Kids and your sleds

I would not let a young buck ride something with 120+ Hp. I remember when I was young and foolish. It doesnt take more than a couple flips of the throttle to make the Viper do unspeakably sweet things.

If you do let them ride it, i would find a way to detune it, so they cant do anything cool, and you will have no worries. :)

P.S. Im not a parent, and am not planning on being one for 5-10 years.
 

All depends on the kid

I say again, it all depends on the kid. And I completely agree with Ding's statements. Ryan started out on a minni Z at age 3. He's had plenty of sleds but his most recent sled has been a viper for the last 2 years. Ryan respects equipment. He races motocross and understands what can happen. Motocross had handed him a broken elbow in one crash, two broken arms in another crash and most recently a broken thumb. Just got picked up by Kawasaki for Team Green this motocross season. I'd trust my Nytro to him as much as ANYONE else that I ride with......maybe more.

Madmatt
 
well i wraped my first kitty kat around the clothes line pole at age six so don't ask me. I will not turn over a anything more than a phazer to my kids once they are old enough to ride. And i'll do my dambest to teach them to respect the power they have in there hands. Just like teaching them to respect guns and always practice safety.
 
Being a youngin myself (20) I would say it everyone who commented is right. Don't let your kids just go riding by themselves. Its not a good idea for anyone, no matter age, to ride alone. I like many children was brought up to treat things with respect, it doesn't take much to get hurt. Accidents do happen and people learn from mistakes. But your kids will never learn to be good safe riders if they don't start somewhere.

As you said they already have their own sleds to parade around on. As mentioned, if they want to upgrade (and you think they are ready) cut them a good deal on the sleds and upgrade if you can. My dad bought a sled for my brother and I to double on when we were smaller. 4 years ago I couldn't stand being so squished so I saved my money up and bought the viper I still have today. Made my dad proud, mom... well mom was "okay" with it.

I'd say give em a chance to ride, keep your eye on em. If they get out of line, let them know they are in the wrong.
 
phazerman said:
I'm 16 and i just bought my self a 2002 viper, and i worked for every penny of that sled. It doesn't feel right to me when other kids are given f7's and 800 revs for no work at all.
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Same here, i bought my 2001 srx 700 when a summer when i was 15. im 16 now and still wouldnt let anyone drive it... even if its not "Mint" condition. i worked for it. i cant afford to pay for some one elses mistakes
 
My Dad had 3 sleds and I got the 340 enticer once in a while by myself. He knew that I could ride. But I'm sure he also knew that I could show off. If i had a sled to call my own, i would have been the envy of every sled guy in school even if it was a 340. If they want it bad enough, they will get a job and earn it for real. That isnt to say dad doesnt let them take his out once or twice a year. :)
As for accidents, you are talking to a guy that almost had his life ended at 21 years on a 3 week old bike at 40 mph because of someone late for work. I respected that machine more than ANYTHING. Sometimes it just doesnt matter how you ride. Im probably on the conservative side when it comes to safety. It will be very hard to let my kids ride anything bigger than a bravo when they are old enough. Life is fragile... Send your kids over to my place for an afternoon and they will be ready to go when they leave.
My .02
 
JDViper said:
My Dad had 3 sleds and I got the 340 enticer once in a while by myself. He knew that I could ride. But I'm sure he also knew that I could show off. If i had a sled to call my own, i would have been the envy of every sled guy in school even if it was a 340. If they want it bad enough, they will get a job and earn it for real. That isnt to say dad doesnt let them take his out once or twice a year. :)
As for accidents, you are talking to a guy that almost had his life ended at 21 years on a 3 week old bike at 40 mph because of someone late for work. I respected that machine more than ANYTHING. Sometimes it just doesnt matter how you ride. Im probably on the conservative side when it comes to safety. It will be very hard to let my kids ride anything bigger than a bravo when they are old enough. Life is fragile... Send your kids over to my place for an afternoon and they will be ready to go when they leave.
My .02
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very good input from someone that seems like they would know. sorry it happened to you, but man you seem to make the best of it!! how long ago was that?
 
Ya know..As the classic RUSH song states, "You can't get something for nothing". Those are words that I live by, and words I'm instilling to my son. He's 8, rode his Kitty Cat for a couple years. Now, he's moved up to a 72 Ski Doo. He loves riding it with me on the back but he works around the house to earn money to pay for the gas. Those are the rules. I've let him drive the Viper with me on it and he respects the power, just like he does on his "72". He loves sleds but now he's saving his $ for a dirt bike (which he won't be riding till "I" think he's ready).
When he gets old enough(and can prove he's ready)to ride a bigger sled on the trails with mom and dad then we'll pick one up and he will pay us back for it. I don't believe in a free ride, that's not how I was raised. He won't be going out by himself to raise hell on it, he'll be riding with us.
I guess every kid and every situation is different, but us as parents know what our kids can handle and what they can't.
Just my .02 worth
 
My 15 year old took my viper out with his mother and a couple of her freinds while I was away at work. Came back bent up . He wasnt abusing it or doing anything stupid. They were ditch banging and he hit an unmarked embankment. Lost a trailing arm, bent the tunnel from ripping out the trailing arm, and he flew through the windshield and broke the cowling, and all the plastic below the windsheild. Thank God he wasnt hurt, just his stupid feelings. He paid for the damage and helped me repair it. I went out to see if he was being a jackass and was horrified to see that could happen to anyone. He learned what it cost, even if it was just bad luck. He also learned a bit about working on sleds. And we did a little bonding working on it. Since you are asking if you should, you likely think he is an ok kid. Give him the keys and tell him what the rules are. If he breaks the rules, take them back. He soon will be asking for the family car. He needs to learn.
 
03viperguy said:
very good input from someone that seems like they would know. sorry it happened to you, but man you seem to make the best of it!! how long ago was that?
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It will be 8 years this april...

Yeah i make the most of it! I always loved sledding but now that is about the only time I can still feel the acceleration rush still. Love it!!!! Going fast is great, but getting there NOW is better...
 
SXlover said:
Very well said, and too many people don't realize that.
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very well said, by you and the original poster! thanks for sharing a bit man, hope someone else can learn a bit from other peoples experiences
 
Just bought a 05 sxviper last week (1st sled ) never owned one , or rode one before .
My 18y/o son & I. Took it out of town for our 1st ever ride .
I went 1st , came back after 20-30 min to truck where son was impaitently waiting .
All I said was "holy crap, Be Careful". And off he went .
Was I pacing when he was gone? You bet I was .
He came back grining ear to ear ....All was good ...
Of course I knew what he was going to ask .
"Is it ok if I take the sled out next week with my friends Dad""
His friend all have Their Own Sleds & were going out that weekend ( I was out of town working ) Sure I said ( Did I it was all mine? for maybe a second ? )

Good group of boys , with much more sledin experence than I , Thats for sure ...
They were all in my garage checking out THE New Sled as soon as I got it home .
Thats the reason I buy toys is so they get used .
Just dont want anyone to get hurt. Stuff can allways be fixed of replaced
 
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