobiles have a pull start?

No, unfortunately, not all snowmobiles come with a pull start from the factory. If a snowmobile is manufactured with an e-start, the pull-start is only available for it as an option in most cases.

Do pull-start snowmobiles have a battery?

Whether or not a pull start snowmobile contains a battery depends on its engine design. If it’s powered by a carbureted or a BEFI (batteryless fuel injected) engine, it can run without a battery. But if it has a regular EFI engine, it needs a battery to energize the fuel supply system.

What year did snowmobiles first come with electric start?

Electric starts on snowmobiles came out in the ‘60s. Vintage snowmobiles equipped with an electric start often featured an E or ES in their model names. In many cases, an electric start was available as a factory option.

How do you test a snowmobile starter motor?

If you want to install an electric starter motor, you may want to test it before you bolt it on.

You can test a snowmobile starter by putting it in a vise and attaching jumper cables to it. Be very careful as these starter motors have a lot of torque!

How do you test a snowmobile solenoid?

The best tool for testing a snowmobile solenoid is a regular voltmeter. However, you can also test the voltage at the signal wire with a test light.

Here’s a great video on how to test a snowmobile solenoid:

References:

Supertraxmag.com, Compeaus.com

If you want to find out more about power steering systems in snowmobiles, you’ve come to the right place.

We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this post!

Do Any Snowmobiles Have Power Steering?

Although this technology has been available on ATVs since 2007, power steering only appeared on snowmobiles in the 2011 model year.

The first snowmobile with power steering was the 2011 Yamaha Apex, which got a lot of media attention, making it instantly popular in the marketplace.

Although the Apex has already been discontinued, the Japanese manufacturer still offers sleds with this addition.

Therefore, the currently available snowmobiles with power steering are specific models belonging to the famous Yamaha Sidewinder family. What’s more, thanks to cooperation between the two companies, some Arctic Cat snowmobiles are also available with this nice addition.

When it comes to other manufacturers, it seems they are still sticking to manual steering on their sleds.

But do you really need power steering on a snowmobile? Keep reading to find out the answer!

Do Snowmobiles Really Need Power Steering?

Many say that the only reason why Yamaha (and Arctic Cat) use power steering is that their sleds are so heavy.   

Even though power steering adds extra weight to the machine, it surprisingly makes the vehicle feel lighter. Since Yamaha snowmobiles are often criticized for their weight, the manufacturer makes every effort to build its machines so they’re easier to use.

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and compare the pros and cons of snowmobile power steering head-to-head!

Pros and Cons of Snowmobile Power Steering

Pros:

• It makes the vehicle feel lighter
• Results in less rider fatigue, especially on long rides
• Easier handling for senior/disabled riders
• Higher resale value on the sled

Cons:

• Increase in weight
• It makes the sled more complex (higher chance of malfunctions)
• Extra cost
• Increases the stress on the steering components

Experts agree that the key advantage of having power steering on a snowmobile is that it helps reduce rider fatigue. This comes in handy, especially if you want to ride hundreds of miles on twisty trails!

Let’s face it, it’s not the ‘70s anymore when a great snowmobile tour was about 20-30 miles. Today snowmobiles commonly run 200-300 miles a day on longer tours, resulting in a lot of fatigue. Therefore, anything that makes these long rides easier comes in handy.

This is where power steering comes into play. Since it makes handling much easier, you have to exert significantly less effort when steering.

As stated by SuperTraxMag, besides the easier steering, another key advantage of a snowmobile EPS system is that it improves the machine’s reaction to negative input from the trail. Finally, it leads to a more stable feeling of a lower center of gravity.

You also feel a lot less twitching when the skis hit something, which ensures smoother riders.

On top of that, Yamaha’s snowmobile EPS (electronic power steering) features a variable ratio, meaning that you can expect more steering effort as you increase your speed. Therefore, you get more predictable handling at any speed.

Sure, there are riders who don’t prefer power steering. They simply like the exercise and having sore muscles the following morning. They often say that other riders should adjust their suspensions and hit the gym instead of installing power steering.

But let’s face it, snowmobiling is not only for young people. Considering the fact that the average snowmobiler is 45 years old, there are many senior riders out there.

Some of these people already have poor joints and muscles, not to mention riders with disabilities. Power steering can make riding for these people more accessible and keep them in the sport.

Because of this, it would be nice if power steering was available on all snowmobiles at least as an option. We’re guessing that many riders would pay extra for it.

On the other hand, don’t forget that power steering adds weight, cost, and complexity to the sled.

Can You Add Power Steering to a Snowmobile?

Yes, the good news is that it’s possible to install an aftermarket power steering kit on many snowmobile models. What’s more, you can choose between electric or mechanical power steering kits based on your needs! Drawbacks? The price tags on many of these kits range from $300-$2,000 depending on the make and the model.

Let’s move on and take a look at the best snowmobile power steering kits available!

Mechanical Power Steering Kits for Snowmobiles

The cheapest way to add power steering to a snowmobile is to invest in an MPS (mechanical power steering) kit. As the name suggests, this solution uses mechanical force to reduce the effort on the handlebars. One of the best snowmobile MPS kits is manufactured by Barn of Parts (BOP) Sled Salvage LLC. This “bolt-on” kit fits on Yamaha Sidewinder and Viper models and is designed to cut the steering effort up to 40 percent.

Electric Power Steering Kits for Snowmobile

Aftermarket snowmobile EPS (electric power steering) kits are much more pricey than their mechanical counterparts. One of the most well-known snowmobile EPS kit manufacturers is GSE Performance, which offers kits for specific Yamaha and Arctic Cat snowmobiles.

