Looking for some feeback before taking the plunge on buying my first sled.

New to sleds, old to cycles, jet skis, etc. I believe I would tend to ride conservatively, mostly touring,
and don't feel the need to be out front, yet don't want to the last either. My plans are to travel mostly
trails, with some off trail riding mostly in New Hampshire and central/southern Maine. While I feel I
will ride alone 70% of the time, I need the abilty to take a passenger for the other 30%, which would be
either my wife, daughter, or son. Its unlikely that a second sled is in our future within the next 3 years,
but there is a possibility sometime after that if others in the family take to the sport.

I want to get something in the 500cc to 700cc range, rather than a smaller sled then working up. My past
experience with a turbo carrera I owned shows that I am quite capable of responsible throttle management
until I gain experience and confidence in my skills. I'm not one that will be out there opening up the
throttle until my skills catch up, and I am very confident I have the skills. I'll probably be sand
bagging for quite some time. So, I'd rather not get a less powerfull sled, then have to sell it to
upgrade after a season or two.

My thoughts are a standard touring sled that rides very well with 1-up. I also wonder if its possible
to get a 1-up and add a 2-up seat to it. But I fear that the ride with 2-up will be an issue. Can I setup
a 2-up touring to give me good performance riding alone, and switching easily to 2-up riding without
a lot of adjustments? What are good riding sleds in the 2-up 500cc-700cc range.

I've looked at a 2001 Pantera (dont remember if it was 600cc or not) and really liked it. I've seen one of the Polaris 600 or 700cc sleds and like it, but not as much as the Pantera. I haven't seen the Ski-Doo Touring model yet, but will be hunting one down. I am looking for something used, in the $4000 or so range.

So what are your thoughts? Options? Sleds to avoid?

Thanks,
Stephen

Ski-Doo Rev GSX-600sdi. Take a look at Ski-Doos web site, It sounds like everything you want.
Everything but the price. ???

The past 3 seasons I've taken a trip to northern Ontario w/ my '01 MXZ600. The trips range from 900 to 1300 miles over 6 days. I use Coldwave saddlebags. Reverse would be nice to have.

To suit your sometimes 2 up request, the REV 600 with the 1+1 option might suit you, however you may not find one in your price range since they're new this past season. The 1+1 option is a nice feature where the sled looks like a normal 1 up, but a second seat attaches to it, transforming it into a 2 up. Neat idea! Not sure how it works in reality.

Cat - Pantera 600 EFI ESR Or ZL600EFI ESR
- Z570 fan cooled, you won't be disappointed with any of them!!

Doo - Legend 600

A 2-up sled is a longer sled than a regular 1-up sled, and this is the issue when trying to configure to 1 rider or 2.

If you are looking for a good priced, realy good 1 person used touring sled, look for the 2002-2003 Indy600Classic. They have a M10 suspension (very plush ride on rough trails) and a really good engine. If new, the Indy Classics or the Legend line are very nice sleds. The V1000 4 stroke Legend is supposed to be a great sled that is getting upwards of 20mpg, and Doo also offers the 800SDI in the legend, that makes more HP than anything else in the Doo lineup.

Now if you are looking for a 2 up sled, and this might be your best direction, I would look for a 1999-2001 Grand Touring 700 or 800. They are a bigger heavier sled, but they are a 800Tripple engine that is very dependable. Also the rear suspension on these sleds have a air compressor and a airbag setup. WHen you go from 1 rider to 2, just a simple push of a button and the suspension will adjust for 2 riders. IMO Doo has had the best touring models for years, but once Cat came out with the better Pantera's they were nice, just the SkiDoos have more features for the $$$$. They are really the Cadillac of sleds.

2000 SkiDoo Grand Touring Models (http://www.skidoo.com/skidoo/web/html/archives/english/archives_2000/2000models/nav_skidoo.htm)

2001 SkiDoo Grand Touring Models (http://www.skidoo.com/skidoo/web/html/archives/english/archives_2001/mod_gtouring.htm)

I use a 550 artic cat panther (2001) it has the same suspension as the pantera. and costs less the 550 will top out in the 80 to 90 mph range that is plenty to get you in trouble if you are not experienced. however as you gain experience you will probably want a 600 the big cats are great for trails and lakes but too heavy for powder unless you are 200 lbs + it will be hard to ride in deep snow. the extra leaf spring for the second person actually makes the sled ride better with two than one person. but you will have to watch the ski lift with two people on. I also road a polaris frontier and prefered the cat for ride do not know how the skidoo is. It would be good to get the two up for the first sled because after getting the feel of sledding and riding with others you will see or get to ride other sled. and can hand the two to the wife and kids. and get what you like. hope this helps. :D

Lots of good info and options to think about. Apprecaite the time, and welcome any other ideas or suggestions. I looked at a 2002 left over Pantera today. Very nice. Also looked at a couple Polaris 2-ups, 1998, 2000, and 2002. The 2002 was in nice shape, the other were somewhat beat. I haven't laid eyes yet on a Ski-Doo, and thats my next venture to the dealers.

