Get a Snowmobile for CHEAP!
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- Опубликовано: 23 фев 2020
- You ever get the bug to go snowmobiling? But, you have no intention of spending big money on a hobby that you might only enjoy "occasionally". Here is how to get set up to snowmobile for pennies on the dollar!
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This is exactly my philosophy. Started riding a 1980 Yamaha enticer 340 in my 20s, fell in love with snowmobiling. Years later in my 30s after having kids picked up 2 1989 and 1990 Yamaha Ovations both 340 I think. 1 snowmobile can sit 2 people and pull 3 kids on sleds. These things are built well. Both cost me total $700. Both still run great.
The cost of a snow mobile has always kept me from buying one. For that kind of money I can get a truck. Your video has brought ownership into the realm of possibility. Great advice on the key items to look at when shopping for a WELL used sled. Thanks for the video, it's been a while, missed ya.
Thanks Dave! You should get one, there are so many trails up by you
It's not "almost" like buying an education... it IS buying an education and that's the single best thing about these old machines. This video was exactly spot on, we need more guys like this keeping these things going.
Thanks Bro
You never cease to amaze. Thank you again Mr. Dave.
Thanks
Another Tip, Know when to walk AWAY, it's ok to say no and not be ripped off!
true
Also, buy in the off-season.
...good advice for an occasional sledder, don't spend a lot before you decide if you like it or not...great vid..
Thanks Bob
Perfect timing for this video, I was just thinking about how much fun it would be to have a snowmobile to play with the kids on.
Thanks , and good luck
It is a blast, you can put a piece of wood duck taped behind the throttle also to keep the kids from going to fast. 😁
As a small engine mechanic who has worked on thousands of sleds you have given good advice to your audience regarding cheap sleds.Just my opinion you cant go wrong with a Yamaha Bravo or Skidoo Tundra.Ask any Alaskan trapper, these machines are legendary.
My buddy bought an old 80's ski for $39 bucks. Needed some work but runs good now.
In New Mexico watching this thinking...I should buy a sled. Dave just taught me which ones to get.
It snowed twice last year. Melted by noon.
Got started riding on a 91 377 safari. Got it for 500$ in mint condition a couple years ago and god was it the most reliable sled I’ve ever had. Anyone looking for a first sled I would recommend a safari. They are cheap and IMO one of the most reliable motors. I remember going out and pulling it a couple times to start it where my buddies were pulling and pulling on their early 2000s sleds trying to get them going haha
I enjoy all your videos, but this one is exceptionally good. Thanks, Dave!
I'm very mechanically inclined, and I'm just getting into snowmobiling this year. This is exactly the video I've been looking for; learning about snowmobiles from a mechanics perspective. I love the lesson you teach at 15:00 because I think exactly the same way as you do. When I got into motorcycling, I rebuilt my first motorcycle from the ground up, and now I know how they work, and I feel responsible enough to maintain and own my new $15k bike. Understanding the bike made be a better rider. Huge thanks for posting this video, from one backyard mechanic to another.
This is the simplest but most informative snowmobile video I have ever seen.
Thanks
I love the narrative of what things are, what they do, and what makes a good or bad one! That's gold level info! The only thing I would have added to this video is telling the viewers to always pack a tool kit, a tow rope, and a spare drive belt, preferably on each machine so you don't "forget" to pack it before getting stranded somewhere. I just picked up 3 vintage Polaris in restorable condition for $850. It's going to be a labor of love and you're SO right... overlooked sled models, the undesired ones, are so much more affordable than the high performance sleds. Great video!
OMG, Dave you are spot on with this video. My kids are big into snowmobiling and everything you have said they have experienced. I had a Yamaha and was about 30 miles from home and the thing quit running. Started checking things and found the battery connection was just a little loose and that was the problem. Those rubber manifold will break and can also destroy your engine. Excellent video.
Dave, I wish there were more people out there like you. This type of mind set and information are what the world needs more of. Glad you're here!
Thanks
Just loved this episode, your no-nonsense advice and information is just priceless.
David in the U.K.
Good advice. Don't forget to lube the ramps on the secondary clutch with special clutch grease and always carry an extra belt and a tow strap. I like the old Ski-Doo Elans. We would take out the single cylinder, if that's what it came with and replace it with a 399 or a 440. Super light, easy to maneuver and pretty darn quick for an old ditch Banger !! Thumbs up.
