Sled Talk

This episode of Sled Talk has a bit of everything — and a few hard lessons from the trail.We kick things off talking about the Little River Relics Show & Shine and other events you won’t want to miss this season. If you’re into vintage iron, this is your scene.Then it’s story time… The guys only managed two rides together this season — and yep, both broke parts on the second ride. You know how that goes. 😅We also dig into the newly announced 600R E-TEC engine from BRP / Ski-Doo, expected for the 2027 season. Will it be reliable? Or are we heading for more headaches? That debate gets real.💥 PLUS:Our Top 10 moments from Season 2 (some great throwbacks!)Why engine leak down testing can save your rebuildSteve’s summer wrenching plansWhat are YOU fixing before next season👇 Let’s hear it: What’s on your off-season to-do list to be ready for next fall?📲 We’re now on Instagram! Give us a follow for clips, behind-the-scenes content, and more sled talk.🎙️ Real talk from the trail — even when the sleds don’t make it home clean.Sled Talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/pEgKvD__h5k  We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In this episode of Sled Talk, we cover a little bit of everything from community pride to trail-side breakdowns.Snowmobilers on Mackinac Island, Michigan are stepping up in a big way by helping with Meals on Wheels deliveries, and yes — sleds are even rolling through the drive-thrus. It just goes to show what happens when riders are respectful and valued in their communities.We also talk about the upcoming indoor Vintage Sled Show & Shine in Minnedosa, Manitoba, and we’re planning to be there.Steve goes off on the Marketplace scammers after dealing with crooks while searching for an enclosed trailer for his toys, and he shares a warning for anyone buying sled parts or trailers online.The guys also debate a question every rider has an opinion on: premium vs regular fuel. Is the extra cost worth it, and how much does fuel quality really matter these days?Another hot topic is trail litter. Garbage left behind in warm-up shacks and along the trails continues to frustrate riders everywhere. Remember: pack it in, pack it out — it’s smaller and lighter on the way home.We also react to the wild story of a woman who allegedly stole over $300K to buy snowmobiles, ATVs, and other equipment.Plus, we get into drive belt loyalty — OEM vs aftermarket, broken belts, and whether a failure ever caused extra damage to your sled.Steve shares updates on his summer restoration of his 1979 Yamaha SRX, along with a few other sleds waiting in line.And finally, the guys recap their second ride of the season together, which unfortunately ended with broken sleds, but Rob’s already fixing the shock so it’s ready for next fall.If you love snowmobile podcasts, trail riding stories, vintage sled restoration, snowmobile maintenance, and rider debates, this episode is packed with real talk from the trail.👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more snowmobile podcast episodes, trail stories, sled repairs, gear talk, and vintage builds.Sled Talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/NaFnIIrXBqkWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In this episode of Sled Talk, the guys cover everything from world records and military snowmobiles to trail grooming, stolen sleds, and engine rebuilds.They kick things off by revisiting our “Record Breakers and Movie Makers” episode, where Wasaga Beach made a run at the Guinness World Record books. Did they pull it off? The guys break down how it all turned out.From there, the conversation shifts to a surprising story about snowmobiles being used by Russia during attacks in Ukraine, and how Ukraine successfully fought back. That leads Steve into sharing some history on the snowmobiles once used by the Canadian military, adding a cool throwback military sled perspective.The discussion then heads across the globe to India, where snowmobile use in the Himalayan mountains has been restricted because of environmental damage. It sparks a bigger conversation about responsible riding and trail preservation.🚨 HOT TOPIC ALERT 🚨The guys dive deep into trail grooming, exploring ideas on how clubs and organizations might improve trail quality while reducing costs. This one’s sure to spark debate, so we definitely want your feedback.Another big question: Does Manitoba really need the 3rd highest number of snowmobile trails in Canada?With nowhere near the 3rd highest population, the guys discuss whether trail consolidation could make sense, improve grooming efficiency, and better stretch club resources.Of course, it wouldn’t be Sled Talk without a “What Was He Thinking?” segment. This time, it’s all about a thief who stole a snowmobile without thinking through the escape route. That spins into more listener feedback from previous episodes where we discussed trail enforcement and policing.We also get an update as Wolf Guy finally wraps things up with a plea deal, closing the book on a story listeners have been following.To finish the episode, Steve shares his best practices for rebuilding a snowmobile motor, including why using re-manufactured crankshafts from Performance Supply can mean faster turnaround, reliability, and a rebuild done right.If you’re into snowmobile news, trail debates, sled history, engine rebuilds, and real-world rider issues, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.