How Much Weight Does a Power Steering Kit Add to a Snowmobile?

The general rule is that a power steering kit adds about 13-15 pounds to a snowmobile. These kits typically weigh about 20 pounds, but in most cases, some parts have to be removed from the vehicle during the installation process. Therefore, the increase in overall weight is not significant.

Takeaways – FAQs About Snowmobile PS

Do all new snowmobiles have power steering?

No, except for some Yamaha and Arctic Cat models, most snowmobiles still come without power steering.

Which Yamaha snowmobiles have power steering?

Yamaha currently offers power steering for specific models of their Sidewinder family. Regarding older models, this feature was available on many different Yamaha sleds, such as:

• Apex SE
• Apex X-TX
• RS Vector
• RS Vector L-TX
• RS Venture GT
• RS Venture TF

In what year did Yamaha Apex have power steering?

Yamaha introduced its snowmobile power steering system on the 2011 Yamaha Apex.

References:

Snowmobile.com, SuperTraxMag, Snowmobile.org, Barnofparts.com, GSE Performance

If you want to find out more about snowmobile racing and learn why snowmobiling is not in the Olympics, you are in the right place.

We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled all you need to know into this post!

Is Snowmobiling a Sport?

Snowmobiling has a long and rich history from the earliest tracked vehicles. These weird machines were built for transport and work rather than for sports purposes.

They were powered by small-displacement, air-cooled engines that offered very low performance. Besides their moderate engine power, these vehicles utilized outdated technologies like cleated tracks, and leaf-spring front- and bogie-wheel rear suspensions.

As you might assume, operating these vintage sleds was neither exciting nor challenging. Therefore, they were only used for “outdoor winter fun” rather than sports purposes.

But over the years, snowmobiles have undergone amazing development, with their engines becoming more and more powerful. Besides this significant increase in power, their chassis, suspensions, tracks, and other features have also become much more advanced.

Snowmobiles were ultimately transformed into real powersport vehicles, which attracted a lot of performance-minded riders. Handling these modern snowmobiles is now a sports activity, as it requires more bodywork and many skills. This is especially true if the sled runs in the mountains!

When Did Snowmobiling Become a Sport?

Although it’s difficult to know exactly when snowmobiling become a sport, it may have happened sometime in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s. At that time, snowmobiling became a popular recreational activity in the U.S. and Canada, and several new snowmobile competitions were established.  

When was the First Snowmobile Race?

Paradoxically, while snowmobiles were officially invented in the late ‘30s, the first snowmobile race was held near Three Lakes in 1926. How is this possible? The answer is that this first race was actually between Ford Model T cars, which were transformed into “snowmobiles” with rear-mounted tracks and skis on the front. The first “real” snowmobile races were established in the mid-60s, like the I-500 (1966).

Which Snowmobile Races are the Best?

Although there are many famous snowmobile races across the world, the most well-known ones are arguable as follows:

• SnoCross
• Hillcross
• Cross-Country
• i500
• The Iron Dog
• Drag races

Is Snowmobiling an Extreme Sport?

Yes, according to Britannica.com, snowmobiling is considered an extreme sport:

“Extreme sports, also known as action sports or alternative sports, sporting events or pursuits characterized by high speeds and high risk. … Typically, extreme sports operate outside traditional mainstream sports and are celebrated for their adrenaline-pumping thrills. Racing and acrobatic competitions for motorcycles and snowmobiles are also often classified as “extreme,” and the term can be stretched to include such daring pursuits as rock climbing and skydiving.”

There’s no question that snowmobile riders can go extreme in many ways. Mountain sledding often involves risky situations like huge cliff drops and traversing/climbing steep hills.

What’s more, it’s good to know that the fastest snowmobiles can hit a whopping 120+ mph, so even trail riding can be considered extreme.

We can’t avoid mentioning the large variety of snowmobile competitions, from the adrenaline-filled SnoCross to high-speed drag races.

Is Snowmobiling an Event in the Olympics?

Contrary to popular belief, snowmobiling is not an Olympic event. What’s more, just like any type of motorsport, it seems that snowmobiling has no chance of getting into the Olympics. Surprisingly, in the early 1900s, certain motorsports like boat racing were featured in the Games. But everything changed when the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced that it was dropping every sport that depends on mechanical propulsion.

Let’s face it, snowmobiling is considered motorsport, while the Olympics are more about traditional competitions between people. Its origins go back to the Ancient Greek culture, and as we know now, snowmobiles did not exist at the time!

In motorsports, racers are more dependent on their vehicle’s performance than their own skills and physical abilities. Sure, snowmobile racers are in top physical form, but this can’t be measured to Olympic standards.

Besides the traditional issues, there are many other viable arguments against the inclusion of snowmobiles in the Olympics.

Unfortunately, motorsports are typically unexciting for “average” spectators due to the length of these races. In contrast, many Olympic events virtually finish in a couple of minutes.

Also, don’t forget that snowmobile tracks take up a lot of space and are pretty expensive to build.

On top of that, snowmobiling is not very common outside North America. Unlike “universal” sports like swimming and running, snowmobiling requires a lot of equipment and an appropriate environment.

Since many countries are short on these things, a lot of people can’t get involved in this sport.

Takeaways

Snowmobiles were originally low-powered vehicles designed to travel on snow.

But with their growing popularity, snowmobiling quickly become one of the most thrilling winter sport. Although it’s not part of the Olympics, there are many different snowmobile competitions across the United States and Canada.

Besides professional racers, recreational riders can also go extreme in many ways, from high-speed adrenalin rushes to challenging mountain rides!

References:

Britannica.com