Anyone Snowmobile? Need advice.

[67rsconvert]

Thinking of picking up a used sled for my folks cabin in Idaho. My dad has a RMK700 or 800 and I like it but would like something that is a little more comfortable and hopefully still as quick. Most riding is groomed with some stretches of high bumps(2-3ft) so I need something that can soak those bumps/jumps up and that has reverse. I don't think a 500-650cc sled will fit the bill for me speed wise. I'll only be riding about 2 weeks per year.

Thanks for any advice!

[Rybar]

I am looking to buy one myself. Only one word to say: Ski-Doo REV platform with an 800cc and unless you do hillclimbing you wont need the long track. But they are by far the best sleds to ride. Let me know what you decide! :cheers:

[monza]

I am looking to buy one myself. Only one word to say: Ski-Doo REV platform with an 800cc and unless you do hillclimbing you wont need the long track. But they are by far the best sleds to ride. Let me know what you decide! :cheers:

I'll agree with that, except he won't be doing much mountain riding so might better to get a track type set up like a MXZ. Also the new REV is having some issue's mostly in the clutch.
Arctic Cat makes a great sled these days as well. I've had both in the last year and I like the Arctic a bit better. That says alot since I've been a Skidoo guy for ten+ years. (thats like a Chevy guy getting a mustang!)

If your looking for a groomed trail rider and it won't ever see deep pow mountain riding look more into the MXZ from Skidoo or Crossfire from Arctic cat. Get the newest you can afford, massive changes for the better on all sleds over the last few years (suspension, handling, weight, power)

Same as anything you get what you pay for...

[XcYZ]

Bring on the snow. :woot:

Where about in Idaho is your parents cabin? I've ridden in the Island Park area. I've also ridden the Snowy Range and Togwotee Pass area in Wyoming. There's nothing better than mountain riding!

[NOVA]

Bring on the snow. :woot: There's nothing better than mountain riding!

I went to Colorado last year and rode with some friends (first time for me) wow it was fun, but do not get stuck if your coming from sea level and out of shape @ 10,000 Ft!

We also rode way back into this valley that was un touched by anyone else, wide open with deep powder what a blast just hit the throttle and go! it was perfect!

I was using a new Artic Cat, nice machine!

[67rsconvert]

Bring on the snow. :woot:

Where about in Idaho is your parents cabin? I've ridden in the Island Park area. I've also ridden the Snowy Range and Togwotee Pass area in Wyoming. There's nothing better than mountain riding!

It is in Priest Lake....400 miles of groomed trails literally out the back door. I love it out there summer and winter.

Thanks for the advice so far. There may be some deep snow/mountain riding in the future as my skills improve but it would be a small amount of the total. Sidehilling is still a bit of an a$$ puckering experience for me. We usually ride for a few hours at a stretch and if the groomer hasn't been it can be a real bumpy ride, especially at the speeds my dad likes to ride at....he's 70 years old and still likes to hotdog! Here are some pics from riding last december up there.
http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/DSC00140Large.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/DSC00139Large.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/DSC00147Large.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/DSC00146Large.jpg

[jeff hanson]

I've ridden quite a few different machines and would only consider a Cat or Ski-doo. In that order. Good luck, have fun!:thumbsup: Let it snow!

[steemin]

I have owned several different brands of sleds over the years and the new REV chassis by Ski Doo has turned the snomobiling world on its ear. The rider forward design is comfortable and makes average riders look like pro's.
I rented a REV 600 4 years ago in West Yellowstone and the first thing I did when I got home was to trade in my Polaris on a new REV. My 600 HO Adrenalin is as fast out of the hole as any stock 700 or 800 I have ran against and it tops out at around 105 mph.(there is an 800 model available)
The Polaris RMK's are long track sleds that are designed for climbing and it sucks on the trails.Been there done that.
The Rev is available in the Adrenaline or the Renegade package.
The renagade is a slightly longer track and is a pretty good set up if you like to get off the trail for a little powder play time...
Good luck and have fun:bow:
Scott

[EFI]

I have owned several different brands of sleds over the years and the new REV chassis by Ski Doo has turned the snomobiling world on its ear.

I with Scott!

We have a 600 and 800 and they're both great machines!

I love speed, but don't under estimate the 600 either. It's not quite as fast as the 800, but it's quick and nimble on the trails. Sorta like racing a 750cc bike vs a 1000cc bike on track day. The 1000 is faster on the straights, but the 750 will win the race in the turns.


Have fun!


________________________
- Dan

[67rsconvert]

Well, I decided to buy a new Rev xp Mxz TNT(damn, could the name be any longer?). Seems like a great value. Thanks for the advice, I hope the new Rev platform is as good as I am hearing.