👍 Be sure to like, comment, and subscribe, and drop your thoughts on the grooming and trail consolidation debate.Sled Talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/SRavntDhH_k We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In this episode of Sled Talk, the guys take the conversation global as they discover that Latvia is a true snowmobiling powerhouse. Who knew? We absolutely love seeing Sled Talk reaching riders in every corner of the world.We also give Sun & Snow a well-deserved shoutout after Rob has a little fun teasing them.Back home, the Amphibex ice crushers are back on the Red River, breaking up ice to help prevent dangerous ice jams and spring flooding. It sparks some memories of past snowstorms, including one unforgettable storm where we helped shuttle people by sled and ride in places we normally never could.Then the rants begin.Steve goes off on the new sleds being released by manufacturers, calling out how boring and repetitive the designs have become. He also doesn’t hold back on the growing list of expensive electronic features that add cost without adding real value or performance.Not to be outdone, Rob jumps into the new Polaris lineup, sharing his thoughts on the heavy mountain sled focus, the new Polaris Patriot, and whether that name will really connect with riders in Canada.The guys also dive into vintage sled trail pass pricing, discussing how several regions are finding success by lowering costs for vintage sleds. More affordable passes could mean more classic iron back on the snow, which is something every sled fan can appreciate.To wrap things up, Steve’s Tech Tip focuses on snowmobile accessories, breaking down which ones actually add function and value — and which ones might just be wasting your money.If you’re into snowmobile news, manufacturer debates, vintage sleds, trail systems, and real rider opinions, this is another fun one you won’t want to miss.Sled Talk on YouTube https://youtu.be/14JqFqGcB0s We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

 We kick off teasing an old friend of ours about the issues he was having with his sled prior to going for a ride. The Quebec Provincial Police with the QFSC’s did a crackdown on sledders handing out 260 tickets including a bunch for intoxication from drugs or alcohol. There are more snowmobilers than bikers in Quebec. Who knew? Ontario is also cracking down on exhaust cans. Are the fines high enough? We debate the value of these cans, and fine amounts. The South Interlake Sno Riders have extended the groomed trail system into W. St. Paul. MB. Rob loves it! We also shared some of the activities the club does. Jeff Vinik owner of the Tampa Bay Lightning broke his leg while out riding. Goes to show that money doesn’t buy safety. We’d love to know more about this situation. Send us any verified info and we’ll share it. Steve has a fantastic Tech Tip about pulling your clutch. There are many ways to try to pull it, or you can do it the right way. Have you ever used a communicator while riding? We had them as younger guys, then share a few stories from our misspent youth. Is there anything out there worth wearing these days? Enjoy the episode! Sled Talk on YouTube https://youtu.be/t4872cHT2BU We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We dive right into the increased enforcement we are seeing right across the country. The tickets are flying and fines are no fun. Arctic Cat has made a purchase. Widescape in now a part of the family. They look cool, but will they draw a following? It is nice to see them investing in the industry. Journey For Sight has done their 40th ride. The start in Flin Flon and end up in down in the South West corner of the province near the Turtle Mountains. The ride is over 600KM. The money raised goes to local eye services in the north west of the province. There’s a snowmobile movie being shot in Beasuejour MB. If you have any racing experience, you should track them down, they are looking for riders and sleds. Wasaga Beach is doing a snowmobile parade in an effort to break the current Guinness Book record of 1047 sleds. You need a running sled with a valid trail pass to enter.  