Hey there, can I get a recommendation?

[luvtoride]

Ok, long time dootalker, but I just joined up here today. I'm looking at riding in the Big Horns next winter and I'm in a bit of a pickle here. Currently, I own a 500ss trail MX-Z, that won't cut it in 3 ft of powder, let alone any slope. So I'm looking at selling it, I can get around 3k for it so that's great.

Here's the issue. I am not sure what kind of mountain sled to get. I'm a doo guy, so probably going to be a Summit. I was looking at the Everest 600 146" and it appealed to me, until I heard that it is pretty under powered. I ride 800's around here, so experience won't be an issue as far a power goes. So then I started looking at used '07s and even '06s. I can get an '07 summit 800 151" (I believe) for around 5-6k.

So, my question is. Would the Summit Everest 600 146" be ok, power wise, the guy I talked to was basing it off of numbers and hearsay, or should I go to an older 800? I would go for a new 800, but money is kind of an issue.

Also, I know next to nothing about Polaris, Yamaha, and Arctic Mtn sleds, so if you have a recommendation, go ahead.

 

[WannaB]

If your talking about buying an etec 600 then I would stick with that and stay away from the older 800...for what type of rider you sound like the 600 will take you every where you want to go...and in my opinion will make you a better mountain rider in the end...the smaller motor forces you to ride the sled and not be ridden by it...My .02

 

[luvtoride]

I'm not sure if the cheapest 146" is the E-Tec, or if its just the 600HO, but thank you for the input!

 

[Ollie]

Stupid question.
How big are you?
Are you looking at boondocking or highmarking?

The 600 is a fun sporty sled that will get you thru most stuff. Now on the really big snow dumps you will get stuck more than the 800, just because of the shorter track. We ride with 144 and 155's in the snowies all the time. There were a couple rides last winter where the 155 had to lead, but for the most part, the 144 did fine.

If you can get the new E-tec 600, I would definetly go that route.
I don't ride Doo, but that motor looks like it is going to kick azz. It won't highmark an 800, but I bet it can go anywhere else an 800 can get. Just not as fast.

 

[luvtoride]

I'm 5'8" 180. Certainly no giant.

 

[autolodge]

sleds

I rock a 600 out west and have a blast, all the way up to where I crap my pants coming down. Granted I don't own any highmarks, and I ride a Poo, but IMO as long as you take he time to clutch and jet right (no jetting with a Doo) you will have a blast with a 600, I know I do.

 

[Calvin42]

A 600 Everest will doo everything you need it to doo. I had a 04' 600 144" as a back up sled and was able to take it anywhere I wanted to go. And the XP is alot lighter than my 04'. Go with the new XP 600. You won't be disappointed.

 

[luvtoride]

I'm now hunting around for a used 2008 summit 600. I am not finding many, am I searching wrong, or are there not a lot of used ones out there? I remember when I got my 2006, as soon as the 2007's were out, there were 2006' everywhere.

 

[Calvin42]

I'm now hunting around for a used 2008 summit 600. I am not finding many, am I searching wrong, or are there not a lot of used ones out there? I remember when I got my 2006, as soon as the 2007's were out, there were 2006' everywhere.

A used 600 is going to be hard to find (smaller numbers sold). With the rebates though you may want to consider a new one. You can fiind them pretty cheap.

 

[luvtoride]

A used 600 is going to be hard to find (smaller numbers sold). With the rebates though you may want to consider a new one. You can fiind them pretty cheap.

Thanks. I'm currently getting quotes from local dealers, but because I'm not going to purchase until the spring, its tough to have a lot of foresight on pricing.

 

[skidoorulz]

If your used to a 800 in MN. You might want to stay with an 800. Remember the horse power loss when you go up in elevation is 3% per 1000 ft. Depending where you go that could be as much as 40 hp.

 

[luvtoride]

If your used to a 800 in MN. You might want to stay with an 800. Remember the horse power loss when you go up in elevation is 3% per 1000 ft. Depending where you go that could be as much as 40 hp.

That makes sense. That would put that 151hp down to below a 600HO's 120. I never figured that in.

Keep the help coming, thanks guys.

 

[dice]

At 10000 feet a stock 800xp is around 117 hp according to xtreme performance.

 

[DenverR1]

If your used to a 800 in MN. You might want to stay with an 800. Remember the horse power loss when you go up in elevation is 3% per 1000 ft. Depending where you go that could be as much as 40 hp.

My thoughts exactly. If you've done quite a bit of riding get something that you will grow into ability wise. I wouldn't get something that there is a possibility I'd want an upgrade soon. You'll be riding a 600 at 90% of it's capabilities a lot sooner than you will an 800. Just my .02. Good luck!

 

[BullHead]

i would go with the 800 over the 600, because once you find out more about the mountains, you may want to upgrade to performance parts, where the 800 is still a good machine, and can get you many places

now the 600 is still good, because they still make the same power as the 700 summit did in 2001, so either sled would work, but if you find that you need more jam to get up some stuff to get into nice bowls and what not, i would go with the 800 imo

 

[luvtoride]

Here's a funny one....

My cousin just offered me his Hillcross sled. Its (going to be) a trail converted 800 with a 136x15x1.75" track. He says it will go just about anywhere because its pretty light. Its a 2007 REV.

Its an out there idea, but I added it to the maybe pile. He has ridden out by Jackson WY and said that 800 will go just about anywhere, but if it gets really tough, I may have to follow in a track for a while. I was quick to point out that he is a MUCH better rider than me, to which he retorted, "you're better than you think". Needless to say, that was a confidence booster! The main reason I'm considering this is that I can get a GREAT price, and I know the sled has been in excellent hands for its entire life. Plus, if it breaks down, I know who to go to....


Anyways, thanks for the input so far guys.