Maggot snowmobile thread

[Tech Tonics]

My partner and I have shared a few different sleds over the last ~7 years, all of them pretty janky machines that we use to access ski-terrain in SWCO. We have limited skills and even less knowledge, but it’s been super fun and so stoked on the world of terrain these sleds open up for us. We rarely use them for gaining vertical, but I’m definitely open to sled-powered laps as our skills improve.

I’m going to step it up (a little) this year. I’d like to get something that’s more reliable and more capable in untracked than our current machine. Also something that I can learn on, and maybe even just go sledding for the fun of it.

I’d love some advice. I recognize there is pretty limited info about each of these, but if you have any advice, I’d love to hear it.

1. Ski doo summit 800. 2300 miles with a rebuild about 300 miles ago. Seller wants $4000 but I think he’s negotiable. I don’t know the year.



2. Polaris pro RMK 900. Also $4000 (firm). This sled has less than 1000 miles. It’s a colleagues and he’s a total sledneck and this is his “backup sled” and I’m pretty sure he’s giving me an insane deal. He bought it new and stores it in his workshop. I don’t know the year, cuz I forgot to ask him.



3. Skidoo summit 800 from 2010. 3200 miles with a rebuilt motor ~500 miles ago. Guy will take $2500 or maybe less. This is closer to what I’d like to spend, but I’m guessing that the Polaris is a lot more sled. At $2000ish I’m sorta leaning toward this one.




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[North]

The doos are both XPs. $4K should get you into a XM. The cheaper XP is reasonably priced. My general rule is runners go for ~$2k no matter how old. Anything less is in "free boat" territory.

The Polaris looks like a first gen RMK Pro. I wasn't aware they made it in a 900 but I'm not super familiar with Polaris. Maybe it's been bored out. Their new 9R is supposedly awesome, but prior Polaris 900 motors were...not great. The Pro was a game changer when it came out `in 2012. It will feel tippier than the Doos of that era but that's what makes it good off trail. I've never heard great things about Polaris reliability, especially in that era, but that's all anecdotal info as I haven't owned one.

[crashidy]

That first doo is an XP chassis but at least it's the etec engine..based on that decal. I thought the etec didn't come until 2011 though

[Foggy_Goggles]

That Polaris 900 has the reputation as one of the least reliable motors ever. But there were a bunch of recalls/updates that helped. On the other side of that coin, is "well maintained by a homies that isn't out to fuck me" is top of my list for that priced sled. $4k is overpriced.

For the rest of it what North said, chassis development was rapid at that point. Now we've gotten to "pick one be a dick about it".

In that age/price look at Cat. The M8000s with the Suzuki motor were bomber. I really home the 858 Catalyst is well received. It would be great to have the third manufacturer back in the game.

[Tech Tonics]

https://www.facebook.com/share/1B7Lu...ibextid=79PoIi

This one too?


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[Foggy_Goggles]

I dunno man...I'll answer the question a different way.

Just buy which ever one gives you the feels and cross your fingers. We are talking about a $2.5k 15year old snowmobile. There is no Honda Civic of sleds.

Since you are on Marketplace, let me know if you see any 23 or 24 Ski Doo 165.

[adrenalated]

For what you are talking about you want a Ski Doo XM. That would mean 2013-2017. That gets you into the e-tec motor which is as bomber as snowmobile engines get and into a modern-ish chassis.
That 2012 that you posted has the same motor and that chassis was OK but "reliable, up my game, something that I might want to actually just sled on" is an XM.

Right now is the worst possible time to buy snowmobiles and everyone always thinks their shit is worth more than it is, but $4-5k is what an XM with sub 3k miles is worth these days and if you keep looking, you'll find one.

I would pass on a Cat because parts/dealer availability in this area and pass on a Polaris of that era due to reliability.

[Tech Tonics]

Thanks guys! So much to learn.

Foggy, not sure if this fits what you’re looking for:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1293H...ibextid=79PoIi


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[CallMeAl]

If your buddy's Polaris is actually an unmodified '14 or '15 800 (they stopped making 900s in the 00s), that could be a great option. They came with a belt drive and better pistons than 11-13 Pros, which covers the big problems.

I beat the shit out of a '14 for 4 years/4k miles, great sled for what you described.

The advice I saw above about Polaris not being good for beginners is 100% self-satisfying, brand allegiance bullshit. They are on par with the XM for performance/reliability, and aren't any "harder" to ride. I ride a G4 850, so no brand allegiance here.

[Tech Tonics]

Thanks for everyone’s input!

What about a 2015 skidoo “freeride”. It has an etec 800 motor and a 154 track? Is that the same XM geometry/chassis?


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[beeeom]

Anyone have experience with code P1428 on a skidoo e-tec?

Sounds like it's a pipe exhaust sensor for emissions/fuel mix? The sled is a total beater and I only putt-putt up logging roads for touring access, so I'm asking to see if it's worth the cost/bother of fixing or if I just rock it as-is?

