Are there any of you that have a FAVORITE long distance running sled? I am NOT talking about the fastest, the nicest looking, or the most expensive (all though this might apply) sleds - just interested in DURABILITY - pure and simple! IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT YEAR!! PLEASE make comment after you take the poll and tell us all about this sled, if possible include approximate gas milege and whether it was fan/water cooled.
Mine was a 1999 fan cooled 440Z Cat, 16 mpg and 7100 miles before it puked!

Woodsy SWRules

'94 Indy 500 EFI SKS - Sold it with 7,250 miles on it. Replaced the rad cap once. Other than that, never had any problems that I didn't cause myself (immovable objects, etc...)

2002 renegade 800 with 7500kms on it. Other than one blown belt a set of sliders and carbides. It has run flawlessly.

There I fixed the options up a bit...

My best so far is my 97 mxz 670 -- 3000miles till rotary valve seal leaked (also the most miles I've ever put on a sled...there will be more, I assure you! :cool: )

for every day i spend riding my 1975 Moto Ski Nuvik it seems like i have to work on it for and hour or 2...but that should be changing as i've already replaced/cleaned most everything!

I currently have a 2000 Polaris 500 XC. There is now around 7300 miles on it, just changed the belt last week, and the original sliders are still on it. My last sled was a 1997 Polaris Classic, when I sold it to a friend it had around 8000 miles on it. He is still driving it, but he just had some clutch work done to it.
I can't compete with Sawman, he had a 1992 Indy Trail deluxe, when he sold it he had 11,000 miles on it, nothing done to it, and we saw it the next year still on the trails.

Hey Mr. Moderator/Rocketman - THANKS FOR THE FIX UP!!! You guys help make SW what it is - AN AWESOME SITE!
Woodsy SWRules

I didn't vote because there was nothing on there for 11,000 miles, you've got under 10,000 over 15,000 and under 8,000 twice!

Anyways, I've got a 94 Indy 500 EFI that I have almost 11000 miles on and I love it.

Original motor, never been touched!

03 Ski-Dooo legend 550 fan. 8000kms, replaced plugs, carbides, and sliders, think the belts a bit worn so going to put the spare on.

Hey Rocketman, Brenty is correct. Could you work your magic again and change that second 8000 to read "under 15000" for us?
THANK YOU AGAIN!!
Woodsy
Sorry I messed that poll up so bad!

1993 Arctic Cat Jag Z 440. Had over 7000 miles on it when we got rid of it in 98 and never had a single problem with it.

all of mine r sold around 4000.... a friend of ours has a 1999 XLT SP. gold edition.. he took all the decals off and replaced them w/ goldleaf of his one degine WOWAH ITS AMAZING!!! i will post pics after my trip... he now has 17,000 trouble free miles just the basic stuff... and 1 shock rebuild

My 2000 Skidoo MXZ500 had 15,000kms on it when I sold it last summer. The SRX I have now just turned over 8,300kms today, you never know it just might beat my old record.....

2001 ZR600EFI limited Edition with around 6000 miles, other than normal maintainance the only major issue was a new primary clutch this year, but that was my own fault. I could have fixed it (new spider, weights and bushings) but I got a great deal on a new clutch on Ebay, so I went with the new one.

My "94mx470 that you see below had 14,000km ( 9000 miles?? ) befor the bottom end went!! and took out the rest of the engine, block was scraped, 250km to a tank of gas...was a sweet engine good power for a little guy. Since then cant seem to keep a motor in it no more :(.

1992 Yamaha Venture 485 motor almost 25000 km on it, motor has never been touched clutchs were just rebuilt 2 years ago ( 20,000 km), along with new shocks and springs, I have to add that 1996 and on kids (teenagers) have been the only ones to ride it and they run the #### out of it, thinking that I don't know ha ha ha... :lmao: SWRules

2003 Yamaha Viper 3110 flawless miles (even pulled some others home).

my buddy has a 2001 formula delux 700 he made it 16,000 km until the crank went. never had a problem nevar changed nothing except for one belt and a couple sets of plugs.

he put in a new crank late last season and it just hit 18,000km.

and his father has a 99mach 1 with 13,000km

7200 mi. on a 96 pantera. changed clutch,rebuilt suspension,plus the regular stuff. sold last year and still going. passed it on the trails the other day. put a little smile on my face.

Just sold my mostest / bestest sled ever..............'02 ZR800 carb, 12,000 miles with very little issue.

I said 5000 but its just a guess though because I had it from the point when I was 4 to 13 and the only thing I ever had to do was put on gasline and plug....It was a 1980 Ski-doo Citation 3500 with the 277cc single. Ran like a top and still does for my little cousin who I gave to last christmas.

My best sled so far was my 04 REV 600 sdi. 9600 kms on it and never had a wrench on the motor. I'd get over 5000 km to a belt!! :crazy: . Add to that the 20mpg for amazing fuel economy and it makes for an amazing sled.
Now my 02 MXZ 700 was amazing too. It had 8800 kms on it and other than cleaning the clutches, it was trouble free too :D .

My sled.

