Whats a good sled for a women learn to ride on?

[powdergalval]

Just this gal's $.02 worth but, if you think she's going to be a more timid rider I would go with the M6. Our buddy just got one last year for his wife who is a timid rider and WOW what a difference the new sled made. She now keeps up with us, I had to do double takes last year when we were boondocking and looked over to see her right along with us. In four years riding together she had never boondocked with us until she got the new sled. I can't wait to see what she does this year! I rode the sled and man was it easy turning, but I had a harder time laying it over than my 700.

On the other hand, if you think she is going to be a more aggressive rider and want to lay the sled over and sidehill I have nothing but love for my 700RMK. Even like it better than the hubbies two D8's. It handles easy and has always had enough power to pull me out of the jams I get into. I don't always pull every climb the guys make but I am also never left behind!

 

[showme]

lol.... Im a girl and i started on a rmk600.. easy to handle, loads of FUN am looking to buy one any ideas?

 

[turboless terry]

It depends on what kind of riding you are going to do. If you get a 600 that is great but there are going to be days where it won't go where everything else is and you will have to turn back. been there done that. There isn't enough weight difference between the 6,7,8 so I would go with a 7 or an 8. You don't want a race sled because they are too wide for women unless you are going to stay on trails.The biggest trouble I see with women is they can't side hill. They just hold onto the mountain bar and you can't get the leverage. Before I start a fight, I ride with a gal who can hang with the best of them. My wife started on a rev 151 and loved it. I personally think an m7 was the perfect sled for women because they are shorter coupled. the seat and bars were too low for me so I didn't like them. They are light and tip up easy. You should rent a couple of times on different ones and let her decide.

 

[CatWoman]

Best advise on here is to let her decide. If you can get her out on several different sleds so she can try them out and decide what fits HER and what she is comfortable with. Then set the sled up to fit her.

I am currently on an '03 1M 600 with a 153x2.25 under it. It's been a great learning sled, and adding the 153" track over the 144" definitely helped me to step up my game. I wouldn't want a longer track than I have now because of the sidehills and being able to hold the sled. To start with, I wasn't doing much sidehilling, so it wasn't a big deal. If I got into someplace where it was do or die and I wasn't comfy, I'd have my hubby ride my sled across. To begin with though, we minimized that. I'm definitely ready to move up to a higher HP, more nimble sled at this point.

Just keep in mind what kind of actual mountain riding you will be doing with her while she is learning. If there is going to be lots of boondocking through the trees, sidehills, etc.....then she should be on a machine that she doesn't have to fight to accomplish those things. I agree with others that I wouldn't go under a 600. She needs the power to allow her to get around and try new things.

 

[steel town]

Our 2010 Summit sport 600's just arrived, it's a great sled. The xp chassis feels super light and will feel at home to a gal who rides dirt bikes/dh bikes.

 

[Ultra]

Longer Track

Best advise on here is to let her decide. If you can get her out on several different sleds so she can try them out and decide what fits HER and what she is comfortable with. Then set the sled up to fit her.

I am currently on an '03 1M 600 with a 153x2.25 under it. It's been a great learning sled, and adding the 153" track over the 144" definitely helped me to step up my game. I wouldn't want a longer track than I have now because of the sidehills and being able to hold the sled. To start with, I wasn't doing much sidehilling, so it wasn't a big deal. If I got into someplace where it was do or die and I wasn't comfy, I'd have my hubby ride my sled across. To begin with though, we minimized that. I'm definitely ready to move up to a higher HP, more nimble sled at this point.

Just keep in mind what kind of actual mountain riding you will be doing with her while she is learning. If there is going to be lots of boondocking through the trees, sidehills, etc.....then she should be on a machine that she doesn't have to fight to accomplish those things. I agree with others that I wouldn't go under a 600. She needs the power to allow her to get around and try new things.

