next sled - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

the Mave77 · 12-10-2006, 07:55 PM

Got a 96 zrt 600 this year and its a good sled, but I like to try and get a newer sled. I would like something with a better suspension and just an overall better sled. I was wondering if a 98 or 99 zr 500 or 600 would be a good sled. I ride in NOrthern Illinois on a lot of bumpy trails.

D&D800 · 12-10-2006, 11:32 PM

I would shoot for 2000 or newer. 98/99's had some issues but can be bought for a good price and be a fun sled.

JL Club · 12-12-2006, 10:31 PM

ive got a 99 zr600 efi, and the thing rides really well with plenty of travel and power to boot. also only cost
me $1500, but i found a super deal. it all depends on what
you want out of a sled and what kind of ride your looking
for though. i do love the feel of my zr as well.

the Mave77 · 12-13-2006, 10:09 AM

Do the 98 and 99 zr's have some problems?

JL Club · 12-13-2006, 06:03 PM

im really not sure yet, this sled is still new to me, and i dont really know anyone that has one. i do know that
the efi starts up on the second pull just about every time,
and the motor runs strong. with any sled, it depends on
if the previous owner has taken care of it or not. (if its
used, of course). one of the major things that turned me
on to the ZR is the amount of travel in the suspension, something like 13 inches. lots of power and a suprisingly
nice ride. it looks meaner with the rear end riding higher
than most other sleds around the same year.

the Mave77 · 12-13-2006, 10:52 PM

Do the efi's ever have problems? and if they do are they much harder to fix than carbs?

**RJ Gleason** · 12-13-2006, 11:50 PM

EFI's can be pretty much maintainense free. When they do have any problems, it can be a little more difficult to diagnose.
I will never go back to a carbed sled as my primary ride ever.
The trouble free nature of the EFI is the best.
As far as your suspension goes, try making adjustments to it to get a smoother ride. I have my '93 Wildcat riding quite smooth and it sucks up the bumps a lot better than it did when I first got it.
You can move the lower part of the rear swing arm on the skid to change the angle of it's mount and get a softer ride.

the Mave77 · 12-14-2006, 09:57 AM

Yeah i dont know how to work on sleds much. I always have a guy I know do those things. I ve just always figured that if I get a newer sled it would be a smoother ride than the last sled.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-14-2006, 03:53 PM

There's always that.
Nothing beats a smooth ride, not even more power.

JL Club · 12-14-2006, 08:57 PM

ive gotta agree with RJ, the carbs can be a little bit of
a pain in the arse if you dont really know how to adjust
it properly. the efi pretty much takes the guess work out
of it, especially if you dont have experience with tuning
and cleaning carbs. it depends on the rider though. im
sure there are people who swear by carburation, as well as
though who'd rather have the efi.

litle_Jon · 12-14-2006, 09:03 PM

well i would say ski-doo MXZ-X 440 '98 or ski-doo MXZ 600 '01

**RJ Gleason** · 12-15-2006, 01:52 AM

Well, having been riding and working on my own sleds since the mid '60s, I would rather have a sled with EFI instead of carbs.