Finally found the snowmobile that was right for us, for the first one, we believe. I had an alert set for a year range and price range on Kijiji and one that looked promising popped up Monday morning. I contacted the owner right away and quickly had an appointment to be the first one to look at it. For the test drive, I asked the current owner take it for a run so I could see what it can do, with someone who knows what they are doing at the controls. Then I took it for a test ride as well. The owner was a bigger guy than me so I could see it would have no shortage of power.
After watching the used for sale listings for a month or so, it was pretty obvious I would have to compromise in a few ways. I ended up at the very bottom range of model year. This one is a 2012. But it has relatively low mileage, under 2000 km. Ideally I was looking for a 144″ track and settled on a 155″. It’s considered a cross-over model so that makes sense and a buddy who rides a lot says he knows many happy 155″ owners. This one came fairly well accessorized. Scratchers, heated handles, reverse, electric handles, and electric start (just add a battery). I was willing to go with a 600 engine model if the right opportunity came about but this one is an 800 so the only question is will this be too big. Perhaps the second one we buy will be a 600 and then we can compare.
Our next step is get it into our truck and unload at the lake and take it for a first ride. For the next couple days it will sit in the garage.
After doing a quick inventory of winter wear accessories we are short a couple pairs of goggles. That should be an easy solution.
Buying a low-mileage used snowmobile is a low-cost entry into the sport, with little or no financial risk. Snowmobiles I saw listed were being sold within the week so if we decide that this is not for us it should be pretty simple to get our money back out.