Sled technology

im very new to the snowmobile industry and im looking into purchasing one. has there been any huge technology changes in the past years? besides light four strokes. im looking into like 00', or 01' sleds...

thanks
 
^^thanks, but im more wondering if there was like a change in technology around 04' that makes riding in powder wayyy easier or not. i just dont wanna get screwed.
 
The biggest changes have been in engine/mass placement and suspension

Engine mass has been moved closer to the rider and the riders position has been placed closer and higher relative to the engine...this in conjunction with increased travel and better suspension and tunnel configurations has revolutionized deep snow sledding...If budget is of primary concer I would suggest a first generation Ski Doo Rev (600cc minimum)

600 is just fine for most riders, more important you need at least a 144-inch track...BUT just like skis the longer you go, the harder it is for turning

some options to look for include lefty throttle, and handle bar risers...be cautious when buying used

we beat the living fuck out of our sleds and even modest use can impose hard damage

look to spend about 4K for a decent reliable deep snow sled

if that is too much look for a modded 01 RMK - tons of parts out there and EASY to maintain
 
That reminds me of Yeah Dude when John is talking about how everybody was complaining about riding on all the rocks and that it was messing things up on the snowmobiles.
 
awesome, thank you. is the RMK a polaris? and i think i may be able to put out 4 grand into one. but i also need to buy a trailer. wat would be a good year/model for three to four grand? and is there any certain company that is most reliable?
 
its just who i trust. my dad has an arctic cat from 1989 and it still runs good.. not as fast as a new sled but it does 70 in a small field. and we have a 01 ski doo and its running great and is a rocket ship
 
Look into the Ski Doo Rev XP. Along with the "older" rev Chassis, the new XP is the greatest technological advance in snow machine history. I think its a bit out of your realm though...
 
A used double place ride off tilt trailer should be cheap, under 500$...you can probably get someone to throw one in with their sled.

Look for a ride off trailer and definetly get a two placer...got to have a buddy with you, solo trips are sketchy...sleds break down and you can cover some big miles in a short period of time...a blown clutch 10miles deap into some back country can equal a death march out

The RMK (rock mountain king) was the gold standard of highmark powder style sleds for many years...I owned a 2000 RMK 700 with a 144 inch track and it kicked ass. I see local ads for similar sleds for 3K (which is reasonable if it was well maintained)

Do youself a favor and make any sale contigent on a shop tech looking it over...

4K should get you a dope ride with a trailer...

happy highmarks... BBBRRRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP
 
turbos are the newer tech, and well as detonation control, fuel injection, 4 strokes.
 
600cc would be ok if you lived out east, and just ripped around fields and frozen lakes. Your profile says you live in MT though, which means deep snow, hillclimbs, and boondockin'. get an 800cc with a 144" track or longer. most 800's will put you in the ballpark of 120ish horsepower which is what you're gonna need for climbs in the deep stuff, if you get a 600, you're likely to bog down, and nobody likes getting stuck mid hillclimb.
 
^ for reference most 600 class machines are in the 120 range for horsepower. 7 and 800's are 140 and up, with the 1000 class hitting around 160 stock...
 
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