[ARCHIVED THREAD] - snowmobiling!!! (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 12/18/2016 6:42:21 PM EDT
For you guys that live in a non-snowy region,you dont know what your missin!!!think liter bike acceleration,on deep snow,its like your machine is levitating!!so much fun!!..if you ever get the chance,give it a try! 2014 polaris indy 800...illinois riding |
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Fun for sure.
We get plenty of snow but where I live it's too urban/suburban to ride much, if at all. If I lived in a more rural area I'd have one for sure. Best thing is you aren't limited by roads or terrain once you get a nice layer of snow on the ground, you can range far and wide. And fast. Little fuckers are expensive as hell, though. |
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Braaaaaaap! I ride both trail and mountain. Both are fun in their own way, but I do get tired of all the morons taking corners on the wrong side of the trail. I know some people who only ride off-trail because of that.
It's amazing how far sleds have advanced in the last decade. I could never go back to the old sleds (before "rider forward"). Anyone considering it, better have some serious money in the bank. It is not a cheap hobby, but it's worth it. |
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A little old school, but an awesome trail machine that'll still rip. Yesterday. http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc133/fttam/image_zpsuc5tocba.jpeg Those are a fun sled. |
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I have a 2012 and 2016 pro rmk
Heading out tomorrow for day one of real riding Used to be a hard core snowboarder for 12 years, at this point I'm ready to sell my snowboards for sled parts Just can't compare Next big purchase is a turbo, love me some big hills to climb |
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I've never ridden one or been in much snow (lived in the south my whole life) I grew up on four wheelers and jet skis. They look awesome, but I feel like I'd hook a ski in a turn and flip. Is that common? You could, but normally not..they are pretty stabil platforms once you learn how to ride them...of course in the powder the skis shouldn't be touching snow.. 
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I've never ridden one or been in much snow (lived in the south my whole life) I grew up on four wheelers and jet skis. They look awesome, but I feel like I'd hook a ski in a turn and flip. Is that common? No they are stable if you set the suspension up correctly. If you're in the mountains and roll it's no big deal, gets you in shape. 
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For you guys that live in a non-snowy region,you dont know what your missin!!!think liter bike acceleration,on deep snow,its like your machine is levitating!!so much fun!!..if you ever get the chance,give it a try!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wijetT2GTQYES!!!! Where are you riding?? I can almost smell the exhaust
Thanks for posting I may or may not be on the trail this week. Attached File |
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In deep powder, to me it's like riding a jet ski. I love it! Oh and stay away from trees... 
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5666/24049167086_8428c99752_h.jpg What trees? yeah we do have them, but most everything in my cabin area is above tree line....
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I've never ridden one or been in much snow (lived in the south my whole life) I grew up on four wheelers and jet skis. They look awesome, but I feel like I'd hook a ski in a turn and flip. Is that common? Nah. Most common thing is hitting a stump or rock under the snow (knocking you off), or sometimes losing your balance and falling off, usually when the sled doesn't do what you expected it to do. I fall off at least once a day when boondocking, but in my defense, I have a high center of gravity. If you stay on trails, the only real danger is from other riders who don't stay on their side, or rookies sometimes misjudge their speed and miss a corner. And deer. |
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Havent been on one since 2000 and really don't care to anymore. Had one buzz me from behind at 100+ within a foot of my old 83 Artic Kat 440 going 45 in the middle of the day on a wide straight flat long section of trail. Assholes that do flybys like that need to FOAD.  I've had a few fucks do that to me as well. I rarely ride on weekends because of all the out of town Ricky Racer gonads out on the trails.
I was thinking about selling mine this year. I fired it up and took a short rip yesterday.... Now I'm not so sure I want to sell it.
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Used to ride an Arctic Cat F5. That thing pulled harder that anything else I had ever ridden. If I ever have to move north, I'll own one again If you thought that 100-horse F5 pulled hard, you should try the new 165-horse 850 Etec, or the 200-horse Sidewinder. |
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I grew up riding a few hundred miles a year and going on sledding trips. Now I might ride 20 miles a year if I get home on leave. I'm blown away with how much sleds have advanced in the last 10 years. A few hundred per year? We usually ride a few hundred per day, but it depends on the group. Yesterday we didn't even break 100 miles, but that's because it's Christmas season, and we were stopping at parties and taverns. |
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In deep powder, to me it's like riding a jet ski. I love it! Oh and stay away from trees...
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5666/24049167086_8428c99752_h.jpg Quoted:
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You could, but normally not..they are pretty stabil platforms once you learn how to ride them...of course in the powder the skis shouldn't be touching snow.. In deep powder, to me it's like riding a jet ski. I love it! Oh and stay away from trees...
https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5666/24049167086_8428c99752_h.jpg I'm jealous of snowmobiling in terrain like that. In northern Michigan I have trails and wide open hills and fields but nothing that can compare to mountains. If me and a few buddies were to head out there where would you recommend for a 5-6 sled trip? We're all on long track Revs or cats with paddles so we are pretty well setup. |
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Have a 01 polaris 800 rmk sp and my two older girls love riding fast on it.
