New snowmobile...

[Cmanoll]

So.....here goes. I've really only ever been on a snowmobile a handful of times. I have no interest in riding in the mountains or pounding through the bush....the majority of my riding will be in ditches, farmers fields and trails. I'm considering a 2013 Yamaha rs vector ltx. Will this sled still perform in moderate off trail conditions or will I be digging it out with only 2ft of snow on the ground? The sled is most likely more than a noob like myself needs, but I'd rather buy so,etching now that will last than something I will outgrow in a year....thoughts?

 

[Modman]

So.....here goes. I've really only ever been on a snowmobile a handful of times. I have no interest in riding in the mountains or pounding through the bush....the majority of my riding will be in ditches, farmers fields and trails. I'm considering a 2013 Yamaha rs vector ltx. Will this sled still perform in moderate off trail conditions or will I be digging it out with only 2ft of snow on the ground? The sled is most likely more than a noob like myself needs, but I'd rather buy so,etching now that will last than something I will outgrow in a year....thoughts?

I don't know about the Vector, lots of benefits to a 4 stroke and lots to a 2 stroke, but I do know this: Why would you buy a new sled when you've only beein riding a few times?

My advice: Find a nice used 600/700 class sled, ride it for the season. Since you're new to the sport, admit to yourself that you're not fully committed yet. Lots of us in the sport like to think we have more time to ride than we actually do. Having a 2013 depreciating in the garage is far less appealing than having a 2007 depreciating (if you find you don't like sledding or don't have enough time). If you put on 1000 kms in the first month and you are in love with sledding, by all means head out and by a new sled.

The Vector has equivalent power to an 800, but for ditch banging and trails, a 600cc 2 stroke is far lighter and will make your first few rides a lot more enjoyable than fighting a big sled when you are still just learning to ride. Get some seat time on a smaller sled IMO, and in the meantime try out as many sleds as you can before committing to the purchase of a brand new ride. You might find that you want a little longer track for where you ride, or maybe a 121" will do. You might want much more performance, or you might find an 800 is enough (or a 600 is enough). You don't know any of this until you actually ride your area and determine how much trail is groomed, how deep the snow is in the fields, etc. You might not get enough snow to warrant having a deeper lug track or more performance.

Its tough to comment on how a sled will perform generically on or off the trail, seeing that we also know nothing about you. Are you young, old, male or female, big or small? Do you have people to ride with? what do they ride? I wouldn't recommend a 25 yr old 300 lb male go and buy a 440 sled and expect to keep up with a crew of 160 lb guys on 800's. The week after you will be back on here telling me how much the sled sucks. I would go get as much seat time on a bunch of different sleds and see what other guys in your area are riding.

 

[Rotax_Kid]

So.....here goes. I've really only ever been on a snowmobile a handful of times. I have no interest in riding in the mountains or pounding through the bush....the majority of my riding will be in ditches, farmers fields and trails. I'm considering a 2013 Yamaha rs vector ltx. Will this sled still perform in moderate off trail conditions or will I be digging it out with only 2ft of snow on the ground? The sled is most likely more than a noob like myself needs, but I'd rather buy so,etching now that will last than something I will outgrow in a year....thoughts?

The Vector isn't a bad machine. It has a really nice motor, gets great fuel economy, and runs the same day in and day out. It is heavy, so be prepared if you do get buried to be digging for a while. It's a excellent trail machine and would work well for the riding style you are describing. I wouldn't be worried in finding a used one with a few thousand km on it. Very little has change din these over the years except for the addition of power steering and motor change somewhere around 2010. One other thing to factor - don't short yourself on buying cheap gear. You may not realize it now, but being cold and wet really takes the fun out of snowmobiling. Pick up some good gear so you are warm and comfortable. Good luck and enjoy!

