Sleds
 

Wayne just like a 911 buy the newest one in top condition for your budget. It really depends on where you plan to ride, in the mountains you want a long paddle track and fuel injection. Polaris and Skidoo are good brands for this arena. Arctic Cats are good but the 2 strokes tend to be louder than other makes.
I have owned all but a Yamaha. The big 4 have made a lot of technical upgrades in the last 2 decades on snow machines. It is a lot of fun when you have fresh snow and blue skies, enjoy. DP

Wayne,

Now much riding do you plan on doing? Given your living arrangements I would consider renting.

i know one thing..

you're gonna need snow :D

I believe the four strokes are more "touring" than "sporty". At least that's been my experience renting both types in West Yellowstone. Personally, I would never buy a 4 stroke... they are heavy and slow compared to the two strokes.

i rented a 4 stroke in denver. it was slow. so my solution was to keep it on full throttle. i was zero throttle or full throttle the entire time.

i had to go back for gas..hahah. pretty fun stuff. amazing how snot and boogers can freeze solid.

Why the 4 stroke criteria?

Government regulation led manufacturers to the 4 stroke, not based on performance or merit

So the changeover occured over a few years with 2011 models being almost all 4 stroke

Are you looking for a lightweight, nimble, small sports chassis, like a motocross bike, or Cayman S?

Or a mid-sized uber-powerful chassis like a crotchrocket, or 911 GT2?

Or a large, long, 2-up, smooth tourer like a Goldwing, or Panamera Turbo S?

Are you looking for fuel economy?

Are you looking for speeds above 70 mph?

High altitude running? (turbo?) Mountain inclines? Deep snow? Powder? Groomed trails? Extreme cold?

With a $5-6K/ea budget you should be able to buy decent examples that meet any of the above criteria. All of the big four brands make great sleds, but they leapfrog each other different years depending on your criteria.

Up here in snow country, I have close friends that have had them all. But they're usually pretty brand loyal.....like NFL teams. So you won't find unbiased comparisons.

i know i get hurt, every time i ride a snowmobile..... :)

i'd look for one with a rotax engine. YMMV.

Rotax = SkiDoo

Cliff you want to re-think that ?? :D

Snowmobile Water Cross 7 mile Attempt Uncut - YouTube

Wayne,, lot's of choices ,, really depends on what altitude will you be riding ? depth of snow (deep powder or hard packed trails? ) will you be taking wife and kids or other passengers ?

These are very valid points Wayne.
We need more details.
Is the 2nd sled for the wife?
Don't forget a PPI or have someone that knows the brand look at it with you.

my buddy had a sled with a rotax. skidoo sounds right. he could wheelie that thing in the snow.... crazy fast.

Like all toys you have to decide ($$$) how fast you want to go.
The Rotax engines come in all sizes.
I have 2009 MXZ-X 800. Biggest that Ski-doo makes. Power on Power. :D

Haven't been on a snowmobile in decades and don't know anything about them, but have a question: Why not crazy-fast 4-strokes? They have no problem making 4-stroke MCs go way too fast. Same with cars.

But, just like the 911, the Air Cool one are easier to work on :):D:)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349971764.jpg

with a 12.3 HP Rotax engine

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1349971994.jpg

Heavy yes. Slow, NO.

4 stroke = no smell. I kinda like the smell of my 2 stroke doo, but only for a little while. Ride behind one for a few miles and you'll understand. Not to mention your gear getting all stunk up.

The guys I ride with on 4 strokes ride Yamaha's. If I had the means and want's, I'd get a 4 stroke Yamaha. Best build quality of all the manufactures.

They make crazy fast 4-strokes. Turbo etc.
Problem is that a 4 stoke is heavy and you need more power to go faster.
A heavier sled does not handle as well on the trails.

Wayne, just step-up and buy a 2013 Arctic Cat F1100 Turbo Sno Pro RR

177hp, 127lb-ft turbocharged 4 stroke turbocharged EFI twin

0-60 in 3.5 secs
1/4 mile in 12.7 secs @ 102 mph
115+ mph top speed
Weighs under 500 pounds

Both Arctic Cat and Polaris are here in Minnesota :D
Ski Doo is Canadian
Yamaha is, ummm...

Wayne, if you're sold on the Yamaha thing.....

$5000-6000 will buy a 2006-2008 Yamaha Apex 998cc 4 stroke FI (150 hp)