Help me pick the best 2000-ish chassis
- Thread starter Matt_Van
- Start date
What every you do, do not get the 800 edge I put more money into top ends and cranks on that sled in the 3 years that I owned than all my sleds combined. Worst sled I have ever owned. Not just mine, several of my buddies had the same problems. Just my 2 pennies.
N
NITROSKIDUDE
Well-known member
The edge chassis worked better than the zx, but they did have a bearing crank issue.
The Skidoos in that era seemed to have the bullet proof motor for its wieght.
I would hold out for a rev chassis It is almost right there in your price range if you look around. Maybe even find one that needs a little work
I had a buddie with an 860 159 zx that was barely puttin a spakin on a stock 144 rev, ( They have the wider track in those years and revers for sure.
Only the 03 zx had the revers in that style.
Good luck ....
The Skidoos in that era seemed to have the bullet proof motor for its wieght.
I would hold out for a rev chassis It is almost right there in your price range if you look around. Maybe even find one that needs a little work
I had a buddie with an 860 159 zx that was barely puttin a spakin on a stock 144 rev, ( They have the wider track in those years and revers for sure.
Only the 03 zx had the revers in that style.
Good luck ....
No I was just pulling your leg smuckaluck, but the zx chassis isn't that bad of a chassis, THey just had a few problems here and there like all sleds do. But I guess I was the lucky one with my escape. with 4000 plus miles with out a problem before sold it. did get jack shaft bearing at 2000 miles.the rev is a better sled if you can get one for that price
Ya know a couple other sleds that are good and would be in your price range and you could mod and have just as much fun on Are the S Chassis skidoo summit, which is the body style from 96-99 they are great sleds I still have one paid $1400 for it and rode it with the 670 which is a rotax rotary engine and anyone who has owned or ridden one can tell you they will run with an 800 pretty well and anyone who knows anything about the rotary rotax motor can easily admit they are pretty much one of the Best 2cycle sled engines Ever built 1 of the biggest reason skidoo went away from them is they won`t spin backwards Like the newer RER Reverse skidoo reed valve engines but reverse can be installed in the chaincase. mine pulled a 153 Cat Challenger track like it was a 136 took me anywhere I wanted to go. Honestly had a hardtime keeping the front end on the ground pulled hard funest sled I have ever ridden, most those sleds go for around $1500, I personally would rather own an S chassis over the ZX. The zx is harder to work on and tighter in the engine compartment, they still a great sled and there is NO Way the Edge chassis is lighter or handle better than the zx or s chassis skidoo, they are wide heavy and the skistance it rediculously wide for a mountain sled.
Another one would be the Wedge Chassis Polaris which is before the Edge and a good sled too 700 or 800 run very well, I have heard of people have better luck reliability wise with the wedge chassis engines over the edge.
Wildcard
Another one would be the Wedge Chassis Polaris which is before the Edge and a good sled too 700 or 800 run very well, I have heard of people have better luck reliability wise with the wedge chassis engines over the edge.
Wildcard
Last edited:
Well... There have been a lot of different opinions so far. Thanks all for your input.
Unfortunately for me, it appears that there is no definitive answer for this time period. If I'm getting this correctly, it seems like all can be made into good mountain sled, but none stand above the rest as far as performance out of the box..
As it stands right now, I think I'm going to shy away from Polaris. It seems like the sleds are alright, but I think price is going to be the factor, as I can't seem to find an edge RMK in my range even remotely close to Michigan.
Here's probably my top three choices. THis was kind of my gut feeling before, but what you all have said seems to help solidify that feeling.
Mountain Max-Maybe not the best choice, but for some reason I really like this sled. Motor reliability is a huge plus. Seems like there's still a few places tha mod this sled (Hartman and MPI).
Ski Doo ZX Summit in either a 700 or 800- I'd really like a 151, but I'm unsure especially with riding around Michigan if that's a good idea (not sure if that's too long for some trail riding)
Arctic Cat 1M either 600 or 8/900- This is probably the sled I'm most unsure of. It seems they're pretty easy to mod still, but I'm concerned a little about the motors. Not sure if I need to be or not.
Again, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. From what I've seen, it appears all of these sleds do pretty well for what they are. Can anyone speak about reliability of these sleds? From what I've read, the Yamaha 700 is amost bulletproof. As far as the Doo and the Cat, how are these motors?