[monza]

You'll like that!! If you ever get the itch for big mountain riding in Alberta/ B.C. shoot me a email. I'll help you get good and stuck!

[67rsconvert]

Only 20 miles from the border of Canada, may have to take you up on that! This sled isn't long enough to get up the mountains well though, only a 120" track.

[907rs]

You'd be surprised where a short track will take you once you're proficient in the steep and deep.

[cam]

REV is the only way to go right now you made a wise choice IMO. Wish I was buying a new sled this year but alas a new shop has me mired in new bills so no new toys for a while

[67rsconvert]

I may try to sneak back up there in February and try to hit some deeper stuff. I am hoping the 399lb weight will allow me to stay on top of the powder a little better than the 120" track would normally allow. Real excited to pick it up on Dec. 22nd, I'll be up there for two weeks to break it in:unibrow:

[monza]

When you get the skills, the short track will work fine in the powder. Until then, it's a great work out!

[67rsconvert]

well crap, I have decided to get the 800 Renegade to head off outgrowing it too soon and am now spending even more on a snowmobile than I planned. Perhaps this is why my car projects blow through every budget I set:lol:

[Rybar]

well crap, I have decided to get the 800 Renegade to head off outgrowing it too soon and am now spending even more on a snowmobile than I planned. Perhaps this is why my car projects blow through every budget I set:lol:

Sweet man, let's see some pics! :D

[67rsconvert]

I pick it up on the 22nd of December. It will be ready though next week at the dealer I bought it at in Idaho. Waiting will be painful! :willy:

[67rsconvert]

Well it was a fantastic trip! I leave again in a couple weeks. Love the Renegade.

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/IMG_0642.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/IMG_0634.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/IMG_0633.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/IMG_0612.jpg

http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q128/heydernitz/IMG_0636.jpg

[Bowtieracing]

What a beautifull scenes!!!!!!!

Where were you 67rsconvert ????

[steemin]

Looks like west Yelowstone area.
Perhaps Lions Head or Two tops trails?
I just got back from there 2 weeks ago.
The conditions were perfect:thumbsup:
Scott

[Rybar]

:hail: :hail: Beautiful machine and pics. Daaaaammnn that looks like so much fun!! :thumbsup:

[67rsconvert]

That is Northern Idaho. Snow is awesome right now. Gade is a great trail sled and good for the usual powder but not so good in the deep light powder we had up there. It is the type of powder you can't even make a snowball with it is so light and dry. Step off your sled and drop in up to your armpits :unibrow:

[Rybar]

What are the specs of the Gade? Size motor and track? I am trying to decide between a Gade 800 or a Summit 800. The local dealer has suggested the Summit 800 146" for my area.

[monza]

Summit Rybar!

[67rsconvert]

It really depends on where you like to ride. The gade is 16"(other makes are only 15") x 137" and is a total blast on the trails, handles great and eats up the bumps really well. It has decent flotation also but in really deep mountain powder you will want to be behind someone on a mountain sled. You can also add a float plate, wider skis and a 1.75" track and probably go most anywhere. I have been in deep powder with mine and it did pretty well unless I let off the throttle or was tentative, then the track would just sink. To be fair though, mountain sleds were getting stuck also, the snow was just so soft and deep.

If you are doing mostly mountain riding I would go with a Summit for sure. They still handle decently on the trail but you'll need to slide the rear end out to hit the apex's :yes: . I wouldn't get the 146" track though, get the 154".

[Rybar]

It really depends on where you like to ride. The gade is 16"(other makes are only 15") x 137" and is a total blast on the trails, handles great and eats up the bumps really well. It has decent flotation also but in really deep mountain powder you will want to be behind someone on a mountain sled. You can also add a float plate, wider skis and a 1.75" track and probably go most anywhere. I have been in deep powder with mine and it did pretty well unless I let off the throttle or was tentative, then the track would just sink. To be fair though, mountain sleds were getting stuck also, the snow was just so soft and deep.

If you are doing mostly mountain riding I would go with a Summit for sure. They still handle decently on the trail but you'll need to slide the rear end out to hit the apex's :yes: . I wouldn't get the 146" track though, get the 154".

Well I want something that would be best of both worlds. When I do hit mountains it will hold it's own, but I want it also to be quick and nimble through corners on the trails. I don't want a super long track sled because of this. I was told the Gade is better for corner carving since it's wider (ski's) and the summit is obviously better for mountain riding.

I could get this sled, or that sweet '55 Chevy Hardtop in the for sale section. :_paranoid