i have to tell you, i love this sport. always did, however im just curious to know what the average person will spend either a year on riding, or just for a weekend. dont include buying your sled either. what sucks is that i want some more of my friends to get involved but they say cant afford it. i can see why, i figure it costs me evrytime i go for a weekend, no less then $300.00. unfortunately i have to drive at least 4 hours to the groomed trails. oh , and whats with these insurance costs from these ins. companies, they landed on their heads. i believe we snowmobilers have to speak up and demand that our sport stay somewhat affordable so our kids can enjoy it when their older. at this rate by the time my 7 year old son goes to buy his sled and insure it, it will probably cost $25000 for a new sled and $5000 a year to insure :bash: any thoughts on this???????????

we know it is big loot especially those over nighters. a friend of mine said when you buy the sled you have done the cheap thing.

There is no doubt. It is expensive. But it is a hobby. You shouldn't have to justify the expense of it. It just becomes a matter of priorities.

I have buddies the same way, saying it's too expensive. Then I hear about the 100 dollar rounds of golf on this awesome course...... or what the new set of tires cost, even a weekend of fishing.......

So although I do feel it's expensive too, expensive is a relative term. So I usually ask "Compared to what?"

My cure? Beg/borrow enough stuff to let them ride a nice sled for a weekend. Especially somebody that hasn't ridden in 20 years. They'll be hooked.....

Costs are absolutly insane really. When i got into the sport about 4 years ago, i was 13. My dad told me that if i bought the parts and oil (and yes i did buy my sled too) he would pay for the gas. SO that is a big part of my bill cut down right there. However, i am only doing the preseason going over and i am already up around 600 bucks. By the time the rest of the season is done, i will probly be up around 2000 just for parts, oil, registration, and trail pass. I don't insure my machine for anything except liability, because if i were to insure it for other things after 3-4 years, i would have paid the principal price of the machine.

So a blatent answer, 2000 bucks, for about 3000 miles per year, not including fuel costs, and i never have to trailer out anywhere, or sleep in a hotel or anything like that.

Bauer

Easily $2k a season, but try boating. That is the next level in how much you want to spend on a sport.

I save all summer long for my winter addiction. If I actually sat down and figured out how much I spent (trips, parts, fuel), I would probably quit riding (JK). No matter what sport you take up, they are all expensive.

Originally posted by Do the Doo@Nov 11 2004, 10:31 PM
Easily $2k a season, but try boating. That is the next level in how much you want to spend on a sport.
362706


trust me , i can relate to the boating,lol, i was just realizing what i spend a year on toys. and yes boating does cost more, but thats understandable, think about, a sled is usually for one person, your expenses are soley for you. where as a boat you bring your family/friends out. i just think that for an individual sport its insane.and i'll be the first to say not to put a price ona good time. but btween mortgage/taxes/cars/insurance/house expenses/gas/food/cell phone/house phone/kids clothes/..........sick yet w00t and the list goes on, now throw insurance for these sleds and everything else,................................you know as i write this , i just tol d myself to stop #####ing and i will, i know there are guys who are not here who love to complain about our meaningless problems.......................................... support our soldiers........im through.........................

Yep.. Boating is worse 300 bucks just to fill the tank..

Ya wanna play ya gotta pay!

:cool:

Well, last season was a 2k season for me due to the sled spending more time in the shop than on the trail. I will admit that that is an anomoly for me anyways. We in Manitoba enjoy some pretty reasonable prices when it comes to sledding. I would guesstimate my costs per sled as follows, for about 1000 miles a year:

Registration + Liability Insurance $120 <don&#39;t carry collision, etc... as per bauer&#39;s argument>

Trail Pass $50
Oil $75 or so...
Gas $500

This is provided nothing breaks, which is unusual and does not include maintenance <hyfax, bearings, plugs, belts, etc...>

Looks like I come in around $745.... add the other unmentioned items and 2k sounds about right...... WOW..... kind of makes you cry when you actually price it all out and figure what you actually spend w00t .... thanks a lot :p

I usually figure a minimum of $100 bucks a day.
Its the gas that makes the day so expensive.
You figure 10 gallons cost you atleast 20 bucks. I average 10 mpg. Then we tend to ride near 300 miles a day. That&#39;s 60 bucks a day just in fuel. Rediculous.
Boating! Totally agree. It&#39;s the fuel and all the other stuff that goes along with it. Buying the boat is the cheap part.

