DougMcH

I am looking for sleds for me, my wife, and 2 kids (5 and 8) as riders. Used. High reliability is essential -- problems will just sit in the garage. Good touring ergonomics are desireable. Of course do not need race quality but do want some excitement. Electric start, reverse seem to be in order.

Price range is a little flexible. It's all about getting the right ride without overpaying.

Not sure what to look for. Any advice?

600BlairMorgan

For the kids I'd Get something smaller like a 120 especially if they have little experience. The cost is low and it won't take up too much room in the garage. If they are enthusiastic and gain some experience get them something bigger next year. The 120's hold their value well (more than anything else) and you can use those $ towards something bigger. For yourself and your wife if you want low cost and comfy get a 340 and a 500. At least that way the kids get the 340 later wife gets 500 and you can then get what you want. (you'll figure that out when you ride with buddies)
Hope it helps

BC_Dan

Welcome to the forum!

Where do you ride? What kind of riding do you anticipate doing? Those are the first questions to answer, then figure out the best sled to fill your need...

__________________
2007 RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php

DougMcH

Thank you BC_Dan. We will ride in the Mount Shasta area in Northern California. There are a number of "parks", some maintained trails, others marked but unmaintained I believe. In all liklihood a half a dozen weekends a year, usually with our kids, probably mostly trails. I am 215lb, wife is 5'5" and appropriate weight (it's not polite to quote).

The nearby dealer is Arctic Cat.

kccats

I would say a Pantera! Long track and two up! EFI electric start and Rev!

xc sp 500 rider

or maybe a 06 edge touring 600 for $4250! Lol

__________________
2006 edge touring 600 for sale 4250$ p.m me if interested!

2003 classic touring 500

2001 xc sp 500 mine
Polaris kid for life


SUMMER SUCKS!

for sale

BC_Dan

I have not ridden Shasta, that's a place on my list.. one guy I know goes down there almost every weekend, (they have a cabin), his kids go boarding, he goes riding.

A trail sled will do ok when the snow sets up, but on those epic days that Shasta gets dumped on, or if you head over to Medicine Lake (Deer Mountain Snow Park is just up from Weed on Hwy 97), you will want something with a deeper lugged track and as much HP as you can handle. You can buy a 2-up trail sled so that the kids can ride with you, and get a deeper lugged track for it and be pretty functional in the area you will ride. When the kids grow bigger, you will be looking for different sleds to fill the different need, trust me.

We started out when my sons were 7 and 10 with two sleds, both short tracks. The kids would ride double in front of us. We then bought a 2-up and a light weight sled for the kids to ride. We would ride one kid with the wif on the 2-up, and one kid on the smaller sled (indy lite 340). The kids will get tired quickly, their thumbs can't handle long distances to travel, so trading off was a good solution. If your kids are like mine, they will get bored quickly having to be a passenger, and will really want to ride a sled by themselves. Some people get the smaller 120 size sleds, but my kids were totally NOT interested in those when they found they could only go 12 mph... They were already riding the 340 at 30 (dad imposed speed limit). Kids outgrow 'em really quickly too. They don't go really well in deeper snow, but do fine on a groomed trail...

It's nice to have another Westerner on here!! Good luck in your search!

__________________
2007 RMK 700 155", 2008 RMK 600 155", 2006 RMK 600 144", 98 Indy 440, 95 Prowler 550 2-up, 1990 Indy 650

RIP, destroyed by fire 1-22-2008
04 RMK 800, 05 RMK 600, 02 RMK 800, 97 RMK 700

http://www.avalanche.org/accidents.php

DougMcH

Thanks BC Dan.

When I realized the practical speed limit on the smaller sleds, I reached the conclusion that the kids would be bored. My kids have driven 4-wheelers, our ski boat, and even our backhoe; all of which will beat 12 mph. Thus your advice is sound.

I would like to stay with products which can easily be locally serviced, which gets me started with Artic Cat given they are the nearby dealer. I would prefer used, just because I expect to be changing something in a year or two.

Given your prior recommendations, with which I concur, do you have any specific recommendations?

Regards,

Doug

kccats

Well for my older Grand kids (myself included) I have Yamaha Sno Scoots! LOTSA fun! I even have wheel kit! I also have a Snow Sport (125)! The 80cc Scoot will run 35-40 and the Sport will run 50!