vt_bluyamaha54

Yamaha has nothing (at the present time) that lines up with the ACE900. The Vector motor (1049cc) lines up most closely with the 1200 4TEC as their HP is close to even @135-ish. ACE900 is only 90HP - so about 2/3 the Vector output. As far as mileage, the Vector will regularly best the 1200; usually getting upper teens per gallon. ACE900 is pretty much in a class by itself as far as mileage. Always over 20 MPG is usual.

Thanks for all the comments folks. Looks like where it is headed we will need to look out for bikes on parts of State and National Forest lands barring a last minute change - (SIGH!)

Having to depend on the generator 24x7 for power has got to be a big worry and a big expense for owners. Also getting suppies and fuel delivered isn't easy. I have never stayed there - only gotten food + fuel. Would be sad to see it boarded up. Hopefully someone ambitious steps in -

Hope I don't step on any toes as this may be a bit off-topic for Quebec Rider but would like to get some feedback from my Quebec friends on the topic of multiple uses of traditional snowmobile trails. It seems that you tend to separate users (CC skiers, ATVs, etc) and place them on their own trails rather than allow shared use. Vermont is considering allowing 'fat tire' mountain bikes on traditional snowmobile trails within areas where the trail passes through State and National park land. Most of us believe this is a terrible idea for many reasons but may lose due to the politics. The attached article gives a good overview - even though it came from a mountain biker who obviously salivates when thinking about the 5000mi of groomed trails that could potentially be opened. I welcome everyone's comments - and if the moderator believes this is not appropriate I apologize in advance - https://singlespeedslog.wordpress.com/2015/03/11/a-vast-perspective/

Thanks for the insight Steven - and I agree that more funding should come from other sources. I don't know enough about how the Canadian Government views snowmobiling to know if additional funding for snowmobiling would be realistic but it makes sense when you point out the far reaching economic impact it has province-wide. I am sure it varies with the political winds similar to the states. My worry remains about numbers since it seems everyone here has remarked that traffic seems to be down. If there aren't people riding, those funding sources you cite begin drying up so the costs to preserve the trail system again become the lynch pin of the system's continued existence. Vermont is struggling to keep users in the sport and maintain their existing trail network too. The state government has been shown the economic impact of snowmobiling but it doesn't help us. Trail pass purchases have dropped by a shocking 46% over the course of the last 9-10 yrs. (I think pass prices have increased about 40%) Obviously the economy had an effect but there also doesn't seem to be the continuum of young riders entering, volunteering, and remaining to keep the sport going. Many of us have concluded that those that left the sport are likely either gone forever or at least gone until they reach another point in their lives when they have the resources to re-enter the sport. The costs of new machines, length of the riding season, available time to ride, and access to good riding all seem to be part of the equation. We have some headwinds for sure - JMO

I feel your pain TrailBlazer. Very unusual for sure. At least it is April and not December!! Hope you find the cause and get it back together to continue the adventures.

Always nice to end like this.

Certainly worth it for anyone who honestly enjoys the sport and acknowleges the superiority of the Quebec trail network! Break it down however you want: by the number of days you ride a season - or by the number of miles you ride per season. You get allot for the $300 - and as has already been said it is one of the smaller costs of this sport. What should concern all of us is if the number of trails pass buyers continues to drop off, the cost to maintain the network remains the same(or increases due to fuel, equipment costs, etc) and then has to be spread among those remaining. This could reach a point where the remaining users would have to pay ALLOT more to keep things the same. Alternately, trail miles will be cut - which was a topic last year - as they proposed 15% fewer kms of maintained trails. I would be interested to see the FCMQ numbers on passes over the last few years to see what the trend is.

Thanks for sharing that Iceman. Many of the points may be lost on the non-technical but for those that 'get it', the seemingly subtle differences add up and the proof is in the longevity. A Vector recently completed 99,956 miles without any motor rebuilds or failures - just normal by-the-book maintenance. - Interesting that the piece you shared came out of Yamaha Canada - haven't seen anything down here yet.

Pro Line is pretty good about standing behind their stuff. Did you approach Tom to see what he would do for you? I honestly don't know why anyone still manufactures aluminum trailers w/painted steel axels. Beyond the simple rust problem is the galvanic corrosion issue as a result of the dissimilar metals which is accelerated by the presence of road salt.

Love the deer pics. They are on the move - here in Vermont too! Uh oh. When the "red bush" starts to appear (pic 9 + 11) Spring is very close.

Always look forward to your reports Alain! Glad to see your last trip of the season was good. Always better to end the season on a good ride than a 'messy' one. Salut!

