Sled Mileage

maddogg

Member
Looking at buying a used sled. 2 stroke. What do you all consider high mileage. For me, I shy away from anything that I haven't owned that is over 3,000.

Thanks
 

mrbb

Well-known member
that is a loaded question,a s all comes down to your budget and what all you can fix/upkeep yourself and what parts you have access to

if you want a sled to jump on and just ride, and NOT worry as much about things being worn, and soon needing ???
NEW is the only route here and even then new things fail
under 2k would be my prefer deal on used sleds IF all else seems good

as top ends, skid bearings and such, all start to be in need of TLC IMO after about the 5 k mark IF you get there
and after 3 k, about anything can happen IMO depending on how well the sled was cared for or NOT
average miles per yr in MY area if you a die hard is maybe 1,000 a yr
at 3 k, that's 3 yrs of riding (shocks can need rebuilding pending if JOE racer owned and rode it, or if it just a much older sled thats been sitting long, time isn;'t always friendly to things that sit)) and storage, and storage is a BIG part of s used sled
heat drys things, mice eat things, sun can be a killer, not washing off road salt or ??
real easy to pretty up a beat up sled to make it LOOK good on the outside LOL
buying used is always a gamble IMO, unless you know who owned it and HOW they cared for it

so as I said, its a loaded question that tends to be based more on how, and how it was cared for , than just miles alone
 
G

G

Guest
Looks are everything. There are sleds that only have 1000 miles on them that look like they have 10000 miles on them. And vice-versa. Also depends on the two stroke. Some are bulletproof. Some not so much. Also is it a sled that you can work on or is it going to be a sled you have to pay to get fixed up? Lots of variables.
 

snoduke88

Member
My two sleds both have over 18,000 miles on them never been in shop! One is 2003 600 vmax 3 cyl, and other is 2005 Pol 550. The both have over 30 lbs com. I have always used OEM oil in both sleds! I use additives from sled Manufacter .

I have friends who buy 12,000 to 15,000 sleds and stop at farm and fleet and buy oil ten 2 years bitch that they have to rebuild them.

At end of season I go thru each sled and make a list of what needs to be checked or replaced.
 

ezra

Well-known member
a lot has to do with the year and make and cc of the 2 stroke in question . A LOT



I have friends who buy 12,000 to 15,000 sleds and stop at farm and fleet and buy oil ten 2 years bitch that they have to rebuild them.

and you really think that is because of the S&S oil HA? LMFAO
 

snoduke88

Member
All oil is not the same! I want to hear from some one with 18,000 miles running S&S OIL. I think that manufacturs know what is best oil for their machines!
 

ezra

Well-known member
All oil is not the same! I want to hear from some one with 18,000 miles running S&S OIL. I think that manufacturs know what is best oil for their machines!

I don't keep my sleds more than a few years not because I am worried about the motor I just want the new toy. but I know guys who run S&S with well north of 10k .
but keep telling your self the 2 bulletproof motors you own would not have made it that far with out spending the money on oem oil . that srx will make 20k on 10w40 there are 2 rentals in lead SD with over 30k on them and have not been apart
 

xcr440

Well-known member
Looking at buying a used sled. 2 stroke. What do you all consider high mileage. For me, I shy away from anything that I haven't owned that is over 3,000.

Thanks

It all depends on how many miles YOU plan to put on them. I agree with your less than 3000 miles when buying used.

Some will say there are sleds that have bad designs and you should stay away from. A good friend of mine bought a 2009 Polaris 800, a known "melon??" in some eyes - he put 12,000 miles on it in 3 seasons before deciding to do a rebuild. Same with a 2012 Polaris 800 - bought new, and put 10,000 miles on it in 3 seasons before doing a rebuild. Both rebuilds were NOT, repeat, NOT DO TO A FAILURE. They were end of season summer rebuilds.

So take what you read with a grain of salt. With that being said, I wouldn't buy a used one of these, because you don't know how they were rode, and if the flipper was held to the bar 24x7.
 

renegade

Active member
All oil is not the same! I want to hear from some one with 18,000 miles running S&S OIL. I think that manufacturs know what is best oil for their machines!
Your right. It isn't the same. S&S can be better. I was an amsoil believer. Bought 02 ski doo 700 new. Ran amsoil. 7000 miles in, mag side rod bearing failure. Replaced just rod bearing. 7200 miles later same rod bearing failure. New crank this time. Was tired of paying $40 a gallon in an old ride, started running S&S. 11,000 miles later iso flex failure. Funny thing is rod bearings like new. Another crank, but used this time. Still runniing on S&S nearing 27,000 miles. Thats real evidence between these two oils. Just bought a used sled from a guy that ran amsoil. I'm pumping every drop out of tank before I run it. I'm not saying its better than the manufactures' brands, nor do I want to start a rediculously long argument about oil. Here is your evidence. It is good oil that is affordable. That is something we all should be happy about.
 
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firefighter1

Active member
I think the 3000 mile mark may be a little outdated especially with an etec engine. I have heard really good things about the 600 etec running strong for many miles. Last season I sold my 800 etec with 8700 miles on it still running great. Coincidentally I was running Mystic jt4 for oil the last 5000 miles in case you were wondering. I subscribe to the theory of “ as long as your comfortable running an oil and happy paying for it” it’s probably the best one for you.
 
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