Hand signaling on your snowmobile: The sign language of the northwoods

[Eddie Van Sleddin']

Ever find yourself motoring down the trail and saying this to yourself about an approaching sled: Sure, I can see there are no more snowmobiles coming behind you (noted via the closed fist hand signal), but what confuses me is which direction you might be planning on turning.

I know I have. I might a minority, but it's my belief that Right and Left turn hand signaling is a lost courtesy. A courtesy that makes us all a lot safer.

 

[xc500mod]

I guess I don't get your point. Do you want me to signal the direction im turning at intersections? Its pretty rare that I find myself in cornering conflicts at intersections. I'm all for safety but think your argument is a little trite considering there are few intersections in the north woods. I would rather you keep your hand on the grip and STAY ON YOUR SIDE.

With the new snow I fear what it will be like in mercer this weekend!

-mod

 

[Eddie Van Sleddin']

Well, let's go ahead and take Mercer this weekend. There could very well be a lot of sled traffic coming through that area. Especially out behind Around The Corner Pub. I'd sure hate to clobber the side of some nice gentleman's 800 PRO-RMK because he thought I was turning right, I thought he was turning right, I ended up turning left, and he ended up turning right. Hand signals, man...

 

[lenny]

my point is being proven time after time so I will continue to say it time after time. Everybody stop signaling all together. Signaling creates more problems then they are worth. In a perfect world, common sense and signals would be of great benefit but the reality is they are plagued with problems. So, just drive defensively and think this or that may happen and you will do your part to avoid incident.

 

[polarisrider1]

Thank you Lenny, very true.

 

[teamlipske]

Eddie Van Sleddin,

Here is a link to the offical snowmobile hand signals: http://www.snowmobilers.org/saferider/safety/page_01.html

Do you prefer using your brake hand, throttle hand, or both simultaneously? I have found it difficult approaching an intersection signaling that I have sleds behind me with my left hand and indicating to approaching sleds that I'm turning right with my right hand. I've had to use my knees to steer the sled before.

 

[gogebic_sledder]

my point is being proven time after time so I will continue to say it time after time. Everybody stop signaling all together. Signaling creates more problems then they are worth. In a perfect world, common sense and signals would be of great benefit but the reality is they are plagued with problems. So, just drive defensively and think this or that may happen and you will do your part to avoid incident.

I agree with Lenny completely, too many times do I see people struggle driving their sled just to let me know they are #3 out of 5. Keep your hands on the bars.

 

[xc500mod]

I have been hawkin' the board for a long time. I had a screen name way back in 2005, but do to some server meltdown i lost my screen name. So you may look at my posts and think "hey that xc500mod guy is a rookie" but, I am very experienced with the frequent discussions on this board. I, like many of you, have seen the hand signal discussion far too many times!!!

It comes down to this:

Do you prefer using your brake hand, throttle hand, or both simultaneously? I have found it difficult approaching an intersection signaling that I have sleds behind me with my left hand and indicating to approaching sleds that I'm turning right with my right hand. I've had to use my knees to steer the sled before. -teamlipske

This is my example. this teamlipske is a prime example of everything that is wrong with signaling. he is an ***clown on the trails. I mean use some common sense!!! steering your sled at an intersection with your knees! man it's people like you that run people like Eddie Van Sleddin' off the trails!

Especially with a name like teamLIPSKE! UPSON!

ok vent over. big snows on the way. just got an itchin' in my thumb that can only be scratched by the keyboard and the throttle....brraaaaappp!!!

-xc500mod

 

[Grant Hoar]

How about we all use some common sense, like slowing down at an intersection, especially when there are other sleds there?

 

[Polarice]

How about we all use some common sense, like slowing down at an intersection, especially when there are other sleds there?

I agree. I was cruising down trail 8 going west...just about to pass the intersection of 419 that goes north to Wetmore. I wasn't going north, but I saw some sledders about to pop out and go west too. I decided to slow down when the jerkoff came half way out of the trail and then stopped because he saw I wasn't turning. That's what a STOP sign if for!

