Good Sled For Older Riders

[Rather Be Riding]

I am looking at purchasing either an M7 or Dragon 700 for my Father who has extremely bad arthritis in his hands (but loves to still ride). He will be upgrading from an ’03 ZX Chassis - Summit 800 which he finds extremely hard for throttle pull and overall steering…He has ridden my M7 and finds the EFI and steering to be so much easier and fun to ride. For those that have ridden both (M7 and D7) what do you recommend for ease of overall riding (50% trail and 50% off-trail…he isn’t really into crazy sidehilling or “flickability”, just wants an overall capable and reliable sled with easy throttle pull and that is easy to ride without being sore at end of day).

I appreciate your time.

 

[Scott]

In all honesty, I'd say if you are looking at either the Poo or AC...the newer the better if $$ will allow you.

I don't have much experience on the M7, but I rode a turbo 2007 M7 and a turbo D7 back and fourth all day long back in 2008. They handled very similarly on the hill on a climb but I DEFINATELY preferred boondocking the d7 at slower speeds and on the road running into the bowls.

When looking at the D7, stick with the 7 and you'll have better reliability issues (according to this forum). They handle really well, IMO. LEAPS AND BOUNDS better than the Edge chassis.

And if you can go with the Pro RMK, they handle THAT MUCH better than the Dragons.

 

[donbrown]

You could modify the throttle to makle it easier to use. Like they did on the 900 RMK linkage

Even install a motorcycle throttle

 

[Yamadoo04]

Dont know about the sled but I have recently been talking with people about a drink called Xango. Supposedly it has helped people with arthritis. I have been drinking it for about a month now. I dont have arthritis but I have had a bad back for over 10 years now, and I got to tell ya my back is feeling better than it ever has in 10 years. I am not saying all the pain is gone yet but i actually sleep through the night now. The pain is much less. I have only heard of people that it has helped with arthritis i have not spoken to any of them directly.

Anyway, don't want to hijack the thread just wanted to throw something out there that might help your paps. Good luck in the search for a sled.

 

[cb2honk]

Ridden M's and Dragons. Own a dragon 700 155, wife's sled, very comfortable and EASY to ride. Both sleds are capable off trail but the dragon is alot more comfortable on trail.

 

[snowmobiler]

a rev rides like a cadillac.add a easy pull throttle.

 

[AndrettiDog]

I would choose the D7 because the ride height is better. He won't feel as scrunched down as he would on the M7. The later M8's had taller seats to help with that. He is going to sit down more than the average mountain rider. The problem with the D7 is that the stock suspension makes it "tippy". It also nose dives going down hill in a lot of powder. The M7 doesn't do that as bad. The D7 has reverse and the M7 doesn't - that alone could sway him.

 

[volcano buster]

If you end up looking at Polaris, don't rule out the 600. Very smooth motor and has little vibration to the hands and body.

Mine has the Assault suspension in the front making it wider so it is less tippy on the trail.

 

[AndrettiDog]

If you end up looking at Polaris, don't rule out the 600. Very smooth motor and has little vibration to the hands and body.

Mine has the Assault suspension in the front making it wider so it is less tippy on the trail.

The carb version will have a stiff throttle pull. If you go 600 find a FI model.

 

[94fordguy]

I would also comment that the M7 is lower to the ground making it potentially more stable in some situations, however if he still intends to do any 'playing' with it, I would definitely go with the 700 IQ RAW... MUCH more comfortable seating/standing position and easier to throw around with a taller center of gravity. Just keep in mind that the easier it is to tip up can be a problem in some off camber situations... it's also that much easier to roll when you don't want it to.

Also, no reverse on the M7 would be a deal breaker IMO.

 

[MORSNO]

The fuel economy of the D7 is WAY better than a M7 also. No need for him to carry lots of extra fuel making the sled easier to control. Reverse is huge for us older guys!

 

[AZ800]

M7 would be a great sled based on steering effort and throttle pull, but a tall seat like the 2010 models is a must. Only $200.
No reverse is a big issue especially for an older person I'd think. From that respect go with a D7..........or if you can pony up for an 09 M8 that would be the ticket. Still steers easily. Good rear suspension, elect reverse. Just get the tall seat and you're set.

 

[Rather Be Riding]

Thanks guys for the input! It sure sucks seeing my Dad getting older but he and I truly have a great time snowmobiling in the winter together.....Another question, what are your thoughts on the 153/155" tracks vs. the 162/163" tracks in these sleds (I know this can be a heated topic, just need honest opinions on these sleds specifically for an older rider). As I said, he won't be going for the highmark, he just wants to have a good sled that is easy to ride and more forgiving than the old 144"...kinda leaning towards the 162's tracks for this reason.

