500 XC OK Sled - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

vtwillys · 01-03-2013, 07:56 AM

Bought a 550 for my sons, now looking at a sled for myself. Local guy has an 03 500 XC with electric start, but no reverse. The sled we bought my sons has the PERC wich is pretty cool. Is reverse needed?. Electric start sounds kind of nice especially this morning when we are below zero (~-10°F).

danskool · 01-03-2013, 08:06 AM

I would not buy a sled without reverse.. That would suck having to toss the sled around by hand unless you get a "SUPER SMOKIN" deal. Depends if what you are going to be doing with it.. Ripping around the farm, You can get away with not having reverse, But if your out cross country on trails, You need reverse. Sleds get real heavy when they are covered in ice, mud and snow..

I don't need or care about electric start.. Both my 500's start on the first pull, Warm. And cold they start on the second pull.

Skid · 01-03-2013, 08:21 AM

Yep, agree with dan....cruising the fields you have little need for reverse but if you do any trail riding it sure beats wrestling a 500 lb sled to turn it around or free it from obstructions.
Got stuck in a drift with my xlt because I couldn't turn sharp enough to avoid a sapling. Knee deep in snow trying to get the skis around the little tree was a 15 minute back breaking challenge. Would have taken 15 seconds and all the energy it takes to flip a lever if I had reverse.
Electric start is a hassle of it's own having to maintain the battery and all. Nice to have but all my sleds start with one or two pulls. That I can handle!

vtwillys · 01-03-2013, 08:47 AM

Gotcha both and thank you for your input.

XLT Spartan · 01-03-2013, 10:38 AM

2 of my 3 sleds do not have reverse. I think it's a luxury, not a necessity. I guess it depends what type if conditions you ride in. If you're riding trails, it's really not that bad to turn one around. Just my 2 cents.

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vtwillys · 01-03-2013, 12:51 PM

The people selling the unit are friends that also have a business selling and servicing sleds, motorcycles and dirtbikes. The sled does not have electric start or reverse. They had an Artic Cat 550 SL 03 with about the same miles but it did not want to start so I am having them service the little 500 and we will be a 2 Polaris home. Thank you for everyones input