Sell 17 Sidewinder LTX SE and buy newer or keep it?

[STAIN]

She says she'll quit riding before she rides a 2-stroke.

Sounds like a keeper.

 

[twyztid]

Sounds like a keeper.

For sure! I may have brainwashed her a bit, though. LOL

 

[Bigblue1]

I currently have a very nice 2017 Sidewinder LTX SE that bought in 2021 with 350 miles. It has about 6500 miles now and has been trouble free. I do plenty of maintenance and have pretty much all of the fixes/upgrades done to it. It has the TD Power Trail PM tune with CAI & 3" Super Quiet Exhaust and everything Thunder Products offers for clutching.

Anyway, we bought a 2025 Sidewinder LTX LE last February and my fiancé finally had a chance to ride it this past weekend. She seems to like it as much or better than her 2012 Vector LTX. Because of that, the 25 won't be my replacement for the 17 anymore. I would love to find another 25 LTX LE at a reasonable price but people want $26K-$30K for the ones that I have found (new but owned by private party). I am not paying that much for another one of those.

That brings me to a couple of options and I was wondering your opinions on this:
1. I could buy a low-mile 22-24 LTX SE (and add EPS), GT, or LE and sell the 17 but I would likely still have to lay out $7000-$10,000 over what I could get for my 17 and there are some upgrades that I would have to buy for a newer one that I couldn't take from the 17. That means the total upgrade cost could be $9000-$13,000.
2. I could keep the 17, replace the track/studs, replace driveline bearings, and maybe add EPS (using Mr. Sleds tutorial). I already have a new track. I would just have to buy studs/backers and the EPS parts. Total cost would be around $2000 if I don't include the cost of the track.

I am VERY religious on maintenance. With that being said, if maintenance is kept up and I replace the track, is it possible to see another 6500 trouble-free miles?

Here's a couple pics of the 17.
View attachment 180191View attachment 180190View attachment 180189

Absolutely can keep it. That thing looks mint! I too maintain my equipment so it all looks new and runs great. I have 9,900 miles on my 2017. Had to replace chaincase (my fault), put a new track on and plan on replacing every bearing in the suspension and drive line and sending the clutches out to TP for refresh and balance. Essentially, other than he engine and structure it will be new. I plan on driving it for as long as I can ride.

 

[journeyman]

I didn't expect my fiancé to like riding the 25 that we bought last spring as much as she does. She has been riding a 2012 Vector LTX and still loves that sled. Since she like the 25 Sidewinder, we decided that we needed another since my 17 has 7000 miles and I was just looking ahead to make sure I had a replacement lined up. I don't really want to ride anything else. She says she'll quit riding before she rides a 2-stroke. LOL. We currently have two 2025 Sidewinder LTX LE, a 2017 Sidewinder LTX SE (tuned), a 2012 Apex XTX, and a 2012 Vector LTX. The Apex will likely be going up for sale this fall.

I don't think I will sell my Attak. It just runs so well and has been drop dead reliable, still looks great. The addition of the Seat Concepts seat makes it feel way more comfortable and it's even more rider forward now. Not to mention it's not worth much anymore.

If I find the right sled and the right deal on a Winder/Cat I'll probably get another one. I'm kind of picky on what I would want considering it may be the last sled I buy.

I wouldn't be too worried about 7000 miles on that 2017, with proper maintenance and the little upgrades mentioned on here, they should go a long ways. Not sure how you ride but the shocks you have on those 2025's should way outshine the coil over shocks of the SE model. I have experienced that firsthand. Those QS3r Kashima coated shocks are so sweet, especially when the trails get rough. Bummer they are not offered anymore since 2025 on the Cats.

 

[Turboflash]

For sure! I may have brainwashed her a bit, though. LOL

lol