144 Experience with an apex

[Jeckylll]

I am just in the process of purchasing a 2006 APEX GT with the intention of longtracking it. Originally i was thinking a 136 but the 144 intrigues me. Can anyone give me the benefit of their experience regarding the 144" under an apex? Any track or skid recomendations? Is the power sufficient for a 144? What clutching work needs to be done?

I do ride trails but i am off the first chance i get. I am 300lb rider who absolutely hates getting stuck.

 

[Custom Sled Shop]

I am just in the process of purchasing a 2006 APEX GT with the intention of longtracking it. Originally i was thinking a 136 but the 144 intrigues me. Can anyone give me the benefit of their experience regarding the 144" under an apex? Any track or skid recomendations? Is the power sufficient for a 144? What clutching work needs to be done?

I do ride trails but i am off the first chance i get. I am 300lb rider who absolutely hates getting stuck.

I am too over 300lbs! and I dont get stuck!!!!

I love the 144s, its good for the trail and playing off trail!! If I want to go in deeper stuff I swap tracks and put on my 2inch lug track!!

good luck!!

144x15 x 1.5 crossover

BOTH HAVE THE SAME TRACKS!!

 

[schmeg]

You will have to go to an aftermarket skid and or also different skid mounting point for it to work. The standard 121 geometry won't work well. An Attak will easily stretch to 144.

 

[LazyBastard]

Track choices are limited nowadays at 144". There used to be a predator 1.25x144, but its been discontinued. The "crossover" and "backcountry" have VERY thin lugs, the ripjunk has those stupid separated tips that always rip off (hence the "rip" in the name), freeride is only available in 14" wide (which will cost you more than you gain by going to 144" over 136). The only track that camoplast makes that looks any good is the Challenger, available in 15" or 16" wide with lugs that are 2 or 2.3". My choice would be a 16" wide 2" Challenger, and if the lugs are too deep, trim them down. This would make the ultimate track since the lugs are fairly sturdy compared to the rest of the 144's.

 

[Jeckylll]

Those sleds look tight with the 144. Is the 150 hp sufficient for the 144 or is it going to be under powered. Down the road i plan to do a supercharger kit but it's not in the books right now.

as for tracks 1.25 x 144 predator sounded about right to why did they stop making it. I am thinking i would need to do significant changes to run a 2"x16"x144".

I was thinking aftermarket skid anyways. read good things about the M-10 and i am leaning that way.

 

[bjowett]

You can still buy Polaris #5412168, 144"x15"x1.25" track from the Switchback. It is a Predator derivative. Unfortunately OEM tracks are $$$. You might find a good deal on a take off over at ebay as many Switchback owners go for a deeper lug.

 

[LazyBastard]

Those sleds look tight with the 144. Is the 150 hp sufficient for the 144 or is it going to be under powered. Down the road i plan to do a supercharger kit but it's not in the books right now.

as for tracks 1.25 x 144 predator sounded about right to why did they stop making it. I am thinking i would need to do significant changes to run a 2"x16"x144".

I was thinking aftermarket skid anyways. read good things about the M-10 and i am leaning that way.

Why would you want an M10? They're slow and delicate "old lady" skids. Only mods you would need to fit a 2" (assuming that you don't cut it down, and asides from skid replacement) is removal of tunnel protectors and lowering gearing. As for being underpowered.... 136" is OVERPOWERED by these 4-cyl engines, 144 is just about right. Its *impossible* for a track to be UNDERpowered, just need to gear it right.

 

[schmeg]

I had an M10 on a Polaris and yes it rides good, but no weight transfer to speak of and approach angle sucks. If your going to do it right, give Tom Hartmann a call at 208-468-1073. www.hartmaninc.com he has some custom made skids for just what you want to do. I would use his skid with a rolled chaincase and 8 tooth drivers with the track LB talked about. You'll have plenty of power, just gear it down 22/38 or 23/39 with a white secondary spring and put on some Slydogs or Powder pro's. You'll be into the whole ball of wax for 3600 or so. BTW his skids are pricey, but are all billet and weigh a lot less than stock.

 

[Jeckylll]

What would be a good 144 skid to replace my stock apex gt 122?

What would be a good start regarding gearing with a stock motor?

Is the reverse going to be a problem in any way?

The tunnel protectors is all that has to be removed for a 2" you don't have to goto smaller drivers or anything like that?

 

[Jeckylll]

you beat me to my reply

 

[LazyBastard]

I've been burned by worthless junk from hartman. Don't take the risk. A good skid is ExpertX, and you have 2 choices; 144" skid located normally, or for very seriously low approach angle, 136" relocated back by 4". Note that ExpertX comes with "DTR", which regulates transfer, so you can manage a steeper approach angle while maintaining performance like a low approach.

For gearing, I'm currently running 23/42 with a stock engine and overdrive clutches. The 42 gear requires a slight modification in the chaincase to accommodate reverse. You can also go 22/40 for the same ratio without needing to modify anything. You're running Apex, so the PTO is already geared lower, so you probably don't want to go quite as low as I did. You might go 23/39 or 23/40.

As for tunnel protector removal... think about it this way; stock track is 1.25", tunnel protectors are 1", so removal of tunnel protectors must be able to accommodate 2.25".

 

[Jeckylll]

From what i can gather from the "TY Product reviews" and post i have read the M-10 is softer but more trouble to install. The Expert X is more for the performance orientated.

So if i want a 144" sled that handles good on the trails and for long trips the M-10 is better but for more extreme riding the Expert -X is better.

In the prairies where i will do most of my riding there are alot of instances with marginal snow conditions. I noticed the Expert has no wheels on the front is this going to cause more hi-fax wear?

Is there anyone running a M-10 144 that can give me the bennefit of their experience?

In the looks department the Expert -x does look better. What is the difference between the Expert-x and the Expert -X extreme?

 

[1CrazySledder]

From what i can gather from the "TY Product reviews" and post i have read the M-10 is softer but more trouble to install. The Expert X is more for the performance orientated.

So if i want a 144" sled that handles good on the trails and for long trips the M-10 is better but for more extreme riding the Expert -X is better.

In the prairies where i will do most of my riding there are alot of instances with marginal snow conditions. I noticed the Expert has no wheels on the front is this going to cause more hi-fax wear?

Is there anyone running a M-10 144 that can give me the bennefit of their experience?

In the looks department the Expert -x does look better. What is the difference between the Expert-x and the Expert -X extreme?

Expert X and expert extreme??? LOL....Same skid. There are wheels in the front of that skid. 4 of them. Two 135mm and two more smaller ones right behind them. Hyfax wear is great. I run one and won't run anything else...period.

 

[Jeckylll]

What is the positives vs negatives with the expert-x 136 set back to get 144 vs the expertx 144? Other than the 136 set back gives you a better approach angle. Is there a difference in weight transfer? Trail ride and handling?

 

[ReX]

LB, what lug are you running with your track? Do you have stock drivers?

I'm sure a 2"-2.25" track can fit in the tunnel, but does it fit at the front heat exchanger?