Larger lugs...notch track or remove tunnel protectors?

[birdmayon]

Just looking for opinions on this. I am about to install an intense 1.5 136" track and am faced with either notching the track or removing the protectors. I saw that someone used a plywood template in the past to ensure uniform notching, and have read that a tire groover works well (basically a hot wire cutter, cuts and cauterizes the rubber). Seems like a nice way to use a larger lugged track but maintain the ability to run a studded track down the road. On the other hand, it'd be nice to remove the protectors and get rid of some of the ice build-up in the tunnel.

About me, I currently ride mostly trails and am hoping to venture off trail a bit more. Still will be more heavily trail oriented. I originally had zero concern about running an unstudded track but after reading all of the "you will die if you don't run studs" mantras I of course have some concerns. Part of me kind of feels like it is something I can adapt to and will be just fine. THe other part is.....unknown. THe last few seasons, even with studs on my current track, trails have been soft enough that traction is hard to come by and my rear end dances all over the place anyway, even getting sideways here and there. I'm getting off track here because obviously I am going w/out studs this year. Question is, is it worth ensuring that i can go back to them with a different track in the future, or should I just take the leap and ditch the protectors?

 

[Tyloooor]

I thought you didn't need to remove tunnel protectors or notch the track with a 1.5", only 1.75"

i will be interested to hear what everyone has to say, cause i was thinking of doing the same thing...going for 121 to 136

 

[birdmayon]

i've read it both ways. I've seen a few people get away without removing them but they were running stock drivers and had to keep the track tight. I am going to be running extroverts and don't want to have to run the track super tight, and based on that, I've read and been told that I have to either notch or remove the protectors.

 

[Tyloooor]

interesting....i know raginyamaha is running that track on a 136 so maybe he'll shed some light on the topic


saw his sled was for sale....pretty sweet ride

 

[nitris223]

If you never plan on running studs ever again then get rid of the tunnel protectors. On a XTX a 1.75 track will rub the front protectors on the heat exchanger. Not sure if the drivers are the same on a RTX. I have never needed to run studs but then again we don't have a nice trail system like you guys. Our trails tend to get chewed up rather then iced up. If you do notch the track and latter decide to stud your track then you won't be able to run it to loose. The longer the track gets the more ballooning affect you will get at high speeds.

 

[sorenson1610]

I have a 1.5 in my RTX with protectors removed. Not 100% sure if you need to remove them but the front ones will be really tight. Also running that long of studs will rub on everything, so be aware of that....protectors or not. I had 1.45 in mine before I changed to 1.5 lug and it rubbed as well as my 1.25 studs rubbed. Xtx have more room for longer studs but shorties seem to have less room, weird. I really wouldn't worry about running no studs, have zero problems running trails in northern wi and the UP with my 1.5 ripsaw. Plenty of traction with just track

 

[dubla92]

You can leave the front heat exchanger protectors on with a 1.5" track no problem. With a 1.75 they have to be removed. Yamaha went to 8 tooth drivers on the XTX175 sso they could leave the front protectors in. I would remove them as they are only needed for picks. I also would remove the upper protectors as well.

 

[raginyamaha]

front protectors can stay with that track but the main ones should be taken out. they will rub the track a lot on jumps and hard stops. I took mine out after a test fit and the track was hitting them on full compression...

 

[birdmayon]

See, here's the thing, I've done a number of searches on this site and just as many people state that the track won't clear the exchanger protectors, at least not if you are running wahl 9 tooth extros, which is what I will be running. So again, based on that research, my choice is notch the track or remove the protectors. At this point I'm thinking of just pulling all of the protectors and enjoying reduced build-up in the tunnel while I'm at it.

 

[Tyloooor]

I'd really like to try that cobra 1.6 with studs in the lugs....

 

[DeepFrz]

My buddy recently installed a 1.75" lug track on his RTX SE, it rubbed, but barely. I think you should be fine running a 1.5" without removing the tunnel protectors. I've got a 2" challenger on my XTX that was prenotched down about a quarter of an inch and it fits like a glove.

 

[birdmayon]

LOL, and the conflicting info continues.....I wonder if there are some differences between the various years and or versions of 121" nytros that result in minor differences in clearance at the driveshaft.

 

[raginyamaha]

See, here's the thing, I've done a number of searches on this site and just as many people state that the track won't clear the exchanger protectors, at least not if you are running wahl 9 tooth extros, which is what I will be running. So again, based on that research, my choice is notch the track or remove the protectors. At this point I'm thinking of just pulling all of the protectors and enjoying reduced build-up in the tunnel while I'm at it.

Mine has stock drivers for what its worth. is the extros are the same diameter youl be fine leaving the front ones. id remove the back ones tho. Less ice build up if you do too.

 

[DeepFrz]

I should probably clarify, my buddies RTX SE is running extrovert drivers (the OEM ones).

 

[ALuCsRED]

I'm running 9 tooth Wahl drivers on a 2008 FX Nytro RTX stretched to a 1.5" x 136" track using an OFT suspension kit (with a Hartman tunnel extension).

I had to cut off the front heat exchanger protectors. It rubbed.

Has anyone else put this track on a sled first hand?