Getting back into riding / easiest sled to ride?

[Boondock Saints]

After 8 years I am looking at getting back into sledding. Sleds have changed a lot during that time. Last sled was a 1999 700 rmk. Have been looking at 07/08 Dragons. What is your guys opinion regarding a late model sled, 700-800 cc, that is easy/forgiving to ride (rider input for sidehilling etc). Mostly gonna be used for boondocking with occasional hillclimbing.

Thanks in advance

 

[89sandman]

i would go with an M or a dragon, theses 2 sleds just fit my riding style. like the roll and go feel they have. skidoos seem to take a little while longer to get the swing of, plus i'm not a fan of carbs. have heard maybe direct injection is on the way for the xp in 2011, this system uses a fraction of the oil and about double the fuel economy. but by 2012 the new epa regs come out and most 2 strokes will be changing. yami is just not for me, 2 things you need in the mountains, light weight and hp. with the nytro your buying a 700 class sled that weighs more than any same year 800 and cost just as much or more. other opinions will vary as you will soon see

 

[kenairmk]

If your a Polaris fan, then my vote is the 700 Dragon. You can never go wrong with the 700.

 

[boondocking fool]

the 700 dragon or rmk would be a good choice , light , good power and really a blast to play on

 

[enis750]

pretty loaded question dude
ur gonna get responses from everyone reccomending what they ride

best idea - rent a few, try out a few buddies and make a decicion that way
if that's not possible - my suggestion a REV or an M series
the M ersires are very easy to sidehill and lay over
the REV CAN BE TOO, if you give it a chance
I also feel the REV climbs easier and feels more stable than the M series

stay away from 07 REV's and 07 M's, other than that have fun w ur choice bro
in the end, most of the new sleds are decent, they will all have their issues
find out what they are, work to correct them and get at er!

 

[ne1cadrgn]

Dragon 700 best point and shoot on the market IMO.

 

[Environmentalist]

Both the M7/M8 and the Dragon 7/8 are great sleds, but feel completely different. I would ride both before deciding and the one that feels the best.. buy. The Dragon takes a little getting use to, but after a couple passes, it's a blast. The M's are very stable, but take a little (just a little) more effort to throw around, but again are GREAT boondocking sled! The only problem with the M's is they ride like a truck on the rough trail.

If you don't have the chance to try before you buy, the good news....both are good sleds and you will not be disappointed with either one.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I depends on so much. Are you going to boondock in the trees, trail ride, hill climb? I'm guessing all of them eventually. But each sled has it's strengths and weaknesses in each area.

The IQ (Dragon/RMK) is a great sled to sidehill on and carve through the powder and trees, but it is not a stable sled when it comes to hillclimbing. It is very tippy so you have to really throw your weight around to keep it in a straight line when climbing.

The Rev and XP is a much more stable chassis and excels hillclimbing. It does fine boondocking as well, but it takes a while to get used to getting it on it's side (and some tuning/mods IMO).

The M chassis of AC is an older style chassis that boondocks well, sidehills well, climbs well. I personally don't like it because it is the least rider forward sled. You sit lower on this chassis than the others.

You need to get out and ride them and take the one that gives you the biggest grin. They will all take some time to get used to and will be a little frustrating one way or the other.

Be care of opinons (even mine)! Take in advice, but take everything here with a grain of salt.

 

[triple7]

Guess I will play devils advocate. I would recommend an XP chassis. They are the lightest sled on the snow, built with the newest chassis technology and once you learn to ride it are unsurpassed in mountain conditions. They are a more solid platform than the M or Dragon which has its advantages and disadvantages. I prefer a chassis that doesnt twist and wallow around like the Dragon and M tend to do. I want it stiff and then make the sled do what i want it too.
I also like that the Doo bulkhead is assembled in pieces. That means if you crunch it, you arent an entire bulkhead away from riding again. Just a module.
Some guys seem to believe that the Dragon or M chassis are more flicky. I just dont agree with that. I think they are confusing chassis flex with flickability. No platform is more flicky than the XP because it is the lightest and the rider is in position to have the most control over it. Ive ridden them all, and Ive ridden with guys that can make any one of the chassis work, but the XP has always come out on top in all boondocking situations.

JMO

Jake

 

[AKSNOWRIDER]

Guess I will play devils advocate. I would recommend an XP chassis. They are the lightest sled on the snow, built with the newest chassis technology and once you learn to ride it are unsurpassed in mountain conditions. They are a more solid platform than the M or Dragon which has its advantages and disadvantages. I prefer a chassis that doesnt twist and wallow around like the Dragon and M tend to do. I want it stiff and then make the sled do what i want it too.
I also like that the Doo bulkhead is assembled in pieces. That means if you crunch it, you arent an entire bulkhead away from riding again. Just a module.
Some guys seem to believe that the Dragon or M chassis are more flicky. I just dont agree with that. I think they are confusing chassis flex with flickability. No platform is more flicky than the XP because it is the lightest and the rider is in position to have the most control over it. Ive ridden them all, and Ive ridden with guys that can make any one of the chassis work, but the XP has always come out on top in all boondocking situations.