I always figure $1 per mile not including trade, this covers, hotels, gas, oil, insurance, permit, food and booze. Last year I did 3500 miles and bought a new sled....ouch.

Originally posted by willy700@Nov 12 2004, 09:06 AM
I always figure $1 per mile not including trade, this covers, hotels, gas, oil, insurance, permit, food and booze.* Last year I did 3500 miles and bought a new sled....ouch.
362799



Yeah, I think it may be a tad bit higher than that. But still pretty close.

Originally posted by Do the Doo@Nov 12 2004, 03:31 AM
Easily $2k a season, but try boating. That is the next level in how much you want to spend on a sport.
362706

I agree, try boating. 30K on the boat, 2000 on exhaust, 600 on Trim tabs, 500 on a Stainless prop, 2000 on a stereo system so you can hear it while running 60MPH. 2.30 a gal fuel at the dock, gel coat repairs are a 300.00 bill minimum. Want a new engine? Try 8-10,000.00 or 3-4000 for a new out drive. Sledding is cheap!

SPEND YOUR MONEY NOW AND ENJOY YOURSELF. IF YOU SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR RETIREMENT YOUR BODY WONT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE FUN. SO HAVE FUN NOW, RETIREMENT WILL BE CHEAP BECAUSE YOUR SLED WONT NEED TO GO TO THE SHOP BECAUSE YOU WONT BE ABLE TO THRASH IT. AND GAS WILL BE CHEAP BECAUSE HALF THROTTLE USES HALF THE FUEL. JUST A THOUGHT!

Anything fun is expensive.

Boating is about the worst getting 1.5 mpg if I&#39;m good to it.
Hunting/fishing/sledding/drinking/#####ing (sp),

its all expensive. And I&#39;m just kidding about the #####ing. I have Mrs. Fishie at home for that. And it only costs me 10x what a hooker would charge

FishHog

thats why we have a national deficit, some how my checking account got tied in to the governments???????? :lmao:

I refuse to answer on the grounds that my wife might read this.

Originally posted by michahicks@Nov 11 2004, 09:52 PM
There is no doubt. It is expensive. But it is a hobby. You shouldn&#39;t have to justify the expense of it. It just becomes a matter of priorities.

I have buddies the same way, saying it&#39;s too expensive. Then I hear about the 100 dollar rounds of golf on this awesome course...... or what the new set of tires cost, even a weekend of fishing.......

So although I do feel it&#39;s expensive too, expensive is a relative term. So I usually ask "Compared to what?"

My cure? Beg/borrow enough stuff to let them ride a nice sled for a weekend. Especially somebody that hasn&#39;t ridden in 20 years. They&#39;ll be hooked.....
362696



Yeah its expensive, BUT, if you enjoy it that much, you will find a way to make it happen. I have the double whammy. I sled in the winter, and I golf in the summer.

Thank god my wife got that third job, or I wouldn&#39;t be able to enjoy my toys..... :bash: :whistling:

Good answer xc007.
I now spend half what I did before my 4-stroke came along. No more premium (regular unleaded now), 9 MPG&#39;s (18 now) and using a qt. of expensive injecter oil about every other tank of gas.

I spent over $700 in accessories this fall and I haven&#39;t even seen snow yet. On an average day I&#39;ll spend about $50 in gas and $10.00 for lunch, ...but then again 18 holes of golf here with lunch is about $65.

So I don&#39;t think sledding is any more expensive than golf (if you don&#39;t take into account money spent for the sled).

Too darn much, but out of all the toys I own I love my snowmobilen the most! When there is enough snow you can go ANYWHERE you want, no flooded swaps to get stuck in with fourwheelers, and unchanted areas to ride in without anyone else around like with the motorcycles....etc

The only way I would give up my snowmobile is if I was dead, and then they would have to pry my fingers off the handlebars.

Originally posted by atc250rfoxusa@Nov 12 2004, 09:24 PM
Too darn much, but out of all the toys I own I love my snowmobilen the most! When there is enough snow you can go ANYWHERE you want, no flooded swaps to get stuck in with fourwheelers, and unchanted areas to ride in without anyone else around like with the motorcycles....etc

The only way I would give up my snowmobile is if I was dead, and then they would have to pry my fingers off the handlebars.
362934



That&#39;s what I love about my snowmobile, ....point the skis and go! I saw a guy last year riding a trail on a 4-wheeler in the middle of nowhere, he was pulling more than he was riding, ...I really felt bad for him.

