Need help picking out my first sled, opinions wanted

[Skinnykid]

I started my mountain riding on a 04 Summit 800 144" and loved every minute of it. I am a smaller guy as well at 145 lbs ( hence the name ) and I could get it to go wherever I needed it to go. The extra power is nice to have when needed for sure. Parts are common and for me this was one of the most dependable sleds I have ever owned. It all comes down to what you feel you would be more comfortable on. Looking back now if i had purchased a 600 I would have spent extra money to upgrade to the 800 after the first season.

Happy hunting.

 

[Dazzler]

Just like skinny kid said, should you choose a 600, you will be upgrading soon, that is if you take a liking to the sport. The six hundreds will play out climbing at elevation, but at sea level (or close to it) a six will run with most of them, they all will do about 100+ miles per/hr. I feel the torque or power in the 800's get more people out of predicaments than in. my 2 cents. The only real thing that the 600 has going for it is (IMHO) should your wife/partner choose to join you, it is a 50/50 that the 800 will sour her on the sport. My wife will not ride an 800, (she has an option) but my daughter will ride nothing but, well as long as dads buying the sleds!!!!
I have rode mostly Polaris for the last 15 years, the 900 Poo would be my last pick!! The M7 is probably your best bet, and deffinately would be for the missus! as for reverse, yes they are very very handy, if you ever had one, you would never go back!!!! just sayin!!

 

[E to the v]

See what you can find. Probably wont be much $ difference between 6 & 8s. You wont feel the difference in track length while under power, only when stuck(& theyre all heavy with a track full of snow). I wouldnt worry too much about reverse, its nice but you ll only use it to unload

 

[meigsrock]

After doing some more research I am really liking the skidoo rev sleds. There is definatly a ton up here so parts and finding one for sale should hopefully be easy. It is just a matter of finding one I like and can afford. I may have to wait another month and try to save a little more as most seem to be $4-5k and I only have $3.5 right now. Maybe I can sell some stuff too.

Skidoo claims that the 16" wide track at 144" is the same surface area as a 15" wide 151". A 144" track seems to be pretty popular/common up here for sale, probably a good all round length for all types of riding up here. So I feel better about geting a 144". Track length may just come to what is out there for sale when I commit to buying. Unless a screaming deal comes my way in another brand I will likley go skidoo 144-151" 800, which there seems to be most of for the rev's.... I have only come across one 600 and it is more that the 800's so I don't think I will consider a 600 unless it is cheap. If the wife does not like the 800 I get this year then I can get her a smaller one.

Any years or problems with speciffic models of the 04-07 rev summit models? Anything to watch out for? Someone said 07 have bad engines? It that true....is that the first year of a new model of engine?

Thanks for all the help guys This year I actually am excited for winter.......once I finaly pick a sled up.

PS. I have all the gear, jackets, backpacks, helmet, probe, becon, truck, trailer already. I just need the last peice of the puzzel.....and the most expencive peice (the sled) hahaha.

 

[meigsrock]

Man there are A lot of tempting 05-06 900 RMK's up here for sale in my price range.

 

[OOC ZigZag]

After you have ridden for let's say a month, there will be many times that the 600 will be under-powered for you. It is a great motor/sled to learn on but it won't take you long to want or need the 800.

As OCC ZigZag says, the longer the track the better. Saying that, stay away from the 04 Polaris Vertical Escape 800 159" (or any Polaris with similar qualities) as they are heavy pigs and way too front heavy. That definitely would be a problem with your height/weight.

Good luck and to S&M the best forum out there........

I loved the Rev's Pete at the Sled Shed rides a wild one. I think this guy would be best with the 800 like you say if he gets the 600 he will be looking for more power right away.

P.S it's OOC ZigZag basically what I have to doo every time I ride to avoid obstacles Out Of Control ZigZag

 

[Snohog]

I got my first sled when I was 14, it was a 600, after a year it's was kinda small for me, I'm now 17 and ride a '07 summit 800 159. I'm 165lb and can handle that sled like the back of my hand.... After riding a 800 you will never want to go smaller, hopefully this winter I'll be getting a M8 only because my summit is causing greif

 

[SHIFTmx]

I have a 07 m800 153 for sale $5500

 

[meigsrock]

A bit above my price range, and way too far away.

I found a 05 rev 800 144' with twin stinger can with pipe, bar risers with fat boy bars, white plastics it has a new top end and has 4,000 miles. $3700.

I also found 2006 ski-doo summit 800 with a 144" track. 827 rk tek big bore kit installed at the beginning of last winter and it only has roughly 500 miles on that. also has boyesen reeds, sno-stuff can, floating secondary, and an xp riser block. sled runs super strong and has never left me stranded. very reliable, well maintained. the only thing wrong is the tachometer quit working on me towards the end of last winter and I just havent gotten around to fixing it. comes with extra plastics, spare belt, extra spark plugs, cover, and rev gas caddy. Im asking $3500 OBO.

Any thoughts? good prices? possible problems?

Thanks for advice.

 

[Mudloon]

A buddy bought an '06 Rev Summit last year and he did so after quite a bit of research. Apparently, the '06 is desireable because BRP changed/upgraded the rear suspension slightly but you don't have the troublesome '07 800 motor. For whatever reason, it's the lightest out of all the model years of the Rev...and very capable with the 144 x 16. I drove it and really, really liked it. I actually was looking at buying one myself.

On the other hand, this one seems a little tricked out for a first sled...my main concern is who dialed in the carb jetting for the big bore, reeds, can combo he has, and do you have enough knowledge to re-jet as you change elevations, etc. - you won't be able to just crack open the factory manual, is all I'm saying.

Just FYI, I recently picked up a clean, stock M7 153" for under $3500. It's seems to be a "happy medium" sled that a person can grow with for a few years. I haven't ridden it yet but I'm getting thumbs-up from everyone about the buy.

 

[Turbo-North]

Man there are A lot of tempting 05-06 900 RMK's up here for sale in my price range.

There is a reason for that. DO NOT buy one. They don,t make the power and tend to come apart. Polaris quit making them for a reason.

 

[magnet]

A bit above my price range, and way too far away.

I found a 05 rev 800 144' with twin stinger can with pipe, bar risers with fat boy bars, white plastics it has a new top end and has 4,000 miles. $3700.

I also found 2006 ski-doo summit 800 with a 144" track. 827 rk tek big bore kit installed at the beginning of last winter and it only has roughly 500 miles on that. also has boyesen reeds, sno-stuff can, floating secondary, and an xp riser block. sled runs super strong and has never left me stranded. very reliable, well maintained. the only thing wrong is the tachometer quit working on me towards the end of last winter and I just havent gotten around to fixing it. comes with extra plastics, spare belt, extra spark plugs, cover, and rev gas caddy. Im asking $3500 OBO.

Any thoughts? good prices? possible problems?


Thanks for advice.

towards end of last season or last ride of season tach quit working is what i read leaning more towards on my last ride last season. which means hopefully broken wire, but i am thinking probably blown stator, pricey repair but if price is right could be worth it if you do your own work.
800 is nice but like i said a 600 will make you learn to ride to keep up first before it is just a point and go kind of thing that the 800 will be.

 

[trench]

There is a reason for that. DO NOT buy one. They don,t make the power and tend to come apart. Polaris quit making them for a reason.

You are so wrong about the power thing with the Polaris 900, these things have tons of jamb when they run right. They do tend to come apart because they vibrate like crazy, the guys that have them figured out love them. Not a good sled for the average guy because they are heavy and need a lot of tinkering to make them reliable.