which way to go.... - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

nixRsix · 10-15-2007, 12:02 AM

I'm hella new to snowmobiles, i've ridden quite a few, but never owned one. I'm going to buy 2 within the next month to get into the backcoutnry for snowboarding. So I need something that will float on powder, like an all mountain sled. My top picks as of now are the M6,M8 or the M1000, what other sleds are equal to these? I don't really care who makes what I get, as long as its a good backcountry sled. Pro's and Cons, etc, all help greatly appreciated guys !! O yea, im looking to buy used, but only within a few years old.

**smallengineguy** · 10-15-2007, 06:12 AM

Ski Doo Summits are the same area as theMountain Cats. They have 800cc, and 600cc.

nixRsix · 10-17-2007, 09:03 AM

So I'm looking at the Artic Cat M6/8/1000 and the Ski-doo summit 600/800. What else should I consider? Out of the 2 I listed, which do you guys prefer and why. Thanks in advance guys !

~nick

Also, carrying a passenger on one would benefit alot as well.
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**BC_Dan** · 10-17-2007, 02:52 PM

Out west, Polaris RMK's are really popular on the mountains. RMK 600, 700, 800 in the Edge chassis will be better for two people than a newer IQ chassis. The Dragon is a great powder sled, but the seat is very small in comparison. The 2005-06 RMK 900 had a lot of problems with engine vibration and with breaking belts. Any of the current mountain sleds will do the job for you, just try the seating position with two before you put down your cash...

ztrain · 10-24-2007, 02:18 PM

If you want to go snowboarding look into a trail sled that is made to carry a passenger and gear. Mountaing sleds of any brand are only made for one rider and to haul little gear. They are just a one task machine to have fun and it would be dangerous and impossible mountain riding off the trail with two riders. Also there would be too much of a load and the engine would over heat most of the time.

SnowRida · 10-24-2007, 07:53 PM

Which way to go?

Go up, up and we'll call Rusty.

brown435 · 10-24-2007, 11:01 PM

I think a 600 is entry level and for one person unless you get a UTILITY or touring sled.

I would find it hard for any stock sled to carry two people up a mountain (greater 30 degrees) in 3 feet of powder because of the inability to shift weight fast enough while maneuvering. Sleds are designed initially for a 180 pound person. And if you do find a sled that will do this (a modified sled) you'll probably get a few bumps and bruises or worse from all that power and lack of experience.

A UTILITY sled is designed as a work horse. Big heavy slow and very reliable. Will haul several people and pull a sled trailer with ease. Did I mention heavy?

Then you could look at a TOURING sled. Made mostly for trail and designed to have two people ride in comfort.

Next is crossover, not quite an off trail and not quite a trail sled, designed for one person.

Then mountain sleds, designed for 3 feet of snow but not good for two people or pulling a trailer because of the gearing and suspension. A factory unmodified will probably over heat or blow a belt with two passengers.

So here are some things to consider:

General type of sled to consider UTILITY , TOURING , CROSSOVER/HYBRID , MOUNTAIN , TRAIL

Size of track and type/height of paddles matter. 1.25 tall paddles or less trail , 1.75 taller mountain

track size 121 136 trail 141 144 in between Hybrid & 151 to 174 mountain

Air cooled under 600 cc and low power

600 cc to 700 liquid cooled reliable, longevity with care , and manageable power.

800cc all the power you'll ever need, and then some.

900-1000 catch me if you can watch out for that tree, rock, cliff, and hydroplane over the lake plus extra gas, tools, belt etc.

All the above is for a 2 stroke engine sled.

A four stroke today needs to be 900-1000 cc to compete with a 700-800cc 2 stroke unless it has a turbo on it. 2 stroke 10to 20 MPG and 4 stroke 15-25 MPG. 4 stroke less maintenance.

I suggest you to go to Polaris, Yamaha, Ski Doo , and Arctic Cat and watch all the videos on each type of sled.

The most important thing is rider experience and weight on a sled. These two factors help the most and have the most influence on how a sled will perform. More experience and less weight is best.

I don't know the mountain conditions but you could ride the sled up,turn it off, point it down the mountain and let it go down with out a rider. You can do this with no trees, rocks, dips, any condition to impact the sled or flip it over.

And yet another factor is the type of snow , the more packed it is the less traction and power you need but changes with the angle of climb.

I don't think you can go wrong with any brand sled but you need to consider who will do the maintenance. Thats like advising you who is a good auto mechanic cause thats where the manufacturers really matter, The mechanic at the shop setting up and maintaining the sled is the main difference IMHO.

brown435 · 10-24-2007, 11:32 PM

How much do you want to spend?

BskidooC · 10-25-2007, 02:36 AM

if I was buying new I would go with a summit....only 435 pounds!! light weight is the way to go in the hills...

SledX700 · 10-25-2007, 09:22 PM

Most of the newer snowmobiles are good for the backcountry. Thats thanks to powerful twins. Any sled thats a 700 or above should do you well. If you want more float on the powder, you can always purchase wider skis to help you out. Simmons makes a killer ski that has excellent float. I would personally stay away from the four strokes, but thats just my perference because they are much heavier. Others will tell you different. But like i said, any sled thats a 700 or higher will fill your backcountry needs.

NLBurden · 11-30-2007, 05:43 AM

I was riding a summit last year, it was a 550 and i must say i never got stuck once. I put it some sick places also like mountains,deepsnow, etc.

BskidooC · 12-06-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NLBurden

I was riding a summit last year, it was a 550 and i must say i never got stuck once. I put it some sick places also like mountains,deepsnow, etc.

you never got stuck once?

JheLrey · 12-06-2007, 03:41 AM

You were not running very hard or in very deep snow than.

NLBurden · 12-06-2007, 05:41 AM

I meant that as a expression, I got stuck a few times but not as nearly as much as i thought i was gonna go down. I remember last year we had a huge blizzard around 70 cm + i went everywhere exploring and thats how i've come to respect these machines.

RX1mountaintmc · 12-30-2007, 07:43 PM

I have a 4-stroke and I have gone by summits and dragons on the same slope with them being bogged down. At other times they have passed me.either way in the mountains your not going to be able to ride double to go ski just too much weight. Cheaper to get a ski pass.