New sledder needs advise....

[heikki]

I havent rode a sled since napolean was a cadet.....


Just to give an idea as to where I am coming from...the last sled I rode was a 75' skiroule 340...

I live in calgary..and I am 44 yrs..6 ft 195lbs

Currently I am an avid bike rider..Motocross and enduro....I know Mclean...waiporus...ghost...and fallen timber quite well....

I also ride sportbikes(11yrs)...but I am getting out of it this year..one too many crashes....

So I am turning my attention to sleds....and have my eye on a few of the new perf trail sleds so far...so we are talking MXZ TNT or RTX..and some of the Cats with a wee bit longer track is what I had in mind 128"......

500 or 600 cc would be fine.....

BUT... I spoke with a salesman with a local shop and he laughed and said that short track sleds are never sold here in the west.....you want a long track....and big powder....with power to match...and head to the mountains

Am I being unrealistic in thinking that I cant use a trail sled here ???.....ie sundre..red deer....mclean etc....

I'm thinking a long distance ride cross country with some bumpy trails would be right up my alley....


whats the best sled for me...??


Thanks in advance Troy

[rusty]

There is a bit of truth to that statement. Not all of it but some of it. you dont have to get a mountain sled but if you get a cross over sled it will open more oppurtunities for you. a 136 inch track with a 700 cc engine is in my opinion a excellent machine for all around riding. And remember lots has changed since the last liquifire left the showroom so do lots of homework and try to ride as many as you can before commiting.

[yamaha sx700]

yah i would go with a yamaha 700cc 136" i ride a yamaha sxr 700 121" POWER TO SPARE!

[mxz sledhead]

I ride a 800 mxz with 121" track it works well on flats and in mountains
First mountain ride was in golden b.c silent pass and Mcbride .I don't put the
highest mark on the hill but i still have fun in powder made a few long-tracks
look bad doing it .this year iam upgrade to a1.5 paddle and keeping the
121 it a lot fun carving circles around longtracks ha ha

[TravisFader]

It really depends, yes track Length is a huge issue, more area on the snow=more floatation which generally means less stucks, but paddles are just as important. along with weight. Keep in mind track length isnt everything but it is a big player. Id get something like a 700. You a little bit of a bigger guy and 700 is plenty of power and track length anything over a 135, and your golden.

[grnboyz]

Welcome to S & M!!!
The sled you buy should depend on where you ride. If you know you are only running on the lakes and trails, then a 121 or 136 is fine, if you may go to the foothills or into the mountains a few times a year then buy a little longer like a 144, and if your only riding in the mountains then go with a 144 or 154. The shorter the track the easier it is to steer and manuever, with the longer track is hard to corner and steer or get around the trees on trails. Also make sure you buy a machine that you can re - learn again on, that's not too big and gets you in trouble, and that you feel comfortable on to manuever.

[Work2Ride]

I ride a 1997 700 Polaris RMK, 136" track with 1 3/4" paddles. They were sled of the year in 1997. They go for roughly 2,500-3,500, my dad use to ride it, but sold it too me. My dads 46, and a bigger guy, kinda lost interest in snowmobiling since it gives him bad back pains. I think with the way you sit up in newer sleds he may not experience it as much, but hes cheap as dirt when it comes to buying anything.

[stripe]

Welcome to snow and mud.... enjoy!

[heikki]

Originally Posted by grnboyz

Welcome to S & M!!!
The sled you buy should depend on where you ride. If you know you are only running on the lakes and trails, then a 121 or 136 is fine, if you may go to the foothills or into the mountains a few times a year then buy a little longer like a 144, and if your only riding in the mountains then go with a 144 or 154. The shorter the track the easier it is to steer and manuever, with the longer track is hard to corner and steer or get around the trees on trails. Also make sure you buy a machine that you can re - learn again on, that's not too big and gets you in trouble, and that you feel comfortable on to manuever.

I am getting a lot of great advise and view points from you guys on here......thanks !! its great to be here

I do know that I am going to buy new.....I need to research the riding area's a little better to see what is closest to me(calgary)

I really like the summit sport....not sure about those high bars and I have read some testing reports that some were not happy with its turning manners...but with the base 600 carb engine....its priced right...but I think its more of a climber....

the renegade has 136"..but the base engine is a fanner and you cant get the LC 600 in the renegade.....just the injected 600 and it is pretty pricey

but I would hate to deprive myself of a sharp turning sporty sled for learning the basic skills....and I really like the idea of groomed trails with bumps(cross) or drift busting.....I really dont want to head to the mountains for every ride....

there are a lots of really great machines entry level for 2010.....still like the sno pro...and mxz...rush..rtx....

I guess if I asked what the favorite brand is.....I would see a gazillion responses....

[lilduke]

Originally Posted by heikki

I need to research the riding area's a little better to see what is closest to me(calgary)

Golden BC is 2hours from you,,get a mountain sled...just my 2cents

[catmando]

No less than a 144,othere than that..........listen to rusty!
catmando!

[heikki]

Ok...good advise....I am starting to see the light here longer gives more options....and have done some more research....

can you recommend a 09 NYTRO MTX.......is this a reliable sled ??....I have found a new one in my price range....??? Can I use this sled every where..???

I like the phazer MTX too but its only 80hp......

are the 4 strokes reliable...they sure sound cool ???


thanks again guys

[mxz sledhead]

There nothing wrong with the 4 stokes except the weight they like to plow a little on the front it OK for trails "there no replacement for displacement"
they have good value for your buck. I,am a little old school i like the 2stroke
for there wow value just my two cents

[ratpak]

I just sold my Nytro MTX and I thought it was a great sled for playing around trails and fields with deep snow. The rails are tipped up at the rear, so it's more manouverable on hard packed trails. The torque was great and the 4 stoke was reliable as hell. And with the right pipe, they sound great.

I sold mine 'cause I wanted something that would climb higher and faster in the steep and deep. I had fun with it in the mountains, but wanted a better mountain sled with less weight. Hope this gives you something to think about. Just my 2 cents...

P.S. Look left, my avatar is me playing in 3 feet of snow on a lake in Whitecourt on my Nytro MTX.

[Philster]

To Snow and Mud.Com

Looks like You are getting great advice.