What are the most important things I should check to make sure the sled is in good shape and safely operable? What should I look for in the suspension, skis, tunnel/body and track, headlights, etc.?
First of all talk to the owner and get a history of the sled. Ask questions such as “has it ever been wrecked,” “how long have you owned it,” “have you ever had any issues with it,” “do you have any service records?” From there, give the sled a once over. Take note of how many miles a machine has. DO REASERCH. I can’t stress this part enough. Each brand has had bad years and good years of sleds. Search forums, articles, and talk to your local dealer. Once you’ve decided you want to take a look at it, check to see the owner was correct on the odometer reading. Look for large damage to the tunnel and bulkhead. Look at the sled from the front and the rear and see if everything is straight. Bring a flashlight to look in those dark areas. Inspect that there are no leaks. Look for bad paint jobs or touch ups. Before looking at the sled ask the owner to not start the sled the same day your coming to look at it. When you get there, first put your hand on the engine to ensure they haven’t already ran it. Try starting the sled up. If it fires up with ease that’s a good sign, if it doesn’t you may have a problem that needs to be addressed. Not starting the sled the same day can prevent a shady owner from hiding a hard starting sled and can cost you $$$ in the future.
How do I know if the engine is healthy or if it’s wore out?
If you didn’t bring a compression gauge look for leaks in the engine (leaking crank seal, carb boot cracks or rips, and coolant leak). Does the sled start hard and pull over easily? This could be a sign of low compression. Look at the miles and look at the rest of the sled. General rule is that if the rest of the sled wasn’t taken car of the engine was probably treated the same way. If you did bring a compression gauge you’ll screw it into the spark plug hole and pull the engine over (with the throttle open and key off) about 4-5 times or until the gauge has stabilized. Anything less than 120 psi indicates lower compression. If you’re below 100, you’re guaranteed a rebuild.
What should I be watching for and listening for during a test ride?
Listen to the engine and drivetrain. The engine should be smooth running with no knocking, pinging, rattling, clunking. The drivetrain should also be smooth. Any ratcheting noises, high pitch whines, low rumble rubbing noises can signal a bad bearing, worn bushings, or some worn parts in the drive or track. Make sure all of your lights work, all of the switches function properly, and that you run the sled long enough to ensure the handwarmers (if the sled has them) work.
What are some red flags I should look for that would indicate the sled wasn’t properly maintained, took a beating, was in an accident or took a swim?
Look for cracks in the bulkhead and in the tunnel near your suspension mounting points. These are the first areas of a beat sled to fail. Look for high levels of corrosion, rust, etc. Ask the owner what they used to transport the sled. If they say an enclosed trailer or open trailer with a cover it’s a safe bet there wouldn’t be a ton of corrosion. If they say on a trailer uncovered I’d really examine the sled carefully as salt does its damage quick to sled, and with rust and corrosion the value of the sled goes down and your looking at future problems. As for taking a swim it’s hard to tell but look to see if there are high levels of corrosion in hidden places and maybe pull back some of the wire insulation and see if there is hidden corrosion.
If I decide to buy a used sled, what should I do for maintenance and inspection before I take it out for that first ride?
Inspect it from front to back. I’ve found in many cases what the owner said they did and what they actually did can differ significantly. Park the sled on cement overnight (or if no access to cement place a clean board under the sled) and look for those leaks.
Read Cody’s tips on how to get your snowmobile ready for winter.
FAQs
I really like how planted the C&A Pro skis make the front end. They give you better stability and better turning than a stock ski and other skis I've tried, but still allow you to ride all day with ease.
What to know before buying a used snowmobile? ›
Also, test the cables, brakes, and the overall condition of the parts. You will test the dials once you start up the snowmobile. However, for now, look for signs of tampering with the odometer and work hour meter. Some owners will roll back the dials or purposefully make it illegible to hide the high mileage.
How many miles is a lot for a used snowmobile? ›
Generally speaking, a snowmobile with over 8,000 is considered high mileage, 4,000-8,000 miles is considered medium and anything under 3,000 miles is considered low mileage.