CW, never say never on the longer track, the 04 600 162 seems to be the choice for the gals in our group. It's always the first one off the truck. We will have to hook up this winter so you can give it a spin.
Wes

 

[polaris dude]

Our 2010 Summit sport 600's just arrived, it's a great sled. The xp chassis feels super light and will feel at home to a gal who rides dirt bikes/dh bikes.

haha no offense or anything, but its not normally a good idea to get a new rider a brand spanking new sled, even if it is a ski-doo

 

[Island Sled Head]

I never start a newbie guy out on a new sled but women ussually do not get too crazy to start. I started wife on a 500 Fan summit and she did good but would not do it again. I recommend more track and more power. They will wait to the last minute to hit the juice and then they are stuck. With more track and more power they can tractor through. Wife was stuck on the 500 on a ride. I hopped on to pull the draw and left her my 800 2". I 500 with 136 1.5 needed me to ride the hell out of it to get through. I was wide open and working the sled hard and there was no way she would make it. I got to the top and was like that was an eye opener. She was right behind me on the 800 and never got her butt off the seat. 500 was sold and she took my 800 and I moved to a new sled. Put the stock muffler on and she is happy as can be.
I can lay down a track just about anywhere now and if she jumps in my track she can follow me just anywhere. The 600 Summit is more then enough ussually for women unless she is into highmarking and they are far and few between. But you have to love a girl who can rock a sled with the boys. I know a few I would take to Canada for the extreme but many guys I would leave behind.


PS- I did get my wife into Keystone up at Rev on the 500 Summit once. More
track and power would have been appreciated.

 

[Belle Star]

I have a 07 600 RMK and and 08 700 RMK both have a 155 track. They are both great sleds, easy to maneuver in the deep powder as well as on the trails.
My 600 has some mods and is very zippy, it has WE shocks and that is the only thing about it I don't like. My daughters ride the 600 and they are doing well on this sled, one is 5'4 and the other is 5'6 slim build. Those two go every where we go, not just on the trail to get to the good stuff. Just one woman's perspective.

 

[bungeeguy]

Best sled for the women?

It's called a vacuum, Walmart has a nice selection.

 

[Titanium 375]

I was asked the other day whats a good sled to get for a women who has never rode and wants to learn? Prefere Mountain sled I was thinking a 440 race sled longtracked would be idea or maybe a skidoo summit 550F? What you all think?

MRS. TITANIUM here, I think your right in ball park with the ski doo, I ride a Ski Doo 700 2002, only mods THAT really HELP ME, being a woman, is lightweighting the front end, Diamond S Hood, (or ride without hood, I'm not plugging hubby's hoods) but 25 lbs off front end of a sled makes a big difference to me, some good skis (simmons) that help you turn easier in the powder and a little longer track like you say, otherwise your gonna be digging her out and shes gonna be frustrated, if you wanna do lightweight arms it helps a bit, then let her ride in some fun powder (NOT CHEST DEEP) a foot or two for a while to get the feel, I got to where I was trying to spin around in circles like the big guys...still working on it, not enough upper body strength to hold on. Only reason I mention lightweighting front is it REALLY DOES WORK & its cheaper and easier than Jenny Craig to loose 25-35 lbs to lightweight your front and works great for me.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

If you buy her a girl sled, don't be surprised when she rides like a girl, buy her a real sled & she'll be much more enjoyable to ride with.

NICE!!!

It's called a vacuum, Walmart has a nice selection.

Total knee slapper there!

 

[ARMYSLEDER]

MRS. TITANIUM here, I think your right in ball park with the ski doo, I ride a Ski Doo 700 2005, only mods THAT really HELP ME, being a woman, is lightweighting the front end, Diamond S Hood, (or ride without hood, I'm not plugging hubby's hoods) but 25 lbs off front end of a sled makes a big difference to me, some good skis (simmons) that help you turn easier in the powder and a little longer track like you say, otherwise your gonna be digging her out and shes gonna be frustrated, if you wanna do lightweight arms it helps a bit, then let her ride in some fun powder (NOT CHEST DEEP) a foot or two for a while to get the feel, I got to where I was trying to spin around in circles like the big guys...still working on it, not enough upper body strength to hold on. Only reason I mention lightweighting front is it REALLY DOES WORK & its cheaper and easier than Jenny Craig to loose 25-35 lbs to lightweight your front and works great for me.

