At the beginning of last year, I traded in my 10 year old son, Ben's, XC 120 and bought him a Ski-Don't Freestyle. Nice sled, but Ben complained that it was too slow (55 mph) and tippy. Additionally, the stink from the two-smoke engine made him sick. So, yesterday, I traded in the Ski-Don't (took a major bath, by the way 
) and bought him a red Phazer GT. I know the Phazer is not meant to be a kid's sled, but it fits him perfectly. Who knows, maybe dad will like it better than his Attak (I doubt it) and give Ben the Attak 
) and bought him a red Phazer GT. I know the Phazer is not meant to be a kid's sled, but it fits him perfectly. Who knows, maybe dad will like it better than his Attak (I doubt it) and give Ben the Attak 
Kids they sure know how to work us dont they. I would have been happy as heck just to have any kind of sled at that age. I am sure he will be happy he now has a Yami just like Mom and Pop.
jp@weknowsnow
Expert
that a pretty sweet present for your son! awesome and congrats.
i'm trying to get my dad out with us this season, see if he'll catch the sled bug.
i'm trying to get my dad out with us this season, see if he'll catch the sled bug.
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
Lucky kid. I woulda just put him on an early 80's ET300. Faster than a freesmoker (over 60mph - kid that age shouldn't even go that fast), less smoke (leaner gas/oil mix), and not tippy in the slightest. You can turn those things around on a trail by slamming on the brakes with the skis turned hard over, or by powersliding it around the skis from a stop. And the two best features.... indestructible engine and can be had for about $500.
I think the phazer will be too big for him. This may make it difficult to handle and increase the chances of crashing it.
I think the phazer will be too big for him. This may make it difficult to handle and increase the chances of crashing it.
Superman
TY 4 Stroke Master
I think that's Great! good job and have fun.
Yellowknife
TY 4 Stroke Master
I had enough respect at the age of 10 to be trusted with a sled that size...that's the real question here and it's up to the parents to know whether or not their child has enough respect for a sled and it's speed capabilities. Just because there's a mit full of throttle doesn't mean he has to use it all...that being said, 55 MPH isn't slow for a 10 year old in my opinion. Does daddy need Ben to keep up or is Ben gonna wrap himself around a tree underestimating the capabilities of a snowmobile?
Guys........Clearly, I would not put my 10 year old son on a sled he can't handle. Last year, Ben handled the Freestyle very well. He respects speed and knows what can happen if he doesn't. Ben's uncle, Lee, was in a serious snowmobile accident (drinking!!!) in the UP about five years ago and is now collecting social security benefits for his disability.
The only time we get up to speeds around 55 mph is on our lake. It's not the top end of the Freestyle that's the problem, it's the half mile it takes to get up to top speed. Additionally, the Phazer has a 42" ski stance whereas the Freestyle's ski stance is only 32". That alone makes the Phazer a more stable sled.
Yellowknife.......You make some very good points. That said, I would never push my son (or anybody, for that matter) beyond their abilities or comfort level. If I want to "shred up the trails," I have plenty of ridding buddies that are excellent riders.
The only time we get up to speeds around 55 mph is on our lake. It's not the top end of the Freestyle that's the problem, it's the half mile it takes to get up to top speed. Additionally, the Phazer has a 42" ski stance whereas the Freestyle's ski stance is only 32". That alone makes the Phazer a more stable sled.
Yellowknife.......You make some very good points. That said, I would never push my son (or anybody, for that matter) beyond their abilities or comfort level. If I want to "shred up the trails," I have plenty of ridding buddies that are excellent riders.
ecopter
TY 4 Stroke Guru
Guy's,
I think he knows his son better than anyone of us. It's really none of our business what 'cc' sled he's deciding to put his son on.
WFO, congrats on the new sled for your son. I believe it will fit him well and he'll love it.
Jon
I think he knows his son better than anyone of us. It's really none of our business what 'cc' sled he's deciding to put his son on.
WFO, congrats on the new sled for your son. I believe it will fit him well and he'll love it.
Jon
jp@weknowsnow
Expert
ecopter said:
no doubt... thats pretty awesome you guys get to ride together! i cant wait to head back out to WY and fly fish w/ pops
swamps
Extreme
- Joined
- Sep 12, 2006
- Messages
- 98
ecopter said:
I agree with you ecopter, I'm sure the father know's his own son and what he's capable of. You guys will have a great winter..
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
Half mile to get up to speed? Does it weigh a million pounds or something? Thats just stupid.
Phazer dude
Extreme
yea same here my dad got me a Fx and i am fourteen and lastyear smoked him on a apex, and he was on his rage.....so i am pretty excited fr that phazer.....i was also thinking about getting a freestyle but decided i would waite for yamaha to come out wtih somethin and they did!!!
LazyBastard said:
Honestly, half a mile is probably on exaggeration. Nevertheless, Rotax's 270 two-smoke engine does not have a lot of torque. From a dead stop, the sled drags out of the hole - kinda like an under powered boat. The '07 Freestyle, by the way, has a 550 engine available.
Yellowknife
TY 4 Stroke Master
WFO said:
Yeah, that's great to hear. Reason I brought it up is because I know of two fathers who have had kids in serious accidents for the above reasons. Even at that age growing up I had friends who'd be allowed their parents sleds and they're lucky they're alive in my books with the way they drove them with their parents right there not saying anything.
There's no question he'll love the yammi over the freestyle!! That's an awesome upgrade.
