HOW TO BUY A USED SNOWMOBILE

Here is a video of what to look for when buying a used snowmobile. Some tips might help you or provide general education about sleds and what to look at.
#snowmobile #Skidoo #arcticcat #polaris #sled
What are the most important things I should check to ensure the sled is in good shape and safely operable? What should I look for in the suspension, skis, tunnel/body and track, headlights, etc.?
First, talk to the owner and get a history of the sled. Ask questions such as “has it ever been wrecked,” “how long have you owned it,” “have you ever had any issues with it,” and “do you have any service records?” From there, give the sled a once over. Take note of how many miles a machine has. DO RESEARCH. I can’t stress this part enough. Each brand has had bad years and good years of sleds. Search forums and articles, and talk to your local dealer. Once you’ve decided to look at it, check to see if the owner was correct on the odometer reading.
Look for large damage to the tunnel and bulkhead. Look at the sled from the front and rear to see if everything is straight. Bring a flashlight to look in those dark areas. Inspect that there are no leaks. Look for bad paint jobs or touch-ups. Before looking at the sled, ask the owner not to start the sled the same day you are coming to look at it. When you get there, put your hand on the engine to ensure they haven’t already run it. Try starting the sled up. If it fires up quickly, that’s a good sign; if it doesn’t, you may have a problem that needs to be addressed. Not starting the sled the same day can prevent a shady owner from hiding a hard starting sled and can cost you $$$ in the future.
How do I know if the engine is healthy or worn out?
If you didn’t bring a compression gauge, look for leaks in the engine (leaking crank seal, carb boot cracks or rips, and coolant leak). Does the sled start hard and pull over easily? This could be a sign of low compression. Look at the miles and look at the rest of the sled. The general rule is that if the rest of the sled wasn’t taken, care of the engine was probably treated the same way. If you did bring a compression gauge, you’ll screw it into the spark plug hole and pull the engine over (with the throttle open and key off) about 4-5 times or until the gauge has stabilized. Anything less than 120 psi indicates lower compression. If you’re below 100, you’re guaranteed a rebuild.
What should I be watching for and listening for during a test ride?
Listen to the engine and drivetrain. The engine should run smoothly without knocking, pinging, rattling, or clunking. The drivetrain should also be smooth. Any ratcheting noises, high pitch whines, or low rumble rubbing noises can signal a bad bearing, worn bushings, or some worn parts in the drive or track. Make sure all your lights work, all switches function correctly, and you run the sled long enough to ensure the hand warmers (if the sled has them) work.
What red flags should I look for that indicate the sled wasn’t adequately maintained, took a beating, was in an accident or took a swim?
Look for the bulkhead and tunnel cracks near your suspension mounting points. These are the first areas of a beat sled to fail. Look for high levels of corrosion, rust, etc. Ask the owner what they used to transport the sled. If they say an enclosed trailer or open trailer with a cover, it’s a safe bet there wouldn’t be a ton of corrosion. If they say on a trailer uncovered, I’d really scrutinize the sled as salt does its damage quickly to the sled, and with rust and corrosion, the value of the sled goes down, and you're looking at future problems. As for taking a swim, it’s hard to tell, but look to see if there are high levels of corrosion in hidden places and maybe pull back some of the wire insulation and see if there is hidden corrosion.
If I buy a used sled, what should I do for maintenance and inspection before I take it out for that first ride?
Inspect it from front to back. In many cases, what the owner said they did and what they actually did can differ significantly. Park the sled on cement overnight (or if there is no access to cement, place a clean board under the sled) and look for those leaks.
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#snowmobile #polaris #trail

[@NYDStories]

Its cold outside, no more motorcycle till spring, instead today we are going to talk about Sleds, how to buy a used sled - in case you are trapped in the winter like me, the best option is to enjoy it, right?