Best Deep Snow Snowmobile of 2022 - Yamaha, BRP or Stels?

The rear suspension is a complex, multi-component module. It is she who ensures the patency of the apparatus and its stability. There are three main types of suspensions: roller, skid and combined. Roller suspension uses wheels as support, skid skis, and combined both. All our participants have the combined version installed, but there are significant differences between them.

The suspension of the Yamaha snowmobile looks the most interesting. She has 4 support wheels of different sizes. Each roller has independent shock absorption, which allows you not to clog the tracks with snow. In addition, it is very soft and comfortable. There are slides in the front part, and they are installed obliquely. This design makes it possible to climb steep slopes and get out of deep crust. Definitely the first position among the nominees.

The suspension of the BRP is not inferior to the leader. It is also combined, but unlike the Yamaha, it is straight. The rollers here are located behind and in front of the tracks, and between them there are slides. This is a unique development of the manufacturer, which is highly praised in specialized forums. The rest of the comparison participants go to the second position.They also have combined suspensions, but the manufacturers did not present any unique solutions. The patency of all models is at the level and each snowmobile will easily overcome deep snow.

First of all, the front suspension gets into deep snow, respectively, it must be of high quality and reliable. In addition, a snowmobile, unlike a motorized towing vehicle, is capable of developing a decent speed, and an obstacle can always lurk under the snow. The front suspension must absorb shocks and at the same time maintain the stability of the machine. The more complex the front suspension module, the better. Three of our nominees have the most reliable modules at once: Yamaha, BRP and Polaris. They will pour out hydraulic shock absorbers with independent springs.

Stealth has hydropneumatic shock absorbers. Also a good version, but still inferior in terms of reliability and quality. We give him second place. And Buran goes to the third line. Here the manufacturer did not bother at all and installed a spring suspension on the device. This is the simplest modification, not soft, but very durable. On such a snowmobile, it is not recommended to accelerate strongly. However, this device still will not be able to develop some breathtaking speed.

As for the width of the skis, it differs for all the nominees, but we initially selected models with a wide spacing. Only Buran differs, which has only one ski track and this is due to the initial directional stability. Such a snowmobile simply does not need a second ski, and its appearance would significantly reduce maneuverability.

Since school, we all know that the larger the area of ​​​​an object, the more stable it is on the surface. This is also true for a snowmobile, especially if we select a model for traveling in deep snow. The most passable, and therefore the best option is the one with the widest and longest caterpillars.

According to the table, the places were distributed as follows: BRP and Stealth - in first place, Polaris - in second, and Yamaha and Buran - in third. BRP and Stealth snowmobiles will be the most stable, but it should be understood that maneuverability is reduced. In the case of Yamaha, this size of tracks is not an oversight of the developers, but a technical necessity, since the snowmobile is a tourist one and the maneuverability parameter is very important for it. While other models are utilitarian, where maneuverability can be sacrificed for the sake of stability and maneuverability.As for Buran, it also has another important drawback - the height of the lug. Only 17 centimeters compared to 32 cm for other models. Stealth in this respect also loses 10 centimeters to its competitors, but in his case this is not fatal.

If you drove into deep snow, and even more so fell into it, then only a powerful motor can pull you out. The axiom, the more, the better, does not always work, but here it makes perfect sense to apply it. The more powerful the unit on board the snowmobile, the more likely it is to pull you and your machine onto a more stable surface.

The most voluminous engines among our participants are those of the Yamaha and BRP models. In the first we see 1049 cubic centimeters, and in the second 1170 cm³. There is a difference, but small, so we give them first place. The second position is Buran. On board is a power plant with a volume of 747 cubes. It’s also good and will allow you to get out of the most difficult situation. And Stealth and Polaris share the third line. They have 500 cubes, which also has the right to exist, but is inferior to other nominees.

It should be noted here that when selecting models for our comparison, we took only units with engines from 500 cubic meters. Weaker versions do not fit our requirements.As for power, it does not make sense to consider it. There is a direct correlation with volume, that is, a 500 cc engine cannot be more powerful than a 1000 cc one.

Almost all modern snowmobiles use a variator as a gearbox. This is the most convenient and reliable option for such equipment, but its content can be very different. Since we are interested in models with high traffic. It is important for them to have additional speeds.

The Burana variator looks the richest. He has two reduced speeds at once, there is a reverse and several forward steps. If you are buried in deep snow, such a box will definitely pull you out of it. In lower gears, power increases, but the number of revolutions decreases. Second place is shared by Yamaha and BPR. They also have a reduced speed, but, unlike Buran, only one. The reverse is also present. But Stealth and Polaris have no downshifts at all, so we give them only the third line.

