First ride on rmk.. need goldfinger now

[turboless terry]

This is 2018

 

[MKULTRA]

This is 2018

almost 2019 even


sandman, you're sidehilling with the mountain bar or what? I don't see the use for sidehilling.

I understand on those occasionnal sled on the right side type of scenario you might find it useful. But if you're always on your side without controlling the sled. I'd try to get better and not getting into said position before relying too much on the lefty to correct my previous mistakes.

 

[Elkaholic4life]

How about when your stuck and your right ski is down in a treewell and pointed straight at the tree. Your sled is tilting into the treewell and you need to roll up instantly to miss the tree. SO much easier to grab the mountain bar and roll the sled using the lefty, ridiculously easier. Who would want to put your weight exactly where you don't want it to grab the right side throttle and make this maneuver 100 times harder? Or you're on hardpack and have to sidehill to the right across a bottomless cut for a couple hundred yards to keep going or turn around and go back. Your not gonna be able to just roll it up and go across, unless you want to slide out and watch your sled go tumbling down into the trees, so you're gonna have to lean downhill to grab the right throttle. I love doing this to people who refuse to use a lefty. I'm just hanging uphill and cruising right across while they are all cramped putting all their weight exactly where you don't want it. Seems pretty silly to me, why make your riding experience harder when there is a much easier way to do it.

When your heading into the tree well. Turn so your on the other side of the tree.


Back across the crusty side hill

 

[SRXSRULE]

Team Lefty for life!

Ive been using them on every sled I own since the early 2000's. I use to go to bike shops, dig through their "new take off" box of brake levers and find the perfect one for a throttle, then buy cable and ends from them. Made my own mounts and brackets.

ALWAYS kept the oem throttle safety systems in place, and make sure everything is working as it should. Ive never grabbed the throttle when I wanted the brake or anything stupid like that.

The primary reason for me is hand fatigue. If I ride all day on a sled with out a left my hand will cramp up. I usually use the lefty going down the trail or from one play area to another but I can use both or either one seamlessly, even in technical situations. They are great in hard set up conditions (or spring snow) when you need to hold a crazy side hill. You cant always grab some throttle and pull it over on one ski....Sometimes your riding a rocky ridge line and that just isnt a good option. Another time is tricky creek crossings, or dropping into a drainage.

Flame on.

 

[tuneman]

How about when your stuck and your right ski is down in a treewell and pointed straight at the tree. Your sled is tilting into the treewell and you need to roll up instantly to miss the tree. SO much easier to grab the mountain bar and roll the sled using the lefty, ridiculously easier. Who would want to put your weight exactly where you don't want it to grab the right side throttle and make this maneuver 100 times harder? Or you're on hardpack and have to sidehill to the right across a bottomless cut for a couple hundred yards to keep going or turn around and go back. Your not gonna be able to just roll it up and go across, unless you want to slide out and watch your sled go tumbling down into the trees, so you're gonna have to lean downhill to grab the right throttle. I love doing this to people who refuse to use a lefty. I'm just hanging uphill and cruising right across while they are all cramped putting all their weight exactly where you don't want it. Seems pretty silly to me, why make your riding experience harder when there is a much easier way to do it.

In both of those situations, I would stand with my right foot, mid left running board, dangle the left foot beside the side panel for balance, lean forward, grab the grips and blip the throttle to put the sled on edge. You can do it and not even leave your starting spot. Then walk it out. Waaaay more control than holding on to a grab bar. Just need practice on steep downhills. I practice those moves all the time, especially the downhill turn-up. I've seen a lot of guys try to use their weight to roll it up, or even stick their butt out. No need. It can feel really awkward at first to lean downhill, especially on a set up hill with a ravine below, but you just gotta stand tall and get up on the sled, if that makes any sense.

 

[turboless terry]

I don't have to flame.people have their reasons. Yours is hand fatigue. Some just aren't willing to change. I will say it is never hard to grab some throttle because your hand is always on the bars and you have more leverage than with a mountain bar. When pulling hard with a mountain bar you are turning the bars into the turn which makes it harder. Anyone that doesn't believe this, try it on concrete. Next grab the bars and counter steer and pull the sled on its side. A sled will also go on its side on harder snow. Not just a deep snow deal

 

[Elkaholic4life]

Team Lefty for life!


Flame on.

You and Sandman gave good examples of why you use them. I have my reasons for not using one. There are few things I would flame a guy for. This is not one of them. We all like different things for different reasons.



