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Sled Choices - Sidewinder or Blizzard or Arctic Cat ZR8000 Limited?

J

Jayzonk

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Joined
Jan 8, 2018
Messages
17
Age
54
Location
London, Ontario
Country
Canada
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None!
Still haven't picked up a sled, but I'm looking at a couple of options. Love the reliability of Yamaha, but don't necessarily want the weight. Was looking at a new Sidewinder with the QSR-3 shocks, and also looking at the lower model with the Fox 1.5 Zero RC shocks. My initial thought, however, was that an ETEC 600 Blizzard would likely be sufficient for my needs. Wondering if anyone could add some thoughts to the discussion for me. A third option I have is a leftover 2017 Arctic Cat ZR8000 Limited, which has the Fox 1.5 Zero RC shocks, and the Suzuki 700cc two-stroke engine.

Some details:

I live in sw Ontario, so I'll be trailering to ride - likely around Barrie, with the odd longer trip to Quebec or northern Ontario.

I don't need to go 120 mph, but I like the reliability aspect of the Yamahas.

I don't like the weight of the Yamahas - I have a bad back, and I don't need to be trying to lift it out of the snow.



I'm wondering if the Blizzard will have adequate suspension, and if the engine will last me at least 10,000 km. It does have the 129" track, so perhaps the ride isn't as good? I could go to an air ride Enduro if the air ride really ads to the suspension, as it would likely be better for my back.



Not sure about Cat reliability, but I've heard the Suzuki motor is good. Would that chassis be the same chassis as the Yamaha?

What fuel caddy options would I have with the Sidewinder? Something easy?




Thanks,

J
 

A 600 is probably all most 'need'. And if stuck, they are all heavy. Ride with younger guys...farmers...with good backs!! So here's the deal...it's late, end of the day, you have to get back to milk or the wife will be pissed, and it's all big fields and seasonals. With some twisty wood's too, but you already have a good set of skis. You NEED a sidewinder, and so do all you ride with to make it back in time without a frying pan side the head.
PS...I'm not the farmer....!
 
2017Arctic Cat ZR8000 Limited, which has the Fox 1.5 Zero RC shocks, and theSuzuki 700cc two-stroke engine. Huh? Last 700cc was the wildcat back in the 90's. Oh, and the F7 in 2000's

600 etec blizzard have a lot going for them. Jmho
 
Last edited:
Ski-Doo makes four strokes as well. I'm not implying they are as nice as a Yamaha motor but they sure as heck are more reliable than a two stroke. Maybe look into one of their Ace Motors?

I wouldn't let weight be the determining factor for myself. They are all incredibly heavy when broken or stuck.
 
jtmetal said:
2017Arctic Cat ZR8000 Limited, which has the Fox 1.5 Zero RC shocks, and theSuzuki 700cc two-stroke engine. Huh? Last 700cc was the wildcat back in the 90's. Oh, and the F7 in 2000's

600 etec blizzard have a lot going for them. Jmho
Click to expand...
Alright. Sorry, that's a 794cc Suzuki motor. At 13,500, this sled has the most money "off," but I don't want that to be the deciding factor.
 
Hmmm, very different sleds overall. Here is my take for what it's worth. :) The 600s are a good all around motor in the blizzard. The 800 zuke is one of the best 2 strokes out there IMHO. The 4 strokes just have a lot of grunt front the start.

Older iron but decent comparison for you I think. Our 500ss Rev (600 2 stroke) is the worst deep snow sled we have. Short 1.25" track. It gets stuck if you sniff at deep snow through the woods. The Phazer we have just keeps on chugging along wherever we take it. It's been extended to 136" and better skis up front. My sled, by far the heaviest that we own, rx1 mountain. I don't remember getting it actually stuck in the last 2 years in deep, deep snow. Always break trail with it.

I guess what I'm trying to say is you need to evaluate what you actually want the sled to do and how you are really going to use it to make an educated decision.

Best choice has a lot of factors; how long will you keep it? How many miles do you typically ride? Lots of steep, deep hills is a lot different requirement than mostly trails with a little woods cruising thrown in. Good luck whatever way you go!
 
I'll be mostly riding in northern Ontario, Michigan, and Quebec on the trail system. I'll probably do a thousand miles a winter and just keep the sled for a good ten years. I don't need a major powerhouse - I want reliability and durability, and a good system for hauling extra fuel if I go on an extended trip.
 
Jayzonk said:
I'll be mostly riding in northern Ontario, Michigan, and Quebec on the trail system. I'll probably do a thousand miles a winter and just keep the sled for a good ten years. I don't need a major powerhouse - I want reliability and durability, and a good system for hauling extra fuel if I go on an extended trip.
Click to expand...

reliability and durability is only going to be found in a yamaha sled, the sled that comes to my mind would be the SRVIPER S-TX DX 146 too bad it wasn't offered in 2018 only in 2017 & 2016 which the sled also comes with a Auxiliary Rear Fuel Tank of around 4 gallons. Put a good clutch kit in it and get a tune from evolution powersports and i think you would be pretty satisfied with the viper. If you want more power then one would look at the 2018 Sidewinder S‑TX DX 146
 
With that description I would lean towards the Viper or the 900 ace from Doo. The viper will be the stronger chassis of the 2. To me, the doos save weight by sacrificing strength. Everything is give and take.

You are talking about 10,000 miles on the machine. Any of the 4 strokes should go way beyond that with no problem. While the 2 strokes have come a long ways, so has the cost of rebuilding the newer ones. I wouldn't plan on any 2 stoke going that long for sure. Some will make it, most won't.
 
Can you still jump a sidewinder? I guess my feeling is that the 600 two-smokes are the best for that but not sure.
 
Purplecoffin said:
With that description I would lean towards the Viper or the 900 ace from Doo. The viper will be the stronger chassis of the 2. To me, the doos save weight by sacrificing strength. Everything is give and take.

You are talking about 10,000 miles on the machine. Any of the 4 strokes should go way beyond that with no problem. While the 2 strokes have come a long ways, so has the cost of rebuilding the newer ones. I wouldn't plan on any 2 stoke going that long for sure. Some will make it, most won't.
Click to expand...
Every time I look at a Viper, I'm enticed to move up to a Sidewinder. There are a few Vipers around at good prices. Will it handle as well as the Sidewinder?
 
Jayzonk said:
Every time I look at a Viper, I'm enticed to move up to a Sidewinder. There are a few Vipers around at good prices. Will it handle as well as the Sidewinder?
Click to expand...
Of course they will it's the same chassis just that the sidewinder is a better running sled due to having the Mitsubishi ecu instead of the cat ecu in the Vipers

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk
 
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