How long should a track with studs last?????????

[Yamaha 40th]

OK here is the question: I have an 2008 Apex GT 121 track that I added Stud Boy 1.375 studs to 144 down the middle tall nuts to the track. After changing the hyfax yesterday I took a closer look at the track and between the missing studs...pulled out bent studs and just generally poor condition af the track, it looks like it is almost done. So did I get my money's worth out of the currrent set up? the sled has 4000 miles on it most of which have been in the UP of Michigan. Just checking not judging, I was wondering what kinda miles you guys are seeing with studs on the Apex before the need replacing. The track looks OK but can't be reused because of all the missing studs??? So lets here it what do you guys think....

 

[MrSled]

I have seen 6000 to 9000 miles on a studded track...then you usually will start to see damage with pull thru...unless you had extremely good snow years and drive extremely nice.

 

[779cookies]

I rotate my track about once a month during riding season and replace any bent, broken or heavily worn studs, so far (2000 miles) looks great. I'll see where I'm at, at the end of the season, if we get some good snow.

 

[Fusion]

It totally depends on the care, effort and skill of the person installing. I've been installing studs for nearly 20 years, and have never had a stud pull thru.
But I am careful to drill the proper size hole with a good cutting tool, I do not use studs that are too long, I always use tall nuts - aluminum or stainless, and I loctite all my studs in place.
Also, I HAND TORQUE my studs into the backer, making sure they are tight, just to the point of bottoming, but NOT over-torqued.
It is also important to following a recommended pattern so the track is balanced while spinning.
And of course, I baby the heck out of my sleds when going across roads, gravel or bare spots in the trail.
It take me a good 4-5 hours over a couple of days, to stud a track properly.
It's quite a labor intensive process to stud a track, so much so, with conditions we've been having in northern WI, I'm actually thinking about running my sleds without.

 

[Attak-Firecat]

I'm getting a new track this year after about 8.500 miles on the current studded one on my '06 Apex GT. A stud pullout delaminated an 8" strip off the inside. I agree with Fusion about not hammering it up rocky hills and always backing off over road crossings and generally crappy trails. I also don't make a habit of stabbing the throttle from a dead stop. Lots of ways to kill a track early, and man, they're expensive. Even being as careful as I am, I ride early and late into the season when trails are marginal and that really takes its toll on the track. I ride with guys who have perfect tracks on older sleds but they don't ride often and only when conditions are perfect. To me that's missing too much fun riding, so I'll expect somewhat more frequent track swaps. :exc:

 

[tlrguy]

8000 miles on my studded track. The track is starting to look a bit weathered, but that is due to the forward W arm breaking at the transfer rod mount and gouging into the track as I was running 100mph across a lake. Studs have never been an issue. I plan on running the track a few more seasons.

 

[Sasquatch]

9,000 miles on my preholed 1" predator, 162 studs up the middle 3/8th penetration. Square backers SS woody studs. Track looks like new with no pull outs. Some (less then a half dozen) of the Carbide tips are missing but all studs are in good shape otherwise.

I don't try to spin the track across roads or rocks (can't see the point!) but I have run many miles of plowed to gravel roads and rocky trails over the years and cringed while doing it on bagger trips.

 

[rx1 man 04]

how long does studded track last

thanks for the replys

 

[sherlock29]

just over 10000 miles on my 40th for the first track, and just sold my RTX with 11500 with original track. all origianl studs. It is all dependent on driving. 1 good rock when spinning can take out multiple studs.... if you ever happen to notice when a apex takes off compaired to lighter sleds, these ones will leave a trench ... deep... very deep. and these are the times when damage happens... especially if spinning down to snert...

 

[Riceburner]

Pretty much the same here . Around 9,000 mile on my former 06 Apex Gt, some of those Supercharged with the current owner.

96 Woody's Megabytes up the center of the Ripsaw. No pull outs.

Same miles with my former Warrior. Same studs. Track good. No pullouts.

Doo single plys make it to about 4,000 studded before starting to Disintigrate if you are lucky.

Tracks last about the same as the 800 2 strokes. Maybe Doo plans it that way.

 

[CaptCaper]

9000 on mine and it looks new. Used Woody's suggestions for length and pattern. Drive easy. We'll kind of easy most of the time..Well alot of the tiime

 

[thor452]

I ride hard and got about 7000 out of my 07 studed apex before i went to the pre studded track The key is two things always remember while ridding that you have studs so you dont wreck them when on pavement and such and two would be to check then at least a couple times a season to be sure they stay tight and replace any dammaged ones

 

[whitedust1]

8700 miles on my 2007 Attak GT track & studs look great. When time comes I will replace with iceripper. My Doo track & studs started coming apart at about 5000 miles.

 

[Yamaha 40th]

So I am close.. a little short but not too bad?

 

[thor452]

So I am close.. a little short but not too bad?

I think you tore thru them way to fast and could do way better next time with a little care IMHO. im sure others have done worse every time i cross a road and see all the pavement tore up i think some people sure have money to waste.