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Aklogcabin
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2021 02:06pm
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I've been researching for a new snogo for our little man. He's kinda outgrown his Arctic Cat 120cc he has had for 2 years.
I called our local Yamaha dealer looking for a 200cc snowmobile. Been sold out since last March. And haven't gotten them in yet. I expect that is state wide. Probably none in the state.
I do have 3 polaris 44occ indy trails around. One with electric start. Handle bar warmers n such. But kinda thinking the 73 Evinrude with reverse his mama learned on may work.
Beautiful machine. Electric start, reverse, decompression release, neutral lock out that disconnects the engine n drive clutch so basically neutral. For warming up the engine, chrome electric gages. Even has a chrome cigarette lighter so he could have a smoke while it warms up.
I welded some small 3 sided files on the bottom of the skis so it turned good. I learned that one back in the 60s. Before carbide skags.
Anyhows, if you all have any suggestions I'd appreciate it. My preference would be buying a new 200cc snogo if I could find one. But we're not without. There's 8 snogos out there to choose from. I may add some bogey wheels to the suspension to help distribute his weight better. I'm starting with a 4 hp and a 80 pound just turned 5 year old.
His little 120 will do about 10-12 mph and he has earned the right to step up a bit. And it will be easier for him to ride a snogo into the cabin.
Right now he's a lasa reptor dinosaur sniffing out hotdogs in the fridge for breakfast. I dream daily about taking him out n learning together. And hanging out at the cabin has been a dream for a long time. Since before he was born. Freighting supplies under the Northern Lights. And I want to be ready.
Being papa is sooooo great ! And just part of the reason I feel like the most blessed man in the world.
And my beautiful wife makes me feel pretty good tooooo
Little man
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Cabin is ready n waiting
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View of the surrounding woods
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My favorite view of all
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Bruces
Member
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2021 04:02pm
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Find him a Bravo and be done with it ,mine has been awesome since 1988 ,works it’s tail off ,low maintenance and fun enough for the kids .
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 17 Nov 2021 04:51pm
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Quoting: Aklogcabin I do have 3 polaris 44occ indy trails around.
Getting one of those going might be your best bet. New snowmachines have been hard to come by over the past year and prices for sleds on the used market are in the ridiculous zone.
That said, Arctic Cat is making a number a youth models, 200s and 400s in addition to the 120. It wouldn't hurt to call the local dealers and ask about them.
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Aklogcabin
Member
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# Posted: 19 Nov 2021 10:13am
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Thanks Rick.
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Peewee86
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2021 07:14am - Edited by: Peewee86
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Snowmobile, snowcat, snogo, or any of a handful of other names, now you are talking my language. I started at age 5. At 10 I had my first thousand mile season and my first 200 mile day at 12.
At five years old I started on a ‘68 Olympic. Other than the Kitty Cat there really was no kids models at that time. It really was way too big for me. I could drive it but I couldn’t control it. I am cautioning you about stepping him him up into something he can’t control. I had some accidents. Some of them could’ve been a lot worse. If your son is ready to move up from the 120, I really think the Arctic Cat/Yamaha 200 is the next logical step. Hopefully the two of you will have many years of riding together. No need to rush the process.
The Yamaha Bravo that was recommended above or the Skidoo Freestyles are a great size for a 9 to 12 year old. All of the kids sized snowmobiles hold their value very well. The Yamaha Bravo was made from 1982 to 2011. A well-maintained 25 year old Bravo will still sell for pretty much would it would have cost new years ago. I would imagine the 200s will also hold their value.
My son is 13. This year he will be taking his snowmobile safety certification classes and transitioning into a full size sled. In our case a 1998 Skidoo MXZ 500. Not sure that I’ve ever mentioned this on this form before but I had a nearly 40 year snowmobile racing career.(I think I’m retired) Building our cabin was the start of a transition away from that past time.
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rpe
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2021 08:28am - Edited by: rpe
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Those fan-cooled Polaris's are bulletproof machines, and nice and light as well. We've had a half dozen of those in our fleet over the years. I'd echo the responses above to get one of those going - pull start, no reverse for lightest weight. I suppose you could rig a throttle stop on it for learning as well. Bravos, or the older Polaris Star 250 are lighter still, but entering 'collector' phase in this area at least. Bravos are going for huge dollars here in Ontario, particularly the long track machines.
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NorthRick
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2021 11:54am
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Quoting: Peewee86 Snowmobile, snowcat, snogo, or any of a handful of other names, now you are talking my language.
Just to keep you up on things, here in Alaska they are most commonly called snowmachines or sleds. Out in the villages they are often referred to as Skidoos, regardless of whether they are Yamahas, Polaris, or Arctic Cats. 
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Alaskajohn
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2021 12:23pm
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I typically use sled and refer to riding as sledding when talking amongst friends. Online I use snowmachine as most would have a different impression if I said was sledding.
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Peewee86
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# Posted: 20 Nov 2021 02:06pm
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I forgot about snowmachines that’s not a term that is characteristic to our area. I thought it was only in Canada that they went “skidooingâ€. I will refer to them as “sleds†but I go “snowmobilingâ€. That of course means I’m trail riding. Otherwise the wife would say that I am gone racing again. Years ago there used to be an offshore boat racing team and the name of the boat was Gone Again. For many years my wife could relate.
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