Mountain Riding and New Doo

[DVarmit]

I have never ridden deep powder or done any mountain riding. All my miles have been on trails here in the east. So, the wife and I are moving to Alaska and based on all the feedback you folks gave me in a couple of other posts I have decided to purchase a mountain sled and not convert my Crossfire..

We are moving to Juneau and after talking with the guys there they run mostly Doo's. I have always been a cat man but getting parts and wrench help in Juneau will be easier if I run a Doo.

I know nothing about Doo's. Never rode one, never really wanted to.. Old cat loyalty I guess. Anyhow, Since I know nothing about mountain riding and nothing about Doo's could someone please give me their opinion on what type of Doo I should get?

I will be riding in the Haines and Juneau area. They told me the powder is deep but the majority of fresh powder is around two to two and a half feet deep. Meadows to chutes etc.. I think the snow is typically very dry and powdery not wet and heavy.

I want to start out with a used sled and run it for a couple of years. Since I will be learning how to ride and probably trashing the sled I don't want to drop big change and end up with a piece of junk by smacking rocks, trees etc..

I am sure I left something out but since I am clueless on mountain riding that is the best I can do.

I weight around 190 lbs and am around 5'8" if that makes any difference?

So, suggestions please?

Thanks
Doug

 

[sledhead ut]

What Doo to do

Don't know what your budget amount is, but I will take a shot at it. Best used Doo for the performance, reliablity and cost is an 06 Rev 800/159". You will be looking at 6K to pick one up. Don't know how you would plan on finding one. I'm sure they are very scarce in your area. Also the 04 and 05 were good, just not as good as 06.
Good Luck

 

[Wade]

Heck I've been riding a 02 ZX Doo for years now, just finally upgraded. If you want to start cheap, look for a 151 inch long with 2 inch paddles, 800cc motor, 2002 ZX summit, with low miles, say less than 2000 miles. No motor mods (head, nitrous, turbo, aftermarket motor, or twin pipes), and look for any lightweight additions thrown in, such as a light hood, Boss Seat, and a light exhaust. Oh and a handle bar riser makes it a lot easier. I've seen them on here for $3000. It's a good starter sled, and you won't hold anyone up due to track length, unless you ride with guys with 163" tracks.

Next option is the 06 151" 800 Rev. Like sleadhead suggested.

Just my 2 E-10 cents worth.

 

[cookiecutter]

As it is your first mountain sled I'd get something a little more reliable than a doo 8. i've just seen alot of them go, my buddies is in the shop every two weeks. i got into an 06 revv 600 and LOVE it! i'm 5' 11, 175lbs and it pulls me great. mine is bone stock and it still has good power. rode one the other day that had some work done and it was very impressive

 

[sledhead ut]

Your buddy must have a dud. If you do a search on this site for which Rev to buy. Hands down 06 800. 2300 miles on mine before I crashed it, and never a trip to the shop in it's 3 yr. shortened lifetime.

 

[DVarmit]

Ok, you guys made me think of a question. I have been told to stay with the shorter track to make it easier to get around trees etc. One guy is running a Summit with a 144 X 16 and he loves it. He says it's small enough to maneuver around trees and enough track to keep him on top.

So what is the big difference in the length of track? Why would I want a say 151 or 159 or 144?

You will be looking at 6K to pick one up. Don't know how you would plan on finding one.

We are going to drive out to the coast and take the boat in from there. When the time comes I would like to get one that is on the way and pick it up on the way to the boat and take her in from there.

It's a good starter sled, and you won't hold anyone up due to track length, unless you ride with guys with 163" tracks.

What exactly do you mean by "holding anyone up due to track length?" Does that mean I won't get stuck?

As it is your first mountain sled I'd get something a little more reliable than a doo 8. i've just seen alot of them go, my buddies is in the shop every two weeks.

That's not good! Does anyone else have an opinion on the 800's? I remember reading something on them in my sled mag's. I think I will dig them out and go back through them to see if I can find anything.

i got into an 06 revv 600 and LOVE it!

Is a 600 really enough to take the straight ups? I have no idea what it takes to climb so I may be out of line by asking that question. I have been told the more horses the better although I must admit, these guys seem like power junkies.. I have no desire, at least not now, to drop off a 100' vertical cliff.

 

[sledhead ut]

It's all about track float. Ski Doo's are unique cuz they are 16" wide not 15" like all others, giving you the same footprint by using a shorter track. You could get by with a 151. My 159 would boondock with anyone. Rider skill play a large factor in that though. I'm 205 bs. and 6'3" and need all the power and track float I can get. All the new sled are dropping weight like crazy. Seems to be working.

 

[nathaniel11]

Well if your debating on track size. This year was the first time I was out in the mtns. Im 5'10" 175 soaking wet with gear and I was riding a 07 summit 800 151 and it was perfect. Was just great for climbing and amazing in the powder and trees.

 

[ondaprowler]

i would say look into an 03 or newer 800 for doo. The 02's had some troubles with the jets but if you find an 02 with the updates it should be fine. 03 and newer have the h.o motor in them which is around 140+hp. Also the 700 rotax seems to be well liked for dependibility but it was only round till 03.

 

[AlaskaJeff]

Juneau eh? Juneau is very unique with limited riding area and mostly serious terain and the snow gets stupid deep and not always the dry fluffy stuff. Visit Sharky's Pic's on Dootalk.com. I would pm Sharky as to what sled you need. Here is da link...
http://www.dootalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87159&hl=sharky

 

[DVarmit]

Juneau eh? Juneau is very unique with limited riding area and mostly serious terain and the snow gets stupid deep and not always the dry fluffy stuff. Visit Sharky's Pic's on Dootalk.com. I would pm Sharky as to what sled you need. Here is da link...
http://www.dootalk.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=87159&hl=sharky

Yup, already chatted with him and some of the guys from the Juneau club. As far as riding area they have two local places to ride and they are working on trying to open a trail to the ice fields which would provide a HUGE area to ride in! I am more looking forward to riding Haines, Sakgway area's but at least I have two hopefully three places to ride really close to home..

