Buying two sleds (new), need opinions

[IGBT]

My wife and I have been riding for a few years. We started with a heavy 2006 Yamaha Rage 1000cc four stroke and quickly decided we liked the sport so bought me a 2011 Arctic Cat M8 Sno-Pro. In 2016 we sold them because we thought we were moving to Florida but plans chaged.

Now we have some mountain land in eastern Washington and are early retired! We want to ride Idaho and Washington trails and eventually take the sleds to Alaska for a year.

We were thinking about getting fanners maybe like the Polaris Indy 550 in a 144". We do not hot dog (the person who bought my 2011 got a hell of a gently used sled) so the 55hp would probably be ok. I worry about the fuel mileage and long term reliability of a fan though. We took some 120 mile trips and had to carry extra fuel for the M8 (her Yamaha 4 stroke got better MPG). The 122" Yamaha Rage was like 8,000 pounds though and would get stuck in a south Alabama snow drift. The M8 155" was much better at going through 2 feet of fresh powder. I would generally carve a path for her.

Beside Polaris Indy 550 144" is there another something we should look at? Since we have to buy 2 sleds and a trailer, I would like to keep each sled under $9k or so. Is that 600 ACE 4 stroke by Ski-Doo a possible better option?

Thanks!

 

[polaris dude]

Honestly it sounds like you could use a couple of 4 strokes. The newer ones are a lot closer in weight compared to the 06 version. 4 strokes are gonna be a lot more reliable and better on gas so if you get the extended tanks you can go for quite awhile. The Yamaha/AC mountain 4 strokes run well from what I've heard. I don't hear much about the polaris or skidoo 4 strokes though so perhaps others can chime in.

 

[jdrmx]

My wife and I have been riding for a few years. We started with a heavy 2006 Yamaha Rage 1000cc four stroke and quickly decided we liked the sport so bought me a 2011 Arctic Cat M8 Sno-Pro. In 2016 we sold them because we thought we were moving to Florida but plans chaged.

Now we have some mountain land in eastern Washington and are early retired! We want to ride Idaho and Washington trails and eventually take the sleds to Alaska for a year.

We were thinking about getting fanners maybe like the Polaris Indy 550 in a 144". We do not hot dog (the person who bought my 2011 got a hell of a gently used sled) so the 55hp would probably be ok. I worry about the fuel mileage and long term reliability of a fan though. We took some 120 mile trips and had to carry extra fuel for the M8 (her Yamaha 4 stroke got better MPG). The 122" Yamaha Rage was like 8,000 pounds though and would get stuck in a south Alabama snow drift. The M8 155" was much better at going through 2 feet of fresh powder. I would generally carve a path for her.

Beside Polaris Indy 550 144" is there another something we should look at? Since we have to buy 2 sleds and a trailer, I would like to keep each sled under $9k or so. Is that 600 ACE 4 stroke by Ski-Doo a possible better option?

Thanks!

Off subject but ill bet your happy you didnt move to florida right about now[emoji106]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[summ8rmk]

I think 4stroke Yamaha/Cat would be a good fit.


Mountain Cat

 

[IGBT]

Are you thinking something like the 500cc Phazer?

 

[summ8rmk]

I was thinking viper.

Mountain Cat

 

[IGBT]

Yeah two Vipers would be like $28,000 with tax.

Maybe a Indy 550 with 144" track for $7,000 each might be better after all.


It is just that there are no threads about them that I can find on here. Red flag or just that everyone goes 800cc liquid cooled?

 

[polaris dude]

2015 well built for $10 grand
https://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434689

2015 looks nice: $9500
https://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=434062

You would still be around $19,500, but not bad for what you get. Lots more capable and reliable I would assume. The last couple of 550 fans my family had would bog when temps were higher than 30F.

 

[joshkoltes]

I suspect you should be on the lookout for a skidoo renegade, artic cat xf, or Polaris sks in the 600 cc range

 

[IGBT]

I would like to buy new if possible. Under $9k each. Fairly bulletproof design. I don't need turbo, 255HP, or anything like that. It needs to be easy to start, easy to start in cold weather, capable of top speed of 50mph (higher is fine), capable of pulling another sled. Higher mpg is better, light as possible.

When I bought new the AC M8 SnoPro, I had to take apart the diamond drive after 200 miles, while the machine was still under warranty, and machine down the gear shaft and replace the chinese bearing with a Swiss made double bearing. In other words I had to do Arctic Cat's engineering for them. I would prefer to get a new sled that has already been engineered so am wary of Arctic Cat right now.

 

[summ8rmk]

Are fan cooled sleds fuel injected? If not that would deter me.

Mountain Cat

 

[IGBT]

All of the manufacturers have a fuel injected 4 stroke now, right? Any major differences in reliability in them? Arctic Cat has that 3000 series 4 stroke?

 

[polaris dude]

I would like to buy new if possible. Under $9k each. Fairly bulletproof design. I don't need turbo, 255HP, or anything like that. It needs to be easy to start, easy to start in cold weather, capable of top speed of 50mph (higher is fine), capable of pulling another sled. Higher mpg is better, light as possible.

