Hey, I'm in the market for a new mountain snowmobile and I need advice on what to look for. I'm looking to spend no more than $2000. I live out west where there is a lot of deep powder and steep hills and I want this machine to be able to go just about anywhere.

What should I look for as a minimum requirement for engine size, horsepower, track length/lug hight , and model year?

thanks

That is a tall order you are asking for! I really doubt you are going to find a mountain sled with the capibilities you want for that kind of money. You might be able to pick up an 97-01 RMK 600-800. Good luck. I would look for a 700cc or better and atleast a "144 X 2" trackif you want the power to get you to the top of the peaks. I think you need to revaluate your purchase..... Gonna have to spend more $$$$ if you want a good mountain sled.

Yeah I know $2000 probably wont get me too much. I'm 17 and don't have a job right now so money is an issue for me. I might be able to go up to $2,500 but that wont make much of a difference.

Ah well thanks for the help, I'll just keep checking around and try to find a good deal. I did see an add for a '99 RMK 700 for $2,700. If it has a large enough track and is in good condition do you think that it would be worth it and would be able to go any place I want?

that 700 will do what you want if it is in good condition. then again, the technology has jumped light years in the deep snow area in the last 6-7 years.

for your money, you might be better off sticking with the 500, and pouring some money into it (lighter skis, paddle track, can, etc) while saving the rest for another sled down the road.

that 500 will do quite a bit. it was my last sled as well.

good luck :div20:

That acually was my plan untill I looked for a 2" track for my 500 and I guess they don't make them. The length of my track is 131" which is not a very commen length. Could I get a whole new rear suspension and everything to make it a 136" or 144"?

I'm betting you have a 133.5", not a 131...?? Turn the track, find the number on the outside and have your Polaris dealer run it for you, he'll let you know for sure. If it is, I would almost bet you could put a 136 on there in its place. I would find out first if you could for sure do that or not.

I have been told you can run the 136 track on a 133 skit with 8 or larger wheels. I personall have never tried it, but I would bet it works.

I think it's a 131"....

http://www.polarisman.com/site/DisplayMode...00SKS&Year=1996

Guess it couldn't hurt to make sure with the dealer.

If I go look at that 700 RMK, what kind of things should I look for to make sure it's in good conditon? Look at the spark plugs? Check the track for broken lugs?

Oh yeah is there any website I can go to and check the value on that sled?

That's interesting. Try giving Tracksusa a call and talk to them, maybe they can dig something up for you that will work.

http://www.tracksusa.com/index.html

As for looking at the RMK, do a compression check on the engine, look for the usual wear, check the primary clutch to see if it is loose or wiggles around, see what mods have been done, what repairs have been done, any damage anywhere...... There is probably more, but just look it over really good. Hopefully someone can add to the list :div20:

98 Summit X 670 if you can find for that price

How hard is it to build a snowmobile from aftermarket parts? Is this something that people do or no?

Because like when you want a new computer your best bet is to build it yourself out of OEM parts. It saves money and you get higher quality parts. So, is it possible to build a snowmobile out of OEM parts and save money that way?

I've heard of people building their own sled rather than buying one and was wondering what you guys know about it.

I agree w/ the 97 Rmk 600 or 700. Also the Arctic Cat 98 powder special 600 EFI was a good sled -not the 99 or newer P/S 700! But I think adding a paddle track may not be a bad idea
it may be a bit underpowered, but an offset axle and bigger wheels should let you put the 136 on. But I would not try to piece a sled togather-this leads to alot of problems. But if you're looking for a challenge and to learn alot about sleds then maybe -but research which sled you want then find out how available parts are. Ebay sells just about every parts out there. I'm pretty sure that you could build a Firecat from Ebay in a few months _not that a Firecat is a Mt. sled but I'v noticed that people sell every possible part of them.

I just checked out "polaris rmk" on Ebay and there are lots of parts to be had. From tunnels to guages.

i just put a 133.5 by 1.5 inch on my indy trail and it worked great. i had to buy used but it was a lot cheaper than new. like $500 cheaper

I would think you could find a 2001 Mountain Cat 600 for that. Not the greatest sled around, but it should get you where you want to go most of the time.

the 133 track that i got was stretched so i had to put bigger wheels on and they worked great. im sure if you put 8 inch it would work.

I put a 136 '' yamaha track on the wife's trail indy which had a 133.5 track and all I did was grind out the slots that the axle slides in to where there was only a quarter inch left. By the way the sks was 133.5 til they came out with the 1 3/4 track which was 136'', Ken.

Its really amazing what you can do with an older non-mountain type sled with a little creativity, Ebay, and local swap meets. You can pretty much put any skid from any sled into any tunnel with a little finesse. Good used tracks are easy to find for a few hundred bones as well.

You'd by far be better off finding a newer skid to drop into your chassis, with a common track size, and make it work. You'll save a ton of money and learn a lot about your snowmobile in the process.