Kids Sled - Help with Purchase Decision - Page 2 - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

**smallengineguy** · 01-18-2013, 04:06 PM

1998 Mini Z. Started out 8mph stock. Added wheel kit, clutch kit, chain and sprocket kit, governor bypass, etc. Ended up at almost 20mph when done. CHoke cable was the only problem I ever had with it. Owned it for 2 kids to go through.

babzog · 01-18-2013, 04:45 PM

Getting close to decision time. I found an '02 arctic cat with a skid wheel kit installed that'll cost me an extra $75. Worth it over the mini z?

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TheFoxwasHere28 · 01-18-2013, 04:53 PM

I'd say go with the ACat. I've NEVER had good luck with Ski-Doos, but thats just me. I promised myself i'd never buy another ski-doo EVER again. Hahaha

DanM675 · 01-18-2013, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babzog

Getting close to decision time. I found an '02 arctic cat with a skid wheel kit installed that'll cost me an extra $75. Worth it over the mini z?

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What is the engine size?

babzog · 01-18-2013, 06:53 PM

Both are 120's.

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windfarm · 01-18-2013, 06:55 PM

my kids are learning on a indy lite working out raeally good only thing is kids thumbs play out with the throttle but that will come in time too

DanM675 · 01-18-2013, 07:09 PM

Then I guess I'd go with the Mini Z they will probably be able to fit better on that.

babzog · 01-19-2013, 08:31 PM

Opinion seemed fairly evenly split, so I let the kids pick. "The green one!", they universally proclaimed.

So off I go with my son this morning. Roads were utterly horrible so chalk up an extra hour and a half on the ride down. Figured I'd keep the mini z in my back pocket for the time being, in case the AC didn't pan out.

Hooked up with buddy, checked the sled out ('02 Arctic Cat ZR120) and it was in really nice condition. Tossed it in the van and headed back. Came with the owner and safety manuals, instruction sheet for the wheel kit, cover and both keys.

My son had to give it a run (well, yeah, duh) around the driveway despite the rain (groan, the morning snowstorm devolved into rain) and it's actually quicker than I thought it would be (has the skid wheel kit, would add a bit of speed I suppose). That's alright, I'll kick 'em out into the field next to the house and let 'em tear it up. I'll detune it a bit for my daughter to let her get used to it but I know my son will want max power now! LOL

Okay , some sled porn:

Kids Sled - Help with Purchase Decision-imageuploadedbysm-free1358648982.868976.jpg

Kids Sled - Help with Purchase Decision-imageuploadedbysm-free1358648995.679608.jpg

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ZL 500 · 01-20-2013, 12:13 AM

Congrats!

Now it would be great if the owner of the first one called back so you could tell him, "Sorry, already bought a different one!"

Chris

**smallengineguy** · 01-20-2013, 07:28 AM

Glad you spent the time to make a good decision! Kids gonna love it!

TheFoxwasHere28 · 01-20-2013, 11:41 AM

Your kids are smart goin with the ACat! hahaha

babzog · 01-20-2013, 06:30 PM

They love it! My daughter wanted to give it a whirl so out we go. I explain to her the controls, have her try them, I say if she gets scared to let go of the gas, to just ease the throttle, blah blah blah. She proceeds to mash the throttle and takes off into the field. I'm yelling at her to slow down... Nothing. Off she goes. Few times around the field, got stuck once, then carried on for another 20 min or so, waving at me each time she went by. When she came back, the smile in her face would have lit up the sky.

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ZL 500 · 01-20-2013, 09:06 PM

Glad it's a hit!!!

Chris

**RJ Gleason** · 01-21-2013, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babzog

They love it! My daughter wanted to give it a whirl so out we go. When she came back, the smile in her face would have lit up the sky.

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Makes all the trouble of finding one that they liked well worth it!!

babzog · 01-21-2013, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

Makes all the trouble of finding one that they liked well worth it!!

Definitely! Good way to get 'em outside and off the video games!

It was moving along quite well in the somewhat softened snow in the field too, but I do need to find a stud kit for the track; if they stop it on the driveway, it's not moving (my driveway is a skating rink, thanks to the cursed Jan melt).

**RJ Gleason** · 01-21-2013, 12:30 PM

Take a look at Woodys screw in studs, you don't want to be adding a lot of weight to that track or even need to have very many to improve traction a lot.

babzog · 01-22-2013, 11:07 AM

Why do you suggest that (not wanting to add much weight to the track)?

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Josh Kidner · 01-22-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babzog

Why do you suggest that (not wanting to add much weight to the track)?

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It adds alot more friction and makes it hard for lower powered engines to spin the track. You wouldnt want alot of studs either, just enough to grab a bit of ice

**RJ Gleason** · 01-22-2013, 02:17 PM

Rotating mass = reduced performance, especially with smaller engines.
Even if you used 48 screw in studs, it would still be less added weight than 25 of the drill through kind.

babzog · 01-22-2013, 06:09 PM

I looked at the website but could not locate the 120 sled. Can you suggest the proper studs I should consider? How should I install them - into the track like on mine or into the lugs? Number required and pattern?