Opinions on what sled to buy limited$$

[Vort]

Okay so I have never been to the mountains snowmobiling have always been a ditch banger in Iowa. But this will be the year for my son and I to enjoy the mountains. Now to my question I currently have a 700 Mountain Max 144 for one of us and need to buy one more sled. I have a couple spotted in my price range so far a 2007 RMK 600 155 carb, or a 2007 Apex Mountain both have about 2k miles and are in excellent shape. I can only spend a max of $4K looking for reliability and something that will handle a 235lb 6ft guy. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated? Also is the MM a good sled for us?

Thanks for all the info so far based on the posts below the Apex is out and I should expand my search to including the M7 or M8s is there any years I should stay away from as far as motor reliability?

 

[Snowmow]

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=366592

I have the perfect sled for you!!

 

[BoonDockinSummit]

Okay so I have never been to the mountains snowmobiling have always been a ditch banger in Iowa. But this will be the year for my son and I to enjoy the mountains. Now to my question I currently have a 700 Mountain Max 144 for one of us and need to buy one more sled. I have a couple spotted in my price range so far a 2007 RMK 600 155 carb, or a 2007 Apex Mountain both have about 2k miles and are in excellent shape. I can only spend a max of $4K looking for reliability and something that will handle a 235lb 6ft guy. Any thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated? Also is the MM a good sled for us?

I would consider the RMK. The Apex is already a heavy machine and add that to your body frame and you are hindering yourself even more on mobility. Most 600 engine are reliable as well and can get around but not everywhere. Just have to pick your places to ride a little more careful.

 

[SRXSRULE]

Do NOT buy the Apex. I owed 2 of them for 6 years. They are a great turn key sled and they are awesome when then have 10-15,000 worth of mods thrown at them but they are not good in stock form with a new rider. you will hate life on that sled.

I also owned a couple mountain maxes, great sled back in the day and would still be a good sled for your son to learn on.

KEEP LOOKING for a sled...there are deals out there. Here is a link to a Pro RMK 800 163, this is a rebuilt sled and in great condition...... IN your price range. deals are out there.

https://eastidaho.craigslist.org/snw/5222052648.html


Eric




Another "good" priced sled.... https://eastidaho.craigslist.org/snd/5217020950.html

 

[tuneman]

To the OP, how many trips per year do you plan to take to the mountains? If your answer is one, I very highly recommend that you rent. It's worth the little extra cost.

There's no better sledding than in the mountains. Take full advantage by using new sleds.

 

[Ryan-41]

Like others have stated....DO NOT buy the Apex, way too heavy for a new rider to learn on. You can buy an M8 in your price range, in my opinion, this would be the perfect sled for you, they have a bullet proof motor and are light and agile. The sled would not hold you back with the limited experience you have in the mountains.
Good luck,

Ryan

 

[bholmlate]

You might want to look out of your area for a mountain sled. Found these two with a quick look on local craigs list 2009 Polaris Assault Snowmobile - $4800 (Sparks, NV) or 2007 arctic cat M8 162 snowmobile - $2509 just as an examples I know its tough to look at sleds far away but it might be worth the effort to find a decent mountain sled out side your local area. We had such a poor year last year people are giving their sleds away. It i had to choose between the two you listed hands down the RMK. its just a better all around sled

 

[89sandman]

In your price range I'd be looking at the M chassis. The words Apex. And mountain should never be in the same sentence I had a Mountain Max back in the day, was a nice sled in its time. Just don't ride any of the newer stuff or you won't want to get back on it.

 

[breisma]

M7

I don't want to start a brand war here but I bought an 06 m7 for 2250. IMHO it is the best bang for the buck I've ever bought.

 

[Vort]

To the OP, how many trips per year do you plan to take to the mountains? If your answer is one, I very highly recommend that you rent. It's worth the little extra cost.

There's no better sledding than in the mountains. Take full advantage by using new sleds.

I do plan on making 3 to 4 trips a year maybe more if I find others to ride with. Thanks for all the comments so far I will put a big X on the Apex based on the comments so far.

 

[boondocker97]

I had a friend that had one of those same 07 RMK 600s you are looking at. That thing was pretty impressive for a 600 I thought. Most of those seemed to be pretty durable, but he did lose a piston one time in it. I'd agree that a 2005-2006 M7 is the best bang for the buck. I still have mine for my backup sled.

 

[DDECKER]

I have a 06 m7 for sale 2500 OBO

 

[Spiced Wafer]

like others have said, no to the apex,

yes on a m series sled, or even a rev...

 

[Vern]

Another vote for m7-m8, I'm about the same build as you and rode an m7 for 8 years. I had zero problems keeping up with skinnier buddies on 800s and was usually the one breaking trail. P.s. My m7 is also for sale if your willing to drive to Utah for a sled��

 

[mountainhorse]

I'm a Polaris guy ...but in that price range... I agree on the M7 / M8... would be a great "Dads sled" to compliment the Mountainmax... Go with at least a 153" track... a 162" would be better for your size, IMO.


.

 

[IGBT]

If you do get an M8 cat, pull apart the diamond drive and dig out the shattered chinese bearing pieces and replace with a nice swiss made double bearing. My 2011 M8 diamond drive had the bearing starting to fail after just 200 miles from new.

After fixing that, I have not had a problem for the next 1400 miles...except for the fact that snow no longer falls in Washington state.

 

[94fordguy]

My preference is also to the Polaris side... the 600 or 700 in the IQ RAW platform will be a great sled for you, both have reverse (unlike the M7... my biggest beef with it!), both have a very good reliability history, and either can be found cheap with low miles. I LOVED my 09 700 RMK... perfect pull and go sled, and not intimidating to beginner level riders, as well as plenty of power to haul my large self up the steep hills with the 800s. I never had 1 single issue with it in 1800 miles.