What sled to buy?

[smokenjay]

I am in the market for a new, as in new to me, sled. I have been riding a Mountain Max for the last 4 seasons. It's a 700 with a 141. I have $6-7000 to spend. Reliability is very important to me. I don't want a 4 stroke. I hear good things about the 2007-8 dragon 700s. Unfortunatley, all the newer Polaris sleds I see advertised are 800s and I have heard they have issues. I have heard many horror stories about Ski Doos, and I had an Arctic Cat a while back that was a disaster.

Any help is welcomed.

 

[IDA rather b sledding]

Really depends on how you want to ride. You won't beat the Nytro for overall reliability. Buy Bill Harmon's jack when you get one and you will enjoy it even more. I have 2 08's and am very happy overall. I do not try to emulate Chris Burdant's riding style. I think that would kill me on any machine.

 

[skidooski]

If you want a good sled for 7k alot of guys are selling their Ms to move to the Proclimb and Pros. you can find one 2009 and newer and have a great sled that will change your riding style from the Mountain Max

 

[akgiauque]

If you want a good sled for 7k alot of guys are selling their Ms to move to the Proclimb and Pros. you can find one 2009 and newer and have a great sled that will change your riding style from the Mountain Max

Not a Doo guy but the same can be said for them, all of the three brands have good sleds right now! Search the forums, some years had lemons (Engines, clutches, suspension, overall ride, tunnels) and find a few that meet your needs. Then decide on the engine, newer 600 puts out 120 HP, and are more reliable than the 800's. But maybe you want more HP. Not sure what your Mtn Max makes, that would give you some idea of how they compare.

 

[smokenjay]

Thanks for the replies. I am going to provide some additional information. My favorite riding is carving and sidehilling, which is why I'm shying away from the 4 strokes. I also do some hill climbing, jumping, tree riding and snowboard shuttling. I was thinking about a 150-155 track. I fear the longer tracks will turn slowly, but I may be wrong. I'm not sure of my MM's horsepower, It's a piped 700. That is why I wasn't looking at 600s. I don't want to go down in HP.

Part of me thinks I should just get a second MM. I know them inside and out and I know they run forever. (speedo is broken, but I bet my MM has 8-10000 miles on it. I have this fear of dropping 6 grand on a machine that has 1500 miles on it and will be rebuilding the motor in a year. (I do about 1500 miles a year) Part of the reason I want a new machine is the rider forward design. I think it will improve my riding.

Thanks again!

 

[AndrettiDog]

Dragon 700 or M8.

 

[doc202]

09 or better m8 for sure.

 

[mulestar]

I think I would really consider an M8, they have had a really good track record with their engines. I like how they ride, and yes, some very good deals out there. Diamond Drive is probably the only issue that raises a flag with them, but I change oil on mine every 500 miles and have been good so far.

We just did compression tests on an m7 that we think has no less then 4000 miles, (probably more, speedo quit a while ago) hard miles too I might add. It still had very close to the same compression as my M8 with 1300 miles on it.

I am in my heart a Polaris guy, but will never be brand specific, I bought the M8 for its reliability and how they ride and have been very happy. Pull and go with a permagrin everytime...so far.

Oh and one more thing, I looked forever for a 07 D7, and when I found them they were high priced, also a good sled, but I couldn't fall into one as easy as the M8. That would be a good sled if you can find them, they only made them for a year unlike the M's that were made from 05 to 11. Lots and lots of those!

 

[enis750]

Lots of good posts so far
The M8 or even a newer Polaris 700 IQ IMO arent really rider foward
Compared to ur MM maybe tho.........

A solid and relatively trouble free sled would be an 05 or 06 ski doo REV 800
And can be had on the cheap as well w some goodies such as a can, clutch kit etc...
Easy to work on, rider forward and parts everywhere cheap when/if u need them

Second choice for me would be a Dragon 700
Super solid engine, and reliable as all hell

Any of these sleds would be a HUGE upgrade fr ur MM

 

[IM IN...]

Other machine is a dragon 700. very reliable. never an issue.