I have a 4 year old son that is getting to that age he could enjoy a child's snowmobile. Next winter he will be 5 years old and I think old enough to enjoy a snowmobile. When I have gone to shows I never really paid attention to the kiddy snowmobiles. But I would like to get him sometype of vintage snowmobile to start him off on the right foot so to speak.
I know the Arctic Kat Kitty Kat appears to be popular. What advise do you have? I am also looking for a nice one that is pretty much rebuilt restored. I would say I am willing to spend $500 or so to get one that is in really nice shape and ready to go. I do not need another project. I wish Deere had one.
I appreciate your insights.
Matt
Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
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jdsledsrgr8
- Posts: 243
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- Real Name: Matt Gabler
- Location: Mt. Horeb WI
Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
Mt. Horeb WI
1976 Liquidator
1976 Liquidator Clone
1978 Liquifire 440
1976 Liquidator
1976 Liquidator Clone
1978 Liquifire 440
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Sprailfire340
- Posts: 925
- Joined: Tue Oct 07, 2008 12:00 am
- Location: Rockford, MN
Re: Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
Matt -
I had the same questions last fall. I have 2 boys 5 1/2 and 3. I looked at kitty kats, 120's (poo, cat, doo) {sounds like something my 3 yr old would say} and decided on a yamaha sno scoot. Ended up paying significantly more than $500, but it is a turn key sled. Big enough that they can ride it for several years until they are ready to move up to an full 340. It doesn't have a governor and probably has too much top end for a 5 yr old. So, we kept his riding to open fields and lakes this year. His biggest complaint was his thumb got tired.
They were only made for a few years (late 80's/early 90's) and seem to hold their value well because they are a really functional sleds for 5-8 yr olds. They are also a blast to ride for the older kids...at 220 I'm a little heavy, but it doesn't bat an eye when my wife gets on it. Lean back, pop the skis, and wheelie away! I figure as long as we don't burn it down, I should be able to get most of my investment back.
I've never owned a kitty kat or 120, but have been told by those that did the kids love them for a year or two and then are looking to get more speed out of them. I've seen kat's from $400-$800, used 120's are $1000+ here in MN. Scoots tend to be closer to $1200-$1500 depending on options like e-start (standard is a kick start). Ridiculous for a kids sled, but I figure I can get 5-6 yrs out of it between the 2 kids. Here is a few pics of my 5 yr old and his 7 yr old buddy from down the road. Good luck.
I had the same questions last fall. I have 2 boys 5 1/2 and 3. I looked at kitty kats, 120's (poo, cat, doo) {sounds like something my 3 yr old would say} and decided on a yamaha sno scoot. Ended up paying significantly more than $500, but it is a turn key sled. Big enough that they can ride it for several years until they are ready to move up to an full 340. It doesn't have a governor and probably has too much top end for a 5 yr old. So, we kept his riding to open fields and lakes this year. His biggest complaint was his thumb got tired.
They were only made for a few years (late 80's/early 90's) and seem to hold their value well because they are a really functional sleds for 5-8 yr olds. They are also a blast to ride for the older kids...at 220 I'm a little heavy, but it doesn't bat an eye when my wife gets on it. Lean back, pop the skis, and wheelie away! I figure as long as we don't burn it down, I should be able to get most of my investment back.
I've never owned a kitty kat or 120, but have been told by those that did the kids love them for a year or two and then are looking to get more speed out of them. I've seen kat's from $400-$800, used 120's are $1000+ here in MN. Scoots tend to be closer to $1200-$1500 depending on options like e-start (standard is a kick start). Ridiculous for a kids sled, but I figure I can get 5-6 yrs out of it between the 2 kids. Here is a few pics of my 5 yr old and his 7 yr old buddy from down the road. Good luck.
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MERe: Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
I would line up behind Mitch on the Lil Yamaha.
Finding a nice sorted out KK for $400 would be tough even in the off season.
But I do recall see some cheap at Princeton last fall.
