what is the easiest handling sled?

[wildcard28]

Hello guys, I have read alot of opinions in mountain sleds and have always thought about starting one of these threads, I am wondering out of curiosity and possible purchase of a different sled in after a year or two. but would like to know what you all think is the easiest to handle sled in the 600 or bigger class in stock form out there is in your experienced opinions and which one you think likes the smaller suspension mods for sidehilling and boondocking the best. I am interested in newer style sleds like the 03 to 07 sleds or the rider forward designs I know the 08 and newer xp and newer m8 and polaris are all good sleds but don`t see that I could afford one of those for a while. also open to opinions to the older set down machines like mine now. if any of you like those better or thought they were more rider friendly.

I am 5`10 and weigh 140lbs and I ride a 97 Summit now and like the skidoo, but not a diehard to any brand just not interested in the yamaha ,sorry just my preference.

Thanks, Darren

 

[J-HEFF]

I've ridden them all, rev's, xp's, dragon's, cats......honestly, the newer M series are a breeze to ride. I used to have a blast on the 04 rev i had, but it took a little getting used to, and you have to ride it...all the time..or it'll buck ya off. The cat i have now is very very easy to adapt too, very stable and sidehill's great. I did like the dragon 700 I rode too, it came over nice and seemed to be stable as well. I just kinda thought it was a little more lathargic then some of the others. Xp's take some time to learn, they seem to be a very athletic chassis, which is definatly a plus in the deep snow, they are a kick. I used to ride a 98 summit x before I had the rev, and there was no similarity between the two. The cat is kinda in the middle, stable like the ol' doo chassis, but is quicker like the rev was. These are just my two cents. Other's may feel different. Your best bet it to ride everthing and see for yourself! Good luck!!

 

[AdrenalineAddict]

The M7 is a very easy chassis to adapt to and so are the VE Polaris chassis sleds. I like the VE's so much I am more than likely going to ride them until I can't find a straight one to purchase. The Dragons are a bit quirky but are fairly easy to get accustomed to. Good Luck!!

 

[wildcard28]

Thanks for the reply`s guys, keep them coming.

Before I bought my skidoo I had a 96 580 Arctic Cat powder special, was a fun sled but hard to handle, wife is starting out so she rides it now, and since I was riding a Cat I always wanted a M series and came very close to buying a 05 M7 153 . before I bought my Doo, which is a 97 Summit 670 w/ 153x2.25 and extroverts homemade rider and Rev seat conversion, alot more comfortable now, and all kinds of mods done to it. I have always loved the looks of the newer Cat. but to set on them on the Floor the seat feels low and the Polaris feels the most comfortable to set on , of course on floor is different than a day of riding.
Darren

 

[All4traction]

The M7 is a very easy chassis to adapt to and so are the VE Polaris chassis sleds. I like the VE's so much I am more than likely going to ride them until I can't find a straight one to purchase. The Dragons are a bit quirky but are fairly easy to get accustomed to. Good Luck!!

I second the edge chassis. I LOVE my vertical escape, its VERY predictable and I and can ride that thing like nothing else. I bought an 09 rmk that i gotta break in right away, i just hope I dont regret buying a new sled and hope that i enjoy riding it as much as the edge chassis.
I havent had too much opportunity to ride the M-chassis, but it seemed somewhat similar to the new IQ chassis and i like it. Ive ridden the XP and found it to be too stable, it doesnt like to sidehill without a lot of setup modifications and It still doesnt handle like the other chassis'. I havent rode any of the newer yamaha's so i cant comment on those.

In my personal opinion the best handling sleds are the new RMK's and new Cat M-chassis. But i like nimble sleds that I can throw around with less effort. Some people like really stable sleds such as the XP.

 

[IDAHO HOT SHOT]

I owned an 07 M8 153, 08 700 155 RMK and now an 09 800 RMK. after you purchase any sled I would advise you to buy SLP Powder Pro skis. this helps any sled. To me, it is very easy to jump from the cat to the poo. They have very similiar handling charactaristics. The only reason that I would pick a poo over a cat is the fact that the poo motor is quicker off the bottom. Nest year's cat is supposed to have ten more ponies, while polaris is supposed to be the same. I cant seem to stay on my buddy's Doo8 long enough to get a feel for it. It is all what u get used to. I used to think my 02 800RMK was the ****, but it feels totally awkward now. Any of the 3 will work great, just find u a supportive, knowledgable dealer, my dealer is why I dont ride a cat anymore, Hats off to Action Cycles n Sleds in TF ID

 

[MEAT]

You can get used to anything. I just jumped on an 09 M8 sno pro the other day and it felt awkward as hell and they are supposed to be the most predictable sled on the snow. I can throw around my Apex, sidehill do whatever basically but it took awhile to get the feel for it. Give any of these new sleds time and you will fly with the best of em!