Send us your warm up shack pictures, pictures, it would be nice to share pictures of your favorite place to warm up while out on the trail. Even the fugly shacks would be cool to see. Memories are created in many places. Lanigan SK has had a troubling incident. Four coyotes were run down by snowmobilers. Two were killed the other two left to die. If you have any info call the TIPP line and let these guys pay for their actions.  Steve has a great tech tip. He also asks what was the best sled motor ever built. Chime in on this one. Thanks for joining us!Sled Talk on YouTube https://youtu.be/9I-071uTwyA We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Rob goes off on how many people have been killed or seriously injured this season. The stats he collected were from early January 2026 and far from complete yet very concerning. Then he and Steve get into an interesting community event in Elliot Lake ON. The town hall held a safety training course run by the OPP and made it an event with food, fun, and prizes.They both get into suspension service and how critical keeping an eye on your skid before, during, and after the season can change the quality of your riding all winter.Do you ride with people that put rules or restrictions on who can ride with them? Often, they make sense for the type of riding that group is doing. Share the rules and why they are in place. Wolf guy is in the news again and he continues to disgust us. https://wyofile.com/wolf-torment-defendant-cody-roberts-wants-animal-cruelty-case-tossed/Do you need parts drop shipped to your Sled Cave? When you do, get in touch with Steve. He’ll expedite those parts and get you back on the snow ASAP.Sled Talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/JciGcwApvJ4We'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We try to be accurate when sharing news or telling a story, but sometimes we slip up. We’re fine with being corrected and will adjust as necessary. Free February from Season 1 Episode 2 is an example of an oops. Trail passes are always required in Manitoba.Everyone has a Sled Cave that they are proud to work in. Cool caves usually attract a few more buddies to help work on your project or at least make sure the beer doesn’t get stale. We’d love to see pictures of yours.BRP (Skidoo)makes a large donation to Ride Out Intimidation. It’s their way to shine a light on being bullied. They call it Yellow Day. It’s a good cause.Safety has been a theme this season. We continue to talk about safety because people keep getting hurt, and worse, dying. Try to think before you go out.The Yahoo’s are prominent in What Was He Thinking. The OPP caught some dumb asses shooting up the area around Muskoka. These guys were so stupid they actually posted video’s.Steve has a great Tech Tip on JIS screw drivers.We dive into exhaust systems and focus on can’s. Many people make changes to their exhaust systems, but are they doing enough to ensure their engine won’t flame out. Are rice cakes a better performance enhancer than a cheap exhaust can? Steve asks what’s more important performance, volume, or sore ears?Sled Talk Podcast:https://sledtalk.buzzsprout.comSled Talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/04ai0LmDB1UWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Sled people are usually some type of motorhead. Very seldom do you know a guy that only has a sled with no other toys. We’re both guilty of having all kinds of toys. We kick off the show talking about the roadster Rob recently bought and drove halfway across Canada desperately trying to beat the snow.We jump over to Taiga’s announcement of international distribution of their Nomad electric sled. Is electric the way of the future? We break down the value of having an electric sled.Have you ever ridden across a floating sled bridge? They have one on Muskoka Ontario. It sounds like a great idea, is it feasible in more areas?In Estevan Saskatchewan they are organizing their second monster ride. Their first was over 2000 Km’s, this year they plan on going much further.Do you have a favorite restaurant to stop in while out on a ride? Nobody wants a crappy hamburger when they’re out for a full day of riding. Tell us about the best spots to go and why they make your mouth water.Steve continues his threat to organize a vintage derby, or just a vintage ride. Give us your thoughts for this type of ride. We would also like to hear about any vintage rides that are going on.Steve has a great tech tip on steering systems, specifically carbide wear bars, sizes, and how they can have a positive effect on the control you have on your sled. They can even play a part in how you set up your rear suspension.