I know that has nothing to do with hand signals; just idiocy.

 

[harski]

No such thing as common courtesy anymore in society. It's an "I'm first" mentality no matter who they cut off or turn in front of etc. Luckily last week we didn't see too many sleds but the ones we did were courteous.

Harski

 

[upbarleyboy]

I think all sleds should be required to have hard-wired blinkers. Ya' know.....those nice big square ones like you use to find on the 1978 International box truck. Mount them right on the hood and rear bumper. Those were SSSWWWWEEEETTTTTT!!! Remember--yellow in front, and red in back.

 

[doospunk]

my point is being proven time after time so I will continue to say it time after time. Everybody stop signaling all together. Signaling creates more problems then they are worth. In a perfect world, common sense and signals would be of great benefit but the reality is they are plagued with problems. So, just drive defensively and think this or that may happen and you will do your part to avoid incident.

Agree with you Lenny. It never ceses to amaze me seeing people blazing down the trail, skis darting, 1 hand in the air signaling the next rider 20 yards behind him, and only one hand trying to control the flipper and steering at the same time. It's just ridiculous. If you feel that you "must" signal, then slow way down to a reasonable speed when you see oncoming traffic. Your all a bigger risk to yourselves and others than you think. I rarely see groups passing at a speed where they are able to control and signal at the same time, so like Lenny says above - do us all a favor, and keep two hands on the steering. (There are manufactures out there that make LED devices to signal oncoming traffic, so for those of you dead set on continuing that practice, it might be a good idea to have a look into that.)

 

[90s]

maybe the way to go on the hand signals would be for the second to last to indicate one more coming & the last to use the closed fist. If your sled is darting and control is an issue, maybe look at different carbides. To many times it's the ricky racer last in line that is trying to catch up to the group and is using all the trail that I'm concerned with. I agree with one the above posts, many show very little respect for their fellow snowmobiler, rather it's how fast I can pass you whether coming or going, or maybe they're trying to impress me as to how good of a rider they are.

 

[onlypolar4me]

what about me, the friendly farmer from s.e. mn, I wave at everybody !!!
Just kidding I agree keep your hands on the grips, just smile big!!!

 

[Eddie Van Sleddin']

@Teamlipske: Oh, I'm much more in favor of using both. After all, what's the point of letting approaching sledders know there is two more sleds coming, if you don't also tell them which way you're turning. Again, I'm all for safety, so doubling-up the hand signals only seems logical.

@onlypolar4me: I started this thread by noting the lack of apparant lack of courtesy on the trails. What could be more courteous than a warm, friendly wave to your fellow sledders? Perhaps warmly waving with one hand, while signaling a left turn with the other is the best of both worlds. Who would pass up the opportunity to be courteous AND safe?!

 

[azmod13]

it really does no good to signal you have five more riders in your group behind you when there is another group behind you with who knows how many riders, just ride defensively and all will be ok. ride safe

 

[doospunk]

@Teamlipske: Oh, I'm much more in favor of using both. After all, what's the point of letting approaching sledders know there is two more sleds coming, if you don't also tell them which way you're turning. Again, I'm all for safety, so doubling-up the hand signals only seems logical.

@onlypolar4me: I started this thread by noting the lack of apparant lack of courtesy on the trails. What could be more courteous than a warm, friendly wave to your fellow sledders? Perhaps warmly waving with one hand, while signaling a left turn with the other is the best of both worlds. Who would pass up the opportunity to be courteous AND safe?!

Good point! So how would you signal oncoming danger? Such as a deer, moose or bear on the trail? Left arm extended "out and up" to slow down, right hand extended all the way out to signal "Yield", and left leg inverted straight out to signal animal danger? At least you'd be safe knowing you've still got your right knee available to steer your around the hazard right?

 

[gogebictodd]

I agree with Lenny----keep your hands on the sled, as many others I have come close to getting hit, when the oncoming sled attempts a hand signal and loses control..................

 

[yamadooed]

Signaling is a courtesy and not a mandatory preferably used only during daylight hours... Its that simple...