newbie looking for a used mountain sled

[lessongeo]

Hello All:

Before I feel the rath of the forum - a bit of background.

I would like to get back into snowmobiling. I used to go as a kid and teenager, but that was 20 years ago. And my, have the sleds changed!

I am not a complete powersport newbie -- a still actively ride dirtbikes in the rocky mountains - single track hill climb etc. I have a 2009 ktm250xc.


Anywho, I am getting tired of the long lift lines in the winter and only getting a couple of snowboard runs in...

A few co-workers are into snowmobiling, but they have brand new machines. I simply cannot afford it.

WHat I am looing for is the best bang for your buck $6000 dollar machine.

These guys "boondock", do some hillclimbing, but mostly ride backcountry deep powder....I've seen their videos and pics and I am hooked!

Anywho, any comments or direction would be greatly appreciated.

Thx

 

[94fordguy]

$6,000 will buy you a pretty dang nice machine actually.

Depending on what your friends like and how they ride, I would think you could look into a 2007 - up Polaris 700 IQ RMK or an 08 - up Arctic Cat M8. Both are good reliable sleds, good power, and are easy to get accustomed to.

My $.02


And welcome to the forum

 

[m8magicandmystery]

yep...6 grand will buy ya a nice sled...the guys you plan on riding with should be a big help on info if they have been riding for the past several years..??..but anyway a great shape m7/m8 or polaris like ford guy says..hey have you checked out timbersleds track kits for motorbikes..??...its an awesome set up..

 

[m8magicandmystery]

http://www.timbersled.com/

 

[ACMtnCat]

Best bang for the buck is going to depend on a couple of things. You dont have to through 6K at if you dont need too. Plenty of great machines for less money.

It will be easier to ride the same band as the guys you will go riding with the most. As they will be able to help you with tuning tips and problem solving if and when you need help, And the closest dealer to you. Driving twenty minutes to get a part or supplies is a hole lot easier than an hour or two.

Find one with less then 2000 miles and ride the piss out of it!
Skidoo - look for a '06 rev 800..........$4000-5000 US
Polaris - look for a '06-'07 RMK 700...$3000-4000
Arctic Cat - look for a '06 M700.........$3000-4000

Damn fine sleds for well under $6K!

 

[lessongeo]

Thanks for the responses...I'm up feeding the little guy - a 6 weeker.

The guys I plan on riding with are diehard polaris guys. I have no allegiances, just starting to search.

I dont know all the little quirks about modern sleds....yet.

Like:
"watch out for the '07 so and so's clutches"
"do the motor mod because that year they only had a single ring on the piston"
"or that was the year before the upgraded the chassis.."

 

[logger155]

Buy my 08 dragon $6250, its perfect for you.

 

[sled-fiend]

I wouldn't look at the Polaris 700's below 2007. The 800 rmks (polaris) from 08 to current had quite a few engine issues from what I've seen and heard. I had an 07 Dragon 700 and it was a blast to ride and pretty much bullet proof minus the voltage regulator (simple fix). Like the others have said, 6k will get you a nice deck. When you find something your hot on use the search function and you'll find plenty of info to make or break your deal. Good luck!

 

[mountainhorse]

I agree with everything that AC said EXCEPT for the 2006 700 RMK... That is a different, big block sled,... a fair amount of issues to tend to in setup... For a newby... I'd steer clear of the 2006 RMK's.

You cant go wrong with the 2007 -2009 700 RMK's... They are very solid performers and you can find one for less than your budget. I'd steer clear of the 2008-2010 800 RMK's just from a "newby perspective"...and reliability. You should be able to find a 2009 700 RMK on your budget... the clutching stock is good, no real need for an aftermarket muffler (AKA "can") ...Set up the adjustments on the clutching, keep the belts and clutches clean, make the handlebars comfortable and have fun.

The M7's are a great sled awesome performer.... as well as the M8's if you can find one on your budget.

I had an 06 REV... they do not take as much abuse as the Polaris (most stout) or the Cats.

