Snowmobiles - how fast?

I have been watching these things literally fly up and down the lake for the last several weekends. My question is how fast can they go? They move across the ice faster than any boat or seadoo we see in the summer which is about 70 mph. However, these snowmobiles seem to move much much faster. One guy told us the newer "sleds" with go 110-130 mph. Was this guy for real?

My 700 Yamaha Viper will run 120 plus MPH on good hard pack...    ( Stock ..about 140hp/500lbs)   We consistantly run the 60 to 80 mph area.
Not hard to get 155- 160 hp out of em.... but Ive left my last two sleds pretty much bone stock... Crack the throttle and breaking the track loose at 80mph is enough for me.

Just about as much fun as boating..

62 wood wrote: Crack the throttle and breaking the track loose at 80mph is enough for me.

Steve.
No studs?

Well most of the snow melted today in the Chicago area so I imagine it's gone down by you too. At least you were able to get out on the sled this year!

Pete, 192 picks in the track, in deeper snow, it'll still break loose. I like the picks for breaking and cornering.

Chris, The sleds have adjustable hand and thumb warmers.   That, with 500 to a thousand bucks in the right bibs, boots, coats, gloves, helmets, etc. its not that bad.   You have to watch it, but we've ridden in 20 below actual air temp with no problems.

jbear wrote: 62 wood wrote: You have to watch it, but we've ridden in 20 below actual air temp with no problems. With all due respect...I can't imagine for the life of me why anyone would want to do that. john

John, sounds like your whimping out with old age!   

Actually, when we drive 8 to 10 hours north for a 4 or 5 days of riding, you cant alway choose the weather. The alternative is to stay in the motel room.....as for me, I'll take the ride!

Now thats funny. "Old age with a warm climate attitude...holding a glass of sweet tea. Do I hear Jimmy Buffet playing in the back ground? Heck I am even worried about 72 deg. water at silver glen next weekend. That why I am worthy of the handle "Hasbeen"

When I lived up North, in a previous life, my snowmobile had a Hemi, or was that a Cobra Jet?! Anyway, the speedometer wrapped around three times so no telling how fast it would go. Actually "North" Carolina is almost too far north for me. I'm gradually coming down with jbearitis, and I hear when you get older, there is no cure.

We actually had a dusting of snow here last Weds and it's supposed to be 68-70 degrees here today.

Thanks Reid, Pete and bj...you guys got my back.

'Course now that I think about it...we are all kinda in the same place...age-wise. Definatly I got a "warm climate attitude"...had to turn the furnance on this week when the temps went in the 50's.

john

Pete,
It is 2/16/55 Meet me in Astor next weekend and lets have some cake!

   The new Yamaha four strokes (1000cc-150hp) will hit close to 130 in the right conditions.Most of the big 800 twins are done around 108-110mph. Maybe Phil(lfskizzer) will chime in on this.His dad just got a new Arctic Cat Z1 turbo 170HP.....I'm curious if he's rung that out yet. I'm more of a deep snow backcountry guy now, I got tired of meeting guys in corners at 80mph that can't stay on their side of the trail

     Mike

^^^^^^^^^ that's cool Pete! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^

You still got it? I see the carb throat is aimed strategically at the rider so you smelled like a gas can after riding it all day!

   Mike

05 210 wrote: ^^^^^^^^^ that's cool Pete! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ You still got it? I see the carb throat is aimed strategically at the rider so you smelled like a gas can after riding it all day!    Mike

All the early sleds had the carb intakes pointing at the driver. When the racing sleds started to use jack shafts allowing the engine to move forward and lay down lowering the center of gravity it put the carbs up under the shroud. Then of course, it caught on with the regular trail type sleds. Yes, the carb intake in the drivers crotch was a problem. One of the hot upgrades was to remove the choke plate and shaft reducing it's restriction and then replace the intake grill with a aluminum venturi. With the solid aluminum venturi strategically located, it wasn't long before someone came out with one made out of rubber!!! The other problem is they did suck things like scarves up in them.

No, I don't have it anymore. Wish I did as there is quite a following of old sleds. They even race the old ones in there own classes.

reidp wrote: Actually "North" Carolina is almost too far north for me. I'm gradually coming down with jbearitis, and I hear when you get older, there is no cure.

You know Reid, I thought in some of the pictures I saw of you that were taken this summer something was changing...I just couldnt put my finger on it..... til you explained your condition.. "jbearitis"...

Now I understand...

jbear wrote: I bet Pete would come if he could!

PeteB won't be attending, the time-release door on his Y2K bunker he's presently in, waiting out the winter, is set for sometime in late March!

Ha! I still have my old Rupp grass racer(Jbears kind of sport-hot and loud) up in the rafters above the shop. I haven't seen it in probably three years and haven't run it in over 15. The last time we ran the Rupp was across 200 yds of open water at Sauble Beach.
My first machine was a 399 Nordic and a pocket full of plugs.When we got married we bought a new Blizzard 9500 and a Citation SS. Those machines hold memories to us like the early Mustangs and Nautiques do for most of you. Today I run a GSX 4Tec and my wife has a Fan and they are pretty sweet but that Rupp was scarey. 100 mph today is just part of a run. The way these machines handle and ride and cost I doubt that I will ever replace them. I honestly never get cold when we are out. Hand heaters, bum heaters liquid heaters and dress appropriatly- I find I sweat just as much skidooing as summer 4 wheelin'.
I have a client coming in from Arizona today and I plan on taking him out for an afternoon of riding for our meeting. Tough day eh!!