New to Yamaha, came over from Polaris, so stud many questions.

[Lanster]

First post, I checked the archives but still have some questions about studding the track on my 2016 RS Venture TF. I`ll tell you what I think I know. Track is 2 ply, I need 120 studs 1.375 inches long. I looked in the tunnel and don`t see anything the studs could damage, looks like the heat exchangers are covered with aluminum plating. If this information is correct, I still have two questions. First what template do I need? Second I like the looks of the "Stud Star Backers" any thoughts on them?

 

[Mooseman]

My 2010 RS Venture GT had studs. The front heat exchanger is not covered. That is the exchanger. Mine also had tunnel protectors. The track was junk with numerous pull throughs so I swapped in a 1.5" Crossover, however, I had to take the protectors out because the new track was hitting them.

Although I'm not a stud guy, I think they are required to protect the tunnel itself.

 

[Lanster]

Mooseman, I considered a new track, but the sled only has 450 miles on it. I usually do my own work, however, when I saw the brake assembly had to be removed to get the drive gears out, I thought it was beyond my abilities. Did the new track get rid of the thump, thump, thump and track whine?

 

[Mooseman]

Nope. Probably made it worse going from a 1.25" to 1.5" paddles. Mine's not a thump or whine but a howl. Search for track howl and you'll see it's a common complaint with these sleds. Someone was able to get rid of it by removing all the small idler wheels but that is not practical in low snow even with Dupont slides. I used active noise cancelling ear buds until I lost them I've got a pair of quiet muffs on the way. Hopefully they'll get here before the snow melts. I will write a review of them.

 

[Lanster]

Yea, I guess there is no cure for the track noise. Looking forward to your review of the quiet muffs. Thanks for your input!