Used snowmobiles to stay away from?

Mugs29 · #1 12-01-2013, 10:01 PM

Looking to pick up 2 used sleds for trail, ditch banging and ice fishing. Any models to steer clear of and models to look for. I know that opens the door for way to many options, thanks for any help you guys can give.

HunterDave · #2 12-01-2013, 11:08 PM

For a year or two there was a really bad batch of Polaris back about 5 or 6 years ago......REALLY bad! I can't remember the model but if you google search based on that info I'm sure that you'll find something about it. Two years after they were made dealers were still trying to unload them.

I have a Skidoo Renegade 600 ETEC for trail, ditch banging and making new trails. It's a crossover so it's pretty versatile with what you can do with it. An 800 with the right gearing and track would do pretty good in the mountains IMO.

lannie · #3 12-01-2013, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HunterDave

For a year or two there was a really bad batch of Polaris back about 5 or 6 years ago......REALLY bad! I can't remember the model but if you google search based on that info I'm sure that you'll find something about it. Two years after they were made dealers were still trying to unload them.

I have a Skidoo Renegade 600 ETEC for trail, ditch banging and making new trails. It's a crossover so it's pretty versatile with what you can do with it. An 800 with the right gearing and track would do pretty good in the mountains IMO.

True Hunterdave. They were the RMK 900's. Really Really sucked. Really bad.
Couple of friends bought them because of the great reputations the RMK 800s had . Night and day unfortunately!

Ken07AOVette · #4 12-01-2013, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lannie

True Hunterdave. They were the RMK 900's. Really Really sucked. Really bad.
Couple of friends bought them because of the great reputations the RMK 800s had . Night and day unfortunately!

Oh- the fusions! Belt eating piston spitting pos.

fishunter327 · #5 12-01-2013, 11:36 PM

Used snowmobiles.

lannie · #6 12-01-2013, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter327

Used snowmobiles.

Come on fish hunter- Tell me more. All of them?

HunterDave · #7 12-02-2013, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lannie

True Hunterdave. They were the RMK 900's. Really Really sucked. Really bad.
Couple of friends bought them because of the great reputations the RMK 800s had . Night and day unfortunately!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken07AOVette

Oh- the fusions! Belt eating piston spitting pos.

Yeah, that's the one. The 2005 900's had the most issues and the 700's not quite as bad. They seemed to get most of the bugs fixed for 2006 but I still wouldn't touch one.

The other one that I'd stay away from is another Polaris model.....The 2009 Switchback. It's known to have major issues as well.....ie the engine blowing up, LOL.

Personally, I'd stick to a Skidoo or Arctic Cat because they are well known for their reliability and performance and I don't have to memorize which ones are duds.

pickrel pat · #8 12-02-2013, 12:30 AM

ive always wondered why Honda never tapped the market...

bubba300 · #9 12-02-2013, 05:55 AM

I had a few friends with the older 670 summits that would flood if you tipped them or rolled.Spent many hrs. pulling plugs and pulling on the starter cords.

4thredneck · #10 12-02-2013, 06:10 AM

I've heard you should steer clear of 580 Artic Cats, and that was coming from a guy who lives and breaths Cat.

dumoulin · #11 12-02-2013, 06:25 AM

Stay far away from just about every triple.

Best ones are low powered units. Skandics, tundras, Bravos, vickings are all bullet prof.

The bigger units are usually ran to the ground. I'd never buy a used mountain machine or one which has been modified...ever!

pikeslayer22 · #12 12-02-2013, 06:30 AM

Agree with Dumolin Stay away from the triples especially the Arctic Cat ZRT! Been there done that.

Grizzly Adams · #13 12-02-2013, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fishunter327

Used snowmobiles.

Hell, 30 years old , barely runs and still worth 1500.

Grizz

Mugs29 · #14 12-02-2013, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumoulin

Stay far away from just about every triple.

Best ones are low powered units. Skandics, tundras, Bravos, vickings are all bullet prof.

The bigger units are usually ran to the ground. I'd never buy a used mountain machine or one which has been modified...ever!

If I could find a bravo I would snag it. That was the only sled that we used up in nunavut. I pulled close to 8000 lbs of drill steel, she would stand right up and once the skimmer moved it was smooth sailing.

javlin101 · #15 12-02-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumoulin

Stay far away from just about every triple.

Best ones are low powered units. Skandics, tundras, Bravos, vickings are all bullet prof.

The bigger units are usually ran to the ground. I'd never buy a used mountain machine or one which has been modified...ever!

x2

I bought a 1995 Polaris 340 Indy Lite long track for a grand 3 years ago and it runs great and can haul my 225lb carcass across the lake at 60mph. My kids now use it and I bought a new Ski-Doo Tundra 550f Wide Track. It will go just about anywhere without getting stuck. There are always some Tundras on Kijiji, take a look.

