anyone tried it? wonder how it works in the powder and if its to heavy for a stock 450 bike.
timbersled 136 inch track??
- Thread starter f7andsx450
- Start date
Installed one last week on a friends KTM 530
Going to ride it again today in some powder.
Have one short trail ride on it so far. The feel I got was that it wanted to go straight and was more stable than the 121. The owner felt no difference over the 121.
We are riding powder today with a couple of 121s and the 136 x 2.31 lug on KTM 530s.
Would think it will do alright climbing but might be a handfull in tight trees?? We will see about power loss.
Going to ride it again today in some powder.
Have one short trail ride on it so far. The feel I got was that it wanted to go straight and was more stable than the 121. The owner felt no difference over the 121.
We are riding powder today with a couple of 121s and the 136 x 2.31 lug on KTM 530s.
Would think it will do alright climbing but might be a handfull in tight trees?? We will see about power loss.
Overall the 136 works very good
First off, the good.
I will say again, the 136 is better on trail than the 121. It is more stable but harder to change direction (pushes).
Off trail in the powder (6" to 14") the 136 would keep climbing where my 121 would not. I found it intresting in the snow conditions we were in, I felt little to no power loss. It would pull the same gear as my 121. This should change in heavy snow.
On the flat, in untracked deeper snow the floatation is better and it wants to climb on top of the snow better than the 121.
Overall I wish one of my kits had a 136 as it is clearly was better in the deep or steep.
Now the bad.
Like a long track snowmobile, once the 136 was stuck (or tipped over) it was more difficult to dig out or upright. So the self rescue aspect is diminished somewhat.
In off camber terrain the bike was deflected (like a longer track snowmobile) more than the 121. This was clear when crossing taller drifts. My 121 would work the drifts better than the 136. This could be due to the deflection issue or the slower handling (pushing) or a combination of both.
On a steep sidehill the 136 seemed to be a little more difficult to hold the line, again like a longer tracked snowmobile. This could be the snow conditions we were in or back to the deflection issues.
Creek crossings the longer length wanted to spear the ski more than the 121, if you squared them off. This was not as issue if you cut a better line.
Some of the quick handling fun of the 121 was gone. This might become more apparent in the tight trees.
We will see as the season progresses, the positives and negatives ot the 136 over the 121. Overall this is a improvment to the already great product coming from TimberSled. The $1500 upgrade (for the 121 kit) is spendy but at $800 exchange when buying a new kit not as bad.
First off, the good.
I will say again, the 136 is better on trail than the 121. It is more stable but harder to change direction (pushes).
Off trail in the powder (6" to 14") the 136 would keep climbing where my 121 would not. I found it intresting in the snow conditions we were in, I felt little to no power loss. It would pull the same gear as my 121. This should change in heavy snow.
On the flat, in untracked deeper snow the floatation is better and it wants to climb on top of the snow better than the 121.
Overall I wish one of my kits had a 136 as it is clearly was better in the deep or steep.
Now the bad.
Like a long track snowmobile, once the 136 was stuck (or tipped over) it was more difficult to dig out or upright. So the self rescue aspect is diminished somewhat.
In off camber terrain the bike was deflected (like a longer track snowmobile) more than the 121. This was clear when crossing taller drifts. My 121 would work the drifts better than the 136. This could be due to the deflection issue or the slower handling (pushing) or a combination of both.
On a steep sidehill the 136 seemed to be a little more difficult to hold the line, again like a longer tracked snowmobile. This could be the snow conditions we were in or back to the deflection issues.
Creek crossings the longer length wanted to spear the ski more than the 121, if you squared them off. This was not as issue if you cut a better line.
Some of the quick handling fun of the 121 was gone. This might become more apparent in the tight trees.
We will see as the season progresses, the positives and negatives ot the 136 over the 121. Overall this is a improvment to the already great product coming from TimberSled. The $1500 upgrade (for the 121 kit) is spendy but at $800 exchange when buying a new kit not as bad.
I have been out riding on my 137 kit (yes it is a 137 track, not 136) and these are my thoughts about it. I have it mounted on a KTM 530 with a 610 big bore kit.
Strong Points:
1. Handles sweet down the trail; I have no complaints about this.
2. Feels lighter on the ski, uphill, downhill, flat ground does not matter. This is because there is more track supporting the entire bike in the snow.
3. Climbs mountains like no other and handles steep terrain with super good stability.
4. Was able to side hill up a mountain in deep snow at a consistent 25% steeper angle than the 121 kit
5. Dose not get stuck (it will dig a hole and flip over backwards before it gets stuck).
6. Gets on top of the snow and hydro planes in 2nd gear going uphill (you would need 3rd gear on the 121 kit if you have the power to pull it).