JMO

Jake

jake I have to disagree..while I think all the current sleds have their good points and everyone should buy what feels good to them..I would be willing to bet the raw chassis is the toughest mnt chassis out there...it is also the most manuverable chassis..the m sled is a very stable yet easy to manuver chassis and the xp is a great stabile chassis but you work more to make it do what the others do in the tight stuff..and any of these sleds can be made better with simple adjustments and mods...

 

[Boondock Saints]

Thanks for all the input. I have heard good things about them all....hard decision to make. I might have to rent all three this winter and make a decision. I rented a non dragon 700 the first year out in the new body style/chassis, 2005 with a 159, and after several hours of wresting it around i was beat...definately not what i was looking for at the time.

Any body recommend any rental outfits in northern Idaho or NE Wa?

 

[bigfoot]

the 700 dragon is a great sled, much different than the one you rented.

 

[skibreeze]

Guess I will play devils advocate. I would recommend an XP chassis. They are the lightest sled on the snow, built with the newest chassis technology and once you learn to ride it are unsurpassed in mountain conditions. They are a more solid platform than the M or Dragon which has its advantages and disadvantages. I prefer a chassis that doesnt twist and wallow around like the Dragon and M tend to do. I want it stiff and then make the sled do what i want it too.
I also like that the Doo bulkhead is assembled in pieces. That means if you crunch it, you arent an entire bulkhead away from riding again. Just a module.
Some guys seem to believe that the Dragon or M chassis are more flicky. I just dont agree with that. I think they are confusing chassis flex with flickability. No platform is more flicky than the XP because it is the lightest and the rider is in position to have the most control over it. Ive ridden them all, and Ive ridden with guys that can make any one of the chassis work, but the XP has always come out on top in all boondocking situations.

JMO

Jake

Most solid platform... You can't be more wrong. People are bending S modules and the running boards and footwells deform. They are light though.

 

[skibreeze]

The 07 and newer Polaris are great chassis for an easy to ride and easy to sidehill sled. IMO the 09 M8 that I've ridden a little feels very similar. I also prefer them to the skidoo's when it comes to doing anything under the hood.

 

[tudizzle]

Rent them....Ride them....Rate them

this is the only way you should pick the sled for YOU

 

[theultrarider]

Thanks for all the input. I have heard good things about them all....hard decision to make. I might have to rent all three this winter and make a decision. I rented a non dragon 700 the first year out in the new body style/chassis, 2005 with a 159, and after several hours of wresting it around i was beat...definately not what i was looking for at the time.

Any body recommend any rental outfits in northern Idaho or NE Wa?

That "700" was really a detuned 900. Those were non performing pigs and both motors were dropped. Along with that, the chassis was tweaked ALOT. Do not even think about about that experience when comparing the 07 and newer sleds. Anymore, they are all good sleds. For many, it comes down to which local dealer has the best parts and service depts. For those of us in small towns, that means alot. Either that, or knowing where to geet parts quickly online, and knowing how to do all of our own wrenching. Good luck in whatever you chose.

 

[KFD070]

Haven't ridden the 700 but the 2007 Polaris 600 on the iQ chassis is the nicest to ride sled I've ver been on. Telepathic handling.

 

[jpxp154]

well if you get the chance to test drive. take all three and compare yourself dont let other people or dealers make that choice for you. all are so different in the way they ride and perform. ride them in deep powder trails or boondooking or hillclimb compare compare. i had the chance to ride the 09s m xp dragon. i went with xp just because i like the rider forward feel and did great in deep powder didnt dig as much as others might be the 16 inch track but just a guess the light weight feel felt pretty good as well. just my two cents whatever sled you go with the are all good. todays sled are the best

 

[srwood]

If only I could find a girl named M1000! I would boondock with her, climb the highest peaks, take her to the deepest pow, then polish her up and park her in the garage till next weekend!

Get a M... Its the way to go... but get your own and stay away from mine.

 

[Environmentalist]

I would talk to the local dealers and ask them when they plan to demo sleds. The Dragon, M's and XP chassis has not really changed for a couple years. (Relax, Mr. OhYeah I know they have changed but not enough to change the overall ride of the sled).

I know Priest Lake has a couple places that rent and there is place in Spokane (they are always at the snow show at the fair grounds). Just be prepared to pay some money to rent....$250+ a day. It would pay to talk to your local dealers.

Happy shopping.

Thanks for all the input. I have heard good things about them all....hard decision to make. I might have to rent all three this winter and make a decision. I rented a non dragon 700 the first year out in the new body style/chassis, 2005 with a 159, and after several hours of wresting it around i was beat...definately not what i was looking for at the time.

Any body recommend any rental outfits in northern Idaho or NE Wa?