What's the best floating, forgiving sled for newbies to learn mountain riding

[OuraySledder]

I am finding a bunch of M7s for sale.

Is there a preference between the 05 and 06 selds?

Most of the sleds seem to be 162". Isn't that a bit much for a newbie? I would think a 153" would be easier to ride. Now, if I could find a M7 with a 153" powerclaw.................

The 06 has some minor updates but nothing at all wrong with 05's. I think the track legnth would depend on your snow conditions. In Colorado at high altitude the snow is very light. I go for as long as they make them Honestly though, 153 to 162 is 4 more inches on the snow, it really isnt going to affect his riding.

For mods, I am OK with a can because the stocker is huge and heavy. Thats probably it for engine mods because you never know how good the PO was at adjusting his boondocker box. I like risers and taller seats because I am tall. Snow eliminator running boards and the Holz bracket on the rear suspension to relocate the front shock. That said, the 05 153 I ride has been awesome bone stock.

Somebody mentioned the D7, well sure but, find me one under $5000 that doesn't have 3000 miles and I will buy it. Fact is, that is still a $6000 sled, and it isn't $2000 better than an M7.

 

[PGTDragon]

I can barely tell the difference between a 153" and a 163" when I am riding them in the trees, you can tell in the powder a little bit, unless it is a Doo then you can tell a lot, the extra width in track seems to make a lot of difference, at least I thought. On trail the shorter sled is better, but who wants to ride trails, if you end up with a good deal on a 163" he will be just fine, my M1000 is a 153" but I doubt I will ever buy anything but 163" again.

 

[poorider]

True but..................... there are a couple older chassis that always have been easier to ride than others. I have heard nothing but good about how easy M7s are to ride. They also seem to be very reliable. What mods are good to see on a prospective M7 and which ones to run from?

The 06 and newer RMKs and Dragons (should I have him looking for Dragons over RMKs, are they worth the extra money for his application)?

Track length? I'm thinking the 153-155" range. What do you think?

If you have your heart set on a polaris for your buddy go '07 or newer, they are much much better and easier to ride than an '06.
I personally don't think it's worth buying the dragon over the rmk, you're paying more money for a different paint job and shocks that will cause you more grief. '07 the 700 was only offered in dragon trim though and the 800 didn't come out until '08. I would recommend a 700 for him it will have way more power than he needs and be more reliable in the longrun.
Matter of fact I just picked up a 700 rmk for myself

 

[summ8rmk]

True but..................... there are a couple older chassis that always have been easier to ride than others. I have heard nothing but good about how easy M7s are to ride. They also seem to be very reliable. What mods are good to see on a prospective M7 and which ones to run from?

The 06 and newer RMKs and Dragons (should I have him looking for Dragons over RMKs, are they worth the extra money for his application)?

Track length? I'm thinking the 153-155" range. What do you think?

RMKs need to be 2007 or newer RAW chassis (non-Dragon, walker E shocks suck). the 06 700(755) was a huge disapointment. I believe the 600 RMK was carbed until 2009, the 600 IQ was CFI earlier. The 07 600 will move a 250# rider around great on the trail and in the deep, just doesn't climb the big hills.

There is nothing wrong with the Edge or the ZX-X chassis either. They are both great starter sleds and far better than the old 84 Saffari 377(motor) 116 (track) that got me hooked on snowmobiling.

As far as the M-7 being easy to ride, yes it is easy but STOCK you will hate it on the trail, it is worse than the Edge or ZX-X and beginers usually start riding on the trails. The M-7 will leave you sore if your riding trails all day.

The REV would be a great starter sled, its comfortable on the trail and has good power. Just don't hit anything with the skis. lol

I know of a 2004 REV 800 151 for sell. I think it has 300 mi. on it not sure what he wants for it.

 

[LRD]

Once you decide on a sled also get the new snow video "Schooled" by Bret Rasmussen and Chris Burandt. Unreal riding techniques are taught and fully explained in this video plus some awesome boondocking!!!

Good Luck

 

[OuraySledder]

Even though I loved my Edge sleds, I would not spend money on an old style chassis anymore. The M7's are just too cheap. If you buy an Edge, you will pay at least 3000 for a decent one. Then if you buy an 800 you have to fear for the crank starting at 2500 miles. Then in two years when you are ready to move up, they are not going to be worth anything. New chasis, M7 $4-5000. If you have $7-8000 to spend the Polaris 700 is a good machine. Of course it may not be for a newbie but if I had Rmk 700 money to spend it would be on an M1000 and I would be spankin Poo's day in and out.

