?? For the Flat Landers

[RMKNV]

My nephew is looking for a sled, he's farming and ranching in NE Montana (2000'elv.). No powder mostly hard drifted snow, ditch running, rolling hills and ROCKS. How do the long track (144"+) work in those conditions? In theory I would think a shorter track would handle the hard snow better but I really don't know. Thought I would ask those that ride it. Oh ya and he's a big un 6'4" 275lb..
TIA

 

[w2bridin]

?

I run a m8 153" here in ND 1000' alt and have no problems. I used to run a shorty and take that a trip or two a year out west but then I broke down one year out there and it was the best thing that ever happend traded the shorty for a 151 and have never looked back. So in my opionion if he plans to ride at all in the mountains and I dont know why he wouldnt living in MT dont go any shorter than a 144.

 

[RMKNV]

I run a m8 153" here in ND 1000' alt and have no problems. I used to run a shorty and take that a trip or two a year out west but then I broke down one year out there and it was the best thing that ever happend traded the shorty for a 151 and have never looked back. So in my opionion if he plans to ride at all in the mountains and I dont know why he wouldnt living in MT dont go any shorter than a 144.

Cool, so they handle and turn ok? He might go out west but it's hard for him to get away from the bovi's in the winter, the whole food and water thing keeps him close to home.

 

[messickzr]

It all depends on what he wants to do! I have ridden in Iowa with a 141 and a 153 for the past 6 years or so and have found that both are a little more difficult on tight, twisty turns than what you would find with a shorter track. I know, that is a very obvious statement, but it certainly is true. If he wants something that is precise for handling and cornering, a long track is not the way to go. If he doesn't mind a little more effort of turning a long track, then by all means go for it! If the snow is hard packed a lot, make sure you have scratchers! I enjoy riding my M8 so I know I won't be going back to a short-track.

 

[RMKNV]

Thanks for the input.
He's got a line on a 06 900 RMK 151, he has not ridden a sled very much so he wouldn't know if handled good or not. LOL.. I'm trying to talk him in to waiting for a 600 144" to pop up. Those 900's gotta be a beast at 2000' elv.. I grew up there riding Rupps, Scorpions, Doo's and JD's, but that was the days of ride for two and work for eight. LOL..

 

[XCRacer440]

I run a m8 153" here in ND 1000' alt and have no problems. I used to run a shorty and take that a trip or two a year out west but then I broke down one year out there and it was the best thing that ever happend traded the shorty for a 151 and have never looked back. So in my opionion if he plans to ride at all in the mountains and I dont know why he wouldnt living in MT dont go any shorter than a 144.

Well I'm from Fargo, ND. I just bought a 04 RMK vertical edge 700 with the 144x1.5 lug I believe last week. I'm going to rejet it and reclutch it tomorrow and let you know how it works out. Ive never owned anything but a 121 so this will be a new experience for me. We mostly ride the river around here but will ride the ditches if its groomed. I'll let you know!

Oh ya and where are you from w2bridin?

 

[907to406]

If he's looking into the polaris 900 he better be mechanically inclined...

 

[RMK-King]

I have rode my 155 RMK in ND and it does just fine, we have had really good snow in ND since I have owned it though.

 

[RMKNV]

Well I'm from Fargo, ND. I just bought a 04 RMK vertical edge 700 with the 144x1.5 lug I believe last week. I'm going to rejet it and reclutch it tomorrow and let you know how it works out. Ive never owned anything but a 121 so this will be a new experience for me. We mostly ride the river around here but will ride the ditches if its groomed. I'll let you know!

Oh ya and where are you from w2bridin?

He's a ways away, 25 miles west of Williston.

 

[Jonce]

I've been riding 144"+ sleds in MN (1k feet) elevation for the past 6-7 yrs. I prefer the longer skids vs shorter ones. With a longer rear skid, it stays on top of the bumps more.

Suggestions:
1. Buy ice scratchers and USE them with low snow or hard pack conditions.
2. If you want the track to hook up, do the F-bomb track mod. This is a great mod for Polaris tracks - cut off 1/4-3/8" of the lug tip and put 1" screws in every lug post. It hooks up a heck of a lot better than in stock form. I know on my 2010 Ski Doo Summit I had last year, that track had nice stiff paddles so the F-bomb track mod wasn't necessary.
3. As with any sled, ride the edge of the trail or ditch if there is fresh/loose snow to help cool the sled.

 

[Shibumi]

For your description of the riding don't overlook a short track, IMO a great fun factor for ditchbanging. Keep in mind the coupled/uncoupled issue also. I love my 144" here in Michigan for all around riding, however, for trails and ditch banging, it lacks. I rode a 121" 600 with a 1.5" track for a day I had a blast, especially in the twisty stuff and ditches. You could obviously throw that sled around much easier (but I'm no Ahnold), I'm 6'2" 215lbs.

 

[jlebrun_05]

never had any complaints riding mine at home- it just sticks out of the box of the pickup a little farther

 

[superfly333]

My nephew is looking for a sled, he's farming and ranching in NE Montana (2000'elv.). No powder mostly hard drifted snow, ditch running, rolling hills and ROCKS. How do the long track (144"+) work in those conditions? In theory I would think a shorter track would handle the hard snow better but I really don't know. Thought I would ask those that ride it. Oh ya and he's a big un 6'4" 275lb..
TIA

From my experience I have always liked riding something with a longer track but not too long. If that is all he will use it for is ditches and stuff I would reccomend a 136'' - 144'' track. Short track sleds tend to dart alot when your in ditches, the back end slides all over especially in softer snow and the longer track helps cure that problem and makes for a nicer ride too. I have my 154'' and just take it a little easy around here and dont run into any problems.