sled opinions.. - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

00ranger · 11-10-2007, 03:40 PM

hi i have a 95 ski doo formula mx 470 that needs a fair bit of work to at least get it to my standards... debating parting it and getting either a polaris indy 500 or xc sp 500 ( no prior experience with polaris) or a new phazer.. arctic cat though i like the looks of the new cats i won' t consider due to poor reliability/ poor customer customer service on my last cat... the xc sp and the phazer have reverse... had a recent shoulder injury at work another reason debating this though might be able to locate a used reverse chaincase for my mx..anyone have experience with any of these machines and opinions of what i should do? i ride aggressively and put high mileage on though in a short time frame...thanks

Jaded · 11-10-2007, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00ranger

hi i have a 95 ski doo formula mx 470 that needs a fair bit of work to at least get it to my standards... debating parting it and getting either a polaris indy 500 or xc sp 500 ( no prior experience with polaris) or a new phazer.. arctic cat though i like the looks of the new cats i won' t consider due to poor reliability/ poor customer customer service on my last cat... the xc sp and the phazer have reverse... had a recent shoulder injury at work another reason debating this though might be able to locate a used reverse chaincase for my mx..anyone have experience with any of these machines and opinions of what i should do? i ride aggressively and put high mileage on though in a short time frame...thanks

In my opinion it will depend alot on the type of riding you do. You havn't posted where you live so I can't even assume the terrain you'll be on. I'm in western Canada and ride nothing but mountains. I have ridden with guys who have the Polaris Indy 500 and they like them. That was a few years back and most of them now have the RMK models and love them. My sled tech said he did alot of Polaris cranks last year, quite a few Ski-doo cranks but not one Yamaha. I didn't ask about the Cats because they don't interest me. I've seen very few Cats in the BC Mountains. Cool colors though.
I'm partial to Yamaha myself. Numerous magazines this year are raving about the Phazer. For mountain riding, reports are saying it is light and agile and very good on gas. Horsepower is low at 80 but again your style of riding may only need 80 HP. If you're a lake racer, the Phazer's likely not for you. The Phazer would be my first choice for my wife if I were to get her a new sled. First choice for myself would be the Apex. So I guess you can gather that I personally recommend the Yamaha.

Skitool · 11-11-2007, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaded

In my opinion it will depend alot on the type of riding you do. You havn't posted where you live so I can't even assume the terrain you'll be on. I'm in western Canada and ride nothing but mountains. I have ridden with guys who have the Polaris Indy 500 and they like them. That was a few years back and most of them now have the RMK models and love them. My sled tech said he did alot of Polaris cranks last year, quite a few Ski-doo cranks but not one Yamaha. I didn't ask about the Cats because they don't interest me. I've seen very few Cats in the BC Mountains. Cool colors though.
I'm partial to Yamaha myself. Numerous magazines this year are raving about the Phazer. For mountain riding, reports are saying it is light and agile and very good on gas. Horsepower is low at 80 but again your style of riding may only need 80 HP. If you're a lake racer, the Phazer's likely not for you. The Phazer would be my first choice for my wife if I were to get her a new sled. First choice for myself would be the Apex. So I guess you can gather that I personally recommend the Yamaha.

Where most of the ski-doo cranks done on the 07 800r motor? I was thinking about getting a left over 07 gade 800r but I saw some reports of the crank going bad. Is that your sled in the pis? If it is how long is that track?

Jaded · 11-11-2007, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skitool

Where most of the ski-doo cranks done on the 07 800r motor? I was thinking about getting a left over 07 gade 800r but I saw some reports of the crank going bad. Is that your sled in the pis? If it is how long is that track?

My tech didn't mention the years but one of my personal friends who's Summit was around the early 2000 years, did his crank 3 times then finally sold his sled. It had something to do with a neoprene crank bearing that Ski-doo was using.(???) This guy also knew of others who had the same engine problems he was having.
Yes the sled in my picture is one of my sleds. It's a 2000 700 Triple and I also have a 1999 700 Triple. The tracks are 141". Just picked them up and have yet to ride them. My sled tech had one and he said it was the best all around sled he's ever owned and wishes he still had it. There's a picture of my 1999 under the still shots forum. (His and Hers 700s)
Come on Snow!

