Alpha Ride Report?

skegpro

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In them hills.
Well there should have been some out on the hill already.

Who threw a leg over one?

What did you think?
 

arff

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Well there should have been some out on the hill already.

Who threw a leg over one?

What did you think?

Guy from Bos is out this weekend.
I will talk with him Monday or Tuesday.
 

JMCX

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I've got three rides in now. This thing works. The Alpha part of it isn't enough to make you love side hilling a beat up mountain, like Frisby was yesterday, but the way you can go along a slope is a huge improvement over other sleds. How well the power is put to the snow is huge.
 

MP Kid

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I've got three rides in now. This thing works. The Alpha part of it isn't enough to make you love side hilling a beat up mountain, like Frisby was yesterday, but the way you can go along a slope is a huge improvement over other sleds. How well the power is put to the snow is huge.

Soooo..... you did jump brands! .....again!

Did your last ride run out of “flick-abilities”...?
 

JMCX

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Soooo..... you did jump brands! .....again!

Did your last ride run out of “flick-abilities”...?

I would own any of the new machines but would hate to have one of the Doos that eats belts.
 

Lund

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Soooo..... you did jump brands! .....again!

Did your last ride run out of “flick-abilities”...?

"flick-ability" what a strange way to put a perspective on something so big. Flicking a 500+++lbs snowmobile. 30 years in the industry i still can't "flick" one LOL.
I can flick a booger though.
 

MP Kid

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"flick-ability" what a strange way to put a perspective on something so big. Flicking a 500+++lbs snowmobile. 30 years in the industry i still can't "flick" one LOL.
I can flick a booger though.

I’m with ya on that one!

Im still amazed that Poo ran with that..? Marketing people really have so little to work with these days.
 

snochuk

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Finally got to spend two days on the Alpha for a total of about 180km.
Not a lot yet but some good impressions of what it is all about.

Handling on the trail up Chappell:
Needs scratchers down - heats up pretty easy but also cools down really fast
Handles corners like any other mountain sled, a bit tippy. None of the reported hyfax peeling.
Hit 62mph on trail, I swear this thing will hit 75.
Need to adjust shocks - had them to stiff but still very controlled through the evening whoops at speed.
Going to really like the easy shock adjustability once air set.
Smooth clutching engagement for slow take off or hammer it for rip and tear.

Up on top:
Minimal rider input required to lay it over, going to lower pressure to 45 from 55 for next trip, should roll even faster, then find the right clicker position..
On the garage floor felt like a little hang up on the roll over when tack started to come off of the floor but not noticeable at all on the hill.
Smooth transition and easy to over ride the sled...minimal input required, departed from sled a few times from over riding in the morning.
Climb very well and easy to maneuver when climbing-nailed everything coming off of the lake at Chappell.
Lockout feature makes a noticeable difference when used for straight up pulls or side hilling - it works.
Put the aftermarket Cat boards on (very Polarisy looking) - worth every penny for the infill type - did not stomp snow once and always clean.

Motor and clutching:
This was first day and on breakin but still floggd it pretty good.
Again I say super smooth clutching - fast backshifts.
Stayed right at 8250 on pulls, even the longer pulls straight up off lake.
Did not look at rack speed - my bad - must be saving that for next trip.
If this is a 152hp motor it is a very impressive 152hp.
You could not find belt dust with a white Kleenex at the end of the second day, sweet!
Rode it hard but was still OK on gas, will see what like after breakin.
33 liters gas on day one and about 3/4 liter of oil on breakin - maybe a tad less. Should be pretty easy on oil once breakin over.

The Bad:
Only took me two hours to crack the rear snow flap - of the 5 Alphas saw there one other one cracked, took him just as long to break his - could be common issue.
Goggle bag a bit small but OKish.

The Good:
The whole friggen package really was impressive!
Motor, clutch, chassis, shocks and of coarse the rear skid - not a sniff of a complaint, sweet sled.

The Real Question -Did it spank my old Doo and my brothers new 19 Doo:
Sorry but no spankings either way - the performance is surprisingly similar.
The effort to lay sleds over also similar, still think the doo washes out easier on a side hill.
With the lockout on the Alpha seems to dig in and stay there on a side hill. Without the lockout on they are pretty much the same...for two days of riding???
Got back on my old 850 and back on the Alpha several times.
Once breakin is over we will do some side by side pulls.
Have to save something for the next ride. lol

Oh I know its a Cat but it does not climb tees, I tried..
 

