First Mountain Sled

[Garretts10128]

Afternoon All, I am fairly new to snowmobiling (used to ride trail sleds in NH when I was early teenager for fishing). I am looking to get into snowmobiling here in Montana and am running into some difficulties finding what would be a good fit for me. I am pretty much stuck on polaris, i have never been a huge fan of BRP, my dad had major issues with seadoos, canam, etc... With that being said I have some questions as to what I should get.

I can afford a new or nearly new sled. My roommate (experienced rider) suggests I should go big or go home (turbo or 9R) and save the hassle of wanting a new one in a year. He also says I should get a 155 over a 165 because I am a smaller guy and will want to ride the technical stuff eventually when I don't suck.

So this all bares the questions

9R, Turbo, 850, Or I'm an idiot get a 600

155 or 165

Khaos, Pro or SP ( I absolutely love the way the khaos looks but scared I will hate trying to learn on one.)

Thank you in advance

 

[Garretts10128]

Additionally I would like to add that I have ridden motorcycles for years, mainly 2 stroke enduro riding, and understand that more power isn't always better. ie- fatigue sets in way faster on something you cant handle.

 

[zaasman]

No one can really tell you what's right for you, you kind of have to figure that out. Upgrading in a year or two isn’t a big deal, at that point you’ll have a pretty good idea of what you want.

I only started riding seriously at 40, and started with an RMK 600. No regrets on that. That sled was enough to scare me at first, but by season two I was full throttle all over, desperate for more wheelies and ready for more. I learned a ton quickly on that sled. If you over gun yourself at first, I think you’ll slow your progress. Not saying to start on a 600, but I wouldn’t start with a turbo.

What else do you do (moto, ski/snowboard, mtb, etc.) and how do you approach those? Are you athletic, aggressive, jibbing and jumping… or more reserved, precise, always in control? Not that you're either or, but one might sway towards 850 155 Khaos, the latter maybe a 165 Pro.

I wouldn’t worry about Khaos being scary to learn on, may actually be easier. Either way, not hard to tweak a Pro to be more Khaos or vice versa.

Short answer (based on my preference): 850 155 Khaos… or 9R if money’s easy.

Or just get a used 600/650, rat on it for a season, then upgrade!

 

[zaasman]

Additionally I would like to add that I have ridden motorcycles for years, mainly 2 stroke enduro riding, and understand that more power isn't always better. ie- fatigue sets in way faster on something you cant handle.

Just saw this reply. That was my experience too, had lot's of dirt bikes in the past. Certainly helped with throttle control and not being afraid of a screaming 2 stroke, but not so much with riding.

Riding mountain sleds in deep powder is really unique, nothing like a bike. More like snowboarding I find, except you can rip up, down, flat and over the next peak... ultimate freedom, nothing like it!

 

[MTsled3]

You can always rent a 650 or 850 to see if that's a comfortable power level. Might be able to find a place with a 9r or boost to rent also. Where in Montana are you?

 

[Garretts10128]

You can always rent a 650 or 850 to see if that's a comfortable power level. Might be able to find a place with a 9r or boost to rent also. Where in Montana are you?

I'm in Bozeman (unfortunately). This weekend my coworker rented a gen 4 skidoo 600 for me in Seeley lake. I figure this will be a good way to get my feet wet. I would like to go back up there soon and try one of the Polaris sleds too and see how both of them feel. Maybe the second time too I will try out one of the bigger sleds.

 

[bnorth]

Your eastern experience will not translate much to mtn riding though your enduro experience will help. Either way you are going to kind suck for a season or two. Get an 850 pro with a 165 you will appreciate the extra control and extra track for avoiding getting stuck. That sled should last you for a season or two and then once you have more experience and skill you can better gauge what sled fits you better going forward. I recommend moving up every two years anyway to stay current and on low mileage units that need less maintenance.

 

[Garretts10128]

Your eastern experience will not translate much to mtn riding though your enduro experience will help. Either way you are going to kind suck for a season or two. Get an 850 pro with a 165 you will appreciate the extra control and extra track for avoiding getting stuck. That sled should last you for a season or two and then once you have more experience and skill you can better gauge what sled fits you better going forward. I recommend moving up every two years anyway to stay current and on low mileage units that need less maintenance.