I've also got a lot of circled sleds in the local classifieds. There is a 2000 800cc triple Ski-Doo Grand Touring very close to me, with low miles. It breaks my budget a little, but hey. I'm going to look at that one this week. There are also some 99-2001 Ski-Doo Grand Touring, Polaris Classic Touring, and Panteras fairly close, all in the 550cc to 700cc range. Any comments on the triples vs twins in regard to smoothness, quieter, etc?

Again, thanks all....

Stephen

You will find that the tripple with be very smoothe, and will net the best mileage. I had a Formula3 700 (same chassis and engine as the Grand Tour. 700) and that sled used to get 16mpg.

Considering the weight of these sleds, I would deffinately go with the tripple. It might be more pricey initially, but will be worth it in the long haul (lol).

I will stick to my guns here, but I believe once you see the SkiDoos you will find the features and deatail more to your likiing. They truely are the GoldWings of sleds. Comfy, lots of buttons (digital hand warmers, air ride suspension, tilt steering, electorc reverse on some years, adjustable windshields), allot of power, and great resale.

I see some of the Cat and Polaris touring sleds to be just a cheap long track sled with a fancy name. The other brands dont have the details. My uncle has a 98 Pantera580EFI, and it is a good running sled, but it is "naked" compared to his 2000Grand Touring. And on the Cat if you want to switch from 1 to 2 up riding, you actually have to get off the sled, mess with the fiberglass overload springs, and go again. On the SkiDOo it is a push of a button.

My vote would be for a Pantera 600 tripple, its velvety smooth in the power delivery area and speaking of power its docile enough when throttled lightly for the more novice rider but comes alive when pushed. Fuel mileage is also terrific. Sled performs and feels likes its lighter than it actually is. My feeling is that unless your going to pop for the 800 twin stay with the three cyl. models.

A Polaris with the mono block tripple is way down on power / performance and offers little in the way of flexibility but is still a nice reliable cruiser only sled. Newer models with the valved twins would be a better choice if your at all performace minded.

I've ridded a Doo Grand Touring and came away with the impression that its a great open trail sled but it's in no way at all flexible in the tighter trails and I would imagine is even worse with two up.

No experience with the offerings from Yamaha.

Rick.

If you decide on a one-up sled, there is a product called "Seat Jack" that adds a second seat over the trunk. This is a good option for smaller passengers, but I find it difficult to navigate with my son on the back now that he's twelve and weights about 160 (5'10"). It worked great when the kids were younger/smaller. Look at the size of your passengers when deciding what to go with.

Here's a link for the seat jack at Royal Distributing:

http://www.royaldistributing.com/servlet/M...%23&page=4.html (http://www.royaldistributing.com/servlet/MiddleRedirect?cat=null&SUBMIT=Go+to+Page+%23&page=4.html)]

Well, I may have my canidate. I found a nice low milage 2000 Doo touring 800SE with the 800cc triple. Excellent color, near mint condition. Yea, I blew my budget, but I sort of knew I would anyway, as it was an arbitary budget from the start. I just set a price limit I wanted to stay within, and was going to try to stay there. However, the more recommendations I heard, most were telling me to try to get into the 2000 or 2001 range due to newer suspensions and improvements. Triples were nice, and I just decided that was the way I wanted to go. So, most of what I saw were older 600 triples from Polaris, 98-99 Doo 700 triples, or the 2000-2001 800cc triple. I was going to go with one of the 700cc, but then a cherry 800cc came along for little more. I was doomed.

Now I have to figure out how to ride the thing. You just drag an inside boot in the turns right :p

Actually, thats the topic of another post, which I'll enter later.

Thanks for all the assistance....

Well, I did it. Picked up the new sled tonight. Here is a photo. Now all I need is snow ;)

and another

I hope you are quite happy with it. Allot of features, great power, and a good ride!

:withstupid:

Come on up to Northern New Brunswick we still have lots! Nice sled I have a friend with one and he loves it. Welcome to the sport.

>>Come on up to Northern New Brunswick we still have lots! Nice sled I have a friend with one and he loves it. Welcome to the sport.

If I felt I had enough time to buy the trailer, get them both registered, and pick up all the others items I need before the snow melts, I'd seriously think about it. However, thats not all that practical at the moment. It appears that I'll get one ride across the street from me in the conservation land, then it will get summerized. But, I'll be out in force next season bright and early.

Thanks for the welcome guys. I'm really looking forward to winter for the first time in 20 years (thats when I moved from California to Mass).