00ranger · 11-11-2007, 04:49 PM

i ride mainly trails in northern Ontario (lake riding i find extremely boring) personally leaning towards getting the phazer ( don't know if better to wait til next year's model is released or not... maybe just minor changes) electric start/ reverse is a plus to me due my shoulder injury ( 1 reason i want a light sled 500 cc sled) ...been wanting to own a yamaha for awhile ( always liked the 94-95 vmax but never purchased...went arctic cat instead other than the ext i owned regretted going to cat) the look of the phazer is starting to grow on me... other than the windshield ( 1 reason i may wait wondering if yamaha will change that part of it on next year's model.. if i find a deal on one may elimitate it, though not good idea considering where i ride or get a smaller windshield)

Jaded · 11-11-2007, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00ranger

i ride mainly trails in northern Ontario (lake riding i find extremely boring) personally leaning towards getting the phazer ( don't know if better to wait til next year's model is released or not... maybe just minor changes) electric start/ reverse is a plus to me due my shoulder injury ( 1 reason i want a light sled 500 cc sled) ...been wanting to own a yamaha for awhile ( always liked the 94-95 vmax but never purchased...went arctic cat instead other than the ext i owned regretted going to cat) the look of the phazer is starting to grow on me... other than the windshield ( 1 reason i may wait wondering if yamaha will change that part of it on next year's model.. if i find a deal on one may elimitate it, though not good idea considering where i ride or get a smaller windshield)

I believe the Phazer has reverse...I pretty sure I read that somewhere. The look definitley does take some getting used to but I don't think you'd be disappointed with the "Fun Factor" that is being reported in the recent magazines. Warm jacket and good helmet with a visor reduces the need for the big windshield.

00ranger · 11-11-2007, 05:31 PM

i think all the new yamaha 4 strokes are electric start/ reverse... i mean to go back to the dealer to find that out as well if they have electric temp/ fuel gauges...didn't see a in tank gauge on the phazer i looked at... if i buy the phazer thinking of getting dual runner skis for it...most of the reviews i see for it say it has ALOT of inside ski lift though the dealer i went to said they haven't heard any complaints about that

Cdndairyman · 11-11-2007, 06:53 PM

If you like agressive trail riding I think you will find the 500 XC Sp is a good sled. They are around 100hp and are light and agile. Rode with one for a few years and it would spank a lot of sleds 100cc's bigger. Handled great and looked good too. My wife has a 99 Indy 500 and it is bullet proof. That fuji 500 is one of, if not the most, mass produced snowmobile motor ever built. They make a good 80ish hp and are quite good on fuel. They won't be blowing your buddies away but you will definitely be the one that will be towing everyone else back to the hotel when they break down!

Jaded · 11-11-2007, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cdndairyman

If you like agressive trail riding I think you will find the 500 XC Sp is a good sled. They are around 100hp and are light and agile. Rode with one for a few years and it would spank a lot of sleds 100cc's bigger. Handled great and looked good too. My wife has a 99 Indy 500 and it is bullet proof. That fuji 500 is one of, if not the most, mass produced snowmobile motor ever built. They make a good 80ish hp and are quite good on fuel. They won't be blowing your buddies away but you will definitely be the one that will be towing everyone else back to the hotel when they break down!

How is the Indy for Suspension? My buddies who had them said they loved the sled for its reliability, as you mentioned, but they complained of a serious lack of suspension on the bumpy trails.

00ranger · 11-11-2007, 07:51 PM

the phazer does have electric start/ reverse ... found the brochure for this year... thats the biggest reason am considering the indy 500 every article i seen about it says engine reliable as dirt... the xc sp i have in mind has a m-10 always thought not really for aggressive riding though... the regular indy 500 doesn't have a tach and has the regular polaris rear suspension

BskidooC · 11-11-2007, 08:50 PM

those phazers are cool imo. But the only reason they are so light is because they are such a little sled. Im sure they would be a fun ride. Im partial to ski-doo's but in your position I dont really think it matters what you get. Sounds like youre a mellow rider and would want a 600 cc sled or somethin in that erea. If you want to get a nice trail sled I would personally say get a MXZ 600, they have great suspensions and great motors.

Jaded- I am a huge skidoo fan and have never heard of a crank problem with the 2000 year sleds. I would know! The 07 800r's had a oiling issue that causes one crank bearing to fail but according to ski-doo that is fixed. Also the clutch issues were fixed. If you want more info just ask. I do work for BRP after all.

00ranger · 11-11-2007, 09:14 PM

don't really consider myself a mellow rider...350 miles in one day mellow ( mostly trail)? people want insane prices for old sled parts another reason consider getting something else... my mx has been a headache to me, bought off ebay seller said straight, never in accident, etc...lies, lies, lies... so for money mine needs probably best to get something else

lrnnorth · 11-12-2007, 04:57 AM

I wold go with the xc 500. Really good sleds. pretty fast too for a 500. I dont think you would want to ride 350 mile a day without a windshield either. I drove my sled without the hood and windshield one time and hated every second.

