Sled suggestions

[Dog-duster]

I'm brand new to sleds but I'm doing my best to learn as much as I can about it. I bought a 95 Arctic Cat 580 EXT EFI and a 97 Skidoo Summit 670. Both have some issues and I'm starting to get tired of fixing problems already. My plan is to ride these for this season to see if it's worth investing in a much newer sled next season. I intend to use the newer sled for trail riding, ice fishing, and I'd like to be able to boondock in powder with it. So far in my looking I like the Skidoo Renegade backcountry best. Features I want are electric start, reverse, a reasonably long track and plenty of power. I've kicked around the idea of which engine I'd want and I'm wondering if the 600 HO will do well enough in deep powder. I've also considered the 800R and the four stroke. How much more maintenance and weight does the 4 stroke add? I'm not looking to hill climb or get into any serious mountain riding with it. I'm reasonably open to other makes but I like the looks of the Skidoo.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[suitcase]

I'm brand new to sleds but I'm doing my best to learn as much as I can about it. I bought a 95 Arctic Cat 580 EXT EFI and a 97 Skidoo Summit 670. Both have some issues and I'm starting to get tired of fixing problems already. My plan is to ride these for this season to see if it's worth investing in a much newer sled next season. I intend to use the newer sled for trail riding, ice fishing, and I'd like to be able to boondock in powder with it. So far in my looking I like the Skidoo Renegade backcountry best. Features I want are electric start, reverse, a reasonably long track and plenty of power. I've kicked around the idea of which engine I'd want and I'm wondering if the 600 HO will do well enough in deep powder. I've also considered the 800R and the four stroke. How much more maintenance and weight does the 4 stroke add? I'm not looking to hill climb or get into any serious mountain riding with it. I'm reasonably open to other makes but I like the looks of the Skidoo.

Thanks for your advice.

If you like the looks of the skidoo then they are a great choice. The 800 will do everything you need and more. Most all sleds can come with electric start.
When the new 600's came out a few years ago we all laughed, but they are not joke. the 600 is a very capable sled even in deep snow, less rotating mass and feel like a feather.
If you are looking at the Polairs for what you discribe you what a sled for, then realy look at the RMK, not the Pro. on hard pack trails and ice the Pro will heat up a bit and can be a pain in the you know what. The Pro has one less heat exchanger. The RMK will not get hot on hard pack and ice like the Pro will.
The 4 strokes are all good but they do have a weight issue when you get them in deep deep snow. But as far as the rest of your needs a Yammy 4 stroke is the caddy of the trail sleds. Really easy to ride down the trail, no heating issues. I know guys that have had the same Yammy for 12000 miles yep 12 thousand. They are like your car change oil and go, maybe a belt every once in awhile.
All brands of sleds these days are neck and neck IMO.

 

[Mafesto]

Used Nytro MTX can be had for cheap & expected to run forever.

 

[bholmlate]

4 Stroke run about +60 lbs more then a comparable 2 stroke. If you are going to be riding mostly on trails but occasionally jump off to play in the powder i would stay with a track size less then 153. 153 are almost too big for the trails and will require more maintenance then a shorter track would. but in all honesty they area all heavy when they are stuck period
As mentioned 600 are more then capable and are a good learning sled. It is also tough to beat the new technology of the newer sleds. I will warn you that the more time you spend off trail the more time you will want to stay off the trails. Every manufacture has had a problem child in the past so try to stay away from those. Plenty of info on snowest about which sled were not all that great and either had motor issues or chassis issues or both. be fore warned it is an addictive sport. Have fun and it really doesnt matter what you ride it just matters that you do.

 

[Mafesto]

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