The Ski-Doo Mini Z was a famous kid-sized snowmobile manufactured from 1998 through 2008. This tiny sled was powered by a 118cc, 4-stroke Honda engine and offered a top speed of 8 mph in stock condition. Like its rivals Arctic Cat ZR120 and Yamaha SRX 120R, this tiny Ski-Doo instantly became popular among children.
If you are looking for a Ski-Doo Mini Z review, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled the specs and all the key info about this sled under one roof!
Ski-Doo Mini Z Review
The iconic Ski-Doo Mini Z was introduced in 1998, six years later than the Yamaha SRX 120 hit the market.
Surprisingly, this early model came with a solid front suspension, and the rear suspension didn’t utilize hyfax. This generation of Mini Zs was manufactured from 1998 through 2002.
By 2003, this cute yellow Ski-Doo mini sled saw some significant upgrades. The new model was built on the innovative Mini REV platform, which featured an independent A-arm front suspension with 3 inches of travel.
The rear suspension system came with hyfax on the side rails and offered a travel of 6 inches. For better traction and flotation, the Mini Z also received a bigger, 10” x 69” x 0.63” track.
The body style of the sled was also redesigned, but the bulkhead and the tunnel remained basically unchanged.
Regarding power source, it’s a lesser-known fact that the Ski-Doo Mini Z was powered by a Honda engine. The air-cooled, 118cc, 4-stroke single produced a moderate performance, but it was enough to keep the little sledders interested.
Parents appreciated the low weight of the Mini-Z (154 pounds), which made it easy to move around on and off the snow. The seating position and the controls were all kid-friendly, which provided excellent control over the sled.
Standard features included a sporty low-profile windshield, an 0.5-gallon fuel tank, a mechanical brake, plus head and tail lights.
Keeping safety in mind, the Ski-Doo Mini Z was equipped with a speed governor that limited the top speed to 8 mph. Also, the machine came with a tether cord designed to shut off the engine if the rider accidentally fell off the seat.
This special tether cord also featured a plastic disk, which was a safety device intended to disconnect the tether cord cap if the hood was opened. It was a great addition as it automatically stopped the engine if the hood opened accidentally or the child tried to open it themselves for some reason.
The Ski-Doo Mini Z instantly became popular in the marketplace and was sold for around a decade. But to the regret of many fans, it was discontinued after the 2008 model year.
Ski-Doo Mini Z Spec Charts
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the Ski-Doo Mini Z specifications into these charts:
Ski-Doo Mini Z Engine Specs
| Engine type | 120 4-stroke |
| Cylinder arrangement | 1-cylinder |
| Engine stroke | 4 |
| Cooling system | Axial air cooled |
| Bore | 2.4 in (60 mm) |
| Stroke | 1.7 in (42 mm) |
| Displacement (cc) | 118 |
| Carburetor | Horizontal type, butterfly valve |
| Turbocharged | No |
| Maximum horsepower RPM | 3850 +/- 100 RPM |
| Starting system | Pull start |
Ski-Doo Mini Z Liquids
| Fuel tank capacity | 0.5 U.S. gal. (1.7 L) |
| Crankcase oil capacity | 20.3 U.S. oz. (0.6 L) |
| Recommended fuel type | Regular unleaded |
| Minimum octane (Inside North America) | (87 (RON + MON)/2) |
| Minimum octane (Outside North America) | 92 RON |
| Recommended engine oil | SAE 5W30 |
Ski-Doo Mini Z Dimensions
| Overall length | 73.2 in (1860 mm) |
| Overall width | 31 in (788 mm) |
| Overall height | 29.5 in (750 mm) |
| Ski stance | 27 in (685 mm) |
| Overall ski length | 25 in (645 mm) |
| Ski width | 4.1 in (103 mm) |
Ski-Doo Mini Z Drive System
| Drive pulley type | Comet |
| Driven pulley type | 48 teeth sprocket |
| Drive sprocket diameter | 3.2 in (81 mm) |
| Drive chain: Number of links | 78 |
| Drive chain pitch | .50 in (12.7 mm) |
| Brake system | Mechanical |
Ski-Doo Mini Z Track Dimensions
| Track width | 10 in (254 mm) |
| Track length | 68.9 in (1749 mm) |
| Track lug height | .63 in (16 mm) |
| Track tension | 1-3/8 in (35 mm) / 16 lbs (7.3 kg) |
| Suspension type | Slide rail suspension |
Ski-Doo Mini Z Suspensions
| Front suspension system | A-arm Mini Z |
| Front shocks | Mini Z |
| Front suspension maximum travel | 3 in (75 mm) |
| Rear suspension system | Mini Z |
| Rear suspension maximum travel | 6 in (152.4 mm) |
These charts are for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
How Fast did a Ski-Doo Mini Z Go?
