Where/what do you ride

[clemons]

Just joined...

where do you ride? (favorite areas/most often riden)

What sled do you got?


I mainly ride stratton/jackman/moosehead areas...
This year I plan to do a few trips to lincoln and fort kent...

I trail ride a F7



Hope to see you out on the trail/lakes:)

[legend700]

I ride out of my camp in Ossipee NH, ride up on the fryberg trails up to gorham and this year planning a trip from my house to Bosebuck and then onto Moosehead.

05 Renegade X is my main ride

[attroll]

It is hard to say where I do most of my riding. I basically go where the good snow is. But if I had to pick by where I did most of my riding last year I would say it was the points north of New Port. I started a lot last year from New Port when the snow was good. But I would have started closer to home if the snow had been better here.

[strangeland2]

i ride in the newport area also usually start from my parents camp in stetson and then its just a matter of how far we can get from there

i ride a 660 st

[Birdman]

We ride locally from Smithfield and Benton or trailer north anywhere from Newport, Solon to Jackman, Rangeley and wherever we decide at the time. We also make a point to go to a friends camp in Benedicta every year for an awesome gathering of the "Horsemen" elite snowmobiling crew. We also make a point to try to do something different every year.

[Dave50]

Aroostic county maine

[RCDad]

Do most of my riding in Aroostook County,Trails are great right out the back door.:D

[TrueBlue]

Mainly ride in Eustis or Canada.......

[Kahlua]

Mostly up in the "County"

[500ss]

Mostly Norway, Paris, and surrounding areas. Usually do one or two trips to Rockwood.

04 Ski Doo 500SS

[kennebagoboy]

I ride mostly out of my camp in Rangeley and then all over from there. I have a 2001 MXZ 800.

[racer0321]

We mostly ride in Rangeley, or Jackman, hopeful to it the county again this year and maybe around baxter state park. I ride a 04 Polaris XCSP 700.

[clemons]

i hope to see some people on the trail, say hello if you see me...


riced out f7 with "clemons" graphics..only one in maine...

[dblacks]

Western Maine Early season, Southern Quebec as often as possible and a few other trips in Maine depending on the snow and hopefully awayfrom major sledding hubs on the weekends. Last Year I made 2 trips with the guys north of the Big River in quebec and 1 Trip with the wife to Quebec City.

[TrueBlue]

Western Maine Early season, Southern Quebec as often as possible and a few other trips in Maine depending on the snow and hopefully awayfrom major sledding hubs on the weekends. Last Year I made 2 trips with the guys north of the Big River in quebec and 1 Trip with the wife to Quebec City.
Well aint you special........

[dblacks]

Well aint you special........

Yes I am :D

[TrueBlue]

Yes I am :D
We'll have to do a local ride sometime this winter if Mainecorrados wife will let him come out and play.

[dblacks]

We'll have to do a local ride sometime this winter if Mainecorrados wife will let him come out and play.
We definatly will!!

[blackcat]

We'll have to do a local ride sometime this winter if Mainecorrados wife will let him come out and play.
put me down for the local ride..:D

[blackcat]

It is hard to say where I do most of my riding. I basically go where the good snow is. But if I had to pick by where I did most of my riding last year I would say it was the points north of New Port. I started a lot last year from New Port when the snow was good. But I would have started closer to home if the snow had been better here.
Gotta keep her between the trees this year, look out for those hidden stumps!

[TrueBlue]

put me down for the local ride..:D
Consider yourself penciled in......

[trailblaster]

I'm from Greenville and we have 5 Skidoos right now.

[attroll]

We'll have to do a local ride sometime this winter if Mainecorrados wife will let him come out and play.

Can I get penciled in for that ride too?

[attroll]

Gotta keep her between the trees this year, look out for those hidden stumps!

Well I will do my best. I have a bran new frame on the sled this year and the whole bottom half of my engine is new. So I guess in a sense I have a new sled.