They love cat walking and jumping. We bought a new machine last year a 16 doo expadition le 900 ace. Darn thing has some torque. Have 5 machines in the stable able to go right now. and one more that just needs the motor put in.
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i always thought it was great, but just a touch too much hassle for me. Â you cant ignore the power though, its a rush. I'm amazed at how far some people travel just to trail ride. I've met people from all over the country who come up to the north woods to ride (both rentals and bring their own). I wouldn't travel that far just to trail ride. We do travel a long ways for mountain riding, but that's worth it, to me. |
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I'm jealous of snowmobiling in terrain like that. In northern Michigan I have trails and wide open hills and fields but nothing that can compare to mountains. If me and a few buddies were to head out there where would you recommend for a 5-6 sled trip? We're all on long track Revs or cats with paddles so we are pretty well setup. West Yellowstone. We went to Jackson hole also. The best trip to West Yellowstone ever was last winter from Dec.23 to the 29th. Some Chinese and a couple Japanese tourists. We saw very few people on the trails and essentially no boondockers. We had miles and miles of creek beds and meadows to ourselves. The snow was amazing! There was like 6-10 feet base with up to 10 feet of powder in places we went! You dont step off of the sled on your feet! You stand on your knees so you don't sink to your chin or more lol. This is a 163 inch Sno Pro. 
I don't recall the length of the Arctic cat. But it was long. 
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I wish I had the money to afford a sled and a snow bike.
Here's a dirt bike riding buddy on his Husqvarna FE501 SnowtechMX Snowbike on Mt Baker last Friday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om21WmOdPWEThat looks like a shit ton of fun.....off to see if I can make my dizzer a snow bike. |
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I wish I had the money to afford a sled and a snow bike.
Here's a dirt bike riding buddy on his Husqvarna FE501 SnowtechMX Snowbike on Mt Baker last Friday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om21WmOdPWEI want to try one of those snowbikes, but I have a feeling that the novelty would wear off quickly. |
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West Yellowstone. We went to Jackson hole also. The best trip to West Yellowstone ever was last winter from Dec.23 to the 29th. Some Chinese and a couple Japanese tourists. We saw very few people on the trails and essentially no boondockers. We had miles and miles of creek beds and meadows to ourselves. The snow was amazing! There was like 6-10 feet base with up to 10 feet of powder in places we went! You dont step off of the sled on your feet! You stand on your knees so you don't sink to your chin or more lol. This is a 163 inch Sno Pro. https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1589/23365066004_2125fcc285_h.jpg I don't recall the length of the Arctic cat. But it was long. https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1598/23625474559_99bdf4da08_h.jpg Dang. Guy I know went snowmobiling last weekend in NW Wyoming and went MIA. They went missing Friday afternoon or evening, one guy was found walking by SAR, the other two (including guy I know) were buried in a "snow bowl", fell an unknown (as of right now) distance. They couldn't search until Sunday daytime due to snow conditions. One guy's PLB and cell phone apparently saved the lives of the two that fell through. I'm waiting for him to get back to hear the full story. |
No snowmobile thread is complete without this video.
 Snowmobile 0 Mountain 1 - Epic Snowmobile Crash |
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West Yellowstone. We went to Jackson hole also. The best trip to West Yellowstone ever was last winter from Dec.23 to the 29th. Some Chinese and a couple Japanese tourists. We saw very few people on the trails and essentially no boondockers. We had miles and miles of creek beds and meadows to ourselves. The snow was amazing! There was like 6-10 feet base with up to 10 feet of powder in places we went! You dont step off of the sled on your feet! You stand on your knees so you don't sink to your chin or more lol. This is a 163 inch Sno Pro. https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1589/23365066004_2125fcc285_h.jpg I don't recall the length of the Arctic cat. But it was long. https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1598/23625474559_99bdf4da08_h.jpg Quoted:
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I'm jealous of snowmobiling in terrain like that. In northern Michigan I have trails and wide open hills and fields but nothing that can compare to mountains. If me and a few buddies were to head out there where would you recommend for a 5-6 sled trip? We're all on long track Revs or cats with paddles so we are pretty well setup. West Yellowstone. We went to Jackson hole also. The best trip to West Yellowstone ever was last winter from Dec.23 to the 29th. Some Chinese and a couple Japanese tourists. We saw very few people on the trails and essentially no boondockers. We had miles and miles of creek beds and meadows to ourselves. The snow was amazing! There was like 6-10 feet base with up to 10 feet of powder in places we went! You dont step off of the sled on your feet! You stand on your knees so you don't sink to your chin or more lol. This is a 163 inch Sno Pro. https://c5.staticflickr.com/2/1589/23365066004_2125fcc285_h.jpg I don't recall the length of the Arctic cat. But it was long. https://c8.staticflickr.com/2/1598/23625474559_99bdf4da08_h.jpg Those super deep days are my favorites...  such a blast to drop into an untouched valley of deep powder......haven't ridden since a car wreck in spring of 13... I pray I get to again.....
