Need some Trail Help. - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

Austin1997 · 11-01-2009, 02:31 PM

Hello everyone whats up? I just got into the hobbie, and currently owning a Arctic Cat, I got registered for a Snowmobile Safety Course, and was wondering about trail signs. Do I use them all the time I head out, or in only heavily dense, populated areas? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!

xxxthebxxx · 11-01-2009, 03:00 PM

Use them to your advantage! they are posted all around our trails, and warn about tight corners, blind hills, junctions, and stops. Use them all the time, crowded or not!

polaris rider · 11-01-2009, 03:02 PM

I think the hand signal that you have to give to people to say how many people are behind u is pretty stupid.. i rather see an on comming sled with both hands on the bar, not one in the air saying how many sleds are behind him

xxxthebxxx · 11-01-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polaris rider

I think the hand signal that you have to give to people to say how many people are behind u is pretty stupid.. i rather see an on comming sled with both hands on the bar, not one in the air saying how many sleds are behind him

Oh I'm sorry you meant those signals. I understand you should be ready for oncoming sleds at all times, but it does help. So I usually do them anyway. But be careful and dont do it for long; its hard to drive a sled with one hand at 40mph!

polaris rider · 11-01-2009, 03:07 PM

i assume thats wat hes talkin about

not really sure lol, wait maybe he means the actual signs in the ground?

Austin1997 · 11-01-2009, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polaris rider

i assume thats wat hes talkin about

not really sure lol, wait maybe he means the actual signs in the ground?

Sorry I wasn't making sense guys, I meant both, signs and signals!

polaris rider · 11-01-2009, 03:23 PM

ohh ok.. yea just like anthony said, use both to ur advantage

xxxthebxxx · 11-01-2009, 03:49 PM

your studies of snowmobiling will tell you all about them. They vary from state to state, but not by much, maybe just a slightly different graphic on the sign. hand signals exist everywhere. The class will teach you about wierd signals everyone's suppossed to know, like hand bent right over head, etc., but my group has own signals, like closed fist to stop, pointing forward to speed up, and moving your hand up and down to slow. Make some up, and just remember the hand signals for other riders.

polaris rider · 11-01-2009, 03:52 PM

yea we made up similar stuff, closed fist for stopping, thumbs up to speed up, etc.

xxxthebxxx · 11-01-2009, 03:55 PM

Make sure you consider signs for nighttime riding. Hand signals wont work. Tell the leader to stop after X amount of miles, etc. If the leader has mirrors, I switch back and forth from high to low beams. But this year, I'll use my strobes to let the leader know to stop. Whatever lets you communicate.

Jaded · 11-04-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by polaris rider

I think the hand signal that you have to give to people to say how many people are behind u is pretty stupid.. i rather see an on comming sled with both hands on the bar, not one in the air saying how many sleds are behind him

If you're going too fast then yes, you will have a problem with one hand on the bars. Not a "stupid" signal at all. It's used for the safety of the riders behind you and the oncoming group. One problem with this signal is it doesn't work very well with mitts on.

clodev · 11-04-2009, 10:49 AM

remember do not sacrifice your safty for the sake of the hand signal. If you are in a real tight situation forgo the hand signal you will be forgiven by the other rider. Good to use always play safe be safe good luck this year

sledhead16 · 11-04-2009, 11:38 AM

around here, hand signals are recomended but not required. but in the saftey courses, they tell you right away that if you can't control your sled with one hand, don't bother with signals. we usually don't bother with them when riding alone, just when theres a whole group, to signal on coming riders that there are several more of you.

xxxthebxxx · 11-04-2009, 03:09 PM

I agree clodev and sledhead16. If I'm in the middle of a corner or are on a really tight trail where I can't ride one handed, I usually don't make the signal, but might just raise a finger with my hand still on the bar. If I'm on a straightaway, however, I always do.

polaris rider · 11-04-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clodev

remember do not sacrifice your safty for the sake of the hand signal. If you are in a real tight situation forgo the hand signal you will be forgiven by the other rider. Good to use always play safe be safe good luck this year

yea good point clodev.. thats kinda wat i meant.. i didnt mean to say its stupid, just dont risk ur safety for a hand signal

xxxthebxxx · 11-04-2009, 03:36 PM

And to be honest, always ride so that you will always be ready for oncoming snowmobiles, no matter how many fingers an oncoming snowmobiler puts up.