Thanks August!
Great information Bushman Dave... I appreciate your thoroughness ! It's such a blessing to be able to access your knowledge... paying it forward... always good.
Thanks
Good video on basic and cheap fun. Dave some of my fondest memories when my kids were young was bombing around in our Northern Wisconsin swamp on a couple of old sleds. 👍 A 1974 Arctic Cat Panther 340 and a I believe a 1972 Yamaha 292 sf. It was a blast....Some of the best memories ❤️ having a bond fire, hotdogs and ripping around on sleds in the swamp. Made for a whole day of pure fun. 👍 Have a great weekend.
Sounds like a great time. Thanks WB
Great video Dave with your usual very practical advice!
Thanks Chris
Another great video Dave. You generally give good information.
The 377 is unstoppable. I bought my touring long track new in 96. Kept it nice. Now my daughter runs it.
Legit wanted to hit the like button more than once. So much insight than what I expected from the title! I nominate this guy for sainthood.
I have a 1976 Ski Doo Olympic 340 That I purchased Brand New. Always stored inside. I hadn't run it since 2012. Lot's of snow in Minnesota this year so I Mixed up some gas and it started on the 10th pull. This thing has never let me down and it's light so I can lift the back when stuck in wet snow. Great info as always Dave. All those maintenance suggestions is what keeps them running. Great price on some good machines.!!! Always carry a spare belt.
Thanks Ruthie
Back in "the day", we used to get consistent snowfall around Lansing ... everybody in our neck of the woods had a sled or two. We rode Arctic Cats and I still remember the sound and feel of the old radial Wankel engine. Thanks for another great "shade tree mechanic" video. Took me back a few years! Enjoy the sleds, Dave ... God Bless :)
Thanks Dave
Very informative video, I like it. There are about two weeks or so every year where there is so much snow we can barely plow it. I definitely need one of these.
Right on
I have a 1986 Tundra I purchased used. It was relatively cheap but not quite as cheap as those. The Tundras are favorites of ice fishermen and trappers here in Northern Maine. Mine is a 250. Low Power indeed. I would NEVER part with this sled. I also have a 2004 Artic Cat 570 fan cooled. A good friend gave me a SWEET deal on it. To me it’s a space ship ! Between the 2 I am set for life. The cat looks bran new ! 2,500 miles. The Tundra looks Excellent, I feel lucky. I replaced ALL the boots and fuel lines in the Tundra. Carry spare CDI. been fun as you say learning the sled.
one thing I'd say. it can be fun to get a sled that isn't running yet, an old one, and use it to teach your kids how to repair engines. They want to have fun in the snow, so that'll drive them to learn the work. I should know, it worked on me! four years ago I got, at the age of 16, my dad's childhood ski whiz, a 1971 model. that really pushed me to find out how an engine works so I could have fun!
Good stuff Dave. Good pick on an all-around, reliable, inexpensive machine to work with. Bigger is not always better for longevity.
Nope , small and simple is good
Here I sit in Georgia watching a video on snow machines.Yeah,I'm Denis and I've got a Bushradical problem.
😂 I’m here in Miami
Hi Denis... it's ok...the Bushradical problem is far and wide...
Italy here. 👋🏻
India.
Absolutley spot on, Dave. Also there is no guarantee that there will be snow one year to the next that is good enough to ride on. Also drive one out the door brand new and take it around the patch and then see what it is worth. VERY good advice. We never buy anything new. You get to learn about how it is put together when you work on things and you get more satisfaction. Enjoy your channel and tell Brooke we are using her Pizza recipe! Greetings from the Arrowhead of MN.!!
Awesome. I hope you like that pizza. I'll tell her
Love your mindset Dave!! I use that theory on everything mechanical, that's why I've never paid for a chainsaw or generator and I have them everywhere. All running right now condition. Great video Dave!!