Yeah Totally makes sense. I Expect to suck! Rexburg has a 2024 Khaos 850 165 that has some rocking rebates that I am seriously considering.

 

[MTsled3]

I'm in Bozeman (unfortunately). This weekend my coworker rented a gen 4 skidoo 600 for me in Seeley lake. I figure this will be a good way to get my feet wet. I would like to go back up there soon and try one of the Polaris sleds too and see how both of them feel. Maybe the second time too I will try out one of the bigger sleds.

I live in Belgrade. Went to MSU also. Lots of good riding around here.

Summit Motorsports has some rentals in Big Sky out of the Corral bar at the Buck Creek trailhead, they have 650 and 850 Polaris sleds to try.

 

[Garretts10128]

A bit of an update for everyone here. Thanks again to all that pitched in. I rode the gen 4 skidoo 600 this weekend. Holly crap I don't know how someone can handle anymore power than that! these things are absolute beasts! after riding that sled I am going to rent one of the Polaris 650's from the coral (biting my lip because dam rentals are expensive), and see how I like the feel of either of them then decide from there. Thanks again Everyone, I will let you know what I go with!

 

[Teej83]

Roomate is an idiot as a boost especially would cripple your progress. They are crazy fun yes but also make learning any of the basics and technical riding harder. Just get an 800 or 850 from either brand.

 

[bnorth]

A Doo is a better beginner/intermediate sled as they are a bit easier to get on edge. Once you have some more experience I think the Polaris shines as it can be a bit harder to get on edge but once there is easier to stay there and crosses terrain like a laser compared to the Doo. Looks like both Doo and Poo have some great offers on leftover 24s and 25s right now.

 

[MI1M600EFI]

I would recommend giving up on a 600 sled completely and only look at 800's or 850's. There is NO benefit to a 600, full stop. I put my wife on a 600 that works for her, but I think it would work better if it was an 800. Aside from that get something and get out there!!!

 

[Reeb]

Meanwhile I'm gonna go against the grain here. But first a few questions.

Your bike experience, would you rather a 125cc, 250 4s, 300 2 stroke or a 450? Do you ride with a rekluse and gold valve suspension? Or are you a stock with some barkbusters and let er rip?
Do your sledding aspirations include being in competition? Are you trying to be the next Kailub Russell for sledders?(Equivalent is Keith Curtis for sledders(also a great enduro rider btw))

Without knowing any of these questions......here's one mans opinion.

A 600/650 is a great machine. Especially for a learner. It'll take you every place a bigger sled will, so never think you're missing out or being left behind. The proponents of a Boost or 9R aren't looking at it from your point of view.

I've bought two 600 class sleds in the past 6 years for my daughter.(Switchback Assault 600 and a RMK 650) and I have more fun on them then I do my 900 bigbore. Seriously, my smile is bigger on the smaller sled than any other sled in my fleet. And anyone who rides the smaller bore sleds agrees. A couple riding buddies have bought 600 class machines for the days we all agree to stay off the slopes(avalanche danger goes RED) or just because.....it's the days we have the most fun.

They go everywhere everyone else goes, they are more forgiving and you get to learn how to advance your skillset without the sled overpowering you at all times. Catching up to a sleds capabilities sucks compared to working with a sled that you can grow your experience on. And the resale is better than a bigger sled, not to mention the failure rate of the parts is much less(less down time for warranty repairs)

NOW - with all that being said, if you answer the above questions different from what I'm thinking.......my opinion of what you should buy changes drastically.....lol

Also, shorter length tracks require more expertise in the mountains. So keep that in mind. If you go 9R or Boost, go with a 165(versus a 155). If you go with a 650, go with a 155(versus a 146).
Ski-Doo has a more user friendly chassis compared to the Polaris btw. Something to keep in mind. (aluminum vs steel frame in the DB world)


When you learn to ride a bull, you don't start with a rank bull......unless you wanna learn the hard way.

Edited: Because Tetonice told me to.