anyone ride snowmobiles?
#1
01-13-2004, 02:34 PM
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#2
01-13-2004, 02:46 PM
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Snowmobiling is a big thing in Maine.We have what is known as the international trail system.Marked,groomed trails all over the state.It's like having an interstate devoted to snowmobiles.It's a big industry up here in the winter.I dont know much about new sleds.We have an older sled .so i'm not much help there.Some of the newer ones are quite pricey though.
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01-13-2004, 03:01 PM
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01-13-2004, 03:08 PM
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#6
01-13-2004, 03:09 PM
I ride my $1,000 1995 Yamaha V-Max 600 ST all over the place. I wouldn't want to spend more than that, though, as snowmobiling is a rich mans sport. I swear I spend more on a weekend snowmobiling than I do playin' with my trucks!
That and my trucks can run 365 days a year. Snowmobiles have to live in or be dragged to the perfect conditions.
That and my trucks can run 365 days a year. Snowmobiles have to live in or be dragged to the perfect conditions.
#7
01-13-2004, 03:29 PM
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#8
01-13-2004, 03:38 PM
I just bought my first sled (i'm 19)...2004 Sabercat 700 LX (actic cat)...cost 8000 and with studs and accessories came to about 8800. I havnt been able to ride it yet cuz the trails in maine arn't too great. I usually ride in the Lovell, Fryeburg area and sometimes in Rangeley. I love the sport and have been in it since I was about 2-3 years old. My dad has had many sleds...including 69,72,88,89,98,00,02 year model sleds..all from Cat except the 72 and the 88. All we have now are the 89 and the 02..we just sold the 98 which I was riding. Fun times...my favorite thing to do besides wrenching on my truck...
Last edited by MustangGT221; 01-13-2004 at 04:01 PM.
#9
01-13-2004, 04:07 PM
What kind of riding to you think you will be doing? If you are in Idaho I would imagine you will be doing more than trail riding, so the RMK is a great choice. You should go up to Island Park and check out some of the sleds and talk to riders up there, those guys know snowmobiling! I don't think you can go wrong with an Artic Cat or a Polaris, but the Polaris did win the hill climbs in Jackson Hole last year.
Longneck
Longneck
#10
01-13-2004, 04:56 PM
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i ride quite often, btw i am idaho also what part are you in, i am in northern and the only thing we use trails for is to get to the hills to climb, i ride a 650 triple polaris indy, buddy just got a 800 rmk extended track ported motor and and new redone tunnel and susp. for 4000 its a 2001 but all hill climber needed a pipe and carbs, i wouldnt recomend buying a brand new sled they decrease in value way to quickly
#11
01-13-2004, 05:05 PM
Polaris is decent but they don't have much for new technology..they are not a "cutting edge" company. Their sales show that they are not selling that well either...Arctic Cat and Ski-Doo in my opinion are tied for top honors..with polaris and then yamaha bringing up the rear. This is also based on sales. I think you'd be happy with any of them unless your into high tech stuff...mine has a remote starter (I can start it from inside the house) for christ sake lol
#12
01-13-2004, 05:16 PM
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well ill tell you about some RMK's around here in the last month there was 3 of them blew up in my town, one was a 700 MK and the other 2 were 800 RMK's, all 3 of them that blew had something to do with the crank and one melted the piston to the block, i think ill stay with my arctic cats.
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01-13-2004, 05:44 PM
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#14
01-13-2004, 05:44 PM
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If I ever sat down and calculated the money I've spent on snowmobiles, if I didn't die of dehydration from all the tears, I could plunk down a downpayment on just about any house in my hometown.
I try not to think about it. I was young and foolish and had a heck of a lot of fun right?
Anyhoo, I was hardcore, bought new every year, modded the heck out of it, rode it till it fell apart (often literally) and traded it in in the spring. It's kinda like burning $100 bills to do things that way, so I wouldn't suggest it to start out.
The 97 and up Polaris RMKs are good sleds (especially the 600s and 700s), reliable and proven, I wouldn't shy away from one, especially as a newcomer. Cutting edge isn't all it's cracked up to be if you aren't into wrenching on them or you're inexperienced.