Yup I totally get it. Wrench on your own stuff and it pays
Are video man great info and sound advice all around loved it
Thanks
THANK YOU BROTHER, PLEASE CONTINUE SHARING YOUR WISDOM,TIPS, YOUR BEAUTIFUL,PLEASE CONTINUE, GOD BLESS YOU, HAVE A SAFE , AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I love snowmobiles, rode them as a teen and through my early 20's but I was living in Michigan, with one Winter in Minnesota, then. Now I live in the middle of Kentucky and we only get enough snow to ride one about once every ten years or so. I really enjoyed the video, it was a fun way to visit with something I really used to enjoy doing in the past. Thanks.
Thanks
Excellent insight. Great video
Great video. You are spot on . Some of the old basic snowmobiles like you stated are still fixable by most guys. I have Bravos. They are not fast but really dependable. Thanks, Great info.
Thanks
As a long time snowmachine owner I say, job well done to inform new buyers Dave
Thanks RB
This is fantastic!!! ... : ) ...I have all the sleds you mentioned and not in it much more that a few boxes of beer ... and some work but that's fun !!
Love your vids bro, I always learn something. Even if I may never use it, I know it's there for me to reference just in case. Thanks Dave. Great job brother!
Thanks William
I'm just watching this because I want to talk sleds with someone and I have no one to talk to LOL! Sleds are what got me into shade-tree mechanics, and shadetree mechanics are what got me into mechanical engineering, which got me into the job I have now!
Awesome!
Glad to see you found some sled's! Great info in the video. It was a pleasure running into you downtown Newaygo. Hope you get a chance to stop by our farm someday!
Hey Jay! I have your card right here in my wallet. I'll try to stop by sometime when you're open and pick up some bacon.
This is so timely!! I keep getting my damned quad stuck in the snow and don't want to pay way too much for a newer skidoo.Thx!
Glad to be of help
I think its funny that you basically described my old ski doo trapper 600 when you talked about what you should get
Thanks for the info, I'll have to watch a couple more times to learn what to look for.
Right on. Thanks
Great video! Very informative!
Good video. I like the older sleds because they are lighter. Important if you get stuck. Often I just lift the back end on to fresh snow to get unstuck.
Really good advice. When I was living out by the villages every snowmachine was a Skidoo except for the Elan, they were the most popular machine. All my machines I bought new and are still running. I have a 2018 Polaris Indy 550 EXT, 1998 Arctic Cat 340 one of the best machines made and a 1984 Elan. I keep them inside and run each one a lot. Two things you didn't mention that I think is important is liquid cool versus air cooled and better to have a machine that turns on with a key to have a pull start as well.
Thanks John. I dont know enough to get into the fine points of liquid vs fan. I wanted to stick to the "mechanics" end of things. You are spot on about the rope "back up" start.
You are very knowledgeable Dave, this video was spot on.
Thanks
Definitely need one for our UP property, thanks!
Once again awesome info!! Why I love your video's. I see some u.p. footage comming up!! hopefully.. stay safe on the trails.. thanks again Dave .
Thanks!
Very informal for a newb!! Thanks bud!!
Great vid dave...I remember back in the late 60s.the little town I lived in had a winter carnaval. Snowmobile rides were 25 cents..
Still remember the old smokey sleds...ahhhhhh that 2 stroke smell
you know it!
Great job! Thanks for sharing. Just ensure you put the clutch guard back on before running your sleds.
Great video and very informative. Keep these up man. 👍
we have not seen snow in years but it was nice to see this information about snow scooters
Thanks
Took your advise man just got myself a 93 skandic 2 377r for 600$ runs great!!!
Thanks for all the info great video.
Interesting take on this topic. Well done BR
Great video and very informative. Since I live down in the southeast I would probably go with a quad runner or an off road motorcycle. Thanks again and keep up the great job you do.
Thanks
As a kid we'd go up to my grandparents camp in northwestern Pennsylvania (it gets hammered with lake effect snow from lake Erie) and ride snowmobiles. My dad had a ski doo tnt 440 that I learned on and my pap had a 1980 ski doo Everest 500 (it was a beast). Talk about winter time fun, nothing like it! My grandparents have since passed away but my brothers, myself, and parents now take care of camp. The only snowmobile left is my pap's Everest 500, after some troubleshooting on it, I got it running again, it's tons of fun. Now my 3 little kids get a taste of snowmobiling like I did and they love it. Whenever the kids see a dusting of snow they start asking "ya think they'll be enough snow at the cabin to go snowmobiling dad!?!?" Great video man, been wondering where you've been on the RUclips airwaves, glad to see your back...
