BigChevyColorado
Newbie
Hey everyone- I've been reading the forums for quite a while now so its about time to make my first post...
First off- Don't jump all over me telling me that I'm posting a topic that has already been discussed... I have spent alot more time reading through these forums than I probably should and still haven't found the answers that I am looking for... if you feel my post is discussed somewhere else just post a link to the material-Thanks
Anyways
I have a 2008 Short track Nytro Fx and ride in Northeast Wisconsin. Most of my riding is ditches and on private farmland since our trails are barely ever open.... I run studs because when the trails are open there are alot of corners with ice and alot of our trails run on lakes and rivers for good distances. However... next winter I am getting a chance to go out west for 2 weeks so I am looking into ways to get around over there in the powder... The options I am currently considering is buying a 121x15-1.75 track just to use out west and then swapping back to my stock studded ripsaw when I'm at home or to extend my sled to 136" with OFT's tipped up rail extensions kit and run a 136x15-1.325 Cobra with studs... So enough background info here comes the real question....
Will I be better off running the 121x15-1.75 out west or a 136x15-1.325 Cobra out west? What will be more important? track length or lug depth? I'm already planning on switching to 7" skis because the stock ones suck period.
Any input is gladly appreciated however 1st hand experience would be preferred... also don't tell me to run boost unless ur paying for it and don't tell me to go longer than 136" because its just overkill for my riding conditions. Thanks to everyone for reading and posting... This forum is amazing and there are tons of people with great information here.
First off- Don't jump all over me telling me that I'm posting a topic that has already been discussed... I have spent alot more time reading through these forums than I probably should and still haven't found the answers that I am looking for... if you feel my post is discussed somewhere else just post a link to the material-Thanks
Anyways
I have a 2008 Short track Nytro Fx and ride in Northeast Wisconsin. Most of my riding is ditches and on private farmland since our trails are barely ever open.... I run studs because when the trails are open there are alot of corners with ice and alot of our trails run on lakes and rivers for good distances. However... next winter I am getting a chance to go out west for 2 weeks so I am looking into ways to get around over there in the powder... The options I am currently considering is buying a 121x15-1.75 track just to use out west and then swapping back to my stock studded ripsaw when I'm at home or to extend my sled to 136" with OFT's tipped up rail extensions kit and run a 136x15-1.325 Cobra with studs... So enough background info here comes the real question....
Will I be better off running the 121x15-1.75 out west or a 136x15-1.325 Cobra out west? What will be more important? track length or lug depth? I'm already planning on switching to 7" skis because the stock ones suck period.
Any input is gladly appreciated however 1st hand experience would be preferred... also don't tell me to run boost unless ur paying for it and don't tell me to go longer than 136" because its just overkill for my riding conditions. Thanks to everyone for reading and posting... This forum is amazing and there are tons of people with great information here.
bulldogbones
Expert
I know you said dont say anything over a 136. BUT what if you picked up a used moutian skid and track. Then you could swap back to your 121 when you get home.
mytro
Expert
BigChevyColorado said:
If you go with the 136" you will love it, and I'd say the 1.375" will be a perfect track. I went 1.25" and find it a great cross over sled..I say the sled should have been 136" Stock and find the 144" to long for ditch banging..In powder it is 100% better than the 121"..
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sleddingfarmer
TY 4 Stroke God
The 1.325 Cobra track in 136" length is a HUGE improvement in powder over the stock 121 ripsaw. And trail riding it works awesome too. I had 144 studs down the center, and it worked great.
Now, if I did it over again I would go with the 1.25" Predator instead of the Cobra. The cobra seems to pull studs out rather easily, and the lugs rip pretty easy too. But I know the predator is a tough track, and holds studs very well, and is also much better than a ripsaw in the powder.
I went out west with my nytro also, and had a Knotched 2" challenger 136". I wouldn't go out with anything less than a 136" 2" track. You can run a 2" challenger IF it is knotched for all the heat exchanger/tunnel protectors. Keep your eyes peeled on ebay and you can pick one up for 200 to 250 in good shape.
pictures - http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... tx&start=0
Now, if I did it over again I would go with the 1.25" Predator instead of the Cobra. The cobra seems to pull studs out rather easily, and the lugs rip pretty easy too. But I know the predator is a tough track, and holds studs very well, and is also much better than a ripsaw in the powder.
I went out west with my nytro also, and had a Knotched 2" challenger 136". I wouldn't go out with anything less than a 136" 2" track. You can run a 2" challenger IF it is knotched for all the heat exchanger/tunnel protectors. Keep your eyes peeled on ebay and you can pick one up for 200 to 250 in good shape.
pictures - http://www.ty4stroke.com/viewtopic.php? ... tx&start=0
BigChevyColorado
Newbie
Thanks everyone for the replies...
sleddingfarmer I have a question for you- do you have the 136" extension with tipped up rails from OFT or a "straight" extension? also I was wondering how it handles on the trail compared to the 121" length and if you can actually feel a difference in flotatation... and I was also wondering if you had problems with trenching when you were out west either because of the approach angle or the deep paddles on a shorter track? Sorry for all the questions but I'm kinda torn on my decison making right now and summers almost here so its time to tear the sled all apart and start working on it! lol
sleddingfarmer I have a question for you- do you have the 136" extension with tipped up rails from OFT or a "straight" extension? also I was wondering how it handles on the trail compared to the 121" length and if you can actually feel a difference in flotatation... and I was also wondering if you had problems with trenching when you were out west either because of the approach angle or the deep paddles on a shorter track? Sorry for all the questions but I'm kinda torn on my decison making right now and summers almost here so its time to tear the sled all apart and start working on it! lol
sleddingfarmer
TY 4 Stroke God
BigChevyColorado said:
I have the "straight" rail extensions, from tracksusa.com. Handling on the trail I thought to be very similar as a 121, but with more traction for acceleration and braking. It didn't seem to steer or corner any better or worse. It was much much better off-trail, with the added length, I recommend it.
