Newbie to sledding, need opions

[boxer]

I am thinking about getting my first sled and need help. I have only ridden a sled twice. Been quading and dirt biking all my life. My main use for the sled would be trail riding and finding some powder in a mountain meadow. No huge hill climbing. I am looking for info on what a good intermediate level sled would be. I guess a cross country sled is what i want. My budget is around $5500. Reliability is more important to me that a super light sled so i have heard that a four stroke might be the way to go. Also i have been told a 144 to 154 tracks is a good cross country track length?? What sled should i be looking for and what track size?? Thanks

 

[boxer]

Some people have been telling me that the four stroke yamaha phazers are a bulletproof sled.

 

[BRP QSC]

why don't you get out on a 600... say Polaris or the older 700 nice light sleds and can be used in almost any condition. BUT!!!!! sorry to say once you get a TASTE of the mountain powder its hard to stay on the trail. Most of us on here or should say sledders are powder junkies and yes the deeper the better. Revs are great machines. Just figured that if you bike you will not want a 4 stroke tank for the snow or at least not for the first sled

 

[boxer]

My local dealer is letting me demo a 2005 Polaris 700 next weekend. 145" track i think?? I am not a huge polaris fan but i am going to give them all a fiar shot before i make my decision plus i really dont know much about them.

 

[BRP QSC]

ask on here in the Polaris section. did you know look on the skidoo website and the price of a new one might surprise you. Its not a 163 summit X but I think around 8500 and getting closer to the end of the year with thin snow you might get a great deal

 

[boxer]

My budget is around $5500

 

[pano-dude]

this topic has been beaten over and over.

choose a machine that is all stock, an lady driven if possible

my personal choice is an m7 the only draw back is no reverse

 

[MOMMA]

Mare from the site has a wonderful M7 for sale with lots of extras smack dab in your budget. A wicked sled for everything and well taken care of.
REDUCED !! M7 153" Awesome Sled.. needs nothing, MUST GO !! - St. Albert Snowmobiles For Sale - Kijiji St. Albert Canada.

 

[Poleman]

Find a Polaris 600 RMK 144 2009 or newer and you will be set. Reliable and excellent overall for what you want!

 

[whitegold]

the link to go to kijiji doesn't work...

 

[ippielb]

arctic cat laydown 700's are bullet proof if you leave them stock and make sure it has fuel and oil. I'd recommend an m7 or m6.

 

[DDrake]

M7 would be a great sled for a first ride but as stated above no reverse is a bummer.M6 also a good choice if you can find one in your budget and it has reverse.

 

[Dakine879]

i got a used M8 153" this year (dec 2013) as my first decent sized sled., very happy with the machine and i went with the Arctic Cat from all the reliability stories i've read, 600km later and no issues...It would be higher than your price range, but the chassis the same as the M7 or M6 as recommended above, i would also suggest the M chassis sled.

 

[skrat]

I started out on a 2007 iq 700 Polaris. Very under rated sled. Truly a pull and go reliable sled.


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[boxer]

thinking about a phazer 4 stroke with the 144 track as i dont need a huge power machine but is that machine too small power wise. I am 6'2" 200 lbs. I like the reliability of the four stroke.

 

[DDrake]

thinking about a phazer 4 stroke with the 144 track as i dont need a huge power machine but is that machine too small power wise. I am 6'2" 200 lbs. I like the reliability of the four stroke.

I really think that you will be dissappointed with the phazer. 80 hp will get to be not enough pretty quick and you will wish you had picked up something with a little more juice. If you are set on a 4-stroke then there are quite a few nytros available. 4-stroke reliability and 130 hp. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

 

[boxer]

I really think that you will be dissappointed with the phazer. 80 hp will get to be not enough pretty quick and you will wish you had picked up something with a little more juice. If you are set on a 4-stroke then there are quite a few nytros available. 4-stroke reliability and 130 hp. Hope this helps and good luck with your search.

thanks, for the great info. ya maybe a nitro would be the way to go for me??. what about the vectors or apex witht he 144 or 154 tracks. i know they are a bit heavy but i heard that they are pretty reliable?? is there any difference between the apex, vector and rx1?? or are they just different names for the same sled??

 

[Rjjtcross8]

Are you looking for something mountain specific? Of a crossover sled? A 144 to 154 is typically not defined as cross country. Sounds like you are after something that is set up for trail but can have mountain potential if need be. The 137 to 144 length sleds with the wider ski stance are a better fit.

 

[DDrake]

They are 4-strokes so they should be reliable. i don't have any first hand experience with any of the sleds that you listed above but I think you will have a harder time finding one in your budget than a nytro. These seem more readily available and are a little less money to begin with so resale prices so be a little lower .

 

[boxer]

Are you looking for something mountain specific? Of a crossover sled? A 144 to 154 is typically not defined as cross country. Sounds like you are after something that is set up for trail but can have mountain potential if need be. The 137 to 144 length sleds with the wider ski stance are a better fit.

trail with mountain potential sounds right for me.