How difficult is it to change out the track?

[Joseph Levandoski]

Sled just hit 9,000 miles this past weekend and a while myriad of problems occurred. First, I blew out the muffler, resulting in a trashed side panel, belly pan, and oil lines. It looks like the two rivets on the left side of the muffler and the rivet in the center failed, resulting in a loose housing, which allowed the burning hot air to work it's "magic". Thankfully, Yamaha has covered it under warranty.

However, I also noticed that my track (141" x 1.6" Cobra) is showing it's age and has lost numerous lugs and started to tear in a few spots. I'm in the market for a new track, but I'm facing a couple of challenges (especially since this is on my dime and tracks are no cheap investment). I like the idea of the Ice Cobra 1.6, but it's not available at this time from my dealer. Neither is the Backcountry X, which was my first choice.

Right now, I have two options:

1. Have the dealer order a replacement 1.6 Cobra install the little nubs (track is $800 + $200 for nub install (including the cost of the nubs) PLUS the cost of installing the track) OR
2. Order a 1.75" Backcountry X from TracksUSA for about $600 and do the install myself this summer. While I was in the area, I would also like to check out the brake pads and replace the rotor with something like the Superlite/Prolite brake rotor from BD Xtreme and also add in the anti-stab kit (basically use the money I'm saving to reduce some rotating mass and protect the track).

While I would love to have option 2, I'm not sure how viable it is seeing as I've never torn the chain case apart or performed something this intensive. I would love to save the extra ~$600, so here I am.

Thanks in advance (and keep an eye on those stock mufflers)!

 

[cannondale27]

Go for the back country! $600 is a lot of riding or accessory $. Lot of threads on chaincase and track removal isn't much more time. We are all here to help. Grab your phone for pics and dig in. Can always call too for immediate help.

 

[Turtle]

It's really no more or less difficult than a track swap for any other sled. There is only the added complexity of the oil tank being a part of the chaincase. Which means a disconnection of oil lines (draining the oil) to get the tank off. But since you mentioned the oil lines on your sled are trashed, you are already doing that step anyway. Go for the Backcountry and do it yourself. Great track, you will learn something new, and get to have a few cold ones with friends in the process!!!

 

[Joseph Levandoski]

It's really no more or less difficult than a track swap for any other sled. There is only the added complexity of the oil tank being a part of the chaincase. Which means a disconnection of oil lines (draining the oil) to get the tank off. But since you mentioned the oil lines on your sled are trashed, you are already doing that step anyway. Go for the Backcountry and do it yourself. Great track, you will learn something new, and get to have a few cold ones with friends in the process!!!

The sled is at the dealer for the warranty work (we leave the snowmobiles in Maine for the winter, so they're completing the warranty work so I can get one last ride for the season. While I'm in the area, does it make sense to change out the oil tank to the 2015+ design with the dipstick instead of the sight glass and the stronger tabs?

I was in a mood to trade the Viper in on a Ski-Doo 850 Renegade, but was not impressed during the test ride. Sure it was fast and had great acceleration, but so does the Viper. Then I thought about a SideWinder, but 180+ HP will get me in A LOT of trouble. I'd much rather keep the Viper (the sled feels like it has such a soul), not spend $15,000+ on a new snowmobile, and build it up to last for another 10,000+ miles.

I'm thinking the Backcountry X track, the Evolution Powersports flash for the intake (which puts out 148 HP), adding the Excel intake and a clutch kit, and changing out a few of the "trouble areas" so this thing is as bulletproof as possible.

 

[savageman69]

never done a track swap on any sled and my buddy and i did both our viper/procross sleds in 1 day. Its not hard at all

 

[blueironranger]

Another option, if you really want an Ice cobra, is get the 144 and swap to 10 tooth 2.52 drivers. I broke a fiberglass rod in my Cobra and I’m debating the 144 Ice Cobra + Drivers or 141 Backcountry. The Non-OEM cobra tracks have thicker/stiffer lugs than the factory cobra. I really wish they made a Backcountry ICE.

 

[Janne339]

I swap to the Backcountry X from Cobra this season on my XTX 141. Om loose snow conditions the Backcountry X is awesome.

 

[Allan]

I put a 1.6 ice cobra on my 146 stx dx this year from 1.25 ripsaw it was a big difference . The ice cobra have stiffer lugs than the cobra.

 

[Fixit156]

I put a 1.6 ice cobra on my 146 stx dx this year from 1.25 ripsaw it was a big difference . The ice cobra have stiffer lugs than the cobra.

How is the ice cobra in a foot of fresh snow? Looking to installing one on my 129 tracking

 

[Janne339]

In fresh snow the Backcountry X is the best track. Only on perfect groomed trails the Cobra can compete.

 

[Joseph Levandoski]

Got off the phone with the dealer earlier today. Going to save my money and buy the Backcountry for this summer (total cost with shipping is only $640). That'll help substantiate spending $500+ on an Evo flash, buying a clutch kit and other components, a couple new belts, a new windshield, riser, and grips, and a whole boatload of other stuff. With all the warranty work that happened this year, it's essentially a brand new sled for free, so why spend $15,000 on a new model.

 

[Janne339]

I swap to the Backcountry X from Cobra this season on my XTX 141. On loose snow conditions the Backcountry X is awesome.

 

[Joseph Levandoski]

How is the ice cobra in a foot of fresh snow? Looking to installing one on my 129 tracking

One of the sleds in our group is a Apex 128" who was used to running a Ripsaw 1.25 since the days of the RX-1. When the snow would get soft or greater than 6 inches, it was a struggle. He put the 1.6 Ice Cobra on this year and it's made the sled a much better machine. Better hook-up overall and the traction in deep snow is adequate (it's no MTX, but for a 128" trail skid, it's excellent). If you're looking to put this on your Viper, highly recommended. Want to come put mine on too while you're at it ?

 

[Allan]

How is the ice cobra in a foot of fresh snow? Looking to installing one on my 129 tracking

I fine it great in the snow. A lot better than the 1.25 ripsaw I had on b 4 .