I would like to buy a sled. I have been dirtbiking for some 4 years now. I own a 2009 Kx 250f and a Cr 125. Im looking to spend up to 3500 dollars. Although I have been riding bikes for a while, Im a complete noobie on a sled. I have been sledding twice in my life. I would like to ride on trails but also be able to go into powder. I am about 180 pounds and 6'2. What type of sled would you suggest for me to buy? 4 stroke or 2 stroke? Please help me out and thanks for your input, Simon

Some sleds that have caught my eye, maybe someone can elaborate further about them...

http://classifieds.c.../1140639/cat/85

http://classifieds.c.../1221542/cat/85

http://classifieds.c.../1215049/cat/85

http://classifieds.c.../1218557/cat/85

Edited by bigblu3, 21 February 2012 - 06:25 PM.

Still looking?

Know guys that ride?  How mechanically capable are you?  What kind of riding do you see yourself doing the most?

Getting a sled for the riding you're going to do is about the best thing you can start with.  Don't get a mountain sled for 100% trail riding.  Don't get a trail sled for SnoX.  4-strokes are good trail sled engines, but are quite heavy for backcountry riding.

Spend $ on gear/education first.  Avalanche education/beacon/shovel/probe, pack, jacket/pants/gloves/boots/goggles... Fortunately a lot of MX/dirt gear works well for snow... knee guards, helmets, etc; so you may be set for some items.

Like Mule said, it all depends on what type of riding you plan on doing.  Trails, backcountry/hill climbing, snowX

I wouldn't recommend a 4 stroke sled as they are VERY heavy and much more difficult to toss around through a group of trees.  Each sled and model has their specific strengths and weaknesses.  Skidoo's generally have clutch problems that can be fixed with some aftermarket modding, polaris RMK's chew through cranks like they're candy, and Arctic Cat M series have their problems with the diamond drives.

Education is paramount!  You have to have it, snow will kill you.  Take a class on avalanche safety and get the right avalanche gear; beacon, probe, shovel are your basic gear.  An avalanche air bag is the best survival tool you can get, I highly recommend you get one and learn how to use it.  Check out www.snowbigdeal.com , they are the authority of avalanche safety equipment.

Edited by Rocklicker, 17 August 2012 - 04:34 AM.

I've ridden all the new sleds, never been an Arctic Cat fan really because I hated the way they felt. The new ones aren't too bad though, but still not a fan. Polaris make some good sleds, the Dragon goes through some cranks like said above but overall a good sled. The Pro RMK are nice, but way overpriced, IMO. There isn't anythat that sled can do that my 5 year old REV can't. Honestly I wasn't impressed with the pull the new RMK had when climbing. I settled on the SkiDoo Rev platform, it feels the best to me and is easy to throw around. Boondocking is easy, it just rolls right up on edge with not too much effort. I bought mine in  fall 2008, brand new overstock left over from 2007. They were notorious for crank bearing issues, but knowing that I got a 2 year bumper to bumper warranty and most of them blew up within the first 500mi, so I took it home and rode it anyways. Still running strong to this day with over 2000mi!

Edited by Unsp0kn, 20 August 2012 - 09:59 AM.

I would recommend a polaris switchback 600 perfect for trail or powder, and polaris because my family rides polaris and they are all excellent machines, and a 600 isn't to powerful for a beginner but still lots of power believe me!

Edited by fullbore9, 25 August 2012 - 07:03 PM.

The only thing I can offer is they don't slide like a flat tracker. Did unplanned aerial barrel roll at speed trying to pitch it like a bike. Cracked windshield but no other damage to ski or self. Even landed right side up.
Good laugh and story for Massachusetts kids. Couldn't walk into a bar without someone asking if I'm the guy from Cali that rolled a snowmobile. Wish I lived somewhere I could justify buying one.

I have been riding sleds my whole life its to bad you have a small budget. The type of sled you described would be a cross over. they have a little bit of a extended track for powder my buddy has a skidoo and it rips like a mother effer. i liked the cross over style so much I went out and bought a cross over for my self,mine is a Articat crossfire. its perfect for me.  It can go down the trails with cofindence and also dish it out in powder. only problem i only got to ride it 6 time this past winter. we had almost no snow in michigan all winter.