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.