I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

[POINTER94]

I am going to buy a snowmobile. Consistant with everything I do, it will be used, and according to my snowmobile guru, very fast. One of my customers is a huge snowmobile rider, and as he has copious amounts of despensible cash I am getting a crazy good deal. <br /><br />Anyone out there a rider? Are they as much fun as everyone says. Do I need special footwear, and what is the best helmet to wear. The one or two times I went all that happened was my helmet fogged up and I couldn't see anything.<br /><br />This customer also takes a 5 day trip across the UP of Michigan that he invited me on. Is this too long for a beginner?<br /><br />I figure if I hate it I can always sell it. 2003 ski doo 800 something or other. It is suppose to be very heavy and have a three cylinder engine, I guess that is big. Suppose to be some kind of comfort cruiser I guess.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Yes I used to ride every season. I am into 4wd ATV's now (more riding season). <br /><br />Any good boots will do since your feet are out of the wind. <br /><br />Any sled dealer will suggest a decent helmet with air vents and double sealed lenses that will not fog as badly and clear quickly.<br /><br />Good gloves, grip heaters, a full snow suit, a good sense of humor and don't forget the trailer!<br /><br />You should be able to keep up on a 5 day trip as long as you are not alone and going in a group.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Are you going to the North Pole?.... We don't get enough snow for a trip like that .....Way too cold for me....If I want snow I'll drive 30-40 miles and be happy! BRRRR...I really don't know how you can do it!....JK

 

[POINTER94]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Thanks Bob,<br /><br />I have a brother with a two place snowmobile trailer I can use occasionally and lives off of a trail. I would consider one of those collapsable trailers for carrying just one sled. I found a web site with helmets with the trait's you called out for about $100. It has grip heaters, that I know, and electric start and a reverse gear. Would you have any idea how much a sled like this would weigh? <br /><br />I can answer these questions by grilling my customer but as he is my biggest customer it is a do it or don't relationship, not a third degree type transaction. I ask him frequently to pull the trigger on 250K orders, I shouldn't waiver on a less than 3K sled. Everyone who has seen this sled says he is giving me a great deal, about 35% less than what it is worth or market value. He supposedly bought it originally from the Ski Doo Rep. So it has all the horns and whistles. I only have rode a snowmobile about 4-5 times in my life. There are about 6-8 men going on this years trip to the UP so I won't be alone.<br /><br />Just a wee bit nervous.<br /><br /><br />Medoc, I live in Wisconsin, by definition this means I am not right in the head..

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Gotcha, actually it sounds like FUN! If it breaks down, then it should be worth about another 500K in orders from guilt.......& just think of all the friends you will meet on the snow mobile repair forum....Every cloud has a silver lining.... Happy Trails...I hate to admit that I might be a little jealous.. ....JK

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

I have ridden quite a bit. To keep the visor from fogging up, you can do a couple of things.<br />First, you can buy one of these Breath Deflector <br /><br />Second option is to buy a helmet with an electric visor. I had one on mine. It was really simple to install on my machine. Two wires, one for 12V and one Ground. <br />Had a long cord, curled like a phone handset cord, and high/low settings. Worked like a champ.<br /><br />The hand/thumb warmers are a great thing. I normally kept mine turned off. They would get too hot.<br /><br />I am an Arctic Cat fan myself, however Ski-Doo has the absolute best reverse on the market. It doesn't add a single pound to the machine. What it does is actually kill the engine and then change the rotation. The engine will spin backwards. Wonderful technology. If not done so already, take off the "beeper" They have a module that will beep like a large truck in reverse "beep, beep, beep" You'll hate that part. <br /><br />As far as weight, it will depend on what model of Ski-Doo it is. The Summit was their mountain/deep snow sled and therefore their lightest. The Skandik is their utility sled, therefore their heaviest.<br /><br />2003 is not long after the REV platform was introduced. Another good thing from Ski-Doo.<br />Go Here and click on the 2003 listing, you can check out what was available then.<br /><br />Whew......get me started on a subject I enjoy, and I just don't shut up, do I?<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[Kalian]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

