Great first sled

[redrx1rkt]

I went riding today with a guy who just bought his first sled...a 2001 Polaris XC Edge 500. I rode it a few miles while he rode my Apex and I have to say I am impressed. What a perfect sled for a beginner. It is so user-friendly...you get on, sit, hit the throttle and it goes. When you steer it, the handlebars are light and the sled is nimble and easy to turn. It doesnt have a lot of power to get you into trouble either. Good riding for a traditional sled.

Our Yamaha sleds and the REVs have a learning curve in order to ride them comfortably, in my opinion. Yamaha four stroke have a lot of power and are heavy...REVs are tippy and can roll easily. Not this Polaris...it felt like anybody could get on it and ride it well.

 

[maxdlx]

kind of like the old yamaha sx sleds, but with inovation comes cost

 

[swmichvector]

kind of like the old yamaha sx sleds, but with inovation comes cost

i still have my 97 sx 700. i will be the last owner of that sled.

 

[redrx1rkt]

I may be the last owner of my 2006 Apex. With 8000 miles and five years of seat time, I can't imagine not having it at this point. Not to mention, I have had to dump tons of money into it due to the 2006 "issues" so it will be awhile before I can get my money's worth from the ol' girl...

 

[maxdlx]

I know the feeling, my 05 warrior is the same thing, to much to part it, to expensive to fix it. Might buy a 97 700 and go bck to the good old days. LOL

 

[thephast1]

kind of like the old yamaha sx sleds, but with inovation comes cost

i still have my 97 sx 700. i will be the last owner of that sled.

AMEN

 

[birkebeiner]

[...] you get on, sit, hit the throttle and it goes. [...]

And you can't do this with any other sled...???

 

[blueironranger]

I miss the trailing arm sleds also, easy to ride and very HARD to get the inside skis to lift much in the corners. I know my Phazer had a learning curve but with over 700 miles under my belt on it I've grown to love it, really didn't like it at all for the first 100 miles. I've been thinking of picking up an older SX500 or 500XC for a spare/guest sled.

 

[redrx1rkt]

BlueIronranger - I agree. I forgot how simple those older sleds are to ride until I got on my buddy's Polaris yesterday. I think one needs to learn how to ride an Apex, a Phazer, a REV, etc. The old Polaris Edge models are just plain easy to ride and very hard to get in trouble on.

I would love to have a 500XC as a backup sled.

 

[snerkman]

This is why I love riding my brother's XC 600. Even though the Apex is heavier, I can ride it faster in the twisties. But it's all in the arms and shoulders making it turn. It just isn't as much fun as the old sleds. Hangin' your #*$&@ off the seat, counter-steering and swinging the tail like you're dirt-tracking.

 

[polarisconvert]

SRX

Went out riding yesterday with some friends. I was letting others in the group drive my 05 RX1. I spent some time on a 2000 SRX. I have to say it was a fun ride. I do like my RX1 better but the SRX was a nice change.

 

[quebecmoutainrider]

MXZ

drove my friends MXZ... it looks like no suspention..but its just really hard like a sports car..and it rides like one..not too soft..and when you take a cornner,it just slides..it is not nearly as tippy as the high suspention new sleds..now I know why he likes to wipe the cornners clean..lol..now thats a real rice burnner...anyone can rip that sled around..and ice up all the turns..lol..it was fun..but I didnt buy a trail sled for a reason..too bad I am driven everywhere to find snow for it..

 

[redrx1rkt]

Snerkman - Amen...amen...they were/are fun to fly around on. I remember flying around on my 100 hp SX 600 in the early 2000s... you could come into a turn, gun it, and "waaaaaaaaaaaa...." the rear end would kick around, no ski lift, and straight ahead you would go at a modest pace. Try that in my Apex and you will either fly straight into a tree because it has so much grunt it just pushes the sled forward or it would tip up. As mentioned, it takes skill to make these tall, powerful modern sleds do what could be done with 20 minutes of riding experience on the old sleds.

In the end, I will still take my Apex, thanks.

 

[FAMILYMAN]

My uncle has a 700 and 800 switchback. Now thats a nice all around great ride. Dual carbide up front, soaks up all the bumps, will be in my fleet someday thats for sure.

 

[northerndoc]

My uncle has a 700 and 800 switchback. Now thats a nice all around great ride. Dual carbide up front, soaks up all the bumps, will be in my fleet someday thats for sure.

Gonna have to second that statement.... I got rid of my '04 Rev backup sled a couple weeks ago (because it was too much like my Nytro) in favor of an '06 Poo Switchback with Studs and Dualies... great sled. So easy to ride, rear suspension is plush, good power for a 600, no quirky handling issues. Still love my Nytro when conditions are ideal, but when things get thin and icy on the trails, this SB is awesome... Just wish Poo could get the fuel injection and reliability issues worked out on their 800's.... might be looking to fence-jump if that happens....