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://youtu.be/wdtL4R1MfMMWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Welcome to our Christmas episode.The Ontario government makes a huge contribution to snowmobiling. We break this story down getting into how important this move is. We are hoping more provinces follow this lead.Should vintage sleds see a trail pass discount? Vintage snowmobiling is a fast-growing part of the riding season. We chat about why it’s growing in popularity. There are several compelling reasons why this should be examined by the powers in control of this. Let’s hear from you on this one.Check out the new Tech Tips and Relaxation playlist we’ve added to the Sled Talk YouTube page. We’ll keep adding tips that Steve has developed to make servicing easier.Do you use ice scrapers? We’d love your feedback on this. Are they helpful or just a P.I.T.A?Rob gives Steve a hard time about the gift he’s giving himself for Christmas. We share a couple stories of Christmas & New Years rides and how much fun they were.Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://youtu.be/tIdYob_jSGsWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Can you imagine, an argument about who’s more reliable Skidoo or Polaris? That’s how it began.Are barn finds a myth? Steve’s a believer. Rob’s not so sure, he thinks there are ulterior reasons. There might be some junk in barns, but a true barn find must have some value.Jimmy makes a couple of appearances. He found out the hard way that slush is a tough slog, and the rules we had to create for rides with him.What was he thinking, is James Bond a sled thief? We also have an update on the wolf guy.Polaris make some serious donations for trail support in both Canada and the USA.Should you buy used sled that advertises fresh top end? In Tech Tips we go deep into this hot topic.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We get right into a couple stories from our misspent youth. We learned at the school of hard knocks.We discuss Polaris moving away from motorcycles to focus on off road vehicles.We review our off-camera conversation with Terris Baran of Safety Services Manitoba. We missed a lot when the camera was off.Jimmy is never far from our thoughts, and he once again provides some entertainment.Steve is exploring the idea of hosting a vintage Poker Derby. Give us your feedback on this. It might be the push Steve needs to make it happen.Front suspension boots are the Tech Tip. Steve explains why keeping them in good condition is important for a great day in the snow.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We sat down with the show’s first guest Terris Baran of Safety Services Manitoba. He was fantastic!!!Terris has a large amount of experience with sleds as a 40+ year rider, and years on the drag racing track.Are you dressed for success on the snow? How about your helmet? We take a dive into the different brain buckets out there.There is never a downside to additional training. No matter your age or skill level you will always learn something new.When riding as a group with different experience levels do you assign a leader and a tail? It’s the best way to ensure the group stays together.Terris has some great drag racing stories. He’s a Yamaha guy and has done some very cool mod’s to his sleds.Steve and Terris go on a rant about their sled collections they both have some incredible collectibles.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We started out trying to define vintage sleds. This is a topic we want to hear from you on. The first ever Turtle Mountain grass drags (both sleds were evenly matched), slider lube, and the hazards of hay bales on the strip. What could happen for future events. We captured a drag and put it up in the Tech Tips and Relaxation playlist. Check it out! https://youtu.be/kP8qxCyTnrc We cover a concerning topic. Trail closures are happening across Ontario for several reasons, but as always funding plays a big role. Ste. Agathe announced a new warm up shack after the summer forest fires destroyed the original shack. They have a fantastic trail system the ends in Woodridge connecting to the South East Snow Riders trail system. Add this to your list of rides this season!Tech Tips cover cylinder compression. Don’t let bad compression lead to sled depression. Do your homework before buying. Even as a preseason check it’s a good idea.What was he thinking? A club president was asking poorly. If your club doesn’t have an AGM, HAVE ONE! We have an update from Winters Coming on the guy who killed the wolf. If you didn’t hear about that go back to that episode to check it out.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Because everything after Thanksgiving is a little stretched, we felt we best keep with the times.We cover a lot of ground in this episode. Starting with the great debate. Which manufacturer is the best….. We even talked about manufacturers who were ahead of their time and many that are long past. In Tech Tips we go comfortably into suspensions from inspection to set ups. The conversation goes into new tech and to riders getting ripped off by trusted professionals.You won’t want to miss a second!