How To Buy a Used Snowmobile

[@CraigArndt]

This is a great tutorial. My son also has a 06 500ss GSX, 1600 miles, we found it in October 2020. Got it home and I saw the shock so I knew the nun was bent... and right under the secondary you'll find a lot of times a stump or log or something pushes up the frame floor board. Happens a lot on these Revs.

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

Thank you! And oh yeah almost every sled ever is bent

[@kobeisbose]

These a great videos! Wish I had watched this before I bought my sled yesterday

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

Thanks man I’m glad to hear that you liked them. More coming

[@broc2727]

My last sled was a 1998 Ski-Doo 600 MXZ. Bought it new and sold it in 2006. That thing was awesome, never had an issue with it. Only money I spent was for basic items, Wear rods, oil, belts, spark plugs. Rode it hard, If you don't run into stuff you don't break or bend your sled.

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

True!

[@mustangmang1]

Good video dude 👍

[@craigwesson1788]

Really good information. Thanks. Is there a cut off year I shouldn’t go past to look at. I’m thinking 2003 and newer. I’m tall so I need more leg room. Lol.

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

If you’re tall I’d go with the next chassis up 2008+. Stay away from pteks that’s about it

[@craigwesson1788]

Thank you !

[@michatvrider]

I`m glad you didn`t spill the beer. Im looking at an ACE 600 4 stroke, yes used. Have you ever worked on one or have any thoughts on em? Thanks! from MI

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

Yes I have. Extremely reliable. You know bc the rental companies use them. All the same stuff no need to even look at the engine other than leaks.

[@anthonyg6221]

I would add: Physical appearance. It's fairly obvious that sled was stored outside with the faded panels, leaves in engine bay, wrecked seat cover. One of the worst things you can do to a snowmobile is leave it outdoors for extended periods of time. Constant temp changes with moisture forming and evaporating and UV light will deteriorate the sled so much faster. And mice like to have parties in them, too. Looked like the front end took a light impact. Someone probably ran into the left A-arm (From behind) with another sled as it appeared to be bent forward. With almost 6k miles, the engine is questionable at best. You're looking at potentially big repair bills for engine, clutch maintenance / replacement, shocks, etc. Chain case maintenance looks to have been done a while ago. Who knows what the history / maintenance on it has been like. IMO - I wouldn't pay much for that machine and I'd actually probably pass even if it was a 'good' deal.

[@sucapizda]

I bough a 2015 sled, and according to your check its all mint except the front skis. Ground down to shit. plastic and all. new ones are $500. I nearly passed out.

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

damn thats expensive. Call dealers or check fb marketplace see what you can get used

[@dustylaszchuk2041]

Wow , an actual non deleted beaver tail

[@bobbyrebussini1466]

rare for sure. I couldnt immagine reversing it in deep snow

[@funtyes1970]

if I'm going to buy a used sled and owner wouldn't let me do a compression test i wouldn't buy it

[@craigwesson1788]

Oh. And any makes and or models to stay away.

[@lucahoganyt4435]

In general I would stay away from Polaris. They're not as reliable, they're a bit more expensive, and the other brands make a better sled for the same price if not cheaper. Especially Polaris 800s, they blow up constantly. The 600 clean fire isn't bad, if you're looking for a Polaris then go for a 600 or maybe an 850 but only in an off-trail model. Just not the 800. So generally stay away from Polaris, Ski-doo isn't bad, I personally like their chassis the most and their ergonomics but their reliability isn't much better than Polaris. The only reliable Ski-doo motors were the 670, the 440, and the pre-2008 800. The 500 also wasn't bad but had some carb issues and other weird issues that weren't very expensive to fix but more annoying. I would say in general go for Arctic Cat. They're the most reliable, best handling (arguably), decent ergonomics, and just an overall good sled. Pretty much all the Arctic Cats are super reliable but if you want the absolute best reliability then go for one older than 2017. Before 2017, they used Suzuki motors and they were bulletproof. Like 20,000km without a top end, that's pretty much unheard of even by today's standards, and they were doing this in like 2009. Especially if you ride off-trail, definitely go Arctic Cat. The Alpha One is one of the best snowmobile innovations in history. Rides terribly on trail compared to a regular skid but off trail it's unbelievably good. There's also Yamaha, but they're extremely powerful, so they can almost be too much, they get stuck as soon as you leave the groomed trail, and they weigh roughly a billion tons. So there's my buyers advice lol

[@nahyrr5799]

@@lucahoganyt4435 thanks a lot for that

[@lucahoganyt4435]

@@nahyrr5799 No problem. I just realized that I made a mistake here though. It was not 2017 that Arctic Cat switched motors. I actually just purchased a 2017 Arctic Cat 800 and it has the Suzuki motor. But probably the best buyers advice I can give you is this: track length is very important. An 800 2 stroke with a 154" skid will be roughly as fast as a 600 2 stroke with a 129" skid. It all has to do with gearing and the fact that it takes a lot of power to turn a long rubber track that has so much friction. So don't go with more than a 137" skid in a 600cc motor. Anything from a 144" skid to a 163" skid should have an 800/850 2 stroke in it. If you go 174" then I'd maybe consider throwing a turbo on it. But really I don't think anyone ever needs a 174" skid for almost any application lol