HPS Trailside Tales

My name is Sam Jacob, I live in Houlton Maine. I’m an equipment operator for a logging company. I’ve got a wonderful fiancé and a 5 year old son. My hobbies include hunting, fishing, four-wheeling and SNOWMOBILES. My passion is on the snow. I’ve been riding snowmobiles for over 10 years now. I’ve owned a variety of different makes and models over the years, but I’m at home on SKi-DOO. I’ve had a few ZX chassis Ski-Doos, Rev XP chassis and now I’m currently running a 2020 Ski-Doo Renegade 850. My riding style is kind of all around. I ride trail mostly now, but still, get off trail when the snow conditions allow it. On an average season, I’ll put 2k+ miles on. Spring riding on the old woods roads is awesome too! My 5 year old son Carson has the same passion for the snow. He absolutely LOVES sleds. I’ve been taking him riding since he was 2. It’s nothing for us to put 30 to 100 miles on a ride. In the fall of every year when I get my sleds ready for winter, I  RELY on HPS. They have a top-notch crew, that keeps me going all season. No matter what they always make it happen for me. Whether it’s gear, parts, oil, or even some knowledge from out in the shop. The shop is FULL of knowledge. As soon as you walk through the door, the crew is ready to help! But what really makes me happy about HPS is that they are fully supportive of our youth! Meaning, they have all the resources and in-stock merchandise to get kids involved in outdoor rec. As I summarize I’d just like to say thank you HPS for all you do for my family, our community, and beyond! Also if you’ve never been, you have to check them out! Tell them Sam sent you! 

Thank You to Sam For Being A Long Time Customer and Our June HPS Trailside Tale Feature! We Appreciate His Passion For Powersports and Sharing it With The Younger Generation! If You Are Interested in Being Featured Please Email Us at Brit@Houltonpowersports.com for More Information, Each Selected Participant Receives HPS Swag!

My name is Justen Brown and I live with my wife Isabella in Hammond ME. We moved to Maine in November of 2018 for a more relaxed lifestyle and I have to say we have found that here. She works for Tim Hortons and I work at Lawn Enforcement and Landscaping. When we moved up here we had two Polaris ATVs that I was constantly repairing, so one day we were randomly driving by Houlton Powersports and decided to just look at what they had for machines (they were closed when we looked lol).  So a few days later Isabella decided to get a 2018 Arctic Cat Wildcat 1000X. We rode further and further and more places than we had before that summer. Then I met Brad and his family ( we have become great friends since). I saw he had a Yamaha YXZ 1000 SE, so we went on a few rides with him and made more friends in our travels. In October of 2019 I saw an orange 2016 Yamaha YXZ, I took it for a spin and immediately knew I wanted it! A week later I was riding it off the lot. That sound of the 3 cylinder EFI engine and the tone when shifting (it's a 5speed manual shift), made it even more enjoyable for me.
 
I only got a few short rides in that year, as trails were closing soon for winter, but then came spring. Our neighbor was generous enough to let us have a bit of a mud bash session in his empty lot, I'm glad and thankful for that. Shortly after I added a Super ATV front bumper with winch mount and a winch (glad i did as some places I've been I've needed it), a 16" LED light bar with purple underglow lights and lighted whips and speakers. I also changed out the tires as well to the tusk terabytes and that changed the whole riding style alone. That summer of 2020 I put over 5000 miles on my YXZ, yes you have read that right, over 5000 miles!!! We rode to St. Agatha and back from Houlton, and in September we rode the trails all the way down to Machias!!! Then to Ellsworth for the night, the next day to Eastport and Quoddy as well, and stayed in Machias that night and rode back to Houlton the next day. In those 3 days, we rode over 1000 miles (a long ride but so worth it). In September we found my current enclosed trailer was too small for two SxS, as Isabella traded her Arctic Cat for a 2017 Polaris Ranger 1000 XP. So I also purchased a brand new trailer from HPS, thanks to salesman Tim Drake. He made it happen, as they had exactly what I wanted right on the lot. So a few days later we picked up the Polaris and trailer, then that weekend we trailered up to St. Agatha and rode to Allagash, Van Buren, Madawaska, and Fort Kent.
 
