Snowmobiling

[JET]

I just talked to him. He is pretty negotiable on the price too! 192 studs, newer track, 2600 miles, '05 seat (taller), rebuilt shocks end of last year, screen kit, chrome windshield, etc. The only thing is that I don't know if Andy would pull it with his truck since it is green! :D I might offer him $4k and see if he takes it.

[DSM1G]

Yea I went snowmobiling by my house last friday, it was awesome for the first time this year. Felt really good being out there again. I drove out to Coon Lake which is pretty close to my house and hit a few patches of open water. Its okay though I was going pretty fast.

[97gstchick]

I've never gone snowmobiling before, I've always wanted to try it. Yet I don't know anyone who has one. :(

I've rode many many jetski's, is it pretty much like the same thing, yet on snow and colder?

[TheBlizzard]

Yeah the F7s are really fast and handle really well. But I agree that its a lot to spend. If you could get it for 4 grand that would be a great deal though. For a novice rider an F7 would be a lot to handle though. They put my XC to shame and that thing is scary fast.

[Nash]

The only thing is that I don't know if Andy would pull it with his truck since it is green! :D I'm not towing any sleds until I have a new one for my self to ride, or I get mine fixed.

[TalonFiero]

You have to take the sled X beat sled Y arguments/stories with a grain of salt. To many things come into play to really know what is going on. Things like tracks, studs, clutching, rider, trail/lake/field conditions, jetting/temps, suspension come into play to know if it was a fair comparison. I didn't even get into engine mods.

I have ridden my brother in laws 05' F7 ($8,100) quite a bit, awesome sled. I agree it is wicked fast but on the trails it feels a little tippy, great on jumps or ditch banging though. My brother's 98 xc440 would eat the F7 up on the trails, my 98 xc600 with slightly upgraded suspension (rear skid from 99 xc700sp) doesn't have a problem staying with the F7 or even put distance on it on trails. Lakes, ditches, straight line you can forget about it, that F7 owns pretty hard. :D

BTW, my brother inlaws F7 stickered at $8,100, I paid $950 for my 98 xc600 a couple years ago, and my bro just bought a nice low mile 98 xc 440 for $1,700. My point being, I seriously doubt my brother in law is having any more fun than my brother and I are and the performance vs. dollar amount isn't worth it for a brand new sled IMO.

Some of the prices my friends have paid for sleds this year.

99 XC700 4,800 miles but the sled is mint with all the options $1,700
99 XC600sp 1,300 miles sled is also mint looks brand new $2,400
98 XC440 1,800 miles Red Rocket race sled, great shape $1,700

We MUST organize a DSMStyle ride this winter.

Jim

[JET]

Jim, that is interesting. From what I have read on forums and in reviews the F7 is better on the trail than the new Polaris', but not quite as good as the Rev chassis. I have a Suzuki bike, so a Cat is the obvious choice for me since it has a Suzuki engine. I can't find a 600 Rev in the price range I want. As for the F7 being tippy, you have to get off your butt and lean a little! :D

[TheBlizzard]

I paid $1,000 for my XC 600 w/ only 2000 miles on it. It has two spare hoods and windshields as well. And its in very good shape.

My 99 MXZ 670HO I paid $2,700 for it two years ago which was a hell of a deal at the time.

I agree that getting a top dollar sled doesn't make it more fun or can't guarantee that its going to ride better either.

When I rode the F7 I thought it was a decent sled and very fast on the top end, but as far as riding it for a long time I wouldn't have it for anything. It was uncomfratable and just felt weird to ride. When you pinned it you better hand on though. I didn't find it tippy at all since the motor on them is mounted further back and lower in the chassis. That was one of its best feature to me.

If somebody wanted to trade me any sled for my XC it would have to be a brand new Ski Doo Rev 800 or something similar. Maybe a Polaris Fusion 900. I wouldn't take any of the new Artic Cat sleds, they have fell way behind Polaris and Ski Doo in technology. They used to be the shit with their suspensions, but now everybody else has caught on and passed them up with motor technology that is second to none.

I am going again today since its so nice out. Try to get as far north as I can.

[TheBlizzard]

As for the F7 being tippy, you have to get off your butt and lean a little! :DThey are actually one of the least tippy sleds out there today. You don't have to lean hardly at all because of where the motor is mounted.

That is the one thing I noticed when I rode it, it felt like you couldn't tip it unless you really fucked up.

[TheBlizzard]

If you read about the F7s too you will see that from rider reviews that they are actually the highest rated sleds in 06. Even the Revs were second on the site I got information from. 140hp in a sled that weighs 470lbs is nasty.