As for the value/price of the small Cat it does not seam to make any difference if it is a 72 or a 92 they are all bringing the same coin.
There are many other vintage choices in the youth size sleds. MS cadet, sno pony, Bravo, Polaris TC, ect.
If safety is the priority than consider a Radier 290cc. You can't tip one of them over!
Avoid the Made in China youth knockoffs. They will never run past the first tank of gas.
Finding a nice sorted out KK for $400 would be tough even in the off season.
But I do recall see some cheap at Princeton last fall.
As for the value/price of the small Cat it does not seam to make any difference if it is a 72 or a 92 they are all bringing the same coin.
There are many other vintage choices in the youth size sleds. MS cadet, sno pony, Bravo, Polaris TC, ect.
If safety is the priority than consider a Radier 290cc. You can't tip one of them over!
Avoid the Made in China youth knockoffs. They will never run past the first tank of gas.
Todd Schrupp
Milbank SD
Milbank SD
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guitardude081
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- Real Name: Jack Durand
- Location: Brainerd, MN
Re: Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
It seems that bare minimum you will pay $550 for a nice one from any year. The '99s are the last year and seem to be the most desirable for those that are looking for a rider that needs no repair. If you're looking for a vintage Kitty Kat, keep in mind that the tracks didn't hold up the best, the seat may be junk and it may have the other problems associated with buying a vintage sled. There are some bonuses to paying a lot for some these sleds. I've seen a lot at swaps and on CL with the deep snow spindles, suspension wheel kits and even covers go for the same price as one without. I would buy a newer one if you plan on a pull and go sled. Check the brake band and transmission output carefully. These are problem areas. A lot of times I've worked on Kitty Kats with cobbled brake bands and leaky transmissions. It's a bonus if you can find one without a cracked hood and cowl. The nice thing is that for a bulk of the years, a Kitty Kat was a Kitty Kat and the only thing that separated the years was the stickers and seat pattern. Good luck. I have a buddy who has a really nice one for sale for $600. I'm pretty sure it's a '95. He's really anal about his machines and this one is no exception.
~Jack
~Jack
Owner, Durand Motorsports
1980 Trailfire 340 (Grandpa bought new)
1983 Trailfire LX
1982 Spitfire (Grandpa bought new)
(3)1974 295/S
1975 340/S
(2) 1978 Liquifire
2003 Ski Doo Renegade 600HO
1993 Polaris XLT Special with AAEN pipes
2020 Polaris Indy 600 XC 129 40th Anniversary Edition
1980 Liquifire (currently in pieces)
1980 Trailfire 340 (Grandpa bought new)
1983 Trailfire LX
1982 Spitfire (Grandpa bought new)
(3)1974 295/S
1975 340/S
(2) 1978 Liquifire
2003 Ski Doo Renegade 600HO
1993 Polaris XLT Special with AAEN pipes
2020 Polaris Indy 600 XC 129 40th Anniversary Edition
1980 Liquifire (currently in pieces)
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ICCSF 108
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- Real Name: Kenny Heins, AKA Grumpy
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Re: Kitty Kat Snowmobiles
My opinion (for what it's worth) would be that a KK would be too small for a 5 year old. Wade & Charlie started out on a 78 Spitfire with a block behind the throttle to keep the speed down. The grand kids had a 120 Cat, Tucker went from the 120 right to a 295/S.
Just my $.0765 worth
Kenny
Just my $.0765 worth
Kenny
AKA: Kenny, Grumpy, Mr. Richard Head
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?
"I Hunt For it, Purchase it, Haul it, Sometimes Repair it, Sometimes Break it, Then Fix it Again, Label it, Warehouse it, Talk About it, So NOW, HOW Can I Take Any Less $$ For It?"
"God I love the smell of KLOTZ in the morning, That smell, you know that Gasoline/Oil Smell, MAKES the whole place SMELL like.. LIKE VICTORY. You know someday the 2 strokers are gonna end..."
Do Anti-War Protesters have reunions? If so what do they TALK about?