When to upgrade to a new(er) sled?

[Blk88GT]

I've had my 05 M7 for 5 years and have logged ~3600 miles on it. I've done the tunnel updates, vents, clutching, power claw, boss seat, freshened the motor etc and the sled is as reliable as you could ask for other than belts an oil. Best of all, it's paid for.

While I love the sled, it has a few drawbacks like no reverse and poor rear suspension.

The market for mountain sleds where I live is very, very small for geographic reasons and the sled isn't worth much anyways.

Do I put an aftermarket skid in it and ride, or do I pull the trigger on a newer machine? Keep in mind that a skid is a few thousand I could put towards a snow check.

When did you decide to upgrade? I've driven a 2011 M8 and it didn't wow me. The 2011 Pro RMK had a great chassis but lacked power. I haven't ridden anything else for comparison.

Any help deciding would be great!

 

[Highmarker]

I would put the few thousand towards a new sled myself. 05 M7 is a great sled...had one myself, but like the newer options a lot better

 

[doospunk]

I've had my 05 M7 for 5 years and have logged ~3600 miles on it. I've done the tunnel updates, vents, clutching, power claw, boss seat, freshened the motor etc and the sled is as reliable as you could ask for other than belts an oil. Best of all, it's paid for.

While I love the sled, it has a few drawbacks like no reverse and poor rear suspension.

The market for mountain sleds where I live is very, very small for geographic reasons and the sled isn't worth much anyways.

Do I put an aftermarket skid in it and ride, or do I pull the trigger on a newer machine? Keep in mind that a skid is a few thousand I could put towards a snow check.

When did you decide to upgrade? I've driven a 2011 M8 and it didn't wow me. The 2011 Pro RMK had a great chassis but lacked power. I haven't ridden anything else for comparison.

Any help deciding would be great!

It's different for everyone, and something you need to decide for yourself. There's three factors for me. 1. Can I afford it? 2. Do I have the desire to upgrade? 3. Can I pull it off and sneak a fast one by the wife!

 

[89sandman]

since you only ride 700 miles a year i'd just keep what you got and leave it stock. that m could last you the rest of your life

 

[Blk88GT]

LOL! Thanks Sandman.

 

[bholmlate]

Blk88GT
I think i am with Highmarker on this one. If you can afford it i would upgrade. You cant beat the technology advancements in the last eight years on sleds. however i realize that its a difficult decision to give up soemthing that is dependable for a big unknown. You could always keep your old sled for a backup again if you can afford to do that. Good luck. either way you win in my book

 

[AZ800]

When you're thinking about putting a few thousand into a sled that's worth a few thousand, it's time!
Throw yours up for sale and see what you could get for it. If the $ you could get selling it + the $ you would put into the sled is over $6k, sell it.
$6k is 75% of the way there towards a nice '10 or '11 M8.
Think about other expenses with your M7. Whena re the shocks going to need rebuilt? There goes $2-300. Is the track still in good shape? When were the clutches rebuilt last?
You could probably make a list of impending repairs/maint that would get you even closer to the cost of a new(er) sled.
Don't discount the 09 M8's either. Not much more snort than a good running M7, but have all the "new" M sled goodies and you can find them for $5-6k with lower miles. If it aint fast enough, buy a used pipe and fuel box and now you're keeping up with all the new 800's.
BTW I have a 05 M7, great sled and won't be selling it any time soon as it's about perfect for my wife and she'll "never" wear it out.

 

[Heypal]

I will be staring down that same barrel as well. I have an 06 M Series that has about the same milage. I would love to upgrade to a new sled. However, when all of a sudden did they start costing $12K!!! Wow, that is way to much money to spend on something I use a week out of the year. Sure, the 2010/11 M's are a great choice but with all the mods I have done to mine there really isn't much differance. So for the mean time I am going to keep running my trusty old Cat!

 

[Luke The Drifter]

Unfortunately it doesn't matter which angle you approach it at, sleds are a poor investment. You can drop the big coin on a new sled that has all the latest and greatest features and lose your a$$ on depreciation. Or you can pump a couple grand into your M7 but you won't get that out of it when you sell it and lose your rear again. Personally I'd just bite the bullet and buy new. You get a fresh sled and the 2013s really need nothing other than gas and oil since they've come such a long way in terms of out of the box performance. If you start pumping a couple hundred here, a thousand there into your M7, pretty soon you could have bought a new sled with warranty. That and reverse is such a handy feature.

I'll be putting my 2010 M8 up for sale come march or so. Just because it's still worth something and I want a new sled, period

 

[FitShaced]

It is always fun getting new/newer toys! Sell it and put down on a nice used one. Thats what I am doing as soon as my truck is paid off. Selling the 05 summit for 2010 m8

 

[Himark]

When you plan a great weekend riding with buds and your sled lets you down. I dont care how many miles you put on a year, if its a weekend shot because old iron get rid of it.

 

[Blk88GT]

My sled has never broken down ruining a weekend, so I'm good there

 

[snowmoherb]

keep the old reliable. Save up and get a new one, then use the old one for a backup sled...

 

[Twostroke]

Another this is if you buy a nice skid for it you'll like be able to transfer the new skid onto your next sled. So personally I'd do a new skid and while saving up for a new sled and hopefully be able to put your fancy skid under your new sled when your ready.

 

[1-800Oregon]

If you have ridden a couple of the newer sled and weren't overly impressed I'd keep riding the m7, saving up, and trying different sleds until you find one you cant live without.
I've had two newer sleds since the one 1M and I'm not sure I've liked either of then as much as I did that old sled. It may not have performed like a new sled but it fit me well and was a blast to ride.