snowmobilers.. thought on 800 storm

[chynewalkr]

a friend has been itchin to get me into sleds. does anyone have any input on the polaris 800 storm?
are there things that are problems with these sleds

[DoktorC]

weak cranks....bad bearings...sounds like its trying to take a crap all the time :).

I'm alittle biased though...I fully admit it!!

[chynewalkr]

yea, i understand the biased thing, i work with a ski doo freak and must admit some of it has rubbed off on me. i dont really have anything against polaris or skidoo but have it beaten in my head that artic cats are junk

[DoktorC]

Well we do agree on one thing...A/C sux!!!

[CRMERC]

If you intend to zip up and down a frozen lake or well groomed trails and you dont have to pay lot for it a storm is ok. However if you intend on mogils and rough trail hold out for a smaller twin.

[ProComp]

They were time bombs. Super heavy in the front like all triple triples and one of the slowest 800's. Most guys up here cannot give them away.
Probably not the best one to start with.

ProComp

[Allison's Allison]

Heavy, ill-handling, especially for an 800. slowest in its class.

[chynewalkr]

i dont see myself going thru mogals, maybe a trip or two to the UP. and some frozen lake riding around the local area. i really dont care about speed either, just saw one pretty cheap and thought id get some opinions first.

[Itchy Foot]

A storm would have to be cheap as you will spend some money on them. They are not the fastestest ones out there, I have always had Ski-Doo and that old storm is a dog compared to some other sleds I have had. A 600 Polaris XLT will probably keep up to the 800.........What year and what are you paying for it ????

[chynewalkr]

'95 for 1400

i lets a 96 mach one slip thru my hands and it looked like something greg (scream and fly) owned, i also had a couple 600 xlt's that were good deals go by. im hittin my self now

[Itchy Foot]

I had a 96 formula 3, a 97 Mach 1, and now a 2000 MXZ. The Mach was the quickest but went through too many parts. That's why a twin is really all you need, and the old chassis are a work out to driveas well. 1400 isn't too bad but just have a good look at it , we had snow for the past 2 days, gone now, but getting ready for the season. Good luck on finding a sled !


:D

[PaulR]

..what did you say about Cat's??? LOL!!

Find yourself a 800ZRT. It will crush that storm. Triple is a dirty word in sledding these days. A 700 or 800 twin of any make will be a far better investment.

[WARLOCK]

I had a 94 storm and had nothing but good luck with it. Yea, compared to these newer sleds its not the greatest. If it's clean I'd offer him about 900.00 to 1000.00. They definitely are not the fastest or best handling and are heavy but its a 10 year old sled. If your just going to play on the lakes around the Chain it should be fine. I would look around the area though, there are some good deals around on older sleds. With the way winters have been, people cant give these thing away. Later, Dave

[pyro]

Speaking of the XLT, I have one. A '98 XLT Classic 600. It has been a joy to own and ride. Mine has electric start and reverse, which come in real handy. It's not the quickest or best handling sled, but it works fine for me. This triple sounds more like a little car motor when it's idling. Not a lot of instant punch, it takes a second to spool up and make power, but pulls pretty hard where it counts. Top speed for mine last year was 89.9 GPS on ice. Mine has the stock clutch. I've got well over a thousand miles on the same belt that was on it when I purchased it, and the belt still looks like new.

Things I've worked on, or fixed:
Normal wear 'n' tear (hyfax slides, carbide wear bars, plugs, etc.)
Replaced noisy bogey wheel bearings
Replaced broken choke lever (common to break)
Upgraded rear spring for 2-up riding

Hey, at least it's USA made...

[chynewalkr]

i found 2 '95 mach z's i want to look at this weekend. i think im going to like one of them better

[skydog]

Get a F7 a spank some big guns! (800-900-1000cc sleds)

[skydog]

Going to try a Rx1 turbo!!soon.:rolleyes: :confused: ;) :D

Skydog

[pyro]

Not much point in mentioning any more brand new models, I think he's looking for a used budget sled. So enough about F7, RX1, etc.

