footwell holding snow

[PalousePoo]

I like the running boards, they are a big improvement, and I don't plan on better boards like I've done to the last three IQ's, but under your toes is not good! Anyone taken a holesaw to that area yet? Some of the plastic underneath would need trimmed also.

 

[F-Bomb]

I know you don't want to hear this (it sucks to have to spend money) and some think it's bunk (of course not the guys who have any actual experience). I've only got 5.5 hours on our PRO test sled and it is already absolutly clear that there is a positive having the Better Boards on this sled model. (have now ridden stock and our demo sled for a heads up comparison that qualifies that comment)

We have 200 plus sets on PRO sleds so far this year and they are getting lots of mtn miles on them now. Here are the absolute benefits reported by riders who are now running Better Boards on the PRO.

They reduce the mass of snow building up in the footwells and being pushed up into the clutch compartment like many others are reporting. They strengthen the weak design of the overall running board. They add double the traction of the stockers. They clear snow twice as easily as stock from simply riding. The stockers are going to wear out expensive riding boots just as fast as the old models because you still have to keep busy constantly cleaning your boards.

So PalousePro (I changed your name for you!) While I agree the new design from the factory is a huge benefit over the IQ RAW style they are still so vastly inferior to Better Boards that the money is still well spent on this sled. I also agree that one of the major issues with the stock design is the fact that the evacuation hole up front is so small and the cleat patterns hold snow so opening up that area and trimming the plastic away will help. The problem is what if that weakens that area and you have a catastrophic failure? Is the $200 saved and the potential unknown financial risk worth it versus simply going with an absolutely known positive fix like Better Boards?

look at these openings and compare it to your stock boards....

 

[Kestrel2126]

The other thing about the stock boards, is that they are extremely weak. I have just over 200 miles on mine, and they are bowed down at least an inch an the raised cleats are mangled. Had to use a floor jack and a deadblow to get them back up

 

[F-Bomb]

Kestral, Yup that is what a ton of guys are also reporting in...mine have over 2,000 sets of boots (skinny medium and even really BIG) on them plus my limited but real riding time. (I'm fairly rough on stuff!) They look good as new!

We left 3 of Burandt's fleet stock and they show damage while the boarded up sleds are holding up BETTER.

How do your riding boots look? A few of my buds that haven't put on boards are reporting some probs with their boots getting buggered up as well. (80 rides on my HMK voyagers with BB's on and they still look brand spanking new)

PM if you want to try some Better Boards to fix the damage (maybe a xmas special for you).

 

[PalousePoo]

Rob, you are a good salesman!!! And those front holes DO THE JOB, as I know from previous sets. The only small downside of the bboards are they raise your foot up taller than stock, and feeling the outer edge (rail) becomes hard, and I've had a foot slip off from not being in close enough towards the tunnel. I would like to see the cleats about 1/2 the height they are. jmho

 

[GMCRMK]

I like the running boards, they are a big improvement, and I don't plan on better boards like I've done to the last three IQ's, but under your toes is not good! Anyone taken a holesaw to that area yet? Some of the plastic underneath would need trimmed also.

I am gonna wait on installing boards too and was thinking even a 3 inch hole saw cut in the foot well area MAY allow snow to be pushed through. The rest of the boards clear out pretty well in my experience.

 

[bcjasonj]

I also find stock boards ice up super easy righ where the meet the tunnel. I spent half my time kicking the chit out of my boards and boots just so my feet wouldn't slide around.

My question is what are the advantages of the other board mfg's over another.

Betterboards vs WRP vs Snow Eliminator??

I like the looks of the WRP as they also look to act like a tunnel stiffner, attaching part way up the tunnel.

 

[PalousePoo]

If I remember, Rob has warned about coming up the side of the tunnel and weakening it, causing it to crack. That's why his design avoids that, I think, but he'll prob. chime in here. One big advantage I found was the powder coated BB didn't allow snow to stick like the raw alum seems too. Never seen the WRP's in person, but wondering about their strenth? BB do hold up to abuse. If I modified the stock boards, I was thinking of two holes on each side, 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 dia., up front under the toes. Or carefully cutting out a rectangle with a body saw.

 

[Sixat38]

Here's another thing I noticed on my Pro... and it was the same on my IQ... is all the sharp edges from the shear & stamping of manufacturing. I've taken a file and lightly de-burred all the raw edges of the tunnel behind the running board out to the end and a few other places. It doesn't take much but I wouldn't want anyone to rip a glove if they grabbed there to help lift me out of a jamb. The other thing I did with my IQ (and it has BBs) is take a wire wheel to the running board edges where the "traction" is stamped. Those edges are sharp and could wear on a pair of boots over time I suppose. But the real reason I did it is, I didn't want to accidentally slip off the board and tear an expensive set of bibs. The wire wheel did the trick but it also left the aluminum slightly scuffed. Or rather it's more a satin finish now rather than shiny. Anyway, it toned the sharpness down with out sacraficing traction IMO. I guess a guy could lightly file each one but I'm kinda lazy so I used a wire wheel.​