Good to find this site! We moved up to Buena Vista, CO last year and skiied all winter. We dirtbike and cruise the Turbo RZR in the summer.....thinking of getting a sled now. Ive only ridden once over in Crested Butte back in 2010 on some junky rental. Need some advice on a beginner sled but dont want a dog. Im 37 and still like some performance. I assume my riding will be 30-50% groomers to get to any of the back country powder over in Taylor Park or up north by Leadville. At this point I dont wana spend a ton on something Im not sure of yet.....I still like to ski but this will get me to some more remote places as well. Im partial to Polaris as well. Budget wise Im not sure of. Dont have a hardline on that but lets say shy of $5k for sure. Allthough Ive seen some super nice 13+ RMK's for around 6ish that look tempting but not sure thats the best sled for what Im after but again not sure. Im mechanically inclined and weigh around 200# just FYI. Thanks in advance!
Need 1st Timer Sled Advice, Buena Vista, CO
- Thread starter Glen1978
- Start date
Whats an M sled?? Ive only looked at Polaris at this point and trying to stay Polaris.
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FCR112
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Arctic Cat M8 is an m sled and they are a great first mountain sled, newer the better through 2011 is true, bullet proof engine. Cat changed the chassis in 2012 with mixed reviews and many rider jumped ship to Polarry. Otherwise a Pro Rmk, newer the better again, buy an 800 and change the pistons right away and you'd likely be good.
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418752
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418508
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418102
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419047
One of these or similar would be great imo.
Good luck, you will love it up there in the Winter.
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418752
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418508
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=418102
http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=419047
One of these or similar would be great imo.
Good luck, you will love it up there in the Winter.
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Thanks, I was able to figure out what the M was before you replied back but thanks for clarification. I also registered on HCS and was recommended the M as well.....said 10/11 was good to go, stay away from 12 and 13 and then 14 and up was good to go.
With that being said I have some friends around here and they all ride older RMK's. I dont know which one to look at.....600, 700 or 800, pro vs non pro, what track length, etc. Im a NOOBIE to this and dont understand alot of the slang terms so bare with me.....acronyms if you will.
With that being said I have some friends around here and they all ride older RMK's. I dont know which one to look at.....600, 700 or 800, pro vs non pro, what track length, etc. Im a NOOBIE to this and dont understand alot of the slang terms so bare with me.....acronyms if you will.
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The older Polaris 700's were great too, but the Pro RMK chassis handles way better than both the '10-'11 M series and the older Polarry's.
Engine durability was better in the M's though. I'd get a 153-155 but that's personal preference. Longer is better in deep off trail pow. Also get an 800, you are going to be up high in elevation and you'll want more power in no time.
Fwiw I rode and loved an Arctic Cat 153" 2010 M8 and switched to a Polaris 155" 2012 Pro RMK 800 and it took a lot less effort to get to the same places on the Polaris, but be forewarned, change the pistons on the Polarry if they haven't already been they had some skirt issues that showed up for many after 1500 miles or so.
Engine durability was better in the M's though. I'd get a 153-155 but that's personal preference. Longer is better in deep off trail pow. Also get an 800, you are going to be up high in elevation and you'll want more power in no time.
Fwiw I rode and loved an Arctic Cat 153" 2010 M8 and switched to a Polaris 155" 2012 Pro RMK 800 and it took a lot less effort to get to the same places on the Polaris, but be forewarned, change the pistons on the Polarry if they haven't already been they had some skirt issues that showed up for many after 1500 miles or so.
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xc6rider
Well-known member
If you go pre-2011 polaris, id recomnend a 600 or 700. Theyre pretty much bullet proof. 2011+ 800's have been improving slightly with each year.
2008-2010 had some electrical issues, mainly voltage regulators but are great chassis.
$5-6000 can get you into some very solid options in the Pro chassis
Not really sure what to tell ya with other makes.
2008-2010 had some electrical issues, mainly voltage regulators but are great chassis.
$5-6000 can get you into some very solid options in the Pro chassis
Not really sure what to tell ya with other makes.
Again I havent looked at many Cats. Ran across this one that seemed a good deal.
https://denver.craigslist.org/snw/5794837222.html
https://denver.craigslist.org/snw/5794837222.html
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IMO That would be a very solid low maintenance choice. The M is also better at cooling in marginal snow conditions.
Just a little more effort to handle off trail than the Pro RMK chassis.
After riding for a while in the mtns, personally at your price point, I'd probably get a 2012 Polaris Pro RMK and change the pistons out only because I prefer the way it handles.
Just a little more effort to handle off trail than the Pro RMK chassis.
After riding for a while in the mtns, personally at your price point, I'd probably get a 2012 Polaris Pro RMK and change the pistons out only because I prefer the way it handles.
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Also to the riding part. Plan on at least a season of riding to be just ok in the backcountry/powder. It's a whole different world and not anywhere close to easy as it is on trails and groomed stuff. My first season was rough in the backcountry to say the least. Find some good guys to ride with that can teach you the tips and tricks to it. That will go along way to help you get comfortable in the backcountry.
