vt_bluyamaha54

I am curious if it makes any difference if the sticker hasn't been attached and you have traded sleds? Do you just need to have the original paperwork changed to reflect the new machine info and then attach the unused sticker - or is the sticker 'coded' to the paperwork. (sorry, don't have the Trail Pass in front of me to check)

. I would tend to think he has something wrong because that means he is only getting about 12 mpg.(that's the 9.2g tank??) That would seem low for any conditions but def. out of line for Quebec trails. Track too tight, brake dragging, skis toed in/out, clutching probs/belt worn, chaincase probs/drivetrain bearing(s), fuel injection off, or something in the engine not right. Not normal for this sled.

Well my friend, like other things this past year it seems I also missed your birthday! I am a day late but want to join the rest of 'QR Nation' in hoping your "second half" is long + healthy.

Ray-I think he means they let it drop deeper in the water since it apparently is about 12' deep there(?) Looks like they may also secure it to the timber which should remain across the ice and span the "channel" they are going to make in the ice toward the island where the logging skidder will attempt to winch it. If it is "only" 75' like he says, and it doesn't get hung on something underwater, it should make it. I wish them well. I have heard allot of stories about cars & trucks getting destroyed as they are winched to shore. Glad the operator wasn't hurt.Thanks for all the great pics!

Iceman - Can I hire you to be my tour guide? You seem to find "all the good trails". Hopefully, the warmup will be a short event. Enjoy! Have fun + be safe.

Nice pictures. Glad your starter decided to behave after the service. Sounds like a good trip. Like many of us have experienced, the conditions this year just haven't been what we are used to.

Adventurers Club (in RDL) 418 862-5651

X2

Alain - My best wishes for a full recovery for your friends. I hope they will be able to resume sledding at some time.Very glad to hear it was not worse - when I first read how it happened, I feared a worse ending. I do not think any of us can say we could not ride more carefully at times

For another perspective on snowmobile longevity, here is a screenshot from Nick Keller's 2010 Yamaha Vector. He is dedicated to charity riding to raise money and awareness for cancer in Minnesota. SnowballCancer.org The engine is original.

Brion - Just noticed that the key fob on the sled is from the Yammi dealer near me - Lebanon Motor Toys - (now closed). Curious how you ended up with a sled from Lebanon, NH?

I rode through there Sun Jan 30th and the hill is not that icy - just badly moguled / hadn't been groomed recently. Yes, you can jump on 545 from 75 before reaching St Georges and not have to deal with it.

Ever figure out why the Attak was overheating? The carbed engines did better on fuel - believe it or not. Good catch iceman. The dealers all seem to want to tighten the tracks to the Factory spec which is way too tight and contributes to the hyfax wear problems too. Another tip I've found to goose more mileage out of the Yammis is to use a synthetic gear oil in the chaincase. (It would also work in the other brands depending on what they spec for lube. The Yammis spec is API GL-3 75 or 80w gear oil) If you have an older Yammi with the closed window track, the SLP track saver buttons decrease rolling resistance ALLOT! and will help with mileage.

ANY 2 stroke to go that far without top end (pistons/rings/cylinders) and/or bottom end (crank, bearings) is pretty much unheard of. Yes, even 20,000 km would also be unusual to reach without a failure.

Conditions W of St Georges (across the covered bridge) were poor at best last Sunday. They had rain earlier in the week and there is considerable ice beneath about 4" of snow. The groomer was parked in town and hadn't been out recently - although in their defense there wasn't really enough snow to work with. The trail was all 3-5" moguls and the hill was v. bad. (The Beauceville Club had been out but there is more snow in their direction and conditions that way were 'Good')

On Sunday 1/29, we found 55 dead-ended around St. Alfred - before the 535 split. There were some 4-wheeler tracks but all the snowmobile traffic turned around there at the horse facility.The Chaudiere Appalaches map, Chaud_App_Map has had his note for awhile: "The sector of Notre-Dame-des-Pins, Saint-Victor et Saint-Ephrem are closed" . I am hoping someone who is familiar with this area can explain what the issue is. Many thanks in advance -

Nice to know/see you have "real winter" there. Feb 1 was 54 (12c) here in VT! Our Tucker SnoCat hasn't been out for 2 weeks and no storms coming. YUCK! Good luck with the tires. What fixed the oil light?

Not really any choices. I am in sort of the same quandry as you. Driving north from VT, we had found a small out-of-the-way Mom & Pop style motel where it was cheap, clean, safe and had a couple of good places to eat nearby. The place has changed hands and we don't feel as safe leaving our rig there - we usually leave from there and saddlebag. The best compromise we've found is to drive to the clubhouse in Beauceville, park there and ride out. Obviously, you have to time it so you get there at a time that works to make it to somewhere beyond to stay. St Jean-Port Joli, St Pamphile, Montmagny, or even RDL are possible overnights depending on your arrival. We haven't gone to the Manor Lac Etchemin for about 5yrs. Too expensive and we thought they acted as if they don't really care about having snowmobilers stay there.

Chaudiere Appl + BSL are areas I ride quite allot so this report was nice to read. I had seen where fuel is around $1.26/l now? As a side note: I know you had sworn off Yamaha after your driveshaft issues a few years back and I think went back to Cat? What are you riding now?

Unless there is at least 1 more storm (with 8"+) I would advise against it. You do realize that the conditions in Pittsburg are 'sub-prime' at this time?

You didn't say when you were thinking of heading that way. Have you looked at: http://www.chaudiereappalaches.com/en/activities-attractions/snowmobile/snowmobile-map-and-trail-conditions/ Beauceville Club is saying 55 to Lac Etchemin is Good and 75 to St Georges is 'ACCEPTABLE' The map is green beyond that to BSL trails. Usually the riding beyond there is always better. Hopefully someone who is in Jackman area can comment.

I believe they are good at Selectotel in Amqui also

My experience has been that the site tends to be conservative posting conditions. When they are listed as 'Acceptable' you and I would say they are good/very good. When they say 'Excellent' there is generally LOTS of snow and perfect "table top" trails. I have ridden the Amqui/Albertville/Caspauscal trails when the site lists them as 'Acceptable' and I would have rated them 'Excellent'. Also, I believe FCMQ won't allow trails to be rated 'Acceptable' until they have been groomed multiple times and all signage is in place. This is a safety/liability item since any hazardous conditions (washouts, waterholes, etc) can be assumed to be discovered by the groomer operator making multiple passes and signs alert riders to trail changes, bridges, etc. I would wait for Andyman and SMclean to post their trip report. They were riding that area starting I believe Wednesday 1/5 and always post very trustworthy and accurate reports with pics.