track length what is the best?

[Goinboardin]

I ride a 159" x 2", coming off a 136" 1.75". Granted they're different chassis (wedge to edge), but I can handle the 159" well enough to have alot of fun. The bigger sled has twice the power (at least) and weighs maybe 50 pounds more, on top of that I've gotten into alot better shape since last season. Geared deep and loving it. I'm on the tall side, 6'4" but not on the heavy side 165-170. I haven't ridden the new sled in seriously deep snow yet, but am certainly looking forward to it. Comparing edge 144" to the 159", I enjoy the big one alot more...

 

[sledneck434]

ive always like the 155