Trail Sled vs. Mountain Sled in Colorado

[Ronzo1969]

We just moved to Evergreen, CO from Chicago. The terrain is obviously much different and I've never been sledding out west here.

I currently have 2, 2007 Arctic Cat 1100 Jag Z1's that we really have enjoyed back in Illinois and Wisconsin.

I have them for sale back in Illinois with the thoughts that's we'll need mountain sleds for out here. Is this the case? Will we be limited with the riding out here with these machines? I'd prefer to keep them if it makes sense. I'd really appreciate anyone input.

 

[AndrettiDog]

It depends if you plan on staying on groomed trails or if you plan to really ride in the backcountry. Flat land sleds usually have short tracks with small lugs. The terrain gets much tougher outside of Evergreen. I would sell them and find some mountain sleds.

 

[XC700116]

Yeah and that is a pretty heavy machine too, they have a ton of power but not well suited to mtn riding. If all you want to do is ride the trails you'll be fine but be advised the trail system isn't like it is in the midwest and You'll probably want to get off trail. So if you can sell them or trade them in for mountian sleds.

 

[skibreeze]

Ditch those pigs asap and get true mtn sleds. Then you will actually get to experience what real snowmobiling is.

 

[backcountryislife]

Ditto to what skibreeze said.

Sell the trail sleds back there & see if you can pick up a mtn sled out there, I would think they'd be less abused there & be worth a bit less than they would be here.

You'd be sick of the trail sleds in about 3.5 minutes out here.

One of my buddies from Rolling Ghettos (n.w. burbs) wants to come ride, we're just not letting him bring his trail sled here, it's just too painful for those of us who have to dig him out!

 

[Coldfinger]

You will be limited on those sleds. Rider ability may take up some slack, but you'll be outgunned for sure on the traction & weight side of things.

If you want to boondock in any real way you will need a longer track for sure, with at least 2" lugs and 151" long.

I'm not sure about your skis, but if they are narrow trail skis you will want to get new skis too.

I'll catch flak for this one, but have you looked into what it would take to put a mtn track under those sleds? If nothing else, you'll have some unique machines.

 

[stingray719]

I have a 2000 Arctic Cat ZRT 800 triple with 900 top end. About the same weight as your Jag's. I long tracked it and put on wide skiis and I love it. I am only about 155lbs though. Now the " lets see how high I can jump my sled to end up in the hospital" group like Tuduzzle will say its junk. But that is all subjective...like me saying Tuduzzzles mini van is junk compared to my tricked out Corvette.

Anyways back on track (pun intended) if you can get a good price sell them. But if you are gonna take a bath on them and you are not an extreme rider converting them might be a viable option.

 

[thesledhead]

I have a 2000 Arctic Cat ZRT 800 triple with 900 top end. About the same weight as your Jag's. I long tracked it and put on wide skiis and I love it. I am only about 155lbs though. Now the " lets see how high I can jump my sled to end up in the hospital" group like Tuduzzle will say its junk. But that is all subjective...like me saying Tuduzzzles mini van is junk compared to my tricked out Corvette.

Anyways back on track (pun intended) if you can get a good price sell them. But if you are gonna take a bath on them and you are not an extreme rider converting them might be a viable option.

WERD you could just ride em and find out where ya like to go while they are for sale then by the time they do sell (for the right price) you'll be ready for a mtn sled.

 

[Kid Rock]

big difference....

out here compared to what you are used to. There is no booze and cruise out here and the trails are only to get the to backcountry riding areas.

the seat is "optional equipment" out here, you will see what i mean when you get out and stretch your legs a little.

I grew up riding upstate NY and tell my buddies to forget everything you know about east coast riding and DONT APPLY any of it out here. Polar opposite. It really is like skiing the east vs skiing the west, big difference.

i am not sure i could go back to the trails fulltime, its just so much more challenging out here, i would be board.

good luck and welcome to CO. Respect the BackCounty and you will have a blast. this message board is a good place to start and ask stupid questions before you get yourself in trouble.

