Tips For Buying A Snowmobile

Once the snow season sets in, a lot of us realize that the standard snowshoe method of getting around isn’t that great a way to stay mobile. Trying to drive your usual vehicles in heavy snow isn’t only a tiring task, it can also be highly dangerous. Even if you have faith in your driving abilities, you can’t say the same for everyone else on the road. This is why a lot of people are now choosing to own snowmobiles, especially when they have to cover short and unpaved routes.

At 2Brothers Powersports, we know that snowmobiles don’t only help you get around, they offer so much more. To help you get a vehicle that suits your needs, we created the following list. 

Why Do You Want A Snowmobile?

The first thing you have to decide before buying a snowmobile is what you want to do with it. Different riders have different needs, so each model you’ll look at will be catering to a different kind of rider. For example, if you’re a utility worker, you can’t really stop all your work once the snow falls. You’ll still need to travel across layers of snow across a large property. If the job involves carrying a lot of tools and you need a more durable frame, you’ll want to check our mountain or utility snowmobiles.

There are many riders who purchase snowmobiles to ride all the great trails open to sled riders in the winter months. If you’d like to do that too, you should look at a sport or recreation snowmobile model. If you a little bit of both worlds, there are several models out there that’ll give you a balance of the two styles, as well as models made for longer rides and high-performance. 

To figure out which snowmobile is perfect for you, simply create a list of tasks and activities that you want to tackle on your sled. This way, a trained professional can look at your list and guide you to the sled that’s best for you and your needs.

What Features Do You Need?

It’s important to figure out not only what kind of snowmobile you want, but also the features that will suit you best. First, consider the engine. Most snowmobiles have either two-stroke or four-stroke engines. The two-stroke engines are generally simpler, lighter, and have a higher power-to-weight ratio. With a four-stroke engine, you’ll get a broader range of power that provides a little extra something for those who want to power through their tasks and activities. There’s not necessarily an engine option that’s better, it’s just about what’s going to help you the most.

If you want improved performance from your snowmobile, check out the track length. Longer tracks with deeper track lugs (like those you’d see on a crossover snowmobile) provide a more versatile performance for both on- and off-trail riding. Remember, though, that shorter tracks are better for taking tight turns and overall handling. Again, you have to figure out what works for you. 

There are, of course, a number of other features that can be very helpful for you, such as a second seat, extra storage, and comfort features. Make a list of priorities and needs and find the features that’ll help you make easy work of tough tasks.

How Much Are You Willing To Spend?

An important aspect to keep in mind when shopping for a snowmobile is your budget. As with any other investment, the budget doesn’t only involve what you’ll be paying for the snowmobile. With each vehicle, you get additional expenses as well, like accessories, safety gear, club memberships, travel expenses, and storage fees. Getting this part right is important or you’ll end up getting something that’ll put you in debt.

Additional Info

Before you go ahead and buy that great new snowmobile, you should know that you may need a special license to ride a snowmobile. You’ll also need registration and some states and provinces also require that you take safety classes before you can be licensed. 

• In Wisconsin all persons who are at least 12 years of age and who were born on or after January 1, 1985 are required to take a Wisconsin-Approved Snowmobile Safety Course, and obtain a snowmobile certificate when riding on public lands. Learn more by visiting the Wisconsin DNR website.
• Minnesota requires snowmobile certification by law for anyone born after December 31, 1976. Adult snowmobile safety certification is for snowmobile operators age 16 and over. Youth ages 11-15 also need to have a Youth Snowmobile Safety certification. Learn more by visiting the Minnesota DNR website.

Check out local and state provisions for owning and riding a snowmobile so you won’t find yourself in legal trouble.

If you’re looking to save some money, you can get a used snowmobile instead. This process becomes easy if you use a reliable dealer like 2Brothers Powersports instead of running around after individual listings. If you do decide to buy used, do your due diligence and find out everything about the model in general and the snowmobile you’re looking at in particular. Inspect everything and make sure you get all the right paperwork.

In Closing

We hope this article helps you get the right snowmobile for you! If you’d like any help in your selection, stop in and talk to the expert staff at 2Brothers Powersports in Onalaska, Wisconsin. We’ve got a wide range of new and used snowmobiles for you to choose from, including Ski-Doo® snowmobiles and Yamaha snowmobiles. We carry the best snowmobile models in the La Crosse, Madison and Eau Claire, Wisconsin areas.