mikerider

Just under 4,000 miles on the new leftover '25 Polaris SP 137 Matryx. I got this new sled for $12,000 plus tax which is a steal in this day and age. Full on Matryx but with cheaper rebuildable shocks and the cheap gauge. Our group rides semi fast, back by 4:00, 200 miles, with stops for gas, coffee, and lunch. I came off a '25 SkiDoo 129 X 600R the year before. This sled was easily my favorite SkiDoo ever (since 1965). The new RAS front end RX skis finally completed the SkiDoo package. And for unknown reasons, the "25 600 was much faster than their previous 600R's and much better gas mileage. The Polaris: I will get the negatives out of the way first. The rear suspension rides fine over small bumps and good over medium bumps IF the bumps have some space between them, Medium stutters and the ride is pretty terrible, but again this is the cheap shock model and Polaris doesn't want you to be super happy and not trade up to a more expensive model for a better ride. I also found some suspension adjustments were difficult,,,impossible to get at the front track spring and it was too cold this winter to get out the tools and mess with the coupler blocks (plus I have some serious back issues). Secondly, I occasionally ride alone some days and just always (in my mind) waiting for the Polaris to break down. I have a huge trust in the SkiDoo, from experience, that it won't leave me stranded. The only problem I had with the Polaris all winter was an on and off again electric start issue. But the sled started easy with the manual recoil rope, even on very cold mornings. The Polaris gave me something that's hard to describe. A huge grin factor that lasts all day, every day, throughout the entire season. Every morning I couldn't wait to get on this sled and ride. The funnest driving sled I have ever owned. The taller riding position is great and less tiring. Like sitting on a comfy bar stool.. Body position makes a huge improvement to handling, sit with knees touching the cowling. Sitting higher up makes you think the sled will be tippy. It is not, and once you get some time on it, you trust it and realize you can corner faster on this sled than anything out there. You actually hope its a curvy trail. The engine is a work of art, runs fantastic and pulls like a freight train. It surprised me how nice this engine ran and I was addicted to the mid range pull. Gas mileage was excellent, I never checked it exactly but quite often filled up at 100 miles only using about 25 liters. And you can run 87 octane. I absolutely loved the Polaris. If I never did solo rides, hands down this would be my sled choice. In March I headed out one day to spring check a new sled planning to stop at my Polaris dealer and then my SkiDoo dealer to get prices. My Doo was already stored at the dealer. On the ride I think I changed my mind two dozen times over which brand I would buy. I decided to stop at my SkiDoo dealer first. He totally surprised me and said he would take both my sleds in trade towards a '27 600RR X, and give me quite a bit of money on top of the swap. Done deal! And still second guessing which sled I should have bought for '27. *******Still no new computer,,, I can start new posts but cannot reply to posts. I can also still do messages, so any questions, send a message. Mike

2025 Polaris SP 650 Matryx for $7,000 3,700 miles all on Quebec trails this past winter, 73 year old owner Bought new as leftover this past fall, came with one year warranty that I assume will expire this coming fall Tall windshield, electric shield port, Rebuildable shocks Handles fantastic, most fun sled I have ever owned, engine pulls like a freight train for its size Cover, spare belt and new set of quality carbides will be yours IF I do not buy another Polaris in the fall Located in MidCoast Maine: Bath Brunswick area Send me a message on QuebecRider with any questions or interest.

Arrived this afternoon for stay #2 this winter, hopefully here for a couple weeks. I may have to move elsewhere Saturday night as the hotel is full, just an FYI. if you are thinking of coming up. This has only happened to me once before, stayed at Days Inn, ran into NEKSledder and TrailBlazer. Supper and drinks at the Levesque. and what had to be the coldest walk ever going back to the Inn. But a fun night of good food, drinks and friends. Last trip my Oxygen Helmet shield kicked the bucket the first week and week two the short wire shorted out, the 6 inch wire that connects to the sled and helmet wire. Now trip two week one, connect the cord to helmet and get the green light for about 1/2 second with each connection attempt. Several minutes later by pure luck, found a Canadian quarter stuck in the helmet slot where the cord connects by magnet. The magnet must be a rare earth magnet, I could not get the quarter out. Finally had to pry it out with a knife, and it did not come easy. The new Polaris Matryx now has 2,200 miles this season. Only problem so far has been the electric start which started to occasionally not work at the end of the last trip. Dealer installed a new part and all is fine again. I am really enjoying this sled. It has a nice fun factor, love the riding position and the handling. Motor is awesome. Getting really good gas mileage. It will be a tough decision whether to go back to SkiDoo next year or get another Polaris. I am really undecided. Another reminder, I still cannot respond to threads due to computer issues. I can only start new threads. However, I can respond to messages. Mike

