Track swap

[Soldier'spapa]

I have used Ice Attack prestudded tracks on a couple sleds and like them very much. I am considering installing one onto my new Winder too and came accross this one at CB : http://www.cbperformanceparts.com/c...ch-series/ice-attak/ice-attak-16-x-137-9134h/

I like the looks of it but am wondering 1) Is there room for a 16" wide track? 2) What are the down/up sides to going to a 16"? 3) Anyone using the Ice Cobra 15 x 137 x 1.6".... and how do you like it? 4) If I go to a 1.6" do I re-gear? 5) Anyone using the 1.22" lug Ice Attack? I'd love to hear any and all feedback from guys running a prestudded track on a Winder.

My reasons for wanting the extra traction are for added control when cornering and braking. I'm a trail rider and not an ice racer so not looking for the ultimate hookup that studs can provide.

 

[stevewithOCD]

I have an Ice-Attack XT on a LTX-LE. I love this track on any other sled EXCEPT this one. I don't blame the track, but lack of transfer in this particular model. I HATE to say this, but i'm going back to studs. I have to eat crow because i swore to SJ that i will never use studs again, but here i am. SJ: I WAS WRONG! I NEED STUDS! At 100 mph when i stab the throttle, the back end is next to me. Maybe my back end is lonely & would like to lead once in a while, but i prefer my back end.....in the back!

I don't know if there is room for a 16'' track & NO you don't have to re-gear with 1.6'' track

 

[stevewithOCD]

Going to a 16'' track poses all sorts of issues. Rubbing edges would be the #1 concern, but steering & handling will change A LOT. I ran a 16'' track on old Doo once. The traction was much more than expected with "only" an inch more. I couldn't keep the ski's down in corners & ended up removing tons of transfer while adding more ski carbide. That made the sled hard to steer. These sleds were designed for 15" tracks. Although trying something new sometimes brings new surprising results, i have a feeling they won't be good. But heck, i was wrong on the studs...

 

[actionjack]

Very happy with the Ice Cobra on my Winder. My sled eats studded stock Apexes that ride in my group for lunch from start to finish on snow. I think the Ice Cobra offers exactly what you say you're looking for.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

You dont want to try to fit a 16 wide on this TAPERED tunnel! Even if it fits, it will cause issues.....I installed a 14x1 hacksaw on my cat and I saw little to no edge wear, but when I compared it to all the 15 wides with ice/edge wear it was significant. So I cant even imagine any 16 would even work, but if it does fit you will end up tearing up edges prematurely IMO.

For a guy who ran Ice Attak tracks on last two sleds with only 150hp range....I was blown away when I STUDDED my last sled(12004tec) with 1.450 studs into the ice attak track, and that made such a huge difference, it really made me realize how little the traction is with the pre-studded tracks. While I was loving the tracks for simplicity and safety, Once you compare it to studs, well there is NO comparison.

Running this much HP without alot more traction can get you into trouble fast...so just beware you really need to be a total longtime trail rider who is used to NO studs, as the power on these sleds can get your sideways so fast you cant get it back if you are at all a novice.

If you truly must use a ice series track, the only one I think is a very good longterm track is the rip2 style "Ice Attak 1.22" And then you can always add grand master studs like I did later, which really worked well. Just remember I think most ALL these pre-studded are SINGLE PLY tracks, and IMO this much HP of the SW needs a 2ply.


Dan

 

[Soldier'spapa]

At first glance I also thought I wanted the 1.6" Ice Cobra. I wish it had more than 2 pics per row but perhaps it is enough to prevent the back end from overtaking the front in an icy corner...

OCD Steve mentioned the track spinning out on him when stabbing the throttle at 100 mph. ActionJack, have you experienced this also with the 1.6 Cobra?

 

[ROCKERDAN]

Trust me any ice series track will spin track on a turbo, even at high speeds.

The ice attak at least has the MOST studs(by far) I believe it is 6-4-6 pattern, and I did extensive testing and comparison pics and videos on how much STIFFER the ice attak 1.22'' is over the stock ripsaw and other soft lug pre stud tracks. And back to back I could hook up better then a ice "ripper" when testing on ice, But when compared to studs its just so poor.