I've only ridden a few times, but I have to tell you, I LOVED IT!!! It's as much fun as riding a motorcycle. I envy you. Just watch out for frozen ponds or lakes.<br /><br /> Edit: Whats the gas mileage on those things I wonder? Probably pretty low.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

chappy,<br /><br />I believe it is the Mach Z tech plus model. Less than 600 lbs. Is this a dependable rig? I know that alot of people, spend alot of time fixin their sled. I am hoping to avoid that. I really know little or nothing about sleds but I know Yamaha makes a great outboard so that is where I started, but this is supposed to be such a deal that to walk away would just be stupid.<br /><br />2500 miles on it, but 1200 of them were put on during 2-3 trips. Or so I am told. These guys like to take these long trips.

 

[roscoe]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Good luck on the 5 day trip.<br />You will be using different muscles in your arms, back, legs, etc, could get pretty sore after a couple days. <br />Better get some trail action in before the big trip.<br /><br />Friends of mine go for a week at a time.<br />Old railroad grades in the UP are like an autobahn, 100+ mph !!!<br /><br />Go try on a few helmets, don't skimp.<br />Cheap helmets are heavy, cold, drafty.<br />If you smoke, check into a helmet that has a hinged front, not just the visor, the entire front.<br /><br />I had one like this for my bike, cheaper ones are available for snow.<br /><br />

<br /><br /><br /> http://www.helmetcity.com/page/HC/PROD/syncrotech/syncroteclightsilver <br /><br />Be careful, last year a neighbor bounced off the trail, hit a tree, put his face on the back of his head.

 

[roscoe]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Oh yeah, 3 grand for that sled is a better deal than you think.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Yeah roscoe is right.<br />These things will haul A$$<br />A Mach Z is capable of topping 100 mph. Snow looks soft until you hit it at that speed.<br />I have been up to 105 and said that's enough on a sled. After I got used to mine, I changed gearing for more torque and track for more bite, could only get 95 out of it. But it was a 1991 500cc engine with 3,000 miles on it, and I weighed about 195 lbs, long track with 1.5 in paddle. I had a lot of fun though.<br /><br />Soreness will come from going through the "moguls" people who smack the throttle will make a small pile, someone else will ride over it, the bump makes them lose traction, they make the bump bigger.....on and on.<br /><br />If you have ever ridden a jetski, in deep snow they perform about the same. You turn the skis the opposite direction you want to go, put your weight on the side you want to go and bank her over. Nothing like finding a good jump and landing in 5 feet of soft snow. Not much worse than finding a big jump and landing on hard pack.....OUCH.<br /><br />

<br /><br />AK Chappy

 

[POINTER94]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Thanks for the info guys, I am actually at the $2500 mark. And supposedly Butch did a serious upgrade on the suspension to meet his specific needs and put on some new funky ski's that are suppose to be pretty high tech. Used it once since then. He is bringing it to a mutual friend in Valpariaso IN (another of my customers) who is the most knowledgeable guy I know on snowmobiles, and he will look it over, give me a free tune up if necessary, and that way I save about 6 hrs of drive time to pick it up. I think I will be a smart arse and ask for 120 day terms. <br /><br />They claim this thing will do 125+mph but I just can't see me ever reaching that speed. I could probably pick it up tommorrow but I have the car not the truck, so no trailer hitch. I heard they got 12" of the white stuff in the UP in the past few days. Thanks for the link roscoe. Looks like I can get what ever I want on that site. I typed in snowmobile and it popped up a whole section on helmets. Very cool!!!<br /><br />When Pointer buys a toy, pointer wants to play with it right away, no patience. Very cool Pic chappy. If I get a picture like that it is because I did something seriously wrong, and you will be able to see my eyeballs through the visor..

