The Lynx Story

Welcome to Northern Finland, the harsh home of Lynx. Here, the unforgiving winter lasts half the year and the dark wilderness skies are brightened only by the Northern Lights. It’s the only place on earth tough enough to inspire the creation of something as fierce, rugged and resilient as Lynx snowmobiles.

For more than five decades Lynx have made snowmobiles worthy of nature’s most challenging trails. The kinds that start from the back yard of our factory on the Arctic Circle. And they’ve been developed and ridden by riders as tough as the sleds themselves.

From a humble local workshop and a few gutsy enthusiasts to a riding phenomenon that has crossed continents, Lynx today is more than a vehicle brand. It is an enduring passion, passed on from one generation to the next. We are Lynx and this is our story.

1968-1979
1979-1985
1985-1995
1995-2008
2008-2021

1968-1979

The story of Lynx began in 1968 in Kurikka, Finland. The first sketches of a new kind of snowmobile were made and the first sleds were manufactured. Little did they know that a new icon was born.

1979-1985

Early 1980s was to be revolutionary for Lynx. Experiments on race tracks led to European snowmobile history. Also, the legendary GLX 5900 wide-track model set the direction for the whole industry.

1985-1995

Due to Lynx race sled’s phenomenal success on the race tracks, the pressure to develop a sport sled for recreational riders grew. New innovative models, such as the GLS 3300, were created to offer recreational riders the chance to experience the freedom on snow.

1995-2008

The new millennium started the era of modern rider ergonomics and accelerated innovation. People began to find more freedom off trails and Lynx made its first carves in freeriding.

2008-2021

Having celebrated the 50th anniversary, Lynx is still loyal to its tradition of keeping the user in the focus. As in the early days, the matter of honor is to make purpose-built snowmobiles for Lynx riders to enable unforgettable experiences in nature.

Articulated rear suspension

In 1970, Lynx introduced the first articulated rear suspension in the 40 model. The father of the innovation got the idea after skiing behind his friend and watching the skis’ action in the snow.

Skid frame rear suspension

Lynx was the first manufacturer that used skid frame rear suspension instead of bogie wheels in wide-track snowmobile in 1980. The model was GLX Finlandia which preceded the legendary GLX 5900 model.

Gearbox (syncro)

Lynx was the first in the world to introduce a chainless gearbox in a snowmobile in 1978. For the model year 1988 Lynx introduced the epoch-making Syncro gearboxes that allowed shifting while riding.

LTS suspension

In 1991 Lynx brought to the market the new Lynx Telescopic Suspension (LTS) especially designed for utility sleds. The innovation was used by Lynx for decades and is still used in the industry.

PPS rear suspension

The first Lynx snowcross hero Pauli Piippola had started developing his suspension already in 80s. The development continued behind the scenes until its introduction in Lynx production models for model year 2007, after a victorious era on snowcross tracks.

First 4-stroke models

Before the time of current ACE-technology, Lynx had its first Rotax 4-stroke engines in model year 2004 in Ranger V-1000 touring model and 59 Yeti wide-track utility model.

Bevelled tunnel

Bevelled tunnel, allowing to use narrower seat and thus improve rider’s movement on the seat, was used first time in Rave 440 race model in 2005. For the model year 2006, the innovation came first time in Rave and N-Duro trail sport models.

Short tunnel

For model year 2018 Lynx introduced the revolutionary Radien platform with an industry first short tunnel. The new design changed the sled’s performance and maneuverability in deep snow significantly.