2022 Sidewinder XTX LE 146 Snow check - change the track?

[relbus]

I have been going back and forth between a ski doo renegade xrs 900 turbo r or the winder for 22. I have decided on the winder. I was thinking of asking the dealer to swap the 1.6 track for a 175 hurricane. I ride mainly trails, but I don't shy away from opportunities to get off trail or find deep snow. I am just thinking the 175 cant hurt with the extra bite.



Opinions?

 

[Kuzzy]

I went through nearly all the same thoughts you have when I bought my 2020 xtx se (I really wanted the trail front end and 1.6" track).

In the end I kept the 2" on and couldn't be happier, I don't think that the 175 will be enough traction over the 1.6, and I don't think it will be enough for the sled. My 2" is about perfect and I can still slide it around a tight corner, and pull a wheelie coming out of the corners. I've concluded that you pretty much need a 2" track for the 146 xtx skid, anything else is just not enough traction if you like to get the front off the ground for things like popping up on top of deep snow. This is for the type of snow we have here, I do not know what your snow is like where you ride. Honestly I would just try what comes with the sled and decide from there, but don't rule out the 2" if you are looking for more traction, I've had this track on every type of snow condition I have available and it has yet to disappoint me.

 

[Torquezilla]

IMO the 1.75 does hook better on hard pack and digs deeper to pull skies skyward if that’s what your into. 1.6 has a lot less noise but tends to flex lugs more resulting in less trail biting. I went with 1.75 on my 20 ltx and love it. Also have 1.75 on my 17 xtx, the 1.6 doesn’t have stiff enough lugs for my liking.

 

[justinator]

I have an xtx se, I did not like the 2' track on the trails so I swapped it out to a 1.75 hurricane. Absolutely hated the hurricane track as it was the noisiest track id ever heard and vibrated bad. Ive ran several 1.75 backcountry tracks over the years and these are far superior to the hurricane. I ended up converting the sled to an le with the wide front end and 1.6 cobra track. The 1.6 track that is standard on xtx le's and the cat riots are different then previous versions as they are 2 ply and have a harder durometer than the ones that were used on the 141's and different than what you get if you order one from somewhere other than yamaha or cat direct. It has great traction and combined with the 146 skid it is almost too much traction. With limiter strap pulled in and center shock set to low preload it is still very difficult to keep skis on the ground with any hard acceleration. It is also very quiet and vibration free, noit quite as good off trail as the 1.75 track but still goes good and much better on trail.

 

[Kuzzy]

well you have 3 different opinions lol, happy shopping!

 

[relbus]

Thanks guys! Man the more I look the more uncertain I become!

Also considering an LTX-LE and the SRX.

Any of which I would plan to change the track on. I want enough paddle to be able to confidently go through deeper snow than I currently am able to, and more importantly put all those ponies to the snow!

At this time the LTX and XTX are probably my first choices, and the SRX would be the last choice. I like different things about each of them...
Seems that the most popular sidewinders are all 137's, is that due to it being the most well rounded machine...or is it because most folks ride trails ?

Again - thanks for helping me think through this! Hoping they will have the 22's on display this weekend at Eagle River for the Sno X so I can see them in person.

 

[DranttelSS]

The 137 skid with the Back Country track is really nice on this sled, I owned this combo for 3 seasons. Does trails really well and does okay for the occasional off trail dip. Also had a 141 Viper with the 1.6 Cobra single ply and this track was not my favorite in the trails. After 1000 miles it became soft and the lugs would fold over pretty easy. I heard some rumblings that the Cobra on the XTX LE might be 2 ply? If so that should hold up better. Cannot confirm that though.

The 137 even with more track will not lift the skis like a 141/146.

 

[relbus]

Alright...Last night I made my deposit online to reserve. I had already spoken to my dealer...but intend to finalize everything when I pick up my Nytro from the shop on Saturday morning.
I thought I was sold on the XTX last night after watching every damn YouTube vid I could find and reading on this forum, but after speaking to the dealer this morning they have me re-considering the LTX LE.

Not sure if I mentioned but we have a cabin in just north of Minocqua, so I ride mainly groomed trails in and around the Minocqua area/Vilas/Oneida/Iron counties.


Right off the bat I would like to tune it, add an exhaust, and take care of any clutching necessary for the added HP. I am thinking ripsaw 2 1.5 if I go LTX LE and a 1.75 backcountry or hurricane if I go XTX

 

[Hammer Down]

relbus if you are on trail 90% or so go with the LTX LE best shocks package of all the Winders.

 

[relbus]

That is kind of the way I am leaning. Thanks for the advice

 

[Kuzzy]

That is quite the pivot you made lol, 146 to 137 haha. i use to ride a 137 viper in tight trails, nobody i ride with can even come close to catching me on the trails, only reason I bought a sidewinder is because my group started doing more cross country riding and you just cant catch a sidewinder in the open. i honestly cant imagine what a lxt winder would be like on tight trails, i was already hanging on the bleeding edge with the viper haha, had that "transfer" dialed in pefectly, i have had it out once this year in the twisties, still just as fun as it always was. <charge the corner, pull the brake 3/4, feel the skiis bite, turn skiis just enough, hang way way out and burry the throttle, feel #*$&@ end slide like michael jackson>

 

[Phatboyc]

At this time the LTX and XTX are probably my first choices, and the SRX would be the last choice. I like different things about each of them...
Seems that the most popular sidewinders are all 137's, is that due to it being the most well rounded machine...or is it because most folks ride trails ?

Get the machine that will ride the best on what the most you do. Not one to do it all subpar for the occasional dip of trail.

I hope you don;t mind me asking here as I got no answer in another thread. Why is it the XTX cheaper than LTX models? QS3 front shocks and longer track should be more expensive no?

 

[greatwhite89]

LTX LE gets the Kashima coated Qs3 "R" shocks as compared to the standard QS3 on the XTX. Both great shock packages, the Qs3R are just considered top of the line.

 

[Hammer Down]

Also LTX has couple skid with rear springs and adjusters. Much better trail machine IMO I have driven both.

 

[Hammer Down]

I think a 2ply track too but not 100% sure maybe someone else can confirm