driftbuster
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My grand daughter is 12 (going on 19) and has been riding for 3 years. Her first two years were on a 340 Enticer long track, but I wanted a sled with more power that adults could use, and something she could grow in to. Last year I picked up a 87 SRV, but the grand daughter ran it into a tree. It's fixable, but she says she doesn't like the it. I think the SRV is pretty much wore out, and needs more help than I want to spend on it.
What can I get her that she will be comfortable on, has enough power and is stable enough for the occaisional adult, and will be affordable?
What can I get her that she will be comfortable on, has enough power and is stable enough for the occaisional adult, and will be affordable?
rindtj
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
I grew up riding a 1984 phazer, 1993 phazer II, and more recently a 1999 third generation phazer. Those are all good beginner sleds I had a ton of fun and were super reliable. I would say a 1999-2000 Phazer would be the best choice, those sleds a getting to be quite affordable and are an updated platform and comfy ride and would be fine for a marginal adult rider and are pretty much bulletproof.
If you are looking to get into a liquid cooled sled with a little more get up and go a late 90s 500 Trailing Arm Yamaha XT, SXr or Vmax, again reliable slightly updated sleds. Depending on her riding abilities a "red head" Yamaha 600 Vmax or SXr 600 are more good sleds she could grow into- those could be quite a bit of sled for a 12 year old..
If you are looking to get into a liquid cooled sled with a little more get up and go a late 90s 500 Trailing Arm Yamaha XT, SXr or Vmax, again reliable slightly updated sleds. Depending on her riding abilities a "red head" Yamaha 600 Vmax or SXr 600 are more good sleds she could grow into- those could be quite a bit of sled for a 12 year old..
APEX 06
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Any of the SRX/SXR are very good sleds, the motors will last for ever. Or one of the Phazers will work great.
If it has to be yamaha then a 4 stroke phazer. 2 stroke motors dont last forever as stated above!
APEX 06
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Anyone of the Yamaha triples will last forever if maintain!
rindtj
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
True, if you plan on putting more than 10000 miles on it you may want to look at a 4 stroke.
(although I have seen more than a couple Yami triples over 10000 miles by a good margin with way fewer problems than we have had with an Apex that has 6000 miles on it.)
(although I have seen more than a couple Yami triples over 10000 miles by a good margin with way fewer problems than we have had with an Apex that has 6000 miles on it.)
tippmannator
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i would say a viper would be good to grow into. not as much snap as an srx, more comfortable to ride distance, and requires less seasonal maintenence.
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i would say a sx500r. good comfy ride with long travel rear. motors last forever. a set of skis and a good clutch set-up and it will be an awsome little sled that can carry an adult. the 2000-01 are limited on topend speed to 80 mph without a gear change.
Super Sled
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Get her a Polaris IQ from the last few years. Easy to ride and affordable. Will also last a long, long time and should be very reliable.
None of the new Yamahas are good for kids -- either too tippy or too big and powerful. If your stuck on an old 2 stroke Yamaha then just grab whatever you can find.
None of the new Yamahas are good for kids -- either too tippy or too big and powerful. If your stuck on an old 2 stroke Yamaha then just grab whatever you can find.
srvfan
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kids
Unless she is like an amazon kind of girl I would not put her on a tripple,
maybe a 99-01 Phazer but that's it. Kids may have some skills after a few years but what they don't have is weight or strength to throw something around esp in an emergency "gotta turn right now" situation.
The effort required to turn a tripple is far more than a Phazer. The Phazer also has a short easy throttle pull. Big factors if you want to take her out for longer rides, kids thumbs and shoulders get sore quick.
our 00 phazer can put the Speedo on 80 with my wife 120lb on hardpack.
that would be plenty scary fast for a 70-100lb 12 yold.
Newer sled how about a REV 380 light,reliable,good mpg,
Unless she is like an amazon kind of girl I would not put her on a tripple,
maybe a 99-01 Phazer but that's it. Kids may have some skills after a few years but what they don't have is weight or strength to throw something around esp in an emergency "gotta turn right now" situation.
The effort required to turn a tripple is far more than a Phazer. The Phazer also has a short easy throttle pull. Big factors if you want to take her out for longer rides, kids thumbs and shoulders get sore quick.
our 00 phazer can put the Speedo on 80 with my wife 120lb on hardpack.
that would be plenty scary fast for a 70-100lb 12 yold.
Newer sled how about a REV 380 light,reliable,good mpg,
biffdotorg
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I agree with what the guys are saying above. Our 10 year old has driven an SX500r the past two seasons. Not much, just cruising around the house, and to the local bar for lunch with the boys.
The SXR was a better choice over the SRX triple as it won't jump out from underneith her if she pins it. They take a little bit more time to spool up.
It has been a great learning sled, and her mom loves to ride it when she is not as it turns easy and she can pull it over with less effort. (cold starts of course) The SRX 700 when warm pulls over with a flick of the wrist. Neither is an arm jerker like a cold SkiDoo 800 twin. WOW!
Good luck and post pics when the snow flies!
The SXR was a better choice over the SRX triple as it won't jump out from underneith her if she pins it. They take a little bit more time to spool up.
It has been a great learning sled, and her mom loves to ride it when she is not as it turns easy and she can pull it over with less effort. (cold starts of course) The SRX 700 when warm pulls over with a flick of the wrist. Neither is an arm jerker like a cold SkiDoo 800 twin. WOW!
Good luck and post pics when the snow flies!
maim said:
Like he said ^^.
The Sx500 is a good sled for the kids. My 9,11 and 13 year old love driving the Sx.Very easy for them to control except for my 9 year old ( she can't drive the machine by herself yet). I like the liquid cooled machines better than the air cooled Phazers because the "heated" floor boards seem to help keep the feet warmer over longer trips. The only draw back is that the twins are harder on fuel.
Vectornut
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I think from my own experience an Indy 500 (488) or better yet, an Indy Classic 500 with electric start and reverse would be the best sled. There are tons of them around in good shape and cheap in price. They just go and go with few problems.
Andyfreeze
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Vectornut said:
X2... I've beatin on an 04 indy 500 for 5 years now and it's been unbreakable. Haven't really had to do anything to it since I got it in 06. It's great here locally on our tight and twisty trails. Very easy handling sled.
sleddingfarmer
TY 4 Stroke God
I agree with the Polaris indy 500 or classic. Or even a indy 440, 400, 1996 or older xcr 440. Any of those would be great sleds to learn on. They are reliable, they sit nice and low and corner well. Very neutral handling sleds.
If you get into the later 90s they'll have extra 10 suspension, which is a good suspension.
And don't rule out the XCF 440 fan. We have one for a loaner, and it works perfect for inexperienced riders. 1999 GEN 2 body style is darn near impossible to roll, corners flat and with extra 10 it handles moderate bumps nicely. Fan cooled sled will have minimal maintenance to worry about, don't have to worry about coolant leaks or the coolant at all...can't put a stud or anything through the heat exchangers. Just put gas and oil in it, and grease it. You'll probably never have to change the hyfax, they're so light they just don't wear out.
If you get into the later 90s they'll have extra 10 suspension, which is a good suspension.
And don't rule out the XCF 440 fan. We have one for a loaner, and it works perfect for inexperienced riders. 1999 GEN 2 body style is darn near impossible to roll, corners flat and with extra 10 it handles moderate bumps nicely. Fan cooled sled will have minimal maintenance to worry about, don't have to worry about coolant leaks or the coolant at all...can't put a stud or anything through the heat exchangers. Just put gas and oil in it, and grease it. You'll probably never have to change the hyfax, they're so light they just don't wear out.
