New to Trailing...tips? - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Fifty54Four · 12-22-2007, 01:25 AM

So I just moved up north to go to University of Maine...I bought a sled from my cousin's boyfriend, a 98' MXZ 583. So far I haven't been out long enough to get a good, long use out of it, but I am already really loving it.

I was wondering, what tips could you give to a newbie rider that might help me improve? Anything can help, from technique to slang (I hate being left in the dark)

Thanks a ton,

~54

**smallengineguy** · 12-22-2007, 05:29 AM

Read through this forum! It will give you a LOT of pointers! Powder riding, maintenance, etc. Welcome to the site by the way.

locky · 12-22-2007, 06:04 AM

Welcome to the site. You can use the search tool to find out most anything you need to know about snowmobiling. You mentioned slang terms, well heres a list you will need to know to follow along with this site.
SEG = Smallengineguy. Used to be SmallErectionGuy but we told him it was a family site so he changed it.
IRS = Indianrivershiver. Used to be I'mRealStupid but since he started this site he has learned to tie his shoes so we moved him up a notch.
Rida = Snowrida. Used to be ManRida. Well we don't have to explain that one.
RJ = RJgleason. Used to be Boy-gina but now that he is out of prison we told him he should change it....he did but not without a fight.
BBK = BigBoreKing. He just cant spell. It should say BigBoarKing. Him and his best friend Itriumph/Mouse are really into Heavy Heavy women.
Clode = ClodeV. Well hes pretty new here and we still cant figure him or his name out yet. Rumored here is the V stands for Vaginal Disease.

Oh there are so many more but I just ran out of time. Again welcome to the site.

**RJ Gleason** · 12-22-2007, 07:29 AM

And of course there's Locky........................
What can we say about our favorite transvestite Prison guard???
And, we must not forget the infamous "Oil Cap Tree"!!

IndianRvrShiver · 12-22-2007, 07:32 AM

Welcome to SF.com!!

Be glad that you got here before they change the name....it's going to be renamed "All Locky All of the Time". Some details to work out since some meathead named Dave owns the domain at this time!!

SnowRida · 12-22-2007, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RJ Gleason

And of course there's Locky........................
What can we say about our favorite transvestite Prison guard???
And, we must not forget the infamous "Oil Cap Tree"!!

Or why he locks himself out of his vehicle!

NLBurden · 12-22-2007, 09:46 AM

Some tips: Lean when ur turning ;if your turning left, Lean left and vise versa. Best thing to do is get out and try to drive. Don't be like a crazy person, ease into things . start slow and just go riding. Least year i got my friend to come sledding with me, he never drove a skidoo in his life but i got him to follow me through some trails and he did great, it's only common sense with sleds , steer where you want to go and get going :P ! Have fun man, stay safe.

beavernutts · 12-22-2007, 10:29 AM

Dont outrun your headlights.

RoadkillSTX · 12-22-2007, 12:58 PM

Go out into a nice big open field (if you have them where you live) where you're going to be by yourself. DO NOT DO THIS IN A POPULATED AREA!

Do some nice slow figure 8's, continuing to make the figure 8 tighter and tighter. Once you get it to the point where you're not going to get it any tighter (probably when the inside ski starts lifting excessively) you open the figure 8 up large again and do it again a little faster.

You can do this on ice/packed and then try it in deeper snow or w/e.

I've never actually done this on my sled, but it's how I learned to jetski. Now I go 55mph and jerk the handlebars all the way to the left, give it full throttle and lean hard. WOW what a rush! The backend will slowly slide out until you've almost completely made a 90 degree turn and then the whole machine will do a 360.

Honestly though, you'll pick most of it up just from riding. Just start out slow. I still wouldn't consider myself a 'good' sledder.

Couple tips: Bring rope/flashlights/spare spark plugs/spare oil/shovel/cell phone every single time you go out!
NEVER ride alone!
In deep snow lean a little(LITTLE) and maintain you're speed to prevent getting stuck.
On a steep hill, put one knee down into the running the board, the knee that is closest to the top of the hill. This will automatically lower you're center of gravity as well as put more weight on the proper side of the sled. (This is how my dad takes tight turns as well)
Lean into turns and remember that a sled is just like a car on ice. When you hit the brake you're going to slide, stop it from sliding out sideways on you because if you get traction again you will roll, just like a car.
The backend will also slide on ice in corners, unless you have studs. I wouldn't recommend sliding the back end until your a pretty experienced snow mobiler.

Jaded · 12-22-2007, 03:15 PM

Wear a helmet.
Don't drive beyond your capabilities.
Practice.
HAVE FUN!

raiderx65 · 12-22-2007, 04:53 PM

jaded said it all, the only other i would say,unless someone else already did, PLEASE be careful on sinlge lane trails. we have all had close calls with someone flying through the woods on a single lane trail and have to head to the ditch/trees to avoid a colision. the same goes for hills, stay to right. a little common sense goes a long way! many rules of the road apply to the trails.

dave.s3693 · 12-28-2007, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadkillSTX

Lean into turns and remember that a sled is just like a car on ice. When you hit the brake you're going to slide, stop it from sliding out sideways on you because if you get traction again you will roll

That is so true!!!

tamacat · 12-28-2007, 02:57 PM

Watch out for DAREDEVIL riders coming the other way
Learn the hand signals
Don't drink and ride
dress warm
wear a helmet
drive defensively
have fun and NEVER RIDE ALONE

Formula_Canuk · 12-29-2007, 05:35 PM

Stay right! Seems like an easy one, but when your first learning you sometimes are overwelmed and forget

Bandit · 03-26-2008, 12:18 PM

Which University of Maine? I live in Millinocket, but go to a boarding school in Limestone.