Snowmobiling
 

Just wondering if anybody other than Nash and I snowmobile on a regular basis. I plan on doing a bunch of local rides by my house and the surrounding metro areas as well as some trips to Hayward, Mighigan, and surrounding areas.

We already went up to Hinkley for a ride from there to Duluth (75 miles each way) since my parents live in Duluth. We also went to Hastings to Nash's buddies house and rode out to Farmington and Lakeville areas (about 104 mile round trip). I am assuming the trails are groomed by now, when we went it was bumpy as hell but the ditchs were pretty decent.

I am planning on going this weekend from my house up to Cambridge.

Let here who has them, maybe we can get together and go and rip around. Also what kind of sled or sleds do you have with pictures if you have them.

I currenly have a 1999 Ski Doo MXZ HO Toni Haikonen Edition and a 1998 Polaris XC 600.

Heres the Polaris I am riding this year mostly.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I was a HUGE snowmobiler up until about the years we had to worry about whether we'd get snow at all. My record year for snowmobile mileage was 3,400 miles. I went 5-6 days a week. I still have my Mach Z 800. Looks like I probably won't be able to ride it this year again. We have probably around 6" of snow here in central Wis. They groomed the trails last week but that was just to make a packed base. By no means are they trailable. Probably need another 8-10". Generally back in the day, trails were open around Dec. 15th. I think last year was around Jan 15th.

I'm the type of guy who if, you can't just open the garage door and drive the sled to the trails then screw it. Piss on trailering it around to ride it.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

We, we, we... are you two married? ;) :D

Actually, we don't own any, but we were thinking of going up north sometime and renting. I've never been a big fan, but maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I was the one controlling how fast (or slow) I go. lol

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Riding 2-up sucks :D

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Which we made all of two miles before my sled blew up.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Since when did sleds wear DMS badges? :confused:

I owned a sled for a few years between 1997 and 1999 until it blew up and I moved to the Cities. If I lived in a more rural area I'd definitely have a snowmobile, but the fact that I have no where to store it keeps me from buying another. I'd hate to own a sled again if I couldn't just hop on it in the yard and ride it straight out of town.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Since I'm the one that owns it? It just give me a reason to buy a new one.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

We keep ours up north near Hayward, so we usually dont trailer them around. We just like to go riding around on the lake and local trails, never been on a super long ride, just a few hours here and there.

Cant really bring them in MN because they are both studded, one for trails and mine has 60 degree daggers. They do Ice runs on our lake so we get a nice path every winter ;)


Dads- 95 Yamaha VMAX 600
Mine- 97 Yamaha 600SX

Heres a pic I guess...

Re: Snowmobiling
 

You can use studs in MN, just gotta get the little badge. I am still kind of looking for a sled, but I just bought a new car. Hmmm... more toys!

Re: Snowmobiling
 

You can only use studs on certain trails. For example the Willard Munger State you cannont use studs no matter what sticker you have. They use to have a stud endorsment where you would pay 15 dollars more to have them and you could use them on any trails you want. I don't think they do that anymore though.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I have an 00 polaris xc sp 700 and my brother has a 95 skidoo formula z 583. We haven't been able to ride them yet this year. We don't really know where to ride and I am still looking for a ski for my polaris. My ski was cracked on the top so I had someone weld it, but since it is alumimum, he doesn't trust his weld and says I should get another. Our truck is always broken anyhow.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Id love to get a set for Jana and I but we'd have to store them in IA at my parents. We would have so much damn room to ride them though so maybe in a few years. I'd probably want some jet skis first. :)

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I would say that snowmobiling is much more fun than Jet skiing, but you can use a jet ski alot more during the year than a snowmobile. Jet skis are very limited because you just drive around and thats it... Snowmobiles can go pretty much anywhere, you get more scenery, but jet skis are easier to load/unload.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I disagree. It hass to be a really nice warm day to enjoy jet skis and I loading and unloading a jet ski is not always easy. dockings are busy as hell on certain lakes, damn near worthless trying to get one in the water off a trailor by yourself and then get it out. You can drop a sled anywhere or just drive it out the garage and go. YOu can see much better secery (chicks on boats) in the summer anyway ;)

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Jet skis suck compared to snowmobiles, they use way more gas, and like Peter said you can only do so many circles before it gets boring. The only way jet skis are fun is if you are riding them on a river.

I just got back from a 60 mile ride on the sled, went around Woodbury and Cottage Grove it was pretty fun. The trails here are pretty decent with hardly any dirt showing. Now I have to rest, hard packed trails make my sled get too much traction and it almost rips my arms off when I bar it.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

That's your opinion. I'd much rather be cruising around the lakes, in warm weather on a sunny day, being able to be in the water, and people watch. It never gets boring when I have been out there.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Move to a warmer state, then it would be ok to have one, but for the one or two weeks of nice weather we get around here it is hardly worth it to me. Jet skis are something that you rent for a day or two and then give them back.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Craig, I like the 98 xc 600, I also own one. :D

Put 150 miles on the sled this past weekend up in the Outing/Hill city area. Great riding except I tore up a belt at 80 MPH on the Soo Line trail. Can't wait to get back up there.