JDS · 11-12-2007, 08:22 AM

I would go with the XC as well. Both my daughter and daughter-in-law ride them. They're great for trails. I'm more of a ditch banger, and they don't have enough suspension for that, but they're smooth and powerful in trails.

Jaded · 11-12-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BskidooC

those phazers are cool imo. But the only reason they are so light is because they are such a little sled. Im sure they would be a fun ride. Im partial to ski-doo's but in your position I dont really think it matters what you get. Sounds like youre a mellow rider and would want a 600 cc sled or somethin in that erea. If you want to get a nice trail sled I would personally say get a MXZ 600, they have great suspensions and great motors.

Jaded- I am a huge skidoo fan and have never heard of a crank problem with the 2000 year sleds. I would know! The 07 800r's had a oiling issue that causes one crank bearing to fail but according to ski-doo that is fixed. Also the clutch issues were fixed. If you want more info just ask. I do work for BRP after all.

Perhaps it has something to do with the style of riding. These guys that I know ride hard! The thing is pretty much always pinned and usually for extended periods across huge lakes and also during the long steep and deep climbs.
Would fuel quality play a role? The gas we get here in Kelowna BC is ABSOLUTE CRAP! Guys are constantly doing their fuel pumps in their trucks and unless you run the highest octanes our vehicles run terrible. The thoery is because we get our fuel from a pipe line that runs over 600 miles we get alot of sediment in our fuel that gums everything up.

tamacat · 11-12-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 00ranger

don't really consider myself a mellow rider...350 miles in one day mellow

Are you kiddin me..... 350 miles in one day MELLO. Thats insane!!!

00ranger · 11-12-2007, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tamacat

Are you kiddin me..... 350 miles in one day MELLO. Thats insane!!!

just responding to a above post saying i am a mellow rider...sounds like best option is to part out the 470 mx and go with either the xc sp 500 or the phazer as a second choice?

BskidooC · 11-12-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaded

Perhaps it has something to do with the style of riding. These guys that I know ride hard! The thing is pretty much always pinned and usually for extended periods across huge lakes and also during the long steep and deep climbs.
Would fuel quality play a role? The gas we get here in Kelowna BC is ABSOLUTE CRAP! Guys are constantly doing their fuel pumps in their trucks and unless you run the highest octanes our vehicles run terrible. The thoery is because we get our fuel from a pipe line that runs over 600 miles we get alot of sediment in our fuel that gums everything up.

lol. No sled would take that kind of riding for to damn long.

00Ranger- 350 miles?!?! I'm sorry dude but I call bullshit....I dont care how fast your movin, your not gonna get 350 miles in a day. 150 miles in on day would be a hell of an occomplishment. I'm a mountain rider so putting 80 miles on the odometer is pretty damn good and I expect many more miles when trail riding but 350?!?!?
Oh, and I just thought by your origonall post that you were a mellow rider. Wasnt trying to offend you or nothin, so you dont have to jump on the defense like I was bein a dick. Maybe you took it that way but I wasnt trying to be one.

Jaded · 11-12-2007, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BskidooC

lol. No sled would take that kind of riding for to damn long.

00Ranger- 350 miles?!?! I'm sorry dude but I call bullshit....I dont care how fast your movin, your not gonna get 350 miles in a day. 150 miles in on day would be a hell of an occomplishment. I'm a mountain rider so putting 80 miles on the odometer is pretty damn good and I expect many more miles when trail riding but 350?!?!?
Oh, and I just thought by your origonall post that you were a mellow rider. Wasnt trying to offend you or nothin, so you dont have to jump on the defense like I was bein a dick. Maybe you took it that way but I wasnt trying to be one.

Maybe he has a really fast sled and the trails in his area are very straight and well groomed. 350 in one day does sound like a 24 hour daylong marathon

Check your odometer, maybe that's 350 kilometers, which is 210 miles.
I also mountain ride and 60 to 70 miles is a stretch.

00ranger · 11-12-2007, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaded

Maybe he has a really fast sled and the trails in his area are very straight and well groomed. 350 in one day does sound like a 24 hour daylong marathon

Check your odometer, maybe that's 350 kilometers, which is 210 miles.
I also mountain ride and 60 to 70 miles is a stretch.

thats what my odometer said...of course track spinning alot doing that time was a 4 am to midnite or later ride with just stopping bascially just for fuel