Help! Its down to 3, Venture, viper GT, Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 600R E-TEC

[UP Michigan rider]

I am looking for a snowmobile for a female, late 30s with two younger kids, has never been snowmobiling. Riding U.P. Michigan trails. I starting out thinking the Ski-Doo Renegade Enduro 600R (newer engine) E-Tec was the way to go. Then I shifted over to the Yamaha SRViper L-TX GT because of the engine reliability (137 track) Now I am starting to think that for the money, the Yamaha RS Venture TF (151 track) is a hidden gem. No it doesn't have the "cool" factor but if you just look at what is on paper, its pretty darn good. Can you remove the back seat?

Any thoughts? Thanks

 

[greatwhite89]

In my opinion, I'd go with the Venture TF. Three driving modes, Sport, Touring, Economy. Power steering. Very warm. I sure haven't been disappointed with my 2020. Hard to beat the Japanese quality fit and finish, as I'm sure you know. The backrest doesnt come off, but you can rotate it to various positions. Here's an article that may help your decision making.

https://www.snowtechmagazine.com/a-hidden-gem-in-the-touring-segment/

 

[kyzer]

From experience I would stay away from the Venture TF. Not that's its a bad sled just big and bulky. I owned a Venture GT, great sled no issues other than the size. My wife would drive it and her arms would get tired. I own a Viper now and its a great handling sled. Wife can handle the Viper with no issues. The Viper has been very reliable. . Can't comment on the Enduro 600 never owned one. Good luck with your choice !

 

[sailor joe]

For a woman who's new to riding id go with the Renegade..sorry to say but I've had a Tf and its all that Greatwhite says it is..warm, power steering etc.. I used to own a Tf and it was too much for my wife to handle...plainly said its too heavy. My wife loved my buddies spare sled a 600 Renegade Ace...its light, easier to handle than the TF...the Tf is also tippy but if your riding big trails the TF is unbeatable. When my wife decides she wants her own sled then we will be getting a Renegade...its a woman's sled. I have a Sidewinder 2up and the Misses is intimidated by it. The Viper I've heard might be a bit heavy also because last year I was thinking of getting her one and I talked with someone who's wife rode one to try and it was a bit much for her.
I don't know all the details of each sled you're looking at so it's hard to determine what's the best deal. The Renegade is just easier, lighter, nimbler and not as powerful as the Yami's...Dont get me wrong I would never trade my SW for any Ski Doo but for a woman...JMHO Joe

 

[Confused]

My 17 yr old daughter put 40 miles on our Venture Saturday with my 14 yr old daughter on the back. She's not new to riding but shows you a small framed women can handle the machine. It is tippy coming out of the ditch to cross the roadway unless you're approaching it straight on. My wife found that out the hard way 2 weekends ago when she put it on it's side on the road. No damage to the sled, wife, or 7 yr old on the back. I will say it took all 3 of us to flip it back over.

 

[Snowman871]

Not exactly apples-to-apples but I had a similar situation. My wife has ridden snowmobile in the past and her last sled was a 1998 XC 600 Polaris. She liked the sled but it was time to upgrade to something newer with fuel injection and better ergonomics. I had a budget of $5,000 and based on what I could find I pretty much had it down to be a 600 etec renegade or and LTX vector with power steering - need fuel injection, reasonable amount of miles, good history, preference to a ~136" track, etc.

Pro's of the doo
- Lighter weight
- Better accessory options (seating, cargo, etc.)
- Likely better handling (depending on setup)

Pro's of the Yamaha
- Fit and finish
- Reliability
- Familiarity since I own a Nytro
- Resale

I shopped for several months. Missed out on a couple good doo sleds that sold right away, but most guys wanted too much money considering the amount of miles on a 2 stroke motor in my experience. I bought a clean one-owner 2014 Vector LTX with 5,000 miles on it for $5,000. It didn't have the 2-up seat option like I wanted, but I found that there are seat jack options available.

Just got it out yesterday for the first time and the power steering is great! Only thing it will take the wife some getting used to is the instant torque vs. the previous 2 stroke power plant. She noted it was very snappy! I already installed the BOP soft start spring so it wasn't harsh engagement, just loads of torque down low trying to drive 7-20 mph with the kids 120's following.

 

[sailor joe]

my point exactly..tippy.

My 17 yr old daughter put 40 miles on our Venture Saturday with my 14 yr old daughter on the back. She's not new to riding but shows you a small framed women can handle the machine. It is tippy coming out of the ditch to cross the roadway unless you're approaching it straight on. My wife found that out the hard way 2 weekends ago when she put it on it's side on the road. No damage to the sled, wife, or 7 yr old on the back. I will say it took all 3 of us to flip it back over.[/Q
my point exactly, the power steering makes it say to steer but is your wife really ready to jump back on? Mine wasn't when we rolled over on a small bump of snow mound. I realize all woman are not the same and I shouldn't have generalized but for a newbie the TF is not the kind of sled to start off with...great sled but with a few quirks to figure out. Joe