136" enough for my son?

[AVA]

Thinking about getting my son a older sled to learn on. He is 12 but somewhat small at about 75lbs and I was wondering if something with a 600-700cc and a 136" track is about right for him to learn on. I know the motor is plenty for him but I dont want him to be left behind us in the powder because he doesnt have enough track to float the machine.
With him being that light do you think a 136" will be okay for a couple years in our type of terrain?

 

[WAmtnsledr]

IMO a 136" will work just fine for him. but i think you might want to get a 500 instead of a 600 or 700, that might be to much for a 75 lb rider.

 

[DeepDaze]

IMO a 136" will work just fine for him. but i think you might want to get a 500 instead of a 600 or 700, that might be to much for a 75 lb rider.

A 500 would be perfect for someone of his size, and 136"x1.75" is a perfect match for a sled with that type hp out put. Im 160lb`s and 5'10" and have been riding a 550, with 60 hp and 136" track for 3 years in the mountains(it may seem small but hey anything under 2' of pow and im good). In truth, the power of the sled is what you need to look at, you can always change tracks but buying a new sled because your son ran it into a tree becuase it had to much power for him is not good, it could hurt him and the sled. I think maybe a Yahama MT-Phazer would be a perfect sled, it does have a 144" track but once he gets good he will use it and you wont have to buy another sled. 550 fans are also good and they run forever have 1400 miles on mine in one season and it ran a 60mph ALL THE TIME. Hopes this helps, you and your son have fun this season! Oh and a hose clamp on the throttle handle bar can limit how fast he goes and it easy to adjust plus cheap.

 

[SledGimp]

My son is riding a 570 Mtn Cat with a 136 and can go anywhere I go. Loaned the sled to a friend who is about 6" 175 and he could take it about anywhere in 2 - 3 ft of pow. Great sled to start with in my opinion. Got one for sale also, asking $1300.

 

[Chief]

the 570 t0 600 class is a great place for a 12 year old boy. With the 136 track, depending on the sled, you have a lot of options.

I've got '96 Polaris XLT's with the 136 x 1.5 track that could easily take a 144 x2 track without a drop and roll. Geared as the are now they're stupid fast for a 12 yr old but change the gears and you'd be able to keep the speed down. As he gets older and needs more grip then he needs float drop a 144x2x16 (it will fit) into the old wedge chassis and he'll be good until he's ready for a freeride sled.

A sled like mine (that for now I'm keeping for spares and grandsons) can be had for less then $1200. The triple engine runs forever and the trailing arm chassis is rock solid.

 

[AVA]

The reason I ask is because I'm selling an old 4 wheeler and a guy offered to trade me a 97 AC Powder Extreme 700 with a 136x2 track.
I dont know....my wife and I have both had surgeries in the past month so the money is a bit tempting to take instead. Thanks for the input everybody.

 

[WAmtnsledr]

don't trade! powder extremes are one of the worst mountain sleds you can buy. other than sounding sweet it will just be a PITA for you. very temperamental, will rarely ever run like it should. not to mention its a tank, weighing over 550 lbs dry. (more than a stock 900 rmk 166)

Not reliable, very heavy, will suck if your son gets it stuck.

 

[AVA]

I just sold the 4 wheeler for cash and didnt trade for the sled. Thanks for the heads up about the sled.

 

[RMKED]

Both of my sons learned to ride on a 95 Indy 500. I picked it up for $900.00 5 years ago and have had zero issues with it. The nice thing about the smaller sleds is getting them un stuck is so much easier on dad, and my youngest (Now 14) sure nows how to get stuck
I don't think he will be riding my 800 for a few more years...or until he can bench press his own weight! lol

 

[WAmtnsledr]

a good sled for your son to learn on would be a 500 RMK. light, bulletproof, and plenty of power and track for his weight.

good luck

 

[jacmmaxwell]

I was in the same boat this summer, and I ended up with an arctic cat 550 cougar. I got it for an old winch and 150 in cash and it seems perfect for him. The 136 seems to more then a enough, heck I spent last season on a 141 m5 and went way more places then you would think.

If it's his first sled any real POW will be above his ablity for a while anyway. You'll be good to go.

Good luck finding a good sled for him, I know I can't wait to get my son on the hill with me. He's only 10 now so he won't get much seat time till spring just to ensure good snow. I don't want him geting stuck a bunch his first year and getting turned off to the sport.

 

[SWEETXPBEATCH]

we'll have to get our boys out Kyle

I just sold the 4 wheeler for cash and didnt trade for the sled. Thanks for the heads up about the sled.

Both my boys have ridden for years. I would think a 136-144 would be ideal.
No replacement for displacement applys even to the little guys. My 12yo rode a 600 back east when he was 9. Out here one of the old 670 ho's would be awesome for him. Where's the dvd beatch?