Map Maker · #16 12-02-2013, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickrel pat

ive always wondered why Honda never tapped the market...

they did..
http://www.hemmings.com/hmn/stories/...feature21.html

jungleboy · #17 12-02-2013, 09:18 AM

Up until a few years ago I think the Polaris 800s were pretty sketchy too. In the Polaris line the 600 twin is the benchmark for reliable and tough

manitoban · #18 12-02-2013, 09:33 AM

almost all brands of trail/utility sleds are reliable. when you get into the cross over or performance sleds it become the chevy/ford/dodge situation.

take into consideration local parts departments or friends that you will be spending most time with. ive found its better than I TOLD YA SO and never know what spare parts a buddy will have to get ya out of a jam

Huntnut · #19 12-02-2013, 10:25 AM

RMK 900's & 2008-2010 RMK800

Ronji · #20 12-02-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumoulin

Stay far away from just about every triple.

The bigger units are usually ran to the ground. I'd never buy a used mountain machine or one which has been modified...ever!

I still have a 680 Polaris triple. The machine runs awesome and it has lots of grunt and runs like a top. I had to install a new clutch, due to my neglect, but other than that its great.
I couldn't agree with you more on the used mountain sleds, avoid them like the plague. I used to have a 700 RMK, and when I sold it, it was truly bagged, beat up, rode hard, and put away wet. And every sled head I know will tell you the same thing. There is a reason why the serious mountain guys sell or trade them off every year or two.

Redneck Tommy · #21 12-02-2013, 12:31 PM

True on staying away from most of the triples but my Yamaha viper has 8600 Kms on the original motor which is really good for any 700. If you want reliability buy Yamaha not quite the power or handling of others.but your best bet is probably ski-doo at least you know not every other model is a dud like Polaris

Sledhead71 · #22 12-02-2013, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manitoban

almost all brands of trail/utility sleds are reliable. when you get into the cross over or performance sleds it become the chevy/ford/dodge situation.

take into consideration local parts departments or friends that you will be spending most time with. ive found its better than I TOLD YA SO and never know what spare parts a buddy will have to get ya out of a jam

Well said ^^^^

nekred · #23 12-02-2013, 01:36 PM

Notice Polaris only has a single pull in its name!....

If Ski-doo did the same it would be a PullaPullAPullaPullaDoo

Actually the only used sled I would buy would be one where I new the owner and absolutely no mods on it....

When I buy a sled I take my brother who is probably the best sled mechanic I know. If he says to buy it then I know its good. He got me a 1997 Polaris Transport Long Track that starts on first pull every time and runs all day with no issues, may not be the biggest or the fastest but it does what I need it to do and pull a skimmer as well.

dumoulin · #24 12-02-2013, 01:45 PM

There's a 1995 Skandic 277 (280) for sale in Clagary on Kijiji. 1500$. Needs a new winshield and a little seat work. If the track is still good, it's a bargain. They are hard to find and excellent. We just bought Chung66`s and it drives well even in 3 feet of snow.

It might be worth it to look into it... good luck

dumoulin · #25 12-02-2013, 02:01 PM

.....its already gone!!!!!!!!

newguy · #26 12-02-2013, 04:13 PM

skandic and tundra. amazing machines. good luck finding a decent used one though.alot of people have had issues with the 550cc fan cooled polaris engines. not sure why. i owned a few of them and never had an issue. don't let them idle too long especially when it's warm! looking at kijiji in ontario, almost all their sleds for sale have high mileage. that means alot. they run sleds like we do our trucks!

Mugs29 · #27 12-02-2013, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dumoulin

.....its already gone!!!!!!!!

Ya I noticed that. Does anyone know of a dealership that might have bravos or anything similar in stock. Either Calgary, Edmonton or Grande Prairie.

turbo mulcher · #28 12-02-2013, 04:29 PM

The Polaris RMK was one of the toughest sleds/ engines out there. The 800 had toooo many crank and bearing failures . I ran a turbo on a 98 700 for 6 years and when I sold the turbo I took the motor apart and it was still going strong.
You can get a mechanical reverse for these sleds and they pull a load.
I still have mine and call it the tow truck!!. 2500 t0 3500 for a good 700.
I also ran the Poo 500 wide tracks great sled need a 700 in it.
I now run a tundra 550 Tundra, 600 Tundra extreme and the latest addition a 600HO Skidoo SWT But they are going to cost 7 to 14 thousand$$$

fordtruckin · #29 12-02-2013, 08:47 PM

I agree with the whole Dodge/Chev/Ford scenario already given. Only sled I owned was a 05 Arctic Cat M6, GREAT Sled! I bought it used and didn't have any issues with it. I paid 2500$ for it in 2011. If you are looking for newer used... try a sled dealer south of the Border.

skidderman · #30 12-02-2013, 09:09 PM

Ski doo 800's had a horrible problem with cranks. You can do a search if you like. A mechanic my brother knows had 200 cranks last year and used every one. Other models I have not heard of problems. I as well like the Tundra the expedition & the polaris wide track. Just sold one and it was awesome.