Any engine needs cooling, even if it is installed on equipment that is used exclusively in winter. The cooling system can be air or liquid. Air modification forces oncoming air into the system, and this is its main drawback for our requirements. As long as you drive, there will be no problems. Frosty air will quickly cool the motor. But during slipping, the reliability of such a system is significantly reduced and even tends to zero.The liquid variation looks much more interesting, where cooling occurs regardless of whether you are driving or revving in place.

Our members use liquid cooling on three models: Yamaha, BRP and Polaris. Accordingly, we give them the first line of the nomination. And Stealth and Buran go to second place. They have an air system, and it is not recommended to skid on them for a long time in one place.

Everything is very simple here: the best snowmobile is the one that weighs the least. Dimensions do not really matter, since it is more important to look at the dimensions of the tracks, and not the apparatus itself, but we will also consider them for a visual comparison:

As you can see, the dimensions of all participants are almost the same. But the weight is significantly different. We give the first position to the nominees, whose indicators did not go beyond 300 kilograms. These are Yamaha and Polaris. The second line belongs to BRP and Buran. They weigh more than three hundred, but this is also quite acceptable. But Stealth is the heaviest. Its mass reaches almost half a ton, and to this it is necessary to add not the most powerful engine. Raking out of serious off-road will be the most difficult for him. Therefore, only the third position.

Stopping a half-ton car moving at a speed of about 80 kilometers per hour is not an easy task. Especially on the snow, which is clogged in all parts and prevents braking. Snowmobiles use disc brakes, but their system can vary significantly. For example, the Stealth model has a hydraulic drive, and the system itself is installed on the output shaft of the gearbox. The brakes act directly on the tracks, not on the rollers, so braking occurs on any surface. We give this participant the first line.

The second position is shared by three nominees at once: Yamaha, BRP and Polaris. They also have hydraulic disc brakes, but the system is somewhat different from that used on the Stealth. It cannot be said that it is worse, but the designers do not offer any innovative solutions here. But the snowmobile Buran loses to its competitors. This is the only participant who does not use hydraulic, but mechanical brakes. That is, you will stop the car on your own. It is very good that this snowmobile is quite slow and does not accelerate more than 50 kilometers per hour. Otherwise, it would be very difficult to work with the brakes.

The best snowmobile is not only the most powerful and passable, but also comfortable. Top manufacturers always try to fit as many auxiliary functions on their devices as possible. A striking example is the model from Yamaha and BPR. They have a lot of extras. Here are just a few of them:

• electronic panel with oil and pressure sensors;
• heated handles and seats;
• very soft suspension;
• comfort seats;
• thoughtful windshield;
• additional trunk and tool box.

These are not all additions, but they are enough to give these participants the first line. Traveling on such a snowmobile is a pleasure and it doesn’t matter if you go fishing or just decide to ride.

Polaris and Stealth look much more modest in this regard. They also have options such as heated grips and an additional trunk, but no digital panel and soft suspension. But the manufacturers of Buran paid the least attention to the issue of comfort. This is the most utilitarian model, not designed for simple walks. There are also heated grips here, and the main advantage is a very roomy trunk and an additional glove compartment. This model was specially created for the transportation of goods, not rides.

In this nomination, everything is predictable. If in most issues Yamaha and BRP won, then they lose here, and by a significant margin. The price of these snowmobiles is one and a half million rubles. Yes, this is the best and most passable option, but its price tag is comparable to a crossover. These are models for those who are not used to saving money and primarily look at the technical equipment and the brand.

Their closest competitor is the Polaris snowmobile. But here the price tag is twice lower. We give him the second position. But Stealth and Buran are the most attractive in terms of price.This is explained very simply - Stealth initially specializes in budget equipment, and Buran is the most utilitarian snowmobile without any frills and "unnecessary" options.

So, the best snowmobile in terms of total score is the BRP 69 RANGER ALPINE 1200 4-TEC, but we think it's right that it shares the podium with the YAMAHA RS VENTURE TF. According to the characteristics, they are almost the same and the whole comparison went head to head. In addition, the devices have different purposes. The BRP is a utility option for heavy hauling, while the Yamaha is a touring option for rides.

Polaris is also an interesting model with its own advantages. He has quite a lot of them, but against the background of the leaders, the snowmobile loses. Yes, and the price tag bites him.What can not be said about Stealth and Buran, the main advantage of which can be called precisely the democratic cost. In addition, they are the most maintainable and easy to maintain. If you are not ready to spend about one and a half million on a snowmobile, then this is the best option for you with its own advantages and adequate characteristics, even if they are in time for such industry giants as Yamaha and BRP.