How are snowmobiles to work on and maintain compared to trikes?

[kilabeez0]

I've completely torn down and restored a 110 and a 200x minus splitting bottom end cases. I am very mechanically inclined but was overwhelmed the first time I tried splitting the 200x bottom end. Anyways since winter is on the way and I'm moving out of my apt and into a duplex with my own yard and basement I can take on a new project. I have no experience with 2 strokes. I can tell sleds require alot of maintenance and I want to know which brand I should look out for and what not. I'd probably buy something at LEAST 440cc but hopefully 500-600cc, probably late 80's maybe early 90's if I can afford it. I'd like to buy something under a grand but I dont want a money pit like my 200x turned out to be!!! Thanks.

[oddball3]

I am a die hard Arctic Cat fan all the way. If I were you looking for something fun and dependable look for a late 80's or early 90's fan cooled 440 or 500 sled. No worry about cooling system, and not having to worry about enough snow to cool the liquid cooled motor.
Problems to look for, Bad bearings on drive shaft, bearings in rear suspension, bushings.
If you can maintain your trike, no problem with a sled.
Motor wise run good oil in them and it will last a long time. We sold our old 88 cougar 500 with 8000+ miles on it with the original rings in it.

[SPD FRK]

From what I remember, they are not as constricted as the wheelers.
Depending on the model, the entire cowl comes off for a start exposing the whole engine.
To do any work to the jug on my 250R (where ever it may be) I needed to remove the shrouds, the tank, obviously the seat. I couldn't use a socket to replace the plug it was so tight under there.
Wide open has to be better. Don't pardon the pun!

[edog]

1985 Yamaha V Max,800 cc 4 cylinder is all i have to say.

[Six Stroke]

You should be able to score a late '80s or early '90s Cat for pretty cheap. El Tigre, Prowler, Pantera, Cougar, early Thundercats (900 triple - later T-cats were a 1000 cc triple/triple), hell, even a Jag Z.

[Tri-ZNate]

if you want something that will howl get a TNT 440. I forget who makes it.

[85hondaatc125m]

I would say look for a blizzard 5500 or 9500, im not sure the years of these sleds but I know they are fast and dependible.

[Six Stroke]

Both the TNT and the Blizzard are made by Ski-Doo. The biggest trouble with the TNT is that they're an old model, and they have leaf spring front suspension.

[Rm250RF900R]

Well I used to have a Jag 340, 1985 pantera 440, 1986 el tigre. The pantera was FAST. For a 440 we had that thing going 90 across a lake. It had the leaf spring front suspension. But that thing was always my favorite. It was made in 1985 and it finally died last year. Never touched the engine. If I were you, look for a artic cat :beer

[Banage]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA "TNT's" are great my buddy has 2. he payd about $300 for each but they are sweet. 440cc 500cc go with a brand new thunder cat 1000cc (death)

[trikes4life]

Any thing but a polaris, the local snowmobile shop thrives on polaris. all threw winter 90% of the sleds that roll through there are polaris. Especialy the polaris indy series. They suck major *****.

[RedRider_AK]

1985 Yamaha V Max,800 cc 4 cylinder is all i have to say.

Ooooh, lake racing.