New guy advice - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Firehawk · 09-27-2006, 12:00 PM

Im shopping for sleds for my wife and I. I am after a sled (preferably Polaris or Ski Doo) that will make a good pick for 75% trail use and some mountain riding. I am in Colorado so the big open meadows of powder will be hard to pass up. I also want to be sure that when I loan out my wifes sled to a buddy to ride its capable as we will probably do more powder riding than my wife and I will. Im swaying towards more of a mountain sled but I dont know if it will handle OK for my wife on the trails. The sleds Im after will be in the 1999 to 2002 model years (price point). Right now Im looking at MXZs and RMKs, good choice? What other options do I have and what should I stay away from. Thanks in advance.

I_R_Josh · 09-27-2006, 04:03 PM

my favorite track size that's real good at everything is the 144x1.25 that's on my switchback (99-2002 they were known as SKS's) I'm upgrading to a 144x2 just because I do a lot more deep snow and climbing versus trail riding. So look for around that size. 136x2 might do alright (alot of rmks out there with this size) but for trail riding you don't want to go much higher than 1.5 or you run the risk of overheating a lot and the performance just isn't great. So check for those and the skidoo 670 summits around those years are going for really good prices now too. Those are good reliable sleds that perform well in both aspects.
And if you're not into the higher performance stuff the 550 fan rmk (was there a 500f summit also?) is great all around sled. Might be a good choice for the wife. Nice and light and still pretty zippy. My dad keeps up alright on one of those.

Firehawk · 09-27-2006, 11:04 PM

Thanks for the perfect reply thats exactly what I was after. There seem to be ALOT of Ski Doo MXZs for sale in my area, I think I see quite a few 570cc or right around there. With the shorter track and 1.25 to 1.5 inch tracks would that do well or they not a reliable machine?

I_R_Josh · 09-28-2006, 12:07 AM

mxz's are really great trail machines, but thats exactly what they are, TRAIL machines

anything less than a 136 isn't going to do you well off the trail.

Firehawk · 09-28-2006, 12:32 AM

Thanks again, exactly what I was after. Now my last one and Im really ready to do some shopping. I know there are a bunch of variables with a 6 or 7 year old machine but what would you consider reasonable mileage? Most of what I see is around 3000 miles, I have been around ATVs and motorcycles for a long time and only rent snowmobiles. 3000 miles on a 2 stroke bike or ATV is really getting up there and ready for a top end, does this hold true with these machines as well? Is finding one with 1000 or 2000 miles on it worth the possible extra price?

YOU ROCK!

I_R_Josh · 09-28-2006, 01:21 AM

around 3000 isn't all that high. And you're right on the variables, if a sled looks like its been rode hard it's probably on it's last leg at 3000 miles. But if it's a good looking sled thats been well maintained, it's barely broke in at 3000 miles. Some sleds tend to get rode harder than others, but most of the time you can tell just by looking at it how it was rode. And don't be afraid to take a compression tester with you when you check sleds out.

**BC_Dan** · 09-28-2006, 09:06 AM

Also, at 3000 miles, if you have a sled that has no maintenance, expect to be replacing bogey wheel bearings and possibly shocks.. consider that in your price. Also, the clutches may be in need of a rebuild to keep them functioning properly. If the person selling has done proper maintenance, as I_R_Josh stated, 3000 is not horrible; with NO maintenance, 3000 miles will cost you a lot in necessary repairs other than the top end.

Firehawk · 09-28-2006, 09:50 AM

Thanks guys this is great info. I feel better about some of the mileage issues Ill just give them a good once over, ask about the last time chutches were done and check the compression. Ill assume compression should be typical for a 2 stroke? 130-150 with no more than 10% difference?

brown435 · 09-28-2006, 10:22 AM

Diffence in cylinder pressurwe is the best indicator. The measuring equipment for most people are not calibrated and vary. Plus there is a descrease in pressure for altitude.

Then you take into account the cold and hot num,bers, hot ... at normal operating temperature is best.

You can also do a serial number check to see the sled history.

Also, look to see what kind of aftermarket equipment was placed on the sled.

Pay particular attention to the exhaust can ... noise level tickets are all the rage in California.

Life expectancy for a sled is 15,000 miles and varies greatly depending on the quality of maintenace.

**RJ Gleason** · 09-28-2006, 11:55 AM

If the sled has been heavily modded, run don't walk, away from it, unless you are very handy with a wrench and are wiling to spend time with a very finicky and tempermental engine.

Firehawk · 09-28-2006, 12:27 PM

WOW thanks guys, you are very very helpful. All of the advice is good. I hope the sprnd the next month or so shopping so keep it coming. Something I have found on this forum compared to others Im on is that most of the info seems to be on the same page. There is very little contridiction and arguing, I like that.

**BC_Dan** · 09-28-2006, 07:11 PM

I really agree with RJ Gleason, mods are usually done by people that want the absolute edge in power, and with that edge, you lose a lot in the dependability factor and long life...

IAFF890 (well.. used to be... dang promotions, anyhoo)

I_R_Josh · 09-28-2006, 07:19 PM

yes that is why I usually keep my stock parts to put back on in case I decide to sell it. Stock sleds are much more appealing. And you get more money out of selling the aftermarket parts seperately anyway.