Wayne - I've done snowmobiles for over 25 years. Currently have 5 - ride from the door of my home and my cabin.

On the 2 vs 4 stroke, 4-stroke is very heavy and you won't be happy for "Mountain Riding".. U will get stuck in deep powder and you will be sorry. Would be great for the Mid-west or the NE areas. Your idea of 2006 or newer is spot on....Suspension is everything when the trails are torn up.

A as the EPA stuck their nose into "Emissions" in about 2007, some makes struggled with their 1st attempts at FI.....I used to be a big Polaris fan, but wouldn't touch any bigger model they made 2007-2011. Seized engines from running too lean and overheating issues. Ski-Doo (Rotax) is very solid during those years....

If you want to try it out this winter, I'll take you out, use one of my machines. Fly into Seattle and a shuttle will have you in my town in 1.5 hr.....http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349977305.jpg

SkiDoo e-tec 2-stoke motors are the current hot ticket for power and efficiency. By report (and there are several tons of reporters here), these motors have been in a league by themselves since they came online a few years ago.

Like everything else today, technology has jumped big time in sleds. Started riding waaaay back in 1967 up to 2004. Mostly ran Polaris. Excellent reliability and all were variety of sized, number of cyl. 2 stroke's, air and water cooled (old days were pre-mix, later oil injected sipping synthetic 100:1). But today I would go for a 4 stroke.

One of the best bang for the buck speed junkie, corner carving riot fun one can have. Mostly went for the U.P. Michigan, northern Wisconsin trails. No speed limits and miles of mixed terrain but mostly trail groomed. 200 mile days are cake walks.

Now onto what type of sled to get. I would say it depends on what type of riding you're planning on. For engine, the later 4 strokes are superb. Chassis - If you go for endless groomed miles, you don't need mega long travel suspensions. If you go mountain climbing powder hunting, long track, big paddled tracks is the way to go. Freestyle long travel sleds seem to be the most popular in the upper mid-west states these days.

Buying - The sled market has been very weak in the last years so you should get a great buy on a prior model year machine. For used, this might sound odd, but look for a used race race sled. The owners usually have all sorts of goodies from sponsors on them and as required to be competitive, meticulous maintained. You can find some amazing late model, super clean machines (but probably not cosmetics) for $2,500 to $4,500.

Lastly, I'm not sure what the laws are in Ca about modded sled's and where you plan to ride, but something to consider if you buy a sled from out of state. Scott

edit: Just read the above post of engine seize. Much has been attributed to type of fuel and territory where purchased. You have all sorts of blends varying from state to state and seasonal. Also, if you're going down the 2 stroke, carburated path, jetting for conditions is crucial. EGT guages are a big plus if riding a two stroke.

I've ridden snowmobiles for forty+ years. Most recently for the last twenty have had Yamaha's and they have been bulletproof. My current ride is a 1000CC RX1. Used sleds are only as good as the care they received when they were driven by their previous owners. Sleds are usually easy to repair and replace parts and and quite reliable rides.

They can be dangerous, more than a few people I know have been hurt and/or killed on fast sleds mostly associated with alcohol and riding at night. Almost all sleds today can get to 60 MPH and the big ones can easily double that in a heartbeat.

I still enjoy riding myself but choose to ride during the week as weekends the trails get too busy with the crazy folks from down south who seem to think they are the only people on the trails.

As an EMT, I've picked up more than a few people with broken bones and head injuries and in most cases there is just no reason for these things to happen other than people are just careless and crazy. In forty years I've never hurt myself or broken down but seen plenty of others that were not as fortunate.

I'm happy to answer and specific questions. I've never ridden out west but would love that opportunity, most of my riding is on lakes and narrow wooded trails in the Adirondack Park.

People that ride at night go from bar to bar and the cops and DEc officers are now and have been cracking down on DUI riders for the obvious reasons.

Evolution
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1350015846.jpg

If there are ones with comfy bucket seats, or even something you can put a rear seatbelt or armrests on...?

From riding a motorcycle 90mph at 5below with no gloves, and sliding down hills of sheet ice sideways during misspent winters in my youth, I'd definitely have to say a windshield helps riding comfort levels.

I would look for 500 to 600 cc sleds with long track. They are light enough to pull out if they get stuck and the long track helps in the light deep snow. You will have plenty of get up and go with that size. Two up sleds for two adults are same size engine but usually heavier, not sure if they are available with long track. Most sleds come with a hitch for a sled behind and usually not a big deal to pull on groomed trails and relatively level terrain.

I think you can find some good used sleds in that price range. I think used in the west can be better than used in the east. Many people back here trailer their sleds every weekend and road salt can really be hard on these vehicles. Hopefully there isn't as much salt used in the roads in CA, (if any).

Are you sure you're going to enjoy it? If not, will you be able to re-sell your sleds in L.A.? Is there a place out there that might lease them to you for a season?

Good point, sled rentals are big in the east now and usually new and in good condition. Nice way to try out the sport.

A friend of ours has purchased 2 touring sleds both 4 stroke arctic cats from sled rental places out west. The rental places replace sleds every couple years or so. Both 2 up, heated seats, long tracks, reverse, remote electric start. Set up for the kind of riding I think you are looking for. I can ask them for the place if you want.

Dont forget all the gear you will need too. Maybe $250-$400 per person depending on what you already have.

Don't get me wrong, it's a fun sport, but if I couldn't ride from my back door I'd probably get rid of mine.

But they look sick without the shields.

The kinda riding you do on the sleds posted will keep you plenty comfy in below zero temps. Lots of moving around going on. Quite the workout.

2 strokes are now dead reliable if you buy the right brand.......In your budget and use, I'd vote for 2 600 Ski-doo's Etecs with a trailer....Very impressive advancements on fuel and oil mileage.......G'luck..

Wayne,

I have been into snowmobiles for years and have a bit different criteria then you but only because I wont travel for snow so I know I am not get as much snow so a more expensive sled is not worth it to me. however I am a big Yamaha fan Love the SR's and Vmax but those are 2 strokes. I like the apex's as they are very tourquee . I would buy a 4 stroke yamaha in a heart beat if I used it more. great suspension very reliable basically most of the engines used are derived from the motorcycle branch which are proven over and over.

Ski doo would be my second suggestions because they are lighter in most cases but around here they seem to go through engines like candy and the engines are austrian made so give or take??

^^^Ben- I just recalled you're in Burlington, WI. Way back when that area would have solid cold, heavy snow's we used to ride the frozen Fox River as a regular run from McHenry, IL past Burlington to just west of Waukesha, WI. Fast group of riders with some fun tweaked machines, carbided , studded out, triple cyl. Polaris's, one was a turbo. Open water crossing, and often the banks were flowing open but these machines would just fly, corner carving, rapid transit fun.

Wayne- I'd have to agree with others suggesting of renting for a few weekends. Try different machines and see what's ideal. Also, I just poked around Craigslist in the midwest upper states - many terrific steal'em buy's right now... great timing for those in the market. Good like and have fun. Scott

I ride every year. on fast (100mph+), packed snow, mountain powder, lake beds (even open water) rough "spring" snow and every other condition you can imagine.
Skidoo, REV chassis. 600 HO is all the sled you will ever need..... and bullet proof. You don't need a new one either. anything after 2004 is good stuff.