Mountain Riding and New Doo

[Ridgerat]

Wow you guys had good replys while I was typing mine for the last 20 minutes. Sorry to repeat some of the same stuff!

 

[DVarmit]

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

That makes sense to me. I was thinking that the more HP the more spin then the more you dig but I see what you are saying. You actually get more flotation or ability to climb and stay on top of the snow with a faster spinning track which creates a sense of lift. I really waffled on converting the Crossfire but you guys talked me out of it. I just couldn't see spending all that time and cash then ending up with a sled that couldn't keep up with the reset of the crew.

 

[DVarmit]

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!

Talking about your 600 brings up a very interesting question. Cat had a M5 back a couple of years ago. Why would anyone want an M5 based on what we are discussing here?

 

[theultrarider]

The m5 was a great kids sled!!! Put a 50-100lb kid on an m5 watch them go. Gets back to the power to weight ratio thing.

 

[DVarmit]

The m5 was a great kids sled!!! Put a 50-100lb kid on an m5 watch them go. Gets back to the power to weight ratio thing.

That makes a lot of sense. I have to get into thinking differently than I do now.

 

[theultrarider]

Yep, riding the steep and deep is waaaay different than trail rinding or lakes back east. It is really a whole different sport. About like comparing nhra and nascar, they are both car racing right? If you like riding back there, you will love the mtns, you just have some learning to do! You will be hooked for sure.
I grew up in Mn but have been up here since 87, I can't imagine riding back in Mn now. How boring that would be.

 

[thebigtreeman]

Let me give you my perspective. I rode exclusively back East before this year since I used to live in that area.

I took a demo run out in Colorado and in the end I chose an 09 XP 800 154". I'm going to change out the front shocks to Fox Floats, add clickers, a vent kit and a higher riser and I'll be set. I'm 220lbs with no gear on so for me I didn't even consider anything less than a 700. The XP with the 800 felt good even though I was coming off a sled with 180hp. As ultrarider said, if you like riding back East, you'll LOVE it in the mountains. I won't be going back East anytime soon for riding. Give me the mountains anyday.

T

 

[DVarmit]

It's posts like these that get me excited to ride in the mountains!

 

[Wade]

Take it from me. No one likes to be the last guy straggling behind the group, holding everyone up. Go rent a couple different sleds and ride with your group. You'll be buying a big enough sled to keep up. And, in the mountains the only thing wrong with a BIG sled is sometimes there's nothing challenging.

 

[907to406]

Hey pal, I was born and raised in anchorage, alaska and rode everything on a 700 136 polaris. I remember lapping past all my buddies on revs of all years between 03 and 06 and tracks between 144 and 159 and i'm 6'2'' 220lbs. What you don't realize is its alaska. Your gunna be riding twice and much snow and on any new sled. AND THE SNOW IN ALASKA IS WET AND HEAVY!!!! UNLIKE IN THE STATES. Your gunna float and stay on top because of the snow pack. Besides that Your gunna be having the time of your life because you are kickin it in AK and riding the best riding in the world and the sled under you doesn't matter all that much. Plus its 90 percent operator and 10 percent machine. Get a clue.

 

[cookiecutter]

Back to what i said about my 6, i never said it would beat a rev 8, but just that it would keep up good. and thats what it will doo, however it has beat some older 800s (i'm pretty proud of my little girl). with that said tho, make a purchase that feels good to ya.
its no good to be riding something and wishing and knowing you could be on somethin different.

 

[sled-fiend]

the sled under you doesn't matter all that much. Plus its 90 percent operator and 10 percent machine. Get a clue.

If he can afford to have a proper mountain sled then he should. I know I've tried to ride a crossfire 136/1.25 in deep snow and it is alot more challenging compared to any new mountain sled. DVarmit you wont look back on a Summit or whatever sled you choose.

 

[DVarmit]

If he can afford to have a proper mountain sled then he should. I know I've tried to ride a crossfire 136/1.25 in deep snow and it is alot more challenging compared to any new mountain sled. DVarmit you wont look back on a Summit or whatever sled you choose.

The wife and I talked it over and we are going to get two mountain sleds. I think it makes a lot more sense and would help us make the transition to mountain riding easier.

 

[DVarmit]

Take it from me. No one likes to be the last guy straggling behind the group, holding everyone up. Go rent a couple different sleds and ride with your group. You'll be buying a big enough sled to keep up. And, in the mountains the only thing wrong with a BIG sled is sometimes there's nothing challenging.

I would hope that the guys I ride with have a little patience until I catch onto this style of riding. As far as renting, they don't have any dealers in Juneau, maybe a Yami which I don't consider a dealer (just joking) . Anyway, if they don't have a dealer I doubt that renting a sled would be an option. I appreciate the suggestion though.