Help on New Used Sled - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

snow · 11-19-2009, 10:22 AM

Newbie here. Great board by the way! I need to help in the purchase of a new used sled. I am live in Southern Ontario (this is where I am looking for a sled) however I have a remote cabin in North West Quebec. We get ice, snow, hard packed, snow, deep snow etc. Thats where the sled will be used and will stay.

The Conditions

The main road is plowed and plenty of logging roads are that are not groomed and will have deep snow. The majority of riding will be on the big lake, conditions there are existing sled trails, deep snow, slush, bare ice (not too often) etc

Use

I will not be riding groomed licensed trails for now! I will take the occasion driver (my son but not to often). I will go ice fishing and tow a otter sled with basic gear. I will tour, sight seeing, etc. I am an average rider, heavy set boy, and I will be using the sled approximately 15 to 20 days per winter. (still have to work for a few years) I would like this sled to be a main stay. One I could grow in and have it for years. I am estimating 500 to 1000km per seasons use. I presently have a 98 Yamaha Venture 136 TR Electric 485 fan in imaculate condition with only 2000km but the track does not do the job.

What I am looking at or considering is a Ski doo GTX 08 or 09 550 for it has a 136" 1.25" lug track and it is fan cool. This is similar to the ski doo expeditions and in the life I cannot find one near by. Same goes as a late model Tundra LT 550. Or.........

do I go with a 2004 Yamaha Venture 700. It has the 136" 1.25 lug track and the liquid cool 700 engine that should be a mainstay for all. Keep in mind this sled weighs only 75 lbs more than the fan GTX ( 577lbs to 506lbs)

Please help looking for any new suggestions. Thank you so much

**RJ Gleason** · 11-19-2009, 11:43 AM

You can upgrade the track to a deeper lug and save some money for now.

polaris rider · 11-19-2009, 11:58 AM

yea do what rj said.. or if u wanna go with a new sled.. get a crossover like a AC crossfire or skidoo renegade, anything with a 136" track, etc... but a deeper lug will give u more hookup in powder, thats prly ur best bet

snow · 11-19-2009, 02:39 PM

i dont know if the existing venture is the sled for up there even with a new track

polaris rider · 11-19-2009, 03:04 PM

how deep is the snow then?If u think the longer trap will help, then go with a crossover as i previously said

snow · 11-19-2009, 05:54 PM

snow gets to be 3 ft in the bush, I don't go there often. More concerned about putting a 1.25" lug track on the old venture and it not having enough umph for the 480 fan.

**RJ Gleason** · 11-20-2009, 12:47 PM

The 480 will run that track just fine.