c/atv-snowmobile-chat

Cold morning ride taught me a lesson about grip heaters

Went out last Saturday at 6am here in northern Wisconsin, temp was 12F. Fired up my 2018 Polaris Sportsman and headed down the trail. After about 20 minutes my right hand went numb, thought my grip heaters were on max but they were actually on low. Learned the hard way to always double-check the display before taking off, not when your fingers are already frozen. Anyone else have a dumb mistake like this with their atv gear?

1 comments

the_henry•2d ago

Unpopular opinion: Bumpy trails are better than groomed ones for learning control

I used to only ride packed snow until a mechanic in the UP told me I was just going for comfort not skill. He said 'you can't steer worth a damn on flat ground.' So I spent two weekends on moguls near Munising and finally learned to shift my weight right. Has anyone else had a fellow rider call them out and actually improve from it?

2 comments

amygonzalez•3d ago

Got stuck in a blizzard on the trail last winter and now I pack way differently

I was out on the trails near Houghton Lake last January and a storm rolled in way faster than the forecast said. Ended up stranded for about 4 hours with just a basic tool kit and a half tank of gas. Now I always carry a thermal blanket, a hand warmer pack, and an extra gallon of fuel strapped to my sled. Anyone else have a close call that made them change their whole setup?

2 comments

taylor.jessica•4d ago

Spent $150 on a heated visor insert that fogged up worse than my old one

Bought that Universal Heat-Tek visor off Amazon thinking it'd solve my fogging issues on cold morning rides. First trip out near Silver Lake it fogged so bad I had to ride with it cracked open. Anyone else had better luck with a different brand or should I just go back to the old anti-fog wipe trick?

2 comments

the_luna•4d ago

Helped a neighbor pull his sled out of a frozen creek last week, and he barely said thanks

I was out on the trails near Lake George last weekend and found a guy whose Ski-Doo went through the ice on a sharp turn. I spent about 45 minutes winching him out with my ATV while he just stood there on the bank smoking a cigarette. He muttered something about it being my fault for riding too close, then took off without offering gas money or even a nod. Has anyone else dealt with people who act like you owe them a rescue?

2 comments

noahchen•4d ago

Rant: People keep greasing sled skis wrong on the Polaris AXYS chassis

I see guys at the trailhead slapping grease on ski rubbers every weekend. But they put it between the ski and the spindle. That does nothing. The wear is on the saddle inside the rubber where it contacts the ski, down by the wear bar holes. Grease that spot once a season and your steering effort drops way off. Has anyone else noticed this or am I the only one paying attention to where the actual friction is?

2 comments

angela_coleman•5d ago

I was dead wrong about electric ATVs until I rode one last month

For years I thought electric ATVs were just toys for kids or rich people showing off. Then my buddy bought a used 2022 model from a guy in Traverse City and let me take it through some muddy trails by the river. That thing had instant torque that surprised me, it pulled me up a steep hill I usually struggle with on my gas bike. The quiet was weird at first, but I could actually hear the trail and talk to my friends without yelling. It ran for about 3 hours on a charge which covered more than enough for our afternoon rides. The only downside was recharging took 4 hours with a regular outlet, so you can't just gas up and go. Has anyone else here made the switch from gas to electric, or am I still in the minority?

2 comments

cameron_chen63•6d ago

Has anyone used Canada Powersports Financing before?

Hey guys, I'm looking to pick up a new side-by-side before the summer really kicks off. I don't want to drain my savings all at once, so I'm looking into powersports financing Canada options. Has anyone here dealt with Canada Powersports Financing? Are their rates decent for someone with average credit?

2 comments