Snowmobiles

[45A1]

Does anyone know of a site similar to this that deals with snowmobiles? I cant believe the amount of information available here... ... now if I start bombing my sled things could get out of hand

 

[ChillyDog]

Try www.Trailconditions.com or www.amsnow.com Both are good sites with lots of info, they are a little slow during the summer months though! What kind of sled do you ride?

 

[45A1]

I just sold a polaris xcr 600. I'm looking to get a twin cylinder sled, maybe a ski-doo mxz. Suspension travel is my main concern, I'm not too sure how big of a motor I need. Any thoughts on the mxzx 440? Is that enough sled? I like the upright handlebars etc... but am wondering how hard it would be to put a bigger rotax in down the road.

 

[ChillyDog]

Personally I would not buy a sled under 600cc but that is just my opinion. My Dad bought a MXZ 440 a few years ago and sold it in about 2 weeks, just not enough power! The new 600 twins are really good sleds and make a lot of power compared to 600's from just a few years ago. I rode a 600XC last year and was very impressed with the sled and the power that little 600 makes.

 

[BFaoro]

I have a Polaris 700 RMK, it is a neck snapper. The power at 11,000 feet is just awesome, the biggest problem with mine is ... . me I have to try stupid things and then I get into trouble !!I guesss that is why I bought it !! I wouldn't go any smaller than a 600 though, IMHO

 

[45A1]

Thanks, that kind of confirms what i was suspicious of. I know I'll always want more power. I also tend to get myself in trouble on the sled... . even with an older 600. Maybe I'll quit fooling around and step right up to an 800..... or a thundercat??

 

[X-10]

45A1, if you do any riding out west or mountain riding, you might also check out www.snowest.com. It deals more with mountain sleds but has some good info.

 

[Jeff H]

Come on get a THUNDER CAT 1000.

 

[ChillyDog]

That's all we need is a guy who has problems staying in control of a 600cc sled getting on a 1000cc Thunderchicken! This sport has enough problems already and doesn't need more acccidents or deaths!!!

 

[JR2]

I am with Chilldog on this one. I live in Alaska and we had over 30 people killed on snowmobiles this year. Granted that half were in the bush where they they are driven like cars. Buy a sled that you can ride and control. We have enough problems with land access and other issues.



Now if you really have to have the baddest moutian sled in the world check out the CMX .



Or check out my winter fun pic at the end of my sig.

 

[Jeff H]

Whats the size of the engine got to do with geting people killed. I own a 440. So that must mean you are gonna hit that tree harder with that 600. I don't care if its a 120 or 1000. You can get killed on them all. Just sound stupid to say yer gonna get killed if yer on a 1000. Just remember this. Who's driving You or the Machine.

 

[JR2]

Jeff - I am with you... you can die on any machine, but up here and in the west... a thunder kitty is used for one thing... going up. Highmarking kills. I have lost one friend to this already. Nuff said.



Ride responsibily

Ride sober

Have fun.

 

[ChillyDog]

Jeff, If you go back and reread 45A1's earlier post he stated that he gets himself into trouble on an old 600 triple. If that's the case I think it's safe to say that he should not ride a thundercat? I know the size of the sled doesn't kill people, people being stupid and riding beyond their abilities is what kills and we do not need any more bad press! And I am not against big HP sleds, I personally ride an 800.

 

[Utah Willie]

Both my wife and I ride 98 Arctic Cat Powder Special 600s (our fourth set of sleds) and find them capable of getting us anywhere we want to go and in any snow condition. I am sure a more powerful sled would suit many who relished the 80 to 100 MPH trail rides or the cornice crashing hill climb, but the relatively light weight of our sleds does allow this old (67) body a better chance to lift and drag when we do get in over our heads. Here in the West, we sled on ungroomed trails and unmarked forest roads and meadows as well as the occasional trip through the trees. Those 2" paddles on the long track and 105 HP come in real handy.

 

[Mill Rat]

I am sorry to say We have our share of sled accident deaths around here, also. There is one sentence that frequently appears in the newspaper articles about these accidents - "Alcohol is believed to have been a factor. " Something to think about.

I won't ride the trails on Saturday nights because drinking is really a problem around here then.

On the lighter side, I'm pretty happy with my XC 600.

 

[Amianthus]

I'm kinda surprised that Extreme1 hasn't added his $. 02. Now there's a guy who's taken BOMBing to an extreme with sleds. I think his sled makes as much HP as my truck, at least based on what he's told me.

Mill Rat, fortuneately we haven't had any sledding accidents here (in at least 4years) but we're ready with our Rescue-bogin (sp?). It's funny how you bring up "Alcohol Related". While I cannot disagree with you that getting on a high power sled after getting thrown out of the local tavern is not a rocket scientist manuever, I will say this. Around here, If your sober, your passenger is OTLL, and you're driving a sled and you get in an accident, the crash is alcohol related. I don't believe that alcohol plays a factor in a crash if the driver is sober, but that's what happened to a friend of mine. She was driving sober, he was . 08 and was her passanger. She got into some bad ruts on a bridge and rolled the machine over. They're both fine. But they (local sheriff's office) classified the accident as Alcohol Related. Just a thought.

 

[Speedo]

Originally posted by JR2

Jeff - I am with you... you can die on any machine, but up here... ... .





You can get yourself in trouble on just about

anything, the most important thing is to use

your head. I ride a 2001 800 High Mark and the

wife ride a 700 High Mark. I've taken Avalanche

Awareness classes, I always wear a beacon when I

ride, carry a shovel and probes on me and keep

my eyes open. Alaska is a beautiful place to ride

and I expect to be doing it for many more years.