I allow about $5000 per year to maintain and enjoy 2 sleds.Includes trips, fuel, meals, permits .......etc.
But its my favorite vice. I dont travel, play golf, smoke, or keep women. Got to have something to look forward to.Something that gives you a sense of freedom.

2500$ a year is about the norm for me.

it&#39;s already cost me 10,000 dollars and i haven&#39;t even ridden it yet.............. :p

Originally posted by ONTHINICE@Nov 13 2004, 11:05 AM
So, how much does it cost for this sport??* Priceless.* For everything else, there&#39;s Mastercard :lmao:
363053


nicely said

Last year was a bit pricey as my zrt broke a crank. So I proceeded to replace the engine and noticed the skis were toast.I ended up with a new engine,track,skis,studs,carbides,bearings,sliders, shocks and springs.(approx 4000)(trail pass 160, insurance 181, sticker 15)
A friend of mine picked up a new zr 900 soon after and I couldn`t keep up so I figured I would have to step it up a bit.
I went out and bought a new 2004 F7 efi sno pro in january,cost 12600 taxes in.I needed a new trail pass(210) sticker(15) and insurance(771!) :crazy: . Now I have a new problem.I can`t put my shiny new sled on an open trailer so...new triton enclosed trailer(4550) and insurance(87).
Now my family wants to ride this year so they needed all new gear.
so....3 modular helmets 900
3 suits 500 ( this was a good deal)
3 gloves 150
3 boots 300
1 set of shock covers (I wanted something too :D ) 30
total=24469 and I already had all my gear (thank god)
so I spent almost 25000 and have traveled 769 miles on my sled so far.
now that that is over with all there is is gas and oil (about 200-300 a day for 2 sleds). Not cheap but well worth it :D
I love this sport but my bank account doesn`t :p

ok,now i don&#39;t feel so stupid about the 10grand............... :christmas: i really didn&#39;t need that new jacket though. :p wife is seen here modeling it. :D

Well, I am just getting back into the "sledding" thing. Lets see. two RX-1&#39;s 03 and an 04. Covered trailer, all the goodies for the sleds, two complete Klim suits, two colette communicators , and now I am just getting to the helmets. the worst of it, I have not even got to ride the damn things ! but,,,, I cant wait. as far as how much after you get everything, I think you shouldn&#39;t look at it that way. JUST HAVE FUN DOING IT UNTIL THE MONEY RUNS OUT. of course that is only my opinion.

Well said "On thin ice" and many others. Living on the coast of NC I have the added cost of flights to NY, rental car, hotel, cabin or lodge. Add storage for the sled and then add all the other things ie. Insurance, gas, on and on. The cost is high to say the least but I work all year with my nose to the grindstone for the winter vacations. I go once a month Dec. Jan and Feb. Locals here say I&#39;m nuts going up "In that snow". Perhaps! I say it&#39;s money well spent. I say thank you Mom and Dad for they have afforded me a secure financial future. They, like many came from the old school, work hard, save your money. Admirable but I watched their golden years slip away "always watching what they spent". I said it to them and I say it to you. Live while your living. When it&#39;s over it&#39;s over. In talking with folk that are nearing the end, I can&#39;t say I have ever heard anyone say "Ya know I really wish I didn&#39;t spend so much money on ______".fill in the blank).

I Agree with all you Guys! Boating in general is Very Expensive, Especially when something breaks! Fuel Dockside this year was $2.35 - $2.55 !
I sold my Boat last year, After owning a boat for most of my life....The best thing I have ever done is sell it! IMO Boating in the New England is way to short a season to invest any real Money on! July & August...Anything else is on the Bonus Plan! A Buddy of Mine who also has allways had a Boat once told me.....
"The best Boat Is a Friends Boat!" How True!
3 years ago I spent 9 weeks on the water and 13 weeks Sledding!
That was a Great Year!
We decided that buying His & Hers Grizzlies was a Better investment! As you have a lot longer season on the Wheelers! (but still have to Travel)
As far as Sledding Goes,
We spend about $500 in Maintainance at the beginning of each season (2sleds)
I would say another $400 Misc New Gloves,Socks,Long underwear etc etc ect!
Then my best guess is between $165 - $250 per Night Depending where we stay.
That includes Lodging ($45-$100), 400 miles of fuel for the tow vehicle ($80),
Fuel for the Sleds ($40-$60 Per weekend), Meals (Nothing Fancy $30-$50 Per Day for 2) I usual go at least 8 weekends and 1 or 2 Vacation weeks....
And on that note I Refuse to do the Math! LoL

BUT I love every minute of it! ... And Wouldn&#39;t Trade it for the World!!! :thumbsup:

The wife only Rides her sled once in a while...But Loves the Quad!

