new here, just bought 2 sleds! - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

TIC · 07-09-2006, 02:03 PM

Hey, I am a newbie here and have just a few questions if anyone would be so kind as to answer.. I just bought a 98' ski-doo forumla 3 and an 03' MXZ-550 fan..A trailer also came with the sleds.. The forumla 3 has 1,300mi. on it and the MXZ has 800mi. Both APPEAR to be in excellent condition and started up on the first pull. We have already started looking for a place to go for a vacation with the sleds and have been told that Maine is a great place in general (we are from PA.). I went to one website that said all sleds must be registered with a Maine registration if they are to be used in that state and I was shocked to see the cost was $69.00 per sled!.. I already have the sleds registered in PA. but is this the norm? must you register your sleds in every state you plan to use them in?.. My plan is to have the sleds gone over by a mechanic to make sure all maintenance items are taken care of. I read the manuals cover to cover and there is more maintenance than I expected but it doesn't look TOO bad.. Any opinions on these sleds?.. I've browsed most of the forums and can't find out much about the formula 3.. The 550 fan seems popular and reliable. We paid 5k for both sleds and the trailer.. good deal?.. I guess I won't know until they are looked at by a mechanic. The guy selling them told me they were always maintained well and they do indeed look like it but one never knows.... I used to ride WAY BACK in the early 70's when we lived in Vermont.. We had sno-jets.. 338 yamaha engines, leaf springs only on the skiis. I guess I'm in for quite a surprise when I ride these eh?.. They look LIGHT YEARS ahead of what we used to ride... TIA...

TIC · 07-09-2006, 04:19 PM

Oops, should have posted in the new members forum.. Sorry..

SnowRida · 07-09-2006, 05:05 PM

Sounds like you got some low mileage sleds there. You should be happy with them. Northern Mi. and the U.P. are great places to ride if you want to make the trip. Plenty of trails. Welcome to the site, and enjoy!

TIC · 07-09-2006, 05:30 PM

thanks,, I need to look at a map but it may not be much futher for us to drive to the UP than up to Maine... Hopefully we get snow in PA. this year as there are plenty of places to go here as well, just no real good lodges where you can ride to and from your cabin and walk to a restaurant/bar that we have found.. Maine has a lot of places that look like they are set up JUST for sledders.. Since I just got these things, would it do any harm to them to ride them in our field just a mile or two in summer?.. Probably not a good idea but I can't stand just looking at these things and not being able to ride them.. I guess I know how everyone here felt last winter!

mysunnshine · 07-09-2006, 06:07 PM

I wouldn't ride them until there's snow. Well, not unless you want to replace parts...

**smallengineguy** · 07-09-2006, 09:47 PM

Welcome! The fan cooled you can ride a little anytime, the other one I wouldn't until you get some snow to cool it off. You do need a non resident reg in the state you are going to ride in. It sounds like you got 2 really nice sleds! My friend has a 550 fan and it is super sweet! Good luck with them.

**RJ Gleason** · 07-10-2006, 09:30 AM

Welcome and Happy trails

Don't forget that there are many places in NY That may be closer that you can go to as well. If you want, there are many listed places to stay. here is the link to the listings http://www.snowmobileforum.com/27381-post1.html
Snowmobile Forum - Arctic Cat, Yamaha, Ski-Doo, and Polaris Snowmobiles - View Single Post - Get updated State trail reports/maps HERE!

BRPforlife · 07-10-2006, 01:46 PM

Welcome to the forum! Two very nice sleds. You'll be very happy with them.

TIC · 07-10-2006, 01:52 PM

Thanks guys.. I figured riding in fields with no snow wouldn't be such a good idea but had to ask. NY state sure would be less driving for us, we'll have to check it out. I still am having trouble finding much information about the formula 3. Everyone seems to endorse the 550 Fan but the 700 triple?, is it a "if you can't find anything good to say, don't say anything" kind of thing?.. I realize the triple weighs more, it also doesn't have reverse but the power has to be a lot more than the 550. I ride motorcycles as well ,a middleweight sport bike can easily beat a heavier 1100-1400cc superbike in the twisties. Probably holds true for sleds as well. I think I'll spend some time in the garage setting up the suspensions on both sleds, check chain case oil, belt width, clutch, exhaust and anything else that doesn't look too difficult. I know they both need new runners. To raise the front of the sleds, would a trolley jack on the front bumpers be o.k.?. I'm not sure exactly where to position a jack and don't really want to tip them on their sides.. I found a nice manual lift that's a cradle type for 100 bucks but if I can use something I already have, that'd be better.. I still find it ridiculous that I have to pay the state of Maine $69.00 for each sled in order to use them there. I was hoping there would be some sort of visitor registration, good for a week for 10 bucks or something.. Now I'll have to see what NY state wants..Everyone has their hands out

