Maggot snowmobile thread

[yeahman]

Anybody willing to share an opinion of this sled as a tool to get me up logging roads? Could it handle two people and gear? 1994 Artic Cat EXT 580 with less than 200 miles. Thanks.

https://helena.craigslist.org/snw/d/...097319619.html

[simple]

It shows 3000 miles on odometer.

It should work as a trail sled

[nortonwhis]

Whats the best way to get my sled into tight fit storage locker? Looking for a cheap dolly or castor wheels or something similar
will something like this work or is it just a waste of money?
https://www.busybeetools.com/product...SABEgKD0PD_BwE

[teamdirt]

Yup those work great

[yeahman]

It shows 3000 miles on odometer.

It should work as a trail sled

OH shit! Duh. Maybe I'll check it out.

[kidwoo]

As a general rule, it's a good idea to pay more for a snowmobile than what a pair of skis with bindings cost. They tend to be a little more complex.


Not saying that thing hasn't been well taken care of but every o-ring, spring, and bushing on it is likely approaching 20 years old

[yeahman]

Lol, yeah, I know, it's stupid cheap and would probably be a major headache. OTOH when I needed an ATV for spraying weeds and doing other tasks around my property I ended up buying a $300 Yamaha from the 1980s that has worked just fine. I also buy cheap cars and have good luck with them. It's all about finding the guy who loved the thing and took great care of it.

[kidwoo]

around my property

Do I need to point out the potential flaw in logic here? When that quad doesn't work, how do you get home kind of question?

Snowmobiles have the potential to turn into cold shivering nights and helicopter rescues. Just something to keep in mind when it comes to setting the budget.

[anotherVTskibum]

Do I need to point out the potential flaw in logic here? When that quad doesn't work, how do you get home kind of question?

Snowmobiles have the potential to turn into cold shivering nights and helicopter rescues. Just something to keep in mind when it comes to setting the budget.

As a previous owner of a less than reliable sled, I'd suggest two mitigation techniques, beyond the obvious (i.e. consider your broken-sled plan when trip planning):
1. always be prepared, at least from an equipment standpoint, to ski and skin home. It may take a very long time, but it will be better than walking; if you can't get all the way, you may still be able to get somewhere that it's easier to hitch a ride
2. Don't ride alone, particularly in places where (1) sounds painful; have another rider and sled along as well as the supplies and knowledge to tow out if possible.

Honestly, both issues (how long will it take to walk out? / Can I get a broken machine home, or at least to a road?) are worth considering with any form of motorized backcountry travel. I've run out of water in the process of getting my motorcycle out of a juniper bush and back onto the Jeep road, 10+ miles from nowhere, and that experience led to buying a satellite messaging device. Even with a mechanically sound machine, stuff happens (usually, but not always, related to pilot error).

Mechanical luck helps, though. My brother bought a series of sub-$1500 cars and I don't think he ever put more than $500 in maintenance in any of them, only one died, and it took long enough that he got his money's worth out of it. I bought a similar series of cars and didn't put less than the purchase price into any of them. He did eventually kill the sled he bought, too, but it had a hard life to begin with and he wasn't exactly kind to it.

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[yeahman]

Do I need to point out the potential flaw in logic here? When that quad doesn't work, how do you get home kind of question?

Snowmobiles have the potential to turn into cold shivering nights and helicopter rescues. Just something to keep in mind when it comes to setting the budget.

Of course I've considered that possibility, but given the nature of the places I intend to take it, I can't see any major obstacles with skiing out ~10 miles down a well-used snowmobile trail if the sled breaks down. Wouldn't be fun, but it's doable.

[North]

I'd agree with all that but the XM tandems better part. Your clutches are likely beat on your M7. Plus it's probably carbed...plus the XM is a bigger motor with a better track...

The M7 is EFI but yeah 2500mi and it's down on RPMs. I had no complaints tandeming on the XM and that's including the trickiest tandem I've ever done (fully pinned on a steep, tracked, powdery hill climb with a cornice plop finish). Regardless, the Doo steering is weird enough for me when riding technical terrain (solo) to overshadow the tandem performance or lack thereof.

But yeah buying new, you're paying for dealer support so it kind of matters if their douchebags or not.

~5K is the budget so frequent dealer visits aren't in my future. That said, this sled will likely spend some time in BC. My recollection in terms of locating parts is that Doo is everywhere (duh), Cat is somewhere, and Polaris is nowhere up there.

I'm trying to find something with <1500mi. Calendar says now is the time to buy, but gut says COVID is going to force more sleds onto the chopping block this fall.

XM - Likely out. Steering weirdness is a concern and Doo owners are asking $6K+ for 15/16s with 2500mi+. GTFO. Gen4 seems cool but out of my budget.

AXYS - Very intrigued. Best talent upgrade for steep tight spaces (my kryptonite). Budget will only allow for 2016ish MY, and I have visions of blown motors and broken a-arms. Maybe that's unfair, but anecdotally I've seen many more ads with mention of motor work at surprisingly low mileage for these sleds. kidwoo was recommending 2018+ 800s. Care to expand on why to go 2018+?