Since you are new here, might want to review this thread: http://www.quebecrider.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3718&hl=exchange There are also others if you do a search on "exchange". In early March I got $100 in Canadian money in southern Quebec on my way up and my home bank debited my account for $78.31. The posted exchange at that time was about 0.806 so you can see, that was only about $2 per $100 off rate. Depending on your home bank and your account privaleges, ATM fees at non-member banks are waived - and if they aren't guess what? You are also paying those fees when you use your card at a non-member bank in the US so the ATM use fee is not unique to Canada - Yeah, and using a VISA or MasterCard to get a cash advance in the States will also generally cost you a cash advance fee. I think "know before you go" might be a good way to look at this.

Forgoing protective equipment, excessive speed, or driving impaired are not good decisions. Sorry to hear this -

Been doing ATMs for Canadian money many years and never, ever had "bank transfer fee". WTF? Getting Canadian money at your bank in the US has its own set of problems - most notably a VERY poor exchange rate that is many points off the published rate at a site like http://www.xe.com/. If you live more than a state away from Canada, your bank will also not be very interested or know how to get the money for you.

Nice sled but let's face the facts that this is just an A/C Pantera with Yammi badging and the 1049 motor. It's $2500 for the kit; installation is additional: warranty may not cover failures related to adding the turbo as clearly stated in the Yamaha '2016 Spring PowerSurge Event' advertising: †While installation of MPI Turbo Kit will not ‘void’ your snowmobile’s warranty, specific failures determined by Yamaha to have resulted from installation of kit components or other modification may not be covered by the Yamaha limited warranty or extended service coverage. Dealer installation costs not included The 4.5g tank will add about 35lbs of fuel weight. 146" is allot of track if you are riding solo on groomed trails! Also don't forget that deep lugged tracks will decrease hyfax life and experience shorter track life when traveling hard packed trails. Scratchers might help with lubing the hyfax but the track will still take it hard since the weight is concentrated on the lugs instead of the track surface. I'm a Yammi guy for sure but they need to get on it with a new chassis for the Apex/Vector plus a motor + chassis aimed at the ACE900 or they risk losing the 4stroke market they built (and dominated) until recently. (I see SkiDoo coming) Just my opinion -

Generally, the ATV trails are staked with blue stakes, the snowmobile with red. There are sections where it is a shared path so both may be on it for some distance. Those are ATV numbers; not snowmobile. Many of us carry Canadian money for meals in clubhouses and other places where credit cards may not be accepted. It is best and most easily obtained after arriving in Quebec as most towns have a bank ATM. Your ATM card from home works fine and you get the exchange just the same as when using your credit card. Most of us support buying "where you ride" or supporting a favorite local club we know in Quebec. As you said and know, grooming and the equipment is expensive. Clubs keep approx. 2/3 of the trail pass fees. The links below will get you maps and other information to help in trip planning. The first is for the Bas Saint Laurent section (RDL and beyond with links to Gaspe also); second for Chaudiere Appalaches (next area south). http://www.quebecmaritime.ca/en/sports-and-outdoor-recreation/snowmobiling/trail-conditions-permits-and-regulations https://www.chaudiereappalaches.com/en/activities-attractions/snowmobile/ Again, welcome!

Welcome! Lots of great information here and many have a knowledge-base of experience that can be invaluable when planning a trip. Your #7 has me confused. Are you referring to a road map or a trail map? Those numbers sound like they may be for ATV trails(?) If you poke around here a bit you will find that one of the most challenging parts of a snowmobile trip to the Gaspe is the weather. Even small snow storms can spell trouble because of the relentless winds that take 4-6 inches of snow and create unbelieveable drifts.Many here have left the trail and taken the road to seek shelter rather than continue battling endless drifts.

Thanks Mike. The pics always make me wonder why I'm not there riding <LOL> - and thanks for your comments about 548 a couple of weeks ago. We found it was excellent - just as you said!

Wow! Looking like March 2014 all over again!! Lots of work with the "bull" to tame those . . . . Yipes. I am sure Phil1 + company will be glad to see a nice trail.

You're a good sport Linda and I give you lots of credit for trying your hand at grooming! Lots of patience and concentration to keep the drag "working". You got training from a great teacher!

Glad to hear you are home safe and the rest of your adventure was excellent after we parted! Sorry to hear another sled was sacrificed. I think you meant to say "As we continued WEST . . . " eh ??

Had to change our plans. Had hoped to be there at least for Friday but things happen. My best to all QRs and I know you will have lots of laughs. Behave and be safe. Cheers!!

Yes, warm Tuesday + Wednesday with light rain Wednesday AM. Which way did you go Mike?

Phil, I think the choice you made will make you happy AND last a long time. No need for premium gas and you don't have to carry $$$ injection oil. As far as the failed short block, someone failed to check things over - end of discussion. <Nothing you did> Cheers!