Budget Mtn. Sled

[jayare]

Plan to by a used sled this next fall my budget is around $2500-$3500

I used to own a 98 700 RMK with Holz rear end, piped and 141" sold it years ago(stupid thing to do)

I like to just boondock, not interested in the hillclimbing, fastest, loudest, biggest johnson bad arse machine.

I want a good reliable engine and durable chassis. 151" at least 700-800cc

My question is

How does the Cat and Doo years 98 thru 01(Powder Specials, Summits etc..) chassis and engines compare with the RMK's?

I don't want to start a flaming war against each brand just honest answers from people who owed those types of machines

I also see alot of Ultra's and Xlt's out there for cheap its temping to go that way so I could get a second sled for the wife, but it seems in the back of my mind they were burning engines up.

Thx,
long time reader first time poster

 

[Jaynelson]

I would try to find an 02 700 RMK and not even waste your time with the others. It works, it's reliable, it's the best chassis in those years and you're already somewhat familiar with the layout.

 

[muttrmk]

Go with a summit 7-800. They are dependable, have altitude compensators and a lot easier to roll over when boon docking. my .02
Jason

 

[khaddon2110]

Mountain max all the way... Pretty incredible sled right in your price range.

 

[mtnclimber]

I'd go with an 03 mountain cat, or an 02 or 03 summit. The rmk is good to....but I would go with either the cat or the doo. jusy my .02

 

[Snoweasel]

MM or RMK

My suggestion would be to go with a Yamaha Mountain Max or Polaris 02 RMK.

The MM's were very solid, dependable sleds and even the 600's had excellent power....and with pipes look out...they would keep up with the best. Had one in hour group with 6000 very hard abusive miles and it never skipped a beat.

The RMK is also a solid platform and here I would go with a 700 as it's cheaper and you make a very little comprimize with power. Adding pipes later down the road will get you close to 800 power. The RMK's were also very easy to work on and dropping 25 to 40 lbs is relatively easy. If you came from a 98 RMK and liked it, you will certainly enjoy the 2002 RMK edge platform. I went from a 98 600 RMK 136 to a 2002 700 RMK 144 to a 2004 800 RMK 151 and now to a couple of Dragons, but still have an edge as a spare sled. Again, if you liked the 98, go with the edge RMK.

My 0.02.

 

[yamiman]

two thumbs up for the mountain max

 

[SylvanLaker]

99 670 HO with a 144 track, great sled!!!!!!!!!!

 

[longhairfreak]

Up until the ZX platform came out the RMKs were hard to beat.

 

[Flit8.0]

2000 ZX Summit 700!!!!

 

[Snowlover]

I love the 02 800 edge I moved up to. Can find a nice one in that range if you watch close.

As fas as XLT or Ultra, (and I still love triple wedges) I would never use an Ultra as a wife sled, unless the chassis was worked over good. The motors are awesome, but they are a handful to ride. XLT had some issues on cranks, especially when piped or modded a little, but I do wish I had my modded 96 back as a friend backup sled.

 

[Jaynelson]

Up until the ZX platform came out the RMKs were hard to beat.

I'd take an Edge over a ZX all day long. Everything on a ZX falls aparts too damn easily and the motors never felt as strong as the poos. Chassis is basically the same setup....both need risers and seats to feel like a newer sled.

 

[POLZIN]

02 edge 7 0r 8 doesn't matter hands down one of the best sleds ever produced by any manufacturer. Period. The older skidoo suspension sucks ( i own some of them too)and the Metal Max "oops" Mountain max is the heviest POS 1 up two stroke made. they are fast but to damn heavy when you boondocking. there is a good reason there is so many edge sled still around and why polaris did nt make any big changes for years until the IQ which is even better.

 

[longhairfreak]

Oh really.

I'd take an Edge over a ZX all day long. Everything on a ZX falls aparts too damn easily and the motors never felt as strong as the poos. Chassis is basically the same setup....both need risers and seats to feel like a newer sled.

That just goes to show how much you know.

 

[jayare]

yamaha are out of the question for me

Sounds like 02 for the polaris is that the gen 2 or edge? ,00-01 ski doo zx, and advoid the late ninties in Cat but later ones are good

I did like the older polaris it was easy to work on. I can do basic mx but the difficult stuff I leave for the experts.

 

[tgoodwin]

Until recently I rode an 02 Edge 800 144", and my brother rode an 02 summit 800 144". These sleds are extremely similar in power, weight, and price. The Edge easily has the better suspension of the two, but if you go with an edge only look at the 02's, after that they started running into engine/crank problems. I really don't think you could go wrong with either one, just plan on making some changes to the suspension if you go with the Doo.

 

[Jaynelson]

That just goes to show how much you know.

Thanks for that compelling contribution....

 

[CSV]

02 edge rmk 700 sick sled, still a blast to ride, good power especially when modded, they don't go thru the snow as good stock as all of the new platforms but still do good. They are a tought sled too.

 

[94fordguy]

I love my '02 Polaris EDGE 800 RMK 151

The Edge seems to be a solid platform and a good performer for what I can tell. You would have to do some shopping around to find a "full size" one for that price range, but I am sure they can be found, or as others have said, the 700, tho I don't have any first hand knowledge of that motor.

The EDGE definitely gets my vote

 

[blackout94zr700]

another RMK vote here, my brother rides an 01 rmk 800 awesome sled (i know its not an edge but still good sled)