vt_bluyamaha54

Thanks for all the information and advice you share Bill. 182Ray will get me up there one day but sadly another year has come and gone and I didn't get to Paradise. There just isn't enough winter I guess. Certainly seemed extra short everywhere this year. I think I might be starting to wonder about global warming/climate change?? http://www.theweathe...epage_category1

Yes, I have stayed there - but it was several yrs. ago. Nice place, sort of a resort. They took good care of us as we arrived after dinner so they made us some sandwiches and such. Bent over backwards to be sure we had enough to eat. In Cabano, I would recommend the Motel Royal. We left the Beauceville Clubhouse this afternooon and I am in Montmagny now and Mikerider`s description is accurate for here. I think we will be heading to Amqui. Conditions are better than I expected. The snow that came yesterday helped. TQ5 was being groomed tonight as we came in and I would rate the 90+ miles from Beauceville to here as 8+ overall.

Jean Guy - We go back some years and I can tell you that no one 'objects' to you taking care of yourself. That is the most important thing. You + I have talked grooming and 'equipment' so we both understand what a mental + physical game it is. Take care of yourself and get better. You need to do what is 'right' to make your life happy. We are all only given a limited time to experience and enjoy life on earth. Godspeed.

Not sure if you know the area but after Mike posted the above I can help you a bit. The motel is probably a 4 star place but is a ways from the trail. When there is plenty of snow it is a bit of a chore to get to but when the sidewalk is bare, I would not recommend it. Mike's description of the sidewalk - which is the passage from TQ5 to the distant motels - would cause me to find a place closer. The EconoLodge, LeFlorimay, L'Oiseliere are right off TQ5. Sounds like the warm temps, sun, traffic, etc are making access difficult even right off the trail

'Le Jasmin' is always a zoo on weekends. The new place is very upscale but I liked the old place; it had character. It was a bit east of there on TQ55 right beside the trail. I want to say it moved to the present location about 5 yrs ago(?)

I really admire your ability to be so calm and write about this in such an entertaining way. Like everyone else, I really hope this is not a broadening trend. Unfortunately, the reports show otherwise. Based on MCCAFFREY's account from Feb 7 and yours, it doesn't seem like it would be too hard to track these guys down - if QPP want to!

X2 iceman!! Just read where Nick Keller's record setting Vector is about to roll over 60,000 trouble free miles - so raise the bar a bit. Glad you like it. If you have it for 12-15,000 miles please share your service experiences with us because we haven't heard them from anyone. Wow, you are really comparing a 2013 SkiDoo to a 7 year old Yamaha? P. S. Isn't the "best sled you've ever owned" almost always the one you just bought?? LOL . . . . AND if your riding buddy had been 'tuned in' - via any of the Yamaha owner forums - or had a good dealer - there was a fix for the low heat warmers. We all expect things to work; but maintenance and a good dealer are sometimes the missing pieces in these stories about "problems". Nowadays I think all snowmobilers fall into 2 categories: 1). Gearheads who do most/all of the work on their sleds themselves. 2). Folks who depend on their dealer for 100% of the maintenance and upkeep. There is nothing "right" or "wrong" about either approach except that the folks in group #2 can be at a great disatvantage when things go wrong far from home. Not many of us can afford to pay dealer shop rates to do a ski to flap inspection. That is needed periodically to prevent problems - large and small on these sleds. Besides, you may hear or feel something that a dealer never would. This goes doubly for dealers who have no way to test on snow. Folks in group #1 tend to gather information from the forums, their dealer, and anywhere else they can. If something does go wrong far from home it is usually catastrophic and unpreventable since these folks go over their sleds with magnifiers. I disagree with your statement "none of them could care less what any of us think or feel". I know for a fact that Yamaha monitors message traffic on the forums to make some of their decisions and 'listen in on' what users are experiencing. My riding partner bought a GSX with the 1200 motor the first year it came out - '09. He bought it because he was/is a SkiDoo guy who has never owned anything else. He bought the 4-stroke after witnessing the mileage, reliability, and freedom from the smell and nuisance of adding oil he saw riding with a Yamaha. BTW, he added handlebar muffs b/c he says the warmers aren't warm enough on cold days. LOL He also had to have his drive clutch rebuilt (<6K miles) because it was worn out and he wasn't willing to pay them $500 to swap for the newly redesigned one they came up with to better handle the 'unique torque and vibration issues' associated with 4-strokes. You say you lost a days riding two weeks ago because of a failure with an Apex on day #1 of a ride but you don't give details. Usually problems on day 1 of a ride are lack-of-maintenance issues. Those details might back your claim that you aren't bashing(?) but leaving them out makes it look like you are beating up the Yamahas again(??) The frozen relay issue your're referencing was a known issue that most owners avoided by either carrying a spare, replacing it, or removing the relay and warming it a bit. I'd bet that if it was cold enough for the relay to fail, the Yamaha wasn't the only sled that started hard - or not at all - without 'help'. Yes, "they all freaking break" because they are mechanical marvels operated in a harsh and unforgiving environment. Each brand has its own requirements for periodic maintenance but I think if you visit some dealership service departments where multiple brands are sold along side Yamaha, you will learn something quickly by the sights in the shop.

Hope he is found OK Pretty easy to get fatigued, cold and not able to make it out. Not good.

