I need some opinions on a sled

[AkHockey10]

Ok, long story short buddy is buying his first sled this fall.

He has ridden before but not very much, hes a hardcore 4wheeler rider so thats pretty much the only thing hes got going for him. hes about 6'2" and im being nice when i say hes close to 310-315 lbs w/ gear. He'll be riding pretty much with me and my group. Im not going to take him to the mountains just yet but, some of the places we ride, there are some nice practice hills. Hes gonna want to do some jumping (just like he does on his quad) and some field donuts and all that good stuff I dont know what sled will be better for him. Hes not going to buy a brand new sled maybe, the most recent year will be a 05-06 if he can find one in his price range. I thought about a 03-04 800/900 Mtn Cat 151/159" or 05 900 IQ 151/166"..? or even an RT 159/162"...? Just would like some opinions on some sleds that would suite him .. thanks.

 

[grabbit]

The sleds you listed you really will find great deals on. And for his size the 900 and the longer track would be perfect. And he should be able to throw it around no matter how long. But I think out of the sleds you listed i'd go with a king cat. Mainly for reliability. The IQ 900 and the RT your gonna find good deals on because they have a bad rep. The King Cat is going to be an older chassis but would be great for learning. So if he doesn't need the rider forward i'd go with that. But any of them would work. Just hope you get lucky and find a reliable one.

 

[whittaker727]

The sleds you listed you really will find great deals on. And for his size the 900 and the longer track would be perfect. And he should be able to throw it around no matter how long. But I think out of the sleds you listed i'd go with a king cat. Mainly for reliability. The IQ 900 and the RT your gonna find good deals on because they have a bad rep. The King Cat is going to be an older chassis but would be great for learning. So if he doesn't need the rider forward i'd go with that. But any of them would work. Just hope you get lucky and find a reliable one.

Ditto + the cat chassis has cheap replacement parts for a 300lb guy that likes to jump.

 

[Ex-Member]

My first sled is my 06 900 151... been real happy with it, the only things i've had a problem with are stupid things I brought on myself.

Will take some getting used to, it is heavy, but it will go where you want it to. And you can find 'em for cheap.

 

[amery3]

Definately the 900 cat with a 159 or 162, he'll need the track for flotation and climbing, esp, just be sure he doesn't "tail" them too bad, those sleds are pretty much indestructable-mine's on the 2nd tunnel, bulkhead has been welded 2x, 3 sides of a-arms and 3rd set of rails...Well, it gets rode hard, and those aren't really the sleds fault...she's had some nasty rolls and encounters with ditches. Pretty reasonble to fix tho. Leser sleds would be junked.

You may want to purchase some snow eliminators or equivalent to stiffen up the rails, I have a friend who is like 230 suited up and his are bowed a little.

 

[Dobber1]

This one.....

 

[MARCUSO]

Nope!

Get him used to a 144-151 or so for track length. he can learn to carve, and also figure out how to use his throttle, without getting stuck. So many people go with a 159+ and never learn how to throw the sled around and get the fundamentals of the snow characteristics.. they get into trouble with the longer units, because they never get to know the threshhold of the sled's ability.

Take him up to the mountains, and when he gets confident on the shorter track, and does not get stuck, which is a skill on it's own....then adance into a longer base. IMO.

Edit: If he likes to jump. he will like a 144. he will have waaaay more fun.

 

[JHG]

There's an 03 Mtn cat 900 162 in the swap meet. Not my sled and I've never seen it in person but seems to be a pretty good deal. I'd guess he could get it for aroung 3000. For his size and ability might be a good sled.

 

[2zeros]

Can't Beat the 1M chassis!

I would try to find a Kingcat, or Mountaincat 900. I ride a Kingcat and weigh 240 in street clothes, no problems. The guy needs the biggest motor, longest track he can afford. The 1M is a proven sled with good reviews. Anything less and he will be disappointed. -00's

 

[AkHockey10]

800/900 1M 151" is what im heavily pushing towards him getting. But, just thought of an RT and a 900 IQ... didnt think about a King Cat but, to be honest i think it'll be a little much for his liking but who knows.

What about an Edge or GENII RMK ?? His brother in-law (which is honestly, bias towards any piece of machinery that has the "Star" on it...) rides Poo and is pushing him to get an RMK (I wonder why!) any thoughts on that?? Im sure even a Summit REV 144/151 would be just as good... but..

 

[SAWYER]

159, either poo or cat 900

 

[Cyle]

I'm actually about the same size and just started riding last year. I actully started out with a 03 summit 800 151, I found it to be a really good sled to start on, near the end of the year I did find it to be a bit underpowered, but it was nice to learn on as it did not get stuck that easy, because when I buried it, it wasn't that hard to get out. Next year i'm upgrading to newer, bigger motor and longer track, but I know I would of been in trouble if I started with like a 159 900.

 

[MARV1]

I don't think you can go wrong with either 900. The Poo 900 is one tough chassis and can take a bunch of abuse.

 

[Ex-Member]

I don't think you can go wrong with either 900. The Poo 900 is one tough chassis and can take a bunch of abuse.

i'll second that. I put mine through hell this year, kind of amazed it's still in one piece.

 

[Wheel House Motorsports]

starting with a track way to long could definately hurt the learning curve. i started with a 600 144 last year and then this year it was a 738 144 i learned ot push that thing hard to make it hang with two m7 153's

now im going bigger because i wrecked that sled. and i want a little more.

the KK900 is a great sled but i think it would be way to much for a first time rider. but for someone that size it may not be. im only 1/2 his weight so my oponion doesnt carry to much weight (no pun intended)

 

[AkHockey10]

Anyone else??

 

[stalefish_132]

older kittys are good sleds no doubt (what i started on) but i'd say get sled that in a season or 2 he wont be tired of. IMO RT 1L 159" would be the one to go by. if he likes jumping that probably his bet bet.

 

[augerin]

I like the shorter track opinion as stated, but if the guy is a motor head and has some athletic ability you might want to take that into consideration. I ride poo and think the rmk would be a good choice, but the KK is a great choice also. Figure out which one you want to help him dig out!

 

[2zeros]

One more thing to think about!

If your buddy gets a sled that can't hang with the group, he will always have that in his mind. Also if he gets in somewhere he can't ride out, it is always nice to know the sled is capable, with another rider on it. My buddy bought his wife an M-8 162. She is still learning some confidence, but we know the sled can make it out. She will gain some ability/confidence, and not need more sled, to hang with the group. Unless he is rich and can afford a sled every year, I would buy a sled that he will not grow out of in a season. Resale is way better on the longer one too. If he absolutly hates the long sled, it will be way easier to sell than the shorter ones.

 

[Luke The Drifter]

Tell him to get the 900 1M. I'd get EFI just for the simplicity of not having to open up the hood all day to rejet. The 900 has plenty of grunt for him and when he's comfortable with it and feels the need for more, there is plenty of aftermarket support for that motor. With some tweaking and minor mods those 1M sleds can be real runners IMO.