I'm thinking about buying a couple of sleds. Don't know much about 'em and never owned one. I'm looking for recommendations on a touring style and one for performance. This would probably involve trading in/selling my ATV so, maybe a package deal at a stealership? Also need a trailer. Thanks for the input.

 

You can't go wrong with any of them these days. All are quality made. Its more a matter of riding style. I've ridden sleds for over 30 years, rode all makes. I've stuck with Polaris for the past few years.

 

Iv always been a polaris rider, but the other companies all make a good product. if they will be your first sled(s) then I would suggest a 600 cc engine. Its small enough to run nice and smooth even on slow going trails but still has enough juice to make you hold on tight when you pin it across a lake.

 

Polaris man something sticks lol jp I'm a yamaha person myself fit and finish is awsome they all have there pros and cons but my two cents is yamaha sxr for tur. and an srx for performance if you want new go with a rs vector just my thought i would get on the companies websight and researrch to meet your needs any questions on yammies ask and i'll help answer


Derek

Yamahas rule

 

I would agree that you really can't go wrong these days, but if you don't buy a sled that's suited for your style of riding, you won't enjoy riding it as much as you should. If your thing is to blast across lakes with your hair on fire, you'll probably want a different sled than a guy who loves to ride tight trails through the woods, in the mountains, etc. I ride an '03 Arctic Cat F7 EFI, which the manufacturer claims puts out about 138 horsepower. That might not sound like much, but when you consider it only weighs around 450 pounds dry, that's a pretty impressive power to weight ratio. That thing is scary fast and it handles great on the trails, but I would NOT recommend something like that for a beginner or novice rider...you can get yourself in trouble/killed in a big hurry with that kind of power if you don't respect it or know how to handle it in a sled. As was recommended earlier in this thread, get yourself a 600 or maybe even a 500. The smaller displacement will be cheaper to buy, cheaper to insure, and a little easier on gas, but you'll still get some really nice power. If you decide you really enjoy snowmobiling, buy yourself a bigger sled in a few years, after you've really learned how to handle a sled. My last sled was a 600 and it would do 100 mph, as will most/all 600s. I would've bought a 600 again, but it wasn't available at the time in the model I wanted. EFI is nice a nice feature on Arctic Cats...it always (well, almost always) starts on the second pull and you never have to worry about carb jetting (if you ride in the mountains, major temp fluctuations, etc).

If you're looking for a performance sled, I think I'd look at an Arctic Cat F6 or F5 or a Ski Doo 600 (or 500) Rev. The Rev has what they call "rider forward" ergonomics, which centralizes the mass of the sled and gives the rider a bit of a feeling that he/she is riding a dirt bike/quad. If you've ridden for awhile, I've heard the Rev takes some getting used to, since it feels so much different than most other sleds, but if you're new to snowmobiling, you really have nothing to compare it to, so it's not like you'd be re-learning how to ride. The rider-forward positioning is also supposed to give the sled a big advantage when the trails get rough. I have never ridden a Rev, but if you go to any snowmobiling message board (I'd recommend www.hardcoresledder.com...there are a lot of riders on that message board from your part of the country), you'll soon learn how much people love the Rev. My next sled will probably be one. Another nice feature of the Rev is the "1+1" seat...you can buy a second, smaller seat that clips into the back of the main seat, so two people can ride. This would be nice if you have a significant other or kids who might want to come along for a ride every once in awhile, but not often enough to buy a sled for them.

If you plan to do both trail riding and mountain/powder riding, you might want to consider a sled that's built to do both. These sleds generally have a slightly longer track (with longer lugs)...not long enough to compromise trail handling much, but long enough to make a difference in the powder. These include the Ski Doo Renegade (Rev), Polaris Switchback and the new Arctic Cat Crossfire (I'm not sure what Yamaha offers in this category, sorry). I go riding out west every once in awhile, so I'm going to look closely at a Renegade the next time I go sled shopping.

I don't know a whole lot about the touring market, so I can't be of much help there. Sorry.

