2008 Venture MP

[Ken Beaven]

Hi guys,
just getting back into sledding and I'm looking at picking up a 2008 venture MP with 7500km on it. The guy wants $3500 and he's firm on that. I'm not a huge sled buff so I'm not too sure if he's trying to take me for a ride or not, any thoughts assuming the sled is in well used but looked after condition.

Also I've called a couple dealerships and no one can give me a straight up answer if there is a second seat that can be bolted onto the back of this unit. Thanks for reading, any input would be great.

 

[YukonMP]

That price would work for me if it was in good shape and the guy kept up his maintenance. I'm 90% sure the seat that came standard with later model years bolts straight on. Expect it to be 800 bucks if new.

Welcome to TY, if you want to wrench yourself a bit these guys are awesome.

 

[Ken Beaven]

Thanks for the reply. How about the amount of Km on it, any issues there? I was chatting with a guy who told me these sleds are getting up to 50,000Km on an engine if properly looked after. That sounds a little ambitious to me, any thoughts on that? Just want to make sure if I were to buy this thing that I'd be getting a good few years out of it. All in theory, something will surely break somewhere down the line.

 

[Mooseman]

I have 14k on mine and it still purrs like a kitten. Mine I would actually ask more so that is a good deal depending on condition and inspection. It likely doesn't have the rear seat and if you want one, Yamaha doesn't have a kit anymore, you would have to get the parts separately ($$$).

Things to look for: loose steering, worn ball joints, worn ski spindle bushings with possible damaged spindles, non functional hand warmers, worn seat with a hard piece of plastic right on you tail bone when sitting on it, broken exhaust pipe under the tank, milky chain case oil, worn left side shaft bearings, flaky reverse gear that doesn't always shift into reverse and back.

 

[YukonMP]

I would be very disappointed if my engine gave out with less than 30k on it and 50k is not outrageous at all. Mooseman's list is comprehensive and I'd suggest a test/demo that included trying reverse several times. I might add exhaust donuts to the list. I wouldn't say any of this stuff is a deal breaker at that price, especially if you want to do the work yourself.

 

[Ken Beaven]

I'm taking a look at it tomorrow so thanks a lot guys, going to make a little list so I don't miss anything. Sounds like this could be a decent purchase.

 

[YukonMP]

If you just slide a jack under the front end and lift the skis off the ground you can pretty quickly see how tight the whole front end is. Holding your hand over the exhaust while running will test the exhaust, the idle should labor immediately with no exhaust sounds/wheezes/whistles further up the tunnel.

Good luck.

 

[Mooseman]

I totally forgot about the donuts since I swapped mine out to copper a long time ago. That test with your hand (gloved or with a rag) is a good one.