Install the app
How to install the app on iOS

Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.

Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.

  • Don't miss out on all the fun! Register on our forums to post and have added features! Membership levels include a FREE membership tier.

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

No- on the 06 RMK. Im tellin ya 07 or newer from experience, or an 04 Edge would be good also. for the 05-06 years of polaris the only good sled is the 05 Edge 800 or the trail 500 or is it a 550?
 
I would also say no to the 06.. I would go with a newer stand up chasis if all possible.. m or iq.. you want forgiving, i would not say an Edge or MT Max are as forgiving as the newer ones.
 
x3 negative on the '06. They look similar but are not near as good as an '07. I'm telling you talk him into an '07 or newer 600 or 700 in 155 track length. He will looove either choice. I agree the m7 would be just as good but he will be lacking reverse (not a big deal breaker maker i.m.o. but really frickin handy to have). One thing I noticed the few times I rode the m7's (and I'm sure I'll get pooped on for saying this) is they severely lacked bottom end tourque compared to the poo 700. Climbing was pretty much neck and neck with a slight edge going to the polaris in the few times I rode both. I found the m needed the 162 to do the same thing as the poo 155 but I'm sure there'll be mixed feelings on that.
 
Poorider, No poop on you today, you thoughts on the M7 are the same as my experiences on the sled. When it came to low end grunt, it just wasn't there, it was a reliable sled, handled great, but always lacked down low.

07 or newer RMK's, are pretty easy to ride.. I think Glencoe Polaris in Ca was still advertising new ones (2007) for a stupid cheap price on the Swapmeet

A
 
As someone who owns both an 06 600 HO 144 and an 07 600HO 155, I have to respectfully disagree with the "NO" on the 06. It is an awesome sled too. It's not quite as light as the 07, but it will still go almost everywhere the 07 goes. Both of my sleds are carb'd, and both are awesome machines. The only thing that I would say about the 06 is to put a 4" riser on the bars, stock is WAY too low. Once you do this, the 06 is a great sled.
 
So, I'll take that as a "no" on the Mountain Viper and Mountain Max.

I doubt he would want to spend this much but, how about an 09 M8 Sno Pro 153" for $7,000ish? We found this sled on Craiglist today and I know we've jumped to the next rung of ladder but, the 07 Polaris Dragon 700's are getting awfully close to that price as well.
 
I am finding a bunch of M7s for sale.

Is there a preference between the 05 and 06 sleds?

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.................

162 is better for a newbie unless you like digging them out. I rode an 06 M7 162 for 4 years and close to 8k miles and loved every minute of it. I am only 5'6" 150, but the thing was so light and flickable. Never had a problem carving really tight turns, even downhill. Found I could carve easily as tight as the 53 because I could lay the 62 over a bit further and still pull out of it in really deep snow. Its much more foregiving in the trees because of the additional floatation, you can slow down, pick your line and pin it, where the 53 requires more momentum in deep, tight trees. Unless you want to jump a lot I would have to recommend the 162, especially for a rookie
 
You should try a 2003 Yamaha RX-1 mountain. would be a really good learning sled. You can pick one up cheep too!
 
Viperbusa, hey, I just happen to know of one..........now that's some funny sh!t right there! :D Actually, a RX-1M lightened up with a 162 x 16 float fairly well. With the 151 x 15 it sunk like a rock.

Yet, we're talking about good sleds to learn mountain riding on, and in my opinion, the RX-1M just isn't the best sled for that application.
 
If your friend will pay 7 ish for something that has been ridden then why not pay 8ish for something that hasn't and has warranty and financing options. (Do I Sound Like A Pitchman) I know locally they are advertising 600 155shifts for around 7999 and 700 155 rmk's for around 8500. See you local dealer for details and remember to always wear a helmet:):)

And yes the Mountain Max, Mountain Viper are out, you did title this tread "Most Foriving Best Floating" If you titled it "Sled's that sunk like an anchor and made you cuss like a sailor" then they would be in.

A
 
Last edited:
Super A, I love it!

"And yes the Mountain Max, Mountain Viper are out, you did title this tread "Most Foriving Best Floating" If you titled it "Sled's that sunk like an anchor and made you cuss like a sailor" then they would be in".

