Sooo if a guy was coming back...?

Ballzdeep said:

That's no help Doug haha jk. would you advise staying away from a 154? if only getting into the steep N deep 4-5 times a year.

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DRD said:

Buy a XM or T3, less disappointment when it sits there and you realize you can’t get out as much as you think you will. I’m thinking of jumping back in as well, Joe is just about ready.

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ferniesnow said:

Well Dave, interesting opening post. You didn't mention the last sled that you had; a Rev, XP, or an XM but I will say the G4 is head and shoulders above and the improvements are amazing (starting in '08 we have bought 10 new Doos so I think we have a handle on what's going on). We have had 3 G4's (all 165 x 3") and no issues with regards to belts and heat (2 '17's, an '18 and a snow checked '19). We are not chute climbers on long wide open pulls but rather shorter tree riding pulls in deep snow. It will be hard to separate the BS regarding a used sled and who knows what really is a good sled on Kijiji as it is hard to find honest people these days. The "updates" for the '17's could include a new type of belt, finned secondary clutch face, wiring harness fix, motor mount shims, and a brace or support for the bulkhead. Some got them all and others picked some of the updates and didn't get others.

We bought 2 17's and both were great sleds and both were on original belts. My wife's sled popped a motor with 1357 km on it. A freaky thing and the service people didn't know what caused it. That year I toured 200 people in the trees around Fernie and there was not one issue with a G4 and it was a very popular release that year. Lots of the '17's were great and had no issues. IMHO, the "power" isn't noticeable with the 850 (6% more cc's.....big whoppy deal) but the big difference is the track/gearing and the torque that is produced. A great sled to ride and will get you to places easier that other sleds only dreamed about.

From what I have read, BRP has a program this year for any of the known G4 belt eaters to have some upgrades done to motor mounts, etc.. (not sure what else but Norona did a write-up about it a while ago). If you can find a "clean sled" and you feel you can trust the seller go for it. I don't think you will be disappointed.

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tex78 said:

Holy sh! T are you polluted with Polaris gin and juice

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skegpro said:

So let me get this straight.
You popped an engine an the mechanics have no idea what failed?

They just simply replaced the engine?

Maybe try the kill switch first?

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ferniesnow said:

You sure have a habit of twisting things around.

I explained the whole scenario last winter but to refresh your memory we took the sled to the dealer. It was quite an ordeal to get it out of the bush at -25 but we did it without a chopper. They opened it up and it was a mess. Service manager said, "when you pop a motor you sure do a good job!" I'm assuming that it was such a mess that they couldn't tell/find the initial problem.

You have a bad taste in your mouth regarding the G4's and it shows in most posts. It is time to move on and I hope you enjoy your ride this winter.

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skegpro said:

So let me get this straight.
You popped an engine an the mechanics have no idea what failed?

They just simply replaced the engine?

Maybe try the kill switch first?

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Alpine_Bound said:

I have a 17 with 3200 Km on it, has had a few notable issues so far,

Threads were pulled for the bolt that secures the belt tensioner, allowing the secondary to go fully open and destroyed my first belt. This showed up on my 3rd ride on it. Then the engine just randomly would not start after shutting it off with less than 500 km on the sled, I was left on my own to figure this one out, turned out to be a shorted grip heater. The pipe fell apart around 2200km and was replaced on warranty. Rave valve servo motor failed at about 2900 km and was replaced on warranty. Took the sled in to the dealer at the 3200 km mark because it wasn't starting well and not holding RPM, was told the pistons had collapsed and compression was down to 100 psi. New top end installed on warranty after waiting 2 months for parts.

I am only on my 3rd belt with it, I don't really count the 1st one so I can't say its been any worse on belts than the last 4 Summits I have owned. I would recommend a lightly used or holdover 18 over a 17, but mine is for sale if you are interested in a 17 with a fresh top end

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niner said:

Just buy a 175 g4 and don’t look back. That will be the sled to beat this winter.

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DaveB said:

This whole idea (thread) was started because I saw a couple of ‘17’s on Kijiji for less than $10k. Ya, I can afford a new one, but (shhhhhh) the deal I got with “The War Dept” is that I can buy a ditch banger. She doesn’t know that ditch bangers don’t have 174’s....but she does know if I drop more than $10k.....
Lol, year after year I bought new sleds and always tore the decals off....all my buds (many of you on here) figured I just liked black with no graphics. Reality was, wife never had a clue I had a new sled every year. Haha. (True story)

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DaveB said:

This whole idea (thread) was started because I saw a couple of ‘17’s on Kijiji for less than $10k. Ya, I can afford a new one, but (shhhhhh) the deal I got with “The War Dept” is that I can buy a ditch banger. She doesn’t know that ditch bangers don’t have 174’s....but she does know if I drop more than $10k.....
Lol, year after year I bought new sleds and always tore the decals off....all my buds (many of you on here) figured I just liked black with no graphics. Reality was, wife never had a clue I had a new sled every year. Haha. (True story)

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DaveB said:

This whole idea (thread) was started because I saw a couple of ‘17’s on Kijiji for less than $10k. Ya, I can afford a new one, but (shhhhhh) the deal I got with “The War Dept” is that I can buy a ditch banger. She doesn’t know that ditch bangers don’t have 174’s....but she does know if I drop more than $10k.....
Lol, year after year I bought new sleds and always tore the decals off....all my buds (many of you on here) figured I just liked black with no graphics. Reality was, wife never had a clue I had a new sled every year. Haha. (True story)

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deaner said:

To answer your original post, staying completely objective and leaving any brand loyalty aside.........skidoo is the best mountain machine that has ever been or will be produced. It just is what it is.

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