 

[mb1]

In my limited experience riding M8, XP, and dragons, I find the dragon you can steer with your feet, M8 handles very easily as well, but as said before I found the XP harder to sidehill than the others. It is very possible that with some setup mods or a different riding style that any of them could be your best choice. ride them.

 

[Sled365]

M7 is the best handling sled way easy to throw around

 

[frostfreez]

My opinion is it comes down to the type of mountain riding you like to do. Some of the funnest rides I have had was on a old powder special. In the meadows the old chasises would lay on its side and you was able to hold it there. Bouncing through the trees It wasn't fun at all. Big hills was better because they built more track speed, but to turn out after riding all day was a chore. Now you thake the new chasises one false move in a meadow you just tippes it over. I love the trees on my M8 that thing you can through it around. Big hills you need to track poach to keep any track speed you thought of having, but to side hill the new chasises are alot better.

 

[wasatchrider]

M7 is the best handling sled way easy to throw around

new m series has better tunnel and lighter, better suspension i would say that the newer are a bit better. i used to own and m7 the new m8s are better. my dragon is similar just took a few days to get used to it. they both handle really well for my style.
the m7 was the best in 05, 06
i would not trade my dragon for any other sled but if i had an m8 i would probably say the same thing about it. once you ride your own sled long enough it is the best for you be happy with what you have sounds like you are

 

[Clarke673]

Honestly, you sound like a person that needs a 07 600 or 700. They are awesome sleds and as far as i can tell, the only problem with them is the front bumper and shocks are junk. Easy fixes!

I have ridden every polaris sled they make except the assault which is out of your price range anyways. We used to won a 600 rev and i have been on 800 rev, 800 XP, 08 600 rev, M7, and a M1000. Honestly i believe that the Polaris IQR chassis is the best.

Aside from the weight, strength, looks, the rider position is insane for mountain riding. I find myself just hucking the thing off cornices knowing that if i go a little faster than i wanted, the sled will take the abuse for me and i will be fine. In powder they carve just as easy as a new dragon but are easier to control. They don't flop over on their side and stay there like the XP and rev do. Its easier IMO to roll in and out in the powder.

I think you should really consider at least riding one. They take a REALY long time to get used to but its worth it. You can get them with 800's for around $5500. Last year i paid $5200 for one with a 600 in it and it was awesome!

If its not your style, get a 07 700 or 600. If not, M7 is a good sled, and the M1000's i was around were not impressive. Most days the M8's D8"s and Mgrands traded marks.

 

[doodah]

I went from a 07 polaris 600 to my XP. ive ridden rev's before and hated them, but ive what made me go with the XP was everything i have been hearing about them being monsters on the hill, and that it is! It didnt take me long to get used to at first it felt tippy and i fell all over the thing, now i dont think i will ever go back to a polaris!

 

[springer]

I rode a M-7 with single pipe and nitrious,good shocks,lightweight parts,upgraded ECU, until this year.It was a great sled. Thought it was the best sled maybe that I ever owned.Then I took the plunge,got an IQR.I will never go back! The IQR is the best there is to be had.They will out handle anything on the snow.

 

[DragonFreak]

i own a 07 Dragon and i absolutely love this chassis. The Dragons are amazing. I rode an m7 and a m8 yesterday and the 09m8 was way way better than the m7. If it were me i would choose which ever sled you got for a good price and has the better dealer near you. They are both awesome and comfortable. The Dragon just has better bottom end and smoother power i think

 

[knee deep in it]

I own an 07 Rev 800 and an 06 600 RMK. I always let my friends ride the rev or leave it in the trailer. The rmk iq chasis is just so easy to ride. I feel like I am playing, not manhandling the sled.

I had to install 08 IQ spindles and gripper skis to make it feel like this but that is real easy / cheap mods.

BTW, not bashing the rev because just as many people prefer it over the rmk. You should ride them both before spending your money.

 

[sdobbs20]

i think a polaris edge chassis is very easy to handle. mine is bone stock aside from risers. it is really easy for me to throw over in any kind of snow. balance point is easy to find and it likes it on it's point. solid sled and handles everything well.

 

[curt1800]

the only thing you have to do with the xp's to get them to sidehill as well as the others is unhook the swaybar you only have to unhook one side i did mine and love it

 

[thunderjet]

I have rode several sleds but if you ride a ski doo with the swaybar un hooked it would get my nod

 

[Hillboy]

I own quite a few different sleds and the 06 600 IQ big bore is the one I always ride, I'm never tired at the end of the day from boondocking and highmarking like I am on an edge chassis or a Rev. I just bought the wife a new 09 dragon 700. One thing you need to know if you plan on trail racing the IQ chassis is not what you want.