Looking to buy used, advice or tips?

[Jreng87]

I'm looking to buy my first mtn sled as winter approaches. I'm not in any real rush, figure I have until January before sledding gets real good around here. I've been shopping and reading on Summits and RMKs, but would not be opposed to a Cat or Yamaha either.

My budget is probably maxed at 4500-5000

Will be used mostly (I say this now) snowboarding laps in the BC

Reliability is most important. This is a huge investment for me so aside from general maintenance it's most important to have a machine that will not keep sucking money from me.

I do really like the idea of a 4-stroke motor but it's not a deal breaker obviously

Any help or info on sleds and what to look for would be appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Himark]

With a good eye for a deal and 5k cash in your pocket you WILL find a good used sled. 4500 is entry level to a good sled. Most arms length transactions on any less $ than that is a POS or has hidden issues.

Just do a good look and do not hesitate to have a helper that may have better experience in used sled conditions. By no means am I discrediting you as I do not know you but a good friend or a 100 bux spent at a dealer for a real look see is well worth it. Hope that helps but as for color of the iron I will let the rest of the boys argue that.

 

[Goinboardin]

You could do a compression test pretty easily on most sleds that fall into that price range (new cats aren't so easy to get to). If you can barrow a compression tester I would include that in the evaluation of a possible sled.

Take a close look at the clutches. If a guy really cares for his sled the clutches will be well kept & fairly clean.

Check the chaincase oil (if it has a chaincase, Cat M-sleds do not). I mostly am just looking to make sure there is oil in there...some fine shavings are inevitable.

Look for lower mileage. If I were to be buying used this fall in that price range I would keep my eyes peeled for a low mileage 09-10-11 Cat M8. Might be tough to swing a 10' or 11' at your price point. The Suzuki motor is pretty reliable. Primary clutches don't always last, and if the diamond drive is neglected they can give you some trouble. Both cheaper than engines though.

A Yamaha would be king of reliability, and I have a buddy that went that route for ski access. It is a very heavy sled...

Polaris 600 motors are dependable. With dependability being high on your list, I'm not so sure I'd buy a Polaris 800 of any vintage in your price range. Don't buy a Polaris RMK900. 1000cc two strokes don't have the best track record either. Cat M7 sleds can be had under your budget, and you may be able to find a low mileage, well cared for M7.

Overall, one thing to prepare yourself for with sled ownership is to expect them to break. They're damn fun though!!

 

[Jreng87]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Quick thoughts on 2010 Nytro MTX with 6,xxx miles? It was used as a tour/rental sled. Listed at $4,500
I know that's not low mileage per se, but I also know those 4-stroke motors will run almost for ever if taken care of.

 

[kidwoo]

Quick thoughts on 2010 Nytro MTX with 6,xxx miles?

NO!


In all for seriousness, that's not really a mountain sled and regardless of the miles on the motor, everything else has 6k+ miles on it. It's a pig. It sucks to ride. And there's a reason it's cheap.

 

[Jreng87]

Huh, I have a friend who has a 2009 with over 4,000 on it and he loves it despite being on the heavy side. I've spent a little time on it and thought it was a real nice ride. I've always had and enjoyed Yamaha bikes and quads though so I may be a little partial.... Although I do believe he snow checked a summit X for this season.

 

[polaris dude]

In the 4500-5000 range you can some something similar to what I have. You could pretty easily find a wife driven 600 155 '09 polaris or probably a similar year 700 too.

 

[Jreng87]

My worry with a 600 is it won't have the power to double/Canuck if it's a deep day. Is that a fair assement?

 

[kidwoo]

My worry with a 600 is it won't have the power to double/Canuck if it's a deep day. Is that a fair assement?

compared to a nytro? Not really. I don't know what the polaris 600s put out but the nytros are like 130hp. The 600 is probably about the same. I imagine the nitro has a stronger torque band. But it's like 100lbs more.

Both will allow you to tandem though. We double up on a buddy's old rev 600 sdi all the time. That's with a trail put in though. You're not likely to be punching in climbs with two up on deep days on any sled.

You'd be fine on any polaris 600 or 700 made after 2006. Or any cat, or any rev.


