Need help buying a sled

[6 2 Carl]

I will be buying a sled soon and I am looking for some advice I figure there must be some good forums out there for snowmobiles. Any one have some links to some good snowmobiling forums?



I am looking for a multipurpose sled that can be used in all conditions, including the mountains.



I have narrowed my choices down to three sleds, Arctic Cat F7 EXT EFI, Ski-Doo Renegade 800HO, and the Polaris Switchback 800.



Here are my some of my observations, from the limited researching I can do from Louisiana (I have working down here for last two months)



Arctic Cat F7 EXT EFI - The new Arctic Cats have been getting some pretty good reviews lately. They have quite a few good things going for them. I like the EFI and good fuel economy that will come with it, along with added benefit of not having to change the jets for different weather and altitude. The diamond drive system is a superior design that saves weight and provides better braking performance. The Arctic Cat is also the lightest of the three sleds and apparently the 700 can provide performance similar to others' 800's.



The two biggest drawbacks to this sled in mind is a lack of reverse and I am concerned that the narrow 13. 5" x 144" track won't provide as much flotation as the other sleds.



Ski-Doo Renegade 800HO - This sled comes in the REV platform that seems to be all of the rage lately. This sled is almost as light as the F7, but it has reverse. The 16" x 136" track should provide a good trail and mountain compromise.



Their is no major drawbacks to this sled, except that it is more expensive if I step up to the "X" package, which includes a better brake and a few other goodies.



Polaris Switchback 800 - This sled may be overshadowed by the other two sleds, since it is basically a carry over from last year. However it is still a good sled that has gotten a lot of praise over the last few years. I also should be able to find a better deal on last year’s models. One of the drawbacks to this sled is that it is the heaviest of the three sleds.



Does anyone have any experience with any of the three sleds listed above? Has there been any comparison test in the magazines during the last couple of months? Snowmobile magazines are pretty hard to come by down here in Louisiana.



Carl

 

[wyosteve]

You might check out www.snowest.com.

 

[MrWinkey]

Snowest is one of the better snowmobile forums.



Are you planning on trying to work with this sled or just ride it in the mountians for fun?



I would recomend getting as long a track as possible if your going to ride in the mountians... ... when there is chest deep powder anything shorter than a 151 will require a good rider.



Oh the other good snowmobile magazine is called SnowTech. I would see if you can order some back issues.

 

[David Pendleton]

You should buy either the Polaris or Cat.



Why? Both are made in the USA. Ski Doo is a fine sled, but is manufactured in Canada.



Both Polaris and Artic Cat are manufactured in Minnesota.



I have a Polaris Indy and I am very happy with it.

 

[JoshPeters]

I would send a PM to each of these guys... . They are great guys, and both have spent quite a bit of time riding out west. SpicyJam and ChillyDog.



Any questions these guys should be able to answer!



Josh

 

[HoleshotHolset]

My vote would be for the Yamaha RX-1. Here's a really good article covering that sled when it first came out: http://www.snowtechmagazine.com/articles/rx-1.html



Matt

 

[NIsaacs]

"Dang-nabit," when I saw the post I thought it was in reference to Sled, as in Sled pulls, I opened it, thinking maybe it was some one in Arizona , they don't have any here, gas or diesel :{



"NICK"

 

[JR2]

There all good sleds but I would stay away from the skinny track Cat, Go for the skidoo as the Rev is susposed to be very nice. I have not ridden ony yet, but I know several (make that many) guys here in AK that have all switched to Skidoo just to get the Rev chasis.



As for track lenght, go for a 166x16, same foot print as a 151x15.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

As for track lenght, go for a 166x16, same foot print as a 151x15.

Um not quite, but I know what you mean. 144x16 has just a bit more footprint than a 151x15.



Ski-Doo hands down. My buddy has an 800 SKS and another has an 800 Renagade. The 136x15 Renagade will walk all over the 144x15 SKS. But both sleds do all terrain fairly well. Everyone else is playing catch up to the Rev platform.

 

[6 2 Carl]

Ski Doo is a fine sled, but is manufactured in Canada.

You just convinced me to buy a Ski Doo; I need to support the homeland, eh



OFitzgerald, This sled will just be a fun toy for me, I have an old Snow Cruiser to do the work around the farm. I will be using this sled primarily on prairies, with an occasional trip to the mountains, so I really don't want a dedicated mountain sled.



