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

[poorider]

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.

I've heard this argument a few times from m7 owners and it always makes me chuckle. Why would you want to change riding style because you bought a sled that lacks bottom end? No amount of style will make torque increase. Ya you can raise your engagement r.p.m. but that's harder on belts, mounts and cranks.
Again not to bash the m7 because I really do think they were a great sled in their day, just pointing out one of their shortcomings for a newbie rider. m7 or 600 rmk is probably the best bang for the buck in the 5k price range for a newbie

 

[Super A]

I again will vote 600 rmk 155, bone stock is the best newbie sled out there.

I rode the wifes '07 yesterday, for about an hour, in some bottomless powder and had a blast. I have done nothing to that sled and it continues to be a great performer in the mountains.

If I thought the M7 was a better sled for her to learn on, I would of kept my old 05 for her instead of buying her this RMK.

Frostbite.. are there any rental shops near where you ride? I know some in West Yellowstone will give you a day rate and let you ride 2 types of sleds, maybe an M in the Morning and bring it back for the afternoon and try a rmk. Just a thought about spending $200 before you spend $5000

A

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks again guys.

Let me see what's available now.

Here are the RMKs

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1479302645.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1487502837.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1510621866.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1477650489.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1483363394.html

That's about it for RMKs for now. The first one looks the best?

Here are the M7s.

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1512993615.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/1506138722.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/1503270199.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1483461666.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1474596510.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1468201230.html

How about some M8s for good measure

http://spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/1518100205.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1515190602.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1512810852.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1504692981.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1502733059.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1488827550.html

http://spokane.craigslist.org/rvs/1474247193.html

Well, if you have the time to look, what do you guys think?

 

[Wyoming T/A]

M7 or M8 would be the easiest to learn to ride--imo

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks WyomingTA. That means an awful lot, especially coming from a Skidoo guy. I appreciate your honesty.

Also, thanks for all the help last year when I was trying to decide what sled to buy. I sure appreciate it!

So, has anyone made a selection from the listings above?

 

[togwotee9]

 

[Frostbite]

Nice Togowotee!

 

[summ8rmk]

two for the price of one
http://yakima.craigslist.org/rvs/1514723324.html
i think the 03 would be a good starter sled.
i had an 01 with 5500 mi. on the motor with full slp kit.

the 08 700 rmk in spokane sounds like a good deal also but at 4000 mi. it might need new clutches and other worn parts replaced.

also im jealous that someone can put 4000 mi. in 2 year.
i put just over 800 mi. on my m8 last year

 

[poorider]

I would buy the '07 700 dragon in a heartbeat, you might even get it for less than he's asking because of the damage. Looks like he's downplaying the damage a bit judging by the one pic though. But at 500 miles it should be good to go, your buddy will probably wreck it worse than that by the end of the season anyway if he's just getting into riding vertical. Oh ya, the '07 had the most comfortable seat out of the fleet, they really stiffened them up from '08 on, not that it matters if you ride proper

 

[Frostbite]

I like that one too yet, when there are no pictures of the damage it makes you wonder just how extensive it is?

My new riding partner may be somewhat reluctant to buy a "fixer upper" as has first sled?

I'll do another Craiglist search for a broader area and see what I can find.

 

[ametcalf]

Its fun to read everyones replys. My opinion don't start them on a sled thats just too big. ok I'm 28 yrs old. I'll admit that i get carried away sledding. This is why i say let them get a smaller sled. or cheaper sled More than likely they will put it in a tree, rock or other fun spot... The other reason I say smaller sled, body language. This is the principal that a person has to learn to become a good rider.

 

[Dogmeat]

Guys, I really appreciate the post on taking newbies riding. I love to introduce new people to riding, especially in the mountains.

However, I am selling my 03 RX-1M and a guy from work wants to buy it so he can go mountain riding with our group. My RX-1 is lightened up with a 162 x 16 Camo Extreme and works very well for me because I have learned to ride it but, it's a handful, and really would be for a newbie. My back starts to hurt just thinking about selling this sled to him.

I really do want to take him riding in the mountains though but, I'd like to encourage him to buy a sled that is easier to learn on and much more forgiving.

What sleds do you guys recommend as a great sled for full size guys who have ridden jet skis, motorcyles, etc but not sleds to learn on?

It would have to be easy to learn on and yet have enough power to keep someone interested for a season or two.

Newbies typically don't want to spend a ton of money, (until they're hooked) so let's keep the sleds under $5,000.

In my mind, I would think perhaps a 2005 or 2006 M6 or M7 or a 2006 Dragon 700.

What do you guys recommend?

Do NOT buy anything Polaris built in 2006. Trust me. If the guy is a newbie to the sport and he buys anything Polaris built in 2006 he's just gonna be pissed off.

In fact, if you wanna buy Polaris, I'd tell him to look for used 08 700's ... you can get them for a good price right now and don't have any of the motor or suspension issues the 2006's did, and they already come with the gripper skis and good spindles so he wont have to add them to a 2007.

If I was looking at buying another Polaris sled (which I was about a week ago) it'd definatley not be any earlier than a 2008.

With that said, I've got 4 rides in on this M chassis sled and I really dig it. It's as easy of sled to ride as you are probably gonna get ... Not sure how the 2005-2008's compare to the 2009, but this 2009 kicks *** ... I'm not even planning on doing any mods to it quite frankly.

 

[Frostbite]

Thank you guys!

I'm a little suprised there hasn't been more from the Skidoo guys defending why they would be the best sled for a newbie. After all, they make darn good sleds too. I still think a 600 ETEC Summit would be a great sled comparable in price to the 700 RMKs.

 

[lbp287]

07 or newer RMK 600 or 700!!! Awesome Sleds!

 

[01_800_RMK_cbennett]

I agree that there is nothing wrong with the 06's. I moved my wife up to an 06 600 with a 144 last year and with the slp pipe and can with the high flow air kit it is at +/- 130 hp. I myself after 7 years on a modded 01 800 151 Rmk switched over to an 08 D7 155 with 400 miles on it that I picked up for $6500 this year. I started on my 01 800 as a 144 and wish I would'nt have been pushed by my buddies to just grow into it. I have as much fun riding my wifes 600 and can keep up and go anywhere my buddies with their M1000's can go, and at the end of the day not be near as worn out. The reverse is a great option and just so you know all the 06 and newer 600's stock are 120 hp carbed, 125 hp fuel injected. My D7 is 140 hp and my old 01 800 is 137 hp.
Oh and definatley stay away from the Mt Max and Viper unless you like a work out when digging out since the rear suspension is so heavy .