$12,000 to spend on 3 mtn sleds....What were the good '04 - '06 Mtn Sleds?

[Barrup]

Had a couple Summit 800's in 2000 and 2001 then got out of the sport while my kids grew. Now my 2 teenage sons and I are back in to the mountain riding. We had a couple older Mtn Max 700's and a Powder Extreme 600 last year but are looking to upgrade for 2012.

Given a budget of $12,000 (or hopefully more like $10K), please give me some input as to what sleds worked and were reliable in the 2004 - 2006 range. Wouldn't mind one or two 600's and an 800. Mid 150" track length.

We ride in southern Alberta, B.C. and Utah occasionally.

 

[suitcase]

IMO The ski-doo Rev. was a fantastic sled.

 

[Arctic Thunder]

IMO The ski-doo Rev. was a fantastic sled.

You know it really hurts me to say this but I agree with you on this. The 04-05 revs were pretty darn bullet proof. For the most part. And you can get them for $3500-$4000.

Considering the cash you have to spend you will be hard pressed to get three M series sleds for that amount (M7's in reasonable condition are $3500+, M8's are $4500+) so that runs out of money fast.

The older King cats can be had for the $3000-$3500 range, they have a super power plant but the chassis isn't perfect. But you can make it work if you want to, and they are a solid runner.

For me I can't buy a skidoo (just because I have so many AC parts laying around) so my only option would be two 03-05 King cats and one M7 or M8 and you will be close to your budget.

Thunder

 

[Snow Duck]

You know it really hurts me to say this but I agree with you on this. The 04-05 revs were pretty darn bullet proof. For the most part. And you can get them for $3500-$4000.

Considering the cash you have to spend you will be hard pressed to get three M series sleds for that amount (M7's in reasonable condition are $3500+, M8's are $4500+) so that runs out of money fast.

The older King cats can be had for the $3000-$3500 range, they have a super power plant but the chassis isn't perfect. But you can make it work if you want to, and they are a solid runner.

For me I can't buy a skidoo (just because I have so many AC parts laying around) so my only option would be two 03-05 King cats and one M7 or M8 and you will be close to your budget.

Thunder

And Mark would never let you hear the end of it if you happen to ride a doo!!!!!!!

 

[swrev]

Agree w/ last posts on either Rev or M7. If you think you'll end up riding a fair amount of trails, I would lean toward the Skidoo. Definitely better on the trail than the M sled. Deep snow capabilities of either will depend on rider and track length.

 

[joshkoltes]

sleds

get this for you
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276564
these for them
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=274514
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=276360
http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=263332

 

[dejadoo]

I would say maybe go a little older on the two 600 sleds and look for a 600 or 700 Summit 151 or maybe an M6 at good price. That would leave more money for your 800 sled to look at an M8 or a Summit 800 XP.

 

[Arctic Thunder]

And Mark would never let you hear the end of it if you happen to ride a doo!!!!!!!

I need to spend some time on his XP this winter. I really would like to get to understand the crazy riding positions required to get it to do what I want. So when I get the chance this winter I am going to switch with him. I know his old Rev was great on the trails, I had some trouble balancing it in the steep and deep compared to my M series. So will see. Still don't think I would buy one, but would like to get better at riding one.

Thunder

 

[av8er]

joshkoltes had some good picks

try 900 cats around 03-06, how old are your teenage sons 13 or 17 makes a big difference, the 900 cats are somewhat rough riding in comparison of the m chassis but alot of bang for your buck

 

[snowdingo]

M7s would be my first choice. 1st gen REVs are good sleds too. If you can't find three of these in your price range, the 2000-2003 Summits and the 2002-2005 "Edge" RMKs can be found fairly cheap now.

If budgeting is tight, I would say the most important aspect of your search is going to be finding some CLEAN used sleds. Be patient, look over a few machines, and you will find some solid ones. The clean ones generally sell the quickest, so when you've found one be prepared to act fast. Good luck!

 

[kbl6z]

Can't go wrong with a rev.

 

[i'llDooit]

find 3 06 rev x's. 4k for each could be done. you and the people riding with you will not be dissappointed

 

[AndrettiDog]

I would do a Rev. I would avoid the Edge or 1M AC chassis. They are both old school bath tube style sleds. But, the Rev is not bullet proof. They need rings every 1500 miles and many out there have bent or cracked nuns/braces. Just make sure they are straight. I found a 2005 Rev for my wife for $3200 with only 1500 miles. I didn't buy it but it was a good looking straight sled.

 

[m8sandman]

i'd go with M's, rev's are a great sled but the motors and nuns can get to be expensive...

 

[snowmanx]

I agree with most, do the REVs and M7. M7 was acutally a great, lightweight machine that climbs very well and is going to feel lighter than any m8 that you are going to find for that price range, will probably climb just as high, just may not have the same "grunt" feel to it.

I have ridden with many many REVS over the years, and most have been very reliable, nuns do bend, but again, they don't just bend without hitting something. If they do bend, you can replace it with an upgrade nun, or reinforcement plate or something, about $350, and 4-5 hours of your time.

The REVs have great power, especially low and mid range, and are funner in that aspect compared to an m7, I would avoid a REV with more than 3000 miles without a recent rebuild thoough.

I just bought one on here for $3200(a 04 REV), with 250miles on complete rebuild(bottom and top), boss seat, VE tunnel extension, and some other goodies, there have been a few at that price with rebuilds.

Act fast cause there are a lot of people looking now, and the prices will be going up over the next 4-6 weeks.

 

[Ski-Dont89]

imo i would find an 07 dragon rmk 155" for yourself.

and i would find two 07 rmk 600 155" for the boys


after watching what my buddy has put his 07 rmk 600 through and absolutely how poor he treats it, its amazing that it even starts and runs let alone still rips at 3k miles. that alone proves to me they are a reliable machine.

 

[shawn2820]

Im not going to tell you which brand to ride, the sleds that have been mentioned are all great sleds, ridden all of them a time or two and they are all reliable, all i will say is that i was in the market this past summer and went with the rev, the M series is a little hard to find for some reason.

 

[Scott]

I'd sure love to sell the sled in my sig. It was built in 2004.

 

[Brett Slagle]

3 M7's. $3,500 x 3 = $10,500. Great deal on good chassis and good motors. Can get 6,000 miles out of them with good maintenance.

 

[artszx]

My first choice would also be an M7. Many people say that the motors were bulletproof. I had an 06 and I loved it, never any problems. It was a super fun and light sled. I have senn super clean ones in the $3500 to $4000 range.