I'm looking for advice and suggestions. I want to buy a couple 2 up sleds so my wife and I can take the kids along trail riding this winter. We're pretty new to the sport, and only have experience with our two early 90's Polaris Indys. We took them out on the trail last winter and the sleds were definitely not ideal.
So my priorities would be to have something reliable and also be comfortable/safe feeling for the kids. They are a little terrified of how loud the Indy's are, but still loved it when we were out on the trails.
What I'm seeing for options are some almost new (2015/2016 & 1-2k miles) entry level sleds - Polaris LXT's & Arctic Cat 2000 LT's - for around $5k, or much older but nicer sleds ( 2003-2008, 4 stroke, rear hand warmers, etc).
Any idea what would be the better option? I'm assuming the newer sleds would be more reliable, but maybe not as comfortable for the passenger on long rides. Maybe even the older sleds are reliable enough now that it's not an issue? I guess anything will be an improvement over my old sleds.
Finally, I guess I'm starting to think about snow a little early. Is there any advantage to buying now, or is it better to wait until the shops are putting away their bikes & starting to focus on sleds?
Two ups aren't as popular as single rider sleds, so if you're looking for good used ones, your choices will be limited. I would definitely start looking now. If you find something interesting, post some pics and a description of your find, and someone is sure to pick it apart for you.
Ok, here goes - this first one is the one that got me started thinking... 2016 Polaris Indy LXT @$5499 with 1,082 miles - although now I realize it is only priced about a $1000 less than new after the current rebate. They also have some Arctic Cat Lynx 2000LT's for $4799. I think those have about 3,000 miles on them.
Otherwise I'm seeing older or higher mileage sleds like the 2013 Ski Doo Grand Touring with 9468 miles @ $4,599
Welcome again!
Well you are definitely in luck!
Hay Days is coming up in a coupla weeks! In North Branch!
I personally drive a 2004 Arctic Cat Pantera 800efi!
But a 600efi will do about anything you ask of it!
And the Pantera is THE top of the line 2up!
Comes fully loaded stock.
EFI (fuel injected no carbs)
Electric start and Rev!
Rear hand warmers and rack!
I would say you should be able to find a Pair and trailer with covers at Hay Days!
this craigslist ad isn't yours is it?? Not sure why I wasn't seeing the ad before, but it popped up when I did a quick search for Pantera. Seems like it might be just what I'm looking for. Assuming it's not your ad, does the price seem right for them?
BTW - thanks for the tip about HayDays - Looks like a fun time even without the swap meet. I plan on checking it out.
The Polaris Indy LXT you posted has a 550 fan engine in it. That may be a bit under-powered for a two-up sled if you plan on anything other than trails. Rental companies buy the bulk of those sleds, they work great for trail riding and new people. The biggest thing they have going for them is price, but the 550 engine has had issues in the past. I'm not sure those have been fully corrected, although Polaris has had ample time to do so.
The Widetrack IQ you posted has a 750 turbo four-stroke engine. The 4-strokes are a lot more complex than two strokes, and when they break, they are very expensive to have repaired. I would shy away from either of those. 4-stroke engines are also a lot heavier, which may be a negative.
Arctic Cat and Skidoo seem to have a better 2-up sled than Polaris. Yamaha has a nice product, as well.
Good luck in the search. If you make it to Haydays, you are sure to find something that meets your needs.
KC - Would the '04 & '02 Panteras - assuming they were as well maintained as it sounds like - still be pretty reliable? Is having the non-efi problematic, or just a question of power output? Not sure my wife has taken our existing sleds above 30mph, so power isn't a big concern.
Also - is the price inline with what those two sleds plus trailer are worth? Or would I see better deals at Hay Days?
Thanks BC - That makes me feel better about passing on the newer models I was seeing.
haha - now if I could only have you guys walk around the Hay Days swap area with me.
What do you guys think of the 4 stroke Arctic Cat touring? I found an ad for a 2002 that seems reasonably priced and other than a couple cosmetic issues, everything else is in good shape.