Never had one issue with anything. Coming on 16 000 kms shortly and the closest thing to seeing the internals of the engine was when I put in my reeds and changed sparkplugs. Everything else has been equally reliable, havent had to replace anythng but bushings and bearings and that was my choice, could have left them as they werent very bad.

Mine was a 96 Grand Touring 670, sold it at 10k and it was still just purring. Weight got to be an issue, otherwise I'd still have it!

97 FomulaZ 583. After 12,000 miles I thought I should ring it. When I did, the original hone marks were still visible. Traded it in with over 15,000 miles on it ...

I wander what this poll will say several years from now when some of the new Yammi 4 strokes reach a gazillion miles. Just hope you can find one with a suspension and everything else that will last as long as the engine.

I had a 90 prowler with 13,000 mile on it,,,, I did change the motor to a 580 at 11,000 mile but had no problems with the 440 up to them.
It was sold to a fellow in Michigan for his son,,,, not sure what ever happened to it.

1998 skidoo formula 500, 9500km when I sold it, ran like it did from day one. Still had 138 lbs compression each side when I sold it. Clean the carbs and rave valves twice per season and run synthetic, I think it's impossible to wear them out.

2002 Skidoo Legend 700 with 11,500 KL and I've replaced the track so far.
I chose to replace the drive bearings at that time because I had it all apart but they weren't showing any signs of wear.

The dealer replaced the rear shock under waranty with an MXZ one.

I am refreshing the motor this summer though just because our season is so short and I'd hate to take time out to rebuild it because something let go.

Jeff

I sold my 93 Formula Plus 580 EFI with 4100 miles on it and I thought that was a lot. Then I see guys on here who ride that much in a year or so. Man that is a lot of riding. I buy a sled every 5-8 years and think its expensive. I cant imagine having to buy one every couple years or so.

formula 3 600 tripple tripple now my back up sled to my new mach

22000km still nothing orignal owner

99 Mach 1 had 11000 kms on it and did nothing but regular maintenance on it. :inlove:
It was problem free till my buddy dunked it. :cussing: SWRules

1997 Polaris Trail RMK fan, nearly 20,000 miles. Worn out a few parts; two complete sets of shocks, two sets of skegs, one primary clutch, a set of rings, original track needs changed. I am perhaps overdue for piston replacement - still using original pistons!!!?? I love the old machine; well balanced for pulling power, light enough to yank around when stuck, but doesn't often get stuck due to low weight and track pressure relationship. Too bad it was only built two years!

My 91 Phazer II 485cc Fan only has 4,500 kms, but I've seen other Phazers and ventures with the same 485 engine with over 15,000 kms. Someone on here mentioned over 25,000 kms. Pretty bullet-proof engine. I get about 170kms/8 gallon tank of gas.

2100 miles on my1994 V-Max4 never touched it other than hyfax.... Great machine!!! :)

my dad had a 90 indy 500 sp that he rack up 11k before anything went wrong beside replacing sliders and a few spark plugs

1997 xlt ltd gave this sled to the wife, her first year sledding.her fist trip 25-30mph,her last trip 55-65mph :lol: .i think she likes it,anyway put her sled away last weekend and noticed the rear idler wheel was about to come off,10200miles,first problem ever

Not mine, but buddies 1998-9? AC touring tripple 600 went to 16,000 miles and then began to fall apart. Stator, jack shaft and drive bearings, chain case, and track all let go within 300 miles time around 16,500 miles and it was sold soon after, but only plugs, hyfax, carbides and maybe an idler wheel or two before that!
Oh all the miles were put on within 5 years time, I think it was sold in 2004.
I remember winter, when you could put on more that 100 miles in a season, I sure miss it. :sarcasm:

My RX-1 has been totally trouble free. That speaks volumes to me!

I could keep those old things of mine running, the trail or the cougar. I figured that was just the norm, until i got my 2001 MXZ 500. Its got 7400 miles, and ive never had a problem, and i still use it as my primary sled. I'm sure ill keep it after i upgrade, just for a good reliable backup.

My old '96 XLTSP had 9800 trouble free miles on it b4 it blew up.

My current sled, a '00 Indy Triumph 600 has alittle over 5000 trouble free miles. The only thing that I've done to it was jet down the mains

My 03 ZL600 was my most reliable. I never keep my sleds over 5,000 miles so I can't tell how long they'll last. The ZL has 5,900 right now and I'll be selling it over the summer. Of all these miles, it's had one blown belt at 5,100. It's never started on more than 3 pulls either.

10,000 miles is where I typically draw the line. When they make it that long, seems like it's time to move on for me. So far 3 have made it. 96 XLT, 96 RXL and a 97 Ultra. Currently have 2 getting up there, an 01 XC8X with 7500, and an 02 XC8X with 5700.

