Could I get some feedback on the previous year’s kits? I am considering buying a used kit (timbersled) but want to know if there are particular pros and cons of each year that I should consider. I am on a budget, so the earlier kits are appealing - I want to know if there were significant issues with the first generation kits (2011-2013). Thanks for the input!
Buying older used kits
- Thread starter ArchiCat
- Start date
MY 16&17 Are the ones to get..17s have newer/better rails as the only difference. They both have convex 2.5 track too. Give it a year these kits will be worth their weight in gold...the aro is made with cheap China metal and their folding up like pop cans! Thanks Polaris!
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I can’t compare how much more awesome the newer kits are because I’ve only ridden mine, but here’s my take.
2013 ST kit. Fixed strut, wide ski, have not done the bearing upgrade yet. Has only about 20-25 full day rides on it. (Yeah I know.....)
Have had zero problems. None , nada, zilch. Have adjusted chain tension on both chains once and greased the skid and bearings a half dozen times. You could buy one of those for $2500 today and ride the snot out of it. It will be more about how beat up it is.
IMO, it’s just a snowmachine skid and a couple bearings. Not much to go wrong other than a couple wear parts or if a guy smashes it up. Any year model will be more about how much it was used and how well it was cared for.
There are a couple year specific issues, but they’re not big iirc. Bearings and chains.
What I would like is a LT or at least a 129.....I think. With deeper paddles compared to my kit.
2013 ST kit. Fixed strut, wide ski, have not done the bearing upgrade yet. Has only about 20-25 full day rides on it. (Yeah I know.....)
Have had zero problems. None , nada, zilch. Have adjusted chain tension on both chains once and greased the skid and bearings a half dozen times. You could buy one of those for $2500 today and ride the snot out of it. It will be more about how beat up it is.
IMO, it’s just a snowmachine skid and a couple bearings. Not much to go wrong other than a couple wear parts or if a guy smashes it up. Any year model will be more about how much it was used and how well it was cared for.
There are a couple year specific issues, but they’re not big iirc. Bearings and chains.
What I would like is a LT or at least a 129.....I think. With deeper paddles compared to my kit.
Better Track approach angle, 2.5 track and way better skid shocks all came in 2016. You can pick up a 16 for 3500ish in the U.S. right now. Also if you find any sx model scoop it up there awesome..there basically a better built Aro.
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Things to watch for on the 2011-2013's. The ski changed in one of those years, you want the 10" wide one. You NEED the double bearings. You can easily see in pics that the bearing has 4 bolts rather than 2. They are expensive and pain to install. I have a 2014, sure it'd be nice to have the upgrades, but the depreciation on these is ridiculous, which is totally in your favor. 11-13 should be down around 1500, I estimate my 2014 around 2000
I agree with the 2016 or 17 being the ones to have, mostly because of the track improvement. If it's a 16, be sure to check the skid rails for cracks under the bump stops. And also with the 16 -- they shipped with crappy JT chains that Timbersled replaced under warranty. Running those chains will leave you stranded eventually. Bring snowshoes.
11-12 had the 1 3/4" track I believe which isn't enough and crappy Fox floats which are $hit IMO.
13-14 are a good choice because:
- You can add any 2.5" track you like because of the available clearance without hacking a slot in the track
- They have decent shocks which can easily be re-valved
- The Raptor triple rate springs for 125 bucks are a great addition
-Watch out for high mileage units as the driveshaft will crack and shear off the drive gear. Update with the splined shaft and gear
-Dual row bearings are mandatory
-Rails on 13-16 are all $hit and will crack, 11-12 had Iceage rails a plus
- 15 kits have no track clearance but do have the updated approach angle.
If it were me I would find a clean 13 or 14 update it with Iceage rails, dual row bearings, splined shaft and gears, Raptor springs maybe a new CMX track slowly over time or I would just spring for the best 17 LE I could find. If you buy a 16 they still cost more than the 13 14 and you need rails anyways so just get the 17.
