If snow, considering Snodeo demo rides. Last time I went was >15yr ago, and the demos were great. I haven't been on a sled in about that long, so seems a good opportunity to see what riding a Doo is like now. I think the demos were a short drive up North St, in a field behind a bldg on the left? I remember demo riding a Mach 1 across that field several times.

Wondering:
Are demos still at that field, in same format?
Are lines long to demo a Doo? (how long avg wait?)
Does Doo normally have several models to demo? (hope to demo 600 gade E-TEC)
Is reasonable time allowed to demo? (ie: X minutes or X times across field?)
The Snodeo website has demos under "3pm-7pm" heading -what hrs are demos offered?

Just verifying demo rides are worth a 2hr drive!
-thanks for any info

Buy a Newer sled ie. 2004-2009 and dont worry about it. Leave ur 1970 POS in the hedgerow to die. Im only 21 and you sound alot older then me just freakin buy something decent and screw test riding.

You sure you are 21, you sound 14?

Apparently you jumped to the conclusion that the 1970 Oly is my main ride. I'm restoring it, and no restorable vintage Doo should be "left in a hedgerow to die". Those sleds are from snowmobiling's glory days, which occurred before your time and you seem to have no appreciation for. It seemed everyone owned a sled in the late 60's and 70's, and just about every co that mfr'd something with an engine built snowmobiles (or at least tried to). When finished, I'll enjoy the Oly for a few short rides each winter.

A huge annual vintage show called the Great Eastern Whiteout is 2/13/10 in Fulton. That's not far from your location. http://www.thegreateasternwhiteout.net/event.htm
Consider checking it out if you've never been to a vintage show. You'll see many beautiful classic Doos, Cats, etc and also some interesting/weird oddball brands. There are former racing sleds, and guys fire them up and ride them so you'll see/hear them in action. The lastest sleds are undeniably better, but if you watch somebody fire up an old racer I guarantee you'll wish you could take it for a lap! Just a suggestion, assuming you'll never suggest a hedgerow again after going to a vintage show.

Regarding your advice: If I can test ride to determine my best option, I'll do that before making a big investment.

Snodeo is held in the pavilion toward the end of North Street. The Demo's are held around back, you have to sign a waiver and get a ticket inside before getting in line for a demo ride. They take you out on the trail system, on a few loops on trail 6, it's usually good enough to get a quick feel for the sled and as long as you don't have someone stupid in front of you, you can romp on them pretty good. The wait can be up to about an hour if it is super busy. If you get there early you can probably hop on a few different ones. They don't have every single model, just an assortment. keep an eye on the snow at http://www.oldforgesnow.com

thanks GIII, sounds like it's worth a trip-

The demo rides are great if you don't mind waiting a while. I waited an hour or so in the Ski-doo line, but then got a guide who I think used to race, so I got to blast around on the 800r,600e-tec, and 1200. I would definitely recommend going up. I didn't think we would get to ride as long as we did, so I didn't wear my bibs. I will this year.

Stay off the 1200, once you ride it you will want to pull your wallet out. Especially since you've been off a sled for a while...........

Thanks for your response-
So you waited @1hr one time, then demo'd 3 Doos? That sounds reasonable.
Assume this means the guide made two stops and everyone swapped sleds?
About how long are you on each sled? (ie: 30" ride, 10" on each sled?)
Ideally, I'd like to demo the 600 and 800 Gade Adrenalines, and maybe a Grand Touring Sport 600 in case the mrs gets interested.

Just Need SNOW!

Most people stayed on the sled the whole time. A couple of us wanted to try the 3, so we stopped every 10 minutes or so.

Doo has a 1+1 seat now that attaches to the back of the Gade seats (or any other Doo seat for that matter). Gives you the best of both worlds; a single sled for 90% of your riding and a two up for the 10% with the Mrs/kids. Much better than a touring imo unless you are going to Canada and doing the super loops up there. If you haven't been on a sled in 15 years, I wish I could be there to see your face when you hop off a new one.

Demo'd Doos at Snodeo today. Arrived @11:45 and was prepared to stand in line an hour or so. Couldn't believe it -signed the waiver and got right on a Renegade Backcountry X 800R. The ride went up Trail 1 past the bridge, took next left and looped around and then back. Maybe 15" or so. Spent the first half of the ride finding out that the new suspensions and config meant I didn't have to weave to avoid bumps or brace myself going over them (today was my first ride in 15yr -last was a 86 MXLT!). After that just looked for opportunities to give the throttle a good squeeze and absolutely confirmed I wasn't on a 468cc MXLT!

Got back in line and unfortunately was behind a guy who wanted to ride the 600 MXZ, which was the motor I came to check out. Only a 15" wait and I was on a TNT 1200. We stopped halfway to switch and I discovered that the 600 wasn't with us, so got back on the Backcountry for the return ride. When we got back the rep said they found out the 600 was privately owned, so no more demos on that one. I'd made the trip to demo a 600 so that was a disappointment, but didn't expect two good demo runs in @45" so not as upset as I might have been. Surprised with all the 600Etec hype that they ended up without one -just 800's and 1200's.

The Doo rep said last year the only 1200 was wrecked on the 2nd ride, so I guess this year they stocked up on 1200's.

There were only 4-5 demo Doos, and when I left @1pm there were maybe 10 people in line.

Only other mfr offering demos was Yamaha, don't know what happened to Cat and Polaris. I was there for the Doos anyway.

A good day. Wanted to try that 600Etec, but experiencing the HP and handling on the 800 and 1200 was worth the trip.

Are you planning on buying one now?

Apparently Cat and Polaris don't want to sell any more sleds.

Over the last 3 years, the only demo rides that I have been able to do are Ski-Doo and Yamahas. It is no wonder that they sell so well in my next of the woods.

We have a local Arctic Cat dealer that I visit from time to time to get parts for my daughter's Jag, and the owner is always bugging me to switch to Cat. And then I ask "When and where can I demo ride one?" and his response is he doesn't know.

No wonder Cat is doing so poorly.

Apparently Cat and Polaris don't want to sell any more sleds.

Over the last 3 years, the only demo rides that I have been able to do are Ski-Doo and Yamahas. It is no wonder that they sell so well in my next of the woods.

We have a local Arctic Cat dealer that I visit from time to time to get parts for my daughter's Jag, and the owner is always bugging me to switch to Cat. And then I ask "When and where can I demo ride one?" and his response is he doesn't know.

No wonder Cat is doing so poorly.

better watch how you talk to ur elders, or ill have ur parents hide the key on that sled. if its even urs