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Post by oltmann on Dec 27, 2010 15:02:42 GMT -8
My fiancee and I are thinking of getting into sledding. I've gone a couple times, and she's driven one day on a couple different machines.
From flip flops thread, and what little I know of snowmobiles I think my requirements are:
EFI, decent suspension, able to handle powder, decent power, and of course reliable
I am seeing used deals on Arctic Cat 500-800cc machines w/EFI and in the '99> age range. Would these make good starter machines? Anything to watch out for? How many miles is a lot on a 10 year old machine?
I've ridden a newer('08ish) Polaris 700, it was really nice. Anyone know when Polaris started using EFI?
Would any of you local folks be willing to show me around your snowmobile and explain what to look out for on a used machine?
Thanks, -Kevin.
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Post by racincowboy on Dec 27, 2010 16:55:44 GMT -8
Myself and the wife have had our sleds going on 3 years now and we bought used as well.
We have a 99 Artic Cat ZR 600 EFI and a 98 Artic cat powder special 600 EFI.
I have not had one issue with either of ours other then consumables such as belts, plugs things like that. Ours have right around 2000 miles or just a hair over that.
Olyellr was nice enough to tag along with me when I was looking for machines. We have one of their old machines and still running well no problems. Compression test if you can. Check the hy-fax on the skid/Track for wear. They hyfax are made to wear when in icy conditions. I have added ice scratchers to one of my sleds for those type of days as to not melt the hyfax.
Pistonschick or olyellr have more info then myself but I learn more and more about these machines the more people I talk to and the more I work on them myself.
Power on ours is plenty for a beginner/moderate sled. I have grown up riding and racing motorcycles ect. These sleds have plenty of power for me as we ride mostly groomed trails and play in the clear-cuts ect. I am not a hardcore guy or any of that just like to get out and ride. Speaking of which I better get back to work on them 10+ inches today just on hood time to go play.
The snowest forum is a good place to learn about sleds ect.
I dont know everything about them but you are more then welcome to swing by and I can show you what I have learned from Olyellr.
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Post by oltmann on Dec 27, 2010 20:46:50 GMT -8
It would be great if I could stop by sometime you're doing some work on yours. Both of your machines are probably good examples of what I would be shopping for.
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Post by fivendime on Dec 28, 2010 10:22:19 GMT -8
I've been working on my dads sled. A huge yes on the EFI, from what I have read on the forums the ones with a carb seem to have the most problems, as in the one I'm working on for my dad. Its a 2001 Yamaha 700 Mt. Max. Great sled, allot of people love them, but if it were me I would go with EFI sled if you can. My suggestion for mileage again from what I have read is try to stay under 4k. If they have been taken care of that's not bad for miles. I would bet my 87 Banshee has over 8K on it and its more reliable then most 4strokes out there, its all on how its been taken care of. One other thing you should look at is the track length. If it were me I would go no less then 141" track, again all from what I have read online and from what my buddy tells me. Good luck on the hunt. If you need a trailer my dad has a 2 place for sale.
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Post by racincowboy on Dec 28, 2010 11:09:02 GMT -8
It would be great if I could stop by sometime you're doing some work on yours. Both of your machines are probably good examples of what I would be shopping for. I will send you a pm with the my phone number give me a call and we can set something up so you can come by and take a look. Lance
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Post by fivendime on Dec 28, 2010 14:41:21 GMT -8
Speaking of working on them. I just got finished with cleaning the carbs on my dads Mt Max and man does it run so much better. Maybe the carb thing isn't that bad after all...lol
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Post by racincowboy on Dec 28, 2010 19:30:34 GMT -8
Speaking of working on them. I just got finished with cleaning the carbs on my dads Mt Max and man does it run so much better. Maybe the carb thing isn't that bad after all...lol Pretty much a necessity every year on carb sleds from what I saw when I was younger with my best friends family when they had sleds. But thats all part of the maintence I guess.
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Post by 7m4x4dude on Dec 29, 2010 4:20:37 GMT -8
rgw big thing with 2strokes and carb's is you dont want to let the premix sit in the float bowl . the gas evaporates where the oil doesn't.
and also jetting. 2 stroke's need more fuel with more air and are allot more finiky than 4 stroke's are. and that's mostly caust through the power band the piston is compression the mixture in the bottom end before it shoot's back to the top into the cylinder through the port's. so theroticly like super charger or turbo charging and having less stroke's per usable power stroke..
efi is going to be allot easier for a 2stroke begginer than having to deal with carbs.
now im not a sled guy so i dont know if they premix their oil or are oil injected. so jetting may differ...
hope some of this helps a little if any thing lol im tired..
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Post by oltmann on Dec 29, 2010 12:28:46 GMT -8
Lance, got your PM, I'll be giving you a call.
I'm not real familiar with carbs, I'd rather not be tweaking and tuning all the time. I'm sure they run great once they're setup.
Been reading on snowest a bit. Do you guys run full face or MX and goggles for helmets? I think we'll end up riding out east sometimes, so probably going to start with full face to keep the cold out. Any good local place to buy gear?
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Post by oltmann on Dec 30, 2010 10:09:39 GMT -8
Lance, thanks again for taking the time to go over your sleds with me. I learned a lot.
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Post by racincowboy on Dec 30, 2010 12:23:02 GMT -8
Lance, thanks again for taking the time to go over your sleds with me. I learned a lot. Not a problem. As far as helmets as we discussed last night we wear MX helmets with goggles and baclavas underneath to keep your head warm. Also a neck wrap if your baclava doesnt cover enough.
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