Thanks again,
RBR

 

[Oregonsledder]

Thanks guys for the input! It sure sucks seeing my Dad getting older but he and I truly have a great time snowmobiling in the winter together.....Another question, what are your thoughts on the 153/155" tracks vs. the 162/163" tracks in these sleds (I know this can be a heated topic, just need honest opinions on these sleds specifically for an older rider). As I said, he won't be going for the highmark, he just wants to have a good sled that is easy to ride and more forgiving than the old 144"...kinda leaning towards the 162's tracks for this reason.

Thanks again,
RBR

My riding group just went through a similar issue. One of guys dad is 75 and in pretty good shape. He has been riding off and on for at least the past 15 years. He had been borrowing is son's older Indy sled and decided he wanted something newer. There was a lot of discussion amongst several of the group who had ridden with him as to what would be a good option.
His son, who is a bit stubborn decided his dad needed an IQ chassis. He ended up buying an 07 or 08 700 Dragon (155 I think) many of us in the group felt his dad would be better off with a 600 or 700 Edge chassis with reverse and a 151 length track.
The Dragon has been a big mistake. Compared to and Edge chassis they are very tippy even with the sway bar installed. He has ridden it for the past couple of seasons and is on his back most of the time. When ever he gets on one of the edge chassis in the group he does much better. He has said a few times “don’t tell my son, but I should be riding one of these older sleds”.
This may not directly apply to your dad, but the older edge chassis are very forgiving. They have a lower center of gravity and can go just about anywhere. Maybe food for thought.

 

[volcano buster]

My riding group just went through a similar issue. One of guys dad is 75 and in pretty good shape. He has been riding off and on for at least the past 15 years. He had been borrowing is son's older Indy sled and decided he wanted something newer. There was a lot of discussion amongst several of the group who had ridden with him as to what would be a good option.
His son, who is a bit stubborn decided his dad needed an IQ chassis. He ended up buying an 07 or 08 700 Dragon (155 I think) many of us in the group felt his dad would be better off with a 600 or 700 Edge chassis with reverse and a 151 length track.
The Dragon has been a big mistake. Compared to and Edge chassis they are very tippy even with the sway bar installed. He has ridden it for the past couple of seasons and is on his back most of the time. When ever he gets on one of the edge chassis in the group he does much better. He has said a few times “don’t tell my son, but I should be riding one of these older sleds”.
This may not directly apply to your dad, but the older edge chassis are very forgiving. They have a lower center of gravity and can go just about anywhere. Maybe food for thought.

Good point. My wife still has her '04 600/144. I've let her ride mine but she is still more comfortable with the stability of her Edge chassis.

 

[AndrettiDog]

The Edge sleds are more stable but they have the same bathtub riding positon that the M7 has. Very low and deep. If you remember back in the day, everyone with an Edge chassis was looking for the Pro style or Boss seats to raise the position. I think that would be hard on his knees. They were on mine and I was in my 20's.

 

[MORSNO]

The Edge sleds are more stable but they have the same bathtub riding positon that the M7 has. Very low and deep. If you remember back in the day, everyone with an Edge chassis was looking for the Pro style or Boss seats to raise the position. I think that would be hard on his knees. They were on mine and I was in my 20's.

I agree. I was shocked that anyone would recommend an Edge chassis over any of the newer chassis, regardless of brand. I guess because of my 6'3" height, I didn't like any of the older chassis (wedge, Gen II, Edge, etc), I felt like I was either sitting on a kiddie chair or falling over the hood If I stood up. Remember riding with one knee up on the seat trying to find a happy medium?

 

[Oregonsledder]

I agree. I was shocked that anyone would recommend an Edge chassis over any of the newer chassis, regardless of brand. I guess because of my 6'3" height, I didn't like any of the older chassis (wedge, Gen II, Edge, etc), I felt like I was either sitting on a kiddie chair or falling over the hood If I stood up. Remember riding with one knee up on the seat trying to find a happy medium?

From what I have observed in the example I have used above. The biggest issue is low center of gravity and not being tippy. The newer chassis are performance chassis, and built into them is the desire to turn quickly and easily. When you are older and just want to be able to hang with the group of younger riders, not falling over in deep snow is pretty important. The guy I mentioned is a pretty good rider for his age, but even after a lot of tweaking with the front suspension to make it less tippy, the higher rider position continues to be a problem.

 

[snowrider 151]

I have been riding seen 1972. The upper body strength is becoming a problem for amy style of sled I ride. I like my 2012 800 PRO but I know I have problems at times because it is a higher center of gravity. I still would choice to fall off a few time than WORK all day turning the lower center of gravity sleds. We old guys can use our Knowledge to get around rather well. AGE 64