Last time I checked skidoo never made a 700 past 03.

 

[steel town]

haha no offense or anything, but its not normally a good idea to get a new rider a brand spanking new sled, even if it is a ski-doo

They did make it last year, so you could pick up a used one if you wanted .... New(er) sled's will require less b/s.
My new sled required gas and oil last year, I also adjusted the belt and track..... that's it .800 miles all mountian(revy and golden).
Sometimes telling a newb to buy used is a nightmare, as some people are not calpable of maintianing an older sled, or a polaris
it's all good though, buy what you like.
Stay at 600 though for now.
I sell 100's of people new sleds every year, some have owned before, some have not.
I've have seen customers who have never sledded before(dirt bikers, snowboarders/skiers and other athletes) become better sledders in 2 rides that some "experts sledders" have in there entire life. Depends on the person, gender does not matter.

 

[Titanium 375]

Last time I checked skidoo never made a 700 past 03.

You're right and I edited my post, didn't know what year for sure. Just know its not a rev, II tried one and I've ridden for a few years now, too tippy for me. Just my opinion, she'll get used to it in a few rides, go with the bigger motor, more power, she won't be throttle shy for long, my girls ride Scotts sled and do great..18 yrs to 13 yrs old. I just wouldn't go new even now for myself, "power to weight" get rid of all the electric this and that. P.S. love my KLIM clothes but they're pricey, depends on what you wanna spend, they are good to warranty their products i.e. if you get wet, etc.

 

[hobbes]

We messed around renting a few different sleds last winter for my girlfriend (first season, M8, 600XP, etc) and got lucky enough to demo an 08 Dragon with Holz all around, a twin piped Carl's 860 and a 162 track. Admittedly it's a LOT of sled for a beginning sledder that weighs in at a hefty 112 lbs . But watching her tractor up some pretty darn steep slopes with that thing basically defying gravity (I've watched several times and still can't figure out how that thing doesn't get stuck going that slow LOL) made it worth every penny. A D8 would definately get my vote and I agree with the idea of getting something bigger and letting them grow into the sled instead of outgrowing it within a season. Besides, a Carl's 860 162 is one HE|| of a back up sled when she's not with!

 

[Ultra]

We messed around renting a few different sleds last winter for my girlfriend (first season, M8, 600XP, etc) and got lucky enough to demo an 08 Dragon with Holz all around, a twin piped Carl's 860 and a 162 track. Admittedly it's a LOT of sled for a beginning sledder that weighs in at a hefty 112 lbs . But watching her tractor up some pretty darn steep slopes with that thing basically defying gravity (I've watched several times and still can't figure out how that thing doesn't get stuck going that slow LOL) made it worth every penny. A D8 would definately get my vote and I agree with the idea of getting something bigger and letting them grow into the sled instead of outgrowing it within a season. Besides, a Carl's 860 162 is one HE|| of a back up sled when she's not with!

It's the 162 that lets her tractor around, most gal's are not aggressive riders. The 162 allows them to power out of most situations they get into by not being aggressive. Most gal's don't need big power either. They need light weight because they don't have that upper body strength to muscle it around and they need a big track.
When our gal's get stuck often they start to loose confidence in themselves. The more confidence they loose the worse they do. When they don't get stuck and can keep up the opposite happens, they start to buy in. It becomes fun for them.
Mgf's need to build a 600cc 162x2+" at around 450-465 lbs. The first one that does will have most of the female market.
Most of this doesn't apply to aggressive female riders and there are a few of them out there.

 

[Ultra]

The other thing that helps is frilly stuff on the hood, pink shades are best.

 

[snoman8]

I was asked the other day whats a good sled to get for a women who has never rode and wants to learn? Prefere Mountain sled I was thinking a 440 race sled longtracked would be idea or maybe a skidoo summit 550F? What you all think?

M6 All the way light and easy to ride!