Looking For Insight on 2013 Sleds from the Big 3

[freetheheal]

Well this is my first post for me and I've come looking for advice (not sure I'm in the right place though). For the last couple years I had a 2009 Nytro MTX for myself and a 2007 Phazer for my girlfriend. What we use our sleds for is back country skiing access but recently have found out how much fun sledding is and decided to try and shed some weight and try to find some maneuverability. The Phazer was a difficult sled for the girlfriend to ride as she found it was extremely easy to tip and had a hard time keeping it upright (she does need more time a sled too). This all being said, I sold the sleds and I'm looking to get into a 2013 of some kind.

So now my question is which one? My problem I'm having is I don't know the weak points out of Polaris, Ski Doo, and Arctic Cat. One thing is I'd like to keep the brand the same between myself and my girlfriend. I found out Arctic Cat makes the 800 but they don't really make anything smaller (although they make an 800 in a 4 stroke but I want something light for her). So this kinda makes my shy away from the Cat. Where I am I have a Polaris dealer and Cat dealer. I want to know a bit more about the Etec from Doo as I'm interested in reliability.

Also, we will be traveling next winter for 8 months and making our way to Alaska. We won't necessarily be around a dealer of any kind. So I'm looking for a company that can provide both myself and my girlfriend with a somewhat reliable sled but is lighter than the Yamaha's we had. With the back country skiing we both will end up getting on the same sled and the Phazer really isn't built for that and the Nytro is too big for her. So, take it easy on me but what kind of advice do other people have?

Side note, when I look for used sleds on Craigslist or other sites it seem like 3 out of 4 sleds are Polaris PRO RMK. I don't know if Polaris sells the most so that's why there are more used ones for sale than any others I see? Is this a bad sign? That being said, they are also the cheapest by usually a $1000-$1500 on the used market.

 

[akstormin]

Oh man, there are million opinions out there and I guess I'll add mine. If you are not a hardcore sledhead and primarily plan to use the sleds for sled-ski access it makes things a bit easier. I would say you definitely want an 800 so you have the power to get two people up the hill. As for which one? Well all the manufacturers have very good products out there and honestly I think you'll be pretty happy with any of them. In stock form they are all very reliable and user friendly. Plus they are all a lot easier to ride in the mtns compared to a stock Nytro. Coming off a Phazer your gf is going to be thrilled and amazed with any of the newer sleds. Good Luck

 

[freetheheal]

Thanks for that bit of advice. I'm glad to hear the gf will be happy with a different sled. I thought it was her riding ability that made it so difficult for her to handle the Phazer but after talking with the Polaris/Yamaha dealer here they said the Phazer was not a great handling sled and she would notice a huge difference on an RMK.

 

[LeviD]

I've been reading for about 3 months on all the sleds to see which one I want to buy next year and im getting a ski-doo xm. From what I've seen skidoo seems more reliable than polaris. Also I do agree I see more pro rm for sale on craigslist for cheaper but I take it as a bad sign. I take it as they obviously don't necessarily trust their sled for more than 1 year since its been the same chassis since 2011. If you read each forum section for each sled seems like theirs a lot more broke threads in pro than others. Granted the whole world doesn't use this forum im just figuring a general percentage on that.

 

[spoon]

Try before you buy. I ride Cat but I bought my wife a 600 RMK 155 after she rode it coming off a 09 600 XP. Instant fall in love for her over the XP. Cat had nothing in the class and we wanted something she could start by herself and handle riding. Sled was the dealers new demo and had only 1 ride before us on it. It never returned to the dealer. 2nd season and she still loves it. 600 class is easier as there seems to be very little problem for anyones 600s.

 

[kidwoo]

As someone else who got into sledding through skiing, here are my thoughts, a 'skier's perspective' if you will. This from someone who rides a lot of tandem, and also just uses sleds to get to zones for skinning/booting access. You can find plenty of info here on the performance/reliability strengths and weaknesses of all the machines so I'll just focus on the skiing and riding parts.


Skidoo Rev and Rev XP chassis: Excellent tandeming, probably the best out there. They really like to stay flat so two people hanging off the running boards up a gnarly track at full throttle it a little easier. Some of the most work of any sled made in the last few years to throw around riding by yourself. I mostly learned how to ride on a Rev and the minute I got on a polaris dragon chassis, I was a better sled rider at the end of the day. It's insane how much differently they handle. The Revs and XPs will still do anything you want them to, but anything that involves them not being flat on the skis is a lot more work and you WILL be more tired getting out to zones on deep days. Riding some buddys' 08-2011 XPs over the last few years makes me more and more solid on this opinion. The running boards are pretty big on the XPs which is nice in ski boots. I Haven't ridden an XM so I have no idea what those are like. I'd be a little weary of all the reports of how easy they are to ride when it comes to running two up.....they may have lost some stability and I can't see that t-motion deal being a good thing for running tandems.