[TrueBlue]

Can I get penciled in for that ride too?
Consider it done......

[dblacks]

Consider it done......


TB you are now responsible for setting a date and time so it can be penciled into my calender, dates are getting thin but I am guessing you are thinking March.

[TrueBlue]

TB you are now responsible for setting a date and time so it can be penciled into my calender, dates are getting thin but I am guessing you are thinking March.
You guessed correctly....I am trying to talk DL into buying a place in Eustis,but she seems to think we need to finish the house first.

[GearHd6]

I usually ride the Moosehead Lake area out toward Jackman to Millinocket. I ride an 05 Firecat 700.

[DMANNBLACKX]

in jackman with the camper for the winter and some day rippas to oquossoc/eustis area. ride a black renegade X

[dblacks]

You guessed correctly....I am trying to talk DL into buying a place in Eustis,but she seems to think we need to finish the house first.
Women tend to have more common sense then men do

[TrueBlue]

Women tend to have more common sense then men do
You can say that again.......

[blackcat]

in jackman with the camper for the winter and some day rippas to oquossoc/eustis area. ride a black renegade X

Is that what you call em -rippa's?? :eek:

[TrueBlue]

Is that what you call em -rippa's?? :eek:
He's never been accused of being that bright BC.........

[dblacks]

He's never been accused of being that bright BC.........
gotta wonder if the elevator makes it to all floors

[TrueBlue]

gotta wonder if the elevator makes it to all floors
I think the gerbil fell off the wheel..........

[DMANNBLACKX]

elevators in great working order, hit all floors and the penthouse! i mean to say day trip sorry for the inconvienence:rolleyes:

[dblacks]

Is that what you call em -rippa's?? :eek:
thats how explains the skid marks in his shorts, sorry honey too many rippas

[TrueBlue]

thats how explains the skid marks in his shorts, sorry honey too many rippas
Dana you are a sick man.

[DMANNBLACKX]

Dana you are a sick man.
what is wrong with him?

is banter like this allowed here?

[TrueBlue]

what is wrong with him?

is banter like this allowed here?
We'll soon find out.

[DMANNBLACKX]

alright gotta go talk to you on chat later?

[dblacks]

what is wrong with him?

is banter like this allowed here?
Sorry my day was falling apart and I needed something to amuse myself, good news is I was on the phone with Woody and the Attak is together and in my trailer and the RTX is getting serviced

[TrueBlue]

alright gotta go talk to you on chat later?
Possibly later on I am going over to Robs tonight for a bit.

[TrueBlue]

Sorry my day was falling apart and I needed something to amuse myself, good news is I was on the phone with Woody and the Attak is together and in my trailer and the RTX is getting serviced
Friggin Yamahas need service every 500 miles?

[dblacks]

Possibly later on I am going over to Robs tonight for a bit.
How was their weekend up in the great white north?

[dblacks]

Friggin Yamahas need service every 500 miles?
first service, getting an oil change to synthetic and getting some adjustments to track and suspension and a few other things that are top secret

[TrueBlue]

How was their weekend up in the great white north?
Hadnt broken anything as of yesterday morning but the were unloading in L'etape to burn a tank of fuel so there was still time I will find out tonight.

[TrueBlue]

first service, getting an oil change to synthetic and getting some adjustments to track and suspension and a few other things that are top secret
Ive got one word for ya........Turbo.

[dblacks]

Ive got one word for ya........Turbo.
Woody was testing turbo on Togus Pond and it was super fast, Non Turbo RTX like mine was radared at 116mph turbo was walking away from it like it was on a sunday stroll around the park

[Oquossoc Camp]

Ever do any backcountry riding in the greater Rangeley area? I would like to do a little exploring of the area but don't know it other than the trail system. When up at Camp with my family we just trail ride, they aren't into that stuff. I don't have a deep powder sled (but plan to have at least a crossover by next season) but with the present conditions you can ride off trail a lot with a regular sled.

