Leg Breakers or Support in Footwells? Remove or Retain them?

[Frostbite]

I bought a 2005 M5 for my daughter. I see it has some tube type supports above each footwell. I could see the benefit of these foot supports for locking your boots in for trail riding but, for mountain riding I can see where they could be considered a great way to tangle your leg during an unintended dismount while riding off trail. My 09 M8 does not have these tubes. Did Cat learn something and remove these bars?

I had planned to remove these bars to prevent potential problems (twisted ankles, knees or worse) until I got a chance to see the new 2011 Polaris RMK at the snow show. I see It also has very similar tube type bars directly above the footwells. So, are these things a good idea or should they be removed?

If so, what's the best way to remove these things?

First picture is 2005 M5

Second picture is 2009 M8

 

[Frostbite]

Here's a picture of the 2011 Polaris RMK Pro so you can see it has the same type of bars across the footwells.

 

[Dam Dave]

the newer Cats still have basically the same thing, its just covered by plastic

 

[snowdingo]

The footwells have never been an issue as far as I know

 

[sledheadjake]

aA guy i ride with has a 06 m7 that has those same bars, last year we were riding in flat light and he pretty much ran in to a 90 degree hill side pretty fast when that happend he slammed forward in to that bar with his knee and shattered his knee.He wants to take them out but thinks they are structural.He now rides wearing some really good knee and shin guards.

 

[Frostbite]

The newer Cats don't have enough open area around the footwells to get your foot caught up in during a dismount.

The newer M series sleds have the vented metal plate that tapers all the way to the back side of the crossbar you can see in the M8 picture. That tapering back makes the footwell feel almost too small for my realatively normal footsize.

Heck, I don't know if these cross bars are good or bad. I just thought I would ask you guys that have ridden Cats for years. Remember, I am really still a newbie learning about Cats from you guys everyday.

 

[jakey-boy]

That M8 hole is going to hold your foot in there in a going forward situation just as much as the m5 or polaris... My uncle broke his leg the same way as mentioned above but its really more of an unfortunate accident then anything. I dont think they are worth removing. Pretty sure they definitely serve structural purposes.

 

[Freeride1]

I like my 05 footwell better than the newer ones. The new ones seem small for boots. I wear my motocross knee braces or knee cup at all times.

 

[Frostbite]

Yes, the 05 footwells do have much more room. I too like them better.

I just hate to have to make my daughter wear shin guards to ride her sled but, if I have to, I guess I will. I just want her to enjoy riding.

 

[ullose272]

you guys use the footwell? im always 4-6" from it

 

[backcountryislife]

you guys use the footwell? im always 4-6" from it

Ditto here, I don't think I've ever put my feet in the footwell aside from to kick out the stinking snow that always builds up in there!

It seems like sitting would be the only time you'd use it.

Though, when I get on a dragon I tend to use them, not sure why.

 

[PowerJoe]

I have an 06 M7 and use them all the time. When I am sit-down-carving in the deep with both feet in the footwell, I pull up with the outside leg to help get the sled on its side. I only weigh 170 so I need to use them.

You want to make sure your boot cannot get stuck in them in any way. I wear a size 14 snow board boot and there is plenty of room and they can't get wedged in any way. Make sure your daughter's boot can't get wedged in there some how. You need to be able to get away from the sled when in trouble.

I have bailed and been ejected off my sled many times with no issues of getting caught in the foot well. I have always worn motocross style knee braces which have saved me multiple times.

I won't ride a sled where my boot gets wedged in the footwell. Scares the crap out of me. Comes from my racing days of seeing people being drag by their sled while it is cart-wheeling.

 

[Frostbite]

Yup, my daughter wears a women's size 6. Pretty small.

I will see if she can get her foot wedged between the bars. If so, maybe I could just biuld a cover to prevent that if the concensus is that the foot bars are worth keeping as a rding aid.

 

[Burn Down]

The only time my foot got caught in my 05 m7 was doing some high speed pow turns.... Like 30-40 mph hard 90* or 180* sled stood up & rolled while I was still hangin on the side, thought it ripped my leg off
I just learned to keep my feet out of there when carving. I don't think it would be hard to put some thin aluminum plate in there kind of like the new chassis has with the swiss cheese stuff.

 

[MI1M600EFI]

I just hate to have to make my daughter wear shin guards to ride her sled but, if I have to, I guess I will. I just want her to enjoy riding.

Hahah. I didn't really enjoy riding until I STARTED wearing my shin guards on the sled!!! Now I can kneel in the snow w/o getting wet or cold knees, and I tend to lean on the tank sometimes, which is helpful, and best of all, I never shin myself on the running board trying to mount up in deep snow!!

I wear my EVS chest protector under my coat too! No problems bouncing off the bars now!
Just a thought.
Chris

 

[Freeride1]

Shin guards are super handy when you want to kneel in the snow.

 

[Frostbite]

Ouch! I just pictured what would happen if you were boondocking through the trees and happened to come to a sudden stop. I can see the shim bruise already from those bars.

Do I need to keep them?

Are they structurally integral to the chassis?

Maybe I can just add pipe insulation around the offending shim bruising pipe?

 

[Dam Dave]

I guess I have big feet, my toes hit the back of the foot well long before my shins would hit that bar, and my knees hit the hood before my shins hit anything, but I also where knee/shin guards, I wont ride sled or dirt bike without them

 

[Frostbite]

Dam Dave, on the newer M series you don't need to wear shin guards because there are no nipples (oops can't seem to get that picture out of my head) to bang your shin on.

 

[Dam Dave]

Dam Dave, on the newer M series you don't need to wear shin guards because there are no nipples (oops can't seem to get that picture out of my head) to bang your shin on.

uummmmm if you ride like I do you need shin guards all the time ever slip and fall on your shin on the running board edge ouch

I am familiar with the new M sleds, I have owned a 06 M7, 07, 09, 10 and now a 2011 M8