Curious - Anyone else ever think about selling their sled and getting an ATV instead?

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cuzzinolaf

Well-known member
I'm just curious if anyone else has ever thought about this? It has crossed my mind several times in the last month about selling the sled and getting into ATV'ing. The stress of worrying about conditions or no good snow in a few weeks, the fact that off-trail is becoming way too popular, some unnecessary drama, etc. If I lived out west this would never cross my mind but I realistically only make it out once or twice a year.

I see ATV'ing as fun since all you really need to worry about is rain and that can still be fun. I also don't know many people who go to the UP to ride their ATVs like they do sleds.

Thoughts?
 
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Admin

Admin

Administrator
Staff member
As one that does both, I can say that ATVing is not nearly as fun as snowmobiling. On paper, it seems like it should be or could even be more fun.

I guess some of the main differences is ATVing is dirty. If you are the first one, that is fine, but having to follow someone and eat their dust all day can really take the fun out of it. Spring rides or rides just after the rain are dust free, but while playing in the mud is fun, riding all day in wet cloths is not.

You are also way more limited in where you can ride an ATV. Off trail is pretty much a no go, with the exception of logging roads that are in areas where it is allowed. ATV's can cause way more damage to the land than a snowmobile and for that reason are not allowed in many areas that snowmobiles can go.

Don't get me wrong, ATVing is fun. But in my opinion, you will be sorry if you get rid of your sled and get an ATV. I would try to swing having one of each, just opt for a used ATV and not have to spend as much to pay for it.

-John
 
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snow_monkey

New member
I would never give up snowmobiling that would be nuts. I am selling my enduro and replacing it with a quad this summer. I like the dual use of a quad. I will be plowing my driveway in the winter and it gives my wife something to blast up to the corner store to pick up supplies.
 
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cuzzinolaf

Well-known member
I dunno if I could actually do it but it has crossed my mind way too many times recently. I wanted to see if others have thought about it like I have. I guess I didn't realize the off-trail part of it and being much more limited as to where you can go.
 
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jr37

Well-known member
A couple of years ago I was thinking about it. But, I just couldn't imagine not having a sled, after pretty much having one my entire life. When in doubt, go fire it up and take a few deep breaths of that 2 stroke exhaust. That always cures any doubts I would have. Call it "aroma therapy".
 
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polarisrider1

New member
cuzzinolaf said:
I dunno if I could actually do it but it has crossed my mind way too many times recently. I wanted to see if others have thought about it like I have. I guess I didn't realize the off-trail part of it and being much more limited as to where you can go.
Click to expand...

Not me. Boating and Biking take up my summers. Not big on tearing up dirt and the mess it makes to the land. ATV's and there trails are heavily restricted/limited in my area.
 
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durphee

Well-known member
Ya, i thought a lot about it since you can ride an ATV almost all year long. I love to do both so I decided to buy a used one of each. I couldn't afford to buy a 8G sled and a 6G ATV. So i opted for a good used sled and a good used atv, I only have about 5G in both combined! Although honestly, I really don't care to be the fastest or looking the coolest, I guess my self esteem is already high. Although, a new sled is really tempting!! Just ride and have fun!
 
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arcticgeorge

New member
I would like both

I was thinking of hunting down a late season deal on a sled but the more i think about it i would like a 4 wheeler. They are common transportation in the Western UP. I see them all over, parking at Wal-Mart and other stores, and you can use them much more and they are a fraction of the gas (which is $3.30 a gallon now) compared to cars and trucks.
 
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snow_monkey

New member
I had a yamaha warrior for years and had purchased it brand new. Every year I rode it less and less. When summer came it was too hot and there were other things to do. Snowmobiling is very focused and has a very short window. I feel like I spend more time getting ready than actually riding and is part of the fun. I shut her down in the middle of the woods riding alone last weekend to take in the scenery. Nothing can match the beauty of winter in the northwoods!!!!
 
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Eagle River Mike

Member
I have a Yamaha Wolvering and my lake house is in Vilas County (NO TRAILS). I have had my ATV for 10 years and its never been on a trail. I use it to haul stuff to the pier and for some projects. Occasionally, I break the law and ride it to a local restaurant. Before I bought it, I planned on towing to surronding counties to ride but that never happened. Would rather be boating in the summer and the spring and fall are booked with projects.
 
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Skidooski

New member
Administrator said:
As one that does both, I can say that ATVing is not nearly as fun as snowmobiling. On paper, it seems like it should be or could even be more fun.

I guess some of the main differences is ATVing is dirty. If you are the first one, that is fine, but having to follow someone and eat their dust all day can really take the fun out of it. Spring rides or rides just after the rain are dust free, but while playing in the mud is fun, riding all day in wet cloths is not.

You are also way more limited in where you can ride an ATV. Off trail is pretty much a no go, with the exception of logging roads that are in areas where it is allowed. ATV's can cause way more damage to the land than a snowmobile and for that reason are not allowed in many areas that snowmobiles can go.

Don't get me wrong, ATVing is fun. But in my opinion, you will be sorry if you get rid of your sled and get an ATV. I would try to swing having one of each, just opt for a used ATV and not have to spend as much to pay for it.

-John
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X2. My wife and I also do both. One of the reasons there are not as many off road trails for ATVing is because many snowmobile trails run through farmers fields and land. Obviously, the fields have crops in them during non-winter seasons. If I only could do one or the other, snowmobiling all the way baby!!
 
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scottd

New member
The thought never crosses my mind. Boats and stand up jet skis for me in the summer. Like John said, on paper ATV's seem fun but it just isn't the same. The performance is not the same and the areas of riding are just not there. Not only are you more limited in where you can and cannot go "off trail" on ATV's, vegitation also disallows lots of areas. I do admit to getting bummed about conditions or seeing tracks places I do not normally see them. But it does force me to go deeper off the beaten path and look harder. Sometimes that makes the riding better and sometimes worse.
 
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Polarice

New member
There is no way I could get rid of my sleds. They are just way too much fun. I would like to have have his and her 4 wheelers just like the sleds; but priorities.

I'm looking to save a bit of money and get one of those Polaris Razors. It has a 50" width that makes it trail legal and can sit both of us. I think it will work to do some two tracking also for some deep wilderness fishing.
I'll bring it back home in the winter to plow the driveway too.

Maybe in the future I'll get a couple of standard atvs but I think the Razor is a bit more practical for me at this point. It may keep me from sno checking the new Polaris Adventure!
 
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MR.HAPPY

Member
Just find a good dealer to work with and trade sled for Atv and Atv for sled every season!!!
You'll always be on a new sled or Atv every season!

Side x side is the way to go in the UP!
 
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slednek

Member
As one that has both also, I will never get rid of my sleds. I can't wait for the one or two trips to God's country in the winter.

I have a Yamaha Grizzly with a plow - I justified it with my wife by saying it is a tool that I can also play with. I use it around the house all time. I moved a ton of dirt last summer with that and a lawn cart. This coming Spring, I am putting a sprayer on it to fertilize my lawn. It is a very useful tool.

Summer and fall I take it on the outskirts of my Brother-in-laws farm property. Have a blast riding year round.
 
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