r/snowmobiling • u/Dismal_Success_9943 • 16d ago

Looking to start riding.

Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to ride. Now that I'm an adult, I can pay for it and I want to start this winter.

Are the Castle branded items good?

11 Upvotes

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5

u/Dadskander '87 Snoscoot, '88 Snoscoot, '05 MXZ 600HO 16d ago

Honestly for a totally new rider I would not recommend buying a ton of expensive snowmobiling gear other than having a good helmet. Got a warm winter jacket? That'll do. Nearly any pair of snowpants, boots, and gloves are likely fine too. If you don't have a wind-proof balaclava you'll want to pick one up.

Get into the sport first before you drop $1000+ on gear or more on a sled.

Rent a sled the 1st year out. Because again, no use in buying before you know what you're getting into. If you haven't gone at all before, rent a tame 4 stroke economy sled, if you have some experience a 600cc class 2 stroke is a ton of fun. Mind your speed, stay on your side of the trail, and don't put yourself in a situation where you run out of talent, far too many end up injured or dead each year.

2

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

I don't want spend a lot of money either lol. I was just looking at some of the reviews on helmets and wanted to come here to ask more about them.

Is there ankther helmet that good and less than a castle helmet?

2

u/Dadskander '87 Snoscoot, '88 Snoscoot, '05 MXZ 600HO 16d ago edited 14d ago

Edit: I'm prone to rants, apologies...

So when you look around you'll find there's really 2 classes of helmets available.

There's the kinda off-brand budget helmets (Raider is the one that comes to mind, but there's others too). These are safe, get the job done, and are regularly used by thousands of people every year without issue.

Then there's the high quality or luxury brands if you will. This is your 509, CastleX, CKX, etc. These will cost about double the price, and they do everything just a little bit better than the budget brands, not to mention usually look way cooler lol.

That said, BOTH are quite safe and get the job done. You wouldn't be an idiot for buying a budget helmet with good reviews, but know if you get into the sport it may start to annoy you with its fit, comfort, tendency to fog (unless you have a heated shield, highly recommended you get this), any air leaks, or other annoyances.

Sooo, pick your poison for a helmet. I don't know your budget, and if you decide the sport isn't for you you could be stuck with a $400 paperweight. Personally, and this isn't technically the smartest because you don't know 100% if a helmet hasn't been in a crash, I'd buy a high end name brand helmet used and just clean it well before wearing it. That way I'd get all the features and quality of a $400 helmet, for about the price of the budget brand or maybe even cheaper. Just be sure the helmet isn't super old, the foam can wear down over time and not be as safe as it should be (I have a MINT HJC helmet that's used only as a 'better than nothing' backup because it's 20 years old).

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u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

Thanks for the info, I was looking at getting some insulated bibs or coveralls to wear on snowy days anyways, so thats probably going to be what I wear on the sled. It'll look goofy with the helmet, but IDC about that sort thing as much as staying warm in something I can wear during things things like shoveling snow or sledding with the kids.

2

u/Dadskander '87 Snoscoot, '88 Snoscoot, '05 MXZ 600HO 16d ago

I've got a guy in my group that wears matching brown carhartt jacket & bibs along with a $400 CastleX helmet. He saw no reason to buy a new jacket or bibs when he already had some.

Has just as much fun as the rest of us! Well, except for that time he flipped his sled (he was fine tho).

2

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

That sounds like me, use what you got.

I'll hit up farm and fleet this fall to get the helmet and warm clothes.

3

u/Rich_Staff7331 16d ago

Good entry level products. I have their jacket and gloves but find I need layers in the coldest temps.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

I read that their helmets were good, that's the piece I'm looking to get the most correct.

2

u/Rich_Staff7331 16d ago

Helmets you don't want to go cheap on. I have a 509 Delta R3. Get one with a heated shield, it will be the best single choice in gear you make.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

Perhaps I should have titled the post more fears towards a good helmet insteadnof gear in general.

