Because you have the $$$ doesn't always mean you should.

[S.W.A.T.]

As we get well into another year of epic snow conditions and endless possabilities I am constantly looking over threads and articals of who is buying what and why. What strikes me as a great concern is the amount of stories I am reading about new riders going out and buying the biggest and the best. I see some of these people in parking lots getting ready to go out for the day with little more then a sack lunch and maybe a toque. I know no one is brought into this world with knowledge or skill but it does concern me that so few people especially new riders have such little respect for what can and does happen. Sleds today are generating so much power and getting into places that a meire 10 years ago we couldn't get to until spring. Think back to when you got your first car. Was it the biggest, fastest in town? Probably not... I met a kid the other day who had over heard myself and another talking about mountain riding, he proceeded to tell me that on his days off he was going to buy the Cat 800 and he was headed to golden for the weekend and he was going to show everyone how to ride in the mountains. His reason for buying that particular sled was because it looked the coolest and he wanted to be better then his friends. The only words I could think of was "stay away from me, I am looking at dead man". The problem is there are hundred more cases just like this out there. Whatever happened to walking before you run? Learning how to ride? I understand everyone has to start someplace I just have trouble believing its on the back of a 150+ HP machine in the mountains.....

Just because you can doesn't always mean that you should......
Just saying

 

[Scotford]

Well Said!!!!!

 

[magnet]

i replied to a thread in pretty much the same manner about the same type of topic a while back and got bashed for it. if i remember right the kid was trying to decide on a 6 or 800 machine. i recomended the 600 as it was his first machine. to which everyone replied then he will be stuck all the time and won't get anywhere.
learn to ride right first and a 600 will follow an 800+ anywhere it will go but be 10 times the fun. no point and shoot so to speak as it is not a huge power mahine. very well said just hope some people listen to statements like this one.

 

[malibumama]

Well said that deserves a wisers clap.



Clap..................clap................clap............................clap.


Let's just hope some people listen.

Posted from my BlackBerry using BerryBlab

 

[imdoo'n]

takes a long time for young and stupid to become old and lazy. young guns know everything until they get older and realize they have more to learn.

 

[Thunderguy BOOSTED]

I agree! WELL SAID! My dad and i were talking about this to! Anyone can buy any sled on the market and say "they know how to ride"? Really? I hate hot shots! Im not going to risk my life for someone who think they know what there doing!

 

[~Rowdy~]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with what you are saying. My first sled that I bought (and still ride)was an 800 151 track. I went with that because out of the sleds out there to me it was a more "mid-range" sled. I really didn't know much of anything, but I knew that I would out grow a 600 in a season and didn't forsee having funds to upgrade in a year. I had quite a few people telling me to "just go with the 600 because ur a girl" which I can't express how much that attitude annoys me. Keep in mind that I made my purchase having never been in any motor sport prior and basing my purchase on thinking that a 600 would be not enough and a 900 or 1000 would be too much.

I do understand where you are coming from however. But just because someone is young and buys an 800 does not mean they are stupid. I ensured that I had my AST1 updated, all the gear and my first year was mostly sitting and watching and learning and playing in areas that I felt comfortable to do. I never let anyone egg me on to do anything I didn't feel comfortable doing and never tried to show off.

 

[underdog]

IMO, Having an 800 for a first sled, is perfectly ok. Very easy to control a sled like that. But I have seen a few threads, where guy's that have never been to the mountains before, are buying turbo yammys set up for 250 hp. THAT'S RETARDED!!! There is no use for someone that has never been out west to have a 180+ machine.
But what do I know.

 

[MATTIAC]

I wouldn't necessarily agree with what you are saying. My first sled that I bought (and still ride)was an 800 151 track. I went with that because out of the sleds out there to me it was a more "mid-range" sled. I really didn't know much of anything, but I knew that I would out grow a 600 in a season and didn't forsee having funds to upgrade in a year. I had quite a few people telling me to "just go with the 600 because ur a girl" which I can't express how much that attitude annoys me. Keep in mind that I made my purchase having never been in any motor sport prior and basing my purchase on thinking that a 600 would be not enough and a 900 or 1000 would be too much.

