Switching to Ski-Doo. Looking for suggestions. - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

tmikula54871 · 12-30-2012, 11:31 AM

I bought a 98 Arctic Cat ZR600 EFI in Dec. 2009. Shorly after buying it, I had to replace the stator. I found out after doing some research that that year model had lots of stator problems. Since then I've dealt with stator problems every damn year and have gotten WAY too good at taking out the stator. This is a skill I do not wish to have. I'm fed up with it and as soon as I get the stator back that I just mailed out for rewinding AGAIN, I'm selling that green piece of crap. Do to the numerous problems I've had with that one and other cats (kill switch, drive shaft bearing), and having NO problems at all with the Ski-Doo Formula I bought from my dad 2 years ago, I'm saying F.O. to Arctic Cat and switching to Ski-Doo.

I'm not made of money and will be buying something between '98 and '02. My question to all you Ski-Doo experts is, what machines are the most reliable, are there any models, years, or engine sizes that had probems that are common. I won't own a purple snowmobile (ick) so I'm looking at the MXZs or another Formula 500 or something else that isn't purple. Any suggestions or things to look out for or avoid?? I want a snowmobile I can get on, start, and ride without constant headaches.

Thanks!

davidnnoah · 12-30-2012, 01:46 PM

Ick? Did you really mean to say ick? Funny.

Your rejection of all things purple (while common in folks from WI) eliminates many of the best sleds Ski Doo had to offer around the turn of the century. (98-02) Some would argue the best.
I've read much and experienced some so here's my 2 cents...avoid the 98 triples. I have one and love it, but it's taken some work. Avoid the 800 twins in those years. The 583s and 670s were bullet proof.
Good luck and go Vikings!

tmikula54871 · 12-30-2012, 01:59 PM

Lol....thanks for the reply David.

Yep, I said ick. Not just because I'm a Packers fan......GO PACK!!....but I also just don't care for the color purple. I have seen a lot of Formula Z 583s for sale but I can't warm up to the color. I definitely don't want a triple. I rarely go out and run lakes or big open fields, I'm primarily a trail rider and prefer something around the 500 to 600cc range. If it takes a lot of work to keep it on the trail, I don't want it.

Thanks again!

Rczr600rider · 12-30-2012, 02:08 PM

Who do you have rewinding your stator, that it has to be done every year? I have a 98 ZR 600 that I bought in pieces an put back together myself, and it has been totally reliable. Of course I have done regular maintenance on it, as you would need to with any make or model. Drive shaft bearings are a weak point on any sled, especially on the clutch side, and should be inspected regularly. You can switch brands all you want, but sleds need to be worked on periodically, nobody has, or ever will make one that doesn't. Honestly, the most reliable sleds made today are probably Yamahas, but I prefer something lighter, personally. One thing to keep in mind if you want reliability is that bigger, more powerful engines usually break things more often due to the increased stress associated with all that power.

tmikula54871 · 12-30-2012, 02:23 PM

Well, 127 miles after I bought the sled the original stator (at least I think it was the original) burned out. I bought one from RM Stators in Canada, put my sled back together only to find out that stator was bad before I ever even installed it. I tore it back out and sent it back to RM Stators and they sent me another one. So, I put that one in and it worked fine for almost a whole season, but not quite. The high speed coil went out while on a ride and I had to limp it back to the trailer. Took the machine apart again last year and this time bought a rewound stator from Blaine Pertler. That one lasted about 150 miles last year. Sled wouldn't start again this winter so I tested it and, surprise!!....another bad stator. I guess Blaine was having some problems with his winder last year or something. So I took it out again and it will be the LAST time I go through this crap. I'm buying a carburated machine this time. I've gotten to the point where I hate that sled and can't walk by it without flipping it off. My brother has had a ZL and a ZR that need constant repairs as well so that is why I'm switching brands. The people I ride with don't even want to ride with us anymore because of all the problems we've had. I'm done with Artic Crap.

**smallengineguy** · 12-30-2012, 02:29 PM

The 00-02 MXZ 600 sleds are flawless. Those were the last years of the CK chassis, and they had all the bugs worked out. Welcome to team Doo!

tmikula54871 · 12-30-2012, 02:46 PM

Thanks Guy!! That's exactly the kind of advice I'm looking for. I also read that the 700s were good motors but that's a little bigger that I'm looking for. I am a little nervous though about the MXZs because of that being the higher performance model for Ski-Doo (aside from the triples). That often means more tinkering and fine tuning which is something I don't want to have to do too much of.

Rczr600rider · 12-30-2012, 02:49 PM

I can understand your frustration with your stator issue, and it's one of those things that just goes bad without warning. Some breakdowns aren't preventable, but most are with regular maintenance. Good luck with whatever sled you choose to go with next.

**smallengineguy** · 12-30-2012, 05:36 PM

As long as you buy one that's stock it should give you years of good riding. Once you start modding/changing things, you get problems, so avoid those in your search. The MXZ is a great sled. Once you adjust the suspension for your weight/riding style, preventative maintenance is all you're going to have to do.

davidnnoah · 12-30-2012, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smallengineguy

The 00-02 MXZ 600 sleds are flawless. Those were the last years of the CK chassis, and they had all the bugs worked out. Welcome to team Doo!

Yeah, okay. Those sleds don't suck. They might even be alright on trails and such. They're not purple, but... Ha!
Good advice here. Enjoy the ride.

brandcole73 · 01-01-2013, 12:10 PM

I have a 2000 MXZ 700, basically stock. I've nothing but great luck with it. It gets decent gas mileage, has lots of power when you want it.