Help needed. What used sled to buy for 4000$ max?

PhatboyC

PhatboyC

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Help needed. What used sled to buy for 1500$ max? (new lower budget)

Hi guys! I've been reading allot of good info on this forum but this is my first time posting. When I was a kid I was ridding snowmobiles all the time to go ice fishing and loved it. I'm now 28 and last year we have started ice fishing again.

I would like to buy a used sled for these occasions. Mostly to have fun at the cottage and on the Ottawa river. I'm looking for reliable, comfortable and sporty looking. I feel bad looking at "old" 2 cycle sleds since they pollute more and are harder on gas but for the money it seems I have no choice. In the high range I was looking at a 2003 SXViper ER for 4000$. But then in the low range there is the sexiest ever looking sled off all time the VMAX-4's. I can get a '96 VMAX XT 600 7200km for 2000$.

How big are the differences on these type of sleds? Is it night and day in comfort, mpg, reliability and engine smoke? If not then I wouldn't mind saving the 2 grand and get the looks. If there is a big difference then I guess Ill suffer with the ugly trailing arms. Don't want to insult anybody but I'm having a hard time looking at that metal bracket. Good thing the front look compensates. :)

In my situation what would you guys be looking at?

Thanks in advance.

02_sxv700_blu_3.jpg

vs the sexy vmax
96_vx600xt_3.jpg
 
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I really think you are better off going for the Viper if it is feasable$$$. I just bought one in NY state and imported it back to Canada. I did have to invest in a new track for it as it was damaged but I only paid $2600 for the whole sled. Those old V-max's are real sharp looking but in my opinion ride like a horse and buggy in comparison to a viper which is like driving a corvette. THe Viper is also VERY fuel efficient and uses half as much oil. You will also feel let down riding a 1990 something sled when you see a 17 year old kid fly past you on a newer Viper. Why did'nt I spend the extra $1000 bucks???
 
buy my 2000 srx for 4 $2000.plenty fast enough,good on gas,sharp.very reliable & i'll meet you somewhere if you wanted.just a thought
 
viper

If I were you go with the viper I had 96 vmax 600 1 litre oil per 1 fill gas , the viper is a rocket ship compared to vmax, but if you go vmax , spend the time , buy twin pipes , clutch kit , slight gear change , good track or picks and you will be happy! :nos:
 
I would think the 4 strokes are getting old enough now that a guy could find one in that $4K range. At least in the states, don't know about Canada.
 
If all you're going to use the sled for is to get to your ice fishing spot, and the occasional recreational ride around the lake, both sleds are gross overkill.

A simple fan cooled sled like a newer style Phaser will have adequate handling, and a smoother ride than either of those other two sleds, and will likely cost you less money.

If you want a 4 stroke, you can find non-turbocharged Arctic Cat 660 sleds very cheaply. While nowhere near as powerful as the Yamaha 4 strokes, they have good reliability, adequate power and very low cost.
 
Viper all the way. I had a 94 v max. That thing was a tank compared to the viper. Ride them both and decide for yourself, but i'm pretty sure you'll choose the viper. If you can find a 04 Viper S they look the best in my opinion.
 
Thanks for the suggestions guys. So sexy vmax is out then.

I didn't look at the competition since I place reliability as top priority. Around here cheapest RX-1 are 5800$. Not sure the new style Phasers/Ventures Lite would satisfies me with 80hp. Love the looks but I would be afraid to get tired of it. The idea of 4 stroke is very tempting tho. dunno

srxbully, Your offer sounds good but I see you have race your sleds. Not sure how many more trouble free miles it has left in it.
 
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Ok, we just bought a new boat so my budget got shrunk to 1500$. :( So in my area it looks like I mostly have 94-96 Vmax for that price. To bad cause I had found a 04 RX Warrior, 2000km for 4800$

I have read that the Vmax 600 are around only 9mpg. Would I get the same if I only run 40mph on the lake for an hour non stop for example?

If I buy biodegradable synthetic boutique oil do you guys think it will still smoke? The sleds magazine says the Maxima Bio2T oil in a Viper for example doesn't smoke or smell. You think I would get the same in the older Vmax?

The two sleds I'm looking at have 4400-5000 miles. None of them ever cleaned the carb. Is this an issue? Can I just put gas/oil and run it without any major work first?

Can I install a hitch to pull a cutter/sleigh on these? I notice on one the horizontal bar in the back below the light is metal and on the other it is plastic. How come? Same year and model sled... I was think of attaching the sleigh there.

