Beginner Snowmobile-Complete noob

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Oct 25, 2019
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Sandpoint ID
Been thinking about getting my first snowmobile, I know absolutely nothing about them. That being said, it'll ONLY be for hunting and going into remote lakes, no crazy climbs or anything serious. Mostly just groomed trails to get around faster then the atv on tracks.

One of the spots we're wolf hunting is a long slow ride in the side by side. I assume a mid 2000s 4-stroke anything would be reliable and effecient for this need? Googling snowmobile reliability is like opening pandora's box...
Most of which I don't understand as it's all written in go fast lingo

Thanks for any help or ideas for what to look into and look for. I have about 5-6 weeks to research it before I consider a purchase, so just a general idea of what to research to cut out the bs is helpful.
 
I’ve had quite a few snowmobiles over the years. Polaris is my go to.

Anything 2005 or newer are pretty much plastic and expensive to work on.

I have a 2001 600 RMK with a 136” track - 1.75” lugs.
It’s carbureted and all stock. I use it for ice fishing and put 100-150 miles a year on it.

If I need parts, they are readily available and it’s pretty easy to work on.

It’s perfect for what I need






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A lot of trappers love these machines.Very Lite and basic units easy to fix if mechanically inclined. I had one for a decade before my quad with tracks. Will say they are not plush so long days out can beat you up, but if stuck easy to lift and not much to break.
 

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If you are handy at all the mid 2000 rmk will do that. Before I had to cut back on expensive hobbies (married with kid) going to the mountains riding was what I lived for. I sure would like to get on one of these new ones with boost and a 165 track. I can’t imagine how hard they pull now.
 
An old Tundra is super easy to work on. I saw a guy who had the head bolts break. Found some heavy wire and wired the head back on and drove it home!!!

I would be looking at the scandic.
 
I would also recommend a Scandic 380. I had one in the mid 90s while in Alaska. It took me everywhere the larger machines went just a little slower. But it was pretty light so it's hard to get it stuck and easy to move and lift if you do. Many trappers used them up there. Was also great for ice fishing. Not sure what they are like now though.
 
I'm fairly handy and mechanically inclined. Reliability is #1, I have no desire to shoot up a avalanche shoot or do wheelies as of now.

From what I saw on Google, it seems like you want a specific type of track for groomed trails and hard pack? The Tundra kept popping up as well.
 
Been thinking about getting my first snowmobile, I know absolutely nothing about them. That being said, it'll ONLY be for hunting and going into remote lakes, no crazy climbs or anything serious. Mostly just groomed trails to get around faster then the atv on tracks.

One of the spots we're wolf hunting is a long slow ride in the side by side. I assume a mid 2000s 4-stroke anything would be reliable and effecient for this need? Googling snowmobile reliability is like opening pandora's box...
Most of which I don't understand as it's all written in go fast lingo

Thanks for any help or ideas for what to look into and look for. I have about 5-6 weeks to research it before I consider a purchase, so just a general idea of what to research to cut out the bs is helpful.
Bigger tracks = less likely to get stuck when trying to cross that little draw that you know can be made, but can’t. Lighter weight = easier to get unstuck.

My experience is on cruising sleds - kind of like a 2 wd pickup - lots of weight up front, short track and short lugs, easy to get stuck, smooth ride, fast across lakes.
 
always pack a set of snowshoes on 'em. thatta way you can walk out when you get stuck or break down.....
We have enough gear in the side by side on tracks to build a cabin in January in the mountains 😂 learned that lesson long ago. The side by side is just more difficult to transport and a lot slower, it also drinks the fuel.
 
Hard to beat a voyager with a 550 fan for a basic hunting sled. I got a brand new one back in 2021 when they were like 8k, I should have gotten 2. I’ve used it to haul caribou, moose, bear, I’ve I’ve fished and explored with that thing. 2 years ago I took it on a 175 mile overnight trip, last year I did that same 175 mile ride in a day on the thing. They aren’t the most powerful things with only 60hp but they are reliable and easy to work on, fairly light too. I’ve been out spring bear hunting and my friends titan got stuck like 15 times while the voyager never got stuck, I think a titan has like a 800lb dry weight….lol at dealing with that.

