Hi all, im a old , new sledder, what is your ideas of the best or good machine for just ice fishing and bush riding, im not a speed demon but want a dependable machine, thanks ray, all opinons wellcome????

Welcome aboard!!!!

Are you looking for a new or used sled, and do you have a price range in mind?

Im looking for something in the 2000 year model or newer, no real price range, just want something dependable, either 2 or 4 stroke.

I don't know if they made them in 2000+ but ya can't beat a Tundra for just tootin around in the bush or going across the lake to fish. They aren't a real speed demon as they only have a 250cc single in them but they are good on gas and oil and are a pretty dependable machine and they are nice and light as well. Another good one would be a Bravo. They are on the same level as the Tundra but I don't think they are quite as tippy.

I don't know if they made them in 2000+ but ya can't beat a Tundra for just tootin around in the bush or going across the lake to fish. They aren't a real speed demon as they only have a 250cc single in them but they are good on gas and oil and are a pretty dependable machine and they are nice and light as well. Another good one would be a Bravo. They are on the same level as the Tundra but I don't think they are quite as tippy.[/b]

I agree, both the tundra and bravo sound good. In Canada a 2008 bravo has a MSRP of $4600, not a bad deal, imo. I've had nothing but good experiences on them, they are great in the snow, light if you get stuck, very dependable, cheap to insure/drive. etc etc...

Sounds like fan cooled is the way to go for you, lower initial purchase price and lighter.
Best advice I can give is to purchase the newest sled you could afford as the strides in technology and suspensions with every new model year are staggering!

Sounds like fan cooled is the way to go for you, lower initial purchase price and lighter.
Best advice I can give is to purchase the newest sled you could afford as the strides in technology and suspensions with every new model year are staggering![/b]


not to mention fan cooled sleds won't over heat if you are just putting around the bush or are driving on hard crust or ice.

we have an 03 z370 here and we love the thing,,, its bullet proof, runs all the time, you can have a ball on it, its fan cooled, it wasnt expensive,,, just wish it was a little faster somtimes,,, but I wouldnt be afraid to buy another one,,,

Skandic 380 or 500/550

Indy Trail RMK

Venture XL fan

would be my choices for waht you would want

all lightweight fancooled with 136 tracks and relieble engines

We have a Skandic 380 and for just ice fishing and puttering through the bush I would trade it for a tundra in a heartbeat. The Skandic is not that light in fact it's pretty heavy. I'm afraid to take it off trail if the snow is too deep because it's a pita to dig out. Also IMO it's geard too high, there isn't the bottom end grunt you'd expect from a work machine.

For ice fishing i have a 98 skandic super wide track this sled will go any place you would ever care to go.While breaking trail with this sled my freinds cant even fallow my track without getting stuck. With its 152x24 inch track it will float on the snow and it has a low gear witch is great for pulling heavy loads, i dont think i would trad this sled for nothing elts. The secondary sled we have for ice fishing is a touring e 380 great on gas but not the best trial breaker.

I agree, both the tundra and bravo sound good. In Canada a 2008 bravo has a MSRP of $4600, not a bad deal, imo. I've had nothing but good experiences on them, they are great in the snow, light if you get stuck, very dependable, cheap to insure/drive. etc etc...[/b]

they still make bravos? :huh:

boogie......thats the skandic I wish we had.....I agree that they are awsome for breaking trail and pulling and general work as I've seen one in action, but unfourtuneatly we have a narrow tracked high geared version. Accually it more resembles a safari than a skandic. POS IMO. If he can find a SWT Skandic then ya it would be a good one as weight really wouldn't be an issue as you have to try pretty hard to get it stuck.

Skandic 380 or 500/550

Indy Trail RMK

Venture XL fan

would be my choices for waht you would want

all lightweight fancooled with 136 tracks and relieble engines[/b]
Good choices, but I would add the bearcat 440 and an Indy Widetrack. The Indy is not fancooled, but it's an awesome utility machine. The Bearcat is a really good dependable sled too.

