sledding
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 9
From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
The wife is a Polaris girl and she is the one that got me into sledding. Anyways, she has a 95 Polaris 600 XLT and mine is 96 Ultra, 650. She keeps eyeing up the new sleds but until we finish our house and yard off we will stick to the old guys. We have had our sleds for a few years now and that is the first work we have done to them. I was lucky that my friends son is a small engine mechanic so he helped me out with some of the rebuilding I had to do.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
They were a nice light sled - was more into big power then. Our group was Mach Z's, TCats, Storms, and VMax4's.
I wanted to go a bit lighter so went with the Ultra (maybe 108 hp stock?) and piped it (135 hp). It was 40 pounds lighter than the Storm and same power(= WIN).
The big bore was a project - got it from a guy who didnt have the patience to make it work. It made 165hp!!! I never had a challenge that was close the 2 years I rode it, then sold it and the guy who bought it had it 2 years w/0 problems --- what an amazing thing it was!!! I had 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2" tracks that I tried on it.
We took it to some drags, the smaller ones where they didnt have the tech expertise to detect the big bore 'sleeper'. Had to usually 'sandbag', otherwise a 10 sled length win in 660' looked obvious!
I wanted to go a bit lighter so went with the Ultra (maybe 108 hp stock?) and piped it (135 hp). It was 40 pounds lighter than the Storm and same power(= WIN).
The big bore was a project - got it from a guy who didnt have the patience to make it work. It made 165hp!!! I never had a challenge that was close the 2 years I rode it, then sold it and the guy who bought it had it 2 years w/0 problems --- what an amazing thing it was!!! I had 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, and 2" tracks that I tried on it.
We took it to some drags, the smaller ones where they didnt have the tech expertise to detect the big bore 'sleeper'. Had to usually 'sandbag', otherwise a 10 sled length win in 660' looked obvious!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
The last sled I rode was my FIL's 1998 488 fan cooled polaris Supersport. I'd thought of going with a 600 Switch for my return to sledding, but I have ridden bigger sleds in the past, and I think I'd get bored with the 6 pretty quick. The cost difference between the sleds when buying new isn't enough to sway me towards the smaller sled...
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
The 600 cc class of sled is very nice now - 125ish hp, light weight, good fuel consumption, less vibration, and good resale.
However, because I am a big guy, and because I have always had powerful sleds, the 600's are just a bit shy for power...
I do like my current 700 - so close in performance to the 800's that they sometimes will not beat me. I will usually do some sort of performance at a rest stop that involves examining the decals on the 800's to see if its really an '8'!
Also, I get that little fuel pump chuckle when I use $10 less per fill...
Its all in good fun, love the rivalry but also like comparing sleds, riding them all and seeing what fits...
However, because I am a big guy, and because I have always had powerful sleds, the 600's are just a bit shy for power...
I do like my current 700 - so close in performance to the 800's that they sometimes will not beat me. I will usually do some sort of performance at a rest stop that involves examining the decals on the 800's to see if its really an '8'!
Also, I get that little fuel pump chuckle when I use $10 less per fill...
Its all in good fun, love the rivalry but also like comparing sleds, riding them all and seeing what fits...
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I gotta admit, Im kinda glad to see Im not the only one that does things this way haha.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Thats a good plan if it works for you prep!!
Laredo, the new assault chassis (think its called pro-ryde or something) somehow makes the weights of the 800's considerably less than the 600's. The sled I'm looking into has a dry weight of 457lbs, the 600/136" switch is 499lbs. Shorter track, less motor, but more weight. Must be more aluminum parts on the Pro-Ryde chassis or something...
Laredo, the new assault chassis (think its called pro-ryde or something) somehow makes the weights of the 800's considerably less than the 600's. The sled I'm looking into has a dry weight of 457lbs, the 600/136" switch is 499lbs. Shorter track, less motor, but more weight. Must be more aluminum parts on the Pro-Ryde chassis or something...
