Maggot snowmobile thread

[North]

Thanks for the feedback. Obvious wisdom is to target a lower milage sled, but should I be afraid of ones that are around 2k miles in both a Summit and a RMK? Seeing a lot of RMKs that have rebuilt engines and that gives me pause.

Generally, no reason to be afraid of a sled with 2K miles. However, at that mileage you're at or approaching top end time for many sleds so factor that cost into the price. I've noticed the same on RMKs. Lots of ads citing major engine work at mileages that shouldn't require major engine work.

[simple]

At 2k miles the skidoo etec engine is worry free.

I usually sell mine at less than 4k miles. Above 5k I would definitely want a new top end.

All depends on if it was just a trail sled or beat on WOT all the time.

[Wapow]

Thanks for the feedback. Obvious wisdom is to target a lower milage sled, but should I be afraid of ones that are around 2k miles in both a Summit and a RMK? Seeing a lot of RMKs that have rebuilt engines and that gives me pause.

Conventional wisdom is that a Polaris engine needs a new top end at 2k miles and SkiDoo needs a tope end at 4k miles. Polaris is more of a sledder's sled. It is the lightest and most optimized for expert sledders. Ski-Doo is heavier and is geared a bit more for an intermediate rider. Definitely easier for a beginner to jump on and ride.

[tobytortorelli]

Sled for sale in Western Washington.
https://seattle.craigslist.org/see/s...174597885.html

[cmor]

If you're looking for low mileage I have a 2017 rmk pro. It's an 800 with 163 track. Around 700 miles on it. Located near Seattle, Wa. $7k

[kidwoo]

Looking at a first sled for some ski powder laps. Theres a 2009 M8 for $2800 with 2200 miles amd a few 2014-2015 Summits around $5k one with under 1k miles. Is it worth spending another $2000-2500 on a newer Summit?

Not when talking about a 2009 m8. That thing will last forever. The suspension on the summit is better but both will get you out. Fewer miles on the summits should mean they're in better shape obviously. Maybe let track size be the deciding factor? Both track length and lug height.

Personally, I'd get the m8 and spend 100 bucks on a coil rear shock if it has an air shock, check the diamond drive bearing (look it up) and fuggetaboutit. The canadians here will always tell you to buy the summit because in most cases that's all they've ever ridden. Either will work, and that year for both brands will be reliable. Just don't ever buy a 2007-2015 polaris. That's the only one I'd truly avoid.

[teamdirt]

So many sled pros on tgr....

I’m just another one lol....However I’ve been sled skiing for coming up to 25 years....

Ur 4000km sled has other issues besides an engine....just saying, good luck ladies and gents!

What ever chariot u choose make sure ur in an area where parts r available Because that will f ur season.

[BCMtnHound]

Not when talking about a 2009 m8. That thing will last forever. The suspension on the summit is better but both will get you out. Fewer miles on the summits should mean they're in better shape obviously. Maybe let track size be the deciding factor? Both track length and lug height.

Personally, I'd get the m8 and spend 100 bucks on a coil rear shock if it has an air shock, check the diamond drive bearing (look it up) and fuggetaboutit. The canadians here will always tell you to buy the summit because in most cases that's all they've ever ridden. Either will work, and that year for both brands will be reliable. Just don't ever buy a 2007-2015 polaris. That's the only one I'd truly avoid.

Hey, comon now. BRP is the only thing in Quebec that has provided anything of real value to the rest of the country. I mean, there are other decent things available IN Quebec, but nothing they export that is worth much consideration, or worth the premium price/transfer payments they demand.

[kidwoo]

Don't forget metric tons of cigarette butts.

I've been to your great white covid free glaciers and needed sled parts, and hence seen the dealer network. It's more an acknowledgment, not a judgment. I promise.

[Jtlange]

Thanks for the advice. After looking at it I probably dont have more than 5k to spend on a sled unfortunately. And I need to factor in a trailer purchase. With the lottery system shaping up the way it is, this is looking more and more viable to be the way to get out as much as possible this year.

[Name Redacted]

Looking at buying a new sled. Never owned one, ridden plenty, have some buds that are seriously into it and they are good for advice but I'd like another perspective too, because some of them have some serious biases. They are all into Arctic Cats, used to all ride RMKs but not anymore. They don't tow skiers ever just boon docking and slednecking, I'll probably pull the wife and friends around sometimes, plus hut trips, but mostly want something proficient for just me riding. I'm planning on getting stuck a lot, but I'd consider myself proficient at riding, probably intermediate. Riding will be done mostly in CO.

Brand preference? Models? Track length? Shit like that?
New vs used?
Warranty worth a damn? Something I should get or not worry about.

[kidwoo]

Looking at buying a new sled. Never owned one, ridden plenty, have some buds that are seriously into it and they are good for advice but I'd like another perspective too, because some of them have some serious biases. They are all into Arctic Cats, used to all ride RMKs but not anymore. They don't tow skiers ever just boon docking and slednecking, I'll probably pull the wife and friends around sometimes, plus hut trips, but mostly want something proficient for just me riding. I'm planning on getting stuck a lot, but I'd consider myself proficient at riding, probably intermediate. Riding will be done mostly in CO.

Brand preference? Models? Track length? Shit like that?
New vs used?
Warranty worth a damn? Something I should get or not worry about.

How much money you got? Each budget bracket has its brands/versions that work and don't


Anybody tandem on an arctic cat alpha rail? I haven't but it seems like that would be the worst sled to buy for skiing/doubling up

[crashidy]

Plenty of relevant info in this thread.. Feel free to Read back.. Time consuming but many questions answered.