Thanks Steve
Just subscribed, very informative video. Thank you very much
I love snowmobiling here in Ontario , it is a fun time on the trails here . I had a Tundra thanks for the info
Thanks. I used to ride Tundras in Alaska back in 2001-2003. I worked at a hot springs resort and we had 10 of them for doing tours
Good to see you Dave. Can't wait for the adventure vid to come, enjoy!
Thanks
Very good advice Dave...I would much rather have a $200-$300 beater that runs well thank a $20,000 sled that I'd probably kill my self on..haha..had a 80 something Yamaha Bravo for years that was cheap to run and always started...I'm past my sled years now but youve got the right idea...for an affordable sled to get you out on the ice to drop a few lines...be radical eh✌️
Ty for all the information on snowmobiles, and my favorites were the Polaris colts,and the Yamaha Bravos lol and wished I lived closer to ya as I'd go out and buy me a old sled and go riding with you guys,lol and go picnicking in the woods like we all use to do here,and ride Saturday nights,and then go back out on Sunday for family fun days lol miss those days and my first sled was a 1966 Polaris colt one cylinder pop pop and it was so hard to start without hitting your knuckles on the cowl lol😅👍😊...
Those small sleds are awesome!
@@Bushradical oh yeah and they run forever and can idle a long time when everyone's 2 cylinders one's with the 2 plugs would just foul out, my 1966 would just keep popping along like there's no tomorrow lol😆👍...
Good advice on a single carb.. Twin carbs on an older sled are usually a headache.
you know it. I like simple
Great video! Sounds like a lot of fun I just might invest in one now, the old sleds seem fairly solid, ones again great video.👍
Thanks
My favorite one was an old BOMBARDIER CITATION . So much fun :)
Hey Dave thank you for the video great information it's going to be a help for me down the road to look back at your video
hope it comes in useful
Fantastic video absolutely educational to the max thank you
Thanks
Love your video!!, thanks!
man now there's a trip down memory lane, living here in Canada we had lots of those machines and some you didn't mention like the moto-ski Nordic, nuvik and futura and the Olympic ,Everest, élan, they are a ton of fun but like you said Dave you have to be the mechanic and willing to work on them to keep them going, enjoy
Thanks Elwood
I remember buying my 1988 Skidoo Safari 377E brand new from the dealer. It was the best sled I ever owned. It went anywhere and everywhere. Broke trail while the rest of the sleds buried themselves.
Yep , same here . Mine was an 89 , best sled I've ever owned .
Thanks Dave .now I know what to look for in a used sled and I can fix them !
right on
Great video Dave! I love snowmobiling! And....you can go as fast as you want and not get a ticket😂
LOL, right on
Brilliant video Dave, very informative.
Thanks Gordon
Thanks for the video great information.
My 86 Safari 377 was the best $500 i ever spent. Super reliable and easy to work on/find parts for. I've had more fun on that sled than any other sled I've ridden. Save for maybe my buddy's sister's C
Citation 250 beater.
Hi Dave, still catching up. Great piece.
Stu from Down Under.
the Tundra is a great machine....we used them exclusively in mineral exploration.
Great rig! Long track/light/simple
my $250 1996 skidoo has cost me $900 so far and has yet to run longer than 1 minute. Its too smokey to run longer in the garage.
Heres a list of parts I bought, battery, elec starter, ring gear (used), 1 piston and cyl (used) , piston rings and retainer clips ,
CDI/COIL, Voltage regulator, clutch removal tool, 3 clutch retainer clips, 2 carb rebuild kits, crankcase seals and all gaskets etc. New tail light, new ignition switch, kill switch w/lanyard, exh spring removal tool, Lisle spark tester noid light, waiting for a fuel primer pump to come, all new fuel tubing, fuel shutoff valve, etc etc
I've been working on it almost 3 years, its getting closer and I love fixing stuff but beware, sellers lie.
I was just thinking about those old SkiDoo sleds, I grew up in Mn as I've mentioned to ya before Dave. When I was a kid back in the 7o's SkiDoo's Ruled in Mn until Arctic Cat & Polaris brands came onto the scene. Still Nothing Runs like a SkiDoo rings in my ears to this day. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Actually the slogan was Nothing runs like a Cat(Arctic Cat that is) but I always loved the SkiDoo brand so too bad so sad for the Cats. Oh and I will ALWAYS refer to them as Snowmobiles rather than the snowmachines they are called here in Ak.