"if you listen to the mountains, they will tell you when to climb" Ed Viesturs

 

[AndrettiDog]

I have to disagree with stingray. I can appreciate him being content with his sled, but you will spend money and time to convert your sleds and then when you are done you will be so addicted to mountain riding that you will just want a new mountain sled and guess what you will be able to sell your converted sled for?

 

[DenverR1]

I grew up in Iowa, a flatlander. Every morning I'd wake up early and ride before school, ride after school, ride until the neighbors complained, even on a good frost. I thought it was the best....Until I moved to Colorado. You really have not experienced true snowmobiling until you've climbed, boondocked, sidehilled, etc in the mountains. Get a couple mountain sleds. When you're on trail out here and see what the other guys are doing, you're going to want to try it and end up getting pizzed off! The prices out here for good used sleds is pretty good too.

 

[mblanken881]

BUY MOUNTAIN SLEDS!! I'm a flatlander (from Omaha, NE) and I come out West 3 or 4 times a year. When I first started, I was riding short track ZRTs (one was even extended to a long track). It was not worth it at all. At first I thought it was awesome until the group I went with started getting mountain sleds and I couldn't go where they went anymore. I quickly upgraded and it makes a huge difference. Sell the short tracks and yourself a mountain sled.

BTW - Don't go superlong either. Stay around the 141" to 153". 162" is just too long.

 

[bushy]

I agree, ditch the pickles and buy a couple of long-track lightweights

 

[skibreeze]

I have to disagree with stingray. I can appreciate him being content with his sled, but you will spend money and time to convert your sleds and then when you are done you will be so addicted to mountain riding that you will just want a new mountain sled and guess what you will be able to sell your converted sled for?

X2, Converted sleds take alot of time and $$ that will be very dificult to sell to most buyers for any real $$. Not to mention just getting the clutching and jetting that will need to be done. Just sell your 07's and buy used mtn sleds. There are always nice used sleds for sale.

 

[tudizzle]

I was wondering who was following me in a tricked out corvette....laying on their horn like a mad man

 

[XC700116]

I have to disagree with stingray. I can appreciate him being content with his sled, but you will spend money and time to convert your sleds and then when you are done you will be so addicted to mountain riding that you will just want a new mountain sled and guess what you will be able to sell your converted sled for?

X3 been ther done that, takes a ton of patience, time, and more $$ to make it right than you would have spent to just trade out for a mtn sled, and at the end your only option to get decent $$ out if it is to part it out.

 

[stingray719]

LOL! Tuduzzle you really drive around trolling like that? Might want to try the airport bathroom like that Idaho Senator did.

 

[skibreeze]

Lmfao! :d

 

[backcountryislife]

X3 been ther done that, takes a ton of patience, time, and more $$ to make it right than you would have spent to just trade out for a mtn sled, and at the end your only option to get decent $$ out if it is to part it out.

Also been there.

NOT worth it.

If you had an old sled that wasn't worth much anyhow I could understand, but the z1 is a sled that you should be able to sell for a reasonable price.

Keep in mind, if you're going to take a bath on the z1's, then you're probably going to get a decent deal on a mtn sled as well, the economy is down however you look at it, as long as you buy low when you sell low, then you're breaking even.


We had a guy from new york come out here, said he put on 5000 miles the year before...

Ask around, see how much good that did him!!!

 

[DenverR1]

Also been there.

NOT worth it.

If you had an old sled that wasn't worth much anyhow I could understand, but the z1 is a sled that you should be able to sell for a reasonable price.

Keep in mind, if you're going to take a bath on the z1's, then you're probably going to get a decent deal on a mtn sled as well, the economy is down however you look at it, as long as you buy low when you sell low, then you're breaking even.


We had a guy from new york come out here, said he put on 5000 miles the year before...

Ask around, see how much good that did him!!!

I remember the New Yorker. That was a funny, yet long day.