[Tech Tonics]

Thanks for everyone’s input!

What about a 2015 skidoo “freeride”. It has an etec 800 motor and a 154 track? Is that the same XM geometry/chassis?


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Thinking this may be it? He’ll do $3300. It has an XM chassis and some other mods (big bogey wheel kit, aftermarket bumpers, etc).


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[John_B]

Thinking this may be it? He’ll do $3300. It has an XM chassis and some other mods (big bogey wheel kit, aftermarket bumpers, etc).


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What's it got for miles? That seems like a pretty reasonable option in your price range but I'm a snowmobile jong who is trying to buy talent.

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[Tech Tonics]

3000 miles


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[Foggy_Goggles]

Anyone have experience with code P1428 on a skidoo e-tec?

Sounds like it's a pipe exhaust sensor for emissions/fuel mix? The sled is a total beater and I only putt-putt up logging roads for touring access, so I'm asking to see if it's worth the cost/bother of fixing or if I just rock it as-is?

This is where the independent shade tree sled mechanic can be key. How much is that senor? Did you take a look at the wires? The parts sled, snowmobile boneyard, ebay scene seems like it used to be better?

Also, I'll say it again, have the same whip as your homies has benefits. You can learn wrenching from each others problems "yeah, I've replaced an a arm on a XM", you can parts swap to diagnose problems, and you just avoid the "fuck your sled, its a pile" and your friends are move motivated to help you.

[adrenalated]

Thinking this may be it? He’ll do $3300. It has an XM chassis and some other mods (big bogey wheel kit, aftermarket bumpers, etc).


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I'm not super up on the differences between Freeride and Summit but I believe the Freeride had a wider ski stance in 2015 which wouldn't be ideal.
At $3300 and 3k miles sounds like a solid option if in otherwise good shape. Where's it located? If not too far away happy to go look at it with you.

[beeeom]

This is where the independent shade tree sled mechanic can be key. How much is that senor? Did you take a look at the wires? The parts sled, snowmobile boneyard, ebay scene seems like it used to be better?

Also, I'll say it again, have the same whip as your homies has benefits. You can learn wrenching from each others problems "yeah, I've replaced an a arm on a XM", you can parts swap to diagnose problems, and you just avoid the "fuck your sled, its a pile" and your friends are move motivated to help you.

So the sensor is about $300. Plus the bother of tearing the front end apart to get at the plug-in. I'll. Check eBay though good call. Would be much more palatable if I could get it on the cheap

[CallMeAl]

Thinking this may be it? He’ll do $3300. It has an XM chassis and some other mods (big bogey wheel kit, aftermarket bumpers, etc).


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Good mods (preservation vs performance) and good price. Very reliable motor/year, but I'd still do a compression test before buying. Harbor Freight has a kit that'll do the job for $30.

The Freeride also has burlier shocks and running boards than the SP or X trimmed Summits, nice features for skiing.

However one very important point of consideration a novice-ish sledder should make is track length, especially if you're going to use it to double up a lot.

You will get stuck more on that 154" than you would a 16X" from any brand. 15Xs are better for jumping and more nimble in the trees, but trench more and are also less stable when doubling up steep stuff in my experience.

[Zhem]

Stumbled across this listing...

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...6-c363ae6fa9c3

Seems like it might work for someone looking for two sleds and a trailer....

[heckacali]

I got excited for a second thinking 4500 was the whole kit lol

[Zhem]

I got excited for a second thinking 4500 was the whole kit lol

lol, if that was the case I would have already grabbed them. Guess one could always try to make that offer…


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[Tech Tonics]

I’m about to pull the trigger on a 2014 Summit sp800r. It’s confusing, us the sp on an XM chassis?

Post says:
“Solid sled With the BMP 860 ultimate big bore kit including fuel management, clutching "Steep and deep" port and polished top end, fly cut rave valves, flowed injectors, HPS can, Iceage rails, Walker Evans front shocks, T-Motion lockout kit, Skinz windshield bag, BRP tunnel bag, Skinz intake vent covers. Has some cosmetic damage and front bumper needs replaced.
2,600 miles, about 1,000 on the new motor.”



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[Yukonrider]

I for one see mods as a red flag, I also see "new motor" as a red flag. My guess is that thing was ridden hard and put away wet, that would be a pass for me.

[adrenalated]

I’m about to pull the trigger on a 2014 Summit sp800r. It’s confusing, us the sp on an XM chassis?

Responded to your PM (I'd recommend a hard pass on this one) but SP is the model. In this vintage you could buy either a Summit X or a Summit SP. I forget all the differences but the main one is the X came with nicer shocks (rebuildable Fox shocks) whereas the SP came with non-rebuildable HPG shocks (High Priced Garbage). I have an SP, it's fine, but the shocks do indeed suck and they're expensive to replace.

[Foggy_Goggles]

What is your budget and why are you looking at these mod sleds?

Just get the nicest stocker you can find and move on.