Thats actually John Deere's slogan......"nothing runs like a Deere". You see a few of those old John Deere's around here, but I have no idea about which ones are good and which to avoid.
I think I would consider a Yamaha too, but I like the skidoo stuff. It just seems simple to me.
Thanks for the comment Chuck.
Great video! I just want to add that people should definitely look up how to re-string the pull starter recoil. I tried to do it myself on my 96 XLT and ended up taking it apart further than I had to... and the clock spring popped out which was a mess. Turns out I didnt have to go that far and you are supposed to re-string it without removing what I had removed. It is surprisingly simple if you learn how to do it before you tear into it like I did.
Also... the part about not buying a triple is definitely correct for a newbie. They sound amazing, have great power, and are fun to drive. However, messing with 3 carbs isn't fun. Also, I did a top end rebuild on it and stuffing 3 pistons into a monoblock is not a great time.
Great point about the rewind rope for sure. As for the rebuild...I bet that was a frustrating bugger.
: )
When I was a teenager, I dragged many 20+ year old Skidoo sleds from peoples backyards. I would look in peoples backyards for an old one and ask if it was for sale, most times it was free sometimes it would cost me 40-80 dollars. The Skidoo were great because many parts interchange on many years and models.
right on!
That old " BOMBADIER " is bullet proof. Great score on that. Theresa and I have been talking about getting one just like it for running around on the homestead. Great video. I just did a video about taking care of the little things on your machine that will get you in a lot of trouble if not addressed. Hope you two are well. Theresa & Jason
Right on! I'll go check your vid out. Yeah, Brooke and I are doing pretty good. She's in Arizona for a week and I'm in Michigan with a fever of 101. But things could always be worse. LOL
Hey I did see your video up.....have you uploaded it yet?
Great vid. Bought a 87 XLV from a mechanic friend last year. New ignition switch, runs great! Great tips here. Ive seen the safaris around for cheap. Seam like good sleds? Not much experience with ski doos.
Such a useful video! Those old safaris are unbeatable. Take a look at mine! Literally only have $80 into the thing and it's going on season 3.
Great video. Thankyou dave
Hi Dave from Northern Alaska, I guess I've been radical most of my life, Living in Bettles near the Brooks Range for over 20 years, then teaching high school student in North Pole,( sort of like juggling a lynx and a wolverine), and now retired and living in Bettles again. Nice work on your snogo primer. Hope to meet you and Brooke sometime when your in Alaska. Arctic Circe Dave
Thanks Dave. Maybe we'll bump into each other sometime up there. Ive "almost" went to Betlles a couple times ( concrete work). My buddies and I do some bush jobs.
Hey Thanks Dave you rock brother..❤️🙏🇺🇸☮️
You too!
Woot-Woot....watch out UP....snow mobiles are a comin’!
some great info Dave thanks a lot of people don't think about them things .
Thanks
Awesome info!
The SnowDog looks like a lot of fun and very usable. Would love to get me one.
Lots of fun. Ive been enjoying them a lot
Great video! I never gave Safaris much of a thought, I think there were only 2 in the village I grew up in and one was always broke down, and it felt like the other wasn't broke down only because it was a rarely used spare. Could have easily been who owned them and worked on them though.
I'm going keep a better eye out for them now, people are asking too much for Bravos and the real Tundras here it seems! I have 3 kids that are going to need machines soon.
I'm sure it's crossed your mind, but you might want to give some more thought to removing the oil injections and go to premix. From my recollection those years of the economy Ski Doo models, and maybe all of them at that time, were bad about oil injection failure resulting in a seized engine. The 1991 Tundra I use as a spare and let the kids scoot around on is converted to premix, it's a hassle but better than having an engine seize...again.
Be safe out there!
Good points. as for the red ones in this vid, they were running pre mix when I bought them and the oil injection lines were empty.....I topped off the oil tanks and let them idle with the oil injection held wide open.......and the oil came right up the lines. I'll probably still run a 50:1
Freaking awesome!!! THANK YOU for this info!
you're welcome
Great subject Dave!!
Thanks