Arctic Cat M series: What I currently own, (2010). Super maneuverable and easy to learn on with regards to sidehilling and anything that involves tipping the sled. Not quite as stable as a skidoo but also no big deal with two people that know what they're doing. Super reliable motors, probably the most reliable of the bunch. The fox float rear shocks that everyone hates does allow you to do one thing that's really nice: change the spring pressure mid-day when it's time to ride tandem. I do this all the time and it's awesome.
Haven't ridden a proclimb but it sounds to me like they'd be a better tandem machine at the cost of some maneuverability. Read the proclimb section here and pay attention to the differences between a 2012 and a 2013. Belts and clutch alignment can be an issue and if you're riding two up, it's going to be more of an issue.

Polaris: You'll see lots of cheap 900 and 700 sleds from 2005 and 2006. Don't do it. Just don't. From 2007 to 2010 any of the IQ sleds with a 700 motor are about the only ones you should be looking at. Everyone I know with an 800 has had motor problems, most of them fairly catastrophic. Handling is very similar to the AC M series sleds. Nimble and pretty easy to ride by yourself, not quite as stable running tandems with two up, but also not difficult with some riders. If I was looking at new polaris sleds, I'd be looking pretty seriously at two 600 Pro RMKs as well as the 800s. We've got some 600s at work and it's only on really deep days up steep climbs that the engine size makes much of a difference.

For me it's all about the combo of getting to the zones, and having a machine that can not only run tandem, but also allow me to get out there without killing myself and have some fun along the way.

Hope that helps.

 

[polaris dude]

If you want a reliable two stroke with no problems whatsoever I would say you want either 09-11 m8s or 600/700 rmks(maybe 600 doos too? I guess I am not sure about those). The rest have their problems/are first year sleds(only reason i am not saying xm is cuz its first year).

 

[Mort2112]

I'd take along serious look at the 600 PRO Rmk's....they are light for your GF, have great power for a 600 CC (Output is closer to a 700) but the power shouldn't intimidate your date . I ride an 06 600 IQ, which is kinda the entry to this kind of sled and it has it's gremlins, but the powerplant runs flawlessly at 3k plus miles and I can hang with an 800 any day except on long hill climbs and maybe every now and again in the uber deep stuff. I try to compensate with some semblance of skill, and that usually works.

Again for the Polaris PRO - Light, nimble, easy to ride, and good power, plus the 600 is less intimidating.

Enjoy and have fun.

 

[freetheheal]

Wow, this is really great advice from everyone. Just like some of you have mentioned I've heard a lot of horror stories with previous 800s from Polaris. I'm interested in the PRO RMK as the dealer has told me it can make the worst of riders good riders (although it is coming from a salesman). I really like the sounds of that for the girlfriend.

It is great getting some insight from a fellow sled skier. We had both our Yamaha's in Alaska last year and it was definitely work trying to get to the top of some of the zones. My lady felt way in over her head just because she had virtually no experience on a sled. I'm liking the sounds of the Polaris and Arctic Cat so far. I don't know much about the Etec engine and its reliability and same for the 2013+ Polaris RMK. The dealer says they are having a great reputation so far.

 

[akstormin]

Great advice on here so far. Of course dealers will tell you anything you want to hear...but you already know that. Your question about ETEC's. The 600 ETEC is a fantastic motor, very reliable, great fuel mileage, easy on belts, virtually no smoke etc.. The 800 ETEC is also very good, not as bulletproof as the 600, but then again none of the 800's are. Probably not as belt friendly either.
I will the second the Polaris Pro making people more capable riders. I had a friend that rode XP's for years, he switched to the Pro and now he's doing stuff he only dreamed about before. I don't think his skills improved that much, its just that the sled is a lot more capable and forgiving. Your GF would be all smiles with a 600 Pro after riding that Phazer.

Are you looking for a new sled or slightly used like 2010 and up?

 

[phillybean]

I can only speak for the two sleds I've owned, a 06 Rev and 13 Pro.

I've been riding for 2 years. 1000 miles last year and 750 so far this year. I ride with guys worth 10-20 years riding experience and with the exception of not always having the balls to do a big climb, I keep up with them. I don't slow them down and every once and while I do a line they wouldn't think of trying. They ride a 07 RMK 900, 09 XP and 07 XRS. The PRO DOES make you a better rider. I feel like I'm cheating most days.