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,114
Likes: 0
From: Langham, SK
I'm a ski-doo man myself, As if that wasn't obvious!! If I was to get a new sled it would be a new skidoo renagade 800 etec.
Growing up my Dad and I did a lot of sleding and had a total of 11 skidoo sleds, we would put on 5000 miles on a sled in 2 years. We had very good luck with them and thats why we stuck with skidoo. most of the guys in our group also road skidoo.
I don't ride too much anymore, maybe now that I moved back home I get some more miles on, but our old mxz 700 will have to do for now.
Growing up my Dad and I did a lot of sleding and had a total of 11 skidoo sleds, we would put on 5000 miles on a sled in 2 years. We had very good luck with them and thats why we stuck with skidoo. most of the guys in our group also road skidoo.
I don't ride too much anymore, maybe now that I moved back home I get some more miles on, but our old mxz 700 will have to do for now.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
really? never would have thought... 
I'm really hoping that we can do a ride or two together when/if I get this new sled.
I don't ride too much anymore, maybe now that I moved back home I get some more miles on, but our old mxz 700 will have to do for now.
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but I perfer frugal 
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
I consider myself frugal also. I put a lot of thought into each purchase, weighing all the options, do a feasability study and all that... 
There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?
There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?
FTE Legend
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 37,887
Likes: 20
From: North Central Rural Sask.
I consider myself frugal also. I put a lot of thought into each purchase, weighing all the options, do a feasability study and all that... There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?
There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?She seems to think that paying off our house and land is more important, then we will have all kinds of extra cash to blow when we are older.
Will be nice then, but sure isnt the most fun right now haha.
If there is an FTE sled trip planed, Ill have to run out and buy a used one, I wouldnt want to miss that!
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Post Fiend
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 20,099
Likes: 7
From: Yorkton Sask
Because of my wife, I have to buy 2 of everything... I take a different perspective on money. I fear that I may not have the health or life to enjoy things "later in life", so I'll be content with making mortgage payments, and save to buy toys and enjoy them now while I can. I don't agree with financing toys, mainly because of the interest rates on rec vehicle loans. I have financed them in the past, try not to do it again. This sled I will finance because of the 0/0/0/for 6 months, then I'll pay it off in full. If I don't get approved for that deal, I'll think twice about buying the sled...
Anyone have any experience with the new four stroke sleds? Know/ride with peeps who have them? They claim better fuel economy and longer life expectancy, but I'm somewhat skeptical about that... However I don't have any experience to back up my skepticism...
I take a different perspective on money. I fear that I may not have the health or life to enjoy things "later in life", so I'll be content with making mortgage payments, and save to buy toys and enjoy them now while I can. I don't agree with financing toys, mainly because of the interest rates on rec vehicle loans. I have financed them in the past, try not to do it again. This sled I will finance because of the 0/0/0/for 6 months, then I'll pay it off in full. If I don't get approved for that deal, I'll think twice about buying the sled...Anyone have any experience with the new four stroke sleds? Know/ride with peeps who have them? They claim better fuel economy and longer life expectancy, but I'm somewhat skeptical about that... However I don't have any experience to back up my skepticism...
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,461
Likes: 0
From: Saskatoon, SK
I work hard and play hard - always have, always will!
Four stroke sleds do as you stated - better mileage and longevity. A few guys here have RX1's, Apex's, etc
One thing about sled longevity - suspension technology is changing so fast that something like the first RX1's are a tank compared to fresher 4 stroke offerings.
They are too heavy!!! If you are a sit-down rider then they may be ok; however, if you like to stand and play in deep snow, they suck!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,800
Likes: 9
From: Rouleau, Saskatchewan
I consider myself frugal also. I put a lot of thought into each purchase, weighing all the options, do a feasability study and all that... There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?
There are a few things our family don't get into which allows money to be used elsewhere... Colin, you mentioned going north for some sledding this weekend? Whereabouts do you plan to go?
