ST or LT Kit?

[mtn-doo]

no short tracks went where we went today ! oh yeah, that's true, no short tracks along today.

Ya, Montana is the LT State. The #1 LT sales. Odds are you will be riding with them, that's what they have. As do I... To be honest to shoppers out there and folks trying to choose, the LT is not what makes the day successful. You can take a LT to Sand Point and ride with the "gang" of ST's in the steepest, baddest, most insane country you have ever rode and only be "following" ST tracks all day. Ha.. The LT has benefits for heavier riders and will be a little more forgiving allowing for an easier day of tough riding. I ride a 2015 proto-type LT. It is an amazing kit, no question, but much slower than the ST in high speed, difficult, steep terrain.

 

[troyrenfro]

so can you tell us what kind of changes they're making for 2015any big improvements

 

[mtn-doo]

It will go public in about a month. Super nice refinements.

 

[thejean]

Assuming I buy a TS and not a UFO, I will also be in the 'which kit to buy?' category. I have a 300 xcw right now with a 2011 ST. I am just under 180 lbs and also not terribly interested in the 'steep and deep' club. I am a tree banger for sure. I actually am learning to like the trails and the jumps they offer as well. I am leaning towards ST again but am curious if an LT will be too much track for the 300? Also I have been told that with the SX you have to be a really aggressive rider to make full use of it (this is also true for the 300). So curious if the 300 will complement the SX kit or if I will have to be doubly aggressive to make it work well together?

Edit: I should also add that I'm an intermediate rider and not an expert by any means. I certainly have no problem getting the bike in the air but have not done any major jumps or drops yet but can see myself working up to some by this time next year. With each ride I gain a ton of confidence.

 

[thejean]

Saw on another thread that the LT actually takes less power to turn than the ST. Does everyone else concur with this? If so, I might go that route instead.

I also found out that I can't get a fit kit for the SX to work with an 09 300 xcw unfortunately. I was starting to really lean that way actually.

 

[mtn-doo]

Saw on another thread that the LT actually takes less power to turn than the ST. Does everyone else concur with this? If so, I might go that route instead.

I also found out that I can't get a fit kit for the SX to work with an 09 300 xcw unfortunately. I was starting to really lean that way actually.

The SX kit on a 300XC would be a blast for you. The SX does not require you to be aggressive. Rounded track, lots of suspension. It loves to jump and be ridden hard and fast. The SX kit requires a bike with a linked suspension though. The 300XC or 300SX are needed.

 

[thejean]

But isn't the chassis the same or are the mounting points totally different?

 

[kevinhoglund]

Thanks

After riding the 2015 prototype's. I have decided the LT kit is the way i'm going to go with. The ST is a good kit, I just liked how the LT worked for me.

 

[chumbilly1]

After riding the 2015 prototype's. I have decided the LT kit is the way i'm going to go with. The ST is a good kit, I just liked how the LT worked for me.

I havn't got to ride the 15s but I have also decided I am going to have to have the LT and probably with a 2.3" paddle. Just works so much better in the deep and steep. Did you get a good look at the track on the 15? I am wondering if TS has upped the ante on traction or not?

 

[kevinhoglund]

I havn't got to ride the 15s but I have also decided I am going to have to have the LT and probably with a 2.3" paddle. Just works so much better in the deep and steep. Did you get a good look at the track on the 15? I am wondering if TS has upped the ante on traction or not?

It still is the same track 2" paddles.

 

[Frostbite]

Being an absolute rookie on these snowbikes, I do have a comment to make on this topic. After only two rides on bikes with a Mountain Horse kits, one with the ST and one with the LT, here are my perceptions.

During our awesome demo ride with Brett from Timbersled, I rode a 501 Husaberg with a 2014 ST kit with it's 121" track. The bike was nimble and fun but, I found myself either stuck or having to turn out and take less aggressive lines than I preferred more often than I would have liked.

Yesterday, I finally got a chance to ride my 2010 KTM 530 (isn't it a 501 cc as well?) with the 136" track on it yesterday. The bike did feel a bit longer on the trail but, I was amazed how it hooked up and just kept climbing. I was taking lines that were much more aggressive than I was able to take with the ST and just when I though I would have to turn out, that track would hook up and I would continue climbing. It may have been that the snow was more setup this ride but, I think I just experienced what others are talking about when they say they prefer the LT to the ST.

Right now, I have no intention of pulling off the 136" and putting on the 121". The 136" just worked too well for me to even think about doing that. However, the 121" is 1 7/8" and the 136" is a 2". That may have made some difference as well.

 

[chumbilly1]

Glad to hear the track is unchanged. I am sticking with the older kit and getting a 137 2.3" for sure now. Unless something better comes around by Oct.

 

[thejean]

Glad to hear the track is unchanged. I am sticking with the older kit and getting a 137 2.3" for sure now. Unless something better comes around by Oct.

What year(s) did they use a 2.3" paddle on the LT?

 

[kevinhoglund]

What year(s) did they use a 2.3" paddle on the LT?

They don't. The LT has always been a 2" paddle.

 

[Frostbite]

I just measured the paddles on my 136" track and including the surprisingly thin belt of the track, I am measuring 2 1/8". I'm not sure if it being installed backward is helping, hurting or not making a difference at all.

 

[thejean]

On this topic, I finally crunched some numbers. ST is 19% more area than an SX. LT is 35% more area than an SX and 13% more than an ST. All assuming 40% of track in contact with snow.

Then to work that into psi differences...
300 xcw 225 lbs
450 SXF 242 lbs

This brings the psi differential to 10% in favour of the ST if one assumes an SX-300 combo compared to a 450-ST combo. If one assumes a 300-ST compared to a 450-LT combo, the psi difference is still 5% in favour of the LT.

So while bike weight helps, it will not completely make up for track area. However, add to that rider weight and it becomes easy to see why some people find SX's work well while others don't. Same for ST's and why some feel an LT is necessary.

 

[chumbilly1]

The 2.3" option is aftermarket. Never offered from TS. I personally feel that the LT has better suspension action than the ST.

 

[thejean]

The 2.3" option is aftermarket. Never offered from TS. I personally feel that the LT has better suspension action than the ST.

Really eh? How come?

 

[chumbilly1]

Lt seems to move through the stroke more and feel more compliant. STs that I have ridden feel like a mtn tamer, in that they don't move very freely. Very rigid feel to it .

 

[Throndson]

I noticed this also with the LT vs ST. Just sitting in the shop when you compress the LT it feels smoother. The ST feels like there is some stiction almost. I assumed it was the shock valving differences between the 13 and 14 kits. I didn't notice anything on the trail though. Just in the shop. Maybe its the extra leverage of the LT.