Thanks for all your help!

Just for fun here are pics of the two sleds.

6096860.jpg
YOW3743688.1.jpg

YOW3743688.3.jpg
 
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OK let me try and answer some questions. I have a 93 v-max 4, 95 600, and a 96 600xt. The 94 and 95 v-max's were tanks....but supper reliable. The front suspensions on these sleds are actually pretty good. the rear is a whole other issue. If you are looking at the xt, the suspension is noticable better than the earlier models but still not great by todays standards. Your use of ice fishing, pulling the sleigh, and occasional riding....the xt should work great. I would recomend going to twin pipes and a clutch kit to improve performance and fuel economy. You actually jet smaller with pipes on this sled. They did make a tow hitch for this sled, check e-bay. All had plastic in the rear but the hitch mounts lower if i remember correctly, the one you saw probably had the p[lastic cover removed. These sleds are workhorses and a great buy for the money. I get 11-12mpg with twin pipes and yes, lower rpm will get better mpg. These sleds are going for less down. I hope this helps.
 
Thanks for your help.

I went to see the second one in the pictures. Good shape, nice 1.5" track. He says he got a dual stage installed on the secondary clutch? I forgot the degrees but says it helped with the take off.

The only bad thing I noticed (besides not having a reverse) is the second row (from the front) of idler wheels are missing. I see the holes and you can tell at some point something was there. How bad is it if I ride it that way? How much will I have to spend in parts to fix it? For the diagram looks like allot.

attachment.php
 
i might consider selling mine.....






but......it its a lot more then 1500.....now it has billet wheels in the back.


engine work is in my sig..


problem....not practical for you though.....horrible gas mileage, open carbs.
 
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get a 98 or 99 SRX or 97 - 2000 single pipe triple for the new prive range.

the Yami triples are much more fuel efficient than the old twins, and the chassis is heap and shoulders above the old pogo sticks.

you might find a vmax4, but they get horible fuel efficency and have small gas tanks

be sure to check for a busted W arm in a trailing arm sled
 
Thanks for the offer Dave_Vmax600. But your right, for my use it wouldn't be practical. But gorgeous sled, I would offer you 1900$ shipped...?

The cheapest 98 SRX around here so far has been around 2750$ To much for me right now.

I went to check the first Vmax in the picture. Definitely not as in good shape as the second one. The belt was actually missing teeth for 3' long. But it had the second set of idler wheels. You can actually see them in the first pic.

I'm wondering why someone would remove these idler wheels. The owner of the the second Vmax said it was like that when he bought it used. I when on Port Yamaha site and price the peaces I'm missing. It added up to 146$ plus shipping. At that price maybe I should just ride it that way if I buy the sled. What you guys think?

Strangely enough the Yamaha pic of the sled from my first post in this thread you can see the idler wheels on the outside of the hyfax instead. Wonder why?
 
Well here is my 2 cents.

With your original budget I'd go looking for a Viper with reverse, any year any motor.

Now that your budget is less than half of the original your stuck in the late '90s for possibilities. I'd be looking at Pro-action based sleds. A triple would be great if you can find one. Even if the sled looks a bit rough in the looks department as long as the engine and chassis are in good shape $1500 should be enough. Belts are cheap so don't let that discourage you. The seller probably did not want to get rid of a good belt and put the spare on to sell it.

So sleds to look for if I was you.

Vmax's '97 and up. Look for the 700cc triples from '98 or '99. I would go looking for one with electric start for sure and reverse would be great. The ride of the XTC model is very plush and I know I like mine. Figure on $300 or so for a good set of plastic ski's as a must if the sled does not have them already.

There is nothing wrong with the older models but if you can get away from the TSS (Pogo stick) front end you will be happier on the rough trails. The 500 and 600cc engines are a bit thirsty especially on oil compared to the triples (my 600 however gets 11-13MPG on the trail and I rarely need more than a quart of oil to ride a good day).

My dad ran across a guy selling a '02 Viper ER (did not know if it was a 600 or 700) for $2500 last month. I wish I had the cash I would have jumped on it. So be patient. They are out there but might be a bit harder to find than sleds from the other makes.
 
SRX7: Thanks for the offer but didn't you use your sled in the summer? :)

FuzzButt: Thanks for the advice. So far I haven't seen any 97 and newer Yamaha with triples at my price point. But I'm still looking...

The more I wait the more that second Vmax in the picture looks tempting. Just don't know about those missing idler wheels. Not sure if it's a big deal or not.
 
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