If you look at a used sled that has been heavily modified (aftermarket clutch & pipe upgrades, etc.), rest assured the owner has probably ran the hell out of it. If lots of rubber track paddles are split and broken, it's a sign that it has been "hot-rodded" on the trails quite a bit. Look for something that's all-stock, that has been "babied", even if it has some miles on it. Buy a sled from an older couple, or "my wife rides this one" (they always try to say it's their wife's sled, watch out for the BS.)
Don't worry about displacement unless you actually intend to race. For example, an Arctic Cat Z440 with stock clutching is light handling and scary fast accelerating, but will only top out at 70-80 mph. These are easy to find on the used market, and they're only like $4K brand new. The Polaris XC sleds are good machines also. A friend of mine has a XC700 with some mild mods and it's a blast to drive, one of the fastest sleds I've ever driven.

If you buy something with some miles on it, be prepared to replace shocks or possibly a new track. Look for something that's been stored indoors. Look under the hood. Smell it. Mouse poop and pee is bad.

If it's clean and it runs good, you're "there."

[Dirtbag]

Yah, and never believe the mileage....speedo cable unhook real easy...go based on condition, not miles

[skydog]

Get a 97 SX 700 with pipes!! This sled rocks 140+HP light, and the best turning sled Yamaha has ever made!!

Skydog

[DoktorC]

I've got a 2000 SXR with pipes...and alot of other stuff..and I love it. The older SXs are a great buy, even without pipes. Great on gas, good power and lots of aftermarket support. I'm a bit of a Yamaha fan...F7s aren't all they're cracked up to be..can't seem to catch our 700 or our 1000 ;).

[Wildcat731]

I was not at all impressed with the performance of the F7's. Two of our ridding buddies have them and my dads 04' MXZ REV 600 spanked them around all day and I, for the most part, was able to keep up with an '02 MXZ 500.

[Trikki1010]

You go Danny :cool:

I got a Doo and 2 Poo Poo too. 600 rev, an ole 800 Storm and a 600 XLT....The Rev rocks. As to Poo's The XLT is alot lighter and has a worked suspension. I manage to manhandle the 800 as heavy as it is. Doesn't like warm temps and WOT for 3 miles at a clip;) As long as I can get to the turn first....lol

Got a few ashtrays......

For starters, Chad is right. Ya don't need to start with "Skater". Get wet on a nice 440 for a year and see how that floats ya. If ya got a little woman, at the end of the year the addrenaline will force you to buy a NICE on and give the 440 to :D

When the liquid becomes solid, TWO STROKE BLUE SMOKE:D :D

[MacGyverJB]

I agree! I have a Yamaha SRX 700 and a 98 Ski Doo MXZ 670HO. As far as a good lighter sled, the MXZ is great as far as a powerful twin. The Yamaha with the little extra weight in the front feels like you're on rails, and gives you great steering and the ability to "duct tape" the throttle open on the lakes.

Rick, you sold on the rev? I'm quite tempted to really consider getting one. For the brief time I rode one I really like the different seating style. Also, ever ride in Old Forge? I was up there this past weekend getting stuff ready for the season.

I stuck this on another thread, but for a snowmobile video, and this thread too, its great. It's the trailer for the SledHeadz video, just like the boating ones we enjoy!

http://www.sled-headz.com/wm_broadband_384kps.wmv

(Right Click and save as) Enjoy!

[skydog]

((not at all impressed with the performance of the F7's))???

dclax618 , You are very funny!! You are way out of line man! A F7 will kill the sleds you said! If not the F7 was not running to par TRUST ME!! The F7 will run with and swap wins all day with a Rev.800! And with a few tricks the F7 will beat a Rev. 8 every time!
Wow they are the sled to beat where i live at every grass,black top, and ice! I do not have my F7 any more but i killed 3 XCR800, a few SRX. I never lost a race! They are WAY FAST!! I am looking to get a Rx1 now. I know it will not run with a F7 but want to try one.

Skydog P.S. I could care less about the brand but to say that you are not impressed with the performance of the F7's. Is NUTS:confused: :confused:

[DoktorC]

You're confusing quick with fast...The F7 is wickedly fast on grass when "tuned" by the factory (including the warranty voiding CDI). Stock they are still quicker then most...but they are not faster. SRX, RX1, ZR9..anything big will run it down in anything farther then 660...good luck though if you run into a strong tripple. Once you start modding the F7 is not competitive.