If you're going to buy a trailer, spend a few extra $$$ and get a v-nose, drive-on drive off trailer. This will allow you to drive your sleds off the trailer when you're ready to ride, and back onto the trailer when your done, which is a bit easier on your back than pulling your sleds off a trailer by hand (unless your sleds have reverse). I spent around $1100 for mine back in '98, but I would imagine they've probably gone up a few $$$ since then.

If you don't feel the need to have the absolute latest and greatest, check with your local dealers to see if they have any new '04 or '03 models that didn't sell during the past couple of winters. I don't know how the past couple of winters have been in your area, but if there hasn't been a lot of snow, the dealers may have had a tough time selling all of their sleds, so they might have a few that they'd like to get rid of. I've seen advertisements here in the upper midwest for such sleds that are $1K-$2K cheaper than a very similar '05 model.

One more piece of advice. If you're going to go spend thousands of dollars on sleds, save a few $$$ for some quality riding gear (helmets, jackets, boots, etc). You can have the nicest sled in the world, but if you're cold, wet and miserable while riding it, what's the point?

If you have any specific questions about sleds and/or trailers, feel free to post them, and I'll try to answer them.

 

Chez....Wow! That is a sh*tload of very usefull info....thanks for taking the time to share that with me/us. I definitely don't have to have the latest and greatest so, an '04/'03 leftover may be the right thing. I have nothing against used sleds either, I just don't want anything with a million miles on it or been abused. The number of dealers around here is about 0 so, I may have to head up to PA to even find a dealership. Like I said, I have almost no knowledge about sleds so that makes it even more diffucult to buy used.
I was on the website you recommended, briefly. Seemed like a lot of good info there as well.

 

drillsgtjra
You may want to look at insurance rates on certain sleds before you make any final decision. I know if you typically stay under a 600cc sled, you don't get socked to bad for insurance. I've got an 01 mxz600 and an enclosed Triton trailer and I pay $200 for both. Also be aware that riding sleds can get very expensive. A gallon of synthenic oil will run you $35. A sled normally gets around 12 mpg also.
I would recommend getting something with EFI. You can't beat it. Don't have to worry about carb cleaning every year or two, and they generally have better emissions.
If you find the right dealer, they will let you "test" drive them around their facility. You can get the feel for the sled before you decide to buy it.
Like ChezHed said, make sure you get quality clothes and accesories. Nothing worse then being cold and miserable.
I would recommend going to a lake to get used to the sled before I would hit the trails.

 

No problem...I'm glad I could be of some help. Like I said, I don't know how the last couple of winters have been in your area, but if they haven't been very good in terms of snow, you should be able to find some good deals on used sleds with low miles too. If you look at used sleds, look at things like the track (check for torn or missing lugs, clips, etc), the hood (major scratches, chips out of the hood, etc that might indicate the sled has been rolled/crashed), the rear and front suspension for excessive rust, and the engine compartment (a sled with fairly low miles should be fairly clean and free of rust). Also, check with the owner to make sure all recalls/updates have been done. My sled required a handful of updates/recalls after I bought it, some of which were safety issues that could've led to major problems if they hadn't been taken care of by the dealer. Most new sleds only have a one year warranty, so an extended warranty can be a big plus, if you can find a used (or new) sled with one. Just like cars and trucks, some people really beat on their sleds and don't take good care of them, but if you look closely enough, you should be able to tell if the sled has been treated well and well cared for. I've bought a couple of NEW sleds sight-unseen, but I would never buy a used sled sight-unseen.

www.hardcoresledder.com has forums for each of the four major sled manufacturers, with sub-forums for many of their popular models, so if/when you buy a sled, you should be able to find a group of people with the same sled you have, which is a very valuable resource if you have any problems with or questions about your sled. I frequent that message board and have found a lot of very useful, practical info about my sled that I've been able use to make my sled handle better, etc. If you have any questions about a sled you find for sale, I might be able to help, and if I can't, I can almost guarantee that someone on HardcoreSledder will be able to answer them for you.