7. Good in the trees and is super forgiving in all situations.
8. With the deep snow conditions I ended up burning less fuel than all the other guys. Last year with the 121 on the same bike it normally used more gas than any of the others.
9. Looks Cooler than any toy should ever look.
Down Points:
1. Not for sure but I think a big bike is needed to utilize the size of the track.
2. Pushes the front end straight ahead if you are in deep snow and trying to quickly cut in and make a tight turn, but does not do this if you are on firmer snow.
3. Need to take out all the coupling shims in the back suspension to allow it to articulate more for going down through creeks and gets it to ski lift more when jumping over stuff.
4. Feels longer when making steep downhill turns (does not make the turn as fast as the 121 kit, but this is sometimes good because it feels more stable).
5. Definitely looses some of its playful ability.
My over all opinion is that I would not trade it for any other snow machine in the world. “It is bad to the bone”. I do not like playing around in one area. I like to cover ground on the steepest, hardest, nasty mountain hill side that I can find…. That’s my style and this 137 kit is the machine for me. I do not want to sound like I am boasting about my own product but I am just as big of a consumer as any of our customers and this my honest opinion about the 137” Mtn. Horse kit.
Allen
Strong Points:
1. Handles sweet down the trail; I have no complaints about this.
2. Feels lighter on the ski, uphill, downhill, flat ground does not matter. This is because there is more track supporting the entire bike in the snow.
3. Climbs mountains like no other and handles steep terrain with super good stability.
4. Was able to side hill up a mountain in deep snow at a consistent 25% steeper angle than the 121 kit
5. Dose not get stuck (it will dig a hole and flip over backwards before it gets stuck).
6. Gets on top of the snow and hydro planes in 2nd gear going uphill (you would need 3rd gear on the 121 kit if you have the power to pull it).
7. Good in the trees and is super forgiving in all situations.
8. With the deep snow conditions I ended up burning less fuel than all the other guys. Last year with the 121 on the same bike it normally used more gas than any of the others.
9. Looks Cooler than any toy should ever look.
Down Points:
1. Not for sure but I think a big bike is needed to utilize the size of the track.
2. Pushes the front end straight ahead if you are in deep snow and trying to quickly cut in and make a tight turn, but does not do this if you are on firmer snow.
3. Need to take out all the coupling shims in the back suspension to allow it to articulate more for going down through creeks and gets it to ski lift more when jumping over stuff.
4. Feels longer when making steep downhill turns (does not make the turn as fast as the 121 kit, but this is sometimes good because it feels more stable).
5. Definitely looses some of its playful ability.
My over all opinion is that I would not trade it for any other snow machine in the world. “It is bad to the bone”. I do not like playing around in one area. I like to cover ground on the steepest, hardest, nasty mountain hill side that I can find…. That’s my style and this 137 kit is the machine for me. I do not want to sound like I am boasting about my own product but I am just as big of a consumer as any of our customers and this my honest opinion about the 137” Mtn. Horse kit.
Allen
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thanks for the info guys, think im have to extend my 121 mh. so do you have any picks or videos off these beasts?
R
Rush44
Well-known member
Allen, any idea when you guys are going to throw these on your KX450 fleet and see how they run on the stockers? That would be some great info.
Thanks!
Heading out riding today with 2 137's and 2 121s
In the tight tight trees where sleds fear to tread.
Looking forward to seeing the 137s in the tight stuff.
Bikes are 1-Berg 570 w/137, 1-KTM 530 w/137, 1-KTM 500 & Ktm 530 w 121's.
So far I am very impressed with the long track. Today the snow should be firmer due to the warm weather and with the tight trees should be a good test.
Might be looking for a long track. Damn $1500...ouch for me.
In the tight tight trees where sleds fear to tread.
Looking forward to seeing the 137s in the tight stuff.
Bikes are 1-Berg 570 w/137, 1-KTM 530 w/137, 1-KTM 500 & Ktm 530 w 121's.
So far I am very impressed with the long track. Today the snow should be firmer due to the warm weather and with the tight trees should be a good test.
Might be looking for a long track. Damn $1500...ouch for me.
Not for sure but I think a big bike is needed to utilize the size of the track
My favorite "quote of the day" today
My favorite "quote of the day" today
137 kit picture
This is a picture of a 137" track kit directly behind and lined up with a 121" kit. It shows the difference between the 2 pretty well.
Here is the kit by itself:
This is a picture of a 137" track kit directly behind and lined up with a 121" kit. It shows the difference between the 2 pretty well.
Here is the kit by itself:
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different pitch
The 137" x 2.313" lug track has a 2.86" pitch and uses extravert drivers. So yes, it requires different drivers than the 121" track.