The next question comes down to engine size. Initially, I thought I would probably need a 600, as it would be easier to learn on. But is it that big of a deal? Is it a lot easier to learn on a 600 as compared to an 800?
Thanks.
Unfortunately for me, it appears that there is no definitive answer for this time period. If I'm getting this correctly, it seems like all can be made into good mountain sled, but none stand above the rest as far as performance out of the box..
As it stands right now, I think I'm going to shy away from Polaris. It seems like the sleds are alright, but I think price is going to be the factor, as I can't seem to find an edge RMK in my range even remotely close to Michigan.
Here's probably my top three choices. THis was kind of my gut feeling before, but what you all have said seems to help solidify that feeling.
Mountain Max-Maybe not the best choice, but for some reason I really like this sled. Motor reliability is a huge plus. Seems like there's still a few places tha mod this sled (Hartman and MPI).
Ski Doo ZX Summit in either a 700 or 800- I'd really like a 151, but I'm unsure especially with riding around Michigan if that's a good idea (not sure if that's too long for some trail riding)
Arctic Cat 1M either 600 or 8/900- This is probably the sled I'm most unsure of. It seems they're pretty easy to mod still, but I'm concerned a little about the motors. Not sure if I need to be or not.
Again, thanks for the help. I really appreciate it. From what I've seen, it appears all of these sleds do pretty well for what they are. Can anyone speak about reliability of these sleds? From what I've read, the Yamaha 700 is amost bulletproof. As far as the Doo and the Cat, how are these motors?
The next question comes down to engine size. Initially, I thought I would probably need a 600, as it would be easier to learn on. But is it that big of a deal? Is it a lot easier to learn on a 600 as compared to an 800?
Thanks.
They all have + and - A lot of it depends on your brand loyalty and how much you want to work around each models issues. I'm partial to the Yamaha's but that's what I know. Buddy has a 1m, but it's so far from stock now that I don't remember what it was like then. You really can't go wrong with any of them. I guess if it was me I'd find out what the peeps I was riding with had/were familiar with and go that direction as you'd have some support/knowledge from your group. In that era/$$ amount you can probably find something with some mods that has addressed many of each models issues. As an example - I have a 97 mtn max sitting in the trailer that I might be talked into selling if you wanted it bad enoughIt's been piped, ported, bunch of lite weight stuff swapped in, bars raised, seat swapped, different skid, touch longer track, etc...
May be interested in this mountain max... Got any pics?
B
Bacon
Well-known member
Zx chassis. Try to get an 02 or 03 with the suspension setback. The worst part about these sled was that the stock track was junk. Most by now should have a better track but that is something to look for. Don't worry about track length. Just put on scratchers and run them when on the trail.
The Polaris rmks and switchbacks will have tipped up rails in the back. This will help for cornering some on the trails.
Most of you are neglecting the fact that he lives in Michigan. A King cat with a 162 isn't the best platform for him. Although he did say he wants a mountain capable sled, any of these will do that. 10-15 years ago, a 136-151 was a LONG track, and everyone still had a ball in the mountains with them.
For mostly trail riding with a bit of boondocking and playing, I think the Yamaha is hard to beat the 700 triple was a great engine. ZX and Edge chassis' were also good sleds.
FWIW I own three 2002 ZX chassis sleds, 144, 151 and 156. Great sleds.
For mostly trail riding with a bit of boondocking and playing, I think the Yamaha is hard to beat the 700 triple was a great engine. ZX and Edge chassis' were also good sleds.
FWIW I own three 2002 ZX chassis sleds, 144, 151 and 156. Great sleds.
Last edited:
Ok since everyone else is pushing the brand they ride themselves..I'll do the same.
Polaris Edge is NOT the way to go if you are looking at that type of sled.
The GenII is a better chassis, IMO.
Such as the one linked in my sig.
And it's got a 2.25" finger track, which is GREAT for most ALL conditions.
Polaris Edge is NOT the way to go if you are looking at that type of sled.
The GenII is a better chassis, IMO.
Such as the one linked in my sig.
And it's got a 2.25" finger track, which is GREAT for most ALL conditions.
Ok since everyone else is pushing the brand they ride themselves..I'll do the same.
Polaris Edge is NOT the way to go if you are looking at that type of sled.
The GenII is a better chassis, IMO.
Such as the one linked in my sig.
And it's got a 2.25" finger track, which is GREAT for most ALL conditions.
This would be a most excellent sled for your idea.
Very light, has a lot of expensive aftermarket mods and rides like a Cad.
