Any Snowmobilers ?

Over the years I've driven just about everything, fan cooled, free air and liquid mostly on the governments dime. Long track, short track, reverse, no reverse. Small motors, large motors, single cylinder and twins. I've driven thousands upon thousands of miles in every conceivable snow condition from deep slush to glare ice.
I don't trail ride but I fish a ton. What I settled on for my own machine was a ski-doo liquid, 500 touring, electric start with reverse. Its fast enough, it will outdo any Elan or Snobug in deep powder, will pull a sleigh in slush conditions and is a super comfortable ride for driver and passenger.

a skidoo really eh ? what year would you recommend for a newbie ?

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Originally Posted by sawbill

Over the years I've driven just about everything, fan cooled, free air and liquid mostly on the governments dime. Long track, short track, reverse, no reverse. Small motors, large motors, single cylinder and twins. I've driven thousands upon thousands of miles in every conceivable snow condition from deep slush to glare ice.
I don't trail ride but I fish a ton. What I settled on for my own machine was a ski-doo liquid, 500 touring, electric start with reverse. Its fast enough, it will outdo any Elan or Snobug in deep powder, will pull a sleigh in slush conditions and is a super comfortable ride for driver and passenger.

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Really good info sawbill and great snow machine !

Afraz, I would be partial to Skidoo and Yamaha and I'd stay away from Artic Cat and Polaris. As you can imagine lots of guys who own Cats and Polaris have probably had little or no trouble with them. Around here its all about the dealerships and how they back up their product. I can't see that being any different with where you live. Ski-doo and Yamaha have been in the business for a long time so mechanically and design wise they'd be at the top of the pile.

As said earlier what you buy should depend on what activities you will be doing. You can always trail ride with any machine but fishing and travelling off-trail is what sets machines apart. I would look for the features that I've got on my machine and select a brand that offers those.

I'd look for something owned by a little old gentleman and bypass something owned by a kid. Like cars, age can be irrelevant so look for something that shows no oil leaks around the motor or rust perforated mufflers. A replacement track can be your first big expense so bring someone along who can tell you the condition of the track on the machine you're looking at.

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Originally Posted by Afraz

I want reliability and comfort

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YAMAHA, problem solved.

All I can add is any sled beats walking on the ice. No matter what you buy get some rope and a come a long and keep them with you for the trails and woods in case you get stuck.