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[skibrd]

Looking at buying a new sled. Never owned one, ridden plenty, have some buds that are seriously into it and they are good for advice but I'd like another perspective too, because some of them have some serious biases. They are all into Arctic Cats, used to all ride RMKs but not anymore. They don't tow skiers ever just boon docking and slednecking, I'll probably pull the wife and friends around sometimes, plus hut trips, but mostly want something proficient for just me riding. I'm planning on getting stuck a lot, but I'd consider myself proficient at riding, probably intermediate. Riding will be done mostly in CO.

Brand preference? Models? Track length? Shit like that?
New vs used?
Warranty worth a damn? Something I should get or not worry about.

I went through this exact process the last few years.

My advice is buy what your buddies ride (Arctic Cats?), so you can get advice on what breaks when it breaks, cause sleds break. Buy the nicest sled you can afford. I went brand new and by the end of the season I had a decent hand of sledding.

My roommates bought the cheapest sleds available (2009 Ski-Doo 800 165in track), one sold his before January was over, the other parked his sled about the same tile and never went out again. Old sleds suck and are cheap for a reason.

I bought a 175in track, and if I re-did it, Id get a 165. The 154s I got on were alright but felt small, I liked the 165s a lot that I got on. Just a bit more maneuverable then my 175 with about the same float.

I bought a Ski-Doo Summit SP 850 175in track, and love it. My buddies (except one weirdo) all have Ski-Doos and it made asking questions easy when some things didn’t seem quite right. I’d also look at what dealer is close and you like to work with. The dealer I got my sled from is a mile away, and they are great to deal with. It made getting support and parts super easy.

I got the extended warranty. Already used it twice. 100000% worth it. Remember sleds break, cheap parts/labor is always nice. With out a warranty you will drop $1000 every time you go in for service.

Oh and insurance, sleds break, you crash, they get totaled, get insurance.

You will get stuck. You will have to dig yourself out. Learn to pull a sled out of holes. Take advice and be humble. Sleds are fun, but the learning curve sucks.


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[skibrd]

Oh, I carried a large green snow shovel with me the first few days of sledding, it made getting the sled unstuck a LOT easier. BCA makes the B-52 shovel, it’s their biggest shovel and has been my Avi shovel for a few years. I picked up a second one to strap to the tunnel to make getting unstuck easier. You want to carry your Avi gear on you at all times, so having a second shovel is important


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[shafty85]

Buy the nicest sled you can afford.

Yes

Old sleds suck and are cheap for a reason.

No. Are newer sleds better? Yes. Do older sleds suck? Not all of them by any means.

I’d also look at what dealer is close and you like to work with.

Yes. Quick and easy access to parts/service is key if you ride frequently.

With out a warranty you will drop $1000 every time you go in for service.

Nope. Learn how to work on your sled. Plenty of sites selling used parts.

Oh and insurance, sleds break, you crash, they get totaled, get insurance.

Depends how much you spend.

You will get stuck.

Sleds are fun.

Yes.

[SoVT Joey]

So I’m looking at getting a sled well cause COVID and all that other shit and now apparently the farmers say the northeast is looking good for the winter. I’ve found a 2014 summit 154 and 2016 summit 154. The 14 has 5900 miles guy is asking 5800. The 2016 has 625 miles and he’s asking 6500. I really wanted to spend in the 5k range. I’m in southern VT and yes I know it’s overkill for down here but I travel. A lot. Is it worth the extra 1000 to get way less miles and a little newer. Or is that not a lot of miles and a good deal on the 14. I dunno. In fact I have no idea. I just know I need to be able to get closer to the ski zones faster this year.


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[shafty85]

Is that an actual question?

I can’t comment on American pricing but if someone offered to sell you a car and then someone else offered you the same model but 2 years newer with only 10% of the mileage on it for only $700 more, what would you do?

[skibrd]

So I’m looking at getting a sled well cause COVID and all that other shit and now apparently the farmers say the northeast is looking good for the winter. I’ve found a 2014 summit 154 and 2016 summit 154. The 14 has 5900 miles guy is asking 5800. The 2016 has 625 miles and he’s asking 6500. I really wanted to spend in the 5k range. I’m in southern VT and yes I know it’s overkill for down here but I travel. A lot. Is it worth the extra 1000 to get way less miles and a little newer. Or is that not a lot of miles and a good deal on the 14. I dunno. In fact I have no idea. I just know I need to be able to get closer to the ski zones faster this year.


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Buy the nicer one


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[SoVT Joey]

Is that an actual question?

I can’t comment on American pricing but if someone offered to sell you a car and then someone else offered you the same model but 2 years newer with only 10% of the mileage on it for only $700 more, what would you do?

No I get the math. I think the guy for 5800 will move a lot more on the price though. But the newer one is most likely the smart choice


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[skibrd]

No I get the math. I think the guy for 5800 will move a lot more on the price though. But the newer one is most likely the smart choice


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Buy the newest one. Even if he drops the price by half, it’s worth it.


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[kidwoo]

Yeah man 6k miles is a lot.

I've personally only gotten close to 4 with a top end but lots of other shit that wore out that wasn't the motor before I sold it.

You should be able to find a decent sled for $5k without nearly that much use.

[NWFlow]

I can't imagine he'll get 5800

[skibrd]

Note to self, sell mine before 3k miles


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[kicool]

Been lurking this thread for a while. Seems like the consensus is to buy as new as possible, with warranty, makes sense to me.

I have finally saved up enough money for a 2018-2020 model because I want that 2 year warranty. Going to get an 850 with 16x length track. It will be used for sled skiing on the hurly and other places near Pemberton/whistler.
The question now is 2019 Polaris Pro-RMK 850 (first gen 850 makes me nervous) or 2018/2019 Skidoo Summit X 850 (seems like the right choice)? It needs to tandem well and be reliable, and a decent resale value would be nice.