First Sled Suggestions????

[wildboar6768]

Looking to buy my first snowmobile this season. Kind of on a tight budget so looking for suggestions for a sled. Looking for something with serviceability and readily available aftermarket parts so I can improve it at my leisure.

[dieseldude]

hehe, your in trouble, once ya get a sled you think you will be happy with, you get too comfortable, bored and almost always want more machine.
here are a few ideas that may help.
1. if your a speed freak - dont settle with something small, you will get bored. (anything over 600cc is expensive to insure)
2. if you like jumping, ditchbanging etc. dont get an old guys machine, you will regret it. look for something with great suspension, rebuildable shocks, etc.
3. dont skimp or cheat yourself out of something you really want, its way more expensive to find out your dream sled is a slug and sell it in a year, buy more than what you want now, and you will be happier later;)
4. always, always stick with ski-doo:cool:, i was thinking about jumping the fence this year, but i woke up!:D
5. have fun , ride safe, and let us know what you decided to buy.

mike

[POLARBEAR]

it is always nice to buy new but it isnt worth it with snow machines. i bought mine in '96. i think it was the winter of '97 we had bad elnino and didnt ride at all. not even once. but i still made my payment. my $6500 sled ended up costing me over $10,000. not a good investment. not including the cost of riding.

i am partial to ski-doo they are all good.
first time rider buy under 600cc.
i like reverse and electric start.
if it snows you better go. snow melts quick. the best time to ride is weekdays. good luck. p.b.

[wildboar6768]

Is there a mileage limit I should consider? IS one brand of machine easier to work on vs. another?

[POLARBEAR]

i wouldnt know about what brand may be easier to work on. but do know that my buddies yamaha wouldnt go as far as my skidoo on a tank of gas. almost a 3 gallon difference in mileage. i think that is another good reason to stay under 600 cc.

sledding is allot of fun. i have about 5000 miles on my skidoo. i really enjoy it. you could buy a new sled and never get the chance to ride it. i hear of machines going for sale all the time because of financial problems or because of lack of use. thats why i suggest buying a used one. p.b.

[FASTRNU]

wildboar6768, I have one word for you whether you want new or used-Canada. If you want more info let me know. I just live down the road from you if you want to check out my sleds.

[dieseldude]

fastrnu,
the sled you just got was from canada, i heard that was not a LEGAL practice. i definately interested in hearing what you have to say. you can post it or send me a p.m. , im planning on ordering a new machine in the spring...
thanks.
mike

[Al, L]

I agree buy a sled at the end of snow season if you want a new one. You can save thousands that way. buying used is also a good way to streach your dollars.
:( Dealers are important, in the sence you don't want to drive 2 or 300 miles to get a part or if you can't do a repair your self you don't want the dealer to have the sled all season just to change a shock lets say.
In 1972 I bought a cat the dealer was 6 miles away. I had to drive 50 miles to buy cleets for it cause the dealer didn't stock them.
:D Al

[wildboar6768]

I sent you a PM FASTRNU.