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!

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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.

Winterizing Your Snowmobile

It’s no secret the last couple of winter seasons have been less than fun for us snowmobilers here in Western New York. But with snow in the forecast later this week and the end of bow hunting season scheduled for the 19th, it’s not hard to get excited to hit the trails! But with two light winters in our rearview, is your sled ready to go?

No matter your preferred brand, it’s always a good idea to do a thorough service on your sled before going out on your first ride of the season. Whether you like to get your own hands dirty or bring it in to our certified service shop, we can help you out.

First up, check your oil level. It’s not a bad idea to do an oil change at the start of the season. This way you ensure that no moisture snuck its way into your oil while your sled was taking a snooze. Next up, check your spark plug. If it is wet or blackened, you need to change it out.

Check your coolant level and add or change if needed. Look at your air box and make sure it’s clear. With crossing roads a part of almost every trail these days, it’s so important to have your brakes in proper working order. Check the brake pads, fluids, and general braking operation.

If you’re sensing a theme here – you’re right. It’s check everything. The motor mounts, choke and idle adjustments, battery, lights, and carbides all need to be checked. Grease all fittings and then get back to checking things. Check the sliders, idler wheels, shocks, track alignment, track tension, and in general if there are any rips or missing studs (if you’ve got a studded track). Check your ski alignment, drive belt, clutches, and all cables. Finally, check your chain case drive fluid level.

If anything you’ve checked looks like it needs to be replaced or will soon need to be, make sure you have spares on hand so you’re not stranded on the trails. Extra spark plugs, oil, and a belt are good things to bring along with you on your rides or at least have stocked in your trailer or truck. We can help you out with service or parts six days a week. And if you’ve had enough of your old sled, we’ve got a huge stock of new to get you upgraded for your best ride experience.

Now get outside and do your snow dance then turn your PJs inside out and get a good night’s rest. Braaap!

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!

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! ⛄

This week here in Western New York we’ve been experiencing a heck of a lot of snow thanks to Winter Storm Knife, in some places up to 8 feet! Check out some of the craziest photos people have snapped during this historic storm, and feel free to send us your photos and videos via our Facebook page!

The wall of snow engulfing part of Western New York

Houses buried under snow

A man shows us the difference a few hours makes

Snow still covers much of a vehicle even after it’s freed

Snow Goer magazine has named the 2015 Polaris Switchback PRO-S Snowmobile of the Year! Check out how the all-new sled featuring #AXYS was chosen for this honor in the video below