I'm looking to get a sled this year, hopefully at the Puyallup convention. My friends are telling me I need a track 160 or less and should get a 700 or above. I've ridden dirt bikes growing up but I'm pretty clueless when it comes to sleds. I tend to be a more aggressive rider and would prefer a machine that handles well and can maneuver in wooded areas. Any recommendations?
New to the Sport
- Thread starter yakima-adam
- Start date
What's your budget? Where do you ride?
If you ride in the mountains I would throw these options out there (for used sleds):
-2007-up Polaris Dragon 700
-2004-2007 Ski-Doo Summit 800 (don't do the 600)
-2008-up Arctic Cat M8
-2008-up Polaris Dragon 800 (just make sure it gets the updates)
Sleds I would avoid (this will piss people off):
-Arctic Cat M7 (bog issues, no reverse and not as powerful as D7)
-2005-2006 Polaris 700/900 (need a lot of wrenching and $$$ to get running well)
-Yamaha Apex (too heavy and underpowered w/o turbo)
-Older than 2004 Ski-Doo Summits (some of these ran well, but not as well as RMK's)
-Yamaha 2-strokes (good trail sleds, comfortable, reliable, but underpowered)
If you ride in the mountains I would throw these options out there (for used sleds):
-2007-up Polaris Dragon 700
-2004-2007 Ski-Doo Summit 800 (don't do the 600)
-2008-up Arctic Cat M8
-2008-up Polaris Dragon 800 (just make sure it gets the updates)
Sleds I would avoid (this will piss people off):
-Arctic Cat M7 (bog issues, no reverse and not as powerful as D7)
-2005-2006 Polaris 700/900 (need a lot of wrenching and $$$ to get running well)
-Yamaha Apex (too heavy and underpowered w/o turbo)
-Older than 2004 Ski-Doo Summits (some of these ran well, but not as well as RMK's)
-Yamaha 2-strokes (good trail sleds, comfortable, reliable, but underpowered)
to start with and have fun i would go with an
08-09 700 dragon 155, keep up and no issues
08-09 700 dragon 155, keep up and no issues
I'm guessing you are in Yakima? 
How much do you weigh? Have you ever ridden a sled before?
My recommendation is an 02-05 Polaris Edge chassis. Great starting point for learning, will let you grow, and once you get the basics down you can upgrade to a newer chassis. An Edge can be had for a very reasonable price most likely, so if you end up hating it you aren't out much (and can probably make your $ back on resale).
How much do you weigh? Have you ever ridden a sled before?
My recommendation is an 02-05 Polaris Edge chassis. Great starting point for learning, will let you grow, and once you get the basics down you can upgrade to a newer chassis. An Edge can be had for a very reasonable price most likely, so if you end up hating it you aren't out much (and can probably make your $ back on resale).
O
Ollie
ACCOUNT CLOSED
A good first sled.
It would depend on your budget.
I would say:
02-05 800 RMK 151-159 track.
07+ 700 RMK 155 track
09+ 800 RMK 155 track
M7 153 track (the bog issue is easy to overcome)
M8 153 track
Not a doo fan and don't know much about em, but there were a couple years they were eating belts like candy.
Depending on your budget any one of those sleds would be great runner.
I also would stay away from the apex for a starter sled.
They are the most depandable sled on the market bar none. The primary problem with them is the nose weight and engine breaking on the older apexs. New riders will have a much easier time learning on a lighter sled.
Another option you might consider if you like to tinker.
Get a 07+ 600 RMK 155. They are relatively cheap to get into.
Easy to learn on easy to get unstuck.
The upside to this sled is the engine mods and upgrades available.
You can stuff a tried and true engine big bore kit on (either a 660/685) and hang with any 700 on the mountain and if you really want to juice it up, get the 727 kit. It kicks that little sled up to 150hp.
This option would save you some up front costs while you learn and leave loads of room for the sled to grow. They also make a turbo kit for that engine that will flat out scream.
It would depend on your budget.
I would say:
02-05 800 RMK 151-159 track.
07+ 700 RMK 155 track
09+ 800 RMK 155 track
M7 153 track (the bog issue is easy to overcome)
M8 153 track
Not a doo fan and don't know much about em, but there were a couple years they were eating belts like candy.
Depending on your budget any one of those sleds would be great runner.
I also would stay away from the apex for a starter sled.
They are the most depandable sled on the market bar none. The primary problem with them is the nose weight and engine breaking on the older apexs. New riders will have a much easier time learning on a lighter sled.
Another option you might consider if you like to tinker.
Get a 07+ 600 RMK 155. They are relatively cheap to get into.
Easy to learn on easy to get unstuck.
The upside to this sled is the engine mods and upgrades available.
You can stuff a tried and true engine big bore kit on (either a 660/685) and hang with any 700 on the mountain and if you really want to juice it up, get the 727 kit. It kicks that little sled up to 150hp.
This option would save you some up front costs while you learn and leave loads of room for the sled to grow. They also make a turbo kit for that engine that will flat out scream.
Good starting point by asking everyone on SW. Everyone has there own opinion, I would see what your friends ride and get something similar or scaled down, say they have 800's you could get a 700 in the same chassis. Be careful as stated in other posts, ask questions. I know the dealers are giving some great deals on 09 leftovers. PM me, I'll get you with a dealer that has a kick *** 800 dragon price (no I'm not a dealer just a friendly snowmonut)
new sledder
I have ridden most all manufacturers 600cc+ machines. I love (like we all do) the power of 700-800cc machines. BUT, I take my 600 Shift every time, unless someone talks smack and wants to dragrace up beat down hills, then I bring my sons older Gen2 136 800 Indydan/EricW/SW machine that they were kind enough to build for us. That 'ol beater will stretch your arms out. When its deep and fluffy, I take my 155 Shift. As an "entry" level, economic sled, it def. gets the job done and didn't cost $10k! You might not get there first, but you WILL get there. Reliable and a decent platform to mod if you need more. I didn't see where you stated your weight and height. If you are a 200 pounds or more,go bigger.
p.s. I am a para-sledder btw. I rarely get stuck no matter the terrain.
I have ridden most all manufacturers 600cc+ machines. I love (like we all do) the power of 700-800cc machines. BUT, I take my 600 Shift every time, unless someone talks smack and wants to dragrace up beat down hills, then I bring my sons older Gen2 136 800 Indydan/EricW/SW machine that they were kind enough to build for us. That 'ol beater will stretch your arms out. When its deep and fluffy, I take my 155 Shift. As an "entry" level, economic sled, it def. gets the job done and didn't cost $10k! You might not get there first, but you WILL get there. Reliable and a decent platform to mod if you need more. I didn't see where you stated your weight and height. If you are a 200 pounds or more,go bigger.
p.s. I am a para-sledder btw. I rarely get stuck no matter the terrain.
P
Puddy Tat
Well-known member
i stated out on a 399 ac panther, and boy have the machines changed, i have been riding a long time, and out of all the sleds that i have had though out my life and i have had alot of sleds, i still like my old m-7 ac the best i am now riding a 07 m-8 its a blast but if i put some one thats new to sledding on anything it would be the m-7 nothing wrong with the d-7 but i still like my m's.
