maybe yamahas for family sleds???

[kootenayguy]

Hey everyone,

Ill try to keep this short- basically Im trying to get myself and the wife into our first mountain sleds, and Im considering the following machines that ive found in our budget. Ive expressed to my family and friends that my first and foremost concern is reliability, and much to the dismay of some very devout Arctic Cat people, Ive come to understand that the wide consensus in the industry is that Yamaha makes the most reliable machine.

Most if not ALL of our riding will be on un-groomed logging roads and skidder trails with lots of playing in deep (and sometimes steep) open fields. I was hoping to post this thread in here so as to avoid as many of the "Ive-been-a ski doo / polaris / cat-guy-my-whole-life-and-theyre-the-most-reliable-sleds bar-NONE!" comments as possible- LOL

The machines that were looking at (and ones we'd like all your opinions on in regards to reliability and fun factor on the mountain) are:

For her:
#1: 1999 Mtn Max 600
#2: 2001 MTN MAX 600
#3: 1998 MTN MAX 600

For me:
#4: 2001 SRX 700 MTN
#5: 2001 MTN MAX 700
#6: 2003 MTN MAX 700
#7: 1998 SRX 700 MTN

Not sure if the SRX is the same as the mtn max- two selds were advertised as such so maybe theyre different- not sure

Thanks for any and all help and apologies for being such a lamen-

 

[Woody67]

2000 and newer mountain max 600 and 700 are by far the best sleds out of your lists. The mountain SRX is not the same and no where near as good for what you are looking for.

 

[TRUEBLUEMAX]

I have a 2000 mtn max with over 5000 miles. Great sled has been dead on reliable. Only thing I've ever done was replace the rope.

 

[MTN_VIPER]

The "red head" 600-700 triples are easily in the top 5 list of most realiable 2 stroke snowmobile engines ever made, maybe even number 1! Even with mods (pipes) they'll run for a very long time.

As mentioned above the 2000 and newer are the best choice, since they received some chasis upgrades. Such as rear suspension and track.

The SRX has a power valved engine. They are also realiable and make good power (approx 140-145hp). However they are heavy and can be a bit of a handful to ride in the mountains unless your a really big guy.

 

[Lt Rascal]

I would have to agree with all of the replies above. Go 2000 or newer and you will not regret it. My only adder is form 2000 and on the 600 and 700 are practacally identical. Except top motor top ends. The 600 triple will be right there with the 700. In my opinion I would get 2 700's for the idea of ALL the parts are interchangeable. The thing to remember in that is that in 2002 (I am pretty sure, maybe 2003) the M-max changed the stator so the electrical systems are differant. The easy way to tell is the newer version has a dual head light where as the older ones only had one head light.

 

[LoneViper]

I've had a 97 600, 2000 700 and a 2001 600. The 2000 and later sleds have a better approach angle, a 141" track and the tripple motor is outright tuff.
go 2000 or later, the SRX is a differant animal and probably not as friendly.

 

[Escmanaze]

Forget the 600

I would recommend the 2003 MM700 for you and the 2001 MM700 for her - forget the 600. There was a time when my brother owned a 99 MM700 and a 97 MM600. He thought the 600 was for his wife, but she actually preferred the 700, so he always ended up on the 600, which obviously didn't sit well.

In 2008, my family's sled condition was as follows:

Dad:
2001 MM700
99 MM700
97 MM600

Brother:
2001 MM700
99 MM700

Me:
Arctic Cat M8 - 2008

My brothers and dad raised me yamaha, but I've since been converted to Arctic Cat. I'm just more than happpy with taking the sled on into Cutlers once or twice a year to have him keep it running top notch, and sell it every couple of years for a new one.

What it sounds like you want is more what my dad wants - a mountain sled sure, but reliability is paramount!! You can't go wrong with the MM700 in that case - I just don't see any reason to get the wife the 600 - I really think she'll enjoy the 700 every bit as much if not more, just like my sister in law.

I would also tend to agree on avoiding the SRX unless you're a big guy with plenty of muscles. For a family sled, I think trading less power for also getting less weight with the MM is probably the right way to go there.

As a side note, I sold my M8 because I had a kid and got poor, and my dad bought a new nytro. After two years on the nytro, he said forget it and wanted his MM700 back, so now I'm on the Nytro - which I'm not complaining about. Anyway, to me, it was a testament of just what a good sled yamaha was building back then that he got a sled 8 years newer and still wanted to go back to his old one - says he just feels like he has more fun on it and doesn't have to work so hard. I do agree that it is more work to toss around the Nytro, but I'm still a young whippersnapper who is willing to trade up and get more power even if it means more weight.

Good Luck - Hope you love whatever you buy.

 

[sidehil]

My first new sled was a 98 mm 600 and then my whole clan got 98 700s so then I got a new 2000 mm700. Go 2000 or later. They are tough and I think my 2000 mm has at least 6 or 7000 miles on it not sure its my kids sled now since I moved to an apex. You can still get light weight everything for them