Chuck403
Active member
Might be some rambling here, so bear with me.
The better half and I are just getting into the sport. We picked up a couple of beaters to learn on this winter if we ever get enough snow. Looking at breaking the bank account open for next year though. I have been scouring the internet lately trying to find out everything I can on makes, models, reliability, deep snow and trail riding performance etc etc etc. I think I get settled on one, then read something somewhere that changes my mind.
The "Is the $2000 difference worth it" thread has changed my mind once again lol. After reading the original post there, I told myself if I were him, I'd get the pro. $2000 is a lot of savings. However reading further into that thread, your posts really favour getting the summit, based on reliability, trade in value, and ridability.
We wouldn't be looking at getting mountain sleds, most of our riding will be consisting of the trails, and cutlines around here. We may go to the Valemount, McBride areas once or twice a year type thing. I was there 20+ years ago on a Polaris xcr I think it was, and did just fine.I've never had the desire for the hill climbing thing. I'll watch you guys do it, but it's just not for me.
With that in mind, I was looking at the crossover models. I excluded Yamaha and Arctic Cat. Even though I have a Yamaha Quad, and love it, the Price, and weight of their sleds drove me away. I have never been an Arctic Cat fan. Years ago my parents had one that was an absolute lemon. That machine, plus having a Suzuki Quad that constantly needed fixing soured me on Cats. (I think Suzuki makes Cat engines, Please correct me if I'm wrong). I love the body styles and colours of the Cats, but just have a hate on for them.
That leaves me between Ski Doo, and Polaris. Looking at the 600 size. I think that would be more than ample for what we would use them for. As I said, we would be mostly on the trails and cutlines here. There are no groomers anywhere close to here, so getting into untouched snow here and there and hopping off the trails to play in open areas will be happening.
We will be getting Injected sleds. I'm handy with a wrench, but tearing carbs apart to re-jet just doesn't sound like my idea of fun.
I will be keeping them stock as well. Just like most everything else, the more you tinker, and tweak, the more maintenance, and fixing needs doing. No desire to have the old ride for a day, fix for a week thing happening.
Years ago when I bought my first new quad, a Kodiak 450, I was very happy with it. A co-worker told me I should have got the Grizzly, because I would end up wishing I had more jam to play with in a few months. well what do you know, he was right. I know right now, a 800 is capable of so much more than what I would be able to do with it. but after some substantial seat time on a 600, would I be left with wanting more?
I have read so much about the reliability of the Yamahas. Is it worth putting up with the extra weight, and price of them for the years of trouble free riding I should be able to get from them? Before I started researching all I could find, I was set on a Ski Doo. My very limited seat time 2 decades ago on that old xcr had me impressed with Polaris.
The more I try to research, it feels like the more confused I end up.
If you have been a life long brand X rider, what made you stay? If you switched to brand Y, what made you make the switch?
I'm hoping this doesn't end up being a brand bash. Looking for honest personal experiences or problems you have seen your buddies have.
The better half and I are just getting into the sport. We picked up a couple of beaters to learn on this winter if we ever get enough snow. Looking at breaking the bank account open for next year though. I have been scouring the internet lately trying to find out everything I can on makes, models, reliability, deep snow and trail riding performance etc etc etc. I think I get settled on one, then read something somewhere that changes my mind.
The "Is the $2000 difference worth it" thread has changed my mind once again lol. After reading the original post there, I told myself if I were him, I'd get the pro. $2000 is a lot of savings. However reading further into that thread, your posts really favour getting the summit, based on reliability, trade in value, and ridability.
We wouldn't be looking at getting mountain sleds, most of our riding will be consisting of the trails, and cutlines around here. We may go to the Valemount, McBride areas once or twice a year type thing. I was there 20+ years ago on a Polaris xcr I think it was, and did just fine.I've never had the desire for the hill climbing thing. I'll watch you guys do it, but it's just not for me.
With that in mind, I was looking at the crossover models. I excluded Yamaha and Arctic Cat. Even though I have a Yamaha Quad, and love it, the Price, and weight of their sleds drove me away. I have never been an Arctic Cat fan. Years ago my parents had one that was an absolute lemon. That machine, plus having a Suzuki Quad that constantly needed fixing soured me on Cats. (I think Suzuki makes Cat engines, Please correct me if I'm wrong). I love the body styles and colours of the Cats, but just have a hate on for them.
That leaves me between Ski Doo, and Polaris. Looking at the 600 size. I think that would be more than ample for what we would use them for. As I said, we would be mostly on the trails and cutlines here. There are no groomers anywhere close to here, so getting into untouched snow here and there and hopping off the trails to play in open areas will be happening.
We will be getting Injected sleds. I'm handy with a wrench, but tearing carbs apart to re-jet just doesn't sound like my idea of fun.
I will be keeping them stock as well. Just like most everything else, the more you tinker, and tweak, the more maintenance, and fixing needs doing. No desire to have the old ride for a day, fix for a week thing happening.
Years ago when I bought my first new quad, a Kodiak 450, I was very happy with it. A co-worker told me I should have got the Grizzly, because I would end up wishing I had more jam to play with in a few months. well what do you know, he was right. I know right now, a 800 is capable of so much more than what I would be able to do with it. but after some substantial seat time on a 600, would I be left with wanting more?
I have read so much about the reliability of the Yamahas. Is it worth putting up with the extra weight, and price of them for the years of trouble free riding I should be able to get from them? Before I started researching all I could find, I was set on a Ski Doo. My very limited seat time 2 decades ago on that old xcr had me impressed with Polaris.
The more I try to research, it feels like the more confused I end up.
If you have been a life long brand X rider, what made you stay? If you switched to brand Y, what made you make the switch?
I'm hoping this doesn't end up being a brand bash. Looking for honest personal experiences or problems you have seen your buddies have.
