Which sled for wife

[Adrenaline Revolution]

First off,
if you are going to get her a sled, get HER a sled.
Don't look at it as a back up sled for you.
Let her ride each sled and see which one she likes.
If that's not possible, at least let her jump on it a few times to see if it "feels right".
Also, as has been stated.
Get her a sled that is a little over her abilities so she can grow into it. I am not talking a turbo sled or anything, but a 600 isn't going to leave any "grow" room unless you are looking to turbo or BB it.

Well put.
I put my wife on one of my old sleds that I had to "De-tune" just a bit for her.
(Lowered the bars back down, removed the drop brackets, put the stock can back in, re-installed the sway bar. etc...

It was "OK" for one season but it clearly was not something she would have chosen but being an awesome wife, she never complained. (During the season)

She rode my slightly tweaked 800 and it scared the h3ll out of her a few times but she's never going to be the rider that climbs the extremely big stuff anyway.

She had a chance to ride an '06 REV 600 and she fell in love with it.

The next year we found her a hold over '07 600 SDI REV and she couldn't be happier with it.

I still try to get her to hop on my 800 every so often but she's real aprehensive about it and never feels comfortable with it.

MAKE SURE YOU BUY HER A SLED FOR HER, NOT A BACK-UP FOR YOU if you want her to be a good riding partner.

 

[Wish]

I wouldn't rule out the 800's ....the horsepower difference between the two is pretty big...I think she'd be just fine on an 800! We were going back and forth between the 6 and the 8....it just made more sense crunching the numbers when you look at the 800's.
From a girls perspective....it's not really the HP that is too much....it's about the sleds setup, its weight and being able to maneuver it....I've never been on a sled and thought, whoa...this thing has too much power. It's usually to heavy...too hard to steer....or something like that.

We ended up getting an XP 800 with a 144 track....I can't tell you how it is to ride it cause there's no snow yet...but I can't wait to give it a shot!

 

[DallanC]

I just bought my wife a 600 edge. Shes ridden my 800 edge fine... but the primary reason I went with the 600 is she cant start a cold 800, but she can start the 600 cold. She never had the confidence on the 800 incase something happened and she needed to restart it.


-DallanC

 

[akturbo]

I think a 600 Summit 146" XP would be great, taller lugs and wider skis than the Renegade = easier for both of you. I think my wife would choose an easier throttle pull over the extra HP. Having not ridden or really looked at a new 600, I can only assume any other sled will have an easier pull than Doo 800s.

 

[powdersnobb]

If you do go with an 800 de-tune it to start out. My wife is riding an '02 summit 800 and that thing has some serious pop! Extreme set it up and it is dialed in. I have not de-tuned it for her yet hoping she'll get used to it this season. Of course the motor has allready blown at 1200 miles! I guess it is a Ski Poo though.

 

[justadude]

Get her one with kitchen attached!!!!

 

[TNTCOPP]

Depends on her riding abilities too I guess. You are a Ski-Doo guy it sounds like , but I will say this. My wife rode a 550 Trail RMK for a few years , then my hand-me-down 800 RMK's. Picked her up a used M8 153 last year and she loved it. She even said the other night that this last year was the most fun she's had riding. Picking her up an '09 M8 this year - she'll be that much happier. Point being - make sure it's one SHE wants , keep'm happy !

 

[fassteddie]

my wifes sled is updatde 08 xpx 154. mine 09 xpx 154. hers is set up similiar to mine. that way i have a spare sled just change susp settings. and pri. pin weight. and there you go. she thinks that i set it up for her........ ed.

 

[Ephratafarmer]

my wifes sled is updatde 08 xpx 154. mine 09 xpx 154. hers is set up similiar to mine. that way i have a spare sled just change susp settings. and pri. pin weight. and there you go. she thinks that i set it up for her........ ed.

Eddie, thats bad bad, ya now I`ve never stole parts off Bon`s, ok a few times---Ken

 

[Skadi]

I think you got all the information you need here... Like the other ladies said. Don't steer clear of the larger sleds just cause she's a chick. Will leave her pretty frustrated, especially in the mtns!

Good luck with the search! she's a lucky lady to be lookin at one of the newest chassis'!!! With the newest chassis I don't think any chick would have a problem handling an 800, the SUPER long tracks might get the best of her due to leverage and sudden hook up. I've seen quite a few women prefer the bigger motors but a slightly shorter track. Especially to start. You can always lengthen the track! The buck factor of a long track might get her hurt and ruin her to the sport and fighting learning how to carve with a long track might just be annoying!

Anyway, if you want a whole book on it or some personal advice based on size, riding style yadda yadda PM me!

GOOOOD LUUUCKKK!!!!

 

[Skadi]

my wifes sled is updatde 08 xpx 154. mine 09 xpx 154. hers is set up similiar to mine. that way i have a spare sled just change susp settings. and pri. pin weight. and there you go. she thinks that i set it up for her........ ed.

hehehehe, I'm putting my BF, new to the sport, on an 05 while I'm on an 07 mod... now I can steal parts from him all I want!!! hhehehe, diiirttttyyy little trick!!

 

[live2ride]

From another gals point of veiw.....I have been riding for 31 years and let me tell you nothing will replace the time spent on the snow. I am a bit different than most, and feel that a smaller sled is better to start out with. I feel it gives a person not just women the skills needed to get where the bigger sleds go without much trouble. I say this because then when that person gets on the bigger sled, they know what they need to do incase of "emergency" meaning turn out within limits and such. The smaller sleds teach a person how to scale up a hill rather than point and shoot. Smaller sleds are lighter usually and easier to handle for the rider and others. Starting out in riding people need to learn the basics and learning the basics does not require tons of power and track. Working your way up in sled size is also easer to adjust to the power/weight/length. I am 5'2" and have a '09 800 XPX 154" I put a big wheel kit to take up some of the track length. A 159 track kicked my butt a few years back and I just don't need that much track. I am not saying that I don't agree with starting w/ the 800, but in my experience in riding and helping guide tours, the newer riders did so much better and became way more confident with the smaller sleds.

The most important thing is you want to get her out and let her have fun. My dad never let me ride a sled I could not start myself, he taught me to change belts, change the spark plugs, adjust the idle up or down, the basics!! I also helped him work on the clutches and rebuilding the engines when burned down. This really helped me when riding as I felt like I "knew" something about the sled....haha Also make sure you get her GOOD GEAR!!! If you go out and buy a ton of gear and she still gets cold, make sure you let her know it is ok, to modify the gear...either add more or buy different. Nothing worse than being misserable. It is expensive, but you could sell the other stuff once she finds stuff that works. Some people are skimpy when buying gear and safety gear.....I don't understand.....10K on a new sled and cheap gear....anyways, we all start somewhere and good luck!!! CONGRATS on getting her into the sport!!!!

Kristy

 

[pernikm]

Electric start 800. Everyone has more fun with good equipment.

 

[CoyoteGirl]

Eddie, thats bad bad, ya now I`ve never stole parts off Bon`s, ok a few times---Ken

BAD BAD!

The newer chassis, 800 power, electric start........... life is good.

Pretty good combination there..