Snowmobile question

With the weird weather I’m thinking either a bunch of snow this winter or nothing. Where is a good place to look for a used 2 up machine? I’m thinking a long track, speed isn’t a factor at all. If I get one it will be strictly for putting around on trails. I’ve been a Yamaha & Cat guy in the past are their machines good these days? Are all the newer models fuel injected, electric start? Anything to look for or stay away from? Do any dealers buy from the resorts out west and ship them here to re-sell?

Thanks for any insight.

Check Arnie Ranta’s website. I think he buys sleds from out west and rebuilds them.

prices are higher now because the season is coming up, if you’re looking for a deal, buy in March…

Yamaha 4 strokes are typically bullet proof…

If you want something that will last, pick up a Yamaha or one of the 4-stroke Ski-doo touring sleds. The ACE engine lineup that BRP has is amazing. They won’t be the fastest of sleds, but they will run and run. Give your local dealer a call and tell him what you’re looking for, he will keep an eye out for you. Most guys who trade in sleds for new ones, do so in the spring, so your options at a dealer may be limited. Craigslist is your next best bet, but prices always raise int he fall, like Joe said.

I’ve got a ’12 FX1100 Cat. 4 stroke Suzuki in that. was before they partnered with Yamaha for some of their engines. the ‘zuk motor has been bulletproof for me. about 128 horse. it’s heavy but it’s over a 90mph sled according to speedo.

DB us old guys need to stay away from heavy sleds. Trust me on this.

Wait and see what kind of a winter we have. If snow is thin on the ground in January the fire sale prices start on used sleds. It’s like boats after September 1. 95% of all buyers are going to buy before the season or in the early season. After that it’s a buyer’s market, especially when there’s no snow.

I’ve been thinking about a similar sled, but there has been only 2 winters in the last 10 where it would have gotten used. Instead I decided next big snow year I’m getting JWheelz for my 4 wheeler. Not quite as good as a sled, but lower cost, lower maintenance, and no storage issues.

Grouse

Have had Polaris sleds, but heard the 4stroke artic cats all have Yamaha engines now. If I get a new to me sled someday I would like the idea of the cat(lightest sled) with a Yamaha motor.

on 2 ups unless you’re just driving on lakes and GROOMED trails only you can get stuck a lot easier than not on a 2 up.

regarding snowmobiles about 5 years ago I bought my first sled went with an ’02 figuring it had lost its value and depreciated and if I didn’t like it I could sell it without losing money. One of the most fun toys I’ve had. the whole key in my opinion is to have it where you can ride it easy and often. if you can go out the back door once your clothes and stuff are out you’ll be riding all the time. Had a season where it was at my parents house only rode it once that year.

Picking this one up today. I hope we get a lot of snow this year.

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suzuki wrote:

Picking this one up today. I hope we get a lot of snow this year.

That’s a beautiful machine, Suzuki.

The machines these days are absolutely amazing to me. They are astonishing works of mechanical design.

It also is interesting to me that the makers FINALLY made sleds with the more upright motorcycle-style riding position that everyone since the 1970s has wanted.

I just cannot justify owning a machine due to time and space limitations and the lack of snow in recent years.

Grouse

I’ve been looking at the newer yamaha phazers. efi, electric start, reverse, 500cc. There are a few on cl that are in the 3k range. That is the way I would go if I was in the market for a ice fishing sled.

Dave maze wrote:

I’ve been looking at the newer yamaha phazers. efi, electric start, reverse, 500cc. There are a few on cl that are in the 3k range. That is the way I would go if I was in the market for a ice fishing sled.

Be mindful of the wide-spanned reverse problem with those machines. Other than that, they’re strong and surprisingly fast for what they are.

I heard about that. Sounded like the actuators aren’t strong enough to turn the reverse on when there is tension on the chain in the gearcase. I would have to see the issue myself to decide whether it was a deal breaker. They should just pay brp for their reverse system.