Getting back into snowmobiling, which 4 stroke machine to buy?

[rkkoeb]

After being out of snowmobiling for about 20 years my wife and I would like to get back in. We are looking at buying used sleds around the early to mid 2000's. I don't need a high performance machine just a nice riding one with electric start, reverse and hand and thumb warmers. Looking for a recommendation on what style we should look at and why?

Thanks

 

[20/80]

A nice sled is the Vector or the phazer built in the mid 2007, the phazer can be abit tippy so I would recommend the xtx phazer which came out in 2014 has the longer track, tuner skis and more stable, the phazer has the rider forward seating while the vector has the more traditional seating style, both are great on fuel and very reliable sleds and have all what your looking for. ps welcome

 

[ishpeming fan]

A pair of Vectors would be great sleds I think for you and your wife. They are very trouble free sleds with good mileage as well as burning 87 octane fuel instead of 91 like most sleds. They have a nice robust power band if you want to get on it, if you want to cruise along slowly they work great for that as well.

 

[sxr70001]

If you want to ride together you can't beat a Venture 2 up. Very comfy and has the same engine as the Vector.

 

[theCATman]

I'll 2nd the Vector top pick motion. There's a reason I own 3 of them. They are the best, yet easily overlooked 4s trail sled Yamaha ever built. Comfortable, plenty of power when wanted, yet not overwhelming, and good fuel economy.

Just beware 05-07 is the original Deltabox chassis that's still an old style sit down type chassis, so certainly not as comfortable as the Deltabox 2. Also, the same model year engines are known to have timing chain tensioner failure.

08-09 will be in the newer chassis and the tensioner is updated. '10+ also newer chassis, along with the larger 1049 FI engine and also Monoshock 2 rear skid.

 

[rkkoeb]

What about a rx1

 

[theCATman]

What about a rx1

Old, 1st gen chassis. Terrible rear suspension 03-04.

Monoshock came in 05.

The 4 cyl is certainly high performance, which you state you don't necessarily want. But the sound and power of them is definitely fun.

 

[whitedust1]

05 Rx1 sit in sleds with mono RA would work. I don’t think fuel injection came out until 06 Apex. All improvements came to Apex first then trickledown to Vector in later years.

 

[STAIN]

The Vector/Vector LTX's are great sleds. Arguably the best four stroke snowmobile engine ever made...…..

 

[rkkoeb]

What year did the Vector come out in? Any years I should stay away from? What about miles, is 10k miles high for one of these machines?

 

[74Nitro]

What year did the Vector come out in? Any years I should stay away from? What about miles, is 10k miles high for one of these machines?

05
As already mentioned, stay away from 05-06 unless you know the timing chain tensioner has been updated.
These also sound better than the RX-1 as it has a slight drone.

 

[Yamajon1]

I would go with 08 or newer Vector or Apex. Better chassis and more comfortable then earlier years and both have great motors.

 

[rkkoeb]

What year did the vector come out in? What are your thoughts about the early year phazers?

 

[theCATman]

05
As already mentioned, stay away from 05-06 unless you know the timing chain tensioner has been updated.
These also sound better than the RX-1 as it has a slight drone.

07 too had possible bad tensioner.

 

[theCATman]

What year did the Vector come out in? Any years I should stay away from? What about miles, is 10k miles high for one of these machines?

Please read or re read my 1st reply to you.

I cliff note covered the bases.

The only thing I forgot was 08-09 Vector although in the newer chassis, was still the carbureted 973cc.