Is a 800 to much for a 13 year old?

[travydog]

I have a 2001 800 RMK 144, i just bought myself a new skidoo and was thinking about either giveing my son the 800 or mabey traden down to a 700. I went out tongiht to take some pics of it and man i realy like that sled and I have about a grand in little extras on it that i put on last year. He has riden it last year in the ditches but he is still in the training stage. I hate to give it up but I kinda think it is to much for him but not sure what do you guys think.

 

[theultrarider]

Depends on the kid. Mine and a few we ride with were. But then again, all those boys rode a couple thousand miles a winter since they were about 4 or 5. Not all kids should be on one that is for sure. Only you can be the judge of that. I will also say, that if you do not think he is ready for an 8, he is not ready for a 7 either Not alot of difference between the two of them.

 

[mtnpull]

IMO, I think most 13 year olds are not ready for a 7 or 8. I think most would do great on a 550 and maybe, just maybe a 6. Let them build the skills to handle a sled first them stick them on something with some power. Again, I am just speaking in general terms. There are going to be some kids that have years of experience on smaller sleds and have developed the skills already and can hang on a 7 or 8. Use good judgment, you don't want him getting hurt or a sled totaled. Good luck.

 

[xcrash911]

X2 not much difference between a 7 and 8. I'd let my 13 year old ride his mom's 8 but I agree it depends on the kid, and he mostly rides his 600

 

[polaris dude]

from a kids perspective, i started on a 500phazer at 12, so in order to follow others in the group i had to learn the tricks of the trade as far as how to ride, and now im up to a 600 and i am amazed at how much easier things are, but also i can go even further now that i know how to ride my sled properly. So although he might get stuck more often with the lower powered sled, in the long run it will teach him how to ride. Thats my 0.02 cents

 

[94fordguy]

I'd say a 600 is probably more than enough sled for a 13 yr old. You hafta think about what kinda riding you plan to be doing also. An 800 is gonna be a lot heavier than a smaller sled and also will get you into trouble a lot faster if something goes south.

 

[LPIdaho]

it also depends on what your riding level is and how good of a teacher you are.
Personally I was on a 500 until I was 16 and that's in Idaho ! But it really taught me how to ride much more so than a bigger sled would of.

granted I wasn't big enough to handle a 800 until then so that's a factor as well

 

[Wolfrun]

Probably OK for the 13 year old. It is the 17,18,19 year olds that scare me. I quit going on holidays when dad is working but the high schooler takes his sled out. I had a few close calls, and always within 5 miles of the parking lot.

 

[revpilot]

Wolfrun makes a good point, 13 yr olds are probably less of a menace to themselves with horsepower than the 16-18 yr olds. I think a 13 yr old would adapt to an 800 fairly quickly but you're probably not doing them any favors, let them learn to finesse an underpowered sled first.

 

[Transporter]

I think a good way too see is if he can lift it around and get it unstuck by himself then might be ok.Most machines go fast enough to have a bad wreck.

 

[devilrmk]

Just unscrew the throttle to the point it limits power, or put a block under the lever. Effectively limits the power, but easily switched back when someone else gets on it or the kid needs more power.

 

[devilrmk]

I think a good way too see is if he can lift it around and get it unstuck by himself then might be ok.Most machines go fast enough to have a bad wreck.

I don't think my 17 year old could get a 120 unstuck. Just doesn't understand how to use his body.

 

[cobbycat]

is your kid responsible with the power? does your kid have good throttle and brake control? is your kid comfortable on the 800? are you comfortable watching your kid ride it? does your kid even want the sled? (have you asked the child?) if you can answer yes to all these questions then give him/her the sled. if not, trade it off on a 600 and rip it up!

my daughter is 16 and been riding since 11. her first sled was a 440 and she outgrew that in half of a season! had her on a 700 powder special after that and she did really well. her last sled was a 600 rev sdi and she really liked it but was lacking in power. wish I had just bought her the 800. she also has ridden my heavily modded 900 King cat and m1000 (every time I got off) since the begining of her riding career. even let her try a nitro turbo at 14 (should have seen the smile on her face and the crap in my pants!). I tried to move my other daughter up to a bigger sled at 8 and she wasn't ready, had a pretty good crash (didn't get hurt, thank god) and probably will never ride her own sled again. she still rides with me but she has no will to ride her own sled after the crash. some kids can have that kind of power, some can't. be wise in your decision. you know your child best, just make the decision for the right reasons and not just because you want to keep your old sled. hope this helps.