 

[lman]

I would suggest that you buy a used 97-2003 Yamaha 700 hundred series machine. They were good on gas, engines go for ever and are low maintenance. I went this route for the last few years to ensure that I would use my machines. 30 rides later I have upgraded to a newer used 4 stroke as just for maintenance issues. Any machine that has a 1 3/4 track can move you around most powder or ditches that you would see in Sturgeon county. I rode on a VMAX 121" track from Cardiff to Gibbbons and back and didn't get stuck once in the powder we rode in.

I do agree with Rotax_Kid do not skimp on quality of gear. Some stores will have black Friday deals on Nov 29th. I was able to pick up 2 nice coats at 1/3 off last year at Adrenaline Unlimited in WEM.

 

[lilduke]

Good call! I hear those old MM700's will go all day on 10$

 

[deaner]

I don't know about the Vector, lots of benefits to a 4 stroke and lots to a 2 stroke, but I do know this: Why would you buy a new sled when you've only beein riding a few times?

My advice: Find a nice used 600/700 class sled, ride it for the season. Since you're new to the sport, admit to yourself that you're not fully committed yet. Lots of us in the sport like to think we have more time to ride than we actually do. Having a 2013 depreciating in the garage is far less appealing than having a 2007 depreciating (if you find you don't like sledding or don't have enough time). If you put on 1000 kms in the first month and you are in love with sledding, by all means head out and by a new sled.

The Vector has equivalent power to an 800, but for ditch banging and trails, a 600cc 2 stroke is far lighter and will make your first few rides a lot more enjoyable than fighting a big sled when you are still just learning to ride. Get some seat time on a smaller sled IMO, and in the meantime try out as many sleds as you can before committing to the purchase of a brand new ride. You might find that you want a little longer track for where you ride, or maybe a 121" will do. You might want much more performance, or you might find an 800 is enough (or a 600 is enough). You don't know any of this until you actually ride your area and determine how much trail is groomed, how deep the snow is in the fields, etc. You might not get enough snow to warrant having a deeper lug track or more performance.

Its tough to comment on how a sled will perform generically on or off the trail, seeing that we also know nothing about you. Are you young, old, male or female, big or small? Do you have people to ride with? what do they ride? I wouldn't recommend a 25 yr old 300 lb male go and buy a 440 sled and expect to keep up with a crew of 160 lb guys on 800's. The week after you will be back on here telling me how much the sled sucks. I would go get as much seat time on a bunch of different sleds and see what other guys in your area are riding.

Nailed it

 

[lman]

Good call! I hear those old MM700's will go all day on 10$

We get 170+ km on a tank.

 

[lilduke]

We get 170+ km on a tank.

Really? Wow that's crazy. That's better than a etec.... Joey on here claims they get bad ass mileage too.

 

[X-it]

For what it is worth.
SnowTech Impressed by ACE 900 | Snowtechmagazine.com

 

[Braddock54]

Good call! I hear those old MM700's will go all day on 10$

You beat me to it.

 

[liberos_vivere]

how "moderate" are the off trail conditions? the vector rs is a fabulous sled for trail riding and ripping around in farmers fields and though the track may only be a 121inch it does have 1.25inch lugs so the track is by no means "bald" the deciding factor if I was buying the sled would be how deep do you want to go? the best advice I could possibly give is to ask your Yamaha dealer they will know best.

 

[lman]

Really? Wow that's crazy. That's better than a etec.... Joey on here claims they get bad ass mileage too.

I was amazed how good the mileage was with both the Vmax700 and the MM700. Never had to carry extra cans which was nice.

 

[ferniesnow]

I was amazed how good the mileage was with both the Vmax700 and the MM700. Never had to carry extra cans which was nice.

Yep, all day on $10.............so rumor has it!

 

[S.W.A.T.]

Yep, all day on $10.............so rumor has it!

Maybe I over stepped myself with my offer

 

[Tippett]

Id sell you my 03 MM if your interested.

 

[d mills]

Maybe I over stepped myself with my offer

I'm pretty sure your safe......