Was just curious since one of my sled buddies seems to think they are a little older chassis but they handle so much better. He said they are way less maintenence then the newer models as well??? This baffles me since all of the components have got some good miles on them..but it must be the operating costs he is referring to. He has sworn off newer models and says the vintage is the only way to go......Comments? Oh he is refusing to let me post a picture of the chassis in fear it will have most of you wanting to ride it.
Anybody ever ride any older chassis Cougars?
- Thread starter Himark
- Start date
T
T-Bone
Well-known member
My grandpa loves the "vintage" mid 90's cats. Aside from his '98 powder extreme, he's got a 94 or 95 cougar 550 136" x 1". Both have over 7000 miles. The PE has had one set of pistons, and the cougar is still running original pistons. They both run day in, day out.
That being said...Don't ask me to ride it regularly though. Everything is LOW. The seat is so low and soft it feels like you're sitting on the tunnel. Riding standing up isn't much better with the low handlebars.
That being said...Don't ask me to ride it regularly though. Everything is LOW. The seat is so low and soft it feels like you're sitting on the tunnel. Riding standing up isn't much better with the low handlebars.
A cougar may have an older chassis with more wear and tear, but if set up right with some simple mods and regular maintenence can be much more fun to ride and are usually more experienced.
You don't have to take it easy on them, you can ride them hard and go places some newer models won't.
You don't have to take it easy on them, you can ride them hard and go places some newer models won't.
A '85 Coug is about there with a '09 Dragon in the deep. 
Y
yardfarmer
Well-known member
I am considering taking one for a test ride. The chassis is small but well proportioned, I think it will fit my agressive riding style. It appears the previous owner took exceptional care of the components. I can only surmise that he took it for very quick rides and not that often. I am hoping the clutching bangs hard and the tunnel can take some pounding, because I plan to ride it ...., well....., till it lays wimpering in a puddle of its own lubrication.
OMG...LMFAO!
That sounds like a good ole vintage unit yah got there YF. Try not to break it.
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intmid8or!
ACCOUNT CLOSED
Swing! and a miss....
The low cost is probably the number one reason to go with a older Cougar. If you take your time and shop around, you can probably find one in really good shape, ride it hard for a whole season, and dump it after you get bored with it while hardly having to spend a dime other than normal maintenance. I picked up one last year and got compliments everywhere I went- it looked like new and nobody believed it had ever been ridden, but I rode the hell out of that thing and it just purred like a kitten no matter what. I got rid of it when a newer model caught my eye, but that one was nothing but trouble and a big money pit, so I cut my losses and got rid of it and am I now in search of a clean, well kept Cougar again...
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bah...I'm an idiot...my original post was WAY off track.
Anyone see a bunch of your friends ride one of those old cougs? Not a pretty sight to see, thats for sure.
Anyone see a bunch of your friends ride one of those old cougs? Not a pretty sight to see, thats for sure.
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Low
I agree with T-Bone....good sleds,but too low for me.I had my '97 for 3 yrs before selling it to buy my '03 900 1M. It was a good sled to learn on and had plenty of power,but this 1M is a better fit. It all depends on the kind of riding you will be doing.....
I agree with T-Bone....good sleds,but too low for me.I had my '97 for 3 yrs before selling it to buy my '03 900 1M. It was a good sled to learn on and had plenty of power,but this 1M is a better fit. It all depends on the kind of riding you will be doing.....
This the best thread I have seen in a while, some of you guys have sleds on your mind WAY to much haha im not a big fan of the cougar chassis, i like the handling of the new more nimble models out there, and every once and while you find one with some nice mods that hasn't really been broken in yet
im not a big fan of the cougar chassis, i like the handling of the new more nimble models out there, and every once and while you find one with some nice mods that hasn't really been broken in yet We actually rebuilt a 550 liquid '90 cougar 136x1 1/4 and it was a beast. It would run with my old XLT 650 on the flats and trails, had a little to desire on the hills.. handled really well in the POW and would shred with my brothers 07 rev.. I'd say he's got a keeper for sure..
J
JSCC
Well-known member
ROTFLMAO!! One of the funniest posts I have read on this site!!
Sometimes them "newer" models are alot more trouble than there worth!
J
JSCC
Well-known member
LMAO puddle of its own lube thats great!!! HAHAHA their still oldies but goodies.. personally the older sleds are much more feesable than any newer ones.. If i could afford the payments on a 12K sled i'm sure i'd have one but its sooo much easier to find an old junker, get it tuned up and running, then go thrash it.. sure beats the heck out of crying as i watch my new rig roll down the hill, instead im laughing at how much of a beating the old "tank" can take as i bungie down the hood, crack a beer, and ride away its paid off, ride it like you stole it
its paid off, ride it like you stole itlol, takes a mutant to single out two sleds at the same time LOL wish i had 4 arms and 4 legs
you just don't get it do you
