Appolson’s Schedules 2018 Polaris Snowmobile Demo Rides

The annual Appolson’s Performance Center snowmobile demo rides have been scheduled for January 27^th. The demo rides, along with a picnic lunch, will be held out of their Hamburg showroom from 10:30-2:00 pm. There will also be a youth sled on hand for kids to try out. Those wanting to try the new 2018 line-up may sign up online at http://bit.ly/2018APCSnowDemo for a timeslot.

Due to the great winter Western New York is seeing in 2018, the dealership is also offering a customer appreciation ride-in and ride-out that day as well. Customers will be able to ride their sleds on the trail system to the store, have a picnic lunch, and then head out on a customer appreciation ride at 3 pm. Those customers wishing to demo ride along the way on the trails can also sign up at the above website.

Sign-ups will be collected until slots are filled or through noon on January 25^th, whichever comes first. For more information, you can contact Appolson’s Performance Center at 716-649-1090, by email at marketing@appolson.com, or via their website at appolson.com.

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2017 Wrap Up

Happy New Year! We hope you had a happy holiday season. It was nice to have a white Christmas for the first time in a few years and we know a lot of you took advantage of trails being open. While the first few days of January tend to be a time for looking ahead, we wanted to talk about a few of our favorite moments from 2017.

We got lucky enough to have our annual Snowmobile Demo ride a few weeks late in February. We ran it right out of our back door. People loved seeing our service shop and trying out the 2017 Polaris line-up. There was a good camaraderie and it was nice and toasty over the grilled hot dogs and hamburgers.

In June, we had an ORV demo ride at KB Moto. It was a muddy, sunny day. We got to ride with customers, show off some of the cool Polaris side by sides and ATVs, and even took some videos of trail riding.

The end of July brought our annual Blast on the Beach. This year it was a really windy affair. We still had a full slate of riders and a ton of fun. Our workers managed to get a little color during the day and a lot of laughs with our customers and beach goers.

We’re looking forward to making more memories with you all in 2018. It doesn’t look like we have to do much of a snow dance for our upcoming Snowmobile Demo Ride, but we’ll knock on wood and turn around three times any way, just in case. Happy Holidays from the Appolson’s Team!

Snowmobile FAQ

Snow, baby, snow! If the weather forecast has you feeling like Elsa from Frozen, you’re probably getting pretty excited about trails potentially opening in just a couple weeks. If you’re new to the sport or just not sure on some items, we have the answers to all your pressing questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions.

1. What do I need to be able to ride in New York?

You must be registered in New York State, even if you’re from out of state or our of country, unless it’s one of the days NYS waves registration requirements. You also need liability coverage on the sled. You do not need to join a snowmobile club, however it is recommended as it takes your registration fee from $100 to $45!

2. How much insurance is needed?

You must have liability insurance that provides coverage for any one person sustaining injury or death of at least $10,000 and for two or more persons involved in an accident of at least $20,000 and at least $5,000 for damage of property of another. You must carry proof of insurance with you.

3. Where can I ride?

New York State has a pretty great trail system, with over 10,000 miles of designated and registration supported trails.

4. What do I need to wear?

New York State law requires you to wear a DOT approved snowmobile helmet. Helmet fit is very important, so if you’re not sure, ask a salesperson to help you find the right size. Other than that, you should wear warm clothing like a snowmobile suit or jacket and pants. Boots and gloves are also recommended.

5. Does Appolson’s rent snowmobiles?

No, we do not rent any vehicles.

6. Do I need to take a safety course?

Any person over eighteen may operate a snowmobile on lands where public snowmobiling is allowed without taking a snowmobile safety course. Kids 10-14 years old may operate a snowmobile when they have a safety certificate and are with someone over 18 years old. Kids 14-18 years old who have their safety certificate may operate a snowmobile as an adult on lands where snowmobiling is permitted. There’s even an online course you can take!

7. Is there any required safety equipment for the sled?

You need a working headlight, tail light, brake light, and working muffler system.

Summerizing Your Snowmobile

It’s hard to believe we are just days from the end of June. It wasn’t a great winter for snow enthusiasts in Western New York, but many of our customers told us they were able to get some good riding in up north and down in the Chautauqua region. While we provide summerization at our service shop, we understand some people like to take the wrench to their own machines too.

First things first, give your machine a good and thorough cleaning. When storing any machine for an extended period of time, store it with gas in the tank (the fuller the better) in order to reduce the risk of condensation forming. You should add fuel stabilizer to the tank. If you have a fuel injector, add injector cleaner to that as well. Run the engine to temp and then fog the motor.