Nov.13th and 5" of Snow on the Ground in Boston!
Hope it&#39;s a Sign of things to Come!!!
Donny

Originally posted by michahicks@Nov 11 2004, 08:52 PM
There is no doubt. It is expensive. But it is a hobby. You shouldn&#39;t have to justify the expense of it. It just becomes a matter of priorities.

I have buddies the same way, saying it&#39;s too expensive. Then I hear about the 100 dollar rounds of golf on this awesome course...... or what the new set of tires cost, even a weekend of fishing.......

So although I do feel it&#39;s expensive too, expensive is a relative term. So I usually ask "Compared to what?"

My cure? Beg/borrow enough stuff to let them ride a nice sled for a weekend. Especially somebody that hasn&#39;t ridden in 20 years. They&#39;ll be hooked.....
362696

HOOKED IS CORRECT.LIKE I TELL MY FRIENDS WHO&#39;VE NEVER BEEN THERE=IT&#39;S NOT ABOUT SPEED.IT&#39;S ALL ABOUT BEEING ABLE TO SEE AND DO THINGS THAT THE AVERAGE PERSON HAS NO CHANCE OF EVER EXPERIENCING.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN 40 MILES OUT INTO THE WILDERNESS AND SEEN AN EAGLE FLY OVER YOUR HEAD??WHO WANTS TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON THAT??LEMMENO WHAT THAT&#39;S WORTH.

I dont even want to know what i spend a year,i can only imagine what i have spent over the years.I tried to get out of snowmobiling a few times but never could do it,nothing gives me that butterfly in the stomach feeling like snowmobiling gives me.Ever since i was a little kid nothing got me excited like snowmobiling did.

Is oodles a number? w00t

Had to cut back on spending this year, trying to put on a deck and finish the lower level of the house. Also picked up a formula Z for the "wife"..........She wants pipes, clutch kit and studs. You know all the things "wives" like! So my sled had very few upgrades this season. As far as amount that i spend i will never want to figure it out. Probably cause a guy to end drinking or somthing. Want a minute, uhhhhhhhhhhh, never mind.

Onthinice...you are right on! Where in the same boat! And yes I would like to have a brand new ride. Not for reliability but suspension confort. Some are just not living on the same planet as others do...

Hey, it&#39;s only money. You only live once. So have fun while your here. If you didn&#39;t spend it on snowmobiling, what are you saving it for?

I have now realized another good benifit for spending so much on sledding. I have something to show for it. There are lots of kids my age who work fairly steady and have absolutely nothing to show for it. They either party it away or spend it on stupid things that aren&#39;t worth it even having around. I have a sled, a truck, and i maintain them both, i do work my butt off, in the summer i usually work 12-15 hour days for 2 months straight, then after schools till freeze up, on a farm, and in the winter at the ski hill, but i don&#39;t care, because when i drive my truck or hop on my sled, at least i feel like it was all worth the work. So, maybe sledding is expensive, but atleast you know where your money is going, and that its a pretty good reason to spend your hard earned cash, not just wasting it.

Bauer

A lot of great points here. My take:

Dinner and a movie with the wife = $100
A night of drinking = $100
A day of golfing = $100
A day of fishing = $100

We&#39;re going riding in Canada for 4 days in January. The total trip with gas, lodging, food, drinks, etc, will cost me between $400 - $500. Around $100 per day.

Anything I do costs me $100 a day. None of the things listed above give me as much joy as a snowmobile trip with friends and family.

zr580....let me know how you make out with that $100/day budget. I live here and it costs me more than that per day.Don`t forget our fuel is around $3.50 a gallon for regular and about $4 for premium.Your fuel tank will hold $40 worth of fuel and if you put on any kind of mileage you will be filling up more than once.