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Tune without studded track

I ran all my Apex sleds without studs. I had a few close calls but for the most part I didn't miss them. I swore I would never stud a sled again.

I put a few hundred miles on my Dad's LTX SE this winter. It is stock with no studs. JMO, but I would not own one of these sleds without studs. This chassis(LTX Especially) has a major lack of transfer. When riding super hard through the trails I had a couple instances where the back decided to swing out on me. One time I was coasting around a corner off the throttle. I would 100% run studs. Plus, if I owned one it would be tuned.
 

unless you are a mountain rider...if you ride a high performance sled...and then in addition are tuning it up....makes no sense producing more power when you cant connect with the terrain.. that would be like a corvette with skinny tires...whats the point...and Ive seen many top notch riders back ends pass themselves on the trails..unless you poke along I say no way..
TRACTION is your friend, anywhere, anytime. Unless you are OFF trail, boondocking 90% of the time. Listen to **sj** here, he speaks the truth.
 
No studs here and not a problem.
 
No studs here and not a problem.


yes...I should quantify....if you have the coupled skid ...stud....if you have a uncoupled skid and big lug track and dont hammer corner to corner you COULD enjoy no studs....especially if you spend a good deal of time off trail or if you have great conditions...HOWEVER if you are ever hot into a corner thats has surprised you with ice...there's just that safe factor...
 
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no problem here either!
 
My winder only has one stud.....the driver .....and no issues here even with a tune.

No more scratched garage floors, gouged asphalt driveway or ruined heatexchangers for me.
 
Let's ask how many guys had "close calls" where it could have gone horribly wrong, when the #*$&@ end wanted to pass you due to no studs.
I did on my second ride out before I had studs.

Is it worth risking your life?
 
Let's get back to the original post's question from marc.
HE/WE must look at his criteria.

1. He rides 99% groomed trails. That 1% is probably when he missed a turn & told his friends he wanted to "play" in the powder.
2. 137'' track. This is so much different than a 129'' that it's almost a completely different machine.
3. He asked about being tuned which is much more throttle responsive, breaking track free much more easily on purpose or NOT on purpose.

#4 is a question: Does marc like to be up front wether it's ego, testosterone, loud music, a cute blonde on the 850 or just likes to ride hard?

If you took a poll from 100 guys on this site that ride groomed trails on a 137'' tuned sled that like to run hard, i'd bet 93.33 of them would say to stud.
And THAT my friends is what he asked in the first place.

P.S#1 The .33 of a person accounts for the people that ain't giving their opinion, but support both sides which defeats the purpose of asking the question
"what do you guys think"

P.S#2 This topic reminds me of a friend asking if i really "need" to carry my sidearm. I responded NO...........until i "need" it!
 
Your contact patch on blacktop is not even fair. Thats like those bed of nails people at the ice drags.

My post was for the trail sleds I ride. Yes, they are 141, 153 and an SRX with 144.

But SJ is correct, mine are uncoupled.....makes a huge difference is how the sled hooks up. I can pull the skis immediately and anytime on trail, even loose snow conditions.

Ice in corners, well....I can say a few words about that, but if people wouldn't roost the snow off of the trail and corners, there would be snow there to stop and take the corner safely
 
When I bought my winder I headed for my gravel road for some speed runs on hard packed snow. I was not feeling safe as my speeds increased. The sled wouldn’t stay straight. Enough said and studded away. Now I feel planted and safe as I broke 122 mph stock. A tuned sled would be insane and dangerous in a coupled non studded track. Just my opinion.
 
I just want to clarify something about this topic.
If it's "icy", i slow down. Hopefully i'll realize it in time. The scary trail is the one that was groomed the previous night at 32 degrees & at 7 AM it's -5.
These flat & hard trails are even MORE dangerous because the carbides will dig in giving the driver some confidence then WAAAAPPP!
Not a problem with studs 'cuz the back will have an almost equal biting/traction reaction.
Without them.......WAAAAPPP!

WAAAAPPP=it's a 3 piece orchestra sound
1. the sound of your flap hitting your arse
2. the swallowing of spit that you almost choked on
3. your ego deflating as you think of excuses why you are backwards in the middle of the trail

P.S. I hope to ride with fellow Connecticut TY member "rnusr01" who has a 270 tune & no studs. I won't have anything for him..............after 8AM
 


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