The only things I could find people saying about it is that the engine is very reliable but slow. Since I can't imagine my wife would ever go faster than 45, that shouldn't be an issue. Anything I should be worried about with that sled? I can't find any real reviews of it online. The ad says it is a Pantera, but from what I can tell, the only 4 strokes where in a "Touring" model. I've no idea what the difference would be other than the engine.
No 4 stroke Pantera till just a coupla years ago!
The turbo version is more sought after!
But the only issue with the 660 Cat was that it was only about 75-80hp! (witch puts it in the 500cc 2 stroke class)
But it is heavier! But then if you are going to stay on trails it will be very comfortable!
You never know exactly where you will end up at Hay Days!
Look for me in the first 10 rows!
I should be on the South side and will have my 95 Pantera and my 98 ZR600 on the 2 place open trailer, and the Box truck with the ugly air dam!
Like KC said, for a dedicated trail sled, the 660 4-stroke will do fine. There's lots to be said for the 4-stroke engine... better fuel mileage, no oil to add, no stinky exhaust on your clothes at the end of the day, and the engines have a reputation for outlasting the sleds. The ride on the 2-up sleds is very comfortable, they are built for comfort and not for performance. That can be a definite plus! Most will have reverse, which is always nice. Any more, almost all the sleds have reverse, but if it's mechanical, make sure it works properly! The more complex gearbox in a mechanical system can wear pretty quickly.
The bad things.. more complex engine (harder to work on) and when it breaks, it will be spendy to repair. Some 4-stroke sleds are really difficult to maintain, even a simple oil or spark plug change is difficult. The only 4-stroke Cat I have seen was on the dealer floor and would have required removing body panels and bracing just to change the spark plugs! Gad. And of course, there's the weight. Eventually, all sleds get stuck. 2-ups are heavy even with 2-stroke engines, so add a 4-stroke and they are even more of a challenge.
BC, good point about the weight, my back was pretty unhappy with me last year getting the 2 stroke unstuck. Does anyone ever put a winch on them? Can't imagine where you'd mount it, but it would be handy for getting unstuck.
KC - I'll keep an eye out for your box truck and the ugly air dam.
Might look at how the Skandic and BearCats mount the winch. I've seen people put receiver on front and back of their machine (usually Skandic SWT) so they can easily mount the winch on front or back.
Thanks, I'll have to take a look and see how they mount them. Makes sense to be able to use them on both front and back, I've never understood why winches are mounted on the front of trucks and atvs when usually you need to get backwards.
The 2" receiver on the front as well as the back would be a great upgrade!
But really just a tow strap would be all you need!
Remember never ride alone!
At the risk of going too far off topic - what do you do at Hay Days if you buy a sled(s), but don't have a trailer to haul it back with? I have a utility trailer at home I can bring with me, but I'm also hoping to find a trailer there as well. I'm planning on coming back on Sunday anyway, is there a place you can leave things overnight that is safe?
I suppose I could run home, get or drop off the trailer, and then come back the same day. But it's an hour drive each way, and that could turn into a lot of driving. Especially if I'm racing against the clock to get back before things close down at night.
You are welcome to have it delivered to my space!
Or simply put money down on it, get a bill of sale, and pick it up on Sunday!
That's what most people do!
thanks KC.. Turns out I didn't find any sleds, but I did pick up a nice enclosed trailer. The Hay Days website had big warnings about people taking off with the goods once they got your money, so I was envisioning complete chaos there. Was only mild chaos.
Anyway, I probably walked right past you because I think I walked the entire swap area. Too much to look at, so I didn't notice your truck. I'm toying with the idea of bringing the kids in tomorrow, but not sure I can handle another day of the crowds.
Wow, well I guess it was pretty mild considering the size of the refillable beer jugs. Be fun to see what a wild one would be like.
Anyway I picked up a 99 Triple Touring 600 tonight. Compression was good and the person I bought it from seemed to take good care of it. So I'm 2/3's the way there. Looking to pick up a 2002 Touring 4 stroke this weekend.
It's going to be a painfully long wait for snow this year.
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