Anyone regret going longer ?

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I started on a 121" and was a speed demon going down the trail, then started to see things in a different light and started to boondock, then went to a 121" with a 1.5 lug. I thought I was the cat's meow!! Then I went to a 136" 1.5 lug sled then to a 151" 2" lug and then to a 151 2.4" lug and now I went to a 162" 2.4" lug. I found that I like to ride the deep powder the best and in the trees. I also weigh in at 250 lbs with all my gear so I need as much floation as I can get!

If I were rich I would have a few different sleds!

 

[Killerk]

I can vouch for Mjunkie as he is my brother.
We ride with all different sleds and lengths, and even in deep pow he usually puts the hurt on us in a climb.
As he said, my pas sled is a kk 1150 162 challenger extreme, my sled is a bone stock 08 m1000 153.
I think that had my pa stuck with the A-20 in PP, he could POSSIBLY put the hurt on Mjunkies 141 in deep dry pow, as it stands, that little 141 is VERY inpressive!
For my pa, the extreme was a great track for all conditions.

I think that in this case, the comparison should be kept to deep dry pow only... In the more set-up snow, we can jump him off the line becase he spins, then he has to play catch up.
My stalker usually gets a good jump, but if my pa can hang on, he will jump us a few lengths right off the bat.
In set-up snow you can usually climb as far as you dare, so track length is not as relevant.
I also realize that conditions play a big role.
We used to ride with a modded reparis 800 144 that was VERY lightweight... That sled was unbelievable in deep pow... He switched to a 156 and it hurt him, so he went back to a 144.
IMO, light weight counts for A LOT... I have seen this first hand with my 1000... In the deep I think a 162 would help me a lot, but I still have a lot of weight to push.
I do however agree that with a long track you can manuver at lower speeds, and also start out much easier without trenching.
My pa can stop almost wherever he wants and get moving just fine... My brother and I tend to park in a track or down hill so we can get started easily without digging to china.

 

[Supplicate]

Ditto on what Ollie said for the 155. For general purpose riding for everything I have encountered in UT and WY its plenty for me. I'm thinking about a different sled eventually with a bit longer track just for poops and smiles

 

[PowderBrad]

I've never had a longtrack til now (07 m7, 153). All I've ever had has been 121's and going this longs got me thinking if I'll get used to it.

I normally ride fields and ditches (95% of hte time) cause its 5 hours from the mountains and I love jumps and drifts so hopefully I DONT regret it. I dont think I will, but time will tell.

 

[rotax]

I've prefered 151-156" range... the 159x16 on my Rev was "too much track" for my personal pref/feel.

I now have a 162x16 on my Nytro..and again, feels like a bit too much for some type of things I like to do. Although, it feels and works great for the hills/climbing..

I feel as if I lose a bit of "playability" or "flickability".. Doing tight carves in even semi setup snow feels a lot riskier..and uncomfortable.

edit: although , the deeper and steeper it gets....the more you'll like the longer/wider track. i can't wait to get into some real 2-3' + pow next season.. with the price of tracks, its hard to just go and "try" a shorter/longer track...but I think I'd personally be happier w/ a 156x16 on my Nytro..

 

[SAWYER]

I've rode all lengths of tracks. I love the 153,154,155,156 the most. I can ride the longer suff just fine but it's not as fun. And there is so many different variables in tracks you have to compare apples to apples. Width, weight, comound, pitch, style, height. I weigh 160 lbs and can put a 700 dragon 155 in some gnarly places. If your not a lard ***, and a descent rider you don't need the 160's and up

 

[Top]

Sawyer summed it up............ I'm a Lard ***

 

[Clarke673]

Every one needs a 159" sled for slaying revs and climbing stuff that’s not in the movies and a 121" sled for the days later in the year to entertain your group...

I love my 900 with the 159x2.5 but I am thinking about buying a 166. You always have to think about the weight of the track as in rotating mass, how many inches are on the ground, and how much snow its going to hold when riding. The difference in 150-155” tracks is only about 1-2 inches on the ground, in that comparison it all comes down to pitch, lug length and the design of the track. There is no reason to go from a 156 to a 150 unless 156 is 2x15 and the 150 is 2.5 x 16.

For the last few months I have been on a 121 and a few weeks ago I out climbed a stock 700 dragon with a 155” track. It all comes down to rider skill, style, riding conditions, skill, sled and skill…

 

[Mjunkie]

To answer your question, Bottomfeeder M7, I think I have the best of both worlds with the 141". If I can climb with a shorter track anywhere I should and shouldn't go, but have a sled that is lighter, easier to turn, jump and throw around than a 153, what have I lost? The only drawback I see with the shorter track is what my brother said about boondocking. If it's deep and we're in the trees, I have to keep a little more momentum than a longer track, but isn't that what that thumb lever on the right side of the handlebars is for? As for not being able to jump people off the line in hardpack in a drag race...so what!! I didn't buy and mod the sled to be a drag racer. I absolutely love my set up, I just don't like the price tag it comes with.

 

[Skinner]

When I take the family out and get to break all of our sleds out at once. I have a 151 1M, 153 M1000, 144 800 Mountain cat, and two 141 track sleds M7 & M8. I have the 153 on my M1000 but I have so much fun hitting a hill with the 141 or 144 sleds because it is a challenge. Yes I can climb higher on the 153 but it isn’t nearly as fun as the shorter tracks. I had a hard time deciding if I wanted a 153 or a 162 on the M1000. But every time that I stopped and rode the 141 M7 I had a blast. I miss the days that the hills were a challenge to climb; now it’s just how fast you can reach the top. The 141 sleds can climb though.