You really gotta be a careful rider with this much HP and those tracks. I rode buds SW for a whole day on track and roads and some ice, before it was studded.....and man it was a nightmare. Most anyone he let try it before studded put the thing into the weeds, just not safe. And a pre studded is just only marginally better. They really are made for a safety factor on glare ice, so you can slow your rate of stopping.

 

[actionjack]

I have not noticed that.

 

[Soldier'spapa]

You dont want to try to fit a 16 wide on this TAPERED tunnel! Even if it fits, it will cause issues.....I installed a 14x1 hacksaw on my cat and I saw little to no edge wear, but when I compared it to all the 15 wides with ice/edge wear it was significant. So I cant even imagine any 16 would even work, but if it does fit you will end up tearing up edges prematurely IMO.

For a guy who ran Ice Attak tracks on last two sleds with only 150hp range....I was blown away when I STUDDED my last sled(12004tec) with 1.450 studs into the ice attak track, and that made such a huge difference, it really made me realize how little the traction is with the pre-studded tracks. While I was loving the tracks for simplicity and safety, Once you compare it to studs, well there is NO comparison.

Running this much HP without alot more traction can get you into trouble fast...so just beware you really need to be a total longtime trail rider who is used to NO studs, as the power on these sleds can get your sideways so fast you cant get it back if you are at all a novice.

If you truly must use a ice series track, the only one I think is a very good longterm track is the rip2 style "Ice Attak 1.22" And then you can always add grand master studs like I did later, which really worked well. Just remember I think most ALL these pre-studded are SINGLE PLY tracks, and IMO this much HP of the SW needs a 2ply.


Dan

No novice here... I've been practicing now for about 45 years...

Interesting point about 2 ply tracks. I see the Ripsaw II is also available in a 1.5" lug (2 ply).

 

[Soldier'spapa]

I have not noticed that.

How many miles did you log on this track?

 

[Motorhead]

I put the newer style Ice Attack on mine last year. Put it on during the mandatory 500 mile oil change and chaincase inspection. I now have 1300 miles on it.

So far so good, I really beat on this track and do not worry about pulling a stud thru on bad trails!
My buddy has same track on his Apex w/ Yamacharger, he's got 2 seasons on his and it still looks new, he is worse than I when it comes to beating up a track, across roads, bad trails with tree roots or rocks exposed, etc.

Can it be compared to a studded track? No way!! A well studded track is much safer, allows for many extra benefits, stopping power, no slide corners, hole shots, I could go on.

But every track that I have studded was ruined by pull thru studs, and I have damaged many coolers during the process.
So I decided to give it a go. It does give me a bit of added traction on icy trails or really hard packed frozen trails but no way is it comparable to the safety studs provide, but I do love the fun factor of fish tailing around corners.

As stated, I ran the stock track unstudded for 500 miles with the dangerous tuner skis. That was suicide!!!

Shall see if it goes another season?

 

[actionjack]

How many miles did you log on this track?

640

 

[Soldier'spapa]

I appreciate the input guys! Still on the fence as to the direction I will go with this sled regarding the track. I do know that I won’t be running without added traction. I have had mixed results with all 3 tracks (studded, pre-studded and non studded). Motorhead’s comments sum it up nicely! Up to this point I have been happiest with the pre-studded, just never sent more HP to the track than my 2011 stock Apex so that has me thinking I will not be satisfied with the same 1.22” Ice Attack I have on 2 other sleds.

I’m leaning towards the 1.6 Ice Cobra... Although, Rockerdans 2-ply comment has gotten into my head!...LOL

 

[actionjack]

This single-ply topic keeps coming up and I highly respect everyone's knowledge here, few ( if any) more than Dan, but the Cobra is OEM on some Winder models. Are they different than the Ice Cobra other than the picks? I'm not worried in the least. If it wears out I'll probably get another one (single ply) or a 1.75 back country (no studs). I want to ride snow as well as trails

You might consider the 1.5 Rip 2 PLUS the screw in pics Mr. Sled used. Did he give any feedback on them yet?

 

[Motorhead]

Forgot to mention the fact that the stock 1.25 quiet track is just that, QUIET.
I noticed how loud the ice attack is when compared to the stock track. It has a loud howl to it. But then again, the whole sled is quiet except for the clutch. Lol