I do understand where you are coming from however. But just because someone is young and buys an 800 does not mean they are stupid. I ensured that I had my AST1 updated, all the gear and my first year was mostly sitting and watching and learning and playing in areas that I felt comfortable to do. I never let anyone egg me on to do anything I didn't feel comfortable doing and never tried to show off.

I dont think its so much the sled as the attitude the OP was talking about. I to bought my first ever snowmobile last season, a summit X 800 154. My attitude though wasn't im going to kick everyones asses and show everyone how to ride. I am a beginner sled rider, but luckily come from a motor sports back round and am picking up on it quickly.

 

[~Rowdy~]

I dont think its so much the sled as the attitude the OP was talking about. I to bought my first ever snowmobile last season, a summit X 800 154. My attitude though wasn't im going to kick everyones asses and show everyone how to ride. I am a beginner sled rider, but luckily come from a motor sports back round and am picking up on it quickly.

Yes I see that, but he also seemed to paint young people and new riders with the same brush. Not every young person or new rider is a moron, that's all. But yes there are some out there. Attitude has a lot to do with it for sure as well as an understanding and respect of the sheer strength of (as cheesy as it sounds) mother nature.

 

[overkill131313]

That is why I taught my boy at 5 to ride a full size 550 RMK.....now at the age 10 he knows what the gas and brakes does, so when he rides my 300HP sled he does not just pin it and crash......the biggest thing to new riders is to ride to their ability and dont ride stupid......you can have the fastest sled on the hill and still ride safe..........Rowdy has a good point!

 

[MATTIAC]

Yes I see that, but he also seemed to paint young people and new riders with the same brush. Not every young person or new rider is a moron, that's all. But yes there are some out there. Attitude has a lot to do with it for sure as well as an understanding and respect of the sheer strength of (as cheesy as it sounds) mother nature.

Yea and i also am not the 18 yr he speaks of. I just turned 30, old balls now!! the problem is all the money these punks are making out of high school up north in alberta, make a pile of cash and buy toys. still wet behind the ears and still have the attitude of knowing it all. but ya i get what your puttin down!!!

 

[~Rowdy~]

Yea and i also am not the 18 yr he speaks of. I just turned 30, old balls now!! the problem is all the money these punks are making out of high school up north in alberta, make a pile of cash and buy toys. still wet behind the ears and still have the attitude of knowing it all. but ya i get what your puttin down!!!

haha yeah that is true and I know a few of those guys young AND old balls However, statistically speaking...do you know who gets caught in more avalanches per year? Seasoned vets or new riders? I don't know the answer but I'd almost be tempted to say seasoned vets out of complacency.

 

[MATTIAC]

haha yeah that is true and I know a few of those guys young AND old balls However, statistically speaking...do you know who gets caught in more avalanches per year? Seasoned vets or new riders? I don't know the answer but I'd almost be tempted to say seasoned vets out of complacency.

because the young punks are to busy racing back in forth in the parking lot, or to hung over to ride!

 

[~Rowdy~]

because the young punks are to busy racing back in forth in the parking lot, or to hung over to ride!

lol!

 

[Carrots]

As we get well into another year of epic snow conditions and endless possabilities I am constantly looking over threads and articals of who is buying what and why. What strikes me as a great concern is the amount of stories I am reading about new riders going out and buying the biggest and the best. I see some of these people in parking lots getting ready to go out for the day with little more then a sack lunch and maybe a toque. I know no one is brought into this world with knowledge or skill but it does concern me that so few people especially new riders have such little respect for what can and does happen. Sleds today are generating so much power and getting into places that a meire 10 years ago we couldn't get to until spring. Think back to when you got your first car. Was it the biggest, fastest in town? Probably not... I met a kid the other day who had over heard myself and another talking about mountain riding, he proceeded to tell me that on his days off he was going to buy the Cat 800 and he was headed to golden for the weekend and he was going to show everyone how to ride in the mountains. His reason for buying that particular sled was because it looked the coolest and he wanted to be better then his friends. The only words I could think of was "stay away from me, I am looking at dead man". The problem is there are hundred more cases just like this out there. Whatever happened to walking before you run? Learning how to ride? I understand everyone has to start someplace I just have trouble believing its on the back of a 150+ HP machine in the mountains.....

