To STUD or not to STUD that is the ?.

[kviper]

One icy oops and it's an ended weekend also or worse! I rode a Viper with out stud's and can't imagine why any one on trails or lakes would chance it with out. Training wheel's aren't for unexpected situation's. May as well throw the helmet away also, you may never need it. That's the way I look at it any way!

 

[Teamblue4]

Stud it up! Also helps with braking and loading.

 

[FAMILYMAN]

1st year no studs. Xtx no problem. Questionable trails then studs will save you. Spoiled this year, but then again like Terry said I was able to learn the sled and it's fine.

 

[weasel33]

Ride the sled without studs first to see if you like it. You can always stud it later if you find you don't like the sled without them.
And I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT agree with the person who posted " experience means nothing" because when I, you ride you should be able to figure out just from the weather if its gonna be icy or not. If your running hard and you push through a corner that's the skis pushing not the track. Experience with your sled, experience with the trails your riding and experience with the throttle and brakes, knowing not to grab a handful of either if you feel the sled break lose on ice.
Sorry about the rant but that's one of the dumbest things I have ever heard!

 

[bottlerocket]

Professional drivers get killed every year in the racing world with plenty of experience weasel. If you ride on guard every second then you should be ok but the last corner of a 150 mile ride can catch you off guard no matter how much experience you have.

 

[sxr70001]

I am enjoying this spirited discussion. Am on the fence about studding my RTX too. I have always studded my other sleds and my SXR has a brand new Ice Attack track, which is awesome for what I need it for. But I don't want to spend the money for a new track for a new sled.

I did ride all year without studs and the Viper really did a great job without them, better than a lot of other sleds I have ridden without studs. But, there were a few hairy moments going down iced over roads, finding that downhill corner that was iced over or crossing the lake. Luckily I was able to react (or not overreact) and catch it every time, but I like to take those moments out of the equation.

Right now I am about 60-40 leaning towards putting a few studs in. Do you guys think 1500 miles is enough for the track to be broken in fully?

 

[2lapsdown]

When you need studs, you really need them. It is the A-hole on your side of the trail, or the dudes blocking the trail over a blind hill that are the problem. All the experience in the world is of zero value then. Stopping is a nice option to have....

 

[Studroes144]

I am enjoying this spirited discussion. Am on the fence about studding my RTX too. I have always studded my other sleds and my SXR has a brand new Ice Attack track, which is awesome for what I need it for. But I don't want to spend the money for a new track for a new sled.

I did ride all year without studs and the Viper really did a great job without them, better than a lot of other sleds I have ridden without studs. But, there were a few hairy moments going down iced over roads, finding that downhill corner that was iced over or crossing the lake. Luckily I was able to react (or not overreact) and catch it every time, but I like to take those moments out of the equation.

Right now I am about 60-40 leaning towards putting a few studs in. Do you guys think 1500 miles is enough for the track to be broken in fully?

Ya u r fine with 1500 miles..mine got studded with prolly 15 miles lol and I've pushed mine extremely hard in the area of traction and not a single issue! And as far as experience on the sled..you could be the best snocross or cross country racer in the world..my biggest concern when riding isn't my sled or myself..it's the idiot that could be coming around the next corner or over a hill right at you. I don't ride hard enough to worry about getting outta control but many people do.

 

[weasel33]

Experience is NOT driving over your head. Granted many pros have died with a lot of experience, but think of how many times accidents could be so much worse because somebody with experience knew how to get around a situation and the one with little to no experience would have just plowed through the situation. So what your saying is the average person with two years driving is gonna know what he average person with twenty years experience is gonna know? Watch any type of racing experience is huge.

 

[TD Max]

I'm on the fence as well. I think I'll stud up after a couple of rides.

Simply put: It is hard to ride defensively when you have limited control of your machine. No matter how much experience you have you are at the mercy of the capabilities of the machine.

I prefer to run winter specific tires (Blizzaks) and highly recommend them for their added control. Just one deductible avoidance (let along risk of personal injury) and they are paid for.

 

[yamadoo]

THis is great, now I am really confused.

Why- I can see both sides point, and have lived both, argued for both, actually more for studs.

I have 2 studs per row on our family Vectors - short and long track and like it. I had 3 per bar on my Apex before Ice attack I liked that hook up as well. I remember I used to brag about the safety and braking and as I said I know it could be just one HOT off camber corner or as others have said the ability for a little more control in a defensive situation.
You guys arn't making it any easier. LOL

Knowing myself I bet I will stud just to have some sledding thing to do while I wait for SNOW next fall.

Yamadoo

 

[buddah]

........Knowing myself I bet I will stud just to have some sledding thing to do while I wait for SNOW next fall.

Which of course begs the question why'd you ask in the first place ?

 

[sxr70001]

I am enjoying this spirited discussion. Am on the fence about studding my RTX too. I have always studded my other sleds and my SXR has a brand new Ice Attack track, which is awesome for what I need it for. But I don't want to spend the money for a new track for a new sled.

I did ride all year without studs and the Viper really did a great job without them, better than a lot of other sleds I have ridden without studs. But, there were a few hairy moments going down iced over roads, finding that downhill corner that was iced over or crossing the lake. Luckily I was able to react (or not overreact) and catch it every time, but I like to take those moments out of the equation.

Right now I am about 60-40 leaning towards putting a few studs in. Do you guys think 1500 miles is enough for the track to be broken in fully?

Ya u r fine with 1500 miles..mine got studded with prolly 15 miles lol and I've pushed mine extremely hard in the area of traction and not a single issue! And as far as experience on the sled..you could be the best snocross or cross country racer in the world..my biggest concern when riding isn't my sled or myself..it's the idiot that could be coming around the next corner or over a hill right at you. I don't ride hard enough to worry about getting outta control but many people do.

You just made me remember something talking about the other idiots out there. This winter one of our guys was in front me on a snow covered road and he was goofing around sliding his sled back and forth and I came up over this little rise going about 40 and he and his sled were lying in the road blocking most of it. It was all I could do to lock up the brakes and slide almost to him and then let off so I could steer to get around him. A lot of people would have hit him. Luckily he was just a little banged up and we were able to snap his windshield and dash back on and keep riding.

Would have been nice to have studs right then.

 

[yamadoo]

........Knowing myself I bet I will stud just to have some sledding thing to do while I wait for SNOW next fall.

Which of course begs the question why'd you ask in the first place ?

I asked to see what others I respect think. But good question.

I guess I was trying to get comfortable with out studding.

Then the saftey talk started and I thought how I would feel if my son or two son in laws piled the sled up, got hurt ..... then I thought who cares about the floor of the trailer or the garage/shed and of course the 150$ and afternoon with buddy to do it - that is actually fun.

 

[FAMILYMAN]

Maybe you should pick a safer sport!