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I ain't SamO rolling the big iron but....


We got 14 inches of snow in 8 hrs yesterday but today is 50°

I'm about to make a dumb decision for something I don't need but sorta want. My last sled was a ZR440 with the snow pro suspension.

Buddy had a ZRT600 like this and it was stupid fast.

I might have one soon....but I'm getting better at talking myself outta things like this. Gonna wait till Wed and hope he sold it.


Spent 1200 on dumber [bleep] and 2400 miles on this one....

Well I bought it.

Going to be a summer project. Probably not as involved as Ren's sewer but more expensive lol.

It's definitely a 27 year old sled but not horrible. No holes/gouges in the belly. Needs new handle bar pad, gas cap/gauge (ordered), repaint the A-arms, low-pro windshield and I might have an upholstery shop re-tighten the seat cover.

Mechanically - she's good. Carb boots in good shape, rebuilt carbs 200 miles ago and the motor's never been open. He also rebuilt the shocks and clutches this winter. I'll check to make sure.

High dollar items I'll need to do - needs a track. Original on it and while 2500 miles isn't a ton, she's old, brittle and chewed up some. Lots of bent picks so new track and studs, may as well do carbide runners too - I like them matched as I'll be going 6 inches on the skis and 144 Woody's in the new track with an additional .10 lug height. I'll redo all skid wheels/sliders/bearings as needed.

Guy had it in a trailer out back. Fresh snow 2 days ago - no tracks up to it so he didn't prep it at all. Started right up 2nd pull. Strong motor, all 3 pipes got warm evenly. Crisp on the throttle and the RPMs moved fast so the clutches, if not rebuilt are in good shape.

Performance wise - for those unfamiliar with the best 600 greasy triple ever made -

594 cc
517 lbs claimed (more like 550 wet)
The 96 claims to actually dyno at 125 hp tho listed at 118 usually.

That's 4.4 lbs to 1 hp - claimed. Reality is really close. She'll do the ton easily. (a C8 Corvette is 7.4 lbs/hp for comparison)

No snow to speak of for this year so it goes into the garage for tear down.

For those who've never heard the sweet music of a triple...

Crotch rocket on snow. Remember, you outrun your headlight at 40mph. Lol.

I like riding at night and hate it at the same time.

Less people, cold so the sled runs good and you can see headlights coming etc but like you said - outrun your own and deer. The only time I hit one tho was on a Formula III at noon with it pinned. Was a mess and I was lucky when it came to not being hurt.

Sounds like a nice project.
Two cycle engines aren't very fuel efficient but they sure make a lot of power, are lightweight and easy to work on.
New rings after a cylinder hone and it's nearly as good as new.

Should keep you out of the bars and off the streets.

Good Job.

Sheep love snowmobiles.

Nice! Back in the day I had a 94' 580 EXT EFI. Fast sled

Does a 280 AI Ruger #1 count?

I think I need matching ZRT800 and Thundercat to go with!

Actually - sent the pics to my friend who had one like it back when I had my ZR440 and he made the observation that it's a 1200 dollar sled that's going to cost me 15k because I'll end up at the dealer, buying a new one next year to really give the trails a thrash.

He's likely right. Prices on new sleds are nuts but they've come MILES with the tech.

The ZRT was a 6500 dollar sled back in 96 or so. A modern ZR-R XC is 16k list today.



I've always been an Artic Cat guy tho I owned 1 Yamaha back in the 90's. AC and Yamaha do a lot of collaboration these days.
Upper Midwest, ditch banging was my thing but now, I'm too old/fat and my back is of concern to do it regular - why I got this ZRT600 - just putz around. The trail is 4 blocks from my house and the UP trails literally cut through my buddy's yard so easy access (he was the guy that got me on AC tho rides Ski-doo now)