I have a 03 ski-doo 800 zx chassis stock except for a can, It has a 144 track on it. I'm going to lenghten it, I haven't deciede to what size. I'm 6' 5" 215lbs My buddy has a 162 I think it is too long and hard to turn. What track will you recomend for riding in the mountains in powder in Idaho and Wyoming. Can I fit a 16" Is a 159 easier to turn than a 162. Where is the best prices for rail/tunnel ext. and track also what kind of track. I know everyone has their opinions and thats kinda what i'm after.
Absolute Best Track Length ? Opinion
- Thread starter 03doo800
- Start date
I ride a X-fire, so take this for what its worth. When I see the guys that can really ride a sled (Slednecks, Sledheads, take your pick) they all ride 153s or in that range. I would think that you would be able to keep better track speed with a little shorter track. I haven't riden anything longer than a 144, but I am just going off of what I have observed.
i personally like the 153''
If you stay anwhere from 153-156'' you will be happy.. 159 and 162 are good if you do alot of climbing but a 153 will take you the same place if you know how to ride. 153- 156 is a nice lengh for everything
If you stay anwhere from 153-156'' you will be happy.. 159 and 162 are good if you do alot of climbing but a 153 will take you the same place if you know how to ride. 153- 156 is a nice lengh for everything
lug depth makes a ton of differance, the M7 153 challanger tracks are sweet.I like the 16 wide, but they are definately a little harder to spin around.
i think anywhere in the low 150's is a perfect length that you cant go wrong with
I think you would be surprised how easy a 162 is to turn once you practice a bit. I am 5' 8" and I can turn my 162 just as easy as I can my 153. It just took a little getting use too. Good luck ride safe!!
S
sledstew
Well-known member
tracks
I have the same sled as you and Ive tried a 151x2, A 159X16X2 , A 144" x2 and now I put on a 162 X16 maverick track with 3 pitch drivers, this is by far the best Ive tried so far, use 3 pitch 7 tooth drivers and get a maverick, I set my suspension back about 1 " and the back down about 2" this thing is awesome now.I guess it helps to have 265 HP under the hood too.I have a new maverick if your interested and drivers for you.good luck
I have the same sled as you and Ive tried a 151x2, A 159X16X2 , A 144" x2 and now I put on a 162 X16 maverick track with 3 pitch drivers, this is by far the best Ive tried so far, use 3 pitch 7 tooth drivers and get a maverick, I set my suspension back about 1 " and the back down about 2" this thing is awesome now.I guess it helps to have 265 HP under the hood too.I have a new maverick if your interested and drivers for you.good luck
I've never heard anybody say I wish I would have bought a shorter track, but I have seen alot of people trade there shorter track in for a longer one. Depends on the snow you ride in. If you ride in deep powder, I would suggest a 159" or 162". I've had every size track from 136" up to 163", and I wouldn't trade the 163" I have right now for anything. 151" is a fun length, but after riding a longer track for a few days, you don't notice it when turning. The only time you notice it is when your trying to stay on top of the snow. JMO!
i bought a 159 for my first real mountain sled. i eneded up not being a big climber and prefer jumping and dropping, so i went to a 144. i love it. can i get to the same places that i could on my 159? absolutley not. but i can get a good portion of the way there. and when jumping and dropping i found nothing compares to a 144...
J
Jaynelson
Well-known member
Don't have "the answer," but I'll offer you this;
I came off a 144x15x2, was looking for a 151 but found a 159x16x2.5 in the sled I wanted instead. Never going back and VERY glad I wound up with the longer track. Don't feel like I'm giving up any manuverability whatsoever.
I came off a 144x15x2, was looking for a 151 but found a 159x16x2.5 in the sled I wanted instead. Never going back and VERY glad I wound up with the longer track. Don't feel like I'm giving up any manuverability whatsoever.
Got the same sled with a 159 15 wide. I came from a 144 and it took some time to get used to. The sled doesn't wheelie or carve as easy but in the deep snow it is awsome. You will be amazed how much better it will stay on top of the snow.If all you do is ride the mountains and like to climb get the 159. I wouldn't go any longer with out some motor mods engine only makes 138 h.p at sea level with fresh motor so probably only making 113 h.p at elevation. But if you hate the 162 159 isn't much short so I would say go with a 154 16 wide.
Im 225 Lbs. dry I realy like my 159" X16 !!!!
If you go with a shorter track (144/151).....just gear up a little for track speed. Ever wonder why the guys with the 150 HP and a 162" track sleds can't go the same places that the guys with the 250 HP sleds and 162 " tracks can go? Track speed my friend, track speed. My 151 will outclimb 163's, only place I think it would be noticed is when picking through slow speed trees in bottomless powder, but mine is dropped and rolled so it floats very well anyway and I don't have this problem. But some others I have seen do with the shorter track length. I think you will be happy with anything from 151 to 160ish. Longer track sleds don't need that much more effort to turn, just gotta learn throttle control a little better. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are full of crap. 
156 x 15 x 2.5 challenger extreme rocks for everything
My first "extended length long track" from the standard 136" days was a 144. Then, I went to a 159, and now I'm on a 151. I like the 151 the best, it's slightly easier to handle than the 159 and seems to climb and float the same basically.
K
khaddon2110
Well-known member
I moved from a 144 to a 151 and am much more confident now holding long sidehills. that could have more to do with better suspension, but it definately floats better.
I swapped a budy for his 159 for a short while and honestly didn't notice the extra length, but would love to have more seat time on the longer machine before my next purchase.
I swapped a budy for his 159 for a short while and honestly didn't notice the extra length, but would love to have more seat time on the longer machine before my next purchase.
