I had never been on a sled when I bought my 136" (only been riding for 7 years now). First time riding my sled it was out west. The year before I bought my sled I came home after 2 days. The sled the guy let me borrow (136") blew up and I rented for a day but renting for a week was not in the budget. I was hooked after 1 day of riding in the mountains. For the next 2 years I put a 1 3/4" track on when I was out west. Then before we went to Revelstoke I extended it to a 151" and have not gone back. If I had the money I would have 2 sleds but I don't so I stay with the longer sled so I can have as much fun as possible out west. Have ice scratchers and I know I may burn through hifaxes quicker than a shorter tracked sled. But most of my riding around home (when we have snow) is in the ditches and fields. I personally do not have any problems with the longer sled and I have gotten used to the narrower stance as well for when not riding in deeper snow.
Question for Minnesota riders
- Thread starter Bamboozled
- Start date
I have been riding out west for about 11 years now and I tried converting a sled from short to long every time we went out ( 2 or 3 times a year) it was very time consuming I didn' t mind the work but the way the winters have been around here ( MN ) lately it is not worth the extra work. as a matter of fact I have found that I get as much if not more riding in a season out west in 2 weeks as I did riding 1 time every weekend around here when there was snow. I also believe it is cheaper to spend a couple of weeks out west a year rather than hauling my sleds every weekend paying for fuel, food, bar stops ect... ( well at least that is what I tell the girlfriend every time time I leave) so anyways now I own 2 mountain sleds 1 - 151 and 1 - 163 and the 151 works just fine the 163 defiantly needs scratchers . The shorter tracks are a blast on the trail but any time I get to ride here and go out west is just a bonus.
Like others have said. You can use a long track in the mid-west. In the group I ride with there are 6 sled with 2" tracks, with 3 being 151", 1 144", and 2 136". None of us have ever thrown a lug. However you do have to keep eye on the engine temps and be on the look out for loose snow to help with lubrication. Ice scatchers will help a ton with this. The mountain sleds do handle differently too. But personally I have gotten used to this and am still able to rip it at home in the flatlands.
Great comments boys! Keep 'em coming.
For me, riding out West is the only riding I do. I grew up trail burning and went to college out West and became addicted instantly. The scenery, pow and lack of people just got me.
I own a M8 153 and have not ridden it back here yet - if I had the desire to run back here, I'd look for a cheap Firecat or something for the trails.
I own a M8 153 and have not ridden it back here yet - if I had the desire to run back here, I'd look for a cheap Firecat or something for the trails.
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