2017 LTX to 2022 XTX?

[Avenged7x]

Greetings,

I'm considering trading my 2017 Sidewinder LTX-SE and going to a 2022 Sidewinder XTX-LE.
My current sled has served me quite well and has around 10,000 miles on it with the original 1.25 Ripsaw2. Usage is 95% aggressive trail riding, but I do need to occasionally break trail into my camp. The LTX is very planted and performs well on the trail but it lacks transfer and doesn't perform very well off trail. I'm not looking to get into boondocking or the steep and deep, this is a heavy 4-stroke and trail performance is the primary goal with the odd off trail flatland adventure.

The reviews on the XTX 146 skid claim it is very capable offtrail for these purposes while still being a solid on trail performer. This almost sounds too good to be true - can anyone chime in with some seat time on both?

A few riding buddies have the 153 BTX models which I believe uses the same skid geometry as the older 141 XTXs. That is the only real comparable I have ridden, both with 1.75 Backcountry tracks. I was surprised with how well those sleds handled on trail but the new 146 XTX skid seems to be advertised as considerably better both on/off trail than the 141.

Track choices are another area I'm unsure of. The XTX LE comes with the 1.6 Cobra (1-ply) which I think it going to be decent for 50/50 use. However, I like to run studs and the 2-ply Ripsaw2 seems like the most durable track for high-speed groomed trail use and studs. I had hoped that a 2-ply 1.5" Ripsaw2 would be the ticket to both that on-trail durability while still providing much better off-trail traction. However, that track doesn't seem to be available even from Camso for the 146 skid.

Any thoughts or feedback from people who have ridden these sleds or tracks would be appreciated.

 

[Kenzie]

The 1.6 cobra that comes on le model is a 2 ply track. 2.86 pitch. I left a myself had ltx and wanted a more playful ride so I’m going to try the 146. The 1.6 cobra 2 ply is only available I believe through Yamaha, or cat but I could be wrong think they use same thing on riot. But I heard directly from Jarrett that it is 2 ply.

 

[Avenged7x]

Thanks for the reply, glad to hear it is a 2-ply track. Of course the dealer doesn't really know their product as I asked the question and they said it was a single ply.

Can anyone chime in on durability of the 2-ply Cobra for high speed trail use?

Dealer also doesn't appear willing to negotiate on price and they are saying they don't expect to have any in-season or floor models available for anyone that doesn't spring check. They are also pretty firm that tuning it will void the warranty. I've been running Precision Stage 3 package for 3 seasons with zero issues and while I don't use the extra power very often, I am at least a little bit addicted to having it available.

I believe the XTX 146 may now have 24/50 gearing, whereas my LTX and XTX 141s used to run 21/41 gearing. What kind of top speed are people seeing out of stock/tuned XTX146s?

Dream-o-meter numbers only, my LTX has shown 126mph in ideal trail/weather conditions. Buddies BTX153 with identical tuning shows 122mph in same conditions. The BTX feels way faster due to the extra transfer/hookup.

 

[Kenzie]

The new xtx runs 24/50 gearing thats correct and seen a few posts 118 is achievable. I myself thought about changing gears but can’t see me gearing out in a drag race as most are 500-660. The 21/41 22/41 be nice for up north highways but they say fuel mileage isn’t effected between the different gearing.