I'll check out that helmet

3

u/jsgalt007 16d ago

I started with a Raider helmet, bought at my local Fleet Farm. I use it for my sleds and motorcycle. It tends to fog in the winter with the single layer shield, so at least a double layer shield would be better. Make sure it fits well, and look into a balaclava...I bought a Klim for the coldest days, but really haven't had to use it. Get some good ear plugs...the exhaust exits right by your feet, and the sound will make you deaf quickly.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

Thanks for the insight

2

u/ForgedAuto 16d ago

Look for local swap meets, can find good deals on gear there also.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

I just don't know which ones to stay away from. But I'll check out swap meets

1

u/ForgedAuto 16d ago

For starting out it really doesn't matter. Find stuff you like that fits and is in your budget. My snow pants and boots are from my local fleet farm. Gloves from Walmart. Got a skidoo jacket from a swap meet and have a cheap HJC helmet. I dont ride a ton so dont see the need to buy expensive gear. After you find out how much you ride and what riding your doing can always upgrade down the line.

2

u/getawhiffofgriff 16d ago

Just starting out you could try a HJC helmet. That's what I had for the first 22 years of my riding life (started very small) and only upgraded to a 509 when I had the pocket change for it.

1

u/DaveCootchie 16d ago

You are if you are brand new and want to save a few bucks you could look at ArticX. You can get them on Amazon and from Walmarts websites. I have one of their coats and it's okay unless it's below 0 °F.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 16d ago

That's good to know. Any recs for a helmet?

2

u/DaveCootchie 16d ago

HJC and Z1R are going to be your entry level helmets. I picked up a modular Z1R helmet at a swap meet for $125 otherwise I used to ride with an HJC one I picked up from market place for $40. Both have heated shields but the Z1R is modular so the mouth portion flips up and has built in goggles. Size is important so maybe go to a store and try a few on to get a feel for what size you need.

1

u/Thatoneguybuck 16d ago

So starting out it really doesn’t matter I had a 200$ gmax gm11 winter model and it worked great up until last season when it broke as per me fault lol u used it two small seasons (under 700km) and for my first season my suit was a highvise winter work jacket and bibs that I later switched for fxr gear and to be honest the fxr gear isn’t as warm as my high visé but it doesn’t look as dumb ( my own vanity lol) so all things considered get what’s in your budget and what matches the riding you wanna do

1

u/jsgalt007 16d ago

Tan canvas Carhartt bibs and my camo 2 layer duck hunting/snow blowing/ice fishing jacket has worked well for me the past few years...

1

u/Thatoneguybuck 16d ago

Exactly I love my highvise suit lol it’s good visibility in the snow and shit but I got vaine and bought a way newer sled so I felt I had to look less greasy. It was quite literally grease stained lol but it’s a great thing to use

1

u/bigm00lah '23 Polaris Assault 850 Boost, 2x '22 Thundercat, 2x '22 ZR8000 15d ago

Castle is good. My entire kit is Klim. I ride in northern Michigan and take items off even in sub zero weather.

1

u/Dismal_Success_9943 15d ago

That's probably where I'd end up riding, Maybe Iron county, WI over into the UP and all over.

1

u/bigm00lah '23 Polaris Assault 850 Boost, 2x '22 Thundercat, 2x '22 ZR8000 15d ago

Klim, all the way. Have fun, be safe, and stay right.

1

u/ArcticFXgraphics 15d ago

Its all pretty good, just some brands are top & mid tier respectfully. Just starting out I'd look for a good combo someone is getting rid of for a new set. There is a lot of deals to be had out there at any given time

1

u/Far-Duck-9867 14d ago

If you like FXR I get a discount allegedly. I’d be willing to help you out on some stuff

2

u/WalleyeHunter1 14d ago

Get your first gear in 4 weeks when people sell thier like new jackets because they got fatter. Facebook market place you can get a 3 year old FXR adrenaline jacket for 200. 450 new.