Any snowmobilers here?

[Steamfitter]

I recently got into the hobby (I have a couple friends who are into it). It's been a terrible winter here for snow, but I still managed to put about 60 miles on today on some trails. My 2 cents on snowmobiles: They are definitely fun, but this has to be the most inconsistent and weather dependent toy a person could buy. I bought a new sled in December. Anyone else ride?

This is what I have...

 

[MN4runnerman]

My family and I are big into snowmobiling. We buy used cuz like you said it's a pretty weather dependent sport and we can't justify spending a lot on them. We have 6 snowmobiles so pretty much 1 per person. I ride a 2000 Polaris Indy 500 that I bought from a retired cop a couple years ago with 800 miles on it. It's pretty stripped down cuz it's a pull start and when I got it the engine bay was so clean you could've eaten off of it(still looks that good too). My family is pretty brand loyal cuz the three other trail sleds are Polaris', but we have 2 utility sleds that are 97 Arctic Cat Bearcats both 2 ups, both with the 540 engine(arguably the best they made). The Bearcats had the longest track ever made when they were new and have 2 inch paddles on them. They are so fun to ride on fresh powder cuz with the long track it feels like you're floating on air.

 

[IanB]

I was into it big when I was a kid and lived at home, we had a creek that ran behind our house that served as a trail to get through/out of town right from the backyard, it was awesome growing up!

I got back into it a few years back, and picked up a used Arctic Cat ZR900 SnoPro, amazing machine! Lost it when the garage burned, and haven't replaced it yet. With the little one, I don't have the time to use one to justify the price of what I'd want. I'm looking to pick up a SkiDoo 800 etec in the next couple years, something like a Renegade Outback or a Freeride or something along those lines.

Buying new when getting into the sport is a "jumping in head 1st" move, that's a lot of scratch to lay out for something that isn't always in your control whether you get to use it or not. Hope the conditions are great for you next year!

 

[THatfield]

Half my family lives in the White Mountains of NH and Snowmobiling is a way of life up there!

My family only runs Arctic Cats. This winter has been horrible but last winter I rode a 900 Triple while I was up there. MY LORD. :smokin:

 

[MN4runnerman]

Half my family lives in the White Mountains of NH and Snowmobiling is a way of life up there!

My family only runs Arctic Cats. This winter has been horrible but last winter I rode a 900 Triple while I was up there. MY LORD. :smokin:

Thundercat or ZR?

 

[THatfield]

Thundercat or ZR?

ZR. I also rode an F7 which was a pretty badass sled for what it was.

Started out on a 440 EXT.... only gone up from there!

 

[IanB]

ZR. I also rode an F7 which was a pretty badass sled for what it was.

Started out on a 440 EXT.... only gone up from there!

Was that a custom swap or something? All the ZR's were twins from what I've ever seen, ZRT's were triples, but they came in 600 and 800 sizes, and the 900 triple was the Thundercat.

Either way, 900 triple would be a blast!

I started out on a '74 Arctic Cat Lynx II 440, imagine a short boxy front with a leopard print park bench for a seat, lol.

 

[THatfield]

Was that a custom swap or something? All the ZR's were twins from what I've ever seen, ZRT's were triples, but they came in 600 and 800 sizes, and the 900 triple was the Thundercat.



Either way, 900 triple would be a blast!



I started out on a '74 Arctic Cat Lynx II 440, imagine a short boxy front with a leopard print park bench for a seat, lol.

It was indeed a swap! My stepdad and brother piece together snowmobiles and resell, and this one was a Frankenstein build they started just for the principle of "more power!" It was/is a beast! They got the thundercat as a rolled unit that only had 800 or so miles and the ZR had a blown twin I believe. He keeps a running stock of parts and carcasses with the help of my brother and his buddies tearing them down for him.

I've ridden quite a few cats. Mostly 90's and early 00's models. I think my absolute favorite was a 580. Rode like a Cadillac and the power/weight ratio was excellent.