That said, I've heard great things about the XM and ProClimb as well.

 

[Kirklan]

Save yourself some money, no need to get her a Pro IMO. I'd just get her a regular RMK and do without all the potential headaches of the belt drive, etc. Also, the regular RMK has an extra cooler and will handle the trail riding much better from a cooling standpoint. It has the same chassis as the Pro, so handling and capability are very close to the same. I got a 600 for my wife and she LOVES it!

 

[freetheheal]

I've been looking at used 2013 Pro RMKs. People are getting rid of them for some pretty great deals. I'd like to find one with a 4 year warranty.

The dealer also mentioned just a regular 600 RMK for the lady. You mention "headaches" with the belt drive. Can you elaborate on that? I've been in the Polaris section on here for the drive train and it's all belt drive stuff but that's expected since that's the section for it. Do they really have a lot of problems with it or is it just a handful of sleds? Are there mods people are doing that cause the problems? Thanks again guys.

Edit: I just did some searching and it sounds like the drive shaft had a recall. Did this fix the problem?

 

[glmtnapex]

Just to clarify, a few posts have mentioned the Skidoo XM being a new model and 'untested'. This is true of the chasis and the T-motion skid, but the 800 Etec engine (exactally the same as the 2013 800 Etec) has been out on the snow since the 2011 model year. I have one and it runs flawlessly, has tons of power, and starts first pull everytime. The 600 Etec has been out since the 2009 model year (I think) and also runs great.

I bought my wife a Phazer MTX and, although it was a nice little machine, she struggled with it and became intimidated by it. I sold it and since then, I let her ride my 2011 XP Summit 163" 800 Etec, she loves this sled.

Finally, we live in an area where we occationally have the opportunity to see and even test-ride unreleased Skidoo machines and recently, my wife had the chance to ride a 2014 600 Etec XM prototype. WOW! She absolutely fell in love with this sled! This is good for me, because now I can justify buying a new XM (either a 2013 or 2014) with the explanation that it's "for her". You can not buy a 2013 600 XM, only a 2014, so you would have to Snowcheck one. But an 800 is not that much different, a little more weight but more power too.

I used to be a hardcore Yamaha guy (Mountain Max, RX1, Apex, Phazer), but since switching to Skidoo, I just can't say enough about how pleased I am with their machines.

 

[kidwoo]

I've been in the Polaris section on here for the drive train and it's all belt drive stuff but that's expected since that's the section for it.

Notice how there's no drivetrain section for the other brands?

That section was created this season because the threads were taking over.

Plenty of models from 2011-2013 with chain drives though.


Either way though you guys sound like you should probably get some test rides in on the different brands. Figure out what you like and then get back on here and look for the problems to expect. This place is good like that.

 

[freetheheal]

Either way though you guys sound like you should probably get some test rides in on the different brands. Figure out what you like and then get back on here and look for the problems to expect. This place is good like that.

I think that's a great way to go about it. I haven't ridden anything other than Yamaha's sleds so that would really help to narrow things down. They will probably all feel awesome though. I need to head over to Montrose and get on some of these.

 

[wakeska813]

thought this might help with the reliability part of your question for the E-TECS...personally i think there great engines!! just my opinion.

In 2003, after Bombardier acquired the Evinrude and Johnson Outboards brands, the questionable FICHT technology was replaced by E-TEC direct injection. This improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, oil usage, noise levels, and maintenance needs. This is due in part by a pin point oiling system which only applies oil to the necessary components, unlike the original two stroke motors. Evinrude E-TEC was the first outboard engine technology to win the American Environmental Protection Agency 2004 Clean Air Excellence Award, which recognizes low emission levels.

this is from Wikipedia FYI

 

[freetheheal]

Thanks for that little tid bit of info on the Etec. I'm pretty interested in these sleds but the dealer is 90 miles away so I'm going to have to plan a trip over to look them. Not seen any in person yet.

 

[B-Line Snow Bikes]

Fliparoo side, alternatives.

Consider snow bikes, especially for her, easier than tires on dirt once in the deep.

http://www.snowestonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=331976

 

[wakeska813]

Consider snow bikes, especially for her, easier than tires on dirt once in the deep.

one thing to consider with the snowbikes is that when its deep powder, when you stop and get off the bike and lets say there is 1-1 1/2 of fresh, now when you get off you sink into the snow which is 1-1 1/2 feet deep and now your close to 2 feet from the foot peg...can make it hard to get back on.

the reason i say this is my buddy went riding on one and said it was hard to get back on...if you are short that is, my buddy is about 6'8". just a thought, but those snowbikes are great for boondocking from what he said!!