Buying my first sled

[Circled-Mistake]

this is easy. you own an 800 brp atv. so automatically you need an 800cc sled since you are used to brp power. dont want to go any less that what you already are used to!

i was always scared of the 163 sizes but let me tell you anyone who says to get a 154 hasnt spent enough time on a 163. unless you are doing massive jumps and drops the 163 is what you want. one day riding with your buddies on 163" length tracks and you will quickly realize how much better and how much fun they are having compared to you in the steep and deep. when its deep a 154 is NOT sufficient i dont care who you are. yes it will get around and yes you will have fun. but you are NOT getting the best experience compared to a 163. it costs 400$ to go from a 154 to a 163 from the factory when you buy a new skidoo. but when you realize next season your 154 was the wrong choice its going to cost you 2000$ to do the swap to a 163. something to consider since it WILL happen. ask me how i know!

dont sacrifice your mountain performance for a bit of lake riding. the 163 will still work good on the lake. unless you plan to spend more time on the lake vs mountains thats the only time i would consider a 154 length track.


any one of the new skidoo models sp or x with the etec powerplant will suit your needs! make sure if you do buy new to take advantage of the new and improved summit XM sled. i have tested this sled in the hills and it is the cats ass. basically the most refined mountain sled on the market.

things not to look at

1) 600cc engines
2) skidoo xp chasssis ( wicked if its in the budget but the new XM is the way to go if in the budget)
3) arctic cat - poor tracks, poor mountain chassis, poor belt life, engines are good and reliable, flat steering
4) polaris - poor tracks, decent light mountain chassis, underpowered compared to the skidoo, flat steering
5) yamaha - imagine trying to carve your XMR 800 in 3 feet of snow. nuff said.

Well Said MAXWELL!!!!!!!!!!! Just wondering if you put the XP chassis in front of the XM in your personal opinion..... Or your meaning XP as a cheaper alternative to the XM??

 

[ferniesnow]

I like Maxwell's train of thought!

and of course there are several 800 163's for sale in the classifieds.

 

[Circled-Mistake]

Back on topic


Dealer support Is huge and a 153 . 155 track is good and move up from there if you want
See if you like sledding , might not
Don't forget. Beacon, probe , shovel at the very least.

Yes, CANNOT FORGET the safety aspect either.. NO use in buyig a sled to go in the back-country if you don't have the rest of the equipment with you to make it the best experience you can have ride after ride!!



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Yes, CANNOT FORGET the safety aspect either.. NO use in buyig a sled to go in the back-country if you don't have the rest of the equipment with you to make it the best experience you can have ride after ride!!

 

[T-team]

Thanks fs.. The world almost forgot you were selling your sleds lol! All good points I think.. But buying a 154 to see if you are going to like sledding might not be the best idea either... A bigger guy like myself getting a 154 stuck on a bottomless powder day would NOT have very much fun.. And maxwell.... A 154 ... Then upgrade to a 163 the next year for two grand?? Let's be real here what dealer will do it for that cheap . All good points like I was saying 154 at least.. But bigger guys need bigger sleds. More track.. Better flotation .. Like a snowshoe. And anybody that can tell me they can feel a sled is 3" longer in powder is full of crap. IMO

 

[maxwell]

Well Said MAXWELL!!!!!!!!!!! Just wondering if you put the XP chassis in front of the XM in your personal opinion..... Or your meaning XP as a cheaper alternative to the XM??

no deffinetly not. i feel the xp chassis was by far the best MOUNTAIN chassis up until this year. now the XM takes the cake for mountain chassis. i still think the xp chassis is still a great contender vs the pro rmk chassis and the cat chassis. its also great in the freeride version for jumps and drops. and since the ptek/etec xp chassis mountain sleds are going to be much cheaper now with the release of the xm its still a great way to get out on the hills.

 

[maxwell]

Thanks fs.. The world almost forgot you were selling your sleds lol! All good points I think.. But buying a 154 to see if you are going to like sledding might not be the best idea either... A bigger guy like myself getting a 154 stuck on a bottomless powder day would NOT have very much fun.. And maxwell.... A 154 ... Then upgrade to a 163 the next year for two grand?? Let's be real here what dealer will do it for that cheap . All good points like I was saying 154 at least.. But bigger guys need bigger sleds. More track.. Better flotation .. Like a snowshoe. And anybody that can tell me they can feel a sled is 3" longer in powder is full of crap. IMO

you calling me fat? skinny guys can have fun on 163 too! lol. but not me. i fat.