We have a Skandic 380 and for just ice fishing and puttering through the bush I would trade it for a tundra in a heartbeat. The Skandic is not that light in fact it's pretty heavy. I'm afraid to take it off trail if the snow is too deep because it's a pita to dig out. Also IMO it's geard too high, there isn't the bottom end grunt you'd expect from a work machine.[/b]

YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A DIFERENT SLED

You are talking about the 93-94 Skandic 377 which is based on the HEAVY 90-94 POS Safari chassis that was NO good in snow 500lbs + behemoth

I am talking about the newer 02 and up 380 Skandics in the ZX chassis that weighs 430lbs roughly and the S chassis 95-01

BIG DIFERENCE


Touring 380/440 can be added too as they are basically Skandics with electric start

10-4

Your options are almost endless, every manufacturer makes a good all around fishing sled..In my opion I wouldn't get anything smaller then a 440. If you get into any type of slush ( and If you fish lots you will know what I mean) you need something with some snot that will get you out of there...I loved my Phazer Long track just for that reason..I have seen many Tundra's, Bravos go down because they run out of steam...Gook luck with your pick...........

they still make bravos? :huh:[/b]

They sure do

http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/produc...=S|&LANG=en (http://www.yamaha-motor.ca/products/products.php?model=2185&class=23&group=S|&LANG=en)

They sure look good for fishing and some fun now and then.

That's an AWEFULLY expensive price for technology that's been around for 20 years. I don't care if it is new. It also makes them a hypocryte when trying to convince people to buy 4-strokes, yet they claim their reliable sled is a 2-stroke. :D

they sure havent changed much over the years...i guess dont fix something if it aint broke right?

That's an AWEFULLY expensive price for technology that's been around for 20 years. I don't care if it is new.[/b]

i thought it was a decent deal actually, if your not familiar with bravo's, its tough to find a more reliable, durable, and long-lasting sled out there.......

Let's see... $5,000 for a new Bravo based on technology that's proven, but 20 years old. Or $5,000 on a good use dirt bike/quad also based on proven 20 year old technology, but it's the proven 4-stroke and doesn't require oil and can be used 8 of 12 months, not 2 of 12 months. See what I mean? Bump it down to $4,000 and now it's a fair price :D

Yes, the Bravo is probably the most recognizeable durable sled of all time :) ... just the company that builds them no longer supports 2-strokes.

Let's see... $5,000 for a new Bravo based on technology that's proven, but 20 years old. Or $5,000 on a good use dirt bike/quad also based on proven 20 year old technology, but it's the proven 4-stroke and doesn't require oil and can be used 8 of 12 months, not 2 of 12 months. See what I mean? Bump it down to $4,000 and now it's a fair price :D

Yes, the Bravo is probably the most recognizeable durable sled of all time :) ... just the company that builds them no longer supports 2-strokes.[/b]

excellent point my friend, however try pulling a $5,000 quad out of 3 feet of snow after you get off the ice! :huh:

excellent point my friend, however try pulling a $5,000 quad out of 3 feet of snow after you get off the ice! :huh:[/b]

What ice? LOL. Our winters are 2-3 months long, that's why I said you can use the quad 8 months of the year, that's 8 months without ice, and typically no snow either. Then again, you can use the Bravo year round as well... I have friends who do just that. Use them on the bogs for berry picking :D

Where does it say that Yamaha does not support 2- stroke, if they didn't support them they wouldn't make them at all...Yamaha is saying that the 4 stroke is the way to go and they are trying to push it as the way of the future..There is a small market here in Canada for the Bravo, Vk540, and the 485 Venture but I think you will see them disappear in the next couple of years..I wouldn't pay $4000-$5000 for a Bravo, I can buy one that is 5 years old for $1500 sure it has some miles on it but there isn't too much that will go wrong with them......

Where does it say that Yamaha does not support 2- stroke, if they didn't support them they wouldn't make them at all...Yamaha is saying that the 4 stroke is the way to go and they are trying to push it as the way of the future..There is a small market here in Canada for the Bravo, Vk540, and the 485 Venture but I think you will see them disappear in the next couple of years..I wouldn't pay $4000-$5000 for a Bravo, I can buy one that is 5 years old for $1500 sure it has some miles on it but there isn't too much that will go wrong with them......[/b]

... I think we know what I meant by "doesn't support". The whole brand is striving for a world where 2-stroke does not exist... that's what it appears to be like anyway. Which sucks in my mind, because they made some awesome 2-strokes in my opinion. Puts Polaris engines to shame, I'll be the first to admit. I've never heard of a Yammi losing it's engine at 35 miles. Or having complete lineups of different engines all having faulty pistons resulting in multiple engine failures regardless of treatment or conditions. I don't care if it does have 5,000 miles on it, it shouldn't be due for an engine job for any reason. If my car needed an engine job within 5,000 miles, I wouldn't be keeping it much longer.

Veered a little off topic there, lol. Sorry. I still love the Polaris machines though :D

probably not any more hypocritical than when Ski Don'ts says two strokes are better one year they start making them the next and brag on how good they are.

I also like the fan cooled option for your application. If you will be towing a portable or some sort of trailer you might want to consider something with a bit more HP like a z570. And, don't forget studs. They will help alot on the lake.