Looking for a spare sled...what I have narrowed it down to

[redrx1rkt]

I bought a camp last year and I am already tired of hauling my Apex back and forth to ride at home and camp every other weekend. Next year, I will leave the Apex at camp and have the spare sled at my house. Also, I want a sled for a non-snowmobile owner to ride if they want. Perhaps I will teach the stepkids to ride too.

The question is...what sled will serve in that role? I have been thinking about this for months. I don't want to spend a lot of $$ but I dont need a high-powered machine or anything too fancy. In fact, the more simple the better, and I want a sled that is easy to ride for newbies.

My first choice is a 1999-2001 Polaris XC Edge 500 for around $1500. These are solid, reliable machines with a good ride and handling. They are all over the place around here so finding one should be easy. I rode one last year and came away with the impression that anyone could ride that thing. Not sure how they do in deep snow.

My second choice is a 2004 REV, though that would get up in price around $3000. They offer good ride for our sometimes bumpy conditions locally, plus are easy to toss around in deep snow. Plus, they are pretty reliable. I would buy a carbed 600 or 500 S.S. I question how easy they are to ride for a beginner though. I have logged about 100 miles on one and still find it tricky.

My third choice is 2001-04 Venom or SXR, like my first sled. They don't ride as well as the Poo or Doo (actually not even close) but that Yamaha reliability is a strong factor. Also, I have a great dealer within 12 miles both at home and at camp. These old Yamahas aren't as easy to ride as the Edge chassis, going on memory. My dealer has a 2004 Venom with 3300 miles with electric start and reverse for $4000 (which is too much) that has caught my eye.

Please share any thoughts you may have. Add any sleds you think would be a good spare machine to have around that I missed and add to or correct any of my descriptions to the above sleds.

Thanks!

 

[blueironranger]

Edge XC500 for 1500$ sounds pretty good.

SX600 are also nice for under 2000$ and ride pretty nice IF you revalve the skid shocks. Plus you get the awesome triple sound!

 

[redrx1rkt]

I remember my triple having great top end for a two-stroke. I would get beat by all other 600s and even and F5, but if I had the space I would catch them and pass them.

Thanks for your input. I think the Poo is the best choice but want to hear people's opinions.

 

[spike337]

Old school, reliable Polaris. Cheap parts, and easy to fix if needed.

 

[Newfie Apex]

sled

I bought a 2003 mxz 380f (zx chassis) for my wife...I love riding it Fantastic sled! easy to operate! electronic reverse!...lightweight !!!! ...easy on gas!...great for someone not use to sledding! great spare sled... Did I mention cheap to maintain!!! and the grips get hot and the sliders last forever.........

 

[redrx1rkt]

Newfie (don't mean to offend you -

The problem with the 380 fan is that it is too slow! I need to go more than 60 mph. A 550 fan is an option that would allow to get a newer REV perhaps as an X package.

 

[moab11]

The Edge polaris's with the Fuji built 500 liquid should provide for a near maintenance free ride. I had a 97 indy 500 that I beat on for years and required nothing more than the typical maintenance. put about 7000miles on it before I sold it and it still ran great.

 

[ahicks]

I bought an 06 Fusion, with the carbed 600HO engine, as a backup for my Apex. I was worried I'd break something on the Apex and loose some of our way too short season. All went as planned - but it turned out I REALLY enjoy having access to the much lighter sled on occasion, that could be ridden like a rental - to the point it ended up with a bunch of handling goodies on it - and it's now ridden as much as the Apex.

As much as I enjoyed the GenII sleds, I would not buy one over the more current breed of "rider forward" 600's. Take your pic, Polaris or Doo, I don't know how you could go too far wrong with either?

 

[maim]

i would go with an sxr of some kind. you know it will run when you want it to and should stay in your buget.

don't forget to consider fuel milage when you buy as you will notice it when you ride it.