Snowmobiler Television 2023 Episode 08

This week on STV, Jeff talks about his favorite sled category, mid-size sleds. On the topic of favorites, Jeff thinks up some locations to go and talks about the upcoming Cain's Quest race.

[@joshgessinger4509]

Love when u ask urself why do i put myself threw this stuff. Been asking myself same question. Iive in upstate NY ya we have some riding but getting there is always big deal specially this winter. But after i get to trails I always know why because nothing like snowmobiling. Im not a rich man specially this winter been really hard for me financially. I don’t really regret anything after good day of riding. My snowmobile is my therapist hahaha. Great show Thanks Josh G

[@joerutkowsky3261]

This is a great episode. Like always. We have kept our older 2000 formula deluxe 380 for this reason of letting the younger kids in our family ride. My first sled was a safari scout 377. And loved it.

[@MyPrairieLife]

That's what I have for my kids too and the old reliable Enticer 250.

[@welderteach]

1st, New Brunswick 👍👍👍👍👍, just do it!! Great show!

[@ajbertelson9871]

I think one of the problems we are going to have with our "current" models going forward is the number of electronics in them. All the old stuff was mechanical so if something broke and you had the knowledge you could fix any of them. Now its reading codes and hoping there isn't a chaffed or grounded wire somewhere.

[@jeffsteenbakkers4435]

Electronics will definitely be a limitation when these sleds get older. But there is the same problem in the automotive world, and I think there will be enough gear-head owners to keep the future vintage stuff going. It wont be for everyone though!

[@justflylow]

As always, awesome show!

[@justinfranks2103]

Great job as usual Jeff. Do you think sales numbers would be higher if prices weren’t so high? Prices of new sleds have gotten out of control in my opinion. Glad I SnowChecked my 2018 I’m just gonna keep it instead of buying a new one.

[@jeffsteenbakkers4435]

I would think sales would be higher, but accounting for inflation, and considering the increased technology in todays sleds I don’t think they are that out of line. Things are just expensive. Heck a pickup truck can price well over 100k CAD nowadays. I do think there are still some pretty decent value to be had in the used market…

[@bigguydiy2184]

@@jeffsteenbakkers4435 Agree, I have been priced out of the New market a while back, so I just buy used stuff. Would love a New Ski doo Enduro w/900 Turbo R, but at $18K USD, forget it, not happening. I'll stick with my 2012 GSX 800R SE.

[@mikeh4053]

If they sold more i believe the price could come down some. Since production numbers have fallen, it is less units to sell. The questions becomes now, how many want to pay 16k plus for a sled? While there is a lot, i feel the number is that much.

[@larryw5429]

Well they priced the sleds (ANY) out of most peoples price ranges. High fuel, renting rooms, insurance, more for trail passes and registration fees and its no wonder why the sport is about a fraction of what it was in the 90s when most of us bought new sleds. Performance 600 cc sled was 5-6 grand US and gas was 1.25/1.50 gallon.. Now its double everything if not triple! Most people are sticking to fishing guaranteed water and ATVing.. I for one will keep my old late 90s sleds running until I say enough is enough waiting for snow and them taking up space in my garage! I have better things to stick money into things I can actually use! I think anyone that pays 10-30 grand for these new sleds to sit 10+months out of the year are nuts!

[@uowebfoot]

Hard to sell a product for the prices they're asking these days for something that can only be used when there's snow on the ground. Be better off to buy a side-by-side and add tracks for the winter.

[@mikeh4053]

When you register a sled in WI and MI they are good for 3-4years. So reg numbers aren't that accurate

[@bigguydiy2184]

Really? in NH and ME, we have to register every year. Cost, $120 per sled, per state.

[@mikeh4053]

@@bigguydiy2184 yep really. I believe WI reg is the most of any state as well. Many IL owner reg in WI because of cabins due to less tax to put it there. everything in NH and ME is more expensive, or i should say east coast.

[@alexmaclean1]

7:30 how much money do you have to have that it makes sense to replace a 20,000 dollar machine you get to ride 20 days a year every season?

[@Jeremy5speed]

Sleds last longer now so that’s an issue.

[@hunterb1215]

Mmm what could be the problem? The fact that the prices are out of sight! The manufacturers are putting themselves out of business !

[@jodypierson3137]

You might be VGG biggest fan, lol.

[@jeffsteenbakkers4435]

I have watched an episode or 12!

[@pierrevilleneuve5445]

Take a look at the new Yamaha 2023 s tx turbo gt, color..

[@jmj267]

Jeffery every week I say.

[@jeffsteenbakkers4435]

Well for a few more weeks anyway!

[@anthonymeyer183]

Iron dog

[@normdickson2438]

The price that it cost to pay to get the groom, trail pass is too high. This has hurt the snowmobile industry. I know many people that got out of the sport just because of this reason.