Degrease your motor and suspension, including using forced air to blow off excess water. Use silicone spray on the engine compartment and suspension as well. Grease all of the applicable points. Check your chain case oil and coolant levels. Remove your drive belt. If your sled has a battery, remove it, charge it, and put it on a shelf. Then it’s time to put your sled to bed for the summer season.

Winter ATV Maintenance

We’ve been having one of the mildest winters I can remember as a lifelong New York State resident. Where we’re usually deep in the middle of snowmobile season, we were fortunate to have enough snow to get our demo riders out at the Genesee Forestry a few weeks ago. With all that in mind, you may be putting your ATV to good use this winter. Of course the more you use a machine, the better and more frequent maintenance is needed. Though these are some general tips, please check your machine’s owner’s manual for specific maintenance needs.

If you ride through snow and ice, be sure to clean off as much snow and ice from the radiator while riding and again off of the whole machine before storing the ATV post-ride. Otherwise, this water can re-freeze and make using your ATV the next time a pain. Additionally, make sure you don’t force any plastic pieces that are frozen. Plastic can break off in cold temperatures.

Winter fuel in New York means that sometimes gas line anti-freeze is already added to it at the pumps. For that reason, be cautious when adding any more. One of the best things you can do is to keep the fuel level up in your ATV to avoid condensation forming in your fuel tank and water getting in the fuel. If your machine is an EFI system, you’re going to have a much easier time getting it started when you’re ready for the cold air ride. If you have a carburetor, you may need to bring your ATV in to our Appolson’s service department so we can jet your carburetor for you. The jetting process finds the right combustible combination of fuel and air for your machine to run at its best.

When performing an oil change, whether it is in the winter or summer, you should always change the oil filter. In the winter, an oil change should include paying attention to the viscosity and temperature range on your oil. Always check your ATV’s particular owner’s manual for the best oil for your machine, or check with our Parts Manager Josh when stopping into the store.

If you follow these tips and tricks or stop in and talk to our knowledgeable staff, you should be able to enjoy this extra riding time. Make sure you give your ATV a little longer to warm up, and don’t forget to add an extra layer of clothing to your body to keep yourself warm. Let us know your favorite riding spots this winter and send us any cool pictures of your ride!

Fall ATV Riding Tips: What to Wear

With chilly, dark mornings, sunny, colorful afternoons and weekends, and pumpkin spice everything, Fall in full swing here in Western New York! It is a great time to go riding on the trails on your ATV or side by side. However, you should be aware of a few tips to make riding safe and enjoyable for all. This is going to be a multi-part series over the next few weeks, so keep your eyes out for these posts!

Firstly, we all know how changeable the weather can be here in WNY, with the memories of the 2006 October Storm and last year’s November Snowpocalypse still fresh in everyone’s minds. Look up the weather forecast before you head out on the trail and dress appropriately. If it’s going to be cold, dress in layers appropriate to the activity. If you’re riding out to hunt, you’re not going to be generating much body heat and need more layers to insulate against losing your body heat. If you are riding out to go hiking, you’ll likely need to take some of the layers off so you don’t get over heated. Keep a bag or backpack handy to put the layers in after removal. Regardless of your activity, gloves, thick socks, and a hat are important. Now, you should be wearing a helmet but we’ll get to that later. If you still find your fingers and toes getting chilly, most places have those one-time use warmer packs by the check-out stand.

On the flip side, if it’s going to be warm and sunny, make sure you wear sunscreen, drink some water, wear loose-fitting and breathable clothing, and be aware of the signs of heat stroke and exhaustion. If you or your ride partners start feeling any of these symptoms, get in the shade immediately and get some water in you. If someone passes out, use your cell phone to call for emergency help – either the park staff or 911. Just like with hypothermia, speed is of the essence.

Last Saturday Jim and Jerry took some very special friends on a private ride with the Polaris Demo Tour film crew and some brand new 2015 Polaris Snowmobiles! Even though the conditions weren’t the greatest everyone did an awesome job and it was definitely an adventure to remember. Can’t wait for Round 2!

It’s here! The Winter X Games have finally arrived and this year’s games include 4 snowmobile competitions: Speed & Style,‬ Long Jump, HillCross, and‬ SnoCross‬. Root for your favorite athletes January 22-25 and see who dominates Aspen!

Winter, is that you?

The Weather Channel is calling for snow – and lots of it. Snowfall up to 2 feet is predicted in some areas over the next few days, looks like winter has finally arrived! ⛄

Recently local Western New York volunteer firefighters were recognized nationally by Polaris for their efforts during the November Snowstorm in Buffalo, NY! From Polaris: “These Hardest Working Heroes from the Clarence Center Volunteer Fire Company helped those in need during the massive snowfall in Buffalo, NY last month. THANK YOU for all that you do!”

Read their incredible story here: http://orv.to/OPeRcC