Need some input from the girls

[doornenbal]

Looking at sleds with my GF and not sure which way to go I have had good luck with my M1000 but now she want one. We were leaning towards an M7 but have started to realize she might want e-start as when she was on an M8 for a day last year in Revelstoke (her first time on a sled) she was having trouble staring it by lunch as she was too tired.

Any thoughts or ideas about sleds and ones that start easier than others???

I think that once she gets used to starting them it will be OK but would like some help?

 

[PowderCrew]

YOUR supposed to be starting it for her! ..................... aren't you?

 

[MCIVER]

thats what I do most of the time. but she should be able to start it. but for what its worth my m8 is easier to start cold then the wifey's 600 rmk.

 

[mtnjunkie]

I have a Summit 600 SDI and it's easy to start. Normally the first or second pull. I've only had him start it once, and it was -15 degrees. My arm finally got tired of trying. Great running sled, and I don't even want e-start because it's always easy. I think the guys would all give me crap if I had it anyway...

 

[foxyrmk]

My sled doesn't have a e-start, but I rode a rental during thanksgiving weekend when my sled was toast and it was kinda nice to just sit there and turn it over with a key.

I think after awhile she'll get the hang of it and them muscles build up. Good Luck

 

[WYsteph]

My 2 cents:

I don't think the m7 will be hard for her to pull over.

I have my hubby pull it over if the m7 doesn't want to go first thing in the morning. After that mine always fires up on the first or second pull and it isn't difficult at all.

 

[M7CatGirl]

I have an M7 and love it! Super easy to start and awesome in the trees. I ride with a large group and all the girls have M-series sleds and none of us has issues with starting them. No worries, if she really likes to ride, she will learn the little tricks to starting them no matter what she gets.

 

[IceCap]

Save your energy for riding..... get a sled with e-start.

 

[jtblaster]

Keep in mind that e-starts add some weight to the sled. The lighter the better. I have an SDI and it always starts on the second pull. I can't speak for anything else though because this is all i have road.

 

[somefear]

An M7 or M8 is definitely a good choice!! If the sled is cold it will be harder to start, so you might have to help her with that.....but once the sled has been ridden and warmed up it shouldn't be hard to start at all. Electric start does add weight, but if it's going to make your gf a happier rider I would put one in. You can take some weight out elsewhere, like a Boss seat, or pipe kit!!

 

[Soccerd6]

Save your energy for riding..... get a sled with e-start.

OLD MAN!

whatever you end up getting her, if she has problems starting it cold, have her pull the cord out, bit by bit as the clutch catches, until it's as far out as it can go - gets everything inside "lubed up" (technical term ). Then have her pull to start it.... I've had a sled where the compression was so high I'd have to pull the cord out slowly twice before even trying to start it....

but like Foxy said, until those muscles are built up, there may be probs starting any sled - shouldn't take long, though.

 

[Wish]

My 02 cents on electric start....coming from a girl that has been on sleds she can't start, it is frustrating and does a number on your self esteem when you gotta stand there and wait for help, especially when you are in an awkward position or something.

I've heard people say you should be able to start your own sled...and yes, I agree but why make her if she doesn't have too? Electric start is sooo nice!
My energy is spent playing now, not yanking on a pull cord.

You may be adding weight, but I would not shy away from the option.....it's great to have, gives her independence and if you are out to make her riding experience more pleasant...this would be a bonus!

 

[RedRaven]

I agree that she should definately be comfortable starting her own sled. If she wants electric start give it to her. Remember if she's happy, your happy.. I have been in a situation when I had traded sled with my Ex. I had a 600 and his was an 800 RMK. They went off playing and we were suppose to meet up. Only I couldn't get his started. I tried until I could anymore. Needless to say the boy's weren't to happy they had to come back for me cause I could start the sled. If I would have been stuck that would have been another story.

I also agree, like Soccerd6 said, teach her about the compression pulls. Last year I rode a 754 RMK and it was a bugger to start. Once I learned how to do it without exhausting myself I was good. Good luck!

 

[Wyodragonlady700]

I had an 800 05 RMk that was a bugger to start at times - since fixed and sold. The worse time - in the spring in grizzly country. That was fun! NOT!!! My hubbys 700 dragon has a e-start on it and he likes it. I asked about putting one on my 700 dragon but the repair shop sounded like it would run abut $1000.00 I can pull start for that much or better yet, so can he! Instead guys - come on, she's riding with you - be a gentleman - start that sled for her.

 

[aksnomachinechic]

I have to disagree about not being able to start your own sled. I ride with a group of guys and one in particular has stated, now mind you he's 66 yrs old and somewhat cantankerous, but he makes a good point ~ "in order to ride with them you have to be able to start your own sled because they aren't waitin." He says if you can't start your sled then you can't ride -I know he's joking to some degree but still the point is well taken.

My old sled was a booger to get started; a 97 MM 700 triple. You would have to pull and pull on a cold start to get it started on a cold morning or one of the first rides of the season. I'm glad that I was taught this because what if you for some reason get disconnected from your group while out riding and you get stuck and have to turn your sled off? What are you going to do? sit there and wait? Its a matter of being an independent rider and being able to take care of yourself no matter who you are riding with and where you are riding. You should be ready for that moment if and when it happens.

So she needs to learn how to start her sled then she can move up to e-start. Just my .02 cents.

 

[Puddy Tat]

I have my husband start it first thing in the morning then after that it’s good to go, M7 or M8 is definitely a good choice….
The M-7 starts very easy. 2nd pull all the time. sometimes the M-8 is a bit harder to start. but has never been very hard to start either.

 

[EagleRiverDee]

The Skidoo 600 ETec is a one pull and it starts kind of sled. Even first thing in the morning. And I can't complain about how mine rides. Not knocking Cat, just saying that Skidoo makes a good sled too. It's a quiet runner, too. Next to my old man's sled, you can't even hear mine running. I kind of like not having my ears ring at the end of a ride.

 

[SnowStalker]

I had an M7 and now ride an M1000. For me, the M1000 kills the M7. There is no comparison. It's a lot harder for me to muscle around, but worth it. Before that I rode an 800 RMK and the compression made it impossible for me to start without ripping my shoulder off. I learned that I could start it easy if I used my left hand to give it a little bit of throttle while pulling with my right. It took the compression issue away. I have no idea why it works (I'm sure you guys can all explain it), but it does. Now I can't vouch that it is good for the sled. Maybe I shouldn't be doing it, but I have done it for years and never had a problem.

 

[fatguy1]

As mentioned before, She HAS to be able to start her own Sled no matter what brand. The EFI models are great because they don’t flood like the Carb jobs when you dump them on there side. Therefore being easier to start if you girl gets stuck or rolls it by accident.

I used to start my wife’s sled every time till we took an avalanche course. Think about it this way… What happens when your out riding maybe in a bowl somewhere and a bunch of people are sitting at the bottom of the hill (sleds shut off) and all the sudden the mountain avalanches!!!. Can your # 1 Girl start her sled and have a fighting chance of getting out of the way???

I know it would be a tall order for my wife. That’s why my choice for her next sled in Electric start. Just My Two Cents.

 

[600ps]

fatguy1 - wow yeah thats #1 right there reason to be able to start your own sled - to get out of the way