Example. I ride Polaris, my brother rides a Cat another friend rides a Doo. Why? Because it's what feels right to each of us

 

[sumtinwong]

in the early to mid 2000 I found them to be a big help as the sleds were a lot harder to pull over. yes its another throttle to freeze or get stuck witch doubles the chance of that happening to you. I still have buds that use them but for me the new sleds pull over so easy I cant see needing them. I never liked a forward facing throttle lefty or the primary throttle { I have got a lefty hooked before on a branch... no fun} but have met people that luve the forward facing throttles and have little to no problems so to each his own! I wouldn't use it 1% of my riding time so to me its not worth the money or risk

 

[srfink]

If you can afford it, attend a ride clinic. The pros can "fix" your issues in less than a nano second. If you pay attention and practice their teachings and techniques, you'll depend less on your left hand throttle, if at all.

 

[snowmobiler]

or follow sandman for a day.

 

[XFIRE800]

Colby,

Apparently you and I were some of the unfortunate ones that weren’t born knowing how to comfortably sidehill on the right side of the sled.


The absolute best way to make it comfortable for you is focus on riding on your right side the next few times you ride. Do everything on that right side until you are physically unable to anymore. Its all about training your mind and body. One of the biggest things to get over is that “left handed” feeling, the more time you spend on that side, the easier it will be.

There are some good comments above about foot and throttle technique. One of the biggest downfalls i see is when guys think they have to sidehill WFO all of the time and are always letting the sled ride them. Slow and steady wins the race, start at low angles with lower speeds then continuously ramp things up as your comfort level improves..... or start on a nasty do or die sidehill and learn in a hurry [emoji16].

Practicing sidehilling on the right side should give you plenty of excuses for the old lady about why you are riding all of the time. Working on my committment issues should be number one!


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[sno*jet]

practice in open fields riding one ski. perfectly possible on hardpack without a lefty, wrong foot forward, walk it. lower ski shock settings. you're buradnt.

 

[Killer Time Racing]

And this is why I don't like short bars . I already suck so it's that much harder for me .

I always thought the left would put the throttle in my face when I was trying to hang on, or as I can call it now sidehilling. That used to be the position I was in trying to catch my breath.

 

[Wax]

Don’t go on the basis of what people are saying. If you feel that YOU want a left hand throttle then put one on. It is YOU that is on the sled no one else. I had a gold finger on my 2002 and I would be lost with out one. Do what you feel is best for the way you ride. My two cents.

 

[catnuts]

used the lefty for 20 yrs wouldnt be without it, ITs A TOOL just like everything else set up properly its very useful spring time riding ive seen very good riders have there hands full sidehilling on hard snow. oh i throw the outer cable sleave away to eliminate freezing up

 

[MKULTRA]

sounds like a branch could put you WOT without the sleeve.

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[PaulAnd]

I’ve biffed a few times on hero snow where I couldn’t reach the throttle without falling off the mountain..
Wrong knee forward!!!and pin it! Lol
Or if you have a SkiDoo you can stand on the left upper balljoint it has cleats
And pin it with your left hand..
I tried a lefty, had it on for about 10 min.
Almost went through my garage door..
My brain couldn’t take the lefty



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[Colbymh]

Colby,

Apparently you and I were some of the unfortunate ones that weren’t born knowing how to comfortably sidehill on the right side of the sled.


The absolute best way to make it comfortable for you is focus on riding on your right side the next few times you ride. Do everything on that right side until you are physically unable to anymore. Its all about training your mind and body. One of the biggest things to get over is that “left handed” feeling, the more time you spend on that side, the easier it will be.

There are some good comments above about foot and throttle technique. One of the biggest downfalls i see is when guys think they have to sidehill WFO all of the time and are always letting the sled ride them. Slow and steady wins the race, start at low angles with lower speeds then continuously ramp things up as your comfort level improves..... or start on a nasty do or die sidehill and learn in a hurry [emoji16].

Practicing sidehilling on the right side should give you plenty of excuses for the old lady about why you are riding all of the time. Working on my committment issues should be number one!


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Yet another good tip.. thnx man.

 

[kanedog]

Strangely, I don't remember if I care what side I sidehill on. It makes no difference. I've never actually thought about it to be honest. Sledding 25 mountain years.
This is cool.

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[2XM3]

I've always run a left throttle, always will, I like them. Zero problems using it as well. They are just a tool, if you like them put it on, its your sled.