 

[Chaos]

Ski's, nobody has mentioned ski's yet. IMHO they take a so-so sled and make it a fun sled; limiting repetitive digging from getting stuck. The first year using older MXZ's we upgraded to Simmons Gen II's which drastically increased our riding enjoyment off trail and increased our confidence tremendously. They can be had for roughly $400 a set.

Good luck...

Chaos

 

[mit9750]

1st sled

my 1st sled ever, cuz i fit this newbie bracket, was a carry-over 2005 ski-doo 600, with a 144. frickin awsome sled. i'm up to a 800 151 now, but still have the 600. worked great 4 me, i had only rode a dirt bike as a teenager, so it was like bein 15 all over again.

 

[Frostbite]

Good stuff guys!

Yes the 07 Dragons are very nice. A buddy of mine has one but, like you guys are saying. They are still pretty pricey.

I suspect the gentleman I was referring to will say he still wants my RX-1M. He doesn't know any better but, he trusts me and wants to teach him while he's riding a sled I am used to riding. I guess if he trusts me he should listen when I recommend another type of sled.

Thanks again and keep the great ideas coming.

 

[Franz]

Newbie, great flotation in powder, reliable, and you will have lots of money left over. 700 RMK edge.

 

[XFIRE800]

D7 or M7 or 07 M8, they are starting to get down there in price too.

 

[polaris dude]

I would definitely recommend the 600rmk for your buddy. The biggest reason is the cheap factor, i mean i found an 09' with 500miles for 5000$ on snowest that i picked up. The next reason is because they got quite a bit of power, and plenty of FLOATATION which is something a bigger guy is definitely gonna want. The third reason i would get this is for the cheapness factor for an update. If in a years time he decides he wants more power, he can simpley big bore his 600 to a 685 or 705 and i have been told my many reliable people that the big bored 600s are still very reliable AND have the power to keep up with the 800s and i think its only like 2-3 grand for it too which definitely is cheaper than a new sled methinks

 

[suitcase]

All three of the newer 2-stroke brands would not be a bad choice, no matter which one you pick he is going to be stuckkkkkkk. But all three have very good points to each one of our ride styles. One brand fits our style better than another so we ride brand X. Buy one of the three he can't go wrong with any of them. If he is new to Mt. riding the sled he chooses will keep a smile on his face all day long.

 

[gerrman]

All great info for a new rider. However, one great feature to have and that is reverse. That will eliminate a few machines from the list. Big wheel kit and better torsion springs to keep the rear up a little and your set. I can hear the laughter now and no I am not trying to back up the hillbut lets face it, it sure is nice to have.

 

[wang11]

600 rmk rliable cheap and excellent thats my opinion no 800 engine repairs for newbie it will ruin it for him or m7

 

[Super A]

my 2 cents

Under $5000... 600 RMK 155 or M7 153 are great places to start, I may lean towards a 05 M7 over the early 600 RMk's just for the EFI reasons.

I have owned both and don't think a guy could go wrong with either.

Best of Luck

A

 

[Frostbite]

So for the trails into the riding areas the 600 RMK would win hands down but, for powder would the 600 RMK or the M7 be better?

Doesn't the 600-700 RMK have reverse where the M7 does not?

It sounds like if $ is the biggest option then buy the M7, if more of an all around sled (trails and powder) is what he has in mind, then the RMK (07 and newer) would be the better choice.

A 600 ETEC Summit 154" would be a great choice too but, definately out of the price range he's currently focused upon.

 

[polaris dude]

its pretty much opinion which is better in the pow, but i would assume the m7 would probably be best with the extra 100cc.

And the rmk does have reverse, the m7 does not, and trust me reverse is nice to have for loading/unloading/going backwards in a small area.

and yes, the summit is probably outta the price range, and besides it would probably be a bad choice for a newbie. He would probably have lots of difficulty sidehilling with his lack of knowledge in sidehilling and with the skidoo factor

 

[Super A]

Frostbite

If you could find an 08 or newer 600 RMK, then you could get EFI, carbs in the 07, my wife has a 07 and I ride it from time to time, for a stocker it's about as good as they come. I honestly thought that it was darn near as good as my 05 M7.

Your decision may come down to more of what your local dealerships are like and what the other guys around you are riding.

We can only know on thing for sure, sooner or later it will break and who do you want to give your money too

A

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks!

I see there is a 2006 RMK 600 144" with 630 miles for $5,000 OBO. Is that too old? I thought I read to buy an 07 or newer?

There are many 05 and 06 M7s for sale locally and they range from $4,500 to $5,500 in price.

How about a Yamaha Mountain Viper or an 2000 or newer Mountain Max? I see the Mountain Maxs are about 1/2 the price of the above sleds ($1,800 - $2,500)