 

[cookiecutter]

as for myself i wont be getting an 800 unless i can pick one up with warrenty. but if you can find one with low miles that runs right they are an awesome sled!
as for 600 power, my 6 will go anywhere the 8's will. i just wont beat them up a hill. they are a fun sled. but if the people you will be riding with in alaska all have the high horse power you might want to get the same, just so your on something familiar to them so you can help eachother out.

 

[Ridgerat]

as for 600 power, my 6 will go anywhere the 8's will. QUOTE]

Negative ghost rider! Not in deep snow.

I've got 1 of each, and the 800 (as most people would guess) will out do the 600 in the steep in the deep 100% of the time.

 

[winter brew]

My .02.....if you buy a 144 you will wish you got a 151....buy a 151 and you'll wish you got a 159. Once you get used to the handling of a particular sled/track length it is easy to maneuver in the trees....a 159 is actually easier to ride in the tight trees than shorter tracks IMO since you can go slower without sticking it, I have never seen a difference in turning radius, that is defined by how sharp the skis turn and in the deep the turning is done by leaning/countersteering the entire sled.
Get a 800 as new as your budget allows. You already know how to ride so you are the only one who can answer how much power you want, remember the deep snow, bigger track and altitude eat up the power.

 

[sled-fiend]

Anyhow, Since I know nothing about mountain riding and nothing about Doo's could someone please give me their opinion on what type of Doo I should get?

I am sure I left something out but since I am clueless on mountain riding that is the best I can do.

Geez after all the posts asking about mountain riding you've started you still claim to be clueless about mountain riding??

TTT for ya

 

[DVarmit]

Geez after all the posts asking about mountain riding you've started you still claim to be clueless about mountain riding??

TTT for ya

I guess your right.. I guess I "know" a little about mountain riding. Maybe I should say that I have not "tagged" my first tree yet

Hey, I have another question for you guys based on some comments regarding the 600 and 800's.

as for 600 power, my 6 will go anywhere the 8's will.

Negative ghost rider! Not in deep snow.

I've got 1 of each, and the 800 (as most people would guess) will out do the 600 in the steep in the deep 100% of the time.

Here is the question! If the track is the same size the flotation should be the same so what the hell does it matter if it's a 600 or 800 other than the 800 has the ability to dig a trough quicker

Oh, one more.. What does will out do the 600 really mean?

 

[DVarmit]

Geez after all the posts asking about mountain riding you've started you still claim to be clueless about mountain riding??

TTT for ya

Just wanted to post a thanks to everyone for putting up with and answering my stupid questions. Even though I can tear up the trails with the best of them this mountain stuff is really new to me and I do appreciate the help.

 

[winter brew]

Flotation is 1/2 the story....the other half is how fast you can spin the track....faster means higher on the hill or farther in the deep. That's why the 800 will always outdo a 600, all else being equal.

 

[theultrarider]

DV
Are you a boater? Have you ever tried to get an underpowered or overloaded boat up "on step"? That is what you must do in the deep soft snow. An 800 will get up and plane out far quicker and easier than a 600 or smaller sled. Make sense? The other big thing that the bigger engine will let you do for the same reason is to go SLOWER when you have a big hole, tree,log ect... at the base of a hill. You can slow down for the obsticle, but have enough motor to be able to recover and get back up on step and still make the hill. With the smaller motor you will have to bonzia over or through things to keep your momentum up so you don't get stuck. An 800 151-163 is basically your all around workhorse of the mountians. It is not a hotrod, but what I put my wife and kids on so that they can get around! I don't care what flavor you ride, the same holds true.I have never met anyone that regrets the hp in the deep. Likewise, after a few rides and learning your blalance in the powder, you will not notice the track length. Like was said earlier, The longer track also allows you to go slower as you are learning. I am glad to see that you have decided to make the jump to a real mtn sled rather than try to mod your xfire. You will far happier and money ahead.
Tim

 

[Ridgerat]

I guess your right.. I guess I "know" a little about mountain riding. Maybe I should say that I have not "tagged" my first tree yet

Hey, I have another question for you guys based on some comments regarding the 600 and 800's.



Here is the question! If the track is the same size the flotation should be the same so what the hell does it matter if it's a 600 or 800 other than the 800 has the ability to dig a trough quicker

Oh, one more.. What does will out do the 600 really mean?

Floatation is important, but its not everything. I'm no good at technotalk, but basically tree riding I haven't noticed a huge advantage for HP. However when climbing or jumping in deep snow, the 800 spins the track faster. More HP = faster track spin = climbing higher and jumping bigger. Granted a properly clutched and geared 600 could maybe match or beat an 800 that was not set up properly.

All that being said, I'll really like the 600. It's been a great sled and burns less gas than the 800 for sure. Its also fun and challenging to keep up with everyone on 800's. I can usually get where the 800's go, just not always the same route.

I think your enjoyment factor will be highest if you get a sled with similar track length and HP to what your riding buddies will have. The 600 and 800 weights are so similar that I cannot tell any difference when riding them. If anything the 800 power-to-weight ratio makes it feel lighter.

If you are a new deep snow/mountain rider AND on a smaller, shorter sled its gonna be tough onyou to keep up. To keep your learning curve shorter and playing field evener (is that a word?), I'd go for the 800 151 or 159 if I were you.

Just my .02 or .03 though.

Congrats on the move to AK by the way!