Help with Track size?

[Tec]

Hey guy's,

I'm thinking about pre ordering a 09 from skidoo before the 20th of April, I'm not really sure what track size to go with? I talked to the sales guy about it and he was pushing for a 143 on the Summit X 800. I live in Denver, so riding deep snow up north is going to happen often, Why would you pick a 153 or 163 track? what are the advantages or disadvantages of going bigger from the get go?

I've been riding smaller touring sleds working at a few different ski resorts threw the years, I've ripped around on a RMK 800 a few years ago, but can't remembere what size track it had? I'm going to be keeping this sled for a while if I decide to get a new one, so I want to get a good all around mountain sled.

 

[donbrown]

I would post this in the Ski Doo section but the choices are determines mainly by two things.

Point one:

If you are a point and shoot rider in deep powder get the longest track you can get so you can climb the steep and deep.

If you like to carve up the mountain get the shorter track since it should manuever better around rocks and trees.


Point Two:

Rider weight ... heavy rider bigger track , lighter rider smaller track.

Enjoy.

I ride Polaris so let a Skidoo rider fill in the details.

 

[IdahoMike]

New XP

Hey guy's,

I'm thinking about pre ordering a 09 from skidoo before the 20th of April, I'm not really sure what track size to go with? I talked to the sales guy about it and he was pushing for a 143 on the Summit X 800. I live in Denver, so riding deep snow up north is going to happen often, Why would you pick a 153 or 163 track? what are the advantages or disadvantages of going bigger from the get go?

I've been riding smaller touring sleds working at a few different ski resorts threw the years, I've ripped around on a RMK 800 a few years ago, but can't remembere what size track it had? I'm going to be keeping this sled for a while if I decide to get a new one, so I want to get a good all around mountain sled.

How much do you weigh? I rode the XP 154" in West Yellowstone back in Febuary and really liked it. I demoed the 146" XP last Friday it was ok, but I perfer the 154". I am 6 feet tall, and with pack and gear on will weigh around 240 pounds. To me the 154" just seemed to float better and was a blast to ride. I really don't think you can go wrong buying the 154" XP. That would be my choice, and I too have been thinking about a snow check for 09.

 

[Tec]

I'm not 100% sure I'll buy a Summit or not? I've been looking at everything really, the big attraction for the Summit to me is the 429lb weight and 151HP I'm not brand loyal on anything but my Diesel motors

I'm a bigger guy, 5'11" 225lbs, maybe a 153 would be good? right in the middle. I'm sure the trees are killer, I love bombing them on ski's.

 

[eyeles rmk]

I have been through the spectrum in tracks. I started on a 121 years ago and have ridden every size after that. I currently ride a 159. It is my favorite track length for our deep powder. I would say that if you are planning on keeping this sled for awhile then you can't go wrong with a 15?. I also don't believe that you can go wrong with either poo, doo or AC. You definatly need to decide what kind of riding you will do the majority of the time and that will help make the decision.

 

[Tec]

Thanks guys,

I'm going to look in the 15? ish sleds, seems like the best all around size to rip the hole mountain.:beer.

 

[skibreeze]

I'd stick with the 15?'s track for sure, it'll give you a very versatile sled for most of the conditions that we get here in Co.

 

[Ollie]

153 is a good track length for all purpose riding.
as for you weight, not a big deal.
I ride a 140hp sled with a 155 and it goes everywhere I want it too.

 

[Storyboy]

If your buying a skidoo you have to remember its 16" wide. A 154 skidoo track is 2464 insq. A 15" 162 is only 2430 insq. A skidoo 163 is 2608 in sq. Wich is larger then a 15"x172".

 

[Jaynelson]

Can't go wrong with the 154x16 IMO....that's what I'll get if I pop for a new Doo.

 

[AkHockey10]

maybe, a 154" would be good for ya, if this is your first mountain sled. Then, see if you do need a smaller or bigger track. imo.

Do you know the year of the RMK ?

 

[Snorider]

I watched a 146 doo rip around in the powder last weekend, but he was a little light guy. Being a little over 6ft and 200 lbs without gear, i have become really fond of the tracks in the 150's. i have a lot of fun on them, cause theres point and shoot riding i do, which a 163 would be sweet but other times I think it might be a little long. I have never owned anything over a 159 so i shouldn't talk too loud. if you get any of the sleds with a track in the 150 something i have a feeling you'll love it.

