You’re thinking of buying a snowmobile to prepare for the winter ahead. It’d be a fun way to enjoy all that snow you usually get in your area. One part of snowmobile ownership that concerns you is weight. You’ve heard these vehicles are heavy, but exactly how much do they weigh?
How much does a snowmobile weigh? From a total of 57 models, the average snowmobile weight is 483 pounds (219.5 kilograms). At the far ends, the lightest snowmobile is the Polaris Indy 120, with a dry weight of 147 lb (67 kg), while the heaviest snowmobile is the Arctic Cat Pantera 7000 XT, with a dry weight of 767 lb (348.5 kg).
Curious about how much today’s snowmobile models weigh? Want to know what increases the weight of an average snowmobile? If so, then keep reading, as I’ll discuss all that and more in this article.
What Is the Average Snowmobile Weight
Let’s start by talking a bit more about a snowmobile’s average weight. As I said in the intro, these vehicles weigh on average 483 lb / 219.5 kg.
The average Arctic Cat snowmobile weight, from 26 models, is 489 lb / 222 kg.
The average Polaris snowmobile weight, from 20 models, is 463 lb / 210.5 kg.
The average Ski-Doo snowmobile weight, from 11 models, is 505 lb / 229.5 kg.
Something else I have to mention is that a snowmobile has two weights. These are the dry and wet weights. When I’m referring to snowmobile’s dry weight, that’s how heavy the vehicle is when you exclude engine oils, coolant, fuel, and all extra fluids. As you might have assumed then, the wet weight is calculated by adding how much your snowmobile weighs plus the extra heftiness of the above fluids.
How Much Does a Snowmobile Weigh (54 Dry Weight Examples)
I want to share now more examples of snowmobile weights.
If you’ve had your eye on a certain snowmobile model, this will help you get a more realistic idea of what kind of weight challenge you’d be in for.
Arctic Cat Snowmobiles Weights
- Arctic Cat Bearcat 2000 XT – 636 lb / 289 kg
- Arctic Cat Pantera 7000 XT – 767 lb / 348.5 kg
- Arctic Cat Lynx 2000 – 494 lb / 224 kg
- Arctic Cat Lynx 2000 LT – 567 lb / 257 kg
- Arctic Cat M 8000 Alpha One – 451 and 456 lb / 205 and 207 kg
- Arctic Cat M 8000 Hardcore Alpha One – 455, 460 and 471 lb / 206, 209 and 214 kg
- Arctic Cat M 8000 Mountain Cat Alpha One – 446, 451, 466 and 471 lb / 202, 205, 211 and 214 kg
- Arctic Cat Riot 6000 – 521 lb / 236 kg
- Arctic Cat Riot 8000 – 518 and 521 lb / 235 and 236 kg
- Arctic Cat Riot X 8000 – 525 lb / 238 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 120 – 167 lb / 76 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 200 – 210 lb / 95 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 6000 Limited – 512 lb / 232 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 6000 R XC – 487 lb / 221 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 6000 SNO PRO – 504 lb / 229 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 8000 Limited – 527 lb / 239 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 8000 RR – 521 lb / 236 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 8000 SNO PRO – 513 lb / 233 kg
- Arctic Cat ZR 9000 Thundercat – 603 lb / 274 kg
Polaris Snowmobiles Weights
- Polaris INDY Adventure 144 – 498 lb / 226 kg
- Polaris INDY Adventure 155 – 524 lb / 238 kg
- Polaris INDY Adventure 137 – 471, 472 and 478 lb / 214, 214 or 217 kg
- Polaris PRO-RMK 174 – 442 or 449 lb / 200 and 204 kg
- Polaris Switchback XCR – 460 and 472 lb / 209 and 214 kg
- Polaris TITAN Adventure 155 – 658 lb / 299 kg
- Polaris INDY LXT – 467 lb / 212 kg
- Polaris INDY XC 137 – 462, 463 and 469 lb / 210, 210 or 213 kg
- Polaris RMK KHAOS 155 – 413 and 420 lb / 187 and 191 kg
- Polaris RUSH PRO-S – 432 and 444 lb / 196 and 202 kg
- Polaris Voyageur 155 – 478.5 lb / 217 kg
- Polaris Indy 120 – 147 lb / 67 kg
Ski-Doo Snowmobiles Weights
- Ski-Doo Freeride 154 – 451 lb / 205 kg
- Ski-Doo Freeride 165 – 458 lb / 208 kg
- Ski-Doo Grand Touring Sport 900 ACE– 519 lb / 236 kg
- Ski-Doo Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE– 498 lb / 227 kg
- Ski-Doo MXZ Sport 600 – 447 lb / 203 kg
- Ski-Doo Renegade Sport 600 – 461 lb / 210 kg
- Ski-Doo Summit X 850 E-TEC– 457 lb / 208 kg
- Ski-Doo Backcountry 850 E-TEC– 478 lb / 217 kg
- Ski-Doo Expedition Extreme – 595 lb / 271 kg
- Ski-Doo Skandic SWT 900 ACE – 705 lb / 320 kg
- Ski-Doo Tudra Sport 600 ACE – 486 lb / 221 kg
What Makes Some Snowmobiles Heavier Than Others
Why do some snowmobiles weigh on average 481 pounds, while others 167 or 705 pounds? Is it due to size alone? Size is certainly one factor, it’s true. After all, the bigger the snowmobile, the more sizable its chassis, which has an undeniable impact on weight.
