136" and 159" track
I've got a '05 600cc with 136" track and a '08 800cc with 159" track. In the mountains, there is no comparison, the 159" totally rips and keeps up or exceeds all other stock mountain sleds. The 136" is pretty good and I would equate it to a 144" sled, but the 159" is a serious mountain machine. I run a Simmons Gen2 ski which really helps the downhill turning and landing drops especially with the long track pushing straight forward. The 136" just doesn't have the floatation when compared to the 159". Also the added length of the 159" track helps keep the front end down when hill clmbing so the Hawk doesn't trench as much and the track pushes forward not straight up like the shorter tracks. Also, I take the rear deflector off once we hit the alpine which propobaly gives about 25% more climbing power. I have temperature guages to make sure I'm keeping cool all of the time with the deflector off. With the long track, you have to have to the deflector on the trails for sure as the long track doesn't hold snow on the track into the tunnel as well as the 136". Yes the 136" is a little more maneouverable but the 159" is no slouch either. It all depends on where you ride and whether you require flotation. I love both machines but I must say the 800 really rips. Also, interestingly, I find I use less gas on the 800 as I always have the 600 pinned but the 800 with more power and floatation doesn't require pinning as much or for as long. I love the 159" track as it really hooks up and allows me to access anything the stock mountain sleds can get to and way more as we can turn around on the downhill and sidehilling is a non-issue. I wouldn't hesitate recommending the 159" to anyone who is doing significant mountain riding and requires floatation.