What is the most reliable snowmobile of all time? ›
Polaris Indy SP is popularly known as the most reliable snowmobile ever made. This Polaris snowmobile model has a history of dependability and customer support. It can handle all types of terrains thanks to its ergonomics. Besides being fast and powerful, Polaris Indy offers a smooth and comfortable ride.
Is it OK to buy second hand skis? ›
Buying second hand is ok if you know what you're looking for, history, age, condition etc. I've bought second hand and new and both have worked out well for me. Kastle is a premium brand but I'd look at some reviews of that model to see if they suit your requirements.
How do I know if my skis are good? ›
The first thing to check is that the edges are well-maintained.
- Visually check the ski edge for sharpness and no rust. Feel for ridges, gouges, and sharpness by running your fingernail along the edge carefully. ...
- The ski edges should be straight. ...
- How much edge is left on the ski? ...
- See if the edges are the same thickness.
Ski-Doo was originally supposed to be called "Ski-Dog," but thanks to a spelling error in the 1950s, the brand's unique name was born. Today, Ski-Doo is, by far, the most popular brand of snowmobiles in the United States.
Is 10000 miles on a snowmobile a lot? ›
With regular care and maintenance, you can ensure that your snowmobile will provide many years of use and enjoyment. Lower-mileage snowmobile models may travel up to 10,000 miles with no significant problems. High-mileage machines can hit between 12,000 and 20,000 miles with proper maintenance.
Why are used snowmobile prices so high? ›
Used snowmobile prices largely depend on demand and inventory levels. Furthermore, the age of a snowmobile can significantly impact its resale value, with the original price often decreasing by 40%-60% after 4 years. That being said, several snowmobiles hold their value well after four years.
What is the highest recorded mileage on a snowmobile? ›
35,000-Mile Polaris Snowmobile.
Store indoors
Don't be tempted to leave the sled outside with a tarp tossed over the top. Snowmobiles tend to be reasonably durable equipment, but they're not immune to the weather. If you don't have a spot inside for storage, don't worry.
How long does a tank of gas last in a snowmobile? ›
A snowmobile can go as far as 70-300 miles on a tank of gas, which is a big range. The best way to determine the fuel consumption for your specific sled and riding style is to go out and test it by riding until the fuel tank runs out.
What is the best 2 stroke engine for a snowmobile? ›
If you're looking for the most powerful 2-stroke engine for your backcountry sledder, it doesn't get any better than Ski-doo Rotax 850 E-Tec Turbo R. This upgraded EFI engine comes with a 9% increase in horsepower, deep snow-specific design elements, and pro-level capacity and performance across various aspects.
What is the number one snowmobile in the world? ›
Yamaha: Top Choice for Most Reliable Sleds
Known for their robust, reliable engines, Yamaha snowmobiles offer riders peace of mind, knowing their sleds can withstand the rigors of both trail and off-trail adventures.
Is the C&A XCS any good? ›
The XCS' strength lies in vastly improved trail performance over a stock mountain ski. In the mountains it does well, providing good float and precise handling. A concern there is that the ski requires more effort to initiate and complete sidehilling and carving moves than a ski with more flex and rocker.
Where are C&A skis made? ›
We make our skis right here in Minnesota, where the winters are long and the snowmobiling tradition runs deep. In the beginning, we sought to leverage our plastic molding expertise with our racing experience to produce the best skis for snowmobile racing.
What kind of skis does James Bond use? ›
One of the few prominent product placements in the 1981 movie For Your Eyes Only are the Olin Mark VI skis, that Bond uses in a thrilling downhill winter chase in Cortina, Italy. The skis are first seen mounted on the back of the copper metallic Lotus Esprit.
What skis does Andrew Pollard use? ›
Andrew Pollard
Pollard, like Elisabeth Gerritzen, is a member of the stacked Faction Skis team. Pollard rides Faction's Dictator 4.0—a strong metal-laminate ski designed for riding big mountain lines at high speeds.
