[greenblaze420]

hey all im new the forums and new to snowmobiling iv been reading people say to buy a old used snowmobile for your 1st one but id rather not waste the money buying 2 and just get the 1 nice one i was planning on....

i just got a new job with amazing pay and i dont have 2 work winters so i wanted to get myself a winter hobby and iv always wanted 2 snowmobile so im going 2 buy one in a few months. I want to get a artic cat z1 turbor snow pro and i understand that i need alot of practice but id much rather just got this one and take it eazy till i feal comfortable....

also this winter im going on vication and i wanted 2 make one of my stops to somewhere i can go snowmobiling... is there anywhere that is considered the best places to snowmobile... and my last question... could i use the z1 turbor to go up mountains?

 

[lincolnchuck]

I can honestly say just get a used sled. I agree getting a new sled is the bomb but if you have some to no experience you will get scared to hurt ur sled then to ride at full potential. You can get a 2000 to 2004 for under 3500 bucks and that is getting a decent sled with a 700 cc + engine and a 144" track with it. It also depends on your style of riding you usually do. If u get off the trail occasionally to none then a z1 turbo short track would be great but if you want to boondock or want to get to the top of the mountain first then i would go with a 700 or more with a longer track (144"). This is just my 2 cents on your idea. Also where you located for your riding spots?

 

[greenblaze420]

i live near chicago but im going 2 be riding the trails from wis up to canda

 

[BC_Dan]

I'm not much of a 4-stroke guy, the engines are durable and make plenty of HP, but they are heavy and OMG expensive when you break one. Even changing the oil or plugs is not easy. They do well on the trails or lakes, but if you plan on climbing, lincolnchuck has good advice. A later model sled with a 144" track will give you good trail manners but will keep you on top of the snow in the powder or climbing better than that 4-stroke will.

It all points to the type of riding you want to do. If it's mostly trails/lakes, the turbo will rule. But if you get the turbo and decide that trails/lakes aren't for you, then you spent a bunch of money for a sled that doesn't meet your needs. There are sleds such as the AC Crossfire or the Polaris Switchback that are crossover sleds; they are designed to do well both on the trails and on the hills. The newer ones are very nice sleds but are a LOT less money than that turbo.

Congrats on the job, and welcome to the forum!

 

[RJ Gleason]

Welcome and Happy Trails

 

[vikingwrestler]

i would shoot for a mountain sled if you want to ride in the mountains. at least a 144" track with at least a 600 engine. it could be brand new or it could be a 1990's sled, as long as it has some power and a good sized track youll be fine.

if your gonna buy brand new, get a pro-rmk! or an rmk assault.

as for places to vacation and ride, id have to go with these two choices:

1) ALASKA
- preferably around anchorage, because its easier access, but if you have the $$$ and the connections Haines, Alaska is an AMAZING place to ride, the slednecks and sledporn guys go there every year.

2) Revelstoke, B.C.
- i know absolutely nothing about canada, but i watch alot of videos and i have to say revelstoke, british columbia is the sickest place i have seen so far. as far as i know, they have everything from trails to mountains where when you fall your sled is totaled.

still though, my #1 choice is alaska, because thats where im from! and my #1 choice for a new sled is the pro-rmk, because im biased!

 

[greenblaze420]

thanks for the advice id say 90% of my rideing will be on trails the only time id be goin up mountains and such is if i went on vication so id much rather get the z1 and maby get a 2ed sled for goin up mountains and such.. im only 21 and i just got the job of a lifetime and i have no bills except my cellphone so im trying 2 find new things 2 spend my $ on and iv always wanted 2 snowmobile and since i dont work winters i figure what a perfect time to start... and iv always wanted 2 have a winter hobbie so i figure this is my time 2 start.. as iv said b4 im new to snowmobiling and i was wondering if anyone knows some websites where i can read up on them such as how to take care of one or the differences in them (2 stoke 4 stroke exc...) or just anything in general... can i buy a bigger turbo for one? what can do i 2 up the HP... whats the differences in tracks, skis everything i wanna learn alot more about them b4 i actually buy one

 

[99Polaris500]

I have to agree on the idea of getting a used sled....

from my understanding you have no experiece so you would be better off with something that you dont have to worry about "scratching the paint".

I say get a used sled and find out what kind of rider you are, and then maybe next year get a new sled that fits your riding style.

I would recomend you take a snowmobile saftey course too, and join a club

 

[Yamaha440]

Used is better, if you total it then you don't have such a loss.

 

[brandcole73]

I'd go with a nice used 600. As long as you have the money, maybe a early to mid 2000's. You can find some nice ones for $3000-$3500 (in my area anyway) Maybe find a 136" so it's good on the trial and little better off. Ride it for a while until you get the feel of the sport. Then you should have an idea of what to move up too, and keep the first one for your back up sled.

My buddy who rode 2-3 times with us on his 380 just bought a ZR600. Ran it into a tree the first time he took it out! We're putting it back together Saturday, I'll ask him if he's glad he didn't spend more money on it!

 

[farmbuilt800]

i would say you get whatever you want. There is a first for everything and if you want to get that arctic cat go for it. I think that you can take any sled into the mountains it just depends on how deep you are going to go. I honestly wish that i could of got a brand new sled to learn on when i started but i just didn't have the money. you should be totally ok with riding that sled wherever you wanted to.

 

[greenblaze420]

i found a 01 thundercat for $3500 would that be a good starter and i no the z1 turbor is a expensive sled but i obviously wouldnt run it to the max and do crazy shit id take it eazy and get comfortable with it and i dont see how much damage i could do riding on trails but i dunno i want 2 do some more research b4 i get anything

 

[farmbuilt800]

i actually have a 99 thundercat for $2000 if you or anybody is interested.

 

[greenblaze420]

i wont be buying anything till june or july becuz i dont even start work intill march/april and i want to make sure im going 2 make as much money as i think im going 2