Now, that's calling a spade a spade. :beer;
 
Have your friend buy an 07 or newer RMK stock sled, if he is large like me (5'8" about 240lbs.) just call highmark rec in biose,Idaho and have them send you a set of 18 top tooth and 43 bottom tooth gears out to you and install them. i put a pair in my 08 RMK this year and lost the top end speed, but if your boondocking like you said you don't need top end, just low end grunt. with this gear set up you can use the same chain because you just changed the ratio set up from top end to bottom end. top speed about 80mph but have fun trying to hold on getting there. If he likes the sleds feel upgrade the shocks later and buy a 685 or 840 big bore kit from carls cycle in biose also. any 685 set up right should and will beat most stock 800's out there. or add the juice like we did if those items are not big enough for them times you need the extra power to make the top. I rode skidoo for years 2002,2005 and 2009 took one ride on buddys 07 rmk shift with 155" track and a 685 big bore and NOS to make me buy my 08 rmk and do the same.
 
Clutch a 600 right and for a newbie under 180 and you have a winner,

anyone over 180 lbs should have an 800 or better for the mountains.

After 180lbs it is dependent on riding area as an 800 in the trees is way better than a 1000, but a 1000 in the open might work better for a newbie.\

In the end, I vote 800 Doo or Cat and end of story.
 
I see there is an 08 M6 for sale now.

How does the M6 compare to the D6 or the Summit 600?

Does the Cat 600 engine have the power of the Polaris 600?

Is the RMK 600 the best of the 600s?
 
I would not buy an M6. I think the Polaris 600 HO is an excellent engine. I don't know anything about the Doo 600. The Polaris 600 will suffice but it wont be long before any serious rider will want more power.

There have been guys talking about the lack of bottom end on the M7. A little clutching and a change of riding style compensates nicely. The biggest difference I have found is that the M7 has really strong top end power and climbs better than a 700 has any right to.

The original criteria was easy to learn powder sled under $5000. I still see one standout...M7. Easier to ride than either the Poo or the Doo. Dead reliable. Cheap and plentiful. An excellent off trail sled. I can not see choosing the 600 HO over the M7 for a $1000 more, just cant see it, and I have ridden both a fair amount. To beat the M7 you need a D7 and that is not $2-3000 more.

Sell him the RX-1 and get yourself a new toy;)
 
Thanks Ouraysledder.

I did buy myself a new toy. I bought a 09 M8 Sno Pro last spring.

It seems the RX-1 will be staying. It's somehow become part of the family and the the general consensus at home is that I would be commiting high treason if I sell it. Weird but, that's ok I guess, it does work fairly well in the mountains now but, not for a newbie.

It looks like my new buddy and I will be shopping for a M7.

So, to recap it will have to a 05 or 06 and wasn't a 162" considered to be preferable?
 
I took a friend up in the mountains for his first ride on my backup machine and wound up with a broken sled. I don't see any sense in laying all that cash down when your buddy should be learning how to work a sled on hills and cambers and don't worry about crunching his 7k sled. Theres just no way around the hammering it's going to take to get through that phaze.
 
So, I'll take that as a "no" on the Mountain Viper and Mountain Max.

I doubt he would want to spend this much but, how about an 09 M8 Sno Pro 153" for $7,000ish? We found this sled on Craiglist today and I know we've jumped to the next rung of ladder but, the 07 Polaris Dragon 700's are getting awfully close to that price as well.

If ur going to step up to a M8, a friend of mine that died has a 07 M8 with low miles for like 5500 or 6. But in my opinion is the 07 600 155 Polaris! I have an 08 700 155 and love it!
 
my vote is still the 07 600 155 poo. it might not climb as high but it is an all around more fun sled than the m7. and with the poo you can pull the kill switch up with your gloves on , try that with the m7 when your sidehilling and accidently hit the stupidly placed kill switch(it almost cost me a demo sled :eek:). also the poo is a ready to ride sled (may need some jetting for your ridding area) the m7 needs a boss seat and clutching at least. the bottom end of the (stock) m7 is compareable to my 1985 ski-doo safari 440 fan.
 
Premium Features



Back
Top