I live full-time in Florida and in about six weeks part time in Coeur d'Alene Idaho(If all goes well). I am in the market for 3 Mountain sleds for me and my 2 kids (Probably 850 Power,163,165 track) I would like something reliable with high performance and suspension, plan is to look for the deep powder drive Canada if necessary.
Questions:
1) it seems that AC, Polaris, Skidoo have similar offerings, do they have equal reliability?
2) I always get emails on AC deals at substantial discounts like 3-4000 off is this something I can expect from all the top three?
3) dealer recommendations, who offers the most aggressive discounts?
4) Important options, I’m thinking upgraded suspension but what is important(Long confusing list of options)?
5) when is the best time to buy to get best deals?
6) what else should I be considering (local dealer purchase because of service not that important to me we normally maintain our own toys)?
1) it seems that AC, Polaris, Skidoo have similar offerings, do they have equal reliability?
Im editing this post when I get new information.
Most 800 sleds have top ends looked at 2000 miles. The new Skidoo technology on the 850 will last much longer.
2) I always get emails on AC deals at substantial discounts like 3-4000 off is this something I can expect from all the top three?
It depends what and where you buy. Skidoo Summit x offer little to no discounts. At this time of the year December not much discount.
3) dealer recommendations, who offers the most aggressive discounts?
Im in California and not much discounts having to travel 500 miles to a dealer.
Ended going to Montrose Implement and Motorsports in Colorado at end of the season BECAUSE Colorado was almost 40% below retail having worse snowfall in decades. While Montana (having best snowfall ever) was selling at or above retail. Best deals are where the snow aint !
4) Important options, I’m thinking upgraded suspension but what is important(Long confusing list of options)?
CLUTCHING CLUTCHING CLUTCHiNG
Based on weight , height and style of riding.
GEARING DOWN to match clutching and terrain
Then suspension Tune sled to your person.
5) when is the best time to buy to get best deals?
End of season mar-apr when the snow is ending in a region where there was a poor snow season. Everybody breaking out the summer toys and dealers ordering summer toys.
6) what else should I be considering (local dealer purchase because of service not that important to me we normally maintain our own toys)?
How the sled rides … Riding in a six week period? How many times?
Consider weight of a sled unless you're a big boy over 250 lbs.
Track length and lug height. Longer the track climbs better turns harder. Shorter easier in the trees. Turns faster shorter pops wheelies
Go to each forum and see the issues and fun each brand has to offer.
Artic Cat is good but IMHO most recent innovation is the Alpha rear skid design. Some engine design but not the newest most innovative technology. New personnel there expect whole new sled next couple years.
Polaris has a new 850 engine out with a 3 year warranty. (If you read the Polaris forum the engines are failing BIG TIME) People are nervous because most any manufacturer has issues the first year with engines working properly with the drive train. The AXYS chassis has been out a while and is very ridged, technical superior chassis.
Polaris parking lot slang is … Last to the mountain first on top.
Skidoo Gen4 came out with multi new innovations in 2017.
A SHOT a $500 one pound capacitor starts sled instead of hand pull or a 20 pound mechanical starter. Runs sled for a couple minutes restart sled with SHOT
B Engine 850 more reliable than the rest and uses much less fuel. Boasting at times twice the gas mileage as any other 2 strokes.
C Pdrive primary clutch has factory adjustable weights to adjust in few minutes to get the optimal 7950 RPM peak power.
D T-Motion chassis tilts 15 degrees to the side allowing better leverage for the rider to sidehill. But suspension "washes out" while riding uneven terrain with the T-motion. Some like it some don't. Some buy kits to lock out the T-motion.
Skidoo slang … Since all the other brand riders are at the lodge drinking to alleviate pains from todays rides : LETS DO A NIGHT RIDE!
Every year I beat that guy on a Poo and a Cat now on a Doo he beats me.