[Dix]

I get off-trail as much as possible... Rangeley has some great spots... Jackman/Seboomook/Northern Moosehead even better.

Doubt I'll hit Rangeley again this season... Hope to get back to Jackman one more time before I put 'em away.

Backcountry riding in the East doesn't require a deep powder mountain sled... we don't get the 6 feet+ of baseless powder they do in the Rockies... a 136 incher is plenty of sled for boondocking in northern New England and is far more trail-friendly for getting there.

Even with all the snow we've had this year I've only gotten mine stuck once (and that was a brain-fade moment... too busy watching the kid to notice I was running out of real estate) and all I have is a 136" x 16" x 1.25" stock 'Gade track.

Even a short-track can go off-trail in this neck of the woods and do well... it's more about technique in these parts than it is track length... momentum, keeping the track speed up, and weight transfer mean more than track length around here... the Kid only has a 121 x 15 x 7/8" on a ZX chassis 500, and it would surprise you where he'll try to put it... and make it more often than not... might have him try the new Camoplast Cobra track next year, looks like it would be a nice on/off trail track that's lightweight enough for that 500... and removing 2/3 of the clips will shave another 3lbs off it getting it down around 34lbs... pretty light for a 1.352" lug/2.52" pitch track... lighter even than a 1.25" Ripsaw clipped every 3rd... but then, near anything is better than a Ripsaw off-trail.

Maybe I'll even get lucky and they'll make a single-ply 2.86" pitch version of it by next season... that would weigh-in at under 30lbs fully-clipped.

[Tynan19]

Dix, you got answers.

[Dix]

I try to help where & when I can :mrgreen:

[Snowgo666]

^^^I think he is looking for directions to A Five One...But I'm not talk'n:hide:

[Oquossoc Camp]

I get off-trail as much as possible... Rangeley has some great spots... Jackman/Seboomook/Northern Moosehead even better.

Doubt I'll hit Rangeley again this season... Hope to get back to Jackman one more time before I put 'em away.

Backcountry riding in the East doesn't require a deep powder mountain sled... we don't get the 6 feet+ of baseless powder they do in the Rockies... a 136 incher is plenty of sled for boondocking in northern New England and is far more trail-friendly for getting there.

Even with all the snow we've had this year I've only gotten mine stuck once (and that was a brain-fade moment... too busy watching the kid to notice I was running out of real estate) and all I have is a 136" x 16" x 1.25" stock 'Gade track.

Even a short-track can go off-trail in this neck of the woods and do well... it's more about technique in these parts than it is track length... momentum, keeping the track speed up, and weight transfer mean more than track length around here... the Kid only has a 121 x 15 x 7/8" on a ZX chassis 500, and it would surprise you where he'll try to put it... and make it more often than not... might have him try the new Camoplast Cobra track next year, looks like it would be a nice on/off trail track that's lightweight enough for that 500... and removing 2/3 of the clips will shave another 3lbs off it getting it down around 34lbs... pretty light for a 1.352" lug/2.52" pitch track... lighter even than a 1.25" Ripsaw clipped every 3rd... but then, near anything is better than a Ripsaw off-trail.

Maybe I'll even get lucky and they'll make a single-ply 2.86" pitch version of it by next season... that would weigh-in at under 30lbs fully-clipped.
Dix, thanks for the feedback. I've been a Polaris guy for a long time and it is very convenient with Oquossoc Marine being a Polaris Dealer and 1 mile from my camp. But when thinking of getting a new sled for on/off trail, better riding position, etc., I am very tempted by the 09 Renegade with the e-tec. Get the 137" track for on/off trail, incredible fuel mileage, etc. A good choice? Opinions?

[Tynan19]

Absolutely! I just went from an 02 700 Edge to an 05 sdi and the difference is insane. Where I could travel 30-40 in bumps I am now not riding under 60. Fuel mileage is almost double. Not to mention the way you feel at the end of the day.