The 137" x 2.313" lug track has a 2.86" pitch and uses extravert drivers. So yes, it requires different drivers than the 121" track.
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Todays ride with the 137's
Every day is different. Different snow, changing conditions. Some days are in your favor, some are not. Last ride, the long tracks rocked....but....
Today was a tough day for the long tracks.
We unloaded in 8" heavy powder (above freezing) and up to 12" heavy powder the 121s rocked. I could run a gear higher (510cc) than the 137-570cc and pulled away easly.
Once we got to the crusty (freezing) snow...at first only 1/2 inch of crust and the long tracks were better. They could pass the 121s because of better floatation. Then the crust was 2" on top of deep powder and the 121s were back in the running as we all could get on top and rail.....everyone equal.
Next we were in the tight tight trees, the 121's worked great and the long tracks were playing tree pin-ball!! The 121's were breaking trail with the long tracks yelling "this sucks!!", over and over after bouncing off (or into) another tree.
I will say after pulling the long tracks away from the tree and setting them upright, they ALWAYS pulled out of the hole. So far I have not seen where they will get stuck (if upright), gas them and they climb on top and move forward. Impressive.
Total ride was only 31 miles with the 121s still on the orignal tank and the long tracks burning through there first tank full and refilling with the spare gas they carried.
Next ride??? Who knows? If it is climbing and deep powder it will again be a long track day...as long as we stay out of the tight stuff.
I was looking for a long track upgrade, before today, and still think there is a place in my garage for a 137, but after today... I see you might need both.
Every day is different. Different snow, changing conditions. Some days are in your favor, some are not. Last ride, the long tracks rocked....but....
Today was a tough day for the long tracks.
We unloaded in 8" heavy powder (above freezing) and up to 12" heavy powder the 121s rocked. I could run a gear higher (510cc) than the 137-570cc and pulled away easly.
Once we got to the crusty (freezing) snow...at first only 1/2 inch of crust and the long tracks were better. They could pass the 121s because of better floatation. Then the crust was 2" on top of deep powder and the 121s were back in the running as we all could get on top and rail.....everyone equal.
Next we were in the tight tight trees, the 121's worked great and the long tracks were playing tree pin-ball!! The 121's were breaking trail with the long tracks yelling "this sucks!!", over and over after bouncing off (or into) another tree.
I will say after pulling the long tracks away from the tree and setting them upright, they ALWAYS pulled out of the hole. So far I have not seen where they will get stuck (if upright), gas them and they climb on top and move forward. Impressive.
Total ride was only 31 miles with the 121s still on the orignal tank and the long tracks burning through there first tank full and refilling with the spare gas they carried.
Next ride??? Who knows? If it is climbing and deep powder it will again be a long track day...as long as we stay out of the tight stuff.
I was looking for a long track upgrade, before today, and still think there is a place in my garage for a 137, but after today... I see you might need both.
Definitely some interesting information I think the end result is going to be the same as it is with sleds. Long tracks have their place. Better for some and not so much for others. It will boil down to what you like to do. It’s nice to have options and something to compare to.
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Another ride today with 3 long and 2 short
Great snow and not as tight as the other day. The long tracks showed their stuff.
I was stuck 4 times on the flat with my 121. That is how much snow we have had in the Priest area. We still all went to the same places but the 137 did it easer.
Today I saw the advantage in the up hill powder. Where my 121-510cc was not making the climb the 137 610cc powered right by my stuck bike and broke the trail so I could poach the path to the top.
Now my stucks were not difficult to get out of but I never saw the 610cc long track stuck....not once.
So long track with more power is in my future.
These Mountain Horse kits are the most fun toy I have ever had. What a blast!!
Great snow and not as tight as the other day. The long tracks showed their stuff.
I was stuck 4 times on the flat with my 121. That is how much snow we have had in the Priest area. We still all went to the same places but the 137 did it easer.
Today I saw the advantage in the up hill powder. Where my 121-510cc was not making the climb the 137 610cc powered right by my stuck bike and broke the trail so I could poach the path to the top.
Now my stucks were not difficult to get out of but I never saw the 610cc long track stuck....not once.
So long track with more power is in my future.
These Mountain Horse kits are the most fun toy I have ever had. What a blast!!
One of these 137 kits needs to be installed on a 450 to give some feedback on they are worth installing on a 450 ! I think that is the most common displacement that I have seen .
Agreed
I have a CRF 450x (uncorked with a few mods including headers and pipe). I would like to know how suitable the 137/121 would be. I live in Labrador where the snow is cold dry and light.
I have a CRF 450x (uncorked with a few mods including headers and pipe). I would like to know how suitable the 137/121 would be. I live in Labrador where the snow is cold dry and light.