Which Touring Sled Is Better - Snowmobile World : Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Geofan · 01-09-2003, 03:32 PM

OK ,need some advise. I'm going to be buying a new sled this month and I've been looking at the Ski-Doo Grand Touring Fan 500 and the Polaris Trail Touring. Very similiar in specs, in your humble experience\knowledge generally whose is considered the better manufacturer of touring sleds and why?

Thanks!

Geoff

boss hoss · 01-09-2003, 03:56 PM

i own a 2001 arctic cat pantera-it's the luxury 2 up touring machine.do your self a serious favor and compare the big cat to the other 2 brands,point for point,and you'll put it on the trailer.mine's a liquid 580--injected-,with reverse,true leather seats-for both passanger and driver.13"in the back 10.5 in the front.electric start with 12 volt power point.this sled responds better with 2 on it,rather than solo.it's 11.5 feet long-and you don't throw this one around-at all.but if you want to hunker down for the long smooth miles-you can't beat this machine.it's

at first sight. SWRules

FishHog · 01-09-2003, 04:19 PM

IMHO,

the doo, then the Pantera (worth a look) then the polaris.

I traded in my Pantera last season for the Grand Touring. Both are very nice sleds, but I kinda like the doo better. Although I went from the 580 to a 700 triple, so its not a real apples to apples comparison. But for the fuel I save over the 580, I could buy an awful lot of apples.

01-09-2003, 04:30 PM

I don't know about engine wise with the fan cooled machines but I had a 99 XLT touring and it was a very nice sled. I also have put a few miles on a 700 Grand Touring and the ride was quite a bit better than the XLT. I can't say I have been on a Cat touring sled but I hear they are nice also. I would think that the doo would cost you alittle bit more than the poo but if you are not worried about that then I would go with the doo. Just my opinion.

BGTRK19472 · 01-09-2003, 04:35 PM

This is where I think the 4 strokes make good sleds. If it were me I would look at the 4 stroke touring models, with there better mpg and no oil smell.

boss hoss · 01-09-2003, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BGTRK19472@Jan 9 2003, 03:35 PM
This is where I think the 4 strokes make good sleds. If it were me I would look at the 4 stroke touring models, with there better mpg and no oil smell.

and no real power....................... not yet

Geofan · 01-09-2003, 04:59 PM

I looked at the Cat too, but it was the 570 ESR. I want to stick with a fan cooled sled. I live in Canada's far north (Yellowknife) and IMHO fan cooled are considerable more reliable in our climate than liquid cooled.
Also both Polaris and Ski-Doo have very agressive financing right now, basically o down o payments 0 interest until 2004. Which is what I'm after as I plan to pay it off before that time comes. Arctic Cat has no current offering like that and I really don't want ot get into payments.

Geoff

andw1 · 01-09-2003, 05:15 PM

My buddys wife has a GT 500, it is avery nice riding machine. A lot more plush than my MXZ or my wife's legend. I think you get a bit more for your money for the Doo at least around here. The Pol. dealers around here won't budge from MSRP and charge a fortune for setup. That's the main reason I ride doo's now, the Pol dealer told me if I didn't like the prices there go somewhere else, so I did.

Sled Dogg · 01-09-2003, 05:39 PM

My uncle and I looked at them one day. He liked cats til he sat on a Grand touring. Adjustable handle bars are nice on the Doo GT and the seating is nicer as well as more comfortable we both thought. You'll pay more for a Doo or Polaris but they are the best and most relible touring sleds made. Cats are not bad but just not the same leage as the others. But cats 570 fan is one hellva motor, thats for sure. Doo and polaris have a few nice features on there two up s also. I believe polaris has a two year motor warrenty standard also.
Caleb

alindazip · 01-09-2003, 08:47 PM

I had the chance to ride the polaris frontier touring 4 stroke last year road it for about 200 miles but the next day I rode my cat and after riding the frontier touring I do not think I would buy the polaris touring models IMO you want to look at the cat and the Doo for touring, I have not ridden a Doo touring model. The fan cooled cats are a very good motor except I know some who had trouble with the 580 engine. The ride once you set your sled for your weight is very good on the cat. and they say the newer ones with the coupled suspension are even better. I don't think the doo quite compares but as I said I never rode a doo touring model. Hope this ;helps.