I definitely agree with everything TRITON_MOTORS said. I pay about $230 a year for insurance on my 700 and my trailer. It's not a cheap sport, but it's something very enjoyable that you can do for most of the rest of your life. You can see parts of the country that you'd never otherwise see during the winter...and pinning the throttle wide open on a lake is quite a rush. One word of warning though...if you buy a sled and take it out on a lake to get used to it, be very careful on bare ice, especially if the track isn't studded. You can go in a straight line without much problem, but if you try to make a sharp turn at all with any speed, the carbides on the skiis will bite into the ice, your front end will turn, and the back half of your sled will more than likely swing out to the side. If you're lucky, you'll just spin and/or slide...if you're not so lucky, the edge of your track will catch on something and you'll find yourself (and your brand new sled) on your side (or head, if you're going fast enough).

Here's a pic of my sled...

 

Triton...Thanks for the heads up on the insurance, I meant to ask about that.

Chez....SWEET sled! Very nice! I really like the looks of the Firecats and the Revs. You sure do have a lot of knowledge when it comes to sleds. When it comes to pricing....are sleds like anything else where the MSRP is basically a starting point for the final, negotiated price? So, an extended warranty is worth the money? How much can I expect to pay for one? There is a business called Spicer Sports on ebay from Spicer, MN that has some leftover new sleds fairly cheap, with 4 year ext warranty and shipping for $200. Sounds pretty good, what do you think? I'm skeptical about ebay because I know there were/are some scams on there for 4 wheelers and motorcycles, and I assume sleds also. One more thing...if I wanted to hold off on a trailer could I get away with just using the bed of my truck instead? I have a trifold aluminum ramp for my ATV, could I use that to load my sled? Is your screen name on HCS the same as it is here?Thanks for your help.
Almost forgot, where can I find recall/TSB info?

 

Thanks for the compliments on my sled! I've spent a few bucks on accessories for it, but I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I didn't do a whole lot of haggling when I bought my two sleds. The first one I bought was in the middle of a winter where there was no snow at all, and dealers where desperate to get rid of sleds on the showroom floor, so I got a good deal on that sled. I spring-ordered my Firecat, so I just shopped around for the best deal in my area (I think most dealers have a predetermined price for spring orders, and don't usually budge much, unless you find another dealer who will beat their price). I don't remember how much under MSRP I paid for my Firecat...I want to say it was around $600 or $700, but I don't remember what the actual MSRP was on that sled. Sorry I can't be of much help on your pricing questions...that's just not something I've had to deal with much.

I bought an extended warranty when I bought my sled, since it was the first model year of the Firecat. I haven't had to use the extended warranty yet, but it's nice to know it's there. With snowmobiles, you run the risk of having a bad winter and not getting many miles on your sled the first winter you have it...if that happens, the standard warranty can expire without you having the chance to find any major bugs or problems with your sled. In that situation, an extended warranty can be a big help, since you'll have a couple more years to work out any problems that didn't show up the first year. The year I bought my Firecat, we only had about two good weeks of riding, so I was glad I got the extended warranty. I think I paid around $300 for my three-year extended warranty. Some manufacturers/dealers are now including extended warranties with the purchase of a sled, so keep an eye out for that.

I think I would feel pretty confident in buying a sled from a dealer on eBay, especially if their feedback is good. I've seen some snowmobile scams on eBay, but they have been pretty obvious (ie. a Firecat with a buy-it-now price of $2500, with free shipping from Europe). I would check to make sure the sled is setup though, and that it's not just being delivered without it ever being removed from the crate it came in from the factory. I'm not sure if you know this, but when manufacturers deliver sleds to dealerships, the dealerships have to do some work to assemble and setup parts of each sled. If you aren't familiar with snowmobiles, I probably wouldn't recommend trying to set one up yourself.

Sure, there's no reason you can't haul your sled in the back of your truck. A lot of guys do that. As long as your sled can get traction on your ramp and your ramp is wide enough (4 feet or wider) you should be able to use it to get your sled into the back of your truck.

I think there is a page or two on hardcoresledder that lists all of the recalls, updates, etc. I'll see if I can find it and if I do, I'll post it or send it to you. And yes, ChezHed is my userID on hardcoresledder too.

