Hello....I am new to snowmobiling and was looking for some help buying a new machine. I am an avid ATVer but have never gotten into sledding.

I would be riding in central Maine and live on a 300 acre pond and would also use the ITS trail system. I am a big guy and prefer something comfortable with plenty of power but not too sporty. I currently ride a utility ATV (Kawasaki Brute Force). I would also like to be able to put someone on the back. I guess powerful and versatile is what i'm looking for. I would normally prefer 4 strokes in an ATV but not sure how this applies to sleds. Price is not a concern but reliability is..

Thanks for your feedback!!

Hmm, where to start with this one, first of all I guess is to say, welcome to the sport, and welcome to the best site about it on the net. Now, to your question, All of the brands have what you are looking for basically. Arctic Cat has a 4 stroke turbo (high power) touring sled (with 2 up seat for a passenger), and so does polaris as well. Yamaha also has a great 4 stroke power (non turbo) and nice touring machines. And ski doo, they have touring machines as well, but i am not quite sure on engine sizes and what not from them, because they are 2 strokes. So, basically whichever one of the big 4 brands you feel like running i don't think you could make a mistake. As for ride and what not with these sleds, well, i have never really ridden any of them, so I will have to let some one who is more familiar with the touring lines fill you in on that.


Bauer

Hello....I am new to snowmobiling and was looking for some help buying a new machine. I am an avid ATVer but have never gotten into sledding.

I would be riding in central Maine and live on a 300 acre pond and would also use the ITS trail system. I am a big guy and prefer something comfortable with plenty of power but not too sporty. I currently ride a utility ATV (Kawasaki Brute Force). I would also like to be able to put someone on the back. I guess powerful and versatile is what i'm looking for. I would normally prefer 4 strokes in an ATV but not sure how this applies to sleds. Price is not a concern but reliability is..

Thanks for your feedback!!
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WELCOME to SW. If your looking to ride double. defiantly check out the 2 up's that are out there. I'm not to familure with 4 strokes. AC Panther 2 up is nice OR the T-660 turbo They might have that in 2 up. But I hear that Yamaha has a real good 4 stoke. Hope you find something before the snow starts flying. Snow Prowler.

Who do you buy your ATV's from? That would be my first stop. They know you best.

After that, just me, but I would be looking at suspensions. If you are going to be switching back and forth between 1 and 2 riders, your suspension should be able to do the same.

I think ATV's and sleds go hand in hand - depending on season. I tend to performance sleds, and sport type ATV's. Ride mostly trail with similar styles for both (sideways through the corners). So it's easy for me to understand somebody riding utility ATV's to want a 2 up sled. There are some really nice ones available - including 4 stroke. I'm not sure if brand makes as much difference as support that's available for them to a lot of people. The other thing might be finding out what your friends/neighbors are riding - and why.

Welcome to the site. I am in the group that say a 2-cycle is better on a sled. Lighter weight, easier to move if you get stuck.

Sled: If you are going to be cuting trails on your own land, and using the trial system, the best sled for you is the Ski Doo MXZ Renegade. It has a longer track than standard sleds so is floats better on powder, but it is not as long as mountain sleds, so you can still manuver it on packed trails. All models have the 1+1 seating option too.

Suspention: There are heavier springs that can be put in the back for $35-$40 each. Set them on stiff for 2 people, and loosen them when you are alone.

Engine: Since you are new to the sport, I wouldn't get anything bigger than a 600. They still have plenty of power, and cost less than an 800. After your first year, you'll have an idea if it's enough, or if you want an upgrade.

If your a bigger guy, I would go with an 800,,, I think you will be a lot happier over the 600 and its a lot easier to not hit the throttle as much if theres extra there than it is to make a 600 run like an 800.
As for brand, you know I am gonna say Arctic Cat,,, but in all honesty, I would look over all 4 brands,,, sit on them, ride them if you get the chance,,, see what you like best. All of the big 4 make a quality sled and you need to find what YOU like best.
Oh yeah,,, welcome to our happy home,,,
Good Luck
Brian

If you're utmost concern is reliability, Yamaha's are a good way to go. Not saying that other brands aren't reliable, but everyone can agree that Yammis are the best in this area.

If you want a touring sled and plan to stay exclusively on trail (where weight won't be an issue when getting stuck, etc.), get the Yamaha RS Venture (4-stroke).

I'm 6'5 295 pounds I have a 06 MXZ 800 Ptek. I don't know how big a guy you are but if you around my build get an 800 nothing less. Before you know it you will be comfortable and want to crack it wide open on the lakes with your buds and you will want the power of an 800. The wife has a 600 so I have ridden both and its just way to slow for me, this is magnified when you get in a bit of powder and it starts to get bogged down. I couldn’t get hers over 140kmh on a smooth lake 95kmh in 1 foot of powder. Mine 175kmh last year I kind of wish I got the 1000. Get something you can grow into and not have to keep trading up. Oh and you can get into just as much trouble on a 600 and an 800 its all up to the rider to be safe not the machine. Oh and most doo’s you can get a 1 up seat adapter.