What size is good starter sled for daughter

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frosty

Member
Hey guys and gals, I been kicking around the idea of picking up a nice used starter sled for my oldest duaghter. I was thinking a 500 would be a nice sled to start with. Whats your thought? Its going to have to be a Cat, the wife won't allow any other brand in the garage. She just about stroked when I mentioned I was interested in a Yamaha Nytro XTX before buying the new X/F 800 SP Ltd. :eek:
 
Z

zimmbob

Member
I started my youngest one at the age of 12 on a 340 Panther. The older one, 14 at the time, was on an Indy 500. The 12 year old was always screaming she wanted a faster sled..... she's a bit of a dare-devil. That sled went about 50 ish. I felt ok with that. Any 500 liquid or even a 550 fan would be a great starter sled. Things to consider, whatever you do, is comfort, warmth, comfort, warmth, did I mention warmth? At least in my dealings with a lot of women/girl riders, they always need to be warm. Make sure they have the right clothing. Get gauntlets for them, Good coat and bibs, and good boots. If they get cold, they won't want to ride any more. And make sure it has a good suspension. My oldest basically gave up sledding because the Indy 500 had the old suspension. Too bumpy for long rides.

Just some advice from someone who got his wife and two girls to ride for a few years... until other things became more important... (ehm..... like boys, cell phones, facebook, and all those important things...)

Hope it works out for you. Some of the best trips I had were taking them with me....
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
Depends on age, has she ridden before, size, etc. etc. etc.

I started out on a 93 indy trail, it lived its whole life pinned wfo. Halfway thru my first winter riding i got a 99 indy 500, that lived a lot of its life pinned wfo. Then at 14 i got an xc 700, and i hardly ever pin it. The power is so arm stretching, you feel like you don't need it. Jumping up to such a powerful sled, made me realize how nuts it is to go 90 mph on a 500 liquid even tho it takes forever to get up to that. Gotta remember a cat 500 with apv can reach about 100 mph on the dream-o-meter.
 
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frosty

Member
I guess, I should have been a little more specific on her ability. She use to ride my old Crossfire 600 around the house here and around our trail system. I feel she could handle a 500 but don't want to push it. She's 14, and cocky as ever. I think if I put something to powerful under her, she is going to get into trouble she won't be able to handle. I'm just not sure how fast 440 and 500 go. :confused:
 
F

frosty

Member
zimmbob said:
I started my youngest one at the age of 12 on a 340 Panther. The older one, 14 at the time, was on an Indy 500. The 12 year old was always screaming she wanted a faster sled..... she's a bit of a dare-devil. That sled went about 50 ish. I felt ok with that. Any 500 liquid or even a 550 fan would be a great starter sled. Things to consider, whatever you do, is comfort, warmth, comfort, warmth, did I mention warmth? At least in my dealings with a lot of women/girl riders, they always need to be warm. Make sure they have the right clothing. Get gauntlets for them, Good coat and bibs, and good boots. If they get cold, they won't want to ride any more. And make sure it has a good suspension. My oldest basically gave up sledding because the Indy 500 had the old suspension. Too bumpy for long rides.

Just some advice from someone who got his wife and two girls to ride for a few years... until other things became more important... (ehm..... like boys, cell phones, facebook, and all those important things...)

Hope it works out for you. Some of the best trips I had were taking them with me....
Click to expand...

Thanks for the eye opener, we have all the right gear, but just not sure the trust is there. Won't know for sure until she's been given the opportunity, but don't want her to get hurt or worse!
 
