Help looking for new wifey sled - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

LiFeStArTs@40 · 01-21-2013, 07:40 AM

I think my wife and I have determined that 800's are too much for her to handle. Looking for suggestions in the $4k range. We will have to sell the 2001 Zr800 and 2001 zrt 600 to finance. She loves the f8 but that's too much power as are the Z sleds.

We are open to brands other than arctic cat. A couple of possibles are 2005 saber cat 600, Polaris IQ 750 turbo, or some sort of yammie 4 stroke. We could just have her keep the ZRT600, but its time to get a little suspension upgrade, and definitely want E start and reverse.

I'm kind of liking 4 stroke options for economy and not having to buy more 2 stroke oil. We are keeping the F8 for me because believe or not, it's really good on gas (14 mpg) and oil.

I don't know much about poo's, doo's, and yammies. We don't want a fan cooled dog, but don't need another arm ripper either. Just something that would an all day rider.

Suggestions?

360 xrt · 01-21-2013, 08:12 AM

2012 polaris indy 600 es. $8300 out the door new,or check ebay,lots of unsold 2010's/2011's. some as low as $6k

360 xrt · 01-21-2013, 08:19 AM

my 02' ves xc800 gets great fuel/oil mileage,but i cant answer for others.as far as 4 strokes,i dont know too many diehard polaris people who own the 750st.

**RJ Gleason** · 01-21-2013, 10:03 AM

If you want real comfy, the Z1. If you want new, then the F1100.

**kccats** · 01-21-2013, 05:48 PM

I would go with the Saber Cat!

Ultrafrozen · 01-21-2013, 06:33 PM

If you do look at Yamaha, the 120 HP Vector is a long lasting four stroke. Look at 2008 or newer as 2007 has the old style suspension. The Vector is a traditional sit-down sled with raised seat and short riser on the handle bar to give day long comfort. The 2010 model was updated with a fuel injected version of the engine. 2012 saw the addition of power steering made famous in their ATVs. Generally speaking, Yamaha sleds are slightly heavier than competition but it's less notable if trail touring. I find the weight gives a more stable and sure ride. I've had a few hours on the Ski-Doo (MXZ 600 E-Tec) and Polaris (Rush 600 & 800 Pro-R) offerings but zero hours on Arctic Cat sleds.

Mine's a 2008 short track. Long track also available, look for LTX version. GT has upgrades.

Iceman31 · 01-21-2013, 08:13 PM

I just bought the wife a 2009 Polaris IQ600 Shift and she loves it. Lots of power and handles great.

**BC_Dan** · 01-21-2013, 08:58 PM

That new Indy 600 looks to be an awesome trail sled. I had an Edge 600, it was also a great sled. My current IQ 600's run great, the wife likes the shorter track one just fine. Polaris got the 600 right.

LiFeStArTs@40 · 01-22-2013, 06:23 AM

I can't afford new or near new. I have a nice saber cat and a nice vector on the radar. I looked at the vector and it was pretty nice... A 2005 carb model. I haven't looked at the saber cat yet, but will look on Friday.

Now I have to sell my Z sleds quick. If anyone is in the market, send them to me. These are two REALLY nice low mileage well maintained sleds!

rgoers · 01-22-2013, 02:18 PM

Sabre, or Polaris 600, would be great. I prefer the Cat, but that's just me. I'd stay away from triples and 4-strokes because of the extra weight...

Ultrafrozen · 01-22-2013, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgoers

Sabre, or Polaris 600, would be great. I prefer the Cat, but that's just me. I'd stay away from triples and 4-strokes because of the extra weight...

Yes, I'll admit the weight, about 90 lbs on a 2004 Polaris 550 Trail RMK but 120 HP instead of 70 though, all with 19MPG and very good reliability.

There are many good two stroke sleds out there and I'm a firm believer in buying a good engine that lasts forever. Look at Ski-Doo sleds with the type 583 engine, Ski-Doo 500SS engine (now called 600 carb), 600 SDI engine, or newer 600 E-Tec only with Ski-Doo brand oil, Polaris 600 (any). Can't list Arctic Cat because I don't know the brand at all.

full eyes · 01-22-2013, 10:17 PM

Buddies wife has a 2007(I think) arctic cat jaguar with the 4 stroke. For a trail sled that cat was awsome,very comfortable,good fuel milage and decent speed. For the short time I was on the sled I thought it was one of the most comfortable,warm trail sled that is capable of big miles I have ever ridden. Should be able to find one for the 4000 range,much nicer ride than the sabercat imo. Just my two cents Good Luck!

gunnin88 · 01-22-2013, 11:26 PM

My wife has been riding rmk 600 and its a perfect sled. It is a friends i am now looking for the same sled for her

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rgoers · 01-23-2013, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ultrafrozen

Yes, I'll admit the weight, about 90 lbs on a 2004 Polaris 550 Trail RMK but 120 HP instead of 70 though, all with 19MPG and very good reliability.

There are many good two stroke sleds out there and I'm a firm believer in buying a good engine that lasts forever. Look at Ski-Doo sleds with the type 583 engine, Ski-Doo 500SS engine (now called 600 carb), 600 SDI engine, or newer 600 E-Tec only with Ski-Doo brand oil, Polaris 600 (any). Can't list Arctic Cat because I don't know the brand at all.

90 pounds... YIKES!!! That's 1/4 the total weight!

So, tell me, how is 120 HP going to help the OP's wife pick the sled up when it's stuck in a drift? ...or help her steer a 600+ lb beast?

The OP was asking about a sled for his WIFE, so... Weight Matters! A Lot!!! For the wife, I'd also recommend E-start, and Reverse!!!

Ultrafrozen · 01-23-2013, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgoers

90 pounds... YIKES!!! That's 1/4 the total weight!

So, tell me, how is 120 HP going to help the OP's wife pick the sled up when it's stuck in a drift? ...or help her steer a 600+ lb beast?

The OP was asking about a sled for his WIFE, so... Weight Matters! A Lot!!! For the wife, I'd also recommend E-start, and Reverse!!!

Like I said, I'll admit the weight. I don't pretend to know many riders in my area but I personally know three women who ride a Vector and wouldn't drive anything else. I don't think being a woman really matters. Some of my best friends are women.

The OP mentioned "an all day rider". I read that as a reference to trail riding where the extra weight is negligible in my opinion. I'm not sure how many maountains there are in Grand Rapids Michigan so I based my advice judging from the sleds they currently own. If she wants to ride an ultralight sled then that's what she will ride.

I know your opinion is valid as is mine so I'll leave it there. She will have to figure out what she wants.

Again, on the benefit of two stroke sleds, the newer sleds are easier to start so electric start is not always needed which again reduces weight. The new electronic reverse systems that reverse the rotation of the engine eliminate the need for heavy mechanical reverse asemblies.

rgoers · 01-23-2013, 10:51 PM

E-reverse is very nice to have, for sure.

I'm not knocking women riders... I was trying to be sensitive to their needs. I know that I have always had to pull-start the sled for my wife and daughters. None of them have the strength to do it themselves. YMMV. Some women are stronger than others... That goes for steering as well. I've had to dig sleds out for "my girls" when they've been unable to keep it on the trail. That's the only reason I was recommending a smaller, lighter (non-triple, non-4-stroke) machine.

LiFeStArTs@40 · 01-25-2013, 09:43 AM

Thanks for your input you guys... very appreciated.