The realities may seem like a downer for the industry to some, but it doesn’t have to be, just means more out of reach for many.    You mentioned kids and what they are now invested in vs. years gone by - just look at any kid in a rep level sport, it is now a 12 month commitment or pretty close too that, add more then one sport and that just consumes more of your time.    How about those looking at their career down the not so distant road, for many of us our jobs we ended up in were not based on qualifications or schooling, it was just being in the right place and applying, now young people need so much more just to be considered as an applicant, to then likely have some sort of debt unless mom and dad helped out.   All factors why things are in fact so different for the today youth compared to when most of us were young.   

Ordered my pass October 6, shipped 10 days later and 3 days to arrive. Placed on the sled and ready to ride, but my ride is a 2018 900 ace n/a with 17+k km on it, so I really don't contribute much to the manufacturing industry. Nor does my extended family. They spend money on new and nearly new dirt bikes, and use them a modest amount. They have road bikes, Sparks and Skidoos (2017 and 2018, 600 and 900 n/a) and an ATV, all of which get used, but not a lot. Sparks get used the next most, but only 5 or 6 weekends per year. I have teen aged an early 20s grandkids who are outdoor, athletic kids but they don't have the time, money or drive to own their own power toys. They have different, more affordable interests. Without a cottage, the Sparks wouldn't exist, so I agree with stoney that dirt bikes require a lot less commitment and cash to participate in. One or two of my grandkids could end up being sledders in their 40s (30's maybe, if I buy them on my way out), but there is no way that, in eastern North America, there is a viable market of young people the sled manufactures can/should market to. The future is not the new "us", regardless of what generation of us.

This is no longer available, sold off. Not sure if it can be archived or deleted by Admin?

Mine shipped Oct. 26th. Haven't seen either permit yet. Fortunately I paid for the tracking on each permit.

Mine shipped yesterday. didn’t look at number though