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The best trip to West Yellowstone ever was last winter from Dec.23 to the 29th. Some Chinese and a couple Japanese tourists. We saw very few people on the trails and essentially no boondockers. We had miles and miles of creek beds and meadows to ourselves. The snow was amazing! There was like 6-10 feet base with up to 10 feet of powder in places we went! You dont step off of the sled on your feet! You stand on your knees so you don't sink to your chin or more lol. We had a similar experience there years ago. We arrived on December 16th and there was barely enough snow to snowmobile in town. We were seriously almost the only visitors in town. The first day we took a snow coach tour to Old Faithful. That night a HUGE snowstorm blew through and dumped several feet of fresh powder. We were out riding the next day and it felt like we practically had the whole place to ourselves. Fresh powder everywhere, it was like heaven, nothing short of amazing. 
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Dang. Guy I know went snowmobiling last weekend in NW Wyoming and went MIA. They went missing Friday afternoon or evening, one guy was found walking by SAR, the other two (including guy I know) were buried in a "snow bowl", fell an unknown (as of right now) distance. They couldn't search until Sunday daytime due to snow conditions. One guy's PLB and cell phone apparently saved the lives of the two that fell through. I'm waiting for him to get back to hear the full story. PLB and Shovels and survival packs are a must! As well as common sense. I have was within a couple hundred yards of people being killed there in an avalanche. They had no PLBs, and their buddies had no shovels or probes. Sad situation. |
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I want to try one of those snowbikes, but I have a feeling that the novelty would wear off quickly. Quoted:
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I wish I had the money to afford a sled and a snow bike.
Here's a dirt bike riding buddy on his Husqvarna FE501 SnowtechMX Snowbike on Mt Baker last Friday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Om21WmOdPWEI want to try one of those snowbikes, but I have a feeling that the novelty would wear off quickly. They are a blast, takes a solid day to get use to them. Next one I'm building will be a CR500AF with a Yeti kit. My old Husaberg 650. 
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It's the source of my username, I'm a snowman. Or used to be, I used to live to ride but this will be the fourth season since I sold my sleds, I miss it but I had too much money invested for the small amount of riding I did each year. The source of my username too. I used to ride Firecats (still own a F7) until I discovered the 4stroke turbo XF platform. |
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Those super deep days are my favorites... such a blast to drop into an untouched valley of deep powder......haven't ridden since a car wreck in spring of 13... I pray I get to again.....I hope you can get back to it soon. It is too much fun not to be able to do. Back injury I'm assuming? |
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PLB and Shovels and survival packs are a must! As well as common sense. I have was within a couple hundred yards of people being killed there in an avalanche. They had no PLBs, and their buddies had no shovels or probes. Sad situation. I don't understand how people can drop over 10 grand on a sled, but a PLB is just too much money. |
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I don't understand how people can drop over 10 grand on a sled, but a PLB is just too much money. You can rent the damn things! Hell in West Yellowstone you can rent the whole shit and shebang. We stopped hauling our own sleds there and started driving there in a car. Last winter it cost 400 bucks per person hotel included! 4 of us. I rented the sled for like 325 bucks for 3 days. One piece of advise! If you go over a holiday, Bring your own booze and munchies! My buddy paid 80 fucking dollars for a bottle of Morgan! LMAO. |
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I have a 2016 Polaris Axys 163" with a SLP stage 2 on it. When the snow is good, and your on the throttle...I swear its better then sex. Been out a couple times this season (Wyoming and Utah) and they have been the bottomless, fluffy, snorkel days where your sled is gasping for air. Only problem with backcountry sledding is it is a ridiculously expensive hobby... new sleds run around 12k and depreciate around 2 to 3 grand a year, you are looking to rebuild an engine around 2 to 3 k miles, clothing/safety gear can run someone around 3k, and don't mention the trailer, diesel pickup, and miles put on the weekends chasing the snow....
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That sucks. What sort of injury is preventing you from riding? TBI issues..mainly non stop headache since the wreck, accompanied with dizziness and nausa...been sitting on my ass since the wreck..no work, no hunting, trapping,sledding..still need to rebuild my body as well, but right now getting the docs to figure out a way to fix the brain is first... Attached File |
| I havnt riden a sled in years but I used to ride CMX and a Tison I also used to ride with some of the biggest folks in the mountain riding industry KLIM, CMX, Motorfist, Boondocker, FAST, PSI, Starting Line, just to name a few. I rode West Yellowstone, Cooke City MT, Island Park Idaho Indian Creek near Alpine WY as they all were in my back yard and I still stay in touch with most of those guys. Been in a few of the videos back in the day also. One of my favorite rides was with Rulon Garder outside of Afton Wy. after his adventure years ago. |