Now if you want to put a blower on that nytro, that's a different story.

 

[BikerPepe`]

If you call ahead to go check out a used sled, tell the guy you want to see it start from cold. check the engine when you get there to make sure it is still cold.

When I bought mine, the guy had warmed it up before I got there and it started up real nice and easy. Once I got it home, I couldn't get that monster started to save my life.

Some older sleds like mine (04 King Cat 900) start up with a single pull, when warm... but when cold, you can feel like you're trying to pull starting a harley.

May or may not apply to your situation and budget but figured it couldn't hurt to share the experience.

 

[M8Chris]

Like said above id look for an 09 m8 those cats are so reliable. If you can find a 10' that'd be even better with a stronger engine. I've had 3 m8's two 07's and one 2010 all 3 had 3000 miles without any major issues.

 

[shelbwyo]

M7, m8, Polaris 700 are all reliable. Yes a 600 has enough power to get you around. I went from a 700 to 600 and don't notice much difference. Id look at getting a mostly stock sled tho. Look for something that hasn't been broke and n*gger rigged back together. Exhaust and simple mods are ok but I think the more stock it is the longer it will last. I would stay away from the 4 stroke if you are looking for a good mountain sled. Either find some a buddy that can help you work on a certain brand or get to know the dealer a little bit and ask them what they think. There are some good looking sleds on snowest from some even better folk.

 

[Jreng87]

So after doing more and more, and or reading here are my thoughts right now...

1. 05-08 rev chassis summit. They can be found under my budget, but buying a sled that old concerns me.

2. As mentioned in this thread, find an 08 or newer M8 in my budget.

3. If I buy used, I do want to find as stock of a sled as possible. Too me that means the sled probably hasn't had many issues.

4. Buy a brand new Summit Sport 800. Yes this is a bit more than I want to spend and I will have to finance the last half more than likely, but buying a sled with a warranty is huge too me. We all know shop time for anything can add up real quick, especially if they start rebuilding things. Plus, I could ride the sled until the warranty is up and then sell for probably not too bad of a hit. I have friends that do this with wake boat so and always end up on top of the deals.

 

[kidwoo]

I wouldn't buy an 07-08 skidoo.

Everything else on your list looks solid.


And coming out on top after buying a brand new sled?

Heh......you must be new in town.

These are most certainly not wakeboats.

 

[Jreng87]

Why not an 07-08 Ski Doo?

 

[KTMDirtFace]

Why not an 07-08 Ski Doo?

Motor reliability sucked. From what i have been told by people that owened them.

 

[Jreng87]

So i should be looking for an 05 or 06?

 

[kidwoo]

If you're buying skidoo, yes.

Cheap (at this point), pretty reliable, and really good tandem machines.

 

[Goinboardin]

new summit sport

I was quoted 9200 out the door on a 2014 Summit Sport 800. Some of my boarding friends went this route and they are all very happy. They bought mid-late winter in previous seasons so they paid less, obviously not for 2014 sleds but you get the idea. I think RPM Motorsports in Denver has some left over 13' Summit Sports, though I have no idea on price, just saw them at the SnowShow on Sunday. You definitely won't come out ahead going this route, but I don't think it is a bad option. Then again, if it's your first sled you may not want to sink that kind of money into the sport.

 

[Jreng87]

Thoughts on this sled...

This is a lightweight Ski Doo Summit 600. It weighs 43lbs less than stock (445 dry). It has 1800 miles. This sled is carburated. It has Sly Dog Powder Hound skis with 8" carbides, Timbersled cold air intake, WRP lightweight seat with LED taillight, and a CSP carbon fiber silencer. I also just installed a new Skinz 10" mountian bar (3" higher than stock). I'm 5' 11" and the bar keeps my elbows slightly bent when standing. Has skid plate and Skinz shock covers. The sled also has a five-hole-per link ported track (144x16x2), this saved 3.25 pounds spinning weight and makes the track much more flexible. Also ported the running boards for better snow clearing. The snowmobile includes a cover. Overall, very good shape other than a few torn and partially broken lugs along the right edge of the track. ASKING $3500, MAKE AN OFFER.