Need some sled choice advice.

[BILTIT]

162" on flat rides like a dream. All depends what you want to use it for i guess.

I rode it both in the mountains and here around lloyd, probably 250 of the 850 miles i put on it were around lloyd.

I ride my 155 pro around here too with no issues, just isnt as fun as i would be hard pressed to get stuck.

It has 159 rails and big wheel kit to fit the 162 so it isnt much over 159 in reality.

 

[BILTIT]

I also have a 2000 XCSP 440 136" that will be up for sale in a month or so.


Cheaper than the rmk for sure.

 

[Crocky250]

Pm'd you Biltit

 

[Crocky250]

Also forgot to add I'd like reverse as well. M7's don't have it nor can you get it correct?

M8's are far and between in my price range

What I'm getting from you guys is:
-M7 best all round sled for price range
-M8's up the 7 with reverse ability
-Older doo and poo 800 be cautious of unless low km and paper work is in place of motor work
-Older polaris's win in susp department
-600-700 are the more reliable motors
-and stay away from mid 2000 skidoo for suspension?

Guess a guy has just got to add it all up and pick one in my range

 

[Toolbag]

Also forgot to add I'd like reverse as well. M7's don't have it nor can you get it correct?

M8's are far and between in my price range

What I'm getting from you guys is:
-M7 best all round sled for price range
-M8's up the 7 with reverse ability
-Older doo and poo 800 be cautious of unless low km and paper work is in place of motor work
-Older polaris's win in susp department
-600-700 are the more reliable motors
-and stay away from mid 2000 skidoo for suspension?

Guess a guy has just got to add it all up and pick one in my range

Yessir! You have learned well grasshopper.

Forget reverse, seriously, you most likely do not need that headache. In the '07-08 M8s reverse is mechanical and often fails. Even the electronic reverse in my new Pro is a hit and miss deal, it woks but seems pretty hard on belts when used anywhere beyond the parking lot.

I suggest you save up a bit longer and find a clean M7. It is definately the best budget Mtn sled out there right now.

 

[Toolbag]

Haha! was waiting for someone to get bent out of shape over the polaris comment

Not bent, I just didn't find your comment very accurate. They ALL have issues last I checked. Even the M7/8, they will need a new primary clutch every 2000 miles like clockwork. Keep an eye on it because sometimes they take out the crank too. Ski-Doos in his price range are top end every season sleds, and of course the Poo 800s like to eat that PTO side bearing.

I was simply mentioning that MY experiece was different than the norm. Out of the 8-10 800 Edge sleds I spent a lot of time around only 1 ever lost its crank.

They are all timebombs in one respect or another, especially since they are getting to be 10-15 years old now.

 

[Mort2112]

Forget reverse, seriously, you most likely do not need that headache.

I am going to politely disagree...buying a sled in your range without reverse is a huge waste of time, IMO. I use mine regularly, whether in the garage, trailer, or on the trail. I have on '06 RMK 144 and it works flawlessly every time.

If that were me, I'd be looking for a Polaris 600 or 700 IQ RMK. they can be had in your price range. The 700's will push up a bit higher but the 6's are out there if you look. Reliability is off the charts on those motors. My 6 has never been cracked open, and pulled 118-119 on the last pull test earlier this year. Haven't done one for fall yet.

 

[Crocky250]

3 2005-2009 polaris 600's lowest one is $4500ish

Quite a few 900's but read to pretty much run from them and the 700 fusions to do the same, run while you can.

I'd get a doo if the ones in my range wouldn't crumple if you hit things lol still an option though. Are the doo's any good with the reinforcements? 06 is the good year in motor depth right? 07 is finicky?

Cat looks great only downfall is reverse and clutches it seems. Any more I should know if I go look at some Cats?

And Biltit's RMK is still on the list as well

 

[Toolbag]

Personally I am not an IQ fan regardless of the motor in it. My buddy has two 600 IQs, one stock '07 HO and one with an SLP 626 I think. The stock one lost a motor at under 2000 miles, so much for bombproof... I don't think they are as good a chassis as the M7/8 either.

When looking at the M-Cats the primary clutch is something you want to be wary of. It is best if it has recently been replaced. If you get into the M8s, you will want to make sure the reverse works smoothly. When it fails the Diamod Drive is toast (about $600). Get the track up, spin it by hand, make sure you do not hear metallic grinding from behind the secondary.

Mostly though, they are very trouble free. I help maintain a small fleet of 2 M7s, 2 M8s and 2 M1000s. Not a single issue with any one of them over the last couple of seasons.