That summer was a blast and it couldn't have happened without the HPS team. From the salesmen to the service department. I mean everyone there! In the fall I sold my sled that I had ( bad idea). As winter went on I was bored, so I went to HPS just browsing like I do sometimes and came across a 2009 Polaris Dragon 800 HO ( I wouldn't have known it was there if it wasn't for my friend Brad). I talked to Tim Drake and he let me take it for a rip. When I walked back in I said "I'll buy it!" So I went to the bank and gave him a fat envelope and rode it home later that evening. I went on some good rides with friends, then my sled had some issues. But the amazing people at HPS took care of me for that day, so I could still ride.  So what do I do? Bought all new sled gear ( if you ever need any see nelle and then you have to bribe Tim to model the gear for you lol)!
 
 All I can say is that since My wife and I have moved up here, the adventures we have had would not be possible if it wasn't for Houlton Powersports and the awesome people that work there. They don't make you feel like a customer or some nobody, they treat you like a friend, and that's why I always will continue to go to them.  My wife and I couldn't have been the places we have been to if it wasn't for them and I have to say thank you for making it all possible!

Thank You to Justen For Being Our Very First Dirt Edition HPS Trailside Tale Feature! We Appreciate His and Isabella's Passion For Powersports and Their Continued Business. If You Are Interested in Being Featured Please Email Us at Brit@Houltonpowersports.com for More Information, Each Selected Participant Receives HPS Swag!


 

 I’m Matt Furrow I live in Linneus, Maine with my wife Meg. I work as a Merchant Marine in The Gulf of Mexico as well as the owner of Furo Racing, LLC. I’ve been fortunate enough to turn what started as a hobby for snowmobiling into a business. We have a small race team and we also customize, tune, and repair snowmobiles on the side.
I enjoy riding in Northern Maine and in the Gaspé Peninsula in Quebec in the steep and deep! 
I have purchased a 2020 Ski-doo Backcountry XRS 850 from HPS. Everybody that works there, from sales to service is top-notch and I consider them my friends. I couldn’t recommend them more for your next purchase. I know I’ll be a lifelong customer.
I love the power the Rotax 850 E-TEC engine has. Some modifications I have made are BackWoods BMP bumpers, Skins airframe running boards, grip-n-rip bracing and clutch alignment, USI epic skis, larger lug track, and lastly custom clutching and gearing. It is the perfect machine for off-trail riding! 

For More on Matt and Furo Racing Check Out Their Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/furo330. He shares some great videos!

Thank You to Matt For Being Our April 2021 HPS Trailside Tale Feature! We Appreciate His Passion For Snowmobiling and His Continued Business. If You Are Interested in Being Featured Please Email Us at Brit@Houltonpowersports.com for More Information, Each Selected Participant Receives HPS Swag!

My name is Jay Rowe, I live in Albion, ME with my wife of 25 years, Marjorie. .  I have 2 amazing kids, Matthew and Morgan.  I am also a proud PAPA , to two grandkids, Arley and Walker, and yes, they both have sleds already I have worked for New Balance Athletic Shoe for +20 Years.  My hobbies include snowmobiling, hunting, and getting ready to snowmobile. Snowmobiling to me is much more than a hobby. Snowmobiling is my passion, and it allows me to travel to some amazing places.  Many of these places other people may never see, especially in the winter.  Snowmobiling has also connected me with many amazing people, who I would otherwise have never met!  And these friends, although you may only see them a couple of times a year,  are the ones who would jump up at 2 am if you called, no questions asked!

My latest purchase from HPS is my 2021 Arctic Cat Riot 8000.  The main reason I am loyal to HPS is because they are focused on keeping you out on the trail.  I had an engine failure in 2020 and the team had the complete engine replaced in time for my next trip. You do not find this service everywhere.   I try to get to know everyone at the shop from the sales team to the mechanics and everyone at HPS has been great to deal with.