I'm considering buying another used sled this year. Ski-Doo for sure. Is the difference that would be noticeable make it worth buying an '01 mxz "standard" (with HPG front and rear) over the '01 mxz "trail" (without HPG). There seems to be more "trail" models up for sale in the '99-'02 year model range here in NB.
Thanx!

Good Question.

I, too, just purchased a 2001 MXZ700 Trail. I went ahead with the purchase under the thoughts that as I'm getting older, I'm not charging the trails as I once did and as such, a "Trail" setup very well might be adequate. After all, it felt pretty good to me just jumping on it in the garage.

Then I thought of NOT the purposeful hard-charging, but the unexpected, unseen Big Holy Mother Bump, and I thought that I'd like to have a bit more control. I researched used HPG shocks, found, and purchased a set. I feel better.

I suspect that many on this board will say, "Trail's Motion Control shocks suck, get HPG!"

Prolly the best advise is if you find one clean, well-documented, well-cared-for Trail, buy it and ride it, and see how it is. Racing shocks can always be added later.

Mark

The trail shocks are nice on a groomed fluffy trail or on the lake, other than that they fade then bottom, especially the rear. There is not enough preload in the springs to compensate for this. Buy the hpg sled.

I would go with the HPG's. They are rebuildable. You can make them ride soft and cushy like the other shocks. But they will last longer and you don't need to replace them. If you get the non HPG's you will need to buy new shocks soon. Or else your body will tell you about it.

What's the expense of adding them later when my body starts telling me to? Can they can be installed? Apparently HPG in the rear is most important?

You can pick up used HPG shocks all the time. Just make sure they will fit your sled. My dealer alway told me I would not be happy with HPG shocks, so I believed him. Then I bought a 98 MXZ from him. What a difference. Since then I make sure I get the "good shocks". A good place to look for used parts is thesledshed.com. I picked up the two rear shocks for my wifes sled this spring. Those are the shocks that are hard to find at swap meets. The front suspension shocks are easy to find. Good luck. Change the shocks now.

HPG's gives you a more controllable ride. Can adjust it more to your riding style and they are rebuildable. Way better shock. That's what I have.

I dont know about anyone else, but both of the adjusters on my front HPG's got stripped really easy, to the point of not being able to turn them after only 500 miles. I never even backed them off all the way or tightened them too much.

Had the same thing happen to mine, MXZ--700. Had to find new shock bodies to make them work again.

What is the average new cost for a HPG shock, I've got the trail shocks now in my 02 and am thinking of putting the HPG in the skid?