yankeeslover
New member
My 14 yo daughter just got her nys snowmobile course and is ready to ride. I have two sleds one being 2000 sxr 700 and the other my new 2012 polaris rush 600.. do you think the sxr is too much sled for her to learn on? I know its not a speed demon like an srx and I think it has less power then my new rush which has 0 miles on it.. we want to go for our first ride tonight and im scared, lol.. she my little girl!!!! Any hints or tips with teaching one? Would love her to learn on my brothers old 488 indy trail(8
. But its not ready to go yet..
. But its not ready to go yet..
staggs65
Moderator
Has she ever ridden anything before, atv or something. If she has and has demonstrated understanding of throttle input that would be good. My daughter started at 4 on a suzuki 50, my son was only 3. Even then it was nerve racking the first time I put them on their bravo. The first time I put my kids on the sled I took them out to the lake and made a couple laps first making a big oval and just had them follow my tracks. I'd probably take her to a lake or field first where she can get a feel for things. Good luck and have fun.
I used to block the throttle[kind of like a Valet mode] on any of the sleds the kids were riding until they got older and more experienced.
You can just wrap duct tape or black tape around the handle bar under the throttle to restrict its travel until you are confident she is in control of the throttle and sled.
Worked for us.
You can just wrap duct tape or black tape around the handle bar under the throttle to restrict its travel until you are confident she is in control of the throttle and sled.
Worked for us.
I dont think its too much but then again my daughter who is only just turned 13 has her own 2003 viper with a trail ported engine and heel clicker clutching. I always took her to a open field to teach her how to use the throttle and the brake. kids always seem to forget its easier to turn while moving then going super slow. You can ride her in the front and teach her the throttle/brake operation, then let her hold the controls. They learn quickly. I never limited the throttle on any of my girls toys but made sure she knew how to let off the gas in turns and use of the brake. My way surely isnt the only way but seemed to work for my daughter. She is pretty good now, only her 2nd year of riding(she still hasnt had her own sled faster then 60 some mph....lol) but as she gets more comfortable with it, its there if she wants to pick it up some.... 
You might want to find a fan like a '99 - '01 Phazer. But every child is different in their ability to drive a vehicle. While many can control the sled fine at even younger ages, there are several other considerations on the trail that come into play. Other riders going the same way or coming the other way are one of the major considerations. For children that don't yet drive on the streets, this can be a new concept to handle. Have you ever had to take evasive maneuvers yourself to avoid an oncoming sled? Now consider your child in the same situation. Have you ever overcooked a corner, and had to react quickly to avoid trouble? Just some things to consider. Good advice above for ways to keep the speed down. That sled will still go 90+ mph unless you limit it somehow.
staggs65
Moderator
I'm not saying the blocking the throttle method doesnt work. It obviously does for many. But here's a different view on it, especially for really young ones.
When I first started my kids on their 50 a freind of mine who's kids both race MX told me not to use the throttle stop. He had me teach them by pumping the throttle instead. They learn pretty fast this way what pushing the throttle equates to. With young kids limiting the throttle just teaches them to pin it. Just another view and by no means the only way.
heres a pic of my son riding the 50 when he was 4. he was cute back then. what the heck happened. lol
When I first started my kids on their 50 a freind of mine who's kids both race MX told me not to use the throttle stop. He had me teach them by pumping the throttle instead. They learn pretty fast this way what pushing the throttle equates to. With young kids limiting the throttle just teaches them to pin it. Just another view and by no means the only way.
heres a pic of my son riding the 50 when he was 4. he was cute back then. what the heck happened. lol
only thing I want to add about limiting throttle.... take it as you will as a grain of salt but.... when you do this kids learn to hold the throttle against the stop to go however fast you have it governed too! Then when you do remove this..."bam" they will hit something because they learned to hold the throttle against the stop. This is EXACTLY what happened to my neice, wham first time off the stop, right into a tree, because they never learn the on and off the gas to slow down fundimental that you need. Like I said each to his own but keep an eye open for that problem to arise.
I would personally never take her on a trail ride first, find a open field or lake that you can work with her to teach her this control, like ding posted you dont want her going even 30mph to run into the other lane and some young hot shot going 65mph to hit her head on because she drifted over being new to riding.
for me, its not the sled size, its the fundamentals of how to control it and operate the throttle and brake to good control and go from there.
I would personally never take her on a trail ride first, find a open field or lake that you can work with her to teach her this control, like ding posted you dont want her going even 30mph to run into the other lane and some young hot shot going 65mph to hit her head on because she drifted over being new to riding.
for me, its not the sled size, its the fundamentals of how to control it and operate the throttle and brake to good control and go from there.
staggs65
Moderator
haha, got you on the holeshot that time
Devilin AblueDress!
New member
First off that red head aint no slouch, depending on how its set up. For an example a tuned 700 will run with a stock out of the box srx at least in the bottom end. Neither is that 488 indy trail, I had a 92 GIVEN to me and was rather impressed with its 0-50mph...plenty fast enough for a newbie to get hurt. Couple tips to throw out there you may already know. Helmet, make sure it fits right. A way to big or way to small helmet even though legal is as bad or worse than no helmet at all. Have her ride around the yard and evaluate how she reacts to sled, even though youngsters dont like hearing it give her pointers (leaning while turning...etc) I would try to stay off the busy trails or go at off peak flow of traffic times at first. With 3 or more in your pack I would suggest keeping her in the middle. This way no waiting for her to catch up and can be watched by whom ever is bringing up the rear.