 

[ferniesnow]

Thanks fs.. The world almost forgot you were selling your sleds lol!.................

Not just mine T-team but there are 7 or 8 in total in the classifieds.

 

[maxwell]

Yes, CANNOT FORGET the safety aspect either.. NO use in buyig a sled to go in the back-country if you don't have the rest of the equipment with you to make it the best experience you can have ride after ride!!

forsure! i beleive the new xm sleds come with an avalanche airbag from martins right now.

 

[maxwell]

Not just mine T-team but there are 7 or 8 in total in the classifieds.

mine too...

 

[maxwell]

i see depsnolvr is lurking. what do you think of the 163s in the mountains curtis?




There are currently 13 users browsing this thread. (11 members and 2 guests)

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[Bisch]

Thanks everyone. This is really good information. Sounds like the XM is the way to go with a 163" track.

Safety gear is an absolute. What else should I be looking to get in terms of gear and accessories? What do you guys take with you?

 

[Depsnolvr]

lol on conference calls with ABC and CAC....


I personally would never go back to a smaller sled than a 163 for mountain specific riding. After riding a 154 for years I have not noticed any negatives from moving to the 163. Anyone wanting to try one out in Valemount is welcome to take mine for a rip anytime.

Thanks to Martin Motor Sports, ill be rocking my 2013 Summit X 163 and as a Snowhost team member Ill get to rock a 2013 Summit SP 163 as well. So thankful to have all of our sponsors as it makes a successful season so much easier. Loads of support from the Alberta area this year and we cant thank them enough.

 

[T-team]

lol on conference calls with ABC and CAC....


I personally would never go back to a smaller sled than a 163 for mountain specific riding. After riding a 154 for years I have not noticed any negatives from moving to the 163. Anyone wanting to try one out in Valemount is welcome to take mine for a rip anytime.

Ok sure!

 

[maxwell]

lol on conference calls with abc and cac....


I personally would never go back to a smaller sled than a 163 for mountain specific riding. After riding a 154 for years i have not noticed any negatives from moving to the 163. Anyone wanting to try one out in valemount is welcome to take mine for a rip anytime.

Thanks to martin motor sports, ill be rocking my 2013 summit x 163 and as a snowhost team member ill get to rock a 2013 summit sp 163 as well. So thankful to have all of our sponsors as it makes a successful season so much easier. Loads of support from the alberta area this year and we cant thank them enough.

ok deal

 

[Depsnolvr]

Ok sure!

Good to be a volunteer flemmming ! U should try it.......oh wait, you volunteer as a logger for the local community forest corp

 

[maxwell]

Thanks everyone. This is really good information. Sounds like the XM is the way to go with a 163" track.

Safety gear is an absolute. What else should I be looking to get in terms of gear and accessories? What do you guys take with you?

NEED: avalanche probe ( long one cant remember length ) , good shovel ( metal ) , avalanche beacon ( digital )

Optional but reccomended : avalanche airbag

then theres all the other safety survival items, there is another thread i will try and dig up of what people cary in their backpacks.

 

[T-team]

Maxwell let's make a trip up there... We don't even need sleds Curtis has two he said we can ride!

 

[T-team]

NEED: avalanche probe ( long one cant remember length ) , good shovel ( metal ) , avalanche beacon ( digital )

Optional but reccomended : avalanche airbag

then theres all the other safety survival items, there is another thread i will try and dig up of what people cary in their backpacks.

Saw, axe, wood chipper, hedger, pruneing shears.......

 

[Depsnolvr]

Thanks everyone. This is really good information. Sounds like the XM is the way to go with a 163" track.

Safety gear is an absolute. What else should I be looking to get in terms of gear and accessories? What do you guys take with you?

Sorry to destroy your thread......you had a good question. This link is a good read, but ultimately you will have to figure out what works for you.
https://www.snowandmud.com/forum/f14/what-carry-backcountry-120.html

 

[Depsnolvr]

Maxwell let's make a trip up there... We don't even need sleds Curtis has two he said we can ride!

And you too will be bringing them up for me...........gosh you guys are great

Thanks eh