Looking for sons next sled

altaredneck

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Just wanting some opinions on what kind of next sled I should get my son. He is 8 years old and been riding dirt bikes since he was 2.5 years old. He has an arctic cat 120 that he rides the piss out of. He goes places where that machine was designed not to go lol. I would like to take him on some little adventures in the mountains maybe cabin at quarts so just curious what kind of machine would be best suited for him. Also if anyone knows of any machines like that for sale let me know. I was thinking about a 440 fan cooled machine. Currently he rides a ktm sx50 so he know about 2 strokes. Thanks for imput
 

leadfoot33

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a good 440 would probably be the next step maybe a polaris air cooled late 90 early 2000. i think those were good sleds as i recall
 

teeroy

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yeah, something like an old 400 indy. light and plenty of jam for a little guy
 

rightsideup

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all good choices so far the phazer and indytrail were dead reliable as well
 

1100

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At that age I was riding and citation 300, moved up to a an phazer fan after. I would think all the sleds listed, plus I would also consider the 550fan tundra or freestyle they made a few years ago.
 

polarice

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personally I went with a 340 indy light for our 8 yearold .it has electric start and reverse great little sled
Just wanting some opinions on what kind of next sled I should get my son. He is 8 years old and been riding dirt bikes since he was 2.5 years old. He has an arctic cat 120 that he rides the piss out of. He goes places where that machine was designed not to go lol. I would like to take him on some little adventures in the mountains maybe cabin at quarts so just curious what kind of machine would be best suited for him. Also if anyone knows of any machines like that for sale let me know. I was thinking about a 440 fan cooled machine. Currently he rides a ktm sx50 so he know about 2 strokes. Thanks for imput
 

prairegopher

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I was asking the same question a month ago, boy same age out grew his mini z, I bought him a 1998 formula s 380 with elec start, nice size sled for the step and I don't have to start every 20 minutes
 

LUCKY 7

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It's too bad, I sold a indy sport 440 that my son rode since he was about 8 . he is 13 and now the proud owner of a 2013 Rmk 600
 

Catman13

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From the sounds of your sons experience and your confidence in him I would skip the old sleds. My daughter was 9 and weighed 60 lbs and was driving an f8 with no previous experience. Son was 11 and driving a crossfire 800. The advantage is the sled will last as they grow and you won't have the issue of under powered as they get bigger. Daughter is 14 and taken over the crossfire after her 16 year old brother moved up to a m8. They learn to ride with the machine as an extension of themselves.
 

pano-dude

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From the sounds of your sons experience and your confidence in him I would skip the old sleds. My daughter was 9 and weighed 60 lbs and was driving an f8 with no previous experience. Son was 11 and driving a crossfire 800. The advantage is the sled will last as they grow and you won't have the issue of under powered as they get bigger. Daughter is 14 and taken over the crossfire after her 16 year old brother moved up to a m8. They learn to ride with the machine as an extension of themselves.
hahaha, seriously? you got lucky, putting a 9 yr old on a machine with 150hp is irresponsible.

do you buy boots 4 sizes to big so they will not out grow them?
 

goodngrubby

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I have a long track Tundra I'm thinking of putting on the block. I can't remember if it's an '01 or an '02, but it has hand warmers, electronic reverse, new windshield, new seat, new skags, new belt, etc. I bought it for my daughter last fall, but never fired it up once.
 

team dirt

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My boy is almost 5 and this year is now on an 82 bravo. I couldn't make the 120 work any faster without spending some serious bucks on it. The bravo should be good for many years to come and then when he is ready he will be getting an 800 for the mountains. My buddies kid had a 2003.5 rev 800 144 when he was 11 and came everywhere with us.
 

altaredneck

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Keep it coming enjoying reading people's opinion. I like shiny things so leaning towards something in the early 2000 late 90's. yeah I think I need a 340 or 440. Thx
 

Great Pumpkin

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Both our kids were brought up on mini z, 340 indy, then m500. Seemed to be good steps up for learning in and outs of handling sleds. Horse power levels seemed to work good for young ones. I could have a blast rooting the 5 around to lol.
 

0neoldfart

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Start with a smaller displacement fan (ski-doo 380, polaris 340, etc.) I personally raised my kids on a Ski-Doo Touring with a 380. Lost the 2 up seat, geared it down, and put a 1.75" track on it, stripped everything off it for weight loss, and gave it a hemi orange paint job with summit decals (for show). The slower throttle response and light weight of the machine will lend confidence, and they will actually have to learn how to ride, as opposed to just pushing the flipper... any new liquid cooled machine is too powerful for kids who are learning, as they simply do not have the experience or judgement at a young age. Upgrade as skill level warrants, but not until you are seeing them ride the sled, not the other way around...
 
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