My longest day of riding on my ZRT was a bit over 200 miles and I for sure felt it the next day, some of this is from the heavier steering too I will admit. A few years older I rode 310 miles on my Procross 800, and rode 200+ more the next day, at least 150 the day after that. In this case what I didn't know hurt me a lot. I am 6'2" and as I said, my knees give me fits on the older sled. I completely get the fondness for that power plant, I fall into that category too, I would buy an updated triple cylinder 2 stroke tomorrow if it was in a procross chassis. I think they should have built the Thundercat procross with one, widen the bulkhead and make the body work different like the doo strokes do it. It would sell.
The ZR chassis, 93 - 2007 are all closely related though it has been refined a lot over the years. Starting with AWS III and going to V up front, the standard skid and tunnel, then ETT and finishing with the TSL skid in the back (and coupler blocks later if you want to go a step further). The first ZR chassis had steel bulk heads, later they switched to aluminum. As far as the "feel" between the 98 and to 2002, I suspect a lot of that has to do with the seat and handle bar configuration. Believe it or not that 98 EXT is almost identical to a 2002 4-Stroke trail chassis wise.
My point is that riding the newer sled I can still pound away the miles that I wouldn't be able to on the older chassis for sure, this body is not worn out but I would not enjoy more abuse than I feel I deserve to enjoy riding a snowmobile. I have 8,700+ on my 2014 ZR8000 and it is still ready for more. I keep the older sleds for playing here on the farm with the kids.
The '05 T660 Touring in the picture was my father's. The last time we took a trip together he was somewhat hesitant to go as he had a bum shoulder and his back would get sore. I told him that he should take my TZ1 and I would ride my Turbo. The first day we put in 130 miles not wanting to over do it. We were about 5 minutes from my in laws house (where we were staying) stopped at an intersection when he asked what we were going to eat that night. I said I didn't have a plan so he suggested we ride to one of our favorite restaurants...40 miles away. We did it, got back to the house with 200+ miles and he never complained. Something that hadn't happened in a LONG time. Rider forward is real, it's amazing how much more comfortable it is.
That's good to know. I thought before if I could raise the seat a few inches, my ext would be much more comfortable, but I assumed there would be other issues to worry about. Might have to look around for another seat instead of selling it. Other than being loud and uncomfortable, that sled had been really good to me.