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frosty

Member
Appreciate the link Indy, but I was looking for something a little newer and something with like 4000 less miles. :eek:
 
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ezra

Well-known member
the z570 can be found cheep and have some good get up and go especially the 04 and older when they were still twin carb when my wife's was new I raced a zl500 and a sxr600 both had at least 1200mi on them the 570 won 3 out of 3 in 660 but any more than 660 they would pass tops out just past 80.they can be found for less than 2g
 
3

3_old_jags

New member
If its not out of your price range go for a 2007 or newer F5 or a 2008 or newer 570. I have 2 daughters that ride and we have a couple Jags and a 2007 F5 LXR. The F5 with top out between 75 and 85 depending on trail conditions. The new suspension and set up Cat has is super smooth and easy to handle. I have been following my 15 year old athletic daughter on rough trails when she was riding the 97 Jag and she was working her tail off to stay on the trail and keep up, we switched sleds for a while and she had no ploblems handling the F5 and was actually riding faster and keeping up better. Cats new suspension produces an awesome ride. A final note I look at it from a safety stand point too as I have watched both my daughter get bounced off the older sleds and its always a scary sight.
 
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B

Bullcheater

New member
My girlfriend is basically a new rider. She bought a 2010 skidoo tnt 550f. It has plenty of power in the woods and handles awesome. just not the top end. maybe 70 to 75 mph. Even made me wonder if i should keep my Gade. or go back to the 121'' after i rode it some today. You can get into one of these basic setup for less then 6500.00 new. And with the fan. they are warmer to ride. blows engine heat back, like the old days. fyi
 
T

trailshredder

Member
frosty said:
Hey guys and gals, I been kicking around the idea of picking up a nice used starter sled for my oldest duaghter. I was thinking a 500 would be a nice sled to start with. Whats your thought? Its going to have to be a Cat, the wife won't allow any other brand in the garage. She just about stroked when I mentioned I was interested in a Yamaha Nytro XTX before buying the new X/F 800 SP Ltd. :eek:
Click to expand...

There is no one on this site that can answer this question....only you know her capabilities, so your decision is the right decision.
 
F

frosty

Member
trailshredder said:
There is no one on this site that can answer this question....only you know her capabilities, so your decision is the right decision.
Click to expand...

Trailshredder, I believe you are right, but what I need is input from others who've gone through this same dilemma. Any and all feedback, opinion, past experience, and what they think is what I need. The final decision will be mine and my wifes on what we decide to do, but haven't cross this bridge yet. Its like being a parent for the first time, you bring home that little one and not have a clue what to do once home. All info is much appreciated and needed.

For example, I was looking at older zl's and zr's, but hearing about the more updated suspension on the f5 and how it helped 3 old jags daughter ride better made me think, spend a little more and it may make the family trip and my daughters trip more enjoyable.

My problem is, I've ridden a crossfire chasis for the last 5 years and my wife has the pantera 2 up, so you loose whats going on out there with other sleds. This is the information I need from all of you guys, people who have experienced whats worked and what hasn't or what you would do different. :eek:
 
indy_500

indy_500

Well-known member
I'm thinking something along these lines. Only 177 hp. What do you think frosty?

z1.jpg
 
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ezra

Well-known member
if going for a f5 the 03 is the one to find best f5 105hp . dont discount a zr I still thnk that platform rocks on the trail those things drove like they were on rails I think better than the xfire on trail.my wife has been happy with her 570 untill she saw a pink f6 now that is what she has been asking for.tough to justify for less than 300mi a yr but it matches her coat so I am told
 
F

frosty

Member
I had an 99 zl 600, it was the best trail sled I evered owned. I was thinking something like this for her, but 3 old jags has me thinking about a newer one. Comfort features is something I have to really take into consideration versus hp and speed. Like you guys have said before, comfort and warmth is probably the most important over speed.
 
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lotoftoys

New member
Daughters Ride.

Sounds like fun. My son started on a kitty cat then a 440 couger.Then we took the safety course and of to the trails we went and at twenty years old he still rides with the family.I have five sleds and two riders left so I was thinking I may sell the 1998 ZR500 and 1998 ZL500 if you think it may work. 3500 miles and 2800 miles.Covers and all.Like I said I was just thinking about it and it would be good to see them go to a family. 815-303-9009. Best of luck and safe riding.
 
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