[Dix]

Well... given that testimonial from another Polaris rider... guess my biased comments might be kinda useless :mrgreen:

But, he's not the only one... after a ride with me to Rangeley (and the ride down the Town Cove access trail) we have a Cat owner thinking about making the REV switch too.

Yea, I may be biased... but Doo really did nail it out of the park with the rider-forward REV platform... and everyone else had to play catch-up for a couple years... and the new XP platform gives you a few more inches of leg-room (they moved the jackshaft up a few inches).

Of course the biggest news with XP was peeling (an amazing) 50lbs of weight off an already pretty lightweight (REV) chassis... I'm going to be interested to see how they hold up... but so far so good... I'm not seeing any more chassis issues with the XP than we already see with the REV (see note below)... some 08s were having axle problems but that was traced to a bad batch from the fabricator.

Also note... we're talking about a division owned by the same folks that make Learjet... and allegedly much of the design & weight reduction of the XP chassis came from input via the airframe engineers at Bombardier.

I'm really NOT trying to blow the BRP horn here... but apply common sense... you go talking aircraft engineering and you're talking about some pretty clever braincells... & when you have THAT big of a corporate backing how big do you think the R&D budget could be... probably bigger than Cat's & Polaris's combined... again, sure, I'm biased... but I don't think that's an unreasonable assessment.

Yamaha can compete in the corporate R&D budget category... but they are concentrating solely on 4-stroke tech... they're fast gaining ground with it and are on pace to take over the #2 slot in sales within a couple seasons... It'll be interesting to watch that develop... if they can peel more weight off they'll really start taking huge bites out of the market-share fast.

OK, enough of the sales-pitch and marketing nonsense...

If you want something that's had plenty of seasons of a proven track-record... you can't go wrong with an 06-07 'Gade with a 600SDI. (front suspension geometry was redesigned in the REVs for 06) 16-18MPG spinning a long track is nothing to sneeze at.

While technically I'd say the jury is still out on the XP... unless something odd raises its head over the course of the next season I'd say Doo's got another huge winner on its hands... so far so good... and 50lbs lighter... how can you beat that?

The E-tec IS a question mark... sure they're bragging about expected fuel mileage (they say 25... I'd expect 20-22) and only filling your oil tank once per season (I'd probably still buy a whole case of oil... instead of 3)... but it WILL be the 1st year of that engine in a sled... & the outboards weren't without growing pains... it will be interesting that's for sure.

You'll have to decide if you want to go for the E-tec... knowing it's a 1st year technology.

Or... you might look for an 08 SDI leftover... could be a bargain if you find one.

OK, so there HAS to be a downside right???..... Yup, there is.

In either case with an XP 'Gade, or with an 07... if off-trail is what you're going for you have a track issue... they stuck a damn Ripsaw track on it beginning with 07... why?... I have NO clue... they couldn't have stuck anything worse on it for off-trail use IMO... and they changed the drive pitch with XP... so you can't just stick a REV track on it unless you change the drivers... fortunately AVID PRODUCTS is making 2.52" drivers that fit the XP axle... so if you want to keep it "trail friendly" you CAN change the drivers and get an 05-06 1.25" 'Gade track. (BRP #504152486)... for an 07 REV it's a straight track swap.

http://www.avid-products.com/store/ProdDet.cfm?ProdID=113

Of course, if you don't mind riding trails with a taller track, Camoplast makes a 1.75" for the XP that works real well off trail. (#9070C - the one I'll be sporting next season)

http://www.camoplast.com/powersports/tracks/challenger_sentier.html

XP track options SHOULD get better over the next year or two, as more people start owning 'em... but, no guarantees there.

