Thinking about getting out of riding...

tpayner

tpayner

Member
Joined
May 28, 2003
Messages
34
Age
51
Location
Westfield, IN
Website
www2.caringbridge.org
So with the ever changing temps and the situations facing the political arena, snowmobiling has been getting to be more of a disappointment and a hassle than the real enjoyment it once was.

Been talking with my wife about getting out of it. Just curious how many others have done it and come back or stayed out and how they feel about it.

Trail closures, stupid/inconsiderate riders (that think it is their trail), the Gov getting involved more than they should (due to the second point) just make it more painful than pleasurable.

Let me know if you have.

Thanks,

Todd Payne
Westfield, IN
 
I hear ya.I started riding back in 1976 and ended in 1982.I went without until around 2005.That was a long while,but a co-worker at work was selling his SXR ,so I took it off his hands and been riding since.It sure is different riding these days compared to the early years.Sleds were much more simpler and inexpensive then.Now it cost an arm and a leg to keep these sleds going.I enjoy riding,but this past season was a real bummer with lack of snow for sure.I sold one of my vintage sled and have my SXR up for sale now.That would leave me with just the 02 SRX. And if everything keeps going up..I probably won't be riding as much anymore.Will never buy a new sled ,so keeping the old ones going is a bit of a chore sometimes.Major issue for me is if it starts to cost me $70 and up to fill up the tank...that could be a deciding factor.Already was costing near $65 end of last season and you add cost of oil and it is costly.This is just my situation,but I have to stop spending money on sleds now and just keep my other Bills paid up.Money is tight here and it may just be a part time or limited riding for me.

The lack of snow and warm temps sure doesn't warrant a new $17,000 sled .Sled prices have to come down again and they have to stop making all these crazy high performance sleds and stick to basics again and keep it simple.I am really thinking of just looking for an older 78 to 80 Exciter or SRX and just have fun riding and selling all the newer sleds.Everyone's situation is different..but I won't get sucked into buying a high priced heavy new sled in my future.
 
We hear you..... I have been riding since the late 60's and yes, the weather/snow runs in cycles. Heck, in my area from the mid 80's to the early 90's there was Very little snow. I use those low snow years as a way to capitalize on lower prices for equipment and to get other projects out of the way. Participating in shows, trail building, local clubs are excellent ways to help the sport. The stupid/inconsiderate riders were Always there unfortunately for the sport it was not until the later years that it was unacceptable. I ride around home and on private land so as to keep away from riding the trail systems on weekends. If you are too be a lifetime snowmobiler you really have to look at the overall picture and not zero in on one or two years.
 
Guess it just depends how much you like it. For me snowmobiling is basically my biggest passion and release from the mundane everyday world. I think about it every day throughout the year, but it really ramps up after labor day when I start going through my sled and getting ready for the year. True the weather has been bad for it and there are many challenges, but it's still worth it for me. And for the govt. if we just meekly pack it in when they start to make things tough, before you know it we won't have any freedoms left. We will just stay in our houses and take it like they want us to.
 
Yeah, for the last 12 years, riding has been something my wife and I do together. We have an 8 yo dautghter now and she has her own Sno Scoot, so it really has been a family endevour. My wife needs a new sled so our daughter can continue to ride wih us, no more riding in the front on a 1 up. We are looking at the pro's and con's and right now the con's are winning. It is so bad that a boat makes more sense for us. My wife is a high school counselor and I am a firefighter. She gets very little time off in the winter for us to ride outside of X-Mas (too crowded for safe riding) and 1 nice trip alone of about 4 days. I can ride all I want basically. But this was a family thing.

I too am a year round sledhead. They are always being worked on throughout the year. I have been riding (alone) since I was 12 and about to turn 39, wow 27 years!!!! It's been a great get away.
 
I will only give up sledding when i find my way to the grave! i joke about having my sled with me in the grave too. there is ups and downs true but you can enjoy snowmobiling on snow, water, ice, and grass.
 
I sold mine a few years ago, but had loaners to use so I never really got out of it. Now I found the right balance with the unpredictable weather and kids that want to ride by fixing up older sleds. Less investment equals less frustration with bad winters and less time to chase snow storms. Plus I enjoy wrenching almost as much as riding, and a great place to find parts right here at TY.
 
I really don't think I could ever get out of the sport completely. I started out riding a 68 Ski-Doo Olympique that my grandfather owned when I was 7 or 8. Put alot of miles on that thing! Even though we had a really crappy winter last year we were still able to get out a couple times on the new sleds and had a ball! My son got to ride his 72 Ski Doo and loved it, and I got to ride my 71 Ski Doo and had a ball as always. Even if I ever had to sell the newer sleds I would never get rid of the old timers. Cheap to operate and WAY too much fun!
For us as a family, we all have alot of fun going out for the day. Sometimes Tyler rides with mom and sometimes he rides with me. Gonna start looking for an Inticer or something he can ride by himself though. He is at the age where he want's to be more independent and he's a good responsible rider too. After that, we'll see what happens.
Gas is not cheap, but a handful of hours of riding are cheaper than going skiing for the day that's for sure. Which is pretty sad considering that skiing is considered more of a "family" sport. Gotta do something during the winter ya know?......
 
I have been ridiing sleds since the early 60s and I find the "Off" years caused by poor weather, work or family commitments ect...just feed the fire for my need to ride the next season. I am enthustically working on my SRX this summer with needed maintenace, some upgrades + updates, and performance changes. Got to beat those 800 ETECS...can't imagine leaving the sport.
I am going to the local clubs volunteer appreciation dinner tonite.
I can't wait for next season!


Bob
 
I will ride always.. doesnt matter how much it cost. if i go out twenty times a season or five i wont stop. sometimes i go drive mine on grass in summer for fun hahaha!this season was my best season in the last five years. i know for most it sucked but this year i was out everyday! I will never stop.
 
Naah haha :P il switch to an old four stroke but il always ride the two strokes even if they are banned i ride where there is no law haha.
 
sledding is my passion if all i do is go to the week end race at the lake as a sanctioned event 2 be the fastest one out then thats what it will be, the cost is erelevent , that gos with nature every thing goes up. its against the law to have tinted windows i still got tinted windows , are we all going to just going to quit sledding, i dont think so, but yes the price of the sleds are over the range which im willing 2 pay, so waiting for a 2 or 3 yr old sled with low miles is the way 2 go and still enjoy the new knowledge built into them. so are the prices for new trucks 40,60 70 thousand u got to be kidding me, im not paying that kind of money for a new truck, so i drive the older ones with low miles for a third of the price and they still last me 5 years then move on to another older model. as long as we keep buying these toys at the inflatted price they will keep building them. its when we all stop is when things change prices come down.
 
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