Best 2001-03 sled between 600 to 800cc - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

no hand · 12-17-2007, 10:22 AM

Hi, I'm looking for a sled to buy in the year 01-03 range that will be reliable, well suspended and have good handling. I have heard about the great handling of the ZR600-ZR800 chassis, I have also heard reliability is not on par with Yamaha. I have heard great things about the Yamaha SRX600-700's reliability and performance but horrible things about their suspension. Is there a sled out there that will have it all?

SkiDooFormulaMX · 12-17-2007, 10:53 AM

id be looking into the 2003 zr 800 efi cce if i was you, its still a good reliable machine, remember, you probably heard your opinions from a yamaha guy.

grouly925 · 12-17-2007, 11:50 AM

The ZR chassis was well proven throughout the years. If you want to try an F series sled you can get a '03 F7. They had some issues at the beginning, but if they have had all the updates they are fine. Polaris has alwasy been a pretty good staple or reliability, they just lack a little in performance, IMO. The suspension on the SX-R isn't bad, its the SRX that doesn't have the travel in the rear. Since you are basically looking at sleds 5+ years old, its not going to be based so much on actual model year of the sled, but on quality of the maintenance and total miles on them that will really determine the value. Good luck!

Jaded · 12-17-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkiDooFormulaMX

id be looking into the 2003 zr 800 efi cce if i was you, its still a good reliable machine, remember, you probably heard your opinions from a yamaha guy.

Don't believe everything you hear from an "Arctic Cat Guy" either.

Most of the machines these days are very reliable if they're maintained. The bigger the CCs the harder on fuel. The Yamaha Triples are the best triples on fuel according to my sled tech.
I was just chatting on line with some Polaris Fans who were just recently ridin Revelstoke and they made the comment about how the Yamaha Phazers and the Mountain Max 700 triples "never die".

kccats · 12-17-2007, 10:06 PM

The 02/03 Zr's were the cream of the crop! I would put the 02 ZR600 up against the Yamaha any time! The Yamaha triple single pipe wasn't there best effort IMO! They were dependable but under powered for there weight! The 03 ZR800 is a do anything kinda sled, add a 136" track and it will do anything!

badbrad · 12-17-2007, 10:10 PM

depends what your looking for, yamaha will give you amazing reliabilty, but theyre heavy

coon1976 · 12-17-2007, 10:29 PM

You might want to consider an MXZ600 or MXZ800, i have put my 600 against the cats and wipped them

lrnnorth · 12-18-2007, 12:34 AM

What about an XC or Edge X 600 or 800?

no hand · 12-18-2007, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lrnnorth

What about an XC or Edge X 600 or 800?

Which is better and what year? I wouldn't mind a Polaris either. What is the difference between the two and the advantages of both.

jimmyv13 · 12-18-2007, 11:46 AM

It's all about maintenance. Check out everything in your area within your price range and buy accordingly. I'd rather pay more for a lower cc sled with high miles that was maintained well over a big 800 with few miles that was beat to crap and not maintained.

I used to ride with a guy that had an SRX. He blew it up ever year...he once blew it up twice in one weekend. He doesn't ride anymore and the SRX is now a perch bed in his lake.

It's all about maintenance.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-18-2007, 12:35 PM

Best advice;
What are the people that you are going to be riding with using?
What is the nearest reputable dealer and parts availability.
How good are the buddies at wrenching and can you pick their brains to help you?
Buy accordingly.

SkiDooFormulaMX · 12-18-2007, 01:59 PM

im not saying yammis arent good sleds, personally im not a triple fan anyhow, but im just recomending that he get more ideas from a diverse crowd.

no hand · 12-18-2007, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

...What is the nearest reputable dealer and parts availability...

I should have thought about that... I did a search and the closest is Arctic-Cat and Polaris. I have a friend that works at the Polaris dealer. There used to be a Ski-Doo dealer also but I just learned he went out of business (lost his Ski-Doo franchise).

lrnnorth · 12-19-2007, 12:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by no hand

Which is better and what year? I wouldn't mind a Polaris either. What is the difference between the two and the advantages of both.

They are pretty much the same. Some other guys probably know more about it than me but i think its just the graphics. The edge-x is a little sportier/racer looking. The suspension may be different too but im not sure. They are both great sleds. Very fast. But i am pretty bias to Polaris though. They started making the edge-x in 02 or 03. The xc was made all of those years. My machine has an xc 600 motor in it and it is very reliable and very strong.

maha · 12-28-2007, 05:59 PM

you might want to read the replies from this thread:

http://www.snowmobileforum.com/gener...wmbobiles.html

.

derrickleejr17 · 12-28-2007, 10:11 PM

I have rode 93 prowler 440, 96 mxz 670, 97 ultra spx 700,98 v-max xtc 700, 99 xc sp 700, currently 03 mxz rev 800. All ran great for me but you have to maintain them. preventative maintanance.