Of course, your biggest problem up there is you don't have a Doo dealer anymore... One of the hottest sledding areas in Maine & the #1 selling make doesn't have a dealership there anymore???... if I lived up there I'd smell a business opportunity. :mrgreen:

-------------------------------------------------------

SIDE NOTE: Non-Doo owners (and even many Doo owners) knock on Doo for the fact that the front suspension cross-member bends easily (O24 has replaced his)... IMO this is rather short-sighted... what would you rather do spend $200 and a day replacing the cross-member (AKA: "NUN" - looks like a nun's hat upside down) or have to replace an entire front bulkhead?

I'm just guessing here, but I'm thinking that the "NUN" was purposely made to be a sacrificial part that's not all that difficult to replace and spares the rest of the chassis from major damage.

That's not to say you can't pound the crap out of the sled... you can... and it will take it and keep coming back for more... you just need to watch out for snagging that stump with the control arm that's hiding under the powder... doesn't take much to tweak it when that happens.

They make a reinforcement kit to beef it up for the 440 race sleds... but I'd rather let the NUN bend if I snag something... 200 bucks and a day is better than having it cost me much more money and downtime.

[ewelin]

Absolutely! I just went from an 02 700 Edge to an 05 sdi and the difference is insane. Where I could travel 30-40 in bumps I am now not riding under 60. Fuel mileage is almost double. Not to mention the way you feel at the end of the day.
I thought the SDI was the wifes sled.... now it's yours LOL...

[Tynan19]

Well the last 2 rides I have been on one. Also hopefully I will be on one next year as well and not just her.

[Offshore24]

Wanna buy a lightly used gade with a few miles, driven by a little old man to church on Sundays?

[Tynan19]

Now that is funny.

[GearHd6]

How many miles you got on that Edge? Is it clean like my sled?

[Tynan19]

It is pretty clean. 7k. Engine is clean too.
http://www.mainesledder.com/showthread.php?t=891

[GearHd6]

Let me know if/when you plan on getting rid of it. I may be interested.

[Tynan19]

I put a link up on the top post.

[GearHd6]

Looks good in those pictures. Is it all stock other than the bars?

[Tynan19]

Sent you a pm. Bars, riser, pivot,pad,1.25 track, suspension was dropped raising the sled to fit the track, EPI clutching for corner to corner. Have stock parts. Have can, saddlebags, tank map bag. I don't mind meeting you somewhere also.

[flatlander]

OK guys, here's your chance to poke fun, yes I'm a flatlander but my father had a place in Greenfield and I have family in the Etna area so poking fun is OK but please avoid the sharp sticks in the eyes!

I currently have two Ski Doo Grand Touring sleds, one 1 a 500 and 1 a 600. For getting wild and somewhat crazy at my age I still have some old iron, a 1990 Mach 1 583 RAVE with low miles.

I normally tow up as often as I can in the winter and start out from the ITS 83 in Etna or from the parking lot across from Bear's in Newport hitting the old railroad bed North bound. Just ride with no particular place to go until I get tired, get hungry or get sore!

Great site, keep up the good work!

[ewelin]

Welcome! That must be quite the drive to go riding?Great site, keep up the good work!Glad you like it... it's a work in progress but we're getting there.

[flatlander]

We can make it in about 8 1/2 hours if traffic is right. But lately traffic from Haverhill, MA North to the bridge has been horrendus. But the ride is always worth it!!!! We've been coming back now anywhere from four to eight times a year since 1963!

One of these years it will be a one way trip with no plans to head South again! One more college education to pay for and I'm pulling the plug!

[Tynan19]

Welcome Flatlander. I am one too and hopefully someday plan on making the one way trip!

[flatlander]

Thanks for the welcome guys! Appreciate it!

[Dix]

Ahhhh Jersey.... the only state in the country where it's free to get in... but you have to pay to get out. :mrgreen:

My other half was born there but was smuggled out when she was little.

