Which sled for my wife?

crewchief47

crewchief47

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She finally decided that she wants off the Venture next year so I have to start thinking about looking for a sled for her. She's never riden her own before so I'm thinking no more than a 600. She's 5ft tall and probably 130lbs with gear on. I'm leaning towards a 99-01 Phazer or a SX500R, but I thought I'd ask you all for some ideas or points that I should consider. Probably won't get anything till the fall, unless a smokin deal comes along.
 

I got my wife the 01 Phazer ER. She loves it. Nice and light, easy to steer. Fan cooled so it's not too overpowering though. I think in retrospect I would have gone for a 600 triple. Feet stay warmer and it's quite a bit cheaper for fuel. 10 mpg. on the Phazer vs. 15 mpg on a 600. Plus I just love the sound.
 
take her out to the dealers and let her sit on all brands and let her choose for herself. if you have a large riding group let her ride other peoples stuff to get a feel. even if (heaven forgive) she chooses another brand. ergonomics are special to each person. if they dont like what they ride, they wont ride long or enjoy it like you, or with you. i am a firm believer in putting your partners on equal or better equipment so they dont ride hand me down junk and 'feel' second rate when it comes to riding equipment. my .02 ski
 
My wife rides a 2001 SXR 700 and loves it - handles and rides great - don't really need 700cc - you would probably be fine with a 500 or 600 - the Phazers have the best fan cooled engine Yamaha ever built but I never rode one to compare the ride to the SXR's
 
Make sure you ask her if she wants elec start and rev. The happier she is on a sled, the happier you are on a sled. I agree with Ski too, if you can let her ride it first. There are alot of good cheap 500 and 600 sleds out there. If it where me. I'd find a good 600 venom er. Newer sled so less maintainance. Never add extras either, unless she wants them. My bud put C&A Pro Race skis on his wifes sled, thought he was doing good. It took to much to turn it for her, and she quit ridding until he changed them. Best advice, let her tell you what she wants. Maxdlx
 
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Alot depends on your wifes preferences and riding style. My wife had an Indy 500 and every time she rode my Viper she would want more power out of her sled. She is no speed queen, she will maybe do 60-70 tops unless she is on the lake. She just wanted more acceleration. I ended up getting her an 02' Viper and she loves it.
Tom
 
All of the above sound good, but I am partial to the triples. More dependable, better fuel mileage, and 600/700 resale is nice.

Really cant go wrong, but not sure what venture she had?? Old school phazer type? If so she would probably appreciate the zip of any liquid.

Good Luck
 
My wife rides an srx 700. She loves it and I can't get her off the thing. Er would be nice though. I would suggest a sxr or viper with electric start.
 
My woman prefers a Rx-1 over my lightweight sx700, go figure. I think it is the motor feel and the throttle pull that is doing it, so when I get her a sled, it will likely be a rage, unless she finds something else she preferrs...
 
Thanks for all the replys, it helps. Gonna start hitting the dealers for now, ala Skidooboy, to try a bunch of different ergos and try and eliminate some models. Keep the suggestions coming.
 
With the Triples remember that the throttle pull can be tiring on the thumb, my wife can only ride my 700 for an hour or so before she complains about her thumb. She has a twin 500 liquid and she likes it a lot.
 
I love it when guys ask about what sled to get their wife and only guys reply ... as if all you guys know what us women want! LOL (just joking with you, don't take it serious)

I have to agree with grape ... let her try out a vector or a rage.

My mom just got a vector and she loves, even though she swore up and down she didn't want to part with her deluxe. Its something about those smooth, quiet 4-strokes. Plus the trottle is much easier on the thumb for those who get sore throttle thumb.

Another option is the rev ... personally I can't stand riding on those (at least I haven't felt comfy the times I have tried them) but it seems like a lot of women feel really comfy on those sleds. I know a few women who don't normally ride, but ride like heck on those sleds! They are a soft ride ...
 
my wifes really likes her VMax 600 ER.
The ride is very smooth and she loves the electric start and reverse.
I have to make some changes and adjustments to make it handle better for her (it is darting). I will shim the skis, maybe go with duel carbides and 96 studs. I adjusted the throttle position and it is very comfortable for her now.
 
Wife sled

Ski is right let her sit on everything and get what she wants, get electric start and reverse for you if not for her you wont spend the day starting and moving her sled. my wife sat on them all and ended up with a rev GSX and she loves the way it rides very smooth and can see the ski tips likes the smaller feel of the rev cockpit
 
Well, went driving around the county today and visited the local dealers, well the Doo, Poo and Yami dealers anyway. Won't deal with the local Cat dealer so will probably stay away from them. Here are the results they were all dry runs(showroom floor, not alot of snow here):

Doo: Rev-big NO WAY
CK-Good
Poo: Edge-big No way
IQ-didn't have one out of crate.
Yami: Venom-Good, same as CK
Vector-Favorite, for a smidgen higher seat

Of course she has to like something that won't have alot of used on the market but she didn't even realize it was one of the four-stroke models till after, so she wasn't model shopping at least.
Just for a refresher, she's 5ft even and has a back-ground in equestrian riding(years ago, think high-school). I think thats the reason she didn't like the rev because she compares everything to the "saddle" posture. Ie: knees bent at 90. On the rev, because she's vertically challenged, her knees were much straighter, and it felt funny to her, at least thats what she seems to be trying to say.

Throttle pull is the other concern: easiest was the edge chassis indy 500. Amazingly, the MXZ 800 and Legend 500 liquid were each the same. The Venom was simialr to our Venture(big surprise :rolleyes: ) The Vector seemed pretty stiff compared to them all, I will have to look into some throttle options no matter what we end up buying, unless it's a 500.

It was really cool to see my wife in the evaluation mode and enjoying it, hopefully she can handle the physical demands riding her own sled because "chicks on sleds rock" :rockon:
 
wifes sled

my wife rode a 99 600 sx, pipes, clutch, and gearing she loves the machine. she hates the two stroke smell.. this year we got her a new 05 vecter er. she said its the smoothest machine she has ever rode and no more 2 stroke smoke smell... 4 stroke all the way.....
 
i bought my wife a vector er this year... i would definately recommend one for yours... my wife loves it, it has plenty of power, the ride is second to none, and with the minor changes made this year to the vectors if you find a left over 05 for a good deal it would be a hell of a sled for her. the torsion spring suspension works really well, and with the switch brand wide (almost) to the monoshock, the dealers are probably willing to move some 05 vector er's at decent prices.

her last sled was a 00 sxr 600 and she liked that sled alot too, until she rode the vector. prior to that was a 99 phazer 500 fan, if you want any more info pvt msg me...
 
Pretty funny.
This thread went a totally different way from what I thought you meant when you said, "which sled for my wife?"
I though you were trading and had a couple of different models to choose from.
My bad, never mind me.
Carry on
 
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