When I bought new the AC M8 SnoPro, I had to take apart the diamond drive after 200 miles, while the machine was still under warranty, and machine down the gear shaft and replace the chinese bearing with a Swiss made double bearing. In other words I had to do Arctic Cat's engineering for them. I would prefer to get a new sled that has already been engineered so am wary of Arctic Cat right now.

So basically you want a new 4 stroke under $9,000 dollars that weighs the same as a 2 stroke and the power to match, but without a turbo? Let me know when you find one because I want one too

 

[IGBT]

So basically you want a new 4 stroke under $9,000 dollars that weighs the same as a 2 stroke and the power to match, but without a turbo? Let me know when you find one because I want one too

Well on paper it seemed like a Yamaha Phazer 500cc 4 stroke fuel injected would put out about 80hp non turbo which compares nicely with a Polaris 550 Indy fan cooled at 55hp. The Yamaha is right at $9,000

There is also maybe the Ski-doo 600 ACE carb 4 stroke which is around $8500? I think it is only 60hp but still compares I guess with the fanner.

The Arctic Cat something 3000 was I think a 4stroke and the 2017 models are about $9500, maybe +/-

That is about all I know about on the low end 4 strokes.

I am really wondering why nobody buys the 550 fan cooled Indy though. Seems to have a good seat and chassis. 55hp I guess is why.

 

[IGBT]

I keep coming back to something like this:

https://www.snowmobiletraderonline....2/listing/2017-Polaris-550-INDY-144-121361929

Brand new 2017 Indy 550 144" with PRO-RIDE suspension, 429 pounds dry weight, $6602

I mean dang that is kind of hard to argue against for a light duty rider like we are. I probably never had my M8 doing more than half of its 150HP.

I just don't know what the fanners are like nowadays because so few on here seem to have them. The old 440 used to be bullet proof, right? People would put 3,000 to 4,000 miles on those with no problems?

This is supposed to have some nickel something coated cylinders...

 

[polaris dude]

I keep coming back to something like this:

https://www.snowmobiletraderonline....2/listing/2017-Polaris-550-INDY-144-121361929

Brand new 2017 Indy 550 144" with PRO-RIDE suspension, 429 pounds dry weight, $6602

I mean dang that is kind of hard to argue against for a light duty rider like we are. I probably never had my M8 doing more than half of its 150HP.

I just don't know what the fanners are like nowadays because so few on here seem to have them. The old 440 used to be bullet proof, right? People would put 3,000 to 4,000 miles on those with no problems?

This is supposed to have some nickel something coated cylinders...

I didn't even realize yamaha was still making the phazer yeah that sounds like what you want, but idk how well it would tow another sled. The fan or phazer would be fine in most cases, but if the snow is deep or you are riding in high elevation that power dwindles all the more as well which wouldn't be an issue in most of Alaska at least. The deal you found on the 550 looks pretty solid too. My family used to run a bunch of the 500/550 sleds 10 years ago and we put on 4-5,000 miles each without doing any major work on any of them.

 

[utahpowder1]

Consider the sled I have for sale. Very reliable and alot of fun to ride.

https://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432209

 

[IGBT]

Consider the sled I have for sale. Very reliable and alot of fun to ride.

https://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=432209

That sled is awesome but that is a big boy sled way beyond my skill set. 220 HP lol. I would die.

 

[IGBT]

Ok, what about a pair of 2017 or 2018 summit sport with the 600 carb engine putting out 100hp and a 146" track. They are around $8,000 each.

Perhaps a better option than the 550 Indy fan?

 

[donbrown]

Reliability vs mileage

Most sleds above 400cc will take you over 50MPH on a flat lakebed with a few inches of snow.

Okay a fan will definitely have less power than most if not all water cooled engines.

Fanned sleds are very reliable ... regardless of brands ... Had a 440 fan arctic cat and went over 10,000 miles with no major issues.

I think most any newer air cooled will work for your trail application and get better gas mileage than you old M8 engine.

The issue for brands / models will be service, parts and where the center of gravity is on the sled affecting maneuverability.

IMHO on this forum most people go off trail and use water cooled sleds 600 plus cc so getting a lot of help here might be minimal.

Look at last year models sitting around at a sled shop.

Now lets go to mileage ... For your price range a older 4 stroke Yamaha APEX would get better mileage than a 2 stroke fan BUT the sled is very heavy. Can pick up cheap for a couple grand. 4 stroke will be heavier than a 2 stroke fan.

Big advantage of air vs water cooled ... You only need snow to lube the track No snow to keep the engine cool! If you set up the boogie wheels up right you don't need much snow for the track so can go on ice for a long time. (ya get scratchers)



So most on this forum will suggest water cooled 600 to 1200 cc sled because most go off trail and need the power.


What is going on today is Skidoo introduced a new 850cc engine with technology allowing it to have power , mileage and longevity compared to most any other engine available today. So many on here on eyeing sleds to rival the "best" sled last year.

Take a look at air cooled Cats and Poos and also look at a Yamaha Phazer. Focus on the rider position and "extras" like storage and heated seats. if your considering towing a sled look at 2 up options. Last years model will save you lots of money, Unless you need the latest and greatest which is minimal in the air cooled engine arena.

Good luck.