Newbie who might pick up a sled this year

taws697

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So, I might breakdown and buy a sled. Figured I’d ask for some opinions. I think I’ll keep my budget at around $1500. I’ve had cheap ditch bangers in the past, but they’ve never left my yard or the prairie path haha. I’m looking for something fairly quick and reliable with electric start and possibly reverse that I can take up to the UP with buddies.

1. How important is reverse? I love having it on my atv’s and I only weigh 150lbs. I can’t quite throw around a sled like some others can.

2. Am I out of line looking for all of these features on a $1500 budget?

3. What brands models would you suggest?

I’m all ears. Thanks guys
 

Outlaw

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Pretty much any time of year $1,500 isn't going to get you most of those features. The hard line that I've seen for shit vs. good with sleds is right around the $2,500 mark. Regardless of manufacturer, 2003 is about the year most of them went into what most would consider "modern" snowmobiles.

Reverse is super nice to have. Not necessary but definite back saver.

E-start or fuel injection is commonplace on most 2003+ machines, e-start isn't really necessary with the EFI sleds IMO

F-series Arctic cat, rev chassis ski doo (MXZ, Renegade), Yamaha RX1 (heavy but plenty of get up and dead reliable) is where I'd start looking.
 

Chester Copperpot

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Anything with a Yamaha 600/700 double/triple (Vmax, SRX), almost any Arctic Cat from 97-03 (ZRT/ZR/F-series but be wary of AC's diamond drive in the later years of the f-series), Ski Doo Rev chassis, all great sleds. $1500 would definitely be on the low end of where I'd be looking if I was. I agree with Outlaw and I'd say scrounge up another $500 to get a little higher into the "newer" style sleds.

It's a WORLD of difference between the old laid out sleds ("muscle" sleds) and the "new" rider forward/up sleds.
 

PANDA

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Honestly like Frank said up the budget to $2500 and you open yourself up to a lot more sleds. Most of the "faster" sleds do not have reverse or electric start so its kind of pick a choose. You want speed or convince. For $1500 you can probably get a really nice Vmax with electric start and reverse. This is a 500 but nice low miles and electric start and reverse.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/snw/d/1999-vmax-500/6347628453.html

For $2500 Id look into a RX-1. Prices really have dropped on those. 4-stroke very reliable with great gas mileage. Most of these in that price range have higher miles but I wouldn't be concerned if they were maintained and not abused. I've never seen one without electric start and reverse but the ER stands for that in the model name like they make them without. I can't imagine trying to rope over a 1000cc 4-cylinder.

https://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/snw/d/2003-yamaha-rx-1/6334511412.html
 

PANDA

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$1500 budget?

Hands down the best bang for the buck IMO. No electric start or reverse tho...

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/snw/d/1998-srx700/6415875556.html

1998 srx700 - $1300 (Monee)

00404_4MgGf0x5K4E_600x450.jpg


Nice yamaha srx 700
5000 miles
Runs great
1300$ obo
7088223600
Call or text
 
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