My grandson started on a 120 at 3 years old he tired of it by the second season I put an aggressor kit on it the 3rd season he tired of that soon too then got him a new 2019 ZR200

 

Too bad you can’t get out and see them, let the kids sit on them both and judge for yourself. Not all kids are the same size or ability just according to an age number. One kid is on one at 3 and bored by 5 as mentioned above. Mine enjoyed the Kitty Cat more at that age and my middle one just turned 5 and though he was riding the 120 last year, I see a big change and he is really much more comfortable on it this year. I work on one AC 120 for a guy and his guy is still driving it at 7 or 8. They will haul them around for quite a while. I have no experience with the 200s.

Here is some reading, you will find most comments on here will be much younger than listed on this. https://powersportsguide.com/best-snowmobiles-for-kids/

 

No idea what used go for or if it's worth a drive, but here's an AC that needs a seat cover.

2002 z120 - atvs, utvs, snowmobiles - by owner - vehicle automotive...

2002 z120 cat snowmobile Runs good Bought the kid a 200 so no longer need Could use a seat cover Price is fair $1500 firm

flint.craigslist.org

 

Personally if my kids were that age I would go for the 200. Mine are 8 and 12 now. They ride my 01 600 now. Thinking about the neo+ for my daughter. No way would my boy be happy to go backwards in power.

It really depends on where you can have them ride at. A trail system is no place for a kid regardless of engine size, experience, or age imo. Unless you have an out of the way trail system that gets only local traffic.


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Do yourself a favor. Either buy an old skidoo 340 (harder and harder to find) for the kids. Or a 900 Ace for yourself with a green key. It limits the speed to 25. Then when they tire of that put the grey key on in ECO mode. Limits the speed to 40.

Then when the kids are ready for trail riding at 12 they will be ready for that sled and you get to buy a new one.

Sure they are bigger and heavier sleds. But our daughter has been learning on both a 78 340 and a 900 Ace since 5. All with my help of course on the lake and parents property. She is 10 now and has driven 40 miles back with me on 1+1 on trails set in ECO mode. She can rip down the trails.

I honestly think these mini sleds are a waste since the kids will outgrow in 2 years. I was excited for the MXz Neo but they should have put the 900 Ace in them with the green key and ECO, Normal Sport modes to grow into. Maybe that will come next year for 2024.

I've been looking for a used 900 Ace GSX or MXz with a 900 Ace for our daughter. But they go fast and most are getting high miles. My plan is to keep looking. Or give her my renegade 900 Ace and buy a new one at that time. She is more and more comfortable on it now. Almost to the point of me just sitting there and not reaching to help.

 

Well I am glad I held off buying a used kids sled at ridiculous pricing now that they released two models for 2023.

Now the question is which sled to purchase. My boys are 3-1/2 and 5-1/2 and am torn on which sled to purchase.

Obviously with the 200 they would get more years out of the sled which would be nice. Ski-doo said the 120 is 6-8yrs so that gives them a few years to ride that around. For the used prices I have seen lately for the 06 Mini Z it seems these youth sleds hold their value better than adult sleds.

In the reveal they said “For those that are larger and ready to ride the trails” for the 200. But in Wisconsin you cannot ride a sled on the trails until you are 12 years old. At that point I don’t think I would be having them ride 200 on the trails. Is that even a thing? I have never seen a youth sled anywhere other than private property or frozen lakes. If that is the case would the 200 have some sort of throttle governor or limiter or something so the sled can’t rip to 30mph while they are learning?

Really on the fence here and curious what others think about one vs the other.

On a snow day will you be home with the boys or just your wife? My kids are grown now, but when they were kids my wife was the one home on a snow day or even when they got home from school and wanted to ride……she could never seem to get the 120 started.

The 200 has electric start….for that reason alone I would choose the 200. You could always tape a block behind the throttle to give them time to grow into the extra power

 

The OPs youngest will be 4 1/2 next season, plenty of time to enjoy a mini sled before needing anything bigger. Whats the rush? Is it some kind of contest?

 

Well I am glad I held off buying a used kids sled at ridiculous pricing now that they released two models for 2023.

Now the question is which sled to purchase. My boys are 3-1/2 and 5-1/2 and am torn on which sled to purchase.

Obviously with the 200 they would get more years out of the sled which would be nice. Ski-doo said the 120 is 6-8yrs so that gives them a few years to ride that around. For the used prices I have seen lately for the 06 Mini Z it seems these youth sleds hold their value better than adult sleds.

In the reveal they said “For those that are larger and ready to ride the trails” for the 200. But in Wisconsin you cannot ride a sled on the trails until you are 12 years old. At that point I don’t think I would be having them ride 200 on the trails. Is that even a thing? I have never seen a youth sled anywhere other than private property or frozen lakes. If that is the case would the 200 have some sort of throttle governor or limiter or something so the sled can’t rip to 30mph while they are learning?

Really on the fence here and curious what others think about one vs the other.

My kids were 3,4 when i bought a mini. no one rode it that first year. the second year they put 37 gallons of gas through the mini. They did so well that at 5 and 6 years old (2 years later) i bought bravos for them. They love those. My son at 8 now has a Cat Z440 and refuses to go back to the Bravo... His two sisters love the bravos (8,9).

If i were in your shoes i'd go for the 200 at their ages. Next year they'll be 4,6 come snow season. The 6 year old will have the Mini pegged the whole time. the 4 year old will also and you'll be nervous.. ha ha. Maybe pipe-clamp around the throttle for the 4 year old. Let the 6 year-old learn how to respect the throttle? Really tough decision at that age.

 

Well I should have listed to those saying get the 200. The 6 year old had the 120 pinned asking if it goes any faster. Santa is bringing a 200 this year. The 5 year old will have the 120 to himself this season.

 

Nice.... I'm the "whirli" guy posted above you. My kids are now 10-11.... the funny thing is they all can ride the bigger sleds but have all prefer the Bravos... those small sleds are just so much fun. I added an Elan to the fleet as well. Working on sidehilling.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/WEJLGN7zQHFeRTVF8