To sell or to keep?? That, is the question!!

[bogiewheel]

This is only a question because you have your priorities in order. Great to see!
I sold my bike when I was in your exact situation thinking that I'll get back to it soon. Soon became several years because I lost the "frame of mind" as stated above. In fact it took Electriglide1 to buy the electriglide making my get back bike his old one to do it.
Glad I didn't sell the sleds at that time because the girls took to them which resulted in an annual Eagle River Christmas vacation on snow. Now that they are grown and gone, they still make their best effort to get back for the ritual, all which would not happen if they weren't influenced by riding at an early age.

Just another thing to think about Mike. What is your vision for family time years from now?

 

[scoot]

We're at the age where our kids are starting to raise their kids and are getting out of the sport. And sounds like they have no real intentions of getting their kids involved unless many things change in the sport to make it more family friendly again. You should hear the horror stories they now tell from when they were growing up of the close encounters they had with trail jerks that they wouldn't tell me back then, that I didn't see happen because I was leading the group.
Our stuff has long since been payed for, so we've taken the last few years off, only riding local when conditions permit. I'm hopeful things may change, but I'm not holding my breath. You know, I thought it would be much harder to leave the sport I've lived and loved my whole life, but it hasn't been too bad..

 

[G]

Just another note. I have 'quit' 3 times. It didn't stick. I just can't stand the thought of not tripping over the skis in the dead of summer. And fall sucks if you don't have 3 months of anticipation. I have 4 of the stupid things now and I will probably have more before I have less. I have had sleds since I was 5 and they will sell the last of my sleds after I am in the ground.

 

[Sledhead!]

Great points guys, I liked all of them and I think they should give him enough ammo to make a good decision. Those with kids have some very true points, especially about if you had a toy and sold it before the kids came, you most likely were not able to replace it for many years!

I love the "sledding is a frame of mind..." I'll share that with the wife. (I'm sure she'll tell me "This Gucci handbag is a state of mind"

 

[eagle1]

I think it comes down to time. When or more like if it snows do you have time to ride? If not then probably doesn't pay to hang on to it.
Seems like now days can't plan a trip ahead just have be able to leave when conditions are good and not everyone can do that.

 

[michaeladams]

it's cheaper to keep'er. trust me. sold just to buy another. it's a great escape a few times a year. or sell it and buy a can am spyder, just sat on one today and it would be like snowmobiling 9 months per year

 

[jr37]

You can get a hundred different opinions here. It really comes down to whats in your heart.

My new sled is a '99. We don't ride much. They are little family rides for a burger and a root beer. I once thought about selling the '99, but I am glad I didn't. My wife takes the '99 and I take the ole' John Deere and just enjoy a little family time on the snow.

If you sell now and later change your mind, it will cost you alot more to get back in. Keep it, store it, use it in the future when things get back to where you ride again.

 

[polarisrider1]

Sell.

 

[mikes99ss]

Just to keep everyone updated. After reading this thread I decided to keep it. The point that hit home the most for me is with my kids being only 7-10 if I sell now I better be ready to go 10 years without a sled because lord knows I won't be able afford to replace it as there lives only get busier and more demanding.

 

[olsmann]

Only sell if you are hurting for the cash.

 

[elf]

We have 2 kids who we started taking with at 2 and 3. Now we have 4 sleds and replace e one every 2 to 3 yrs. Snowmobiling is a big part of our lives and what we do together as a family. Not sure if you ever get your kids out but ours love to go. So, long story short, I'd keep it

 

[MZEMS2]

it's cheaper to keep'er. trust me. sold just to buy another. it's a great escape a few times a year. or sell it and buy a can am spyder, just sat on one today and it would be like snowmobiling 9 months per year

Now you're talking...LOL...did just that! This is in my garage as of Friday...of course it snowed last night and is still snowing. Not gonna be enough to open the trails though. SO, it's yet another wasted snowfall. One more reason to bale from the sport. IMO

 

[coldbear]

I'd keep it no matter what. As soon as you sell it, you'd wished you had it back. I like walking in my shop around July/August and smell the rubber of the tracks. That aroma recharges my senses till the time comes for a sno-trip. Keep her for life. It's paid for and it's still cheaper than renting.

 

[whitedust]

Sell.

Yep .....the way powder sleds are progressing it will be obsolete next year & no one will want it ....has lose your A$$ all over it. If was a trail sled maybe would keep but since a powder sled & not using sell it without a question & very soon too.

 

[rayds]

just a thought-- I had a sled, kids in figure skating, hockey, dance, gymnastics, busy schedule. Kept sled, (still have it plus another one) rode when had a chance. Guess who grew up to be my best riding partner/bud? Gawd I enjoy riding with him. Even when the grandkids come, in the winter one of the first questions is -- go snobeellin?? enjoy it even more. Just want it to snow!!!!! Agree with Grub-- sledding is frame of mind (by the way in his neck of the woods--- or prairie it at one time was called sno-catting no matter if you were riding ski doo, polaris, cat or john deere or whatever)

 

[6hundy6]

Yep .....the way powder sleds are progressing it will be obsolete next year & no one will want it ....has lose your A$$ all over it. If was a trail sled maybe would keep but since a powder sled & not using sell it without a question & very soon too.[/QUO

I bet that thing does great in the powder. I bet it will do great in the powder next year, and the next, and for years to come. You probably would lose on it if you sold it now or any time. Custom sled, the way you want it.

Makes no sense to sell.

With out question keep it and let your kids wreck it, I mean ride it, when they are able to ride.

 

[ibendwire]

Just to keep everyone updated. After reading this thread I decided to keep it. The point that hit home the most for me is with my kids being only 7-10 if I sell now I better be ready to go 10 years without a sled because lord knows I won't be able afford to replace it as there lives only get busier and more demanding.

I think you made the right decision. It is much easier to stay in the sport than it is to get back into the sport. If you sell your sled, you are not going to get rich anyway and it won't be long before that money is gone and forgotten. The only way I would sell is if the money was needed for medical bills, to put food on the table, or keep your mortgage current. Having the sled already paid for, the yearly costs to maintain it are not that huge and you never know, maybe your kids will get into the sport and love it. I have two girls and they both enjoy the sport. (one more than the other). My oldest daughter has become an excellent rider. I would put her up against most other riders and she would not have a problem keeping up. In fact, my youngest daughter went off to college this year so it is just my wife and I at home but I just bought another sled this fall (thanks again mspease for a great sled) and now I have 4 sleds with only two people at home. I figured selling them is not going to make me rich and it is still so much fun when the family can get together and enjoy a day on the trails.

 

[Skylar]

You made the right choice. Never sell a toy that is paid for, unless its to get a different one lol.

 

[longtrack]

You may want to keep it until next fall now. Spring pricing has started already this year. There is lots of Sleds left in southern Wisconsin and the discounts have started. If you want to sell it now, it will be cheap.

 

[ecopter]

Sold off all my stuff two years ago because of the same reasons. I was heavy into it for a decade, and during that time bought several new ones. I got tired of trailering 600 miles one way, and trying to find the snow. My brand new Apex got used two or three times per winter. Yeah, it was all paid for, but the thrill often got washed away because of the other hassles. I kept one set of gear because I thought I'd miss it and want to rent. I'm sorry to say I haven't missed it one bit, and I was a die hard.