Entry level sled - what would you want?

AKrider

AKrider

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Chris had a post on the Blog about entry level sleds and I'm curious what others would want?

I've got a 20 year old Trail Indy that I use for my utility/bush sled and it works great. It is easy to work on, narrow (36") decently light weight, reliable and most importantly performs well off trail. The tall windshield keeps me warm, the wide belly pan helps it float in powder, and since it is an Indy, I've been able to upgrade it very inexpensively. Sure it doesn't ride like a modern sled and the ergos aren't all that great, but it does what I need it to do.

How about Yamaha come out with a 3/4 size sled with these features:
1. A couple different Grizzly motors for options
2. Ultramatic drive belt system
3. Conventional sheet aluminum chassis or even a steel tube chassis like a fourwheeler. Something that is durable and easy and inexpensive to repair.
4. Exhaust over tunnel to eliminate the ice build up issues.
5. Radiator with a fan that actually works at low speed/low snow conditions. Better yet, air/oil cooled, just like a quad.
6. Carbureted
7. Rider forward but features real wind protection
8. Beefy front & rear bumpers/grab bars
9. Plain jane features like simple high low for hot grips and thumb warmer and a simple (read cheap) gauge.
10. Light overall weight, as in 400-425lbs
11. Lower ride height with around 8" of travel, cheap hydraulic oil shocks and use trailing arms which are more durable for off trail use. Struts are great for powder snow but are not durable enough for mowing over brush.
12. Use as many of the existing parts out of the parts bin as possible.
13. Old style, bolt on chain case. Or better yet, use oversized clutches and go direct drive.
14. Narrow ski stance for a trapper/utility version.
15. Back up pull start or a pull start only economy version.

Finally use the KISS principle and have the base model sled come in at $4,999. Even less than that would be better but probably not realistic.
 
Old phazer II chassis with a 50hp 4 stroke, Vmax XT size struts, and an nice 8-9" rear skid. Struts are VERY durable, my Phazer II has been nothing but a woods machine and I haven't broken or twisted anything mowing over brush and small trees. Trailing arms are very durable too though, NO A-ARMS! First manufacture to come out with a fuel sipping, durable, easy to ride sled that is fast enough for trails and has a sticker price under 6000$ will sell quite a few IMO. I've seen a few DOO 600 ace's running around already, but that's still a full size chassis.
 
Yeap I'd lap that up in a heartbeat; my wife wants something that's not too intimidating to try the sport out on. If she doesn't like, it would be a great machine for my son when he gets a little older.
 
I got my kids an 89 Ovation, they are 11 & 8.....the size of the sled is perfect, the weight of the sled is perfect, the engine power is perfect, the only thing that sucks is the suspension.....if they could take that sled and put some decent suspension on it I think it would be a great starter sled.
 
blueironranger said:
Old phazer II chassis with a 50hp 4 stroke, Vmax XT size struts, and an nice 8-9" rear skid. Struts are VERY durable, my Phazer II has been nothing but a woods machine and I haven't broken or twisted anything mowing over brush and small trees. Trailing arms are very durable too though, NO A-ARMS! First manufacture to come out with a fuel sipping, durable, easy to ride sled that is fast enough for trails and has a sticker price under 6000$ will sell quite a few IMO. I've seen a few DOO 600 ace's running around already, but that's still a full size chassis.
Click to expand...

I'm currently fixing up a '90 or '91 Phazer II for my daughter. I've had Phazers in the past and dang, they are a PITA to work on but I like how light and small they are. The struts are great for deep snow since they don't drag but I don't like them when I've got the sled super stuck and half rolled over on a hillside and I'm yarding on one ski trying to get it righted. Plus the exposed stantion tubes make me nervous by rocks or when tree loops grab the skis and bring you to a sudden stop.

I've seen guys install old SC-10 Ski-doo skids to get around 10" of travel in the back. The Vmax XT struts would be a nice way to balance the sled back out. I wonder how difficult it would be to fit a Grizzly motor in there? Since they both use belt drive it wouldn't seem impossible.
 
I bought a used 92 Bravo in 94'. Both my kids grew up on it and also grew to love sledding on it. It was a second sled that we could also borrow to adult guests that came to our place so I could show them about sledding. The only thing I ever did to the machine was add gas. Last fall I put it up for sale for the same price I bought it for. I could have sold 20 of them that weekend with the number of calls I got. To me the Bravo would still be the best entry level sled in the market.
 
do not get fancy. put tss/trailing arms on the bravo with an air cooled 4 stroke motor. dont make it to ride trails, make it to make the trails. ice fishing guys and trappers will love it as they loved the bravo and et's for years for this job.
 
I thought this topic would be more popular since Yamaha has a big hole in its lineup and this type of sled would pretty much appeal to everyone. I'm surprised to see more people be excitied over what sled Yamaha might put power steering on or the 2011 Apex that costs $15,000.
 
AKrider said:
...Yamaha has a big hole in its lineup and this type of sled would pretty much appeal to everyone. ....
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the States but the Bravo is still available in Canada for list price of $5300 CDN. I've seen new non-current Bravos advertised for $4000. Great little sled.
 
I just bought a 2011 bravo here in NY last month.


Very very similar to the 83 short track i have too
 
Look around for an 2001 500 Phazer deluxe, it has electric start and reverse. It's fan cooled but can keep up in the trails and has a newer suspension. Price point is very good (around 1700-2700), I picked one up for my girlfriend, who is a novice and she feels very comfortable on it.
 
Second generation Bravo

I too would be all over an entry sled for myself and for my kids. I've already posted about this topic. I drive a Nytro XTX boon docking and trail riding, but to jump on something that can poke around in the bush and make its own trail is just a pile of FUN! My suggestion is a single cylinder 450CC 4-stroke, narrow ski-stance with TSS pogo front suspension. A 144" x 1.5" track with some cargo space on the back rack. Light weight is the key. It doesn't need high tech rear suspension, just simple torsion springs. Give it some ground clearance and a comfortable seat height, a price tag of under $7000 and you would sell a ton!
 
srv

how bout a new srv make it look like the old one with 40" stance the new $1200 m-10 rear and high tourque 4 strke say 90hp
 
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