Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/561797
FOCUS PSB Snow www.PowersportsBusiness.com Powersports Business • September 17, 2015 • 25 37.6 percent of riders' wish lists. Helmets are in the next 12-months purchase plan for 28.8 per- cent of snowmobilers surveyed. Boots and bibs or pants came in tied for third at 27.7 percent each. Underlayers followed at 26.4 percent. CURRENT TRENDS Snow Goer readers were also asked about their current habits and what they are wearing now. A majority of those surveyed — 42.3 per- cent — said they most often ride a perfor- mance trail snowmobile. That was followed by the trail-oriented crossover category, which 21.6 percent reported is their primary segment. Mountain sleds are usually ridden by 15.8 per- cent of riders, and common trail sleds are No. 1 for 12.6 percent. Modular helmets are most popular among those polled, as 44 percent turn to this style. Full-face helmets are the preferred lids for 29 percent of riders, while 27 percent wear MX-style helmets with goggles. While all four snowmobile OEMs are among the Top 10 brands of jackets riders wear, Klim took the top spot. Three OEMs — Ski-Doo, Arctic Cat and Polaris — followed. At No. 5 on the list was FXR. "Other" jackets, that ranged from Cabela's to Reima to Joe Rocket and more, took sixth place, while Yamaha came in seventh. Choko, Castle Racing and Cold Wave rounded out the top 10. In terms of where riders bought their current snowmobile jacket, 39.3 percent purchased theirs from a dealership, and another 6.5 per- cent bought theirs from a dealer's website. More than a quarter of riders purchased their jacket from a show or event from a dealership or other vendor, and 14.6 percent got theirs from an online or mail-order snowmobile parts retailer. SERVICE AND TRAILERS The data on where riders get their snowmobile serviced and types of trailers used was also intriguing. Unfortunately for dealers, 67 percent of snowmobilers report they do their own mainte- nance and repair. However, 22 percent said they rely on their dealership. One-third of riders transport their snowmo- bile in a two-place enclosed or capped/covered trailer. Two-place open trailers are the next most popular, with 21.5 percent of those sur- veyed using them. Four-place enclosed trailers are relied upon for 18.4 percent of Snow Goer readers, while 10.7 percent use three-place enclosed trailers. PSB You 67% A friend or relative who does the work for free 4% A local repair shop that is not a new sled dealership 5% A dealership 22% A guy who works out of his garage 2% You A friend or relative who does the work for free A local repair shop that is not a new sled dealership A dealership A guy who works out of his garage Full-face 29% Modular 44% MX-style with goggles 27% WHAT STYLE OF SNOWMOBILE HELMET DO YOU MOST OFTEN WEAR? Source: Snow Goer Reader Survey SURVEY CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 WHO TYPICALLY DOES THE MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR ON YOUR SNOWMOBILES? Source: Snow Goer Reader Survey