[flatlander]

Hey Dix, do you remind her that she is from "away" and always will be? All my friends up country always remind me! But lately I've noticed that it comes after I help drag out their deer or we finish fishing for the day on "my boat" or they've come over and sat around our camp all day relaxing while we wait on our "guests" hand and foot! My oldest grandson started last fall but when I told him the rifle he hunts with was a gift from me and came from the gun safe in Jersey he decided that silence was a better virtue! By the way, he got his first deer with it last fall as well!

You'd think I'd have learned by now LOL!

[Dix]

LMAO!!!!!

My question for you down there is....

WHO THE H*LL DESIGNED THE MEADOWLANDS?????? :mrgreen:

I used to live just outside Allentown for a few years... being a Bruins fan I'd go whenever they were playing the Rangers, Islanders, Flyers, or Devils.

Getting out of the Meadowlands Arena after a game was insane... I mean, you can literally throw a rock onto the Jersey Turnpike... You can see it from the parking lot... but it takes you an hour to get there???

And that's just for a hockey game.... can't imagine what it's like after a Giants game.

Oh well... better to keep 'em confused with the traffic than have 'em find Jimmy Hoffa's body I guess. :mrgreen:

[flatlander]

I don't know which is worse, walking into the arena and grabbing for the rail to help fight off the feeling you're about to fall to center ice or the driving around and around in circles in that damn parking lot lot trying to get out. The last time I went I took Rt#3 West to the Parkway and came home that way. Now the Devils are playing in their new arena in downtown Newark. Been there twice, both time by taking the train up to Penn Station and walking two blocks, much better!

Where in Allentown did you live? I'm only about 20 minutes East. The local Methodist
Minister who retired a few years ago from the church in Allentown is my gunsmith! Rev. Horace Frantz is his name. He built me one heck of an FN Beligium Mauser, hand carved French walnut stock with thumbhole. RIfle is so nice I just look at it and refuse to hunt it! LOL!

They say Hoffa is in the Giants Stadium not the ice arena, they'll never find him anyway!

[Dix]

I was in Palmerton... about 20 minutes outside A'town (NNW).

Worked for a while at Rexroth Hydraulics over by the airport.

I used to go to Penn Sta in Newark to go to the Rangers/Bruins games... much better than driving in NYC... get off the train... go up the stairs & see the game... back down stairs to train/car/home.

Best Italian restaurant on the planet.... Patsy's... on 56th between 8th & Broadway.

[flatlander]

Too close to Trenton for me! Now I know why you're back in GOD's country! Driving into NYC is absolutely nutso. The train is the only way to go North at all. We live in Howell between Freehold and Lakewood, nice area semi rural. We had a small farm until several years ago. Taxes got so bad we sold it and bought a place on a small lake. Kids are almost completely out now one more to graduate college next year and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Our place upcountry will start year round upgrades this summer, it will be nice to finally sit back and relax and do what we want after all these years! Fish when we want, hunt when we want, sled, atv and spoil the dickens out of the grandchildren!

[attroll]

Welcome Flatlander. I will be the wise ass and say it. I was smart enough to live here in the first place so I do not need a one way ticket.

[Dix]

Onlt real problem with living up here is that Modified racing isn't what it is (or at least, was) down there.

Flemington & Nazareth have both closed since I was down there.

[flatlander]

Thanks Attrol for the welcome, I can't help it if 1/2 the family headed South and some of us got stuck here! But we're slowly but surely headed back! Like I said, I've been making that trip back and forth several times a year now since 1963! I only missed one year when Uncle Sam sent me on vacation to South East Asia for a year in 67/68.

Dix, are you bringing back memories! I raced a sportsman at Flemington for two years and then went ashpalt, raced Atlantic City, Wall Stadium, New Egypt and a few times at Evergreen in PA. In my fifth year I went through the fence at New Egypt after cutting down a right front tire, never got to hit the brakes! Broke five ribs on my left side, couldn't breath right for months! Sold it all that winter! But it was fun!