Not sure it will be made in TRF. Yamaha has extensive facilities in Wisconsin. x2 Well, given the state of the US (and World) economy and the mostly flat sled sales, not sure what was 'expected'. If Yamaha can raise the bar on the quality via their engineering and attention to detail, this sled may be a winner. The Nitro never had a large market and they have taken its motor (very good) and put it in a chasis that everyone says is very good. It seems to be primarily a Yamaha so Cat is somewhat of a silent partner. The Yamaha name is on that sled and except for the somewhat distinctive Cat front end, there isn't much Cat there. The extent of their relationship could change when Cat's announcement date comes since they are reportedly cutting ties with Suzuki and doing all engines domestically. Maybe that is where the rest of the Yamaha partnership comes in? Not sure about everyone else but do we really need new sleds with motors pumping out more HP than there is now? Let's face it, for the riding style of most QRs, reliability, comfort, handling, cargo room, and mileage (maybe not in that order?) are what is important. Just my 2 cents worth.

If Dennis is personally managing day-to-day operation of a fleet of 8 groomers, I can say (from some personal experience) it is a huge task and I salute him. Personnel, equipment, fuel, scheduling, maintenance, breakdowns, and most importantly the weather can make (or break) a grooming operation quickly.

Always good to not have to ride in any rain. Spending Valenines Day on the trails with your wife shows a true (joint) love of the sport. Likely the track was too tight (or misaligned) on mdrider's new Apex to cause the early life hifax failure. Thanks for your report.

Best wishes for good health, much snow and Happy Trails. Happy Birthday Linda!

I think we all miss seeing the pics of the SurTrac flattening out all those big drifts as much as you miss making your 'channels' to prevent them! Snow is better than rain but we need allot more almost everywhere. Keep those boots handy for the 'dance'.

Don't think this storm is going to help much but that could change if there is a backlash after it passes Gulf of Maine - which isn't unusual. Check the link below for Matane. I have had good luck with their forecasts for QC trips over the years. Check the '14 Day Trend' tile. http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/caqc0342 P.S. The week you planned is 'high season' in Gaspe; many on Feb vacation. Be advised hotels may be tight if there is snow.

OK, I'll step up and be first to disagree. I have a long history with Yamaha as well and can tell you that the "500 mile oil change" - done by a good dealer - is more than an oil and filter change. Track adj + alignment, chaincase oil check (some change it), chaincase chain tension check, overall check of the sled for loose or missing fasteners . . . I could go on. Again, allot is done by the good + great dealers where others may 'just do the oil + filter change'. I personally know of things like plugged filter screens in the oil tank, incorrect antifreeze mixtures, and incorrectly filled chaincases have been 'discovered' at the 500mi service. Plus, good luck with warranty claims when you don't follow Yamaha's specific recommendations. Not out to scare you more but probably not wise to take a machine with '0' miles from the States to Quebec before break-in. The riding style will test/tempt you to 'stretch' the break-in RPM recommendations. BTW, your warranty won't be honored in Quebec. Yamaha Canada is for all intents and purposes, a separate company than Yamaha Motors-USA. Many of us have found this out before and I am just passing it along so you are aware. You will have to pay out-of-pocket and file (and wait) for reimbursement when you return. (this also includes Y.E.S.)They may ultimately deny coverage because you have technically not followed your warranty terms and returned the unit to a US dealer as stated in the warranty. Sorry to lay all this bad news out but may be better than learning the hard way -

Biggest reason was to rebalance the sled by moving more mass behind the balance point (center) of the sled. It also gets quite allot of heat out from under the hood.

Certainly none of us can control the weather but it doesn't make this any easier to bear. February is usually a very snowy month and I guess we all just have to hope for the best. . . . it still stinks. Hope no one is stranded out there!

Glad to see you got it back together. Did the chain seem worn/have loose links? Bearings were OK? We are all getting a dose of 'summer weather'. You are right, it will be a week or two to regain our losses. (Hopefully!)

AMEN!! I have always been guided by this saying: 'Locks only keep honest people honest'. If a professional thief wants your stuff, they will get it and any precautions you take will only give someone (if there is 'someone' around to notice)a chance to see unusual activity and hopefully take action to stop the theft. That being said, normal precautions are always recommended and I for one won't stay somewhere 'it doesn't feel right' no matter how good the trails are. Too many questions about your itinerary or evasiveness to your questions isn't good. Our community here seems to have a good information exchange that benefits everyone. The corrals exist because something has happened and should always be utilized. The more vicious thieves won't be stopped/deterred and as mentioned, will sometimes commit heinous crimes to 'take care' of those who get in their way.

A huge 'Salute' to all the workers who performed something close to a miracle to reopen these trails. This would be an ideal job for excavators with brush heads http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=ZAQ3RizvZAQ

Always enjoy your reports and pictures Alain! Surprised to read you use non-Yamaha belt. Why? Running Yamahas for over 25yrs, I have always had better luck with their belts - and they are way less $$.

Strange to see 'snirt' around Causapscal in mid-January - yuck! I think Linda needs to visit on her way back from the Gathering and help organize a snow dance. (We lost most of our trails in Vermont between mid day Sun and Mon. Our groomer is parked for awhile.)

Looks good to me Mike; I think you have it figured! Thanks for the reports. You are riding in one of my favorite areas. Have fun, be safe.

That is sad news and I am sure it makes many of us wonder what happened to those 2 good people. Many of us remember Andre had a pinned post that would give TQ35 conditions, passing of the groomer, etc. I believe he was the first person to show SnowTrackers to many of us. You could get a good meal there, get gas, or stay overnight. I am afraid it another sign to us snowmobilers that many unfortunate factors are coming together to whittle away at our sport. Economy, fuel prices, sled prices, exchange rate - they all chip away at the businesses we need to support us. Sad - Godspeed to you Andre and Clavette, where ever you are. We will miss you and hope you are well.

Merry Christmas to all and to all our trails: SNOW !!!