[skydog]

My sled was a 03 F7, i think they may have tuned them back a little in 04. The 2001 SRX and the XCR800 where all on lakes i could play with them up top? I dont know, that was me on my sled. I dont have it any more so i could care less. My races with my T-cat where closer than with the F7! And my T-cat had Pipes and case work!It had about 190HP but did not get the power to the ground like the F7 does! The narrow track real helps with the biggest killer rotating mass. Going Yamaha again, but this is what happend to me. Every one i race would just shake there head and say damn! My Sled was geared and clutched. My brothers F7 has a 500 foot box on it now that sled rips!!! It just kills sled out of the hole and up! But the box is like 10% richer down low and 18% leaner up top and adds like 6 deg of timming!:eek: Box adds about 10-12 real HP that puts the HP to about 150!! That Hp to weight is VERY hard to beat!

Skydog I would have to say the F7 was one of the fastest sleds i have owned! 97 SX700, 00 SRX 700 , 2001 Tcat.
Any how have a good one man!:D :eek:

[ProComp]

Same up here with the F7's. Most of the 800 Revs were in the shop with crank issues.
The RX1 Turbo's up here were un-touchable for top end. I believe low 130's and you can drive them all day. This is just feedback from friends as I'm stuck on the couch these days all winter. Boat ate the sled fund. :(

ProComp

[skydog]

Boat ate the sled fund. That sucks ! Same here!!:( But next winter!!!! Maybe we will both get sleds again!! One good thing my Brothers F7 i can ride alot i am thinking!! He just had a baby like 5 hours ago!!:rolleyes: :D :D

Skydog

[sho305]

I rode some 650s and a 800 storm. They are big and heavy, not a good trail sled but nice for lakes/roads and if you don't care for ripping up trails fast. They were pretty durable back then. I knew some guys that raced a 800 storm when they were newer in stock drag class. They took a bit to get it going, then they got a whole new clutch on it, primary and secondary. They won a lot with it then. So they got rid of it and another guy had an older 650 all rodded up with pipes, porting, and anything that would fit on it. They put that 800 clutch setup in it and wow did it go! It would run 10,500 on the tack up to 110mph speedo and beat a lot of sleds back then. He blew away piped cats like nothing. Could not stay in it top end for very long with the drag setup though, obviously. We were grass dragging and we would tie the front down, it would pull the skis 2' for about three sled lengths then you were gone. It was work on the trail though, I didn't care for it. I don't think it moved until you hit 5K or more.

Funny thing was back then a guy had a yami phazer with a built motor I tried. It was not the best on top with that little air cooled motor, but what a riot on the trail! It was nearly like a dirt bike, and you could pull big wheelies with it even. I knew then that is the sled to have; more like a bike.

[Trikki1010]

F-7's can be good if ya know what ails them....Most people just ride them out of the box, and they HAVE had their share of problems.

Without the proper set-up or attention, they ain't that special. My friends son came (12y.o.) got to 3rd dragging across snowcovered fields w/ the 600XLT. Granted it's clutched, ported and suspended:rolleyes:

Rev's did have a little problem, but fixed now. I didn't like the riding position at first, but DAMN my knees thank me now...

I would have "traded-in" the ole girls, but they keep on takin the abuse, while the "prom queens" haven't held up as good to the task at hand RIDE BABY RIDE;) :D

[sho305]

Need a building first, but the next sled I get will be a light upright with a smaller motor 600 or less. I know a couple guys with REVs and they had problems with the rear end last year. Can't remember but something with the wheels/hyfax/arms back there was cheezy, and cornering was tearing it up. I almost got to try out a dealer's factory 440 racing cat 3 years ago, but the guy jumped it and tweaked the tunnel. I was not working there anymore by the time they fixed it.:( That thing was hot, thought he told me 100+hp in that laid down motor?

[voodoos_rock]

Hey i have to say i love polaris, i have had polaris skidoo and my friends all have artic cat and one has a yamaha. I have never had any problems with my polaris at all, my freinds yamaha has allways ran really good and strong, My friends artic cats have ran pretty strong and good (nothing like the polaris tho), and the skidoos i did own before and one of my friends has one, they are allways broken I HATE SKIDOO THEY SUCK