 

[KFD070]

As mentioned earlier...depends on your son. There are some immature 18 year olds around here I wouldn't put on a 120. On the other hand there are some 10 year olds that would have no problem on my 800. I personally think that half way through the season you would regret putting your son a smaller sled.... if he's mature enough to use the 800 power responsibly. If he's a mature, responsible kid, that listens to his Dad keep the 800. If he's a Yahoo that really doesn't yet have an understanding of "Cause and Effect" ya, I'd go smaller. My bet is he'll be fine on the 800..... because "the nut usually doesn't fall far from the tree" and you being concerned and mindful about your Son's well being tells me you've probably raised him in a mature responsible manner. Whatever your choice, good on ya for getting your son out with you. Have Fun!

 

[jcrjet]

Just depends on how responsible your son is. Also, the old 800's only have the power of todays 600's and seem to be less tippy, more stable. Responsibility, and willingness of the better group riders to stay with him and teach him properly as not to exceed his ability too quickly.

 

[IFlyEm]

Probably OK for the 13 year old. It is the 17,18,19 year olds that scare me. I quit going on holidays when dad is working but the high schooler takes his sled out. I had a few close calls, and always within 5 miles of the parking lot.

Hey Wolf,

NICE BEAVER!!!

 

[Scott]

Look at it from a different way....can you afford to go buy him another sled when you have the 8 sitting in the garage?

You are probably the best judge as to whether he can handle the 8.

As previously stated there is not a lot of diff between the 7 and 8.

If you taught him how to ride then the HP of the 800 isn't going to get him in trouble. Maybe his size and the weight of the chassis matched up with the type of riding you take him to...that might be the deciding factor.

Think of this...you only get in trouble when you don't let off the throttle quick enough, right?

 

[shmuckaluck]

hey guys,
I agree it's how your son is, My 9yr old daughter rides a ZR600, my 18 yr old son doesn't care to ride at all, nor could he handle riding in the mountains, he's a motorsport puss. my friend's son is 12 rides with us, on a 08 dragon 840 big bore. he's only like 85lbs but tears it up.

 

[travydog]

thanks for all your imput. I would be traden a 2001 800 rmk for a 99 rmk 700 I got on the 800 after breaken my leg sleding and was kinda scared alittle of it i guess at first and it does seem to have more power than my 98 700 had. But once I got onto it in the hills it was nice always had enuf power to climb the hills that I wanted to climb and to get me out of a few sticky situations. He has riden it in the ditches and such around here but never in deep powder. He has riden my 700 a little before i totaled it out nad he has a zr600 right now. The one thing is the 800 is got a hard pull start that he cant start but that is fine to I have let him take her out in the grass feilds after a snow storm or two and when we have been rideing together he seems prety good on it. Now my next child that is 10 he does good on the 600 but I wouldnt want him on my 800 he is the kind that likes speed hahahah. I think I will go with the 700 the only thing i am loosing is the 700 doesnt have reverse its a 99. But it will still do as a back up sled for me to and to do a little cyote chasen instead of the brand new sled.

 

[ARMYSLEDER]

It depends on weight and what type terian they riding. Last year my sister at the time 14 was following me on the dry farms on a mm700 then on the way back I let her ride my 1000 she was having fun on it now she rides it around the house on ocasion lol. Now she wants to take my new XP to the cabin during the holidays to ride with her friends. Heck I even let my 5 yr old last winter run the gas and break on my 1000 why i just steered for him. So my point is if your with him and see he is capable then I dont see what the problem be. If he rides it once has a few close calls then maybe dump it but I tell ya its sure hard to let go of sleds you have had some good memories with.