Is the 2014 TS kit (ST) still a good kit to have?

[Pwdrhnd]

I found a good deal on a 2014 ST kit and was wondering if it was worth having? I know there have been significant upgrades since then (for the better) and didn't know if I should buy it, just so I could get into a snowbike for realatively low cost or should I just wait until I can pull the trigger on a 2016 or newer???

I'm thinking of putting it on a 2012 KTM 350 XC-F.

Any help or insight would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

pwdrhnd

 

[AZ800]

Nothing inherently wrong with it. Up grades from the '13 were 10" ski, double row bearing on jackshaft and the suspension flex feature.
I have a '13 kit with a wide ski and it has shown zero wear or issues. Disclaimer, it probably has less than 20 full day rides on it, but no issues other than bouncing the chai case cover off a few rocks or stumps, it's beat up, but the old style aluminum covers can be re shaped.

IMO the big improvement in TS is a better track like the new ones have. Otherwise they're the same geometry afaik.

 

[suva]

I'm still having a hoot on my 2014 kit, and I'm guessing you won't lose much if any money if you upgrade in a year or two. The newer Timbersleds handle better (yes they did change geometry) and the track is better in most conditions. The splined shaft setup on the 16+ kits seem to be less problematic than the stupid keyed setup Timbersled used on the older kits.

 

[Hbmtr]

I have a 14 with the upgraded double bearing kit that i bought new in 14.Great kit and works well.would like the 2.5 track but i am only 150 pds so i get by fine.have it mounted on a crf 488.

 

[CATSLEDMAN1]

buy it and try it

no point in putting off having fun over budget ! Not a big enough difference from the first TS kit to the 2017 to put off buying for another year. Only real performance has been better tracks and a variety of shocks that all need help.

reliability has improved, but who cares, ride with friends until it breaks, then get a tow.

I have young friends riding on old bikes and old kits with less than 3k in the whole ball of wax and at the end of the day their smile is just as big as the guys still trying to pay off their $17k blow out.

fun waits for no man

 

[Sketchy Red]

no point in putting off having fun over budget ! Not a big enough difference from the first TS kit to the 2017 to put off buying for another year. Only real performance has been better tracks and a variety of shocks that all need help.

reliability has improved, but who cares, ride with friends until it breaks, then get a tow.

I have young friends riding on old bikes and old kits with less than 3k in the whole ball of wax and at the end of the day their smile is just as big as the guys still trying to pay off their $17k blow out.

fun waits for no man

It really depends on your budget. I ride a 2014 ST on a 2011 KX450 and have a lot of fun on it. The 2.5" track and better suspension would be awesome but I wouldn't sacrifice having a dedicated snowbike for either of those. In my financial situation it made sense to go for a FI 450 with low hours and an older kit. Make sure to find one that has been upgraded to double bearings and reliability shouldn't be an issue. In certain conditions you won't be following the same lines as that 2.5" track but rider determination will get you to the same places.

 

[Pwdrhnd]

Thanks for all the info guy's I appreciate it... I have the choice of either a 2014 or 2016, I have both.. I could make a little money on the 16 kit for other extras but I have a buddy that will take my 14 and I can have the 16 for no extra cost so I think thats the route I'm going to go.