I put around 1500 miles on my sled every season. I'll probably put on a little more this year as we got an early start.

Jim

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Ive never had a problem loading or unloading our jet ski, I go to minnetonka usually on weeknights a few times during the summer, its fun but you just cruise around and thats it. On that lake its fun because of the enormous waves and how big the lake is... but any other lake you just ride around in circles and it gets old. Launching a snowmobile is just too fun, a dsm doesnt even compare.

I dunno, they are both fun but I think the summer weather is longer than the winter weather. Weve had hardly any snow the past 3 years so this year is really different.

Craig- is there really enough snow to go riding around here already? Seems like youd be riding on alot of bare patches and gravel in places.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

The DNR is more of prick with jet skis that snowmobiles. At least around here they are. My brother got a ticket for unloading his jet ski without a life jacket on. All he did was unload it. It was maybe 10 feet from the shoreline. I'm not so sure if it was even running.... Yet, you can unload a boat without a life jacket on. WTF?!?!?

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Just got back from fucking around in woodbury and cottage grove.

My sled is siezed, so I took out my dad's 99 Polaris XC 600. I think I probably put about 20 miles on it in about an hour just fucking around. I cant get over how fast the fuckers are from 30-80mph. Before 30, there is no traction, and above 80, it starts to stop pulling quite as hard, but in the middle my god do you fly.

Blizzard, we should meet up sometime and fuck around in some ditch's or something. I live right off of 70th Street in cottage grove. My house is literally a backyard away from the trail. We could meet up somewhere around 19. Only thing is, the cornfields south of 70th suck. The fields north of 70th are nice though.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Yeah sure send me a PM with your phone number, I am thinking of going again on Thursday afternoon. And yes there is plenty of snow here to ride on. There are a few bare patches where you stop because of everyone shit canning when they take off but other than that its ok.

And Jim gotta love the XC 600s, they really fucking pull hard on this nice hard packed snow.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I could see about stealing my dads 03' MXZ 600 REV. but I doubt it. He told me he raced some dude at his work that had a 800 XC, and he worked it... haha so 800 polaris<600 MXZ REV. might have to disprove this or somthin sometime...

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Hes is either bullshiting you or the dude on the XC didn't know how to ride. The XC 800 would smoke a 600 rev in every aspect as far as speed goes. Might not be as nice or ride as nice but the XCs are fast. Take it out sometime, I will run you with my XC 600, you will be surprised.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I can see a 600 REV beat a XC800 from a stop, because polaris's tend to get horrible holeshot's compared to other sleds, but the mid and top end on polaris's is a lot better. When I race people on my dad's sled it usually goes they win off the line and then i slowly walk on them until about 80, then about 80 i start pulling decently.

Hell, Polaris motors are probably the best of them, maybe with the new artic cat F7 and stuff being the best now. This is not counting some of the Yamaha stuff of course, lol RX1.

Now all Polaris has to do is build a new damn chassis to run with the REV and the Artic Cats.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

He said he walked it, so in the mid range 40-90ish, he out accelerated it.... its got a clutch on it, otherwise the REV is stock, my dad doesn't make crap up... he's like me, he likes surprising people, even he said he didn't think he'd beat it, but either hes made that sled slower or maybe people underestimate the ski-doo POWA!!

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Doubt it bud. The XC 800 has 136hp stock and the 600 Rev has 115hp. I have no doubt that the Rev would get it out of the hole no problem but there is no way in hell that its going to pull on it from 40-90mph. Unless its some 'freak' sled or something. 20lbs doesn't make up for 21hp it is lacking.

Like I said bring it out sometime. Either way they are sweet sleds. And I have rode the F7s and they one of the fastest sleds out there right now hands down.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Unless Car's dad is like 150 and the other dude was 300lbs. Then the power to weight ratio might be thrown off.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

The rider does make a big difference on bikes and sleds because of the low weight. I have been looking and I just got a reply back from a guy with '03 F7 EFI sno-pro for $4500. That is pretty cheap! I just bought a car though, so I shouldn't be spending more money!

Re: Snowmobiling
 

Dont spend that much on a sled JET, if I were you get something older like Craigs for a couple grand max and ride it for a couple months out of the year, because that is really all the time we get around here haha.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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?

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

I'm not towing any sleds until I have a new one for my self to ride, or I get mine fixed.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

They 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.

Re: Snowmobiling
 

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.