 

[one more cast]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Pointer, Make sure you slow down for the corners. Every year we peel several "failure to navigate a curve" dead bodies off of trees or front of cars. And don't forget to put loud pipes on it so when you go by peoples houses at 1 am you can hit the gas a half dozen times waa waa waa waaa waa waa. Thats what they all do around here anyway. I love to ride snowmobiles but inconsiderate riders **** me off.

 

[neumanns]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

I give ya 150 miles before ya make a jump like that!....After 100 miles youll be lookin for piles of snow to jump.<br /><br />I'll Give ya $2800....J/K....I'd be lookin for a place to live, sled's just aint in my budget right now.

 

[PW2]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

For a long time I had a sled, but I avoided the long trips.<br /><br />Those guys go too fast for me! I like to putt about looking at the scenery, and most guys like to buzz at 70 mph trying to keep from getting impaled on the trail by a tree.<br /><br />Some of them succeed.<br /><br />The sled you are getting will definitely keep up!

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Seems to be a lot of cheering for snowmobiles.<br /><br />Let me get this straight. This is the crowd that doesn't like being buzzed at the lake by PWC's, but around your home and neighborhood, it's OK, long as it has a belt-drive rather than a jet-pump. Do I have it right?

 

[one more cast]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

BoatBuoy, Read my post!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

Go for it Pointer, loads of fun. I rode for a number of years. Polaris was the machine of choice. I rode back in the mid 80's through the mid 90's, then relocated to SC. Even made a few trips after that, but the (then) new job and distance made it impractical. I would try and get as much seat time as possible before you do the big mile runs, toughens the contact point, if ya get my drift. Good luck and have fun, be careful, and let us know how it goes. Oh and a few words of advice: Never f@rt in your space suite (Snowmobile Suite) and, Watch out where them Huskys go, and don't you eat no yellow snow.

 

[heyttown]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

I love riding.....Dont so it as often as I wish....If you have not riden a sled..Make sure your group knows that and sticks with you until you get used to that sled...85mph was fast enough for me and especially at night you can outrun your headlight....Lots of crazies up there, everytime I went we would put 300-400 miles a trip and never step a ski on the groomed trails....always off the beaten path.<br /><br />You will be sore for sure, best bet was to get some riding in before you do a 5 day trip so you can build up some tolerance in those muscles that we didnt even realize we had until they hurt.....Plus you can get used to the way your sled handles....Ive rolled a few a couple of times, always slower speeds.....Dang now ya got me wanting to go.<br /><br /><br />Have fun, but most importantly stay safe, so you can live to do it again......Up in the U.P. make sure if you are with a group the sled in front of you constatly watches for you and you do the same for the sled behind you...<br /><br />Had one brake down on me my very first time in the woods,Naturally I was the last sled out of 6, and the guy ahead of me didnt notice I stopped....Spent about 10 minutes wondering how I was going to get back to the cottage that I had no idea where it was....SO always watch out for the other guys.

 

[AK_Chappy]

Re: I think I got hit with the stupid bug. snowmobile

BoatBouy,<br />I personally have never said bad things about jetskis. I like riding them too. I also am considerate of other people, 99% of the time. The other 1% of the time, I am on the highway in a vehicle.<br />The jump picture above was taken in MY front yard, noone else's. The speed limit around housing was 15 mph, and believe it or not that is all it takes when you go off an 8 foot tall jump. Look behind the snowpile, that is a truck right there.<br /><br />Deep breath,<br />I dislike the buzz, buzz, buzz of anything loud around my house too. That is why the speed limits were put in place and enforced. It was a $75 fine first time, loss of riding privileges second time. (It was on a military base, they can mess with your pay for disobeying orders also)<br />Like heytown, we would put 1-200 miles on the sled in a day and see one or two cabins and the lodge in the local area. Riding in AK is what everyone else calls "Extreme" or "Boondocking." That was just normal for us. 50 miles from the nearest road is not unusual.<br /><br />I will dig up some pics of the areas we rode in.<br /><br />AK Chappy