rdog

Hello All,

I'm looking at getting my first snowmobile but I need some info. I've ridden my Mother In Laws 08 RMK 600 a few times and like it but that's not really in my budget to purchase right now. I will probably be doing mostly trails with some mild powder and mountain riding. I've heard mixed reviews from a few different people about what brand is better and I understand its a lot of personal preference. I was told that artic cats are reliable but heavy the Polaris are nice but unreliable and ski-doo's are OK depending on the years. And to totally steer clear of Yamaha's. The main question I have is the front suspensions. My neighbor said the trailing arm suspensions suck, are heavy and expensive to fix if they break. He said to get the a-arm? suspension found on the newer sleds. I would just like a non biased opinion (as much as possible ) Any info would help thanks in advance guys.

Yamaha440

Welcome to the forum!

You should look into a sled with a 144" or 156" track, possibly a 700/800 depending on how much power you want.

Arctic cat has had A-Arm suspension since the mid 80's ? Only since their patent ran out did the other brands start using a-arms. A-Arms give you much more travel, and use less linkages decreasing weight and price.

It all depends on your taste. A Yamaha 4 stroke is heavy, but about as reliable as you can get. I saw an RX-1 on craigslist the other day with 96,000 MI! with a picture of the odometer!. Their two strokes are also very reliable, with models such as the SRX 700 (1997 - 2002) or the SX Viper (2002 - 2006)

__________________
My Current Sled:
1997 Yamaha Vmax XTC 600 Twin ER 6290 MI - Stock... for now...

Old Iron:
1979 Yamaha Exciter 440 6042 MI (9825 KM)
1979 Yamaha Exciter 440 7,000 MI (11266 KM)

WAKE-UP AND SMELL THE TWO STROKE

rdog

Thanks for the info. I guess my question about the suspension is does it really matter that much?

Rczr600rider

If you plan on riding mostly trails with a little boondocking on the side, an Arctic Cat Crossfire would be a nice choice. They're lighter than the older F series Arctic Cats and have longer tracks for better flotation in the deep stuff, but not so long that you can't turn on the trails. A Polaris Switchback wouldn't be a bad choice either in a 600, but I'd stay away from the 800 motor. A Skidoo Renegade might be an option as well. Yamaha makes some good, reliable sleds, but they are heavy. Personally I would stick with a Cat, but that's just my opinion.

Roof_991

Maybe if we knew what your budget was we could give you some suggestions

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rdog

Im looking somewhere in the 1500 to 2500 range

Rczr600rider

The biggest problem I see with trailing arm suspension is the trailing arm itself is exposed and susceptible to damage. I've seen a lot of them brake or bend from hitting rocks, logs, or other objects. When they work right they do ride and handle pretty well.

Rczr600rider

In that price range I'd be looking at ZR's.

BC_Dan

Polaris Gen II 700 RMK would be in that price range. Engine is very reliable. The suspension is stout, but not as much travel as the Edge or IQ suspensions like your MIL's sled. I would look for a 144" for those days when you venture off the beaten path. And Washington has a lot of ground off the path!

__________________
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

rdog

Im leaning towards the Arctic Cat's but my father in law is a die hard Polaris guy but he's always working on it so im not sure if that's what i want. He keeps telling me the Cats are nice but they are heavy. I appreciate the info and advice guys keep it coming

Rczr600rider

Buy a Cat and tell your father inlaw you'll be happy to tow him home any time!

Roof_991

Hes always working on it because its a polaris lol. I would look for AC zrs maybe powder special. If you wanna loon the skidoo direction maybe a summit. I liked my zr and powder special have yet to ride my skidoo I picked up last year

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Roof_991

Thats why they make steel/aluminum plates and welders lol pull it back straight and weld it up lol. My buddys 670 has plates up bouth trailing arms

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smokingcrater

The only brand that is 'heavy' is yamaha. Historically all of their sleds are on the heavier side, but the other side of the coin is that they are by far the most reliable. Its the typical trade off, you can build heavy duty parts that last, or lightweight stuff that breaks. And as far as reliability, you will get tons of opinions about who is the LEAST reliable, but polaris has had many years of really poor engine designs...

Tossing out yamaha, its basically within pounds for the most part, and depends entirely on the model.

__________________
1) 2000 Arctic cat ZR 700, which now thinks it is a 2001 ZR 600 EFI APV w/136" ripsaw. (for sale!)
2) 1995 Yamaha VMAX 600, which now thinks it is a Polaris! (Polaris x10 suspension, Polaris P85 clutch) (for sale!)
3) 2004 Yamaha Warrior
4) 2006 Yamaha Nytro

rdog

thanks again guys! Making my decision easier

BC_Dan

Buying a Cat won't keep you from having to work on them. Trust me. No such animal.

If you buy Polaris, you can borrow all your Father in Law's tools and expertise when it breaks. If not, expect to spend a bunch of bucks for tools and a steep learning curve. There is a lot to be said to having someone readily at hand to help you out when you have problems (notice I said "when!")

For your country, a short track trail sled makes no sense. I had two ZR's, both were awesome on the trails, both absolutely sucked when the powder was deep and the rest of the group went to play in the meadows. If you are looking for a Cat, the Powder Special would work, as would an M series or a Mountain Cat. Stick with the 600 size and you will have a lot less issues, regardless of what brand you buy.

Good luck in your search, hurry up! Blizzard conditions forecast tonight for a lot of our area, I'm assuming you guys are going to get pounded, too!

__________________
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

Highelevation

I'd say try to find you a m7 I have had a problem with mine. (yet. Everything breaks) but I got mine for 2,200 with 2000 miles and it was the cleanest one I looked at. A rev wouldn't be a bad option either.


If your not first your last!

DanM675

I would go with a Ski-Doo Renegade, a lot of them have got a 137" or a 136" inch track and to me thats a enough for powder fun. They used to climb mountains with that. And skidoo parts are cheaper, personally I would go with Ski-Doo.

Roof_991

[QUOTE=BC_Dan;526540]Buying a Cat won't keep you from having to work on them. Trust me. No such animal.

If you buy Polaris, you can borrow all your Father in Law's tools and expertise when it breaks. If not, expect to spend a bunch of bucks for tools and a steep learning curve

If you buy a polaris you can bouth be towed in together lol jk

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