What is a good sled to get for a SOME WHAT new rider....

[arfrce]

Hey guys, I use to ride when I was a teenager, 13-16. Needless to say things have changed since 1985. So I am looking for a used sled just want to here some good ones and bad ones. Me personaly I prefer YAMAMA OR SKI-DOO.
Thats just me though. I like all kinds of riding.
Ok here is the kicker I was injured in 1998. So now I am handicaped. Not all the way just my ankles. SO I would like a sled that I would not get stuck on alot. I mean there are some sleds to where you get off the trail your screwed. SO what is a good size track to start with. 145" to 153" I would think 162 would be a little long and heavy. I also know not to ride alone. I never would anyway.

So any help would be great Thanks Jeff.

I live in Berthoud Colorado so if you want to get together let me know I am always up for getting together. arfrce@yahoo.com or 479-426-4145 thanks

 

[WatchThis!!!]

Hey guys, I use to ride when I was a teenager, 13-16. Needless to say things have changed since 1985. So I am looking for a used sled just want to here some good ones and bad ones. Me personaly I prefer YAMAMA OR SKI-DOO.
Thats just me though. I like all kinds of riding.
Ok here is the kicker I was injured in 1998. So now I am handicaped. Not all the way just my ankles. SO I would like a sled that I would not get stuck on alot. I mean there are some sleds to where you get off the trail your screwed. SO what is a good size track to start with. 145" to 153" I would think 162 would be a little long and heavy. I also know not to ride alone. I never would anyway.

So any help would be great Thanks Jeff.

I live in Berthoud Colorado so if you want to get together let me know I am always up for getting together. arfrce@yahoo.com or 479-426-4145 thanks

Obviously with you saying that, Ski-Doo XP 800 154". Get a clutch kit and you will LOVE it. My .02

J

 

[jaysonfreerider]

get a polaris. dont listen to him

 

[theultrarider]

This may sound crazy to you, but since you are handicapped and have to rely more so on the sled, I would strongly suggest an 800. The bigger motor allows you to go slower through a rough, bumpy area yet have enough grunt to get you back up on top of the snow quickly when you hit the throttle. I would also suggest along those same lines to stick to a 162-163 track length. The weight difference is minimal between the 153-155's and the longer sled. The real difference comes into play at slow speeds in deep snow. On a hard pack trail, most all the new sleds have "bent" rails so that the longer sleds act like a short one on a hard surface so that you don't really notice the difference. Most of the guys wanting to stick to the shorter mtn sleds in the 146-155 lengths are rat a$$ers that do alot of big air jumping. They are more manueverable in the air and with a skilled agressive rider, can get around ok in the deep off trail conditions. Once again, in your situation, I would suggest the longer track that allows you to slow down, pick your line, and go again. I personally ride an 800 159. So does my wife. You notice up to this point I have not mentioned a brand name. That is not as important as getting the right set up for you. The ford vs chevy thing will always be there and we all have our opiions as to which we like best. I think it is great that you just want to get back out and enjoy life again. I would suggest that you try to ride each of the flavors before you pick a brand. The Polaris and Cats ride and handle very similar. The Doos are a different duck. Either you love them or hate them. The Yami's are just plain heavy and underpowered in stock form now that they went all 4stroke. Try to ride them all and see which glove fits you the best. Good luck with your decision.

 

[Extreme-One]

I would hit up a few of your local dealers once the snow flies and see if they have any demo's. I like the Yamaha sleds but they might be a little heavy for you and the newer Skidoo's have different feel then what you might be use to. I have a friend that has some physical issues and he can't ride an XP but the newer M's and IQ's he has no issue with. I'd hate to have you spend the money on a sled and it not be right.

I agree with others... look for an 800 and don't be afraid of a 162 they don't feel real long and they are more forgiving in the deep.

 

[Zachcreek]

get a polaris. dont listen to him

Just dont get one that starts on fire or freezes the track on you. Re-calls up the you know what on the poos.

Light weight, longer track. Get a high Jack lift and if you get stuck (You Will), this will help out tremendously. Cat ,Doo or an exploding poo.

 

[Sunridge Sledhead]

2010 Artic Cat 800! I think it will turn out to be the best sled of this coming Winter!

As you will see....there are as many opinions as there are manufactures. I believe we have the best sleds on the snow that we've ever had in history.

