Recommend me a 600 cc mountain sled for my girlfriend

[Lococoin]

Right now she has an 07 phazer mountain lite but i think she is going to outgrow it this year. I would like to get her something with reverse and probably a 153 inch or so track for riding in the mountains with me.

I have been looking at the 05 and up Arctic Cat M6's and the newer Polaris RMK 600, haven't done much research on the Bombardier 600s yet.

What do you recommend? I would like to get something that has a reliable power plant, not a ticking time bomb.

Thanks

 

[CatWoman]

How long has she been riding? What kind of riding? Is there a reason you are limiting her to a 600?

 

[dafarmer]

Can't go wrong with the M6. It does can have a 153" track. Only problem is no reverse. My ma has an 05 and loves it! (She's 68) Only thing done to it was a boss seat--highly recommended.

I did ride with a guy last winter that had a 600 rmk-09 I think. Might be a little newer than what your looking for but I was impressed with it.

Have no experience with doo.

 

[boondocking fool]

polaris rmk 600 155 track , perfect sled , good power, light , and a whole lotta fun

 

[RMKcowboy]

My buddies wife has an 05 or something Rev 600 SDI with reverse and she really likes it. My wifey rides a 99 RMK 700/136" and has graciously offered to cut my nuts off if I ever sell it Not the newest, flashiest thing out there but it's been a great sled and she can go anywhere she feels like going with it.

 

[GoBigParts]

The Polaris 600 is powerful and bullet proof. Plus the IQ chassis is a great boondocking sled.

 

[Motley Doo]

The M6 did have mechanical reverse in a few years, buddy rides one and loves it. Also, it's pretty hard to beat a Rev 600 SDI, great, bulletproof sleds, and you can find them dime a dozen anymore!

 

[Lococoin]

How long has she been riding? What kind of riding? Is there a reason you are limiting her to a 600?

She has only been riding a year on the snow, dirtbikes and quads for a long time. Mostly mountain riding with some trail riding around home when the snow is ok. I was worried a bigger sled might scare here away, maybe that is not the case though. She did ride my turbo nytro last year and didnt really like it, thought it was too big, didnt say much about the extra power though.

 

[Lococoin]

The Polaris 600 is powerful and bullet proof. Plus the IQ chassis is a great boondocking sled.

What year did they start making the IQ chassis?

 

[Lococoin]

The M6 did have mechanical reverse in a few years, buddy rides one and loves it. Also, it's pretty hard to beat a Rev 600 SDI, great, bulletproof sleds, and you can find them dime a dozen anymore!

What year did they start making the 600 sdi? Any problem years like the 800s?

 

[skibreeze]

If you want her to be able to sidehill easily, I'd get the cat or Pol.

 

[cookiecutter]

What year did they start making the 600 sdi? Any problem years like the 800s?

If I'm not mistaken the first sdi was in 06. I ride an 06 sdi and couldn't be happier. picked it up with around 400 miles for 4400 bucks, and that was last year. Great gas mileage, light, inexpensive, great power. But really, coming from a phazer she will be blown away by any newer 600.

 

[GoBigParts]

What year did they start making the IQ chassis?

06 for the 600. They electronic reverse as well.

 

[Ollie]

She has only been riding a year on the snow, dirtbikes and quads for a long time. Mostly mountain riding with some trail riding around home when the snow is ok. I was worried a bigger sled might scare here away, maybe that is not the case though. She did ride my turbo nytro last year and didnt really like it, thought it was too big, didnt say much about the extra power though.

I agree with CatWomen.
My wife rides the 07 dragon (and wants nitrous). The power difference between the 600 and 700 isn't that extreme. If your girlfriend has experience with quads and has already been riding a year I would let her test ride a couple sleds of different sizes and let her decide what feels better.

That being said, I would recommend either the 700 RMK (07/08/09) or the 600 RMK (07 to present). Reason being the rmk is an easy sled to ride, lots of aftermarket stuff. If you decide on the 600 and find it is underpowered for her there are bullet proof big bore kits that really wake that sled up.

 

[donbrown]

What year did they start making the IQ chassis?

IQ first made in 2005.

2005 & 3006 are considered inferior to the 2007 IQ RAW chassis and newer years because of weight.

05 and 06 are heavier than the 07 -08 09 models.

 

[Lococoin]

Ok it looks like either the ski-doo 06 and up and the RMK/Dragon 05 and up are the way to go. I definitely want to get reverse so the M6 is out i guess.

Beside this site, what are some good places to search for used snowmobiles?

EDIT: one last question, were all the 06 and up 600 summits SDI or did they have a different version as well?

 

[RMKcowboy]

Ok it looks like either the ski-doo 06 and up and the RMK/Dragon 05 and up are the way to go. I definitely want to get reverse so the M6 is out i guess.

Beside this site, what are some good places to search for used snowmobiles?

EDIT: one last question, were all the 06 and up 600 summits SDI or did they have a different version as well?

Craiglist, or Snowmobiletraderonline.com are good places to search.

 

[Environmentalist]

Here is what your going to hear form this forum...Go the Cat!, Love the Poo, Ski-doo is great. All 3 make great 600's, it's probably the most reliable class on the market, regardless of brand. They all ride different, so I would have her test out the different sleds, and the one she feels most comfortable on...buy it! When the queen is happy EVERYONE is happy.

 

[Motley Doo]

M6's DID have mechanical reverse, my buddies 07' M6 has mechanical reverse.

 

[GoBigParts]

IQ first made in 2005.

2005 & 3006 are considered inferior to the 2007 IQ RAW chassis and newer years because of weight.

05 and 06 are heavier than the 07 -08 09 models.

Correct, but I think he meant the 600HO which Polaris didn't make into the IQ until 06.