Here are a few other factors that could make a snowmobile heavier or lighter.
Chassis Material
Not all snowmobiles are created equally. Some have a fiber chassis, and others, a body made of metal. Carbon fiber, fiberglass, and related fiber composites have great rigidity and durability, yet they’re deceptively lightweight.
A metal chassis will weigh more than a fiber one, though it has some benefits, such as a lower price tag. That said, metal can rust when it gets wet (you know, like riding through snow) and when the chassis get banged up, the divots and dents really stand out.
Of course, should you ride too hard with a fiber chassis, it could shatter, and that’s no good. You can’t patch up just the one area, either. You’d have to get the entire thing replaced, which is anything but cheap.
Seat Material
You might not have thought much about it, but what your seats are made of can play a role in the overall snowmobile weight as well. As mentioned before, for the same volume, metal will weigh more than fibers, so if you have metal seats, they’ll add some extra pounds. Even all the foam padding can weigh more than anticipated.
Engine
Last but certainly not least, there’s your engine. Of all the parts that contribute to the heaviness of your snowmobile, none do more than this. Depending on whether you have a four-stroke or two-stroke engine, you could have a bulky, heavy snowmobile or one that feels a little more streamlined. For instance, if it’s a two-stroke engine, it won’t weigh as much as a snowmobile with a four-stroke engine.
Also, there’s the matter of the engine’s capacity in cubic centimeters (CCs). As you add CCs, your snowmobile engine torches through the fuel in greater quantities. That generates more heat, causing other components to have to work harder to cool the engine. These components weigh a lot, too.
Tracks
Of course, the tracks will play a big role in the overall weight of your snowmobile. These usually weigh around 37 to 60 pounds (17 to 27 kilograms), with an average of 48 pounds (22 kilograms).
Additional Weight – Snowmobile Trailer & Accessories
You don’t need a snowmobile trailer, per se, unless you plan on traveling a good way out from your neck of the woods. Then, to transport the vehicle, one of these trailers is recommended. Since the trailer has to hold your very heavy snowmobile, you can imagine how much the trailer itself weighs.
The answer? At least 450 pounds and, very often, more. You’d need an extremely heavy-duty truck to use as your towing vehicle then. After all, not only do you have the weight of the trailer, but your final tow load is when you combine the trailer and the snowmobile. You’re very often talking 1,000 pounds and up!
You can also count to the overall weight the accessories you’re carrying on your snowmobile, such as a gas can, an extra helmet, a backpack, a camera to record your rides, a tunnel bag, an extra shovel, etc.
How to Make Your Snowmobile Lighter
Let’s say you bought a snowmobile without doing much research into its weight. Now that you own the vehicle, you realize it’s way too heavy for you to use regularly. You struggle with all elements of driving the snowmobile, from turns to stopping and other maneuvers.
Short of buying another snowmobile (this time one that’s lighter), you’re not sure what else to do. There’s no way to lighten up the snowmobile you already have, is there? Well, you’re in luck, because as a matter of fact, that’s exactly what you can do.
Here are some tips and methods to follow for a lighter snowmobile:
- Change out the sleds if they’re made of metal or another heavy material. You could trim off as much as 40 pounds doing this. That’s quite significant.
- Consider taking off the ski’s shock mounting shafts. There should be two of these, and they will both attach to your snowmobile’s skid. The rear shaft comes with a shock pivot and wheels held together by metal shafts. Now, you don’t want to keep the shock mounting shafts off forever, but you do want to get rid of the metal shafts. Aluminum is a good alternative material to try.
- Check the outside wheels around the front of your vehicle. The idlers here could be too heavy, dragging down the weight of your snowmobile. Try to shop for idlers that are 2 – 2.75 inches.
- The ski steel brushings at the front of your snowmobile don’t exclusively have to be made of steel. You can also get these replaced in aluminum to trim down on excess weight.
- If you’re feeling up to it, replace your exhaust system. Some snowmobilers advocate for using one pipe and a can to lessen vehicle weight.
- Instead of keeping the ski’s bogie wheels, you can use scratchers. These serve mostly the same purpose but aren’t as heavy.
- Think about replacing your seats. As said before, if these have metal bases with a lot of foam, they can jack up your snowmobile’s weight. Lighter-weight seats with no metal and less foam could be just what you need.
- Consider trying a mesh hood. Some snowmobilers have said they’ve dropped as much as two to ten pounds with this small switch alone.
- Replace the titanium spring that comes with some snowmobiles and add in an aluminum shaft instead. You may have to special order this or even make one yourself. It’s a bit of extra work, but again, you can cut close to three pounds by doing it.
- Lose a few pounds if you can. Your weight as a rider does contribute to the overall weight of your snowmobile. Even if you shed 10 to 20 pounds, you may notice a difference when you ride.
Now, the above measures are not all cheap. Snowmobilers with big budgets can attempt most of these changes. If money is tight, then maybe try a few small modifications and see how your snowmobile feels. You might be happy enough with the vehicle’s new weight.
Conclusion
You can expect a snowmobile to weigh on average 483 pounds (219.5 kilograms). Lighter ones are available, at 147 and 167 pounds (67 and 76 kilograms). The heaviest snowmobiles exceed the 700-pound (318 kilograms) mark, making them behemoths.
If you don’t like the weight of your snowmobile, it’s possible to change it through some modifications and part switches. Good luck and happy riding!