I find his 2,000 mile lifespan to be spot on. For guys that ride off-trail, back country riding 100% of the time these "newer" sleds are trashed by the time you get to 2,000 miles.
And I'm not referring to cosmetic stuff, or the way you take care of it. I'm talking about everything is worn out on the sled. Like all the bushings, bearings, shocks, steering, clutches, engine, exhaust, brackets....etc.
They build these sleds so light, and cheap, and with the power they make they just destroy themselves.
Sure you can spend a few grand every off season and rebuild the engine, clutches, and replace every worn out part..... Or send it down the road and get a new one.
Thanks, that was my point, although I didn't explain it.
I am from AK, where it was easy to put on a couple hundred miles of river in a weekend. I figured I put around 10K miles on my 99 MXZX 440 racer.
60 mountain miles is a good weekend here. Most of us get to the hill the shortest way, minimal trail miles.
Friend had a 16 Axys with over 2000 miles, it was taken care off, but very tired. Had already had most of the wear parts replaced. (Clutch at least once, pipe was warrantied, ski bushings, arm bushings, engine mount bushings, etc.) Original engine, which was scary, but he managed to sell it.
Another bud has 2600 on his 16, had the usual electrical problems, but was very well taken care of, replaced clutch at least once, engine mount bushings, fuel injector rail fell off so got a new top end, track ripped in half so was replaced, etc. He was blown away when he got a new 18, how much better it ran.
I part out a lot of sleds, I get them almost 100% locally and the average miles is around 2000. Many of them are closer to 1000. I have had a few that were 4000, but they were pretty much shoveled off the trailer into my shop. I try not to touch anything over 3000. But when doing my Ebay listings, I see guys back east selling parts with 6-7-8-9000 plus miles on them.
I guess it is all in how you/we treat our stuff. $15K is getting a little pricey, for me at least......