Phoenix

All of the threads I can dig up on good snowmobiles for woman are for the women who want something light and easy to handle. Not saying those are bad qualities, but based on the descriptions aren't aggressive riders. I don't fit that. I learned to ride on a 1200 mod sled. A 500 MXZ just isn't going to cut it. But, I do ride alone on occasion and want to be able to get myself out. And who doesn't like good handling? The bottom line is at 130 lbs I can't move a sled around the same as a 180 lb guy. I'll admit it I haven't had the opportunity to experience a variety of sleds, just the 1200 AC mod and a brand new 600 RMK, so I need some serious advice from the ladies and smaller guys out there. I ride on a variety of terrain - we're right on the local trails so that's most of the riding, but try to get up to the local mountains when we can. I'm not looking to spend a fortune or buy new this season if I can help it. Any advice is appreciated!

BC_Dan

Nothing wrong at all with a new RMK-Pro 600. It's very light and flickable, and the 600 has best in class power for that engine size. It's about the only engine Polaris got right the first time in the recent past. I rode my 08 600 with the 155" for a couple of years and was able to go everywhere I used to go on my Edge RMK 800.

Welcome to the forum!

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2007 Dragon RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650, Really OLD AC Cheetah

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smallengineguy

Welcome! Where in NH are you?

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1992 Ski Doo Mach 1 (SC-10/2 suspended) March '07 SF.com Sled of the Month! (Lost in fire 4-7-13)
1992 Ski Doo Mach 1 original
2006 Ski Doo MXZ 500SS
1999 Ski Doo Grand Touring

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SledNH.com Moderator

JheLrey

Welcome... We will need pictures of said rider to help find the best suited sled. :-)

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Snow: The other white drug!

kccats

Welcome to the Snow Show!
I believe about any sled can be made into a sled for a Woman! I asume you would want atleast a 136 600cc!
If you add as much carbide upfront as possible to make it turn, and lighten up the front suspension. Even loosen the front limit strap? And as for moveing the back end around, the newer sleds have a push button rev!

Phoenix

I liked it, but wasn't crazy in love with it. I worried about it when we got into the deeper snow. Any idea about the switchback pro-r? And I'm really not sure how much time I'll have to ride this season - which is why I've sort of stayed clear of buying something new and looking <5k. But, I'm certainly open to the option.

Lakes Region - are you local?

I might be both new to the forum and a little blonde, but I'm not that blonde

I totally agree! I am mechanically inclined, but fairly new to snowmobiles. Although I've ridden a bunch, I've always had access to sleds - but they were set up the way other people wanted them. So I really don't know what I could do, or how much of an effect it would have.

wastedincome

Welcome, nice to see another local member. I'm from Rochester

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02' XCSP 600 EDGE-X with M-10

Phoenix

Awesome! I'm sure I'll be picking your brain about some good treks out your way this season :-)

wastedincome

Feel free anytime. SEG(small engine guy) is also local and very knowledgeable. I ride in the Alton area alot too.

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02' XCSP 600 EDGE-X with M-10

BC_Dan

The Switchback has a bit wider ski stance, better for trails, not as good at sidehilling. Both are capable sleds. I liked the Pro-RMK when I saw one that was stuck in 3 feet of wet snow rock side to side a few times and ride out. I was still digging 10 minutes later. Needless to say, I was impressed.

__________________
2007 Dragon RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650, Really OLD AC Cheetah

http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php

kccats

The Carbides will help Alot! The biggest problem with a heavy sled (relatively) is on trail! The lighter steering effort will help maneverability! And rev that doesnt add wieght is a BIG Plus too!

Phoenix

Nice! We're wicked close to Alton and right on the trails that run through Laconia and Meredith. I know the Meredith side decently because I have a friend who does maintenance up this way but once you hit Gilford and Alton I've got nothing :-)

I found an '08 switchback 600 with a 136 track that is in unbelievable shape owned by a friend of mine. I think I'm going to be picking that up once he picks out his new ride.

I also found either an 07 or 08 Arctic Cat F6 (I can't remember) through the same friend. It seems to be in good shape and has decent reviews, I was thinking about suggesting it to a friend. But I don't know much about these sleds - any insights?

Phoenix

Sweet, thanks

mat

Well, I would recomend an M series sled if you are doing alot of mountain ridding. The F series is more geared towards trail ridding.

kccats

Yep and the M7 is a great sled, second to the '10 M8! That thing is a beast!

snowgirl

I'm about your size and struggled finding a sled for me too I'm totally in love with my 600 rush pro r I ride with guys who all have long tracks and it keeps up great, handles amazing in powder and kicks butt on the trails If you were looking for a longer track I rode my buddys 800 assault a lot last year and because of the higher center of gravity and the tipped up rails. It handles like a 136 on trails and hill climbs with the best of them. I havent tried the new switchback yet but I've heard great things, my boyfriend was thinking about buying one but if it handles anything like the rush it will be amazing and the suspension is incredible

snowgirl

Ooh and I had a 08 600 switchback and I didn't like it at all I found it great on trails but any kind of powder riding or hill climbing I found it hard to handle for my size. I'd try to side hill and the machine was just too heavy and controlled me I'd try to carve in powder and I couldn't do it id lean right off of it and try to get it over on my self but it was just to heavy and stable lol

Hope you find a machine

Phoenix

It's for a friend who does 95% trail, but I will def keep my eyes out for the M series.

Nice. The pro-r is def on my list! What kind of conditions do you usually ride in?

What were you riding before that? Hmm it's good to note. My friend whose selling has an 800 switchback same year - is that heavier? She's even smaller than I am and adores her sled.

snowgirl

I ride in northern sask. 60%trails with tons of powder No major mountains unless we take a trip to Alberta which I haven't tried with the rush yet And before the switchback I had an 06 Phazer. Which was an awesome ditch banger but way too under powered And im pretty sure the 600 switchback and the 800 are pretty similar in weight
It all depends on everyone's riding style, after I sold mine, some friends told me that taking out the sway bars would have made it a more enjoyable ride

smallengineguy

Sorry, Phoenix, I'm from Milton. I ride into Wolfeboro sometimes, etc.

__________________
1992 Ski Doo Mach 1 (SC-10/2 suspended) March '07 SF.com Sled of the Month! (Lost in fire 4-7-13)
1992 Ski Doo Mach 1 original
2006 Ski Doo MXZ 500SS
1999 Ski Doo Grand Touring

Webmaster Evergreen Valley Snowmobile Club
SledNH.com Moderator