Right now I am leaning towards the Skidoo, I will let you guys know which sled I buy next week. Thanks for the insight.



Carl

 

[98rammer]

i have an 03 Firecat F7 efi. i love the machine. it has a narrower taller feel than the older chassis. and the throttle response of the motor is the best i've felt in any machine i've driven. the 04s and newer are detuned a lot from the factory, though the brochure wont tell you that.



Tom

 

[HoleshotHolset]

I'm really surprised that I'm the only one pushing the RX-1. AND, I'm thoroughly disappointed that this is the only 4-stroke machine available...



TMTT - you got one... talk about it!



Matt

 

[HoleshotHolset]

$12k looks like it buys a lot of sled, Dan...



Them are some purty looking beasts...



Matt

 

[98rammer]

if arctic cat put a turbo 4 stroke (not necessarily 660) into the firecat chassis with some real power..... *drool*

 

[MKoth]

Yams are great sleds, I'd seriously look at one if I was in the market.



Personally, my favorite is the Redline

#ad

I have read in various snowmobile mags that the company that makes the redline sleds is in bad finacial shape, and may not be around too much longer.



For what they want for one, I would buy a new Polaris Fusion and an awfull nice trailer.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

Redline has already filed for bankruptcy. They are done & gone.

 

[Cummins Pilot]

But only prototypes for magazine testing were realesed.

 

[Extreme1]

I'm really surprised that I'm the only one pushing the RX-1. Matt

I'm not, those things are HEAVY! I know they are lighter than they were and they are very light for a 4 stroke but I'd rather push my F7.

AND, I'm thoroughly disappointed that this is the only 4-stroke machine available...

Matt

What about the Vector? Or are you refering to it being the only 4 stroke mountain sled? A cowerker just bought a Vector, I can't wait to try it out.



As for the sled choice debate, I recommend the F7 for what it sounds like you want to do with it. I'm not making the recommendation because I was a Cat racer for many years, I recommend it because I think it would be the most fun to ride in the situations you describe.



I rode a REV last year. It was nice for about 10-15 minutes, then I realized that I could only move my feet a few inches forward or backward from where they were. The REV riders seem to need more frequent leg stretch breaks than they did pre-REV.



The Polaris might be pretty good too but the F7 really hauls and mine gets 15 mpg trail riding.

 

[HoleshotHolset]

What about the Vector? Or are you refering to it being the only 4 stroke mountain sled? A cowerker just bought a Vector, I can't wait to try it out.

I stand corrected. I was under the impression that the RX-1 was the only 4-stroker out there. The Vector looks pretty sweet - I just watched a promo video here on Yamaha's website.



Matt

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

TMTT - you got one... talk about it!



Matt

#ad




I will tell ya it can be a handfull OUT of corners! the power is nothing short of linear. there is torque Everywhere and especially off the stop. She likes to lift the front easily (the 04's do anyhow) so if your exit point isn't where ya want it you better be prepared to put up a fight as she builds steam stoopid quick. Corner entry is tricky as off throttle engine braking is pretty pronounced and sends weight forward and makes sure those ski runners bite in hard ... . real hard. Out on the lake or on a nice traight be forwarned the sound is wickedly intoxicating... . allmost f1 like. The F7 or zr900 may take her on the lake ... maybee I dunno I had mine @ 117 and was scared poopless of a rift so I let off as two died the week before on that same lake.



Pros = watching your pals huff and cuss at that stiff 700 motor and snapped pull cords when it's 0* outside and you flick a key and that gnarly burble starts to eminate steam and it's the only sled you hear running. . . . ... priceless. Did I say Torque? Lighting at nite is sick and guages are sweet. Skid up to any pump and not once wonder if you need oil? Reverse I have to say has spoiled me thanks to the Ski-Doo crowd. Fast as stink and glove melting warmers. Footwells are deep and keep you planted. Camoplast =



Cons = Storage . . yeah you got pockets don't ya? Heavy ... yes when you become a ditch pickle you got some work ahead of you. Steering linkage is rattly but taught. Yamaha still belives there is no such thing as a heated face shield input. Footwells allthough deep are shallow in length. Semi Flatslides are getting old.



Psst Dan . . Did you know they also play well with Cummins??

http://www.1redline.com/pages/cummins.html



#ad






<hr>



me ... it's all 'bout the Blade



http://www.bladesnowmobiles.com/flash/bladehigh.htm



#ad