Going to an 800 as a first sled is also not a great idea IMHO, that's a lot of power and added weight for someone that is inexperienced. I'd start out with a used 600 or 700 and get a feel for it, I've seen a few guys walk away from the sport after they were overwhelmed by the sled their first few times out. IMHO, everyone should start out on an early 80's vintage sled with no suspension and less power, it teaches how to really drive a sled rather than just ride it.
It's always easier to get your money out of a used sled if you decide to upgrade or get out. New sleds take a HUGE hit in depreciation in the first year.
It depends on what type of riding you'll be doing as well. If you're out west, the long tracks are nice, almost a necessity. If you're riding mostly trails, they're a pain in the but, not only for you, but for everyone else too, especially the groomer operator.
Growing up in the largely bald prairie, I was a ditch banger. Rode mostly ditches, summer access only roads, and stubble fields, with the occassional trip to ride some groomed trails (they get boring in a hurry IMHO). For that kinda riding, a short track (121") 600-700cc sled is the best setup IMHO. I'm an Arctic Cat guy, I used to bleed green (still do), so I'm partial, but I'd suggest the Firecat or any ZR '97 and newer. The last sled I bought new (or at all
)was a 2000 AC ZR 600 EFI LE, I put a D&D pipe/chip on it, 1 1/4" Predator track, valved the shocks, polished all the aluminum and reworked the seat. I loved that sled, and not a winter day goes by I don't kick myself for selling it. The Polaris XC, or the new SkiDoo Rev's, would also be good choices.
If you've got any specific questions, I'd be glad to help, just email me.
Now I've gone and got myslef all worked up, I better go buy a SnowTech magazine or something, not that that will cool me off.
Waxy
I try not to think about it. I was young and foolish and had a heck of a lot of fun right?
Anyhoo, I was hardcore, bought new every year, modded the heck out of it, rode it till it fell apart (often literally) and traded it in in the spring. It's kinda like burning $100 bills to do things that way, so I wouldn't suggest it to start out.
The 97 and up Polaris RMKs are good sleds (especially the 600s and 700s), reliable and proven, I wouldn't shy away from one, especially as a newcomer. Cutting edge isn't all it's cracked up to be if you aren't into wrenching on them or you're inexperienced.
Going to an 800 as a first sled is also not a great idea IMHO, that's a lot of power and added weight for someone that is inexperienced. I'd start out with a used 600 or 700 and get a feel for it, I've seen a few guys walk away from the sport after they were overwhelmed by the sled their first few times out. IMHO, everyone should start out on an early 80's vintage sled with no suspension and less power, it teaches how to really drive a sled rather than just ride it.
It's always easier to get your money out of a used sled if you decide to upgrade or get out. New sleds take a HUGE hit in depreciation in the first year.
It depends on what type of riding you'll be doing as well. If you're out west, the long tracks are nice, almost a necessity. If you're riding mostly trails, they're a pain in the but, not only for you, but for everyone else too, especially the groomer operator.
Growing up in the largely bald prairie, I was a ditch banger. Rode mostly ditches, summer access only roads, and stubble fields, with the occassional trip to ride some groomed trails (they get boring in a hurry IMHO). For that kinda riding, a short track (121") 600-700cc sled is the best setup IMHO. I'm an Arctic Cat guy, I used to bleed green (still do), so I'm partial, but I'd suggest the Firecat or any ZR '97 and newer. The last sled I bought new (or at all
)was a 2000 AC ZR 600 EFI LE, I put a D&D pipe/chip on it, 1 1/4" Predator track, valved the shocks, polished all the aluminum and reworked the seat. I loved that sled, and not a winter day goes by I don't kick myself for selling it. The Polaris XC, or the new SkiDoo Rev's, would also be good choices.If you've got any specific questions, I'd be glad to help, just email me.
Now I've gone and got myslef all worked up, I better go buy a SnowTech magazine or something, not that that will cool me off.
Waxy
#15
01-13-2004, 05:45 PM
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