 

I think it comes down to what kind of a rider you are. If you like ditch banging then an Arctic Cat F5 or F6 or even the F7 works great. Arctic Cat has a great 660 Four stroke for touring and plus it is pretty fast. www.arcticcat.com

Ski-doo has tons of choices www.ski-doo.com

For me I would love to have the new MXZ X 800 HO.

Either way you can't go wrong all the new sleds work great.

 

Not really sure what style/model to get because like I said, I've never owned one. I don't envision my riding style to be anything crazy. Mostly trails, no mountains or anything like that. I pretty much just wanna cruise and be warm and comfortable doing it. I would also like to have plenty of power available for the occaisonal urge to "pin it".

 

i have a '96 ski-doo mach z 800 triple...my friend has a '04 f7 artic cat fire cat...we ride in colebrook/pittsburgh area of new hampshire...the f7 will get me out of the gate...but on the radar runs last yr on diamond pond (1000ft runs)...he could only get it to 95 mph...mine still goes 115...his sled is lighter than mine but i can out corner the f7 'cause the xtra 250 lbs is over the skis and it helps out BIGTIME expecially when there is a ice pack 4-6 inches under the snow...all the new sleds we check out are nice but there are some awful good deals on used sleds too..happy trails...zap!

 

I don't doubt that what you're saying here is true, as I know the Mach is a really fast sled, but I question the setup of your friend's F7 if you're beating him by 20 mph in 1000 feet (unless your 800 is modded and studded and his is stock and isn't studded, etc). I REALLY question the setup of his sled if you say you can out corner him. With all due respect to your sled, a well dialed-in F-cat SHOULD outhandle a Mach without breaking a sweat. The key words there are "well dialed-in" though, as the F-cat's handling is nothing spectacular from the factory. It takes some time and work (suspension adjustments, etc) to get it handle really well, and if that is never done, it will always be an average handling sled that could get out corned by bigger, heavier sleds.

There are also a lot of relatively inexpensive aftermarket products that can make a huge difference for the F7. If your friend has stock skiis, that's part of problem...the stock F-cat skiis are terrible. My F7 didn't turn the greatest either until I replaced the skiis with SLP Powder Pros with 6" Shaper bars...that made a night and day difference (on the trails, and in powder) in how the sled handles (no push at all in the corners). Another thing I added was a 4-wheel kit in the rear suspension, since the 03 and 04 F-cats only have wheels between the rails...the two extra wheels give the rear end more stability and kept it much flatter in the corners. These add-ons, when combined with some suspension adjustments, made a night and day difference in the way my sled handles and I'm sure they'd make a huge difference for your freind's sled too. He might never be able to beat you across a lake without some motor mods, but with a little work and a few $$$, he could very easily have a sled that would be very tough for your Mach to catch in the twisties.

 

If you just "wanna cruise and be warm and comfortable doing it" while still having plenty of power at your fingertips, I'd recommend an Arctic Cat Sabercat 600 over a Firecat F6. They share the same 600cc engine, but the Sabercat is targeted more at the typical trail rider, while the Firecat is targeted more at ditch bangers, racers, etc. I probably would've bought a Sabercat instead of my F7, if they had been available in '03 From what you've said though, I think a perfect sled for you might be a SkiDoo Rev GSX. The GSX gives you all of the benefits of the Rev chassis I mentioned in a previous post, but also gives you some nice bells and whistles for more convenience and a nicer ride. I think they are available in silver/blue and silver/black, so if you aren't crazy about Ski-Doo yellow and black, the GSX is a nice alternative. Here is a quote from the Ski-Doo website...

The result would be the Ski-Doo GSX. It's the trail performance machine that's fully decked out with convenience features. Built on the REV platform, it offers supreme handling, punchy Rotax engine choices, and a comfortable suspension. Then sophisticated features like electric start, electronic reverse, a 12V power outlet, High Pressure Gas shocks and an integrated tunnel storage bag complete the package.

When I buy my next sled, I'm definitely going to check out the GSX before making a decision.

By the way, is this the sled you are looking at on eBay?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...category=42596