Screw in Studs in 1.5" Track

[Longknife]

Hey guys, new (to me) Phazer owner here. Skip to the bold to bypass my introduction and get to my main question

This is my first four stroke sled. I borrowed a beat up '07 Phazer one weekend last year and decided I wanted one. I really liked the ergonomics, the torquey little motor and the (relative) light, compact feel. I'm hoping for some Yamaha dependability, good fuel mileage, and no smoke/smell. I've owned all sorts of sleds and I don't need a big bore anymore. I like twisty trails and back country messing around. Also, since I'm pretty busy and don't get out a whole lot lately, I love how inexpensive these machines are.

Anyway, I'm going to have lots of questions as despite really enjoying riding a Phazer, I'm definitely going to want to do some tweaks (front end twitchiness for one).

I also wanted one that would be decent off trail. The '07 I rode was a FZ I think and just buried itself in powder. I was contemplating one of the new XTX's, modding an older MTX for the trail, or getting an XTX/FX/GT and putting a deep lug track and/or track extension. I've been watching the classifieds steady since selling my sled in the spring and really not many have come up in my area at all. Luckily I managed a decent deal on a low(ish... 4500km) mileage '08 RTX with a Hartman 136" skid extension and a 1.5" track.

I'm a little concerned about running without studs. I've always ran them and I do a fair bit of trail and river/lake riding. So, my first question is; has anybody tried those screw in type studs? I'm not sure the brand of the track I have (and it's already stored away) but I noticed it had little dimples/holes on the tips of the lugs, like it could accept screw in studs. I don't like running super long studs, plus it's fairly expensive to go that route. This way would be much less expensive. My concerns would be about clearance (I'm guessing tunnel protectors would be a must?), especially on the end of a 1.5" lug, and also how hard it potentially could be on the track.

Anyone have any thoughts? How many would be appropriate. I'm not worried about max hook up and acceleration, just improved safety braking and rideabililty on ice and hard trails.

Appreciate any advice.

 

[Longknife]

I went and looked through the barn and figured out my track is a 1.5" Freeride which from what I gather is now discontinued? I may try it without studs as I've read so much good about them. Now I'm worried about what to replace it with if it takes a #*$&@?

 

[Cubby]

Regarding what to replace the track with - you can always cut down a 15" track to 14" Lots of people have done it here and there are Youtube videos on how to do it.

I also have the 1.5 Freeride in 121 and I love the traction. The 136" must be a blast to ride off trail.

Camoplast still makes the Freeride in 121 at least.

 

[snoprof6]

I purchased a 1.5 free ride off a phazer that had screws in the track. They looked ok and the guy said he trail rode it. I pulled them out because of the purpose the track served for me. They seem to be ok