**smallengineguy** · 07-10-2006, 07:38 PM

You can jack the sled up under the middle, between the skis if possible. More support there. I have an 800 triple and my wife has a 780 triple. Heavy, but super powerful, dependable sleds. With a liquid cooled sled(especially a triple) you MUST let it warm up before taking off on it, if not it could cold seize. That's where ther piston expands faster than the cylinder and the piston "seizes" in the bore. As long as you let it warm up sufficiently, it should give you years of enjoyment. Just don't get it stuck! (HEAVY...)

brown435 · 07-10-2006, 09:13 PM

Welcome to the Forum. Not sure about Maine but over here near the Pacific the restration is $25 for one year.

dirtrules · 07-10-2006, 09:58 PM

Welcome!

If you are looking for some more relaxed riding, try the Salisbury/Piseco area of NY. Here you ride a great combination of well-groomed logging roads, wooded trails, and many lakes to zip across. Alot of good riding, my favorite area.

If you want a little bit faster-paced area, Google up the Highmarket or Timberview Lodge area outside of Turin, NY. It is not uncommon to see a couple thousand sleds a day on the trails (so they do get pretty beat by the end of the day) and there are endless trails leading in every direction you could ever imagine.

As far as itching to go for a ride, remember, they are called snow-mobiles

Seriously, snow is what keeps these things running cool (to a degree, so to speak...) and lubricates suspension and chassis components.

Enjoy!

TIC · 07-11-2006, 01:31 AM

Thanks for the responses!.. Lot's of time to research places to go. I'll try the trolley jack in the middle between the skiis.. Maybe a block of wood to distribute the load a little better?. I just got back from a 4 day work trip (to Canada) and the first thing I did at 1 am when I got home was go out to the workshop and check on the sleds.. Wife is getting worried..

. I think I'll wait for snow.. Great tip on letting the 3 banger warm up.. Now I'll have to worry about the inlaws beating the sleds when they come up.. They already are thrilled we bought them (of course). I can see it now, I'll be on a work trip, they'll come up and demand the keys to the sleds.. I come home to broken sleds that I have to fix at my expense..Any tips on keeping rabid inlaws away from your sleds?

ITriumph · 07-11-2006, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TIC

Any tips on keeping rabid inlaws away from your sleds?

Tell 'em to get there own sleds. Then the whole family can go for a ride

**RJ Gleason** · 07-11-2006, 01:40 AM

Hide the keys

Or make them buy their own sleds

TIC · 07-11-2006, 02:02 AM

My brother in law is the type of guy that maintains NOTHING , then wonders why it breaks.. The cowls on these sleds don't even have any scratches on them.. I can see him bushwacking and coming back with a big smile and screwed up sled. Oil light comes on?.. screw it, it's still running.. That would be his attitude.. I might be being a little paranoid but he wonders why ALL my vehicles look NEW and his look like crap... Gee Buzz, ever hear of wax?.. etc. etc.... Yeah, I'll have to hide the keys.... Here's a few pics of the sleds.

**RJ Gleason** · 07-11-2006, 02:05 AM

You'll have to come up here and ride with us from Groton NY. here's a nice place to stay right on the trail.http://www.benncongerinn.com/
Benn Conger Inn at Groton near Ithaca in the Finger Lakes region of central New York

TIC · 07-11-2006, 02:08 AM

Thanks for the invite!.... I think these sleds were ridden to church by a little old lady on Sundays only. Those are the pics BEFORE I cleaned them up!

**smallengineguy** · 07-11-2006, 06:42 AM

Wow! They look great! I know what you mean about relativess who don't care. I have a cousin who used to come over and POUND my stuff. I couldn't stand it. Now, for some strange reason, whenever he comes over all my stuff has a problem and is waiting for parts. Strange....

BskidooC · 07-11-2006, 09:59 AM

congrats man
nice machines you got there
and I dont know if there is any truth to this but I heard the 700 triple's had bad crank problems
but im not sure on that its just what I heard