Need advice for a quick trail machine!

[JayM]

Hi all,

Spring is finally in full swing, going to work on the sled over the summer instead of waiting till its freezing in Nov/Dec so I'm looking at more mods.

I currently have the below mods on my '17 R-TX SE, I don't ever do top speed runs but I like to trail ride as fast and as safe as possible. I'm looking for every bit of extra corner to corner acceleration as I can get.

I was thinking of adding these, Any advice? Anything else you think I could/should/shouldn't add?

Thinking of adding:
-24/50 gearing
-Ice Storm 150 Track
-shock upgrade

Current Mods:
-silicone boost pipes
-Turbo Smart BOV
-3Bar Map
-CAI
-Dalton DTYA-1 weights
-Thunder Products primary and secondary rollers
-Dalton Black/Green Primary and Black/Orange Secondary Springs
-Ron Ward custom Helix (not sure the details, didn't come with it)
-Ultimax XS825 Belt (lasted me all winter)
-TD Flasher
-TD MultiMap Bundle with Dash Flash currently running Max Spool 16 with Stock Muffler and MS17 with SMM.
-TD Big/4 Wheel Kit
-135 x 1.575 Megabite studs on the 1.25" Ripsaw II
-C&A XPT skis with Woody's Executive Carbides

Thanks!
Jay

 

[Big_Phil]

The only thing I would be unsure about is that storm track holding up. I would also change the front track shock spring to a 160lb spring. It made my 129 way more fun to ride,

 

[STAIN]

I ran the Storm 150 for 5k miles, 3000 miles with a 270 tune. Although I liked the track, it is getting beat up and torn pretty good. I think I am going with the ripsaw 1.5 next.
I was debating on the same gearing for my 129 with a tune. Top speed is not my main concern. I was wondering if it would struggle for traction with that low a gear......
It seems that we are thinking along the same lines. Making a trail sled that is lightning quick corner to corner, 0-to 100mph. Top speed not really needed.

 

[JayM]

I ran the Storm 150 for 5k miles, 3000 miles with a 270 tune. Although I liked the track, it is getting beat up and torn pretty good. I think I am going with the ripsaw 1.5 next.
I was debating on the same gearing for my 129 with a tune. Top speed is not my main concern. I was wondering if it would struggle for traction with that low a gear......
It seems that we are thinking along the same lines. Making a trail sled that is lightning quick corner to corner, 0-to 100mph. Top speed not really needed.

Yeah i did think about the durability of that Storm Track too, I just liked the idea of the Ice Storm so I didn't need to add regular studs. With the 1.5" Ripsaw I would imagine we would need pretty long studs no? Good idea though I will look into that.

Do you think a 1.5" track will give quicker acceleration due to traction or no?

I agree seems like we want the same things. I think given that the Cats came with 24/50 gearing I'm going to give it a try, I would imagine once you're already going traction won't be too bad especially with bigger lug track.

 

[Big_Phil]

if you want quick acceleration, you need to weight transfer and have real studs. Put a rip 1 in, guy in Quebec has them brand new for $525 shipped to you door. 1.575 megabites. Copy my stud pattern, get the 160lb front track spring. On hard pack and plowed roads my sled rocks. Pulls the skis easy with half throttle over trail junk, you might not even need new front shocks. Makes the front end much lighter.

 

[JayM]

if you want quick acceleration, you need to weight transfer and have real studs. Put a rip 1 in, guy in Quebec has them brand new for $525 shipped to you door. 1.575 megabites. Copy my stud pattern, get the 160lb front track spring. On hard pack and plowed roads my sled rocks. Pulls the skis easy with half throttle over trail junk, you might not even need new front shocks. Makes the front end much lighter.

For sure will be doing the 160lb spring, I'm going to at the very least have my shocks rebuilt after putting 5500km on them last season.

What is your stud pattern? I used the Woody's template for the Quiet Pad track with my 135 x 1.575 megabites, after the season though the outside studs (one on each bar alternating) which are on the outside quiet pads chewed up my idlers real bad, kind of annoying.

 

[STAIN]

I like the 1.5 track for loose conditions and breaking trail. I only stud the center belt. 1.89 Hornets

 

[Mototown]

If the 150 storm is the same track that Polaris offers as a option on there 850 Indy , I wouldn't put that on . Buddies track is chewed up ,& had studs pull through last year ... junk

 

[JayM]

If the 150 storm is the same track that Polaris offers as a option on there 850 Indy , I wouldn't put that on . Buddies track is chewed up ,& had studs pull through last year ... junk

Maybe that new 1.5" Ice Ripper XT track from Ski-Doo on their 129" MXZ-X, might try and cozy up to a few local dealers in case I can scoop one up

 

[yamamarc]

I really like my 24/50 gears for trail riding!! I am not a top end guys either.
I plan on adding a secondary intercooler in the fall!

 

[JayM]

I really like my 24/50 gears for trail riding!! I am not a top end guys either.
I plan on adding a secondary intercooler in the fall!

This is what I wanted to hear!!

 

[number1kyster]

I also have an RTX. I think the stock gearing is too tall, but my sled is completely stock. I won't change my gearing until after the sled is tuned. I'm afraid 24/50 would be too low with PT or Max16.

 

[yamamarc]

I also have an RTX. I think the stock hearing is too tall, but my sled is completely stock. I won't change my gearing until after the sled is tuned. I'm afraid 24/50 would be too low with PT or Max16.

Not for trail riding..imo
I run on my 300hp tune with these gears!! It's a blast

 

[ClutchMaster]

Go with the shaper bar carbides on those skis. Also Ron Ward custom helix sounds impressive, but it you don’t know the angles it’s a waste of time. If you go with the 24/50 gears and a 270 tune bump the helix angle up to the low 40’s at the start. Something like a 41/37 or even more.
I suggest a dalton helix as the stm helixes say they are one angle but actually slightly different.

 

[JayM]

Go with the shaper bar carbides on those skis. Also Ron Ward custom helix sounds impressive, but it you don’t know the angles it’s a waste of time. If you go with the 24/50 gears and a 270 tune bump the helix angle up to the low 40’s at the start. Something like a 41/37 or even more.
I suggest a dalton helix as the stm helixes say they are one angle but actually slightly different.

Good advice, I have 9" Shapers here as well that I can put on instead of the Executives, not sure if 9" is too much though. I will ask Ron what angles his Helix is, it's made by Dalton but has no numbers on it.