Hand signals what's your opinion?

S

SRX M10

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Jan 11, 2005
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South Wheelock VT
I don't mean to sound off here, but I am sick of people using hand signals on the trails. When my friends and I ride, I lead and usually get most of the near death experiences. How many times do I need to meet someone coming at me with their poorly set up sled darting all over the trail with one hand off the handle bars to tell me about the sled that is 10 feet behind them?? I took the snowmobile safety course when I was 10 now I am 32. The rule always was to expect another sled coming on every corner. I think hand signals are dangerous and give people a false sense of security. Do you have any idea how many times the last guy signals me that he's last and there is a group of sleds that have caught him and he doesn't see them following? We have some TIGHT woods trails here in Vermont, slow down when you meet other sleds and keep both hands on the bars, my kids need me!!!!
 
My sentiments EXACTLY.....people keep your hands on your bars!!!!! and one other thing.. please do not stop in the corners...ever!
 
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I agree completely. I'd rather the oncoming sled pay attention to keeping his machine under control than signaling me. On more than one occasion since this "X sleds behind me" signaling fad has hit us, I've seen the signaller hit the guy in front of him because he's so busy signaling me with his brake hand.
 
Funny you guys brought this up, Last week I had the last guy in a group I passed throw me his last man signal, then he hit a bump and bucked him right off the sled! Luckily my buddies were paying attention and run him over.
 
Yeah I have been almost run off the trail a couple times why a guy was trying to figure out if he should signal or chit his pants!!!!! Its enough to want to turn around and catch him!
 
I think they're kind of retarded too. Once you see another snowmobile coming you should be slowing down anyway. What are you even supposed to do when there's a group of people behind you that's not with you?
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just like anything there is no hard answer. If the trail is twisty and were riding hard I will make the effort to signal. I have been in a position were its safer just to hang on and have done so.
 
All for them here, in open trails and fields sure you may not need them but up north in TIGHT trails its good to know how many sleds to expect coming around the next blind corner

100% for them, if you cant ride a sled with one hand you shouldnt be on one.
 
Hand signals

I agree when and were time permits use hand signals. I run out front most of the time and threw any type trail I like to know how many are comming. I have met people in a dead man corner and could not take my hands off the bars to signal. I always slow down when meeting sleds it just make sense! Don't forget to signal for others in your group. ever been rear ended? seen someone blow a stop sign behind you ? I have seen some new signal devices for sleds that mount to your windshield that let people know that you are first and or last, not sure who makes it but I think it will catch on for the same reason you guys mentioned. Bottom line is ride the way you are comforortable with as long as you stay right and stay safe!
blue
 
bluebullet said:
I agree when and were time permits use hand signals. I run out front most of the time and threw any type trail I like to know how many are comming. I have met people in a dead man corner and could not take my hands off the bars to signal. I always slow down when meeting sleds it just make sense! Don't forget to signal for others in your group. ever been rear ended? seen someone blow a stop sign behind you ? I have seen some new signal devices for sleds that mount to your windshield that let people know that you are first and or last, not sure who makes it but I think it will catch on for the same reason you guys mentioned. Bottom line is ride the way you are comforortable with as long as you stay right and stay safe!
blue
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Agree completely theres a time and place for everything. We signal for just about everything, Get over when oncoming sleds are coming, stop ahead, or a steep incline / hidden drop. Doing so everyone is aware of EVERYTHING on the trail ahead.
 
I was riding with a couple in Maine last week and they had a LED box on the side of there sled. If your in the front or in the group yout light is amber and The last person has a green light. These are supposed to be on the market. Youll have to search for them. WAY safer than the 'ol one hander situation !!!
 
There are many riders out there that are inexperienced and are only trying to learn and do it right. While I agree that, for some, don't know what they are doing it can be very dangerous.

But, I for one, like the feeling of knowing there is another sled coming. I prefer not to be surprised. I ride fast and tune it down when I see the signs.
 
Been using hand signals since I started riding at age seven. Use them all of the time. If you can not control your sled with one hand, (either hand) your going too fast, PERIOD. Typically the person behind you is ridding harder than you just to keep up. First rider might be on his side of the trail, more often then not it's the person running second or third that gets in the way of the on coming traffic. Remember your not the only one on the trail, families, women, children, grandparents use the trails also. Ride smart so everyone can enjoy another day.

Derek
 
100% for them, they have saved me many times. People should have there sleds under control at all times so lifting your hand to signal should not be a safty issue.
 
We use hand signals all the time. We usually have one guy that likes to lead all the time and is a very good rider. He always lets on coming sleds know how many sleds are behind him.
It depends on how fast you have met that oncoming sled that you may have startled him therefore paniking him into iratic steering of his sled.
Almost every sled darts at slow speeds or at least follows other ski tracks,
Just slow down around the corners.
 
Dnrtheil said:
Been using hand signals since I started riding at age seven. Use them all of the time. If you can not control your sled with one hand, (either hand) your going too fast, PERIOD. Typically the person behind you is ridding harder than you just to keep up. First rider might be on his side of the trail, more often then not it's the person running second or third that gets in the way of the on coming traffic. Remember your not the only one on the trail, families, women, children, grandparents use the trails also. Ride smart so everyone can enjoy another day.

Derek
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Well said. ;)!
 
Roost 'Er said:
All for them here, in open trails and fields sure you may not need them but up north in TIGHT trails its good to know how many sleds to expect coming around the next blind corner

100% for them, if you cant ride a sled with one hand you shouldnt be on one.
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I 100% agree with you roost'er.

what's worse is when other's think you are waving to them when you are signalling "last sled in line"

these signals would work better if everyone knew them.

If you were to use the middle finger EVERYONE would know what you mean. LOL

We can get rid of the hand signals when everybody heeds the rule "the right side is MY side"
 
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