Some of you have been in contact about coming up this week so I wanted to give an update on conditions at RDL. Just a dusting of snow overnight,. But today it has snowed all day and I would estimate 4 and maybe even 5 inches of new snow on the ground. And often the back country away from town gets more. Another inch or more forecasted for tonight. I took a quick spin for a couple miles on the sled at 1:00 PM and trails seemed really nice. If this was regional storm I predict some nice riding. I will decide tomorrow whether to stay or head home. Another note worth mentioning. When we went to Moose Valley last Wednesday, it appeared the lodge lacked enough help Seemed like we waited well over an hour for our food. And speaking of food, heard there is a new chef at the Universel, and in my opinion some of the meals at night have bordered on five stars. Mike

Just a few hours rain last night and then temps below freezing...Last evening's slushy parking lot is now frozen, walkways of packed snow are now ice. Not too much snow loss. Sled trails are still white but probably very hard. Snow forecast is snow tonight, tomorrow and tomorrow night, 14 to 18 cm's. My best guess is this might bring conditions back to good, but just a guess. I will extend my stay until Monday morning and then decide whether home or stay longer. Any questions feel free to send a message. Mike

(Since the QR update, I still can't respond to threads< but I can start a new thread and can still do messages; need to get a ten year old to fix my computer or get a new one!). Loved the dependable ACES but tired of the Adrenaline Renegades coming with far from ideal suspension calibrations and not being able to get them in an X model, and tired of the push in corers. Also that 2nd childhood feeling of needing a Farrarri to bump up my enthusiasm. "24 MXZ 129 600R was horrible. '25 MXZ "X" 129 was awesome with the new skis and the new front end and was much faster than the '24 and far better gas mileage. Loved this sled!!! I Had rented a couple Polaris Matrix's and loved the handling and seating position. I had to get one just to satisfy my curiosity and my new found love of a performance sled. I Bought a left over Polaris SP 650 model unbelievably cheap. It has the small gauge and rebuildable shocks but no clickers. Also saved some money as it came with a tall windshield and heated shield plug in standard. So far I am really enjoying this sled a lot. Gas mileage is good at moderate speeds but a bit hard when running hard such as Moose Valley or a long RR bed stretch. The engine runs really nice and the power of the 650 is very, very impressive. The suspension rides nice on small bumps and those medium bumps that are spaced apart. Anything else not so good. Handling is really nice and its a very fun sled to ride.. Its a warm sled to ride on cold days. Love the seating position although the seat is just a tad stiff and not an issue until about the 200 mile mark and then the hard seat is an issue causing pain. Bumpy trails might bring on the pain sooner. 750 miles so far and I'm a happy camper. Toss up next year whether I'll stay with Polaris or go back to the Doo 600R X. Mike

I am having QuebecRider website issues since yesterday's software update and was wondering if anyone else is also. My "SUBMIT REPLY" button does not seem to work when replying to any of the QR forums and does not work also when replying to personal messages. I can type out a reply to a forum or a reply to a message but am unable to send it. My 'Submit Reply' and 'Send Message' button does not work. The submit button color is gray, not bright blue like it should be. The strange part is that I can start a New Topic and the 'Submit' button works. Anyone else having this problem? I contacted ckf and he is checking his end for solutions. Just curious if anyone else has this glitch. Those who sent me a message today or do in the near future should probably use my email: mikelever211@gmail.com

Happy birthday to all of you. Young at heart and lots and lots of years of wisdom.

Yes, the computer is really old, and I am ancient. But I think I am all set now. Thanks.

Thanks for checking. I got logged in fine now. Can send and receive messages, and can post on the forums. Only thing I can't do is click on my name at the top of the page to get into settings or to log out. I never log out and don't really ever get into settings, so I am all set. Will probably go see a computer tech to get my cache cleaned out and should be all set. Mik

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I have had so many SkiDoo's with 10,000 to 16,000 miles on them and never even looked at the bearings. Never lost a clutch roller either. Now I'm worried about my '25 Doo with 4,200 miles.

Looks like an awesome season ender. Great pictures!

That's really cool. Thanks for posting.

Nice pictures, nice ride! Can't believe I sat home all week thinking it was too warm.