All that said, I’m picking up a ski doo tundra with a 600 EFI in a few days, that will be more like 85hp and since it’s EFI it should get much better fuel mileage than my carbureted 550.

If there’s really a downside to a 550 fan, it’s the fuel mileage.

Anyways, I got out a lot more the past few years and did longer rides than most on a basic 550 fan, if I needed a basic hunting sled and didn’t plan yo do any real mountain ripping I’d give those a look, there are lots of them around where I live. And even if I got a brand new mountain sled, I’d keep a 550 around for hunting and wood hauling.

I see you are also asking about tracks, the voyager I mentioned came with a 1.6” track which seems to be just fine, it was also pre drilled for studs, I got a few packs of iGrip studs and installed them in about 15 minuets, made a huge difference.

I’ve ripped that 550 up sand dunes and dry beaches on the coast with zero issues, I’ve even water skipped it out of necessity.
 
I would steer clear of anything carbed.

If the trails are groomed, you don't need a long track/mtn sled. I have a 128" ski doo xrs trail sled that I use for trapping.

Like Cnelk said, look into fan or liquid cooled. Blowing up a motor because the trail thaw froze is expensive...

Don't buy someone else's problem. Look it over well-or take a buddy who knows what to look for. Suspension, scags, hyfax, idler wheels, belt-it all adds up. Compression test the cylinders as well. I wouldn't buy from a young guy with a flat brim and braap stickers on his truck.
 
Your not far from Libby-I HIGHLY recommend Dream Marine. They are the unicorn of dealers-honest, skilled and a family run outfit.
Call and talk to Andy, tell him what your looking for.

*edit to add I meant he may have a used sled that fits the bill.
 
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Another nice option to have on a sled is reverse.
Mine doesn’t have it and there’s times I wish it did.
 
First thing you got to do is quit calling it a snowmobile it’s a snow machine “hahaha”
Polaris 550 fans are great machine, the fan cooled is nice when snow depth is not great, or you get a lot of ice just to keep it cool.
Skidoo tundra’s and skandics are nice machines too don’t hear a lot of complaints about them as well.
 
First thing you got to do is quit calling it a snowmobile it’s a snow machine “hahaha”
Polaris 550 fans are great machine, the fan cooled is nice when snow depth is not great, or you get a lot of ice just to keep it cool.
Skidoo tundra’s and skandics are nice machines too don’t hear a lot of complaints about them as well.
I’ve driven my 550 fan over miles and miles of beach and tundra in the spring when the snow is starting to go away, for late spring riding around here a fan is literally the only way to go.
 
+1 for the 550 fans. Or anything sold as a "utility" sled if you can find a good deal. On the other hand sometimes the reliable machines command a serious premium. Where i am in montana i could buy 2 nice running mid 2000s 800 2 strokes for a single high mile 550 fan or 4 stroke utility sled.

The other thing is you say "mostly" for groomed trails. The minute you get off a groomed trail even 5 feet on a fresh snow day youre going to want an 800 long track. If youre not running real late and early season then the liquid cooled machines do just fine. I can ride mine about a mile on grass before it needs snow again. Whatever you buy, plan on working on it, and with old machines sometimes its cheaper to buy a second one than fix it so its nice if its a machine thats readily available in your area. Then all your bags and gun rack and extra parts just go along.

Take it with a grain of salt as im a go fast flat brim wearing snowmobile breaker. The last 10 ears ive ridden 2000+ miles a year backcountry and Ive blown a motor every 2.5 years and a track every year in addition to all the "small" parts. If you can keep it on the trail and not ride it to break it you can avoid that. Also new sleds with fuel injection and reverse just are just nicer to ride. Not sure what kind of budget youre on but watch out. You might find that theyre fun to ride, then youre really in for it.
 
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