M5
13-14 are a good choice because:
- You can add any 2.5" track you like because of the available clearance without hacking a slot in the track
- They have decent shocks which can easily be re-valved
- The Raptor triple rate springs for 125 bucks are a great addition
-Watch out for high mileage units as the driveshaft will crack and shear off the drive gear. Update with the splined shaft and gear
-Dual row bearings are mandatory
-Rails on 13-16 are all $hit and will crack, 11-12 had Iceage rails a plus
- 15 kits have no track clearance but do have the updated approach angle.
If it were me I would find a clean 13 or 14 update it with Iceage rails, dual row bearings, splined shaft and gears, Raptor springs maybe a new CMX track slowly over time or I would just spring for the best 17 LE I could find. If you buy a 16 they still cost more than the 13 14 and you need rails anyways so just get the 17.
M5
17 Raw Holdovers
The 17 Raw’s are going for pretty cheap now ($3k) - any significant reason not to go that route for an extra $1k over the 5-6 year old kits out there?
The 17 Raw’s are going for pretty cheap now ($3k) - any significant reason not to go that route for an extra $1k over the 5-6 year old kits out there?
If you can find one of those you really can't go to wrong, all of the issues are fixed already for you. Its just a 13 14 packaged as a 17 with good shafts, bearings, rails, track etc. Probably your best bet. I was going to go that route this year for a second bike but I went Camso instead. See if you can get a fit kit thrown in or at least deeply discounted, that's where they get you on top of the $3k.
M5
M5
Call CMX and see what he has. He might have a used demo. Pay a little more up front or pay later in parts, upgrades and fit kits. If you start with a good one it will last a long time. I have seen little to no used CMX kits. There must be a reason.
Can you elaborate? This is the first I've heard of this happening to the new ones. My ARO seems to be way more sturdy than my 15 ST.
Get a camso if your looking for inexpensive reliability that you can get parts for. Some used 17s selling for 2,900 in my area. And they go much better than the 15 and older TS plus you can get parts for them. Good luck with parts and a fit kit from Polaris. I personally ride a smowtech MX and think it is the best kit for the price.
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The timbersled mountain horse snowbikers page?
P
PalousePoo
Well-known member
..the aro is made with cheap China metal and their folding up like pop cans! Thanks Polaris!
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FAKE NEWS. A few guys on early rides have hit stuff and bent spindles. Alot of guys, including me, have hit stuff, and NOT damaged anything.
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FAKE NEWS. A few guys on early rides have hit stuff and bent spindles. Alot of guys, including me, have hit stuff, and NOT damaged anything.
Old kits on new snow
From the oldest kit to the newest kits two things standout.
BETTER SKIS
BETTER TRACKS
Other wise its a maintenance issue. Older kits need bearings changed more often. If you wear out or break TS bearing/drive shafts/ jackshaft/sprockets, replace or ungrade when you replace , not big deal.
suspension has sucked stock , but all the kits have rebuildable shocks that need new oil and more compression dampening and stiffer springs even when new, up until 2017.
so.........comparing prices on older kits, a good deal would be kits updated to newer track and maybe some bearing updates.
Already anyski older than 2018 is now second class and now tons of the TS skis can be had for little money, so a kit with a bad tore up ski is no big deal.
From the oldest kit to the newest kits two things standout.
BETTER SKIS
BETTER TRACKS
Other wise its a maintenance issue. Older kits need bearings changed more often. If you wear out or break TS bearing/drive shafts/ jackshaft/sprockets, replace or ungrade when you replace , not big deal.
suspension has sucked stock , but all the kits have rebuildable shocks that need new oil and more compression dampening and stiffer springs even when new, up until 2017.
so.........comparing prices on older kits, a good deal would be kits updated to newer track and maybe some bearing updates.
Already anyski older than 2018 is now second class and now tons of the TS skis can be had for little money, so a kit with a bad tore up ski is no big deal.
FAKE NEWS. A few guys on early rides have hit stuff and bent spindles. Alot of guys, including me, have hit stuff, and NOT damaged anything.[/QUOTE]How about let's agree to disagree. Not fake when there's pics all over facebook. I'm a Tsled fan too so its not easy to accept but it's not fake news..look for yourself.
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