 

[motojunkie101]

With your disability I assume that you need to sit down to ride. With that in mind I think the newer doos, polaris, or yamahas will be pretty tippy. IMO the newer mountain sleds are geared more for boondocking and rider forward/stand up riding, so if you find a sled thats a little older it would probably be more stable. If you are dead set on going with yamaha or poo, I can't speak for older poos, but the yamaha triples will run forever.

My parents picked up an 04 AC 800 for my mom and the thing rides smooth and feels like it has power steering. I think they paid 2800 for it and it is in near mint condition.

I think anything between a 151 and a 162 would suit you just fine. The weight difference is only a couple of pounds and the 162s dont seem to be any harder to steer on the trails.

I'm a diehard yamaha guy, but even I have to admit that I think an AC 700 or 800 would suit you pretty well. They are stable on the trail and if you get into powder they will perform well too. I honestly wouldn't go with a doo these days as they seem to have clutching problems and eat belts, and polaris seems more aggressive/rider forward than what I think you would want.

I hope that helps! I am also thinking that if you get in touch with a local club, or the guys in the colorado forum they can probably take you for a ride this winter and let you feel out some different sleds so you can decide what you like.

 

[Scott]

The Doo XP is NOT tippy imo.

It felt like it wanted to stomp both skis down into the snow like a sumo wrestler at the beginning of a match.

Might be a good thing for his ankles.

 

[94fordguy]

I would definitely say the longer the better. With that being said, it really depends on your budget as to what to look for, every sled has its quirks.

 

[arfrce]

I agree, thanks for responding. I like the 800's. 15X's 16X's track would work out. Right now I have a Yamaha Raptor and a Polaris Scrambler that I ride. I am getting rid of the Yamaha just don't ride it anymore. So I can stand up and ride no problem it is just my ankles that don't move. Thats about it really. Well any other info you think I need let me know thanks.

 

[go high fast]

I would start here:

http://www.snowest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157717

 

[SkiDoobyDoo]

SkiDoo 800R XP 164 (or whatever length), very light, powerful, manuverable and comfortable

 

[Scott]

I think any of the new two strokes with a 144-155 track would be just fine...but you might as well get a 7 or 800. Skip the 600 and stay away from 1000cc.

 

[PowderCrew]

MOTOJUNKIE made a point to consider... all the new sleds are good, but they are ALL designed for STAND-UP riding. I would offer advice that you at least sit on each. Note how high the bars are while sitting and decide if that will work comfortably on a 5 hour ride. It may suit you better to look into the early 2000 models w longtracks (800): Summit, 1M Mountain, Poalris RMK, maybe even a longtracked Mtn Max or Viper. All these sleds made good power and were built before the handlebars were extended up... which suits sitdown riding. (and they're thousands cheaper!, $2000.00-$3000.00)

 

[spring snow hero]

i would bet reverse is going to be mandtory, and do you plan on much off trail stuff, or does lots of mile on groomed stuff interest you......that is important

 

[AndrettiDog]

Just dont get one that starts on fire or freezes the track on you. Re-calls up the you know what on the poos.

Light weight, longer track. Get a high Jack lift and if you get stuck (You Will), this will help out tremendously. Cat ,Doo or an exploding poo.

Oh my good, someone doesn't like Polaris.

Don't listen to any of us. We are all full of BS. Just find a good deal on a Mtn sled and roll.

 

[vdog0531]

The Doo XP is NOT tippy imo.

It felt like it wanted to stomp both skis down into the snow like a sumo wrestler at the beginning of a match.

Might be a good thing for his ankles.

agreed! i think an xp would be a good choice because it's basically a really light trail sled that is extended into a "mountain" sled. has good trail manners and has a long track to get around off trail.

 

[tudizzle]

Newer 800 with reverse, track length between 151-163


beyond that best to ride what you can and pick what feels best to you.


good luck and have a great winter!

 

[sledcaddie]

which type of sled

This really depends on which type of riding you will be doing the most. Like lots of recreational vehicles, sleds are very job-specific; racing, utility, trails, mountain, etc. I know of a guy who is paralyzed from the waist down. He rides about a 2003 Polaris RMK with reverse. He has a backrest that he is strapped to. He does pretty well. I think it is a 144 or 151 track length...pretty much middle ground which enables a lot of different riding conditions. If you are doing mostly mountains, a 155" range track is a good all-around length. You might want to consider electrtic start, too. It's great to see this guy and a guy like you that still want to ride, in spite of your injuries. Talk to your dealer. Good luck with your choice.