1993 Arctic Cat Jag Z 440. Had over 7000 miles on it when we got rid of it in 98 and never had a single problem with it.
[/b]
EXACTLY -MINE WAS A 1997.SOLD HER WITH 8K MILES ON AND ALMOST NO CASH OUTLAY.
THOSE WERE THE DAYS..................................... :wink:

My 97' baby triple had 9,800mi on her when It was sold it to a buddy for $1,000.00
He then put on another 3,500 not so kind miles before she went KABOOM!..
The 96' Polaris xcr's also seem to go forever.Two of my buddies had over 8,000mi on there's before selling them.
:christmas:

Are there any of you that have a FAVORITE long distance running sled? I am NOT talking about the fastest, the nicest looking, or the most expensive (all though this might apply) sleds - just interested in DURABILITY - pure and simple! IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT YEAR!! PLEASE make comment after you take the poll and tell us all about this sled, if possible include approximate gas milege and whether it was fan/water cooled.
Mine was a 1999 fan cooled 440Z Cat, 16 mpg and 7100 miles before it puked!

Woodsy SWRules
[/b]

My wife's 04 Legend GT V1000, it has 5,300 miles, runs great, hope to get another 20k plus miles.

1970's artic cats, they are like duracell and timex, they just kept on tickin and tickin. will my new sleds do it, we'll see. they should. hell, we'd put on 3000-4000 miles back in those days like nothing and not even think of it. course, i was only 14 years old them days, who cared,and froze our butts off. we had no extra money for clothing.ran purple gas from buddy's dad's tractor fuel tank. gone every night and weekends.ya, and no booze, heck, we was kids.
my buddy ran an old green john deere 500. he went pretty good to. except he blew head gaskets. memories are wonderful

uncle neil

p.s. that old green john deere turned into artic cats for the 2000's

p.s.s. that old 500 john deere was a jd 500, not the jdx 500, if i remember correctly?

Thanks to the thread starter. This is a very informative thread for someone like myself considering a used sled purchase and wondering just how long can these machines last. There's nothing like "rubber meets the snow" experience.
Arlie

I have a 1987 Yamaha Phazer it has 10,000 miles on it. All I've done on it so far was replacing spark plugs. Still runs fine

i have a enticer, with close to 7000 kms on the chassis and about 3000kms on the fresh engine. ive changed the plugs, belt.

then i ended up modifying my skis to except phazer 4'' woody carbides, due to partsunlimited doesnt make carbides for the enticer anymore.


then i have the 440xc, got it in a box from my friends dad. claimed the left cylinder stopped working after it got warm. so he wanted to get rid of it. replaced the crank bearings and seals and runs like a top. i havent even gotten 500kms on it yet.....

A number of people have mentioned it - that Yamaha 485 fan. I have a 2000 Venture XL with 11,500 miles on it. I have never touched that motor. Never even fouled a plug, even when running in the spring at 45 deg! Of course it gets atrocious gas mileage - 11 mpg. But if it gets me home, I don't care how much gas it burns. Most of my riding is solo. I can't break down.

The grand plan is 20,000 miles plus, because quite frankly, they don't make "lightweight" 2 up touring sleds like that Venture XL anymore, at least here in the States. So here at the sled's half life, I'm replacing the track and all the bearings in the drive train. I'm going to bore out the motor next year. I'm basically making a new sled out of this Venture because it's such a good base machine. I'll never own another machine like it.

I have a 2005 Bearcat 570 that I bought as the Venture's replacement and to drag the dead Venture off the trail here in its golden years. That Bearcat just doesn't have the same quality as the Yamaha. But even so, I love the Bearcat. It will creep down goat paths breaking trail, it will do 80-90 mph without breaking a sweat, plus it is as good on an all day tour as a Panther. It does everything.

For solo boondockers like myself, the sport is just going the wrong way. No way am I getting a 750 lb 4 stroke unstuck by myself. At least I have half a chance with the so called lightweight 2 strokes I have now. But I have yet to get the Bearcat stuck, so I may have to edit these remarks.

2000 Polaris triumph. Bought when it had 1800mi. Rebuilt engine at 2600, on first piston, top ring went missing, piston burned.

2000 Polaris triumph. Bought when it had 1800mi. Rebuilt engine at 2600, on first piston, top ring went missing, piston burned.

I've got a 550 Polaris fan that's been doing that. Not much over 8000 miles and I've been into it three times; six pistons.

OTOH, my old 488 fan has over 23,000 miles on the original pistons; changed rings at 13,000 'cause it seemed like a good idea, not because it needed it. I would imagine I need new crank bearings by now. I shouldn't neglect the faithful old ('97) machine.

Perhaps I should even spring for something new, but what? Nothing really twists my crank up very much right now. But with the mileage on the five machines we have averaging over 10,000 miles and nothing under 8,000, perhaps we ought to be looking. Hmm?

2002 renegade 800 with 7500kms on it. Other than one blown belt a set of sliders and carbides. It has run flawlessly.
You forgot the Y2K gade :rolleyes2:

The y2k was my 00 500 mxz, had 5+k on it and then went to perm for his son . Never had any down time and far as I know perm had to put a chain on it last season .
I sold it to him in 05 and he just sold it this fall ..still rockn.
How many miles on her now perm?

mutt

1998 670 summit doo x with 5300 miles runs great will be putting on new slides for the first time this week