What learner sled for my kids?

[LeftField]

Looking for something used to replace a 95 Phazer LT

Thinking about a 550 fan, but have heard of problems with both Pol and Doo over some years. Considering 2004 and newer.

Need to have reverse, 136 - 144 track.

Any suggestions of what to get? - or to stay away from?

Thanks!

 

[XFIRE800]

Maybe an older M5?

 

[jaysonfreerider]

I learned on a 1997 polaris indy lite 340 136".

I still ride it to this day! I learned almost everything on this sled and then moved up to the 600 and now moving up to a 700. It being so light i was able to learn to sidehill carv and throw it around. They are really an industructable sled. Then can take a hell of a beating and still run like a champ.

Just my .02 worth.

 

[somefear]

How old is your kid? Our son outgrew his Arctic Cat 440 fan in a year. He was 10. We bought him and M5 when he turned 11, and only rode that for a spring in the mountains. It didn't have enough power and the track was horrible (attack 20 141"). He couldn't ride into the areas that we wanted to ride, my husband had to pack trails to get it out of some bowls....We then bought him and '08 M6 152" when he turned 12 and last season was the best riding season ever. He rode EVERYWHERE the boys went and never lacked power. It has been the best sled for him to learn on. He has gained so much confidence with that sled it will make him such a good rider I can see him being the next Chris Burandt in a few years!! Buy your kid a sled that he will love and you can't go wrong!!

 

[Puddy Tat]

My Kids Grew Up on Two 95 EXT 580's (Boys) And a 92 440 prowler (Girl) They had fun with them and could handle them really good. but that's been a few years they where pretty new then. now the machines are so different I would go with a M-5 or 7 depends on how old but its an easy sled to handle.

 

[mtnpull]

I have 16 2008 Ski Doo Summit 550F in the REV chassis. Overall pretty good starter sleds. I have also ran polaris 550F in the past. If you want to pick my brain about them give me a call. 801-361-0443. Adam

BTW, I am meeting some guys in Boise on Saturday to drop off some sleds they are buying. They are buying 3 so I may have room on the trailer for one more if you want one.

 

[Ryan-41]

An M5 or M6

 

[mtnpull]

Oh, I have some summit 600's as well. One 07 SDI for $3k and 3 09 600's for $5k.

 

[Tempest]

Both of my Kids ride 2003 & 2004 1M 570 fans 136 track. There light and durable and you can pick them up pretty cheap.

 

[89sandman]

my boy started out on a 02 500 mountain cat, this is the liquid cooled engine with powervalves just like the big boys. has 97 hp stock so gets around very well.

 

[LeftField]

I appreciate all the great inputs and hadn't thought of the M sleds.

I've had quite a bit of seat time on an 07 M8, it has the mechanical diamond-drive reverse. I think in 09 that changed to electronic reverse.

On an M5/M6 is it diamond drive or chain case? I'm guessing not too bad to add a reverse kit to a chain case, less fun if it's a diamond drive?

I'm leaning towards the 500's because I have a couple 8's that my kids can ride when they need more sled. Just nervous on putting them (10 & 12) and other nubies on an 8. A handful of throttle and things can go wrong in a hurry.

 

[ccoleman77]

600 RMK is what my cousin (9 yo) is riding. That IQ chasis is easy for him to throw it around and he loves it.

 

[turboless terry]

I,m not sure what to get them. It depends on how big they are. Most of my friends have got their kids a sled that was too big for them. They can't sidehill them. All they want to do is grab the mountain bar. You don't have any control or leverage with a mountain strap. I think you should get them something small and narrow That they have a chance to throw around and learn the basics of tipping the sled on its side to turn and side hill. There maybe some rides you can't go on but that is a sacrifice I would make so he learns how to ride. I have friends That have high school kids that have too big a sled, never took them enough, never showed them how to ride. They are stuck all day and the parents are mad, getting them unstuck. Get them a sled they can handle. If they want more power, let them ride yours for a minute.

 

[800tundra]

Built wife a 2006 Skidoo tundra with a 550 fan cooled motor.Has electronic reverse. Put a 2" by 144" longtrack,Lightweight highrise seat and its amazing what deep snow these things will go through. Will stay on top better than my turbo nytro and 800 tundra with longer track Probabally 425 lbs.

 

[Superdutytd]

Any of the newer chassis 600's work great for kids.

 

[tranquillicer]

1st

Guess I'll be the first one for the Phazer. My 13 year old daughter started out on a 380Formula Delux and then on to an '07 PhazerMTX. Phazer is much easier to lay over and carve and is much less likely to get stuck than any shorty(I appreciated that part) and has electric start and reverse. Go for ever on a tank of fuel and truely is a "gas and go" sled. She made her initial trips to the mountains on it last year and it did everything she was capable of doing. M chassis is next for her.

 

[Ultra]

Got an 03 M1 570 fan with some mods on it. Stock engine and a 144"x2". It is set up just for kids, long track, medium power, about 450lbs. About 1600 miles, couple of scratched in the hood otherwise looks like new. $2500 with cover. PM me if interested.

 

[Trinity]

If you go with a 550 fan, I had nothing but problems with 04 polaris 550.It was my wifes sled. Two motors in 2000 miles. Make sure jugs are updated to the plated cylinders. My daughter rides 09 550 doo backcountry over 1000 miles no problems. The doo is a much better kids sled than the poo. I agree with starting on smaller sled, kids on highhorse sleds are a danger to them and everyone around them! My two cents.