What is considered high miles?

Hello guys,

I am looking to add an ATV or Sled to our family of toys. I am looking used. So my question is, what is considered high, average, and low miles for an ATV and sled. I am assuming that the average on an ATV to be higher as they can be used during all seasons.

Also, anything tips as to what to stay away from?

Thanks,

FDR

Go to look at the item during dinner hour. You want to stay away from anything that has been pounded on and modified by teenagers.

Miles is one part of the equation like Dutchboy suggested. I’ve always been told to look at the seat. Granted, if you’re looking at older sleds with high miles, most will have a rip/tear of some sort. However, newer sleds with seat issues have likely been stored outside uncovered.

Joel

I would say 5000 is high. If it ran well and you only needed it for short trips like hunting and fishing it could work. Maybe forever. I know many go higher but unless you know how it was ridden you are gambling.

For a sled anything over 4000 miles is getting up there. Typically around 5000 miles a rebuild is not uncommon. Sleds will go 7000 before needing one but being around sleds my whole life 5000 is a common number. Condition of the track is another thing to look at. Clutches also need to be gone threw every 1000 miles. Depending on how hard it was used springs and weights need to be replaced but arent much. Should be cleaned every year though.

As far as atv’s I couldnt tell ya what high miles are. Regular oil changes and running non oxy or premium fuel are the things a guy wants to make sure were done when buying used. Many old atv dont have an odometer. I got 900 miles on my 08 or 09 grizzly and its still like new.

I was refering to Quads. Missed the sled part. Agree with poster above on sleds. I would trust them a little higher than ATV’s but not much. Again you will hear stories and I have my own of them going much higher. That is the benefit of buying new. If you take care of them you WILL get more miles.

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Hello guys,

I am looking to add an ATV or Sled to our family of toys. I am looking used. So my question is, what is considered high, average, and low miles for an ATV and sled. I am assuming that the average on an ATV to be higher as they can be used during all seasons.

Also, anything tips as to what to stay away from?

Thanks,

FDR

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I had 2 ATVS that I use for long distance trail riding. I had them both for 2 years. When I sold them one had 850 miles on it. The other had 770 miles on it. Sleds get WAY more miles on them than wheelers despite the shorter seasons.

As Skeeter says, with 2 stroke snowmobiles especially the point of mileage has to be considered along with the point of if/when has it been overhauled.

A sled that has 4000 miles and has had at least a top-end rebuild might be a better choice than a sled that has 300 miles with nothing done.

I agree much the same here with the guys, 4 to 5000 on any 2 stroke sled, and who owend it and how it was taken care of and how it was road trail or ice fishing? For 4 stroke sleds more than 10,000 I would second look it might run well but need lots of tlc under everything.

All i respond to is quads. Lets start by throwing out the saying “adult driven”. Its really almost a joke these days. Im a adult and I beat on my quads. Thats why they where made Here are some things to look for. Pull the seat check to see if the wiring is hacked up, check the air cleaner, oil, differentals see if oil is “milky”. Take it for a ride make sure choke, lights, everything works. See if it smokes when you hammer on it. Ask if you can jack it up and look at the wheel play(bearings,tie rods and ball joints). If its got oversized tires on it you can bet one of those is bad. I like a v-twin in anything over a 500cc i dont think the motor has to work as hard as a one lunger with the extra torque. Just my opinion! I have two that have 27″ tires on and programmers and they run great. I have to replace the ball joints every year and check my belt. Thats another thing if possible look at the belt bigger tires are a little hard on them. Basically whatever you are looking for research it and see what its known for for break downs. I just sold a 06′ with 1400 miles on it last year and I did’nt think the milage was that bad on it. Any other ?’s just PM me I have a few toys and I work on them to so maybe I can help. Hope everyones replies help.

I have an ’05 Polaris 500 sportsman ATV with 3500 miles on it. Still runs like a champ and plows snow with the best of them.

Not sure on the ATVs but the biggest thing with sleds is to look them over good, you will know if the sled was totally beat on from knicks and dings that you can pretty easily see. Also make sure the hood lines up well when closed if it doesn’t the sled may have been in a wreck. Also look for something that is ALL STOCK, people can say upgrades were done by a dealer but you never know unless they have receipts to back them up. Not to mention performance parts are typically “go fast” parts so probably want to avoid those sleds.

Sleds are a hoot to ride and they will pile up WAY more miles than a wheeler. Not uncommon to put 600+ miles on a sled over a 3 day weekend.

The newer the sled the less miles are an issue provided the sled wasn’t beat on. They are making them so good now people are getting 7-10k miles without too much trouble.