Thread: lets talk sledneck...

I was going to tittle this Yamaha Vs. Skidoo, but then my account would've been deleted

anywho, I'm going to get a sled over the summer and looking at the Yamaha 4 stroke or a Skidoo Rev 800. Since sleds are so finicky, I want a new one with a warranty. I've heard mixed reviews for both sleds. Yamaha is too heavy, Rev 800 breaks down too much, Yamaha is better quality, Rev 800 is lighter, but won't last 2000k, etc...

I don't know shit about sleds and basically want a reliable snow donkey that can handle steeps and powder that will take me up to the ice cap and won't break down every other time I use it.

What sayeth the peanut gallery?

No idea on the long term reliability, but after riding a few 07 rev 800s this last season between laps, they are AWESOME to ride.

My .02, save money, buy used, learn to fix it yourself. I know its nice to drop it off at the dealer, but most get really backed up in the winter and waiting 3 weeks to get your sled fixed sucks. Its gonna take a season to learn, so buy a 2500 dollar sled and beat it up, crash it and decide what to do the next season.

Originally Posted by addict

No idea on the long term reliability, but after riding a few 07 rev 800s this last season between laps, they are AWESOME to ride.

He means 08 and newer and therefore Rev-XPs. Apparenty they've been breaking a bunch.

Originally Posted by VC

My .02, save money, buy used, learn to fix it yourself. I know its nice to drop it off at the dealer, but most get really backed up in the winter and waiting 3 weeks to get your sled fixed sucks. Its gonna take a season to learn, so buy a 2500 dollar sled and beat it up, crash it and decide what to do the next season.

that's why my daddy made me build my truck. Now, I can build a vehicle from the ground up and I know exactly what I want.

The MN rule with used snowmobiles is the windshield. If the windshield is broken, so is everything else. If it's clean, you have a decent base from which you can maintain reliability.

there is no in-between. Either the sled has been taken care of, or hit hasn't. They're not like cars where they just kind of get taken care of. they either do or they don't.

buy a used work-horse. fucking climbing peaks for your first sled. You're going to destroy it anyway learning how to ride.

If you are buying new you really can't go wrong with any of the 4 brands (polaris, AC, Yammi, Ski doo). Go with the one that you can get the best deal on or has the best dealer support closest to you. They all have their problems in some way or another, but opinions on sleds are all over the board. Unless you've already ridden alot it will be hard for you to know what you want in the way a sled rides. Keep in mind that "new" does not always mean reliable. But if your set on it and have the cash why not.

You'll save yourself alot of heart ache though if you buy used, then the first time you roll it and smash it into a tree your tears will dry up a lot faster. Yes, you will trash it learning to ride and probably continue to trash when you know how to ride (cause you will know what it is capable of).
Check out Snowest for more info. there is some good beta to be found on there if you are willing to wade through all the bullshit.
Good luck and happy throttle pulling when you do get you mountain limo.

Originally Posted by VC

My .02, save money, buy used, learn to fix it yourself. I know its nice to drop it off at the dealer, but most get really backed up in the winter and waiting 3 weeks to get your sled fixed sucks. Its gonna take a season to learn, so buy a 2500 dollar sled and beat it up, crash it and decide what to do the next season.

I tend to agree with VC, but if you've got the dough for a new one go for it and don't forget to buy insurance. The 2 strokes are pretty obnoxious smelling and I would really consider a 4 stroke if buying new. You might try and demo some different models to get a better feel for them.

There are some cherry used sleds out there but you really need to inspect them closely. My philosophy is find a friend who likes working on sleds and buy the brand he is familiar with. My friend likes skidoo so I bought this one from him after doing a total rebuild on it. 02 summit 800, 151" $2700. Plenty of power, long track and reverse are about my only prerequisites. And not if, but when, it takes a roll or gets smashed I'll not lose much sleep over it.

Also simple maintenece will extend the longevity of any sled. Local shop rates here are $65-95/hour for repairs so find out specifically what the warranty covers on a new sled if you go that route.

We've been pretty happy with our polaris RMK900's; If I were to do it again, I'd prolly buy a skidoo, and I'd pay most attention to

1)Overall weight.
2)Power to weight ratio

The lighter the sled is, the easier to throw around+ waaay better for snomo-digging.

Then enjoy days like this:

im in the same boat as you are. Im gonna wait until prices go down a bit over the summer, buy whatever I can get for 2500-3000 and learn everything I possibly can about repairing it.(there have been some good deals recently on the snowest forums btw) The only question for me is how long of a sled I can get to fit in my taco...

Oh, and we really need a sledneck forum. chop chop mods

Originally Posted by couloirman

The only question for me is how long of a sled I can get to fit in my taco...

I'd suggest a drive on drive off trailer or a tilt bed. Everytime I watch guys loading into a pickup bed I'm glad I use a trailer. If you are alone and need to load up you don't break a sweat with a trailer. And a sled with reverse is very nice.

At tight trailheads in a pinch you can unhitch and move the trailer easily enough.

From talking to people who've ridden the new rev-xp's and the new polaris dragon 800's the concensus seems to be that the dragon is the best sled this season. It's a bit easier to ride for most and it's got 154 horsepower so it's right up there with the new XP. I haven't heard of any of them breaking yet either, the only drawback to it is that the closest dealer to us is in Van.

I wouldn't get a yamaha for around here, they're still underpowered and nose heavy for where we go and what we do with sleds here. The new nytro is a great sled, and with more power will do anything you want it to but from what I've seen it just can't keep up with the 2 strokes. Now my buddys 280HP nytro on the other hand...

They had a dealer demo of '09 Polaris where we ride a couple weeks ago. We tried to convince them to let us break them in (since they all had 0 miles on them) but for some reason they wouldn't let us. Wonder why? Anyway the '09 are light are hell, you could pick the track off the ground on the 800 155's with one arm.

I would consider what type of riding you are going to do as well. Hyped out longtracks are for deep snow and climbing mountains. I you are going to be on trails and towing people a touring sled might be the way to go. The clutches are more geared for low torque and they dont overheat as much. I would definetly buy used with as many upgrades as possible- Shocks, skis, exhaust, goldfinger, bar raisers etc. New sleds are rad if you want to dump another $2000 into it for the goodies. And your first year get out and just ride it a bunch with out skiing. Snowmobiling is hard and super fun to learn.

Obviously not useful for someone in Canada, but if anyone's looking for optimal power/weight ratio, I'm selling mine:

http://www.tetongravity.com/forums/s...d.php?t=120267

Sleds I've ridden:
Polaris 900 RMK 151, 159 - about 20 days
M8 rental - 1 day
Skidoo Rev x 800 - a couple laps

A couple weeks ago I tried out a friends Skidoo on firm pack snow and was immediately surprised when I almost knocked myself off the sled because of a lack of, we'll call it, primary stability. The sled was practically fish-heading until I death-gripped the handlebars. The polaris and M8 were both stable and like to go in a straight line when ridden solo. The Skidoo has a swept back handlebar compared to the upright Polaris. I didn't really look at the swaybar. Is the lack of primary stability normal for Skidoo and do people just get used to the squirrlyness?

Converseley, the Skidoo is built with a very wide track and seat. It transported 3 people uphill easily, whereas I'd be gripped if I tried that on the Polaris.

Check the Eastern Sierra Sled ski action

Skidoo workhorse in the house


Polaris Rocking the spot


Aren't the matching red jackets cute?