Trenching was definitely a problem out west. The rtx has a steep approach angle, so that doesn't help. But this sled also has so much torque, it spins the track too quickly, essentially digging its own grave. Once I learned to "ease" into it a little I had better luck. Definitely has enough power for a lot more track than a 136". Which is why I recommend a 2" if you go out west, since the 1.75" tracks are typically harder lug style tracks, and won't help with the trenching vs the more paddle style of the challenger 2".
BigChevyColorado
Newbie
Ok i was already considering dropping my engagement RPM for my trip out west in order to keep the possibility of trenching slightly less... which should help similar to sleddingfarmer "easing into it" i would think....
i guess my plan was to only buy one track this year since they are so damn expensive so Id rather not have to buy a 136"x15"-2" for out west and have to buy a new 136" with shorter lugs for around home... would a 121"x15"-1.75" or 121"x15"-2" cut it out west or would a 136"x15"-1.5" Intense be more of a middle ground since I did some calculation and with smaller drivers a studded 1.5" should fit... Id really like to avoid buying 2 tracks... just kinda bouncing ideas off of anyone with more experience in deep snow than I have
i guess my plan was to only buy one track this year since they are so damn expensive so Id rather not have to buy a 136"x15"-2" for out west and have to buy a new 136" with shorter lugs for around home... would a 121"x15"-1.75" or 121"x15"-2" cut it out west or would a 136"x15"-1.5" Intense be more of a middle ground since I did some calculation and with smaller drivers a studded 1.5" should fit... Id really like to avoid buying 2 tracks... just kinda bouncing ideas off of anyone with more experience in deep snow than I have
raginyamaha
TY 4 Stroke Master
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avoid the frustration of getting stuck a lot, rent a mountain sled when ur out there if possible. You will be glad you did. im stretching mine to 144 this summer cuz i started riding with some guys in the UP who like to go off trail a little bit. and the shorty is awful in the deep stuff.
BigChevyColorado
Newbie
I'm sorry but 2 weeks out west =14 days @ $200/day for rental.... without gas... is $2800 that could really be spent elsewhere and I dont get anything for it... just doesnt make a whole lot of sense to me
sleddingfarmer
TY 4 Stroke God
I just looked and apparently Tracksusa.com doesn't sell the Predator in a 136" length anymore. Damn, they always quit selling the best tracks.
Well so much for my plan.
My second plan is to find a 144" XTX skid, or get some Iceage rails made, and stretch it out to 144 when you go out west. Then shorten it back up to 121 when you return.
Or rail extensions would be cheapest. But 121 to 144 is quite the stretch...although I haven't heard of any problems with the yamahas. Ski doo xp fold their rails quite often if you go from 120" to 146" with rail extensions.
You'd essentially have 2 sleds then. Mountain sled and trail sled.
Well so much for my plan.
My second plan is to find a 144" XTX skid, or get some Iceage rails made, and stretch it out to 144 when you go out west. Then shorten it back up to 121 when you return.
Or rail extensions would be cheapest. But 121 to 144 is quite the stretch...although I haven't heard of any problems with the yamahas. Ski doo xp fold their rails quite often if you go from 120" to 146" with rail extensions.
You'd essentially have 2 sleds then. Mountain sled and trail sled.
NFLD-Nytro
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
Personally, I find the 144x1.75 still requires alot of work off trail. Can't imagine going the places I do with a 121. And the 144X1.25 left alot to be desired.
I'll say one thing though, the deeper lug makes a HUGE difference. To answer your original question, I'd probably pick the 121, but go with a 2" track.
Whatever you decide, bring a shovel, it will make your life alot easier.
I'll say one thing though, the deeper lug makes a HUGE difference. To answer your original question, I'd probably pick the 121, but go with a 2" track.
Whatever you decide, bring a shovel, it will make your life alot easier.
BigChevyColorado said:
This is the same problem that a lot of people run in to. It's not that hard to create a crossover sled from a 121" short track. It is, however, really hard to create a true mountain sled out of a short track. Trust me, I've tried to do it.
$2800 renting would not be money well spent. What about buying a true mountain sled with the intention of selling when you were done with your trip?
But, just to warn you, the mountain bug will probably bite you and you will sell your short track when you return from your trip.
You may want to broach that subject with your significant other between now and then
Scott
Supa Dexta
Expert
Bring atleast 1 friend and a snobunjee, before you start shoveling. I prefer the one with the handle, or buy the one with a hook on each end and make your own handle so you can use it both ways.
If you've never used one, you'll be amazed at how slick they work.
If you've never used one, you'll be amazed at how slick they work.
sleddingfarmer
TY 4 Stroke God
Supa Dexta said:
x2, they work awesome. And when you get to the mountains, ride uphill. So when you get in trouble you can go back down. Its not so easy to turn and go up when you're getting stuck lol
BigChevyColorado
Newbie
Another thought... the mountain guys have been finding ways to make 16" wide tracks fit their MTX's... anyone think with a little persuasion a 137x16 track like the ones on a lot of newer skidoo's could be made to fit a standard Nytro or do the MTX's have a slightly wider tunnel to begin with... just a thought... a 137"x16" would give me roughly the flotation of a 144"x15" I would imagine