CAT - Leaning this way. Seems like a good balance between fun to ride solo but planted enough for easy tandeming. Good 2016 options in my price/mileage range. No major downsides AFAIK aside from being the ugliest of the bunch and having some fit/finish issues. Meow?

[BCMtnHound]

~5K is the budget so frequent dealer visits aren't in my future. That said, this sled will likely spend some time in BC. My recollection in terms of locating parts is that Doo is everywhere (duh), Cat is somewhere, and Polaris is nowhere up there.

Not sure which part of the province you are frequenting, but at least in Kamloops to PG hwy95/16/5 corridor, I would say the parts availability goes 'doo > polaris > cat
This last season it seemed there were more late model rmk's on the decks in the parking lots and on the highway around here than the 'doos. Most of the cats you see are getting long in the tooth, with the occasional alpha.

[pano-dude]

That's it, seasons done.

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[skibrd]

Starting to pubs get for next winter and I really need a sled deck. Who has what? What works and doesn’t work? It will be for a 2015 F350 8ft bed. I’d like the ability to put a third sled in backwards, and I beat shit up so durability is very important. My preference is to buy one over build one. I have the ability but not the space or time.

I’ve heard good things about Marlon. So so things about RI Sled Deck. Anyone got any other brands I should check out?


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[Tips^Up]

With the inevitable ski season shutdown, I figure snowmobiles will be a hot commodity this winter. What's the current advice on used sleds? Save $15k and buy brand new with warranty?

[simple]

Hot commodity? The dealers don't think so. Guess we will see.

Dealers will be unloading remaining inventory for cheap. Interest rates are low now as well. Buying within the next 2 months gets you a great deal.

[m2711c]

“Remaining inventory”, I think is the key on new sales. It doesn’t look like they can even get a timeframe for new orders now from ski Doo because of the border situation and just a general fluctuation in the workforce.

[skibrd]

Buy before Sept 1 and you’ll save a bunch. Last summer I waited until mid-Sept and it cost me $1,000.


And buy new, every mile on a sled is a hard mile...

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[teamdirt]

This year will be an anomaly. Ski doo just started building 2021’s 4 weeks ago...they are well behind. Don’t see much for deals on 2021’s as they will be in low supply do to not being built.

Major retail zones will be troubled by such bullshit as Albertan’s not buying sleds as B.C. residents are vandalizing outsiders assets if they are in BC. I for one won’t be chancing travelling to BC to have a 90k truck keyed by some inbred....Canadian truckers are not willing to travel to USA so that will be another logistical issue

There will be lots of deals and cheap sleds available as the panademic continues and people need to trim the fat....

Heck-Arctic Cats will be Pretty much free now that AC can’t sell them in Canada. Lawsuit kicked there ass!!! Even at free why would u want one?

[skibrd]

This year will be an anomaly. Ski doo just started building 2021’s 4 weeks ago...they are well behind. Don’t see much for deals on 2021’s as they will be in low supply do to not being built.

Major retail zones will be troubled by such bullshit as Albertan’s not buying sleds as B.C. residents are vandalizing outsiders assets if they are in BC. I for one won’t be chancing travelling to BC to have a 90k truck keyed by some inbred....Canadian truckers are not willing to travel to USA so that will be another logistical issue

There will be lots of deals and cheap sleds available as the panademic continues and people need to trim the fat....

Heck-Arctic Cats will be Pretty much free now that AC can’t sell them in Canada. Lawsuit kicked there ass!!! Even at free why would u want one?

The new M-Cat is a really good powder sled, maybe you are the .01% who never rides anything hard pack? But it apparently sucks balls as soon as the snow gets somewhat dense or changes consistency...

I’m happy with my 175, but will definitely keep an eye out for a screaming deal. If something becomes available for a can’t refuse price, having a 154 or 165 would be nice. Guess I’m lucky with the pandemic that work isn’t too effected...


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[teamdirt]

Can’t buy Arctic Cat in Canada anymore until they completely change their chasis. BRP won a major lawsuit over them preventing anymore sales in Canada.

With that said I’m sure you will see a surge in quantity of the units in the USA this season going for really good prices.

[crashidy]

Wasn't it only the 2012 to 2017 chassis? I thought they can still seem the new stuff.

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[North]

Wasn't it only the 2012 to 2017 chassis? I thought they can still seem the new stuff.

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Anything with the pyramidal structure over the engine. The hosers in Quebec have determined that Doo invented the use of triangular geometry in structural design

[eldereldo]

They can sell anything they like, as long as they pay BRP a fee, which of course they do not want to. Hoping it helps me sell my sled this fall as there are people. (not many) who won’t ride anything but a Cat.

[LHutz Esq]

HEEELLLLLP!!!!

I have a Legal Dentist dilemma!

I can get a very, very good deal on a dealer stock 2020 rmk800 or for a measly $2,500 CAD socialist pesos (about $1900 Freedom Units) more a similar 2020 rmk850.

Or for about the same as the 800 I can get a demo (200miles) rmk850 with a few more wiz bangs like the PIDD Gauge.

I am leaning to the base model rmk850 - don't think I need GPS on the dash and I worry about how those demo riders would treat the "rented mule". - Although it comes with an extra year warranty.

I know I don't have the talent to need the extra 50cc's - but I am trying to justify it on resale value.

The collective's thoughts would be much appreciated.