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ST or LT ??

Im in the prosess of selling my m8 and buying a timbersled and was wondering what kit i should buy? I got a 2012 kxf450 and will be turboing it next year but will be riding non turbo this year.
 
Im in the prosess of selling my m8 and buying a timbersled and was wondering what kit i should buy? I got a 2012 kxf450 and will be turboing it next year but will be riding non turbo this year.

I think a rule of thumb on turbos is LT. There is not enough track on a ST to put the power to the snow with out spinning like crazy. I am a LT fan with or without turbo. An LT can take you further up the mountain and tree ride as well as any ST. I only have reservation of big air jumping a LT.
 
I just made the switch from ST to LT and here are my first impressions after 2 days riding the LT. The LT take more power to turn but not an excessive amount, I think a strong 450 would handle it, your KX should fit the bill. The LT pushes more on the trail than the ST does. The LT sucks on those tight single track twisty sled trails up through the trees. The LT rocks in the deep, it climbs up on top of the snow much quicker than the ST and seems to make better use of the power down low, get on the throttle and the front comes right up. In the deep the LT handles just as well as the ST if not better.

Those are just my initial impressions after 2 days but I think it comes down to where and how you ride. If you are in the deep all the time LT, more trails etc maybe give the ST a hard look. The ST is more than capable in the deep as well, the LT is just a bit better.


M5
 
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I have no first-hand experience with ST vs LT, and with all the power of the turbo I'd think an LT would work well. But one thing to keep in mind is that it's fairly straightforward to upgrade an ST. From what I've read, you just need a track and rail extensions. I've always had this in the back of my mind for a possible future upgrade, but I'm pretty happy with the ST.
 
Take a closer look at Allen's Turbo KX450F... you'll see there is no LT in sight on his titanium Mountain Horse. He has his own opinions on why he likes the ST over the LT with the turbo so maybe he might weigh in on his opinion.

I think what really defines the need for the LT is two things: rider weight and snow conditions. Bigger dudes are going to benefit from the extra flotation the LT provides. Also if your riding is usually quick after the storm or you live in areas that are prone to big dumps (NW Montana, N Idaho, Southern BC, Coastal BC, etc) the LT will be the kit for you. My LT is still on order but I have rode several and seen how they perform over the ST side by side... LT all the way for this guy.
 
I've owned both, and in my mind the big difference for me as a rider is the LT gives me less of the nose dive feeling, and allows me to restart on steeper slopes without too much worry about trenching. I've owned both, and wouldn't choose a ST now. I was surprised that I felt the LT was easier on the motor than the ST was, basically the ST got track speed higher more often, and didn't hook up quite as well as the LT. I've never seen a ST go somewhere a LT can't, but I have seem it the other way around enough to know that the LT is better.
 
I've owned both, and in my mind the big difference for me as a rider is the LT gives me less of the nose dive feeling, and allows me to restart on steeper slopes without too much worry about trenching. I've owned both, and wouldn't choose a ST now. I was surprised that I felt the LT was easier on the motor than the ST was, basically the ST got track speed higher more often, and didn't hook up quite as well as the LT. I've never seen a ST go somewhere a LT can't, but I have seem it the other way around enough to know that the LT is better.


I agree the LT is actually easier on the motor because you don't have to hammer the crap out of it to maintain momentum...I've had both and for most of our riding in NW Montana the LT rules once off trail.
 
LT

I also have owned an ST and an LT. They are pretty comparable. The older ST's had a shorter paddle length. I really like my LT, even for jumping. There might be a bit more wear and tear from hard landings, but I don't see it being a huge difference. The 10" ski and the LT are awesome in the Deep snow. Add a turbo and you are really set!
 
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