144" to 151" Worth It?

[Boomshaw]

I have a 144" x 15" x 2" track on a RMK 700. I weigh about 250# and mostly boondock through trees and over ridges and small meadows. Not too much into climbing hills. I prefer exploring over hill and dale.

I have been told by a few people that I would benefit from going from the 144" to a 151" x 15' x 2.4" track since my tunnel can handle both. I was told that it would still handle like the 144" but have some extra floatation for my fat a$$.

While I can see that the extra .4 of an inch paddle may be beneficial, it is hard to believe the extra 3.5" on the ground would be of much help. Would this upgrade be something that I would notice in the deep fluff? Is it worth the expense? Would it really impact the agility of the sled at all?

Thanks for any and all opinions!

 

[CATillak]

i just got my a$$ handed to me all day cuz i have a 144.... yes it makes a difference. i have a 151 16 in my yard, which i will now hasten to put on!!!

 

[FriscoProx]

Nope, not worth it. If its a concern go 159. You should be able to use the standard Edge 121" to 136" extensions to get there. I used TracksUSA when I took my ProX from 136" to 151" and really liked their extensions and prices. It's been a while since I looked into this but you should still be able to get the Camo Challenger or Series IV in 159" if you don't wanna swap out the 2.52 drivers.

 

[revneck]

If your a deep powder rider... yes switch it IMO worth every penny

Your weight alone will be much better supported on a 151. Going longer to a 159" will loose some handling and agility for sure from a 144 but you will gain even better flotation. Find a few riders with longer tracks and switch sleds ...then decide

 

[05900]

Hell go 156" regear a little 19/39 some clutching and ride it!!

 

[Teth-Air]

Can this chassis handle a 16" wide track cause I did that to my Doo and it made a huge difference and it did not hurt handling like a longer track can.

Also no parts, no tunnel extensions, etc.

 

[BENDER 151]

I Was Wondering The Same.swapped It Out And Man What A Diff.u Wouldnt Think 3.5 In Would Make A Diff. But It Does.extra Paddle

 

[dog breath]

You will notice a difference going longer but the cost to go to 156 or 159 is not much more if only going to 151 so why not go higher?

 

[arcticcat38]

i did the same conversion this x-mas and loved it. i went from a 144 X 2 to a 151 X 2-1/4 finger track and i love it. it seems like its not even the same sled. i also thought what kind of a difference could a 3.5" difference make. this new years i was riding through 30"-40" of untouched powder in places i was last year and last year i was stuck! i love the 151" it does good on hills and it is great in the trees. i only weigh 160 with all my gear on but i still thein the extra 3.5" + the extra .4" would make a signifacent difference.

 

[JasonAK]

I think it is worth it. I owned both a 144 and 151 in 03, the 151 was alot better in the deep would get up and plane out faster than to 144. I am a 250 pound rider. I have a 162 cat now and it is a bit long.

Jason

 

[Boomshaw]

Hey thanks for the replies all! I was waiting for the "at your weight you should just extend it to a 199" crap to come at me. Actually, I don't have a big problem with digging a hole cause I just hit the throttle harder and I am back on top. I would like to be able to go slower than I must to stay on top at times though.

Reason for not going more than 151"?

1) I hear many say that is right in there for the best overall all around deep pow mountain track length

2) I don't want to give up any agility I don't have to from the 144"

3) It is a straight swap out on my sled (even with the .4 paddle increase) using the same tunnel and everything else. All I need is the track and some time.

I would just hate to go to this effort and feel no change at all.

 

[Dogmeat]

I have a 144x2.0 on my 99' 700 RMK, and my 900 has a 151x2.0 ..

The 900 is a heavier sled but it's noticible how much beter it floats in the deep stuff.

I don't know if this is mainly due to the fact that it's 7 years newer than the other one or if the track has more to do with it.

I think this spring when I do the rear suspension on my 900 I'm gonna see about a tunnel extension, new rails, and a 163" .... if I'm gonna do it I might as well go big

 

[shoobear]

hey do it!
151" is a great length.
I run a 159 with 8" wheels now. Works real good in the trees.
Get whatever track u get good deal on.(151-159) and never look back at that 144!
Brapp brappppp!!!

 

[prairiebound]

Went from a 144 to 151 on a 03 700 rmk. 2". Just got back from the snowies. Could not believe the difference 1 extra paddle makes. That series 3 track always trenched and dug a hole. This camo track stays on top much better. Front end doesn't dive end when you let off the throttle. Seems better balanced. If you try it you will be surprised how a better track works.

 

[Blacktooth]

Just went from 144x2 to 152x2.4 on my RMK800. Went with anti ratchet drivers (slightly small diameter) so I have about the same clearance in the tunnel. It is a different sled now, for the better

 

[sledsurfer]

I have a '99 rmk 700 with a 136" track as my backup sled, what's the general cost of upgrading to a 144, or 151" track?

 

[Scott]

Since 1999, I've owned tracks that were 136, 144, 151, 156 and 159.

In bottomless powder, for my carcass, the 136 and 144 are too short, even with my pretty advanced boondocking skills. . I was riding my wife's 144 in 5 feet of bottomless fresh, and got stuck so many times it was just plain exhausting. The 151 that I rode that day was WAY better when blazing my own way.

 

[Flakey]

I have a 144" and weight 270. My next sled will have a 159...

 

[Boomshaw]

I can go straight to a 151 without a tunnel extension which is why I was looking at that length and not beyond. I thought that I could get a 151x15x2.4 from Polaris but apparently they no longer have them available. Maybe they will bring it back next year since not everyone wants a 155 and beyond.

 

[Dragin]

144-159 ok i'm sold!!!

I was debating when I order my light weight tunnel if I should up to a 159" but after reading all these posts I think my decision is clear... 159" it is!