You can find some great deals on sleds over the summer... just watch out for modified sleds... you have to be damn sure that the work was done in a quality fashion and that the sled was not ridden hard... Better, IMO, to find a year older sled with low miles than a later model with High mileage... even if it has a new top end or motor.. the chassis/bushings/parts wear and loosen over time as well.

IMO... stay away from Race/Hillclimb (RMSHA) sleds even when they say "only raced twice" or "back up sled"... unless the price is a giveaway and it has no obvious flaws.

Good luck... Welcome back!!

ACMtnCat[:/B] Best bang for the buck is going to depend on a couple of things. You dont have to through 6K at if you dont need too. Plenty of great machines for less money.

It will be easier to ride the same band as the guys you will go riding with the most. As they will be able to help you with tuning tips and problem solving if and when you need help, And the closest dealer to you. Driving twenty minutes to get a part or supplies is a hole lot easier than an hour or two.

Find one with less then 2000 miles and ride the piss out of it!
Skidoo - look for a '06 rev 800..........$4000-5000 US
Polaris - look for a '06-'07 RMK 700...$3000-4000
Arctic Cat - look for a '06 M700.........$3000-4000

Damn fine sleds for well under $6K!

 

[lessongeo]

Wow! A lot of great suggestions and advice here. I'm really impressed.

Sounds like the guys I will be riding with are not far off the mark at all....they are steering me towards the polaris.

 

[AndrettiDog]

Don't be afraid of the D8's. With the updates and a little fuel control, they are awesome.

Stay away from the 2006 Polaris 700 and Polaris 900's. Some guys can really setup the 900's, but if you are new, you might avoid that. Ski-Doo Revs and XP are awesome machines but the Rev is tough for a newbie to boondock on. The XP is a little better, but nothing like the Polaris and AC machines.

I would go for a good M8, D8, D7 or XP. You can get a hell of a Rev for that much, but you shouldn't need $6000 to get one. The AC's are great reliable sleds but a little underpowered before 2009 and I think the chassis is outdated (more traditional "bath tub" style). The Polaris D7 and D8's have been my choice because the chassis is great for boondocking and they were both super reliable for me.

If I had to pick one sled for you I would go with the Polaris D7. Very reliable, snappy and excellent handling. Not much less power than the M8. You may eventually feel that you need more power but it will always go everywhere you need it too.

 

[ACMtnCat]

Wow! I thought there was a 600 or 700 Poo that kick some azz.??? Guest not!

The D8's around here have been piles of sht! with 4-6-10 rebuilds/updates. Better have a backup sled if you plan on riding every weekend!

 

[AndrettiDog]

Wow! I thought there was a 600 or 700 Poo that kick some azz.??? Guest not!

The D8's around here have been piles of sht! with 4-6-10 rebuilds/updates. Better have a backup sled if you plan on riding every weekend!

Really? You're going to spread that Shee-oot for someone asking a legit question?

 

[Hemi]

My wife is selling her 07 Dragon 700 and it's in Calgary. PM if interested, won't be fire sale priced, only fairly priced.

L8TR

 

[ACMtnCat]

Really? You're going to spread that Shee-oot for someone asking a legit question?

I did talk to a guy that was pumped on his D8! It was early May and he had 7 miles on it! It did rip for a stocker with only 7 miles!

The other 5-6 D8's I rode with personally, they were all glad to be out on the snow again. They had all missed more than a 10-15 days from being in the shop getting the 2nd or 4th update done and the 1st - 2nd or 3rd new top ends for 2 or 3 of them. Half of the season for a couple of them. If my sled was in the shop for half the season, I'd be buying a different sled for sure!

They tried not sounding disappointed about the low number of quality ride days for the year. 60 out of 65 days for me and my M8. Happy I had a backup sled for those 5 days my M8 was acting up!

A local Poo dealer that I questioned about his shops D8 failure rate told me 17-20%. So I guess there are a bunch running good with few problems, I just didnt see or hear of them.

P.S. The D7 was the one I was thinkin of for the newbie lookin for good bang for the buck.

 

[snowmobiler]

ill be the first in this thread to say go big engine or sit at take pics.my wife is sellling her excellent conditon 07 m1000 162.$4500.6,7,and 800s are for kids