RTX vs LTX ride

[fourbarrel]

Well got an update on the sled situation.The 50th RTX is sold and that sucks because I pretty much had my mind made up that I was going to shoot the guy an offer.Moral is I guess don't hesitate,be ready to pull the trigger even if your just checking the market to see what's for sale.I am waiting for a reply back from the dealer that has the SRX so |I may have to step up my game on that one.Trouble is that sled is in Quebec and roughly a 6 hour drive for me to even go look at it.Have to see what comes from a phone call or two.

 

[fatchance]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here is if you want to spend any time off trail, the 137" would no doubt be the better choice.

 

[fourbarrel]

I don't do much of any off trail riding,there just isn't the fascination in it any more for me lol.I figured the 137 would be better in that area but had a few questions about a 129 and from the replies I got to this thread I changed my mind about them and was going to actively search for one.There's only one more advertised in my area right now but I'm not keen on the colour scheme so if I can't get a deal worked out on the SRX I'll hold out for more RTX's to be listed.

 

[snowbeast]

I don't do much of any off trail riding,there just isn't the fascination in it any more for me lol.I figured the 137 would be better in that area but had a few questions about a 129 and from the replies I got to this thread I changed my mind about them and was going to actively search for one.There's only one more advertised in my area right now but I'm not keen on the colour scheme so if I can't get a deal worked out on the SRX I'll hold out for more RTX's to be listed.

I dont believe the track length between the 129 or the 137 is the biggest factor to surviving off trail,as much as lug depth is,if both tracks have 1.25 lug,i dont think you will see much differance,but if one had 1.5 or 1.75 big differance.

 

[markt111]

137" SW off trial... LOL

 

[yamadoo]

I am a trail rider as original poster states he is.
I have come to realize over the years of -121 >20000 miles, 136 9000 miles, 128 only <5000 miles, 141/144 10,000 + miles that I can have fun on all.
It’s a matter of what you want on trail. 121 slightly quicker cornering, somewhat less bump bridging, slightly less stable at speed. The 137 is going to be slightly less nimble, slightly better bump bridging a little better off trail.
I would not refuse either, I would take the sled I got the best deal on - as a trail rider.
Presently I am considering adding a Fast King Air suspension to my 141 Viper STX DX (2015) to make it feel new to me and ride for 3-5+ years as my need for more POWER has dwindled with age. Believe me I used to resonate with the ‘I am not OLD enough to go that slow” mentality. But now I realize I spend so little time over 80 mph that the fact my VIper only GPS ‘s 97 mph under great conditions is enough.
My 2 cents. It’s mostly an emotional decision that we make to make us the most excited about our sport, ENJOY what ever you choose. You have NO bad options on the table.

 

[cannondale27]

I am a trail rider as original poster states he is.
I have come to realize over the years of -121 >20000 miles, 128 only <5000 miles, 141/144 10,000 + miles that I can have fun on all.
It’s a matter of what you want on trail. 121 slightly quicker cornering, somewhat less bump bridging, slightly less stable at speed. The 137 is going to be slightly less nimble, slightly better bump bridging a little better off trail.
I would not refuse either, I would take the sled I got the best deal on - as a trail rider.
Presently I am considering adding a Fast King Air suspension to my 141 Viper STX DX (2015) to make it feel new to me and ride for 3-5+ years as my need for more POWER has dwindled with age. Believe my I used to resonate with the ‘I am not OLD enough to go that slow” mentality. But now I realize I spend so little time over 80 mph that the fact my VIper only GPS ‘s 97 mph under great conditions is enough.
My 2 cents. It’s mostly an emotional decision that we make to make us the most excited about our sport, ENJOY what ever you choose. You have NO bad options on the table.

Well said.

 

[Wannaviper]

My first "long track" trail sled was a Vector 136" which I really liked in comparison to previous shorter tracked (121") 2-strokes that I had been riding. Mostly, it was because I found that it was much more planted in the fresh or loose snow; it was a great sled for saddlebag trips and big mileage days on the wide open trails of Quebec and Northern Maine. I went to the 137" Viper, and now a 137" Sidewinder. Now that I have it set up the way I want it, the 137" Sidewinder is the best long day trail sled I have ever ridden; it is comfortable and it is fun. That having been said, I picked up a used Sidewinder RTX 129" two years ago for my stepson, and I rode it quite a few times before he added another 50 hp, and made it into a rocket ship. I have never studded my sleds, but the 129" is studded, so that may account for some of the differences I felt. Overall, the 129" felt quicker, and more nimble, and had an incredibly "light' feel to its handling in comparison to my 137". Keeping the skis planted on the ground was a challenge. My basic feeling is that if I was doing 150 miles or less per day over mixed trails, the 129" would hands down be the most fun. If I am riding 150-200+ miles per day on bigger open trails, the 137" would be my choice every time.

It comes down to personal preference, but I agree with the previous comments. Long track mountain sleds are built for the mountains and off trail; that is where they belong. The 137" was built as a comfortable all around trail sled with some "fresh snow" capability, but if you aren't riding off-trail, the shorter tracks are the ones that are the most fun to ride and play around with.

 

[yamadoo]

Like wannaviper said.