Sled for 13 year old... - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

acesfan05 · 07-14-2007, 06:46 PM

I need some ideas on what would be a good sled for my girlfried's 13-year-old. He is 6'0" 180lbs. He has ridden 4-wheelers but never snowmachines. We live in Alaska and ride on numerous types of terrain including groomed trails, deep powder, large hills, lakes and rivers. I've been riding for 11 years and have always ridden short tracks (going to be a FX Nytro) because I'm only 145lbs and have no problems with the powder on a short track. Also, I have some brand loyalty to Yamaha and Polaris since I always rode Polaris until now reserving the 2008 FX Nytro, but I am not opposed to the possibilities of a Skidoo or Arctic Cat.

Three major factors are wieghing on my mind here and they are 1) whether to go with a short or long track for him 2) fan or liquid cooled and 3) cost. The more I think about it, the more I think he's going to need a long track because of his size. The following are some possibilities that I've been looking into:

Yamaha Phazer
Yamaha Phazer MTX
Polaris IQ Shift
Polaris 550LX
Polaris Supersport
Polaris Trail RMK
Skidoo MXZ Fan
Skidoo MXZ 550 X
Skidoo Summit Fan
Skidoo Freestyle Backcountry
Arctic Cat F570
Arctic Cat F5
Arctic Cat Crossfire 5

Thanks for your ideas,
Will

BC_Dan · 07-15-2007, 02:24 AM

For a 13 Y/O that big, I would be looking at at least a 600, and where you are, definitely a long track. The trail models run out of power pretty quickly in the deep stuff, especially with someone that big. My Edge RMK 600 with a 144" x 2
tracl is a great sled, it has plenty of power for the powder and the hills, but is very forgiving on the trails. If you are looking new, the 600 Dragon is an awesome sled, it will be a VERY long time before he outgrows one of those. AC M-7's are pretty nice as well, but I sure like the Polaris reverse.

I'm betting if you get a fan cooled sled, he will be on it for a year and you will be doing this search all over again the next year...

Cdndairyman · 07-15-2007, 08:44 PM

I agree, I am about the same size as him and I think he will run out of power if you don't get him at least a 600. The deep powder will rob a ton of hp and if you don't get a longer track he will spend more time getting unstuck then riding! Maybe a new TNT renegade?? I think they have a 16" by 136" track and they are incredibly light.

batman911 · 07-17-2007, 12:54 PM

I would Actually look for an artic cat crossfire 600. they are very nice sleds. I have ridden them and i am a big guy 6'2 215 and it never ran out of power and despite my weight and the conditions (2' it didnt hesitate whatsoever.i actually may get one or my favorite sled in the world the Doo renegade.

PolarisINDY500 · 07-17-2007, 01:14 PM

if you're going for trail and powder what about the polaris switchback?