I mean this with no disrespect, but the entirety of this could have been written from the sales brochure...
1) Clutches engage low. Cool, but to many, myself included, this would be a detriment in trees. I want some RPM in the trees. RPM is the key to HP after all, and I want a bit of HP on the bottom end when trying to "cut" into the snow, something essential for sidehilling.
Is engagement something the user can adjust? Is it like normal using a different spring to change this? How were belt temps? How much belt dust was under the hood?
Give us some real information!
2) Your comments on suspension...
" The front shocks are improved for 2018 with increased volume and a shorter negative spring which offers improved ride and handling, especially in the initial stroke travel."
A shorter air spring will add some support to the initial part of the travel, at the expense of "suppleness". Talk about this. Don't just say "the ride was improved". How was it improved? Why was this a good thing? What was the catalyst to that?
Adding air volume does not, by itself, increase the sled's "plushness". It does help in giving the sled a more consistent feel as the shock's spring isn't as likely to be effected by barometric pressure or air temps. Talk about this...
Any change in "feel" has more to do with leverage ratios and valving than it does the spring itself, especially if it was a positive change (feels "more supple" and the negative spring was shorter)
3) So the chassis is the same right? Just the panels are new? Give us some real world comparison as to the differences. Compare the two.
I could pick this whole thing apart, but again, you guys are better than this. You can clearly ride, just back it up with some articulation or hire someone who can
Sorry for being so brazen, but somebody had to say something...
J