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That's a fact! And just when you think you have it figured out, you will figure out the snow conditions are constantly changing and therefore you will have to adapt the way you ride to those ever changing conditions
. It's awesome!I talked to guy today that has a 2012 Pro RMK with 281 miles on it. I can pick it up for $6k. Its been in storage the last 2.5 years as he cant ride it/no time, etc. Also found a 2009 RMK 700 with 576 miles on it for $4k.
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Those are both some low mileage sleds for their age. If you can get the price where you are comfortable I'd say grab the 12, ride it, and do pistons next summer or the year after depending on how much you ride.
You know how it goes when stuff sits for that long, get the old gas out of it right away, it still has a chain case (which many think is a good thing) so maybe replace the oil in the chain case and check the tension on the chain, tighten the track and go!
All of the above procedures are in the owners manual and available online too.
You would be on a very capable sled that's for sure.
Dang the more I read about the Polaris the better the M8 is looking!! Ive never ridden anything in this class so HIGHLY doubt I would notice the difference in it vs the RMK. I dont mind maintenance but currently Im keeping our fleet going consisting of two square body Chevys, Honda crf 80, 100 and 150f, KTM 200 exc and 525 exc and a Polaris turbo RZR1000. The M8 sounds like it wouldnt add much......not so much for the PoPo. I do like the looks of the RMK ALOT better. I have an AC dealer 2 miles from my house, PoPo is 2 hours away at best.
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Haha yeah, you will have fun on any of them. If you get an M8 you will have a great sled too.
I think your major maintenance may be adding a handlebar riser depending on how tall you are, they have proven to be easy and require little attention. Until you start jumping and tree bashing that is
I think your major maintenance may be adding a handlebar riser depending on how tall you are, they have proven to be easy and require little attention. Until you start jumping and tree bashing that is
Haha yeah, you will have fun on any of them. If you get an M8 you will have a great sled too.
I think your major maintenance may be adding a handlebar riser depending on how tall you are, they have proven to be easy and require little attention. Until you start jumping and tree bashing that is
I appreciate all your help sir. When I get ready to pull the trigger for sure Ill just see whats available then. Hard to even get in the mood for it right now with the lack of winter so far.
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Yeah summer in November is not cool!
Just my opinions, I have little to no knowledge of ski doo and Yamaha in that price range so I wouldn't be surprised if someone else chimes in. I think most would agree the M's are pretty capable and easy, good luck! Keep an eye out for one of Mike Duffy's snowmobile specific avalanche classes too, I think there may be some free ones at a few snowmobile dealerships in CO.
Just my opinions, I have little to no knowledge of ski doo and Yamaha in that price range so I wouldn't be surprised if someone else chimes in. I think most would agree the M's are pretty capable and easy, good luck! Keep an eye out for one of Mike Duffy's snowmobile specific avalanche classes too, I think there may be some free ones at a few snowmobile dealerships in CO.
Definetly gona check out those classes. I dont skimp on safety.
Welcome to CO, excellent country for all your toys!!!
I'm over the mountain on the western slope. Grew up on Polaris machines, father was a diehard popo fanboy at the time. Those machines were nothing like today's machines.
Hadn't rode for 40 years or so and got back into the sport three seasons ago. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it at my old age, but from the first ride I was hooked again. I bought a used 01 mountain cat 800, absolute blast, ran the crap outta it.
Rode a few AC M800s, and decided I needed the newer chassis, the old mountain cat 800 was just to heavy and tough to ride in the deep or in the trees. Stuck all the damn time. Couple months ago I stumbled on a 13 M800 limited in black for 3700.00, guy is local and I knew him and he even carried payments over the summer.
I get the sled home and come across a 12 M1100 turbo limited the guys wants to swap for a 12 or better M800. Checked it out and swapped him.
The turbo has just about every mod/upgrade you can do to it, running a speedwerks 240hp flash.
Point is if you take your time and look around for awhile you can find smoking deals on sleds.
Good luck in your search
I'm over the mountain on the western slope. Grew up on Polaris machines, father was a diehard popo fanboy at the time. Those machines were nothing like today's machines.
Hadn't rode for 40 years or so and got back into the sport three seasons ago. Wasn't sure if I was going to like it at my old age, but from the first ride I was hooked again. I bought a used 01 mountain cat 800, absolute blast, ran the crap outta it.
Rode a few AC M800s, and decided I needed the newer chassis, the old mountain cat 800 was just to heavy and tough to ride in the deep or in the trees. Stuck all the damn time. Couple months ago I stumbled on a 13 M800 limited in black for 3700.00, guy is local and I knew him and he even carried payments over the summer.
I get the sled home and come across a 12 M1100 turbo limited the guys wants to swap for a 12 or better M800. Checked it out and swapped him.
The turbo has just about every mod/upgrade you can do to it, running a speedwerks 240hp flash.
Point is if you take your time and look around for awhile you can find smoking deals on sleds.
Good luck in your search