 

[Tec]

maybe, a 154" would be good for ya, if this is your first mountain sled. Then, see if you do need a smaller or bigger track. imo.

Do you know the year of the RMK ?

I'm thinking it was a 2002 or 3, I was looking a a left over 08 Dragon 700 155 today, damn nice sled

 

[OuraySledder]

I wouldn't be totally sold just on the wieght claim. Last XP 154 I heard of being wieghed was 461 lbs, not 429. That puts Cat and Poo within about 20-30lbs, not peanuts but not a deal breaker IMO. All three brands look very strong in the 800 catagory next year. The Doo's always seem to take the most effort to get used to riding. Not sure I like that idea, I would probably be on a Cat or Poo myself, and definately on the longest track availible

 

[Tec]

I watched a 146 doo rip around in the powder last weekend, but he was a little light guy. Being a little over 6ft and 200 lbs without gear, i have become really fond of the tracks in the 150's. i have a lot of fun on them, cause theres point and shoot riding i do, which a 163 would be sweet but other times I think it might be a little long. I have never owned anything over a 159 so i shouldn't talk too loud. if you get any of the sleds with a track in the 150 something i have a feeling you'll love it.

Cool!

 

[Tec]

I wouldn't be totally sold just on the wieght claim. Last XP 154 I heard of being wieghed was 461 lbs, not 429. That puts Cat and Poo within about 20-30lbs, not peanuts but not a deal breaker IMO. All three brands look very strong in the 800 catagory next year. The Doo's always seem to take the most effort to get used to riding. Not sure I like that idea, I would probably be on a Cat or Poo myself, and definately on the longest track availible

The weight I posted on the Summit X was wrong, it's 439 not 429lbs. The 08 dragon 700 155 I looked at today, looks like it's 484lbs. I'm not baseing my decision off weight alone, but 45lbs is pretty huge!

I've also heard that the Polaris holds 40-45lbs of snow where the Ski-doo was around 20-25? Could be BS? I'm not sure tho. The Summit looks like the stealth bomber, not to many nooks and cranys to hide pow.

 

[Cyle]

For your size i'd save a mid 150's is good. I am 6'4" 280lbs and I ride a 151" and it's not long enough for me, upgrading to a 159" or 162". But IMO if your always in the mountains you could even look into a bigger sled, but the longer the track the more effort/weight it's going to take to manuever.

 

[OuraySledder]

The weight I posted on the Summit X was wrong, it's 439 not 429lbs. The 08 dragon 700 155 I looked at today, looks like it's 484lbs. I'm not baseing my decision off weight alone, but 45lbs is pretty huge!

I've also heard that the Polaris holds 40-45lbs of snow where the Ski-doo was around 20-25? Could be BS? I'm not sure tho. The Summit looks like the stealth bomber, not to many nooks and cranys to hide pow.

Definately sounds like marketing BS to me! I ride with a guy on a 154 XP, he rips on it, no doubt about it. He also admits to have been outgunned by an 800 Dragon. This is from a die had Doo guy, no adgenda to bash his brand.

Like I said though, they are all awesome machines. I would still be careful with the wieght thing. When Snowest picked the Apex as their favorite boondocker a couple seasons back I about freaked. It has to do with balance etc., the Doo is by all accounts the toughest to get used to, light or not.

I have also ridden 151,153,159 and 163 length tracks. I never regretted the longer ones. If you have trails to ride that is one thing. If it is powder, the longer the better.

 

[rockymking]

I have also ridden 151,153,159 and 163 length tracks. I never regretted the longer ones. If you have trails to ride that is one thing. If it is powder, the longer the better.

Agreed OS....you adapt your riding skills to a longer track and can maneuver just as well as you used to with a shorter track. I started out with a 136" and have progressed throughout the years to my current 162"...and can boondock anywhere I could with my 136" with better flotation. I'll never own a sled with a shorter track again.

 

[wyodoo]

I wouldn't be totally sold just on the wieght claim. Last XP 154 I heard of being wieghed was 461 lbs, not 429. That puts Cat and Poo within about 20-30lbs, not peanuts but not a deal breaker IMO. All three brands look very strong in the 800 catagory next year. The Doo's always seem to take the most effort to get used to riding. Not sure I like that idea, I would probably be on a Cat or Poo myself, and definately on the longest track availible

The higher weight's posted for the Summits is with all running liquids except gas. Polaris an Cat would be similarly heavier than dry list weights also as would any liquid cooled sled.