Come up to Quebec, they make up a significant proportion of sales in some regions (I was told that 80% of utility sled sales are in Eastern Canada, so Quebec east).

 

If I lived in the northern remote regions I would have me the most equipped utility sled set-up. They can do most anything from recreational riding to hunting and fishing rigs. They also can be your only means of transportation at times! Vital IMO!

 

They use utility sleds here for grooming smaller trails that a full size groomer can't get to. I've seen clubs guys out with them now and then.

 

I also consider the Norseman to be a partial utility sled compared to the competition. It doesn't have the wider track, a gear selector for high/low, and a pogo front suspension like some of the ski doo's. I've talked to a few people and in my area it's extremely difficult to find an Expedition or a Titan. I'm guessing it's an allocation situation. How the dealer I bought from had a Norseman on the showroom floor I'll never know. He discounted the heck out of it though and I was glad I could swoop in. The skis are like snowboards, but handle surprisingly well. She's not a speed demon by any stretch (79 mph wot), but it's still in break-in mode.

 

The number of utility sleds where I live is quite high. I probably see 45% utility machines, 45% mountain, and 10 % trail/crossover. I’m sure the number of utility machines is higher, I’m just saying what I see on the trails and on the roads and around town. There are huge numbers of expeditions and skandics in my area. I suppose it’s more location that drives types of sleds.

 

Just watched a YouTube vid on five utility sleds all pulling sleds loaded down to the max somewhere in Alaska on a five or six day trip sleeping in tents with days on rivers with ice jams traversing very rough terrain deep snow beautiful pics of mountains and scenery was amazing. Very well equipped for the Alaskan wilderness. These guys had everything you can imagine between the five of them tied down on their utility sleds. That's where they use them.

 

If historically they were more like the Norseman I suspect you’d see a lot more on the trails. That’s a do all sled beyond utility - it’s a fun ride too

 

I ride an Expedition Sport with the 900 Ace motor. The Expy Sport has a 16" wide track and doesn't have the 2 speed transmission but I I've geared mine down. I can pull a sled full of wood, play in the deep snow or have a nice trail ride to go have some lunch. Most of my recreational riding is on the 50" ATV trails or logging roads. The guy who owns the local snowmobile rental business rides an Expedition Extreme.

Sent from my SM-S901U using Tapatalk

 

Close friend rides a Norseman 6000 and I enjoyed riding it (good handling, ride, 52 litre tank, decent power, awesome skis). Lots of Expedition Sports in our group of friends as I think a 16 inch track hits a sweet spot in flotation and handling (like the Bearcats of the 90's). If Polaris built a 650 with an articulating rear suspension in a 154/155 I would buy it.

 

Well I guess you got your wish,did you buy it yet?😜
1st post here on HCS,I just joined,just browsing the forums.

 

Key phrase is “16” track hits a sweet spot”. Polaris has built a 20 inch wide 650 that articulates. I would like to see one and drive one but our local dealers didn’t bring any in after last winter’s lack of snow.

 

Well, I'm bringing both of my sleds to the UP this week. I'll primarily ride the Norseman, with the Fusion being a backup in case myself or anyone else breaks down. When I wear my track out I'll swap to a 1.75". The 2.25" is a bit much for riding groomed trails and guys hate when they have to ride behind me. The Norseman does it all pretty well though and comfort-wise it works well for long days.

 

My dealer doesn't stock any.

 

Just saw an Expedition on the trail yesterday. Had a trunk on it that would hold at least case of beer. LOL 20 inch wide track. That thing was sweeping the trail clean around the corners.

 

Here most ride Lynx Ranger. And they do everything with them. Ice-fishing, trail riding, deep snow riding, etc.

 

In my area, the Lynx Commander 900 Turbo is the #1 touring sled at the moment.
Basically the same as an Expedition:

2025 Ski-Doo Expedition - Crossover snowmobile

Forged in the sparse trails and populations of Scandinavia, the Ski-Doo Expedition thrives on northern adventure and exploration.

www.brp-world.com

Lynx Rangers (~ expedition sport) are also quite popular

Some ppl still riding Yamaha RSVikings , even if its dated chassis wise, the yamaha durability and reliability is still renowned. Got some miles on one 2 years ago, used it for its purpose - pull stuff, see pic

As for the Polaris Titan, most around here want 4 strokes for touring use. S4 sees some sales but most customers in this segment wants some more HP than the S4 mill provides

I havent had a lot of seat time on those 20" sleds. Demoed a Titan 800 some years ago, found it to ride very well and being surprisingly nimble for such a big sled. Only drawback I found then was noise - lots of resonant track noise.
Also got to take an older Doo 1200 Expedition for a trip last year, found it to handle just fine.

So, I'd like to have some kind of 2up 20" sled in the stable, for long distance trips + the occasional heavy pulling tasks

 

Got two buddies who trail ride Expedition 900 turbo R’s, 3 more with Expedition Sports, and 1 with the Norseman 6000 who trail ride them without any issues. I would like to try the new Matryx 650 with the 20” track and I would consider an Expedition Sport if they put the 130hp turbo in it.

 

Because they trail ride like garbage compared to crossover or trail sleds…

 

they sure did, but have you ridden any current 20" sleds?

 

Arctic Cat use to build alot of them 10 years or so they also had a snow plow add on kit.

 

When I worked at AC I put 10000 to 20000 miles on 20 in wide track sleds didnt ride any worst than a 15 inch just not as playful. Can be more of a workout on tight trails and boy with all that track pushes in the corners if on the throttle.

 

didnt ride any worst than a 15 inch just not as playful

one reason I've stayed with 15" sleds. Also, I prefer to be able to get my sleds unstuck without calling all my friends, lol!

 

I'm throwing some C&A's on mine to improve the handling, like it's on rails. My buddy's Renegade and MXZ are really kicking my ass on the trails.

 

Dealer mentioned that he could sell as many (in this case fan-cooled Voyageur model) as he gets but that the manufacturer pushes the top-dog trail rockets. There’s some allotment ratio in place?

 

Looks like this will be his year, Polaris just spent more time in their 26 reveal talking about utility sleds than anything else.