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jpmez69

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Finally got to spend two days on the Alpha for a total of about 180km.
Not a lot yet but some good impressions of what it is all about.

Handling on the trail up Chappell:
Needs scratchers down - heats up pretty easy but also cools down really fast
Handles corners like any other mountain sled, a bit tippy. None of the reported hyfax peeling.
Hit 62mph on trail, I swear this thing will hit 75.
Need to adjust shocks - had them to stiff but still very controlled through the evening whoops at speed.
Going to really like the easy shock adjustability once air set.
Smooth clutching engagement for slow take off or hammer it for rip and tear.

Up on top:
Minimal rider input required to lay it over, going to lower pressure to 45 from 55 for next trip, should roll even faster, then find the right clicker position..
On the garage floor felt like a little hang upon the roll over when tack started to come off of the floor but not noticeable at all on the hill.
Smooth transition and easy to over ride the sled...minimal input required, departed from sled a few times from over riding in the morning.
Climb very well and easy to maneuver when climbing-nailed everything coming off of the lake at Chappell.
Lockout feature makes a noticeable difference when used for straight up pulls or side hilling - it works.
Put the aftermarket Cat boards on (very Polarisy looking) - worth every penny for the infill type - did not stomp snow once and always clean.

Motor and clutching:
This was first day and on breakin but still floggd it pretty good.
Again I say super smooth clutching - fast backshifts.
Stayed right at 8250 on pulls, even the longer pulls straight up off lake.
Did not look at rack speed - my bad - must be saving that for next trip.
If this is a 152hp motor it is a very impressive 152hp.
You could not find belt dust with a white Kleenex at the end of the second day, sweet!
Rode it hard but was still OK on gas, will see what like after breakin.
33 liters gas on day one and about 3/4 liter of oil on breakin - maybe a tad less. Should be pretty easy on oil once breakin over.

The Bad:
Only took me two hours to crack the rear snow flap - of the 5 Alphas saw there one other one cracked, took him just as long to break his - could be common issue.
Goggle bag a bit small but OKish.

The Good:
The whole friggen package really was impressive!
Motor, clutch, chassis, shocks and of coarse the rear skid - not a sniff of a complaint, sweet sled.

The Real Question -Did it spank my old Doo and my brothers new 19 Doo:
Sorry but no spankings either way - the performance is surprisingly similar.
The effort to lay sleds over also similar, still think the doo washes out easier on a side hill.
With the lockout on the Alpha seems to dig in and stay there on a side hill. Without the lockout on they are pretty much the same...for two days of riding???
Got back on my old 850 and back on the Alpha several times.
Once breakin is over we will do some side by side pulls.
Have to save something for the next ride. lol

Oh I know its a Cat but it does not climb tees, I tried..

The Doo looks good!!
 
Last edited:

FernieHawk

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Finally got to spend two days on the Alpha for a total of about 180km.
Not a lot yet but some good impressions of what it is all about.

Handling on the trail up Chappell:
Needs scratchers down - heats up pretty easy but also cools down really fast
Handles corners like any other mountain sled, a bit tippy. None of the reported hyfax peeling.
Hit 62mph on trail, I swear this thing will hit 75.
Need to adjust shocks - had them to stiff but still very controlled through the evening whoops at speed.
Going to really like the easy shock adjustability once air set.
Smooth clutching engagement for slow take off or hammer it for rip and tear.

Up on top:
Minimal rider input required to lay it over, going to lower pressure to 45 from 55 for next trip, should roll even faster, then find the right clicker position..
On the garage floor felt like a little hang upon the roll over when tack started to come off of the floor but not noticeable at all on the hill.
Smooth transition and easy to over ride the sled...minimal input required, departed from sled a few times from over riding in the morning.
Climb very well and easy to maneuver when climbing-nailed everything coming off of the lake at Chappell.
Lockout feature makes a noticeable difference when used for straight up pulls or side hilling - it works.
Put the aftermarket Cat boards on (very Polarisy looking) - worth every penny for the infill type - did not stomp snow once and always clean.

Motor and clutching:
This was first day and on breakin but still floggd it pretty good.
Again I say super smooth clutching - fast backshifts.
Stayed right at 8250 on pulls, even the longer pulls straight up off lake.
Did not look at rack speed - my bad - must be saving that for next trip.
If this is a 152hp motor it is a very impressive 152hp.
You could not find belt dust with a white Kleenex at the end of the second day, sweet!
Rode it hard but was still OK on gas, will see what like after breakin.
33 liters gas on day one and about 3/4 liter of oil on breakin - maybe a tad less. Should be pretty easy on oil once breakin over.

