Gizmo and I sort of hijacked another thread (not intentionally), and we both commented that there's no Snowmobile threads on here. So, I'm starting one.
Got one? Post up some pics and how/where you ride. I'll get it started:
Live in CT but ride in Western MA and Southern VT. My first sled was a '97 Indy 500 EFI (bought it used mid-season 96/97). Only got to ride it that first season I owned it, then I moved and had no place to store it. Was basically out of the sport until 2011. Since then, I've been buying and selling, repairing, upgrading, and "moving" toward the equipment that I really want. Here's the history:
- Fall 2011: Bought a 1997 Polaris Indy 500 Classic (came with reverse and electric start) Touring and a 1998 LoadRite 10' tilt trailer as a package deal. On the way home, stopped and added a 2002 Polaris XCSP 500 with reverse and electric start. Considered myself "ready for the season". The Touring was to be for the wife and step-daughter and the step-son would ride with me. I found a 1998 Polaris Classic 500 in NY and added that to the fleet for the wife to drive when just the two of us went. The trailer needed work, so I had the frame rails replaced and put a new torsion axle under it. I bought a diamond plate snow shield for it, but never installed it. We got no snow that winter (just 2' on Halloween and then nothing).
- Fall 2012: Sold the two Classic machines and the snow shield (because I bought a used clamshell cover for cheap). At about the same time, I found a 1998 Polaris Indy 440 (had literally been looking for one for a year). A friend has a reverse kit to fit it, so I grabbed that at a pretty reasonable price and added it. So, I was now at two sleds, the trailer was ready to go, and we actually got some snow.
- Winter 2012: My step-son was starting to learn to drive, but the 440 seemed to intimidate him too much. Found a 2004 Polaris Classic 340 (electronic reverse and electric start) and grabbed it. Needed some work (nothing major) and had it up and running quick. He drove it around the yard a bunch, and was starting to get the feel.
- Spring 2013: I was ready for an upgrade the next season, and I found a 2004 Polaris Classic 600 (electronic reverse and electric start) that needed a fair amount of work. Grabbed it as an end-of-season steal.
If you're keeping track, I'm now up to FOUR sleds. :)
- Fall 2013: A riding buddy found a listing for a 2012 Polaris Rush 600 Pro-R for a great price. Higher miles, but in excellent condition. Couldn't pass it up. Sold the Classic 340, the Classic 600, and the XCSP 500. Did a LOT of pre-season work on the Rush (new fuel filter, new oil filter, new belt, cleaned the fuel sock, cleaned VES valves, had the shocks serviced, and clutches cleaned/serviced). I still need to replace the float for the fuel gauge.
The 440 is now a multi-purpose machine (ultimately, it's the machine my step-son will be learning on out on the trails... but, it's also available as a buddy sled and for him to drive around the yard). And my machine should be my ride for at least a couple of seasons. Here's a couple of pics.
Got one? Post up some pics and how/where you ride. I'll get it started:
Live in CT but ride in Western MA and Southern VT. My first sled was a '97 Indy 500 EFI (bought it used mid-season 96/97). Only got to ride it that first season I owned it, then I moved and had no place to store it. Was basically out of the sport until 2011. Since then, I've been buying and selling, repairing, upgrading, and "moving" toward the equipment that I really want. Here's the history:
- Fall 2011: Bought a 1997 Polaris Indy 500 Classic (came with reverse and electric start) Touring and a 1998 LoadRite 10' tilt trailer as a package deal. On the way home, stopped and added a 2002 Polaris XCSP 500 with reverse and electric start. Considered myself "ready for the season". The Touring was to be for the wife and step-daughter and the step-son would ride with me. I found a 1998 Polaris Classic 500 in NY and added that to the fleet for the wife to drive when just the two of us went. The trailer needed work, so I had the frame rails replaced and put a new torsion axle under it. I bought a diamond plate snow shield for it, but never installed it. We got no snow that winter (just 2' on Halloween and then nothing).
- Fall 2012: Sold the two Classic machines and the snow shield (because I bought a used clamshell cover for cheap). At about the same time, I found a 1998 Polaris Indy 440 (had literally been looking for one for a year). A friend has a reverse kit to fit it, so I grabbed that at a pretty reasonable price and added it. So, I was now at two sleds, the trailer was ready to go, and we actually got some snow.
- Winter 2012: My step-son was starting to learn to drive, but the 440 seemed to intimidate him too much. Found a 2004 Polaris Classic 340 (electronic reverse and electric start) and grabbed it. Needed some work (nothing major) and had it up and running quick. He drove it around the yard a bunch, and was starting to get the feel.
- Spring 2013: I was ready for an upgrade the next season, and I found a 2004 Polaris Classic 600 (electronic reverse and electric start) that needed a fair amount of work. Grabbed it as an end-of-season steal.
If you're keeping track, I'm now up to FOUR sleds. :)
- Fall 2013: A riding buddy found a listing for a 2012 Polaris Rush 600 Pro-R for a great price. Higher miles, but in excellent condition. Couldn't pass it up. Sold the Classic 340, the Classic 600, and the XCSP 500. Did a LOT of pre-season work on the Rush (new fuel filter, new oil filter, new belt, cleaned the fuel sock, cleaned VES valves, had the shocks serviced, and clutches cleaned/serviced). I still need to replace the float for the fuel gauge.
The 440 is now a multi-purpose machine (ultimately, it's the machine my step-son will be learning on out on the trails... but, it's also available as a buddy sled and for him to drive around the yard). And my machine should be my ride for at least a couple of seasons. Here's a couple of pics.