Hypothetical running board question

[94fordguy]

So I have ridden with a pro on several occasions and have also Demo'd one a couple weeks ago, impressive machine all in all with 1 downside that I see, and that was having to kick the snot out of the boards to get the ice off.

One of the things I really do love about my 900 is the fact it utilizes running board heat-exchangers. I know the pro has cut out boards to help with snow evacuation, but they still ice up badly IMO, especially on the edges towards the rear where you only stand on occassion.

Has anyone considered coming up with a system to give the PRO sleds the older heated board edge style system? In theory, it would help both with overheating in low snow by offering that much more opportunity to keep cool, but more importantly prevent ice buildup on the leading edge of the board.

I don't have any board inserts on my sled as I run as long as I can and pile the snow on in hard pack conditions, but the rest of the time in good snow, I know my edges will always offer good bite, even if the rest of the board is filled with slush or snow.

Not quite sure how you could plumb it effectively, but it might be beneficial if you could make it work.

Just an idea

 

[m8sandman]

have seen too many of those sleds with cracked tubes up by the bulkhead leaking water to want to put it on my sled. was a great idea, worked well, but the downside is too great...

 

[rotax]

Tunnel edge coolers also scare me.
Board edges tend to bounce of trees..or get bent up from other incidents.

I haven't seen the heat exchangers, but a Doo style heat exchanger in the middle of the tunnel would prob work great.
Or a U cooler (if they don't already have one) would make a big diff in cooling and keeping the rear piece of tunnel clean.

It seems vinyl on the tunnel sides + different running boards / inserts are the easiest way to clean up the Pro boards. It looks like Air Frames would work the best.

 

[Arcteryx]

Seems like it might just be more cost effective to go with the Air Frames. You would get the snow clearance and traction you are looking for but wouldn't have to worry about the downsides that m8sandman mentioned.

 

[Norway]

Have not heard of anyone cracking their edge coolers, fwiw.

On cooling vs. sticking I've written this before; want to see a cooler in the middle of the tunnel.

Cooling running through the "corner"/bend where tunnel roof meets tunnel sides creates snowmelting along the entire side of the tunnel (top). Gravity pulls this water down where snow sticks and water freezes again= buildup.

Airframes might be a cure to heavy buildup and strengthen the chassis as a whole besides, but I for one would still re-do my tunnel if time and money (and voiding my warranty) was no issue.

Went riding weekend before last and with the only pro in my group I was also the only one with big chunks of ice on the inside of my pants.

RS

 

[turboless terry]

Have a doo, with a fabcraft tunnel, that has water running through the running boards like the polaris. The heated edge is always clear but on the really deep days it slushes up the running boards and the snow freezes to them. Most days I liked them but on the deep days I would have rather went without the cooler on the edge. Never once had trouble with losing water or screwing them up on a tree.

 

[F-Bomb]

While a few of you guys reinvent the wheel know that there are 300 of us are already enjoying the PRO with Better Boards. Everyday I ride with more and more PRO sleds that don't have em and the comments are clearly that they sure wish they did. (and most will) We had 5 out with Chris Burandt yesterday. Two had em and 3 did not. I will bet my LIFE that each and every single guy who rode those 5 misc PRO sleds would state without hesitation that Better Boards are the ticket for the PRO's running board problems. It was constantly being discussed as we swapped sleds around and the riders played through the day. Burandt is absolutely one of our biggest advocates. Just ask him! His primary buggy for this day was a demo sled without Better Boards and he was really griping about it. The guy spends 150 days a year riding sleds and is easily one of the foremost experts on mtn snowmobiling. If you know the guy he was not blowing hot air up my skirt..no nonsense... no bs. This guy just rides the stuffing out of sleds and the people he's with while they try to hang.

 

[Tree Boss]

had a buddy in UT try out a new style of BB what do ya think???? I think it should work great

 

[F-Bomb]

Is that Polaris 2012 prototype version running board? I've been telling them they need larger evacuation holes but wow! Should see an instant improvement in snow evacuation! Traction and footbed support appears a bit suspect! Is he calling those the "best" boards?

Was that a stick issue or did it just give up with extreme use? If a stick poked on in how does his lower leg look? I have my concerns over some other aftermarket parts that have been introduced in this arena will be super susceptible to this danger. Guys will find that out in a few more miles.

$200 fix...make it MO BETTER anyway! www.snowmobilebetterboards.com seek out PRO in the polaris section.

"the only people who don't like Better Boards on the PRO are the people who haven't tried them!" said Chris Burandt and John Heston

 

[Tree Boss]

He was cutting a sidehill and felt some bumps and when he got to the bottom he looked down and noticed what had happened. It was up tonys grove so I'm guessing a rock

 

[mike taylor]

He was cutting a sidehill and felt some bumps and when he got to the bottom he looked down and noticed what had happened. It was up tonys grove so I'm guessing a rock

Ouch.....
WEll he shound'nt feel bad about cutting up his sled now...

 

[Snodawg]

What would a thread about running boards be without a genuine F-bomb sales pitch for Better Boards. Dang this gets old. At one time, I though about putting a set of BB's on, but after the constant bombardment, there's no way. I'd rather spend twice the money for air frames. I could care less if CB rides with BB's. Give it a rest please

 

[barry1me]

I think better boards look really nice, but I think I would do the airframes as my issue is the outer rolled edge on the stock boards......either way Im not sure I have the heart to cut on my sled like that

 

[aebsledder]

What would a thread about running boards be without a genuine F-bomb sales pitch for Better Boards. Dang this gets old. At one time, I though about putting a set of BB's on, but after the constant bombardment, there's no way. I'd rather spend twice the money for air frames. I could care less if CB rides with BB's. Give it a rest please

Take it easy on the poor guy. A brother has to make a living.

 

[OnlyPolaris]

maybe tb racing has something for you. They make a wide running board kit for the 900 rmks. it has the coolers in the outer edge. looks like they just rivet to the side of the stock tunnel. would just have to run some plumbing. http://www.tbracing.ca/ look under tb tunnels and then the bottom right hand corner product.

 

[F-Bomb]

Sorry to be so irritating to you Snodawg...Pretty simply my activity on SW is part of my job. If I'm not promoting our product and helping consumers then I'm not doing my job.

Where do you work? I'd like to spend a little time with you at your work and offer up my unsolicited input on your daily activities. I don't even need to be anonymous!

 

[AndrettiDog]

I thought about going the route of airframes. However, I know that the install is tedious and even the grip screws are not installed. You have to install each of those! I was also concerned that they would not provide enough grip with ice. The price is quite high in my experience and any order through Skinz is a crap shoot. I'd be surprised if you got the airframes before the season ended. All of this led me to go with the BB's. They seem to work great, fast install and good support from Rob. I guess some guys are just going to hate.

 

[Snodawg]

I don't hate on anyone. In fact 10 minutes after my post, I gave Rob good rep for a different post in a different thread. I appreciate Rob's input and have talked to him every year at the WA Snowshow, but I just get annoyed that everytime someone talks about running boards, we get the BB sales pitch. I don't see WMP pitching their boards on here every thread. Using SW to sell your product is great, and we all love the aftermarket goodies, plus I'm sure everyone here knows how great BB's are without the sales pitch. In fact they are on my wifes RMK 600 IQ. Let the product do the talking for ya'
No hard feelings Rob.