The Bad:
Only took me two hours to crack the rear snow flap - of the 5 Alphas saw there one other one cracked, took him just as long to break his - could be common issue.
Goggle bag a bit small but OKish.

The Good:
The whole friggen package really was impressive!
Motor, clutch, chassis, shocks and of coarse the rear skid - not a sniff of a complaint, sweet sled.

The Real Question -Did it spank my old Doo and my brothers new 19 Doo:
Sorry but no spankings either way - the performance is surprisingly similar.
The effort to lay sleds over also similar, still think the doo washes out easier on a side hill.
With the lockout on the Alpha seems to dig in and stay there on a side hill. Without the lockout on they are pretty much the same...for two days of riding???
Got back on my old 850 and back on the Alpha several times.
Once breakin is over we will do some side by side pulls.
Have to save something for the next ride. lol

Oh I know its a Cat but it does not climb tees, I tried..

How about snow retention in the skids? Any difference between the Alpha and the Doo?

I was trenching bad last weekend because of all the snow lodged in my skid. I Kept clearing the snow out, but it kept sneaking back in. It was deep.
 

snochuk

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How about snow retention in the skids? Any difference between the Alpha and the Doo?

I was trenching bad last weekend because of all the snow lodged in my skid. I Kept clearing the snow out, but it kept sneaking back in. It was deep.

The Alpha held about 1/4 the snow of a twin rail worst condition.
Around by the front shock arm connection, there rest was basically clean.
It all just falls out as you ride.
 
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FastFarmer

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Finally got to spend two days on the Alpha for a total of about 180km.
Not a lot yet but some good impressions of what it is all about.

Handling on the trail up Chappell:
Needs scratchers down - heats up pretty easy but also cools down really fast
Handles corners like any other mountain sled, a bit tippy. None of the reported hyfax peeling.
Hit 62mph on trail, I swear this thing will hit 75.
Need to adjust shocks - had them to stiff but still very controlled through the evening whoops at speed.
Going to really like the easy shock adjustability once air set.
Smooth clutching engagement for slow take off or hammer it for rip and tear.

Up on top:
Minimal rider input required to lay it over, going to lower pressure to 45 from 55 for next trip, should roll even faster, then find the right clicker position..
On the garage floor felt like a little hang upon the roll over when tack started to come off of the floor but not noticeable at all on the hill.
Smooth transition and easy to over ride the sled...minimal input required, departed from sled a few times from over riding in the morning.
Climb very well and easy to maneuver when climbing-nailed everything coming off of the lake at Chappell.
Lockout feature makes a noticeable difference when used for straight up pulls or side hilling - it works.
Put the aftermarket Cat boards on (very Polarisy looking) - worth every penny for the infill type - did not stomp snow once and always clean.

Motor and clutching:
This was first day and on breakin but still floggd it pretty good.
Again I say super smooth clutching - fast backshifts.
Stayed right at 8250 on pulls, even the longer pulls straight up off lake.
Did not look at rack speed - my bad - must be saving that for next trip.
If this is a 152hp motor it is a very impressive 152hp.
You could not find belt dust with a white Kleenex at the end of the second day, sweet!
Rode it hard but was still OK on gas, will see what like after breakin.
33 liters gas on day one and about 3/4 liter of oil on breakin - maybe a tad less. Should be pretty easy on oil once breakin over.

The Bad:
Only took me two hours to crack the rear snow flap - of the 5 Alphas saw there one other one cracked, took him just as long to break his - could be common issue.
Goggle bag a bit small but OKish.

The Good:
The whole friggen package really was impressive!
Motor, clutch, chassis, shocks and of coarse the rear skid - not a sniff of a complaint, sweet sled.

The Real Question -Did it spank my old Doo and my brothers new 19 Doo:
Sorry but no spankings either way - the performance is surprisingly similar.
The effort to lay sleds over also similar, still think the doo washes out easier on a side hill.
With the lockout on the Alpha seems to dig in and stay there on a side hill. Without the lockout on they are pretty much the same...for two days of riding???
Got back on my old 850 and back on the Alpha several times.
Once breakin is over we will do some side by side pulls.
Have to save something for the next ride. lol

Oh I know its a Cat but it does not climb tees, I tried..

Glad you had a good time! Congrats on the Alpha...sounds like you like it which is always a bonus!
 
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