Just because you can doesn't always mean that you should......
Just saying

Very well said




Sent from my mobile phone

 

[takethebounce]

It may be the "attitude" of these people you are reffering to, but you imply its the power of the sled they are investing into that is getting them in trouble.

Whether its a 150-200HP sled or just a '96 Polaris, you can get into just as much trouble if you put yourself in a bad position.

In 1985 my Dad went out and purchased two brand new Honda BigRed ATC's. I don't think I was even 9 years old at the time. Those ATC's were the biggest, baddest unit you could get in 1985. I was taught to ride them with respect and appreciation. I had been riding sleds since I was 5. It has nothing to do with age, it has nothing to do with HP. Overkill has done a great thing by teaching his boy how to ride. Many other people never had that type of coaching or knowledge to know how to respect what they are riding.


Be it in the mountains, or riding flatland across a lake, there are always dangers associated with motorsports. People don't want to see some sort of licensing system in place for snowmobiles and other off hiway vehicles, but how else do you ensure the education gets out there?

You want to curb incidents related to these people buying over powered equipment, how do you resolve it?

 

[Iron Horse Racing]

Rowdy

Your right, it is a generalization to say all young new riders wont take the time to learn.....I would go a step farther....it's not just young new riders as I have seen far to many riders of all ages that are new to the sport and are not taking the time learn before leaping...

Seen a brand new $45,000 mod sled stuck off the trail on the third corner, the rider took off from his buddies....he wanted us to pull him up the bank....my son told him your aimed down hill ride it down to the clearing that you could see was only about 50 yards and make your way back....we volunteered to wait for him, he argued we left him there, let his buddies try to pull that thing up the bank...

Or don't get me started on the senor experienced riders dragging multiple flats of beer to the cabins.....


The point is there are to many stubborn new commers that dont take the time you did to learn and practice skills so the smaller sled keeps them slightly safer...

Good on you, wish there was more new to the sport riders like you....

I wouldn't necessarily agree with what you are saying. My first sled that I bought (and still ride)was an 800 151 track. I went with that because out of the sleds out there to me it was a more "mid-range" sled. I really didn't know much of anything, but I knew that I would out grow a 600 in a season and didn't forsee having funds to upgrade in a year. I had quite a few people telling me to "just go with the 600 because ur a girl" which I can't express how much that attitude annoys me. Keep in mind that I made my purchase having never been in any motor sport prior and basing my purchase on thinking that a 600 would be not enough and a 900 or 1000 would be too much.

I do understand where you are coming from however. But just because someone is young and buys an 800 does not mean they are stupid. I ensured that I had my AST1 updated, all the gear and my first year was mostly sitting and watching and learning and playing in areas that I felt comfortable to do. I never let anyone egg me on to do anything I didn't feel comfortable doing and never tried to show off.

 

[the_real_wild1]

Well there are a couple things I have found. There are two types buying these sleds. I just bought my freeride. First high end sled. Last year I bought my 700 summit to see if I would take to it and I did. Now I have a yr or two on bikes, quads, dirtbikes etc (about 32 yrs) so I havent had any trouble. I also have alot of expirience in the mountains and know what it takes out there. However I am not heading out there on the sled until I am more prepared, with avy courses and gear. I know alot of guys that are in the same boat.

Now I have also seen the same with guys buying new motorcycles doing the same thing. Buyign a high powered bike for there first time too. Some do ok and some dont. I just hope that the guys that dont respect the power or enviroment dont take out anyone else when they go down.

 

[go green]

I see it all the time in drag race cars also. Its not how fast you want to go its how much money you have to go fast. Guys pulling to the track with $250,000 toter homes with stacker trailers that have a hired crew chief to do everything . In all forms of motorsports you have the posers and the die-hards , the have and the have nots . Its hard not to hate on the guy next to you when you pull up in a 1994 pick-up with a clapped out 1998 summit on a modified boat trailer , and buddy has a 2012 jack up pimped out 4x4 with a 4 place enclosed trailer with flat screens and heat . Not to mention a one year old spare sled ( just in case his main sled breaks down )
There are stupid people doing stupid things all around us every day ,and some of them ride snowmobiles and race cars . My hope is that they get a reality check to open their eyes on how fast things can go from fun to fatal