The top speed of the Ski-Doo Mini Z was a limited 8 mph. However, with a bypassed speed governor, the sled topped out at about 13 mph, but with some aftermarket modifications, the sled could hit 20-25 mph without any issues. What’s more, some racing Mini Zs with engine upgrades could hit an incredible 40 mph!
How Much did a Ski-Doo Mini Z Weigh?
Thanks to its tiny chassis, the weight of the Ski-Doo Mini Z was as little as 154 pounds.
Ski-Doo Mini Z Wheel Kit
Excellent addition to the Ski-Doo Mini Z is the “summer wheel kit.” Installing wheels on a Ski-Doo seems like a crazy idea, but this kit can turn the sled into a year-round runner. Since children can’t wait until the following winter, they appreciate the extended season!
If you’re considering installing wheels on a Mini Z, don’t forget that the lack of snow leaves the hyfax and the track without any lubrication. This results in more rolling resistance, which often causes lower speeds or even track damage.
To avoid these issues, it’s recommended that you install an extra set of idler wheels on the skid. These idler wheel kits are available from various aftermarket manufacturers.
Ski-Doo Mini Z for Sale
To the greatest regret of many kids and Ski-Doo owner dads, the Mini Z is not available off-the-shelf.
Therefore, if you are looking for one, you should take a look at the used market.
But don’t worry. Since kids outgrow these sleds very quickly, most used ones are in excellent condition. When you do your research, try to pick 2003-2008 models, as they come with advanced suspensions and a bigger track.
If you’re considering buying one, you can find a vintage Ski-Doo Mini Z for sale on Craigslist, eBay, Snowmobilesoup, Sledswap, Snowmobiletrader, and other official snowmobile ad sites.
Also, you may want to visit some Ski-Doo Facebook groups and forums.
How Much is a Ski-Doo Mini Z?
Since it has been out of production since 2008, the Mini Z is already a collectible item. Therefore, they usually pop up online with hefty asking prices.
As a rule of thumb, the asking prices of Ski-Doo Mini Z sleds range from about $1,000 up to a whopping $3,000. Of course, the price depends on many factors such as the year, condition, and/or modifications.
Takeaways – FAQs About the Ski-Doo Mini Z
What year did the Ski-Doo Mini Z come out?
The Ski-Doo Mini Z was introduced in 1998.
What years was the Ski-Doo Mini Z made?
The Ski-Doo Mini Z was manufactured from 1998 to 2008.
What size was a Ski-Doo Mini Z?
The Ski-Doo Mini Z was 73.2 inches long, 31 inches wide, and 28.5 inches high, while its ski stance was only 27 inches.
What was the track size of the Ski-Doo Mini Z?
The stock track size of the Ski-Doo Mini Z was 10” x 69” x 0.63”.
How much did a Ski-Doo Mini Z weigh?
The dry weight of the Ski-Doo Mini Z was 154 pounds.
What kind of engine was in a Ski-Doo Mini Z?
The Ski-Doo Mini Z’s engine was an air-cooled, 118cc, 4-stroke, single-cylinder Honda engine.
How fast did a Ski-Doo Mini Z go?
A Ski-Doo Mini Z could go up to 8 mph in stock condition, but it topped out at about 13-15 mph with a bypassed speed governor. With a performance kit, it could even reach 20-25 mph on a hard-packed surface.
What age was a Ski-Doo Mini Z snowmobile for?
Ski-Doo marketed the Mini Z for children who were at least 6 years old and weighed not more than 100 pounds.
Does Ski-Doo still make a Mini Z?
No, unfortunately, production of the Ski-Doo Mini Z was ceased in 2008.