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Summer’s over and winters coming fast! We kick off Season 2 acknowledging some of our new friends. We share our expansion into YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMB and that Steve has started work on a new website.Arctic Cat announces EPS, Hmmmm Chick Sleds? Find out.Steve has some fall tune up tips that anyone can do at home.Rob shared a new segment he’s calling “What was he thinking?” with a disturbing incident that happened last winter.As we were closing the show Steve set us up for a big debate in a future episode.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Weekends at the lake an summer projects have kept us busy. We finally got together for a summer visit. After we get past Steve turning 60... We chat about a new acquisition, and update on an old motoskeeter. We share a summer time sledding story. What would we do without Jimmy?Lastly, there's been some news from the Big 3. Enjoy the show!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Welcome to our earlier than expected summer special.We kick off with Steve’s new acquisition. A 1972 Moto-Ski mini bike that actually runs! Send us any manuals, parts, or leads on parts so he can properly restore it.Now that the “Cat” is out of the bag, we get into Arctic Cat’s new ownership. Then dive into some Cat history. They’ve been around since 1960 with many changes since.We talked about Cats engines with their new 858 C-tec 2. We speculated that they won’t have a 4 stroke, but found out afterward that Yamaha will continue to supply their 4 stroke triples.Also on Cat we shared some stories about sleds owned by friends, how they looked, and one sleds unfortunate end.No Tech Tips in this episode your sled should be properly put away as we discussed in our last episode.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In what was our Season Finale we share some riding stories and several storage tips.We chat about rides into Saskatchewan, the people we met, and how nice that we share trail passes, too bad Ontario isn't as generous.Steve insisted I leave the blooper at the end of the show in. The blooper at the beginning is all Rob. While this is the end of the season, we plan on dropping the occasional episode through the summer. Then get back into full swing with Season 2 in October.  Thanks again for all of the support we’ve gotten after launching Sled Talk! Enjoy the Show!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Over the 30 + years we've been riding there have been quite a few remarkable moments.While we laugh now, in some cases we didn't laugh then.....well some of us didn't. Some people in our group found these situations hilarious. That joy usually added to the misery.We've shared a few of those stories in this episode.Enjoy our misery!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In this episode Rob Shares his opinions on how tariffs could affect the snowmobile industry and even play a role in the sale of Arctic Cat.Steve shares his love of triples and we both get into why we thought they were great.Steve talks about cherry scented sled polish and what a fantastic product it is while making his shop smell much nicer.There are several great tidbits. Enjoy the episode!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

We talk about the process to sell a company like Arctic Cat then shift to Electric sleds. Who knew how many there are? More than we would have thought. Try one before you roast us. They might have a place for some riders.Trailer maintenance is something we should all do but many ignore. Don't leave your sleds stranded on the side of the road. They may not be there when you get back.Lastly some product info always informative!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

In this episode we talk about Lynx snowmobiles. Then we shift over to some vintage chat about cleats, wear bars and handling on the vintage sleds.  *Correction* Vehicle permits are not required in provincial parks in February, but Snopasses are still required for snowmobiles using designated trails. Sorry about the oops. Steve takes us on the path less followed, vintage poker derbies.We wrap up with a fantastic tech tip, and an interesting product use rant. Steve was revved up today.Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398

Welcome to our first episode. We dive into quite a few topics from Arctic Cat's decision to halt production. Government and trail pass sponsored trail improvements, some vintage sled chat, a couple great tech tips, and much more.Enjoy the show!Sled Talk on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@SledTalkMBWe'd love to hear from you. Send us a message.https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057548599398