Snowmobiling

[DSM1G]

The Blizzard-
Did I read correctly in you stating you would rather ride your 1998 Polaris XC 600 over an F7 anyday??

[TheBlizzard]

I don't think I said it in them exact words but I yeah I have rode a lot different sleds, from older to brand new. And 'for me' the XC 600 is the best trail sled and is the most comfortable. I wouldn't trade if for a F7 because I have rode them and they weren't comfortable. They hauled some major ass but just didn't feel right in my opinion.

But on the same token they are rated right up there with the new Revs so I don't know. Ratings don't mean shit to me though, I just ride what I feel comfortable riding and that is pretty fast and handles really well.

[TheBlizzard]

If I had to list them in order of my preference regarding the newer sleds it would be:

Rev
Fusion
F7

This is just my personal opinion though, the F7 I rode was a buddies and he loves it to death.

The thing about snowmobiles to me is that everybody has different comfort levels and different riding skills. You want to find a sled the caters to your needs, not the "coolest one".

The XC sleds are very aggressively setup for experience riders, the limiter straps come tightened way down so you have to have some strong arms to ride the thing because it just picks up and goes. There is no give in the suspension the way mine is setup. The fox shocks in the front come fairly soft so the sled doesn't push into corners, but you better be ready to compensate for the rear shocks stiffness or it wants to tip on you.

F7 as well are not for first time riders. I don't care if you have beaten around on a 440 when you were a kid. Its a whole lot of sled to handle. For first time riders on some of the newer models I would suggest a 440 liquid cooled like Nash's sled. Fast out of the hole, handles great, nice and light, and goes about 80 mph maxed out.

You take my XC 600 which traps at 105 mph in the 2000' mark and a F7 which traps even higher. You mix that with a inexperienced over confident rider and you have a death trap waiting to happen in my opinion.

[TalonFiero]

Whoa guys, my brother in laws sled felt tippy to me and some others. I am not used to sitting up off the ground that much and even he agreed that his sled did not instill a lot of confidence in throwing it around in the corners (he rolled it last winter in a corner). I am sure if I road it more I would find that confidence somewhere but it just doesn't feel right in the corners, in the sleds defense it probably needs to be setup properly. He has Fox float shocks up front and they can be adjusted from 20-150 psi, I'm sure with some tweaking it will have a more neutral feel in the corners. One thing, without a doubt is the track is a bit of a bitch in deep snow as it is skinnier than your standard track. Overall his sled has so many other good things about it that I always ask him If I can ride it, its a fuckin blast.

Bottom line I would trade my sled and some decent cash in a heartbeat for my bros F7, but I am happy with my beater sled for peanuts that hangs with him and other new sleds on the trails. I just end up eating a lot of snow/ice on the lakes. :D

If I had the cash I would look into a new skidoo or yammy.

[TheBlizzard]

Yeah he must not have it setup right, either that or something is messed up with it. Because of its design it should be way more stable in the corners. Just pop the hood and it doesn't take brain surgeon to see that the steering is located above the motor instead of below it. Which in turn lets the motor sit lower and further back. Most of the reason that snowmobiles are tippy is because of bad suspension, not properly adjustment suspension, or a flawed design in weight distribution.

Have him check the rear shock if it feel like its sitting really high. Chances are its on the highest setting. Also you mentioned the front shocks being adjustable. Might have to tweak them to fit his needs. When them come from the factory they come setup with the basic rider in mind, some need tweeking depending on rider skill and comfort zone.

[dumb_ricer]

Yeah, I love how the 98-99 XC's feel. It has enough power to make you reconsider staying on it for a long period of time. I would consider myself a pretty experienced rider (4yrs old till now, 19) and it manages to scare me quite often.

The thing I love about the pre 2000 XC's is the handling. Point and it goes. I have ridden quite a few sleds, but NONE of them even come close to comparing the the steering that the XC has. It has nothing to do with Carbide length or anything like that either, the sled will just stay flat until you want it to come out, and the rear end is very easy to control.

I haven't ridden a REV yet, but from what I have heard is the rear end is very bouncy and unpredictable on any choppy stuff.

I think if we get another good snow fall, we should get a group together to leave from somewhere, and ride to Forest Lake and back. We could even get together at my house if you want. Trail Access right through my backyard, and you could park on the street or a cul-de-sac. And all the Wdbry/newport/stillwater/wherever guys could meet somewhere in woodbury. Everyone else would have to trailer though, but it sounds like you all have one.

[Shotgun!]

My father and I are heading out west a bit today. They have more snow the farther west ya go. We shall be on the luce line...maybe I'll see someone out there.

[JET]

Well, it is supposed to be above freezing for the next week. Goodbye snow! That sucks, I was pretty sure that I was going to get that F7. I am sure we will get more, but the last 5 years have been all screwy too and we haven't gotten much snow.

[TheBlizzard]

Yeah its supposed to be warm all week around here. Its nothing new, I will just have to go up on the North Shore or to the UP of Michigan just like every year.

[A//// Guy]

Yup all the snow is disappearing and it makes me really mad. Was going to go up north on Sunday for a couple days but doesnt look like that will be happening.

You guys seem to have a preference toward Polaris, has anyone besides me ever driven a Yamaha? I would really like to see my sled vs an XC just to get an idea. If you guys come up to hayward, come up during the ice drags on Hayward lake. Maybe Ill meet you guys out there ;)