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Sled technology

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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
im very new to the snowmobile industry and im looking into purchasing one. has there been any huge technology changes in the past years? besides light four strokes. im looking into like 00', or 01' sleds...
thanks
Sep 18 2007 11:16AM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
anyyone?
Sep 18 2007 1:08PM
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Switchin_Dirty
Posts: 2012 - Karma: 107
theres a new one that weighs less than 500lbs I think. ski-doo made it. check out the websites...
Sep 18 2007 1:16PM
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duhamelski
Posts: 3842 - Karma: 192
if your going to drive in powder dont go below 600 ccs. 700-800 is ideal
Sep 18 2007 1:30PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
^^thanks, but im more wondering if there was like a change in technology around 04' that makes riding in powder wayyy easier or not. i just dont wanna get screwed.
Sep 18 2007 5:52PM
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waynewong
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 23
The biggest changes have been in engine/mass placement and suspension

Engine mass has been moved closer to the rider and the riders position has been placed closer and higher relative to the engine...this in conjunction with increased travel and better suspension and tunnel configurations has revolutionized deep snow sledding...If budget is of primary concer I would suggest a first generation Ski Doo Rev (600cc minimum)

600 is just fine for most riders, more important you need at least a 144-inch track...BUT just like skis the longer you go, the harder it is for turning


some options to look for include lefty throttle, and handle bar risers...be cautious when buying used

we beat the living fuck out of our sleds and even modest use can impose hard damage

look to spend about 4K for a decent reliable deep snow sled

if that is too much look for a modded 01 RMK - tons of parts out there and EASY to maintain
Sep 18 2007 6:17PM
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MadSteezin
Posts: 4572 - Karma: 936
That reminds me of Yeah Dude when John is talking about how everybody was complaining about riding on all the rocks and that it was messing things up on the snowmobiles.
Sep 18 2007 6:21PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
awesome, thank you. is the RMK a polaris? and i think i may be able to put out 4 grand into one. but i also need to buy a trailer. wat would be a good year/model for three to four grand? and is there any certain company that is most reliable?
Sep 18 2007 7:40PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
come on...
Sep 19 2007 12:02AM
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kabozo101
Posts: 4429 - Karma: 20
get an arctic cat or ski doo. i would never get a yamaha or polaris
Sep 19 2007 7:01AM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
whys that?
Sep 19 2007 10:46AM
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kabozo101
Posts: 4429 - Karma: 20
its just who i trust. my dad has an arctic cat from 1989 and it still runs good.. not as fast as a new sled but it does 70 in a small field. and we have a 01 ski doo and its running great and is a rocket ship
Sep 19 2007 3:18PM
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ian_provo
Posts: 288 - Karma: 425
Look into the Ski Doo Rev XP. Along with the "older" rev Chassis, the new XP is the greatest technological advance in snow machine history. I think its a bit out of your realm though...
Sep 19 2007 4:20PM
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chickenwang
Posts: 5639 - Karma: 40
the new yamaha apex mt fx or w/e lookssssss so fatt
but its like 12 grand :(
boooo
Sep 19 2007 4:24PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
sounds to me like any ski doo built on the REV platform is a very safe bet...
Sep 19 2007 5:18PM
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waynewong
Posts: 1359 - Karma: 23
A used double place ride off tilt trailer should be cheap, under 500$...you can probably get someone to throw one in with their sled.

Look for a ride off trailer and definetly get a two placer...got to have a buddy with you, solo trips are sketchy...sleds break down and you can cover some big miles in a short period of time...a blown clutch 10miles deap into some back country can equal a death march out


The RMK (rock mountain king) was the gold standard of highmark powder style sleds for many years...I owned a 2000 RMK 700 with a 144 inch track and it kicked ass. I see local ads for similar sleds for 3K (which is reasonable if it was well maintained)

Do youself a favor and make any sale contigent on a shop tech looking it over...


4K should get you a dope ride with a trailer...

happy highmarks... BBBRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
Sep 19 2007 7:42PM
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MLB
Posts: 4462 - Karma: 298
turbos are the newer tech, and well as detonation control, fuel injection, 4 strokes.
Sep 19 2007 7:45PM
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eljefe
Posts: 915 - Karma: 467
I have the perfect sled and trailer combination for sale. Pm me
Sep 19 2007 10:34PM
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BigJew
Posts: 6974 - Karma: 79
My neighbor has a $40 000 sled, he pays a jockey to race it. I think he has too much money.
Sep 19 2007 11:08PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
nice, this thread has been very helpful
Sep 20 2007 10:55AM
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CHRISm
Posts: 291 - Karma: 10
I've got an '06 apex mtn. sickest sled i've ever ridden, by far.
Sep 20 2007 11:42AM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
i dont feel like speninding the big bucks on 4 stroke technology...
Sep 20 2007 3:09PM
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Carrphotography
Posts: 590 - Karma: 95
What's the general consensous with the Ski Doo freestyles?  
Sep 20 2007 3:23PM
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mtsteeze406
Posts: 447 - Karma: 11
i have another question, is a 600 enough power? im a fairly big guy....5'8" 160 pounds
Sep 21 2007 1:03AM
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CHRISm
Posts: 291 - Karma: 10
600cc would be ok if you lived out east, and just ripped around fields and frozen lakes. Your profile says you live in MT though, which means deep snow, hillclimbs, and boondockin'. get an 800cc with a 144" track or longer. most 800's will put you in the ballpark of 120ish horsepower which is what you're gonna need for climbs in the deep stuff, if you get a 600, you're likely to bog down, and nobody likes getting stuck mid hillclimb.
Sep 21 2007 4:16PM
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snowbird4life
Posts: 2265 - Karma: 26
i wouldnt recommend anything under 700cc with 800 being the most suitable.
Sep 21 2007 5:13PM
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eljefe
Posts: 915 - Karma: 467
^ for reference most 600 class machines are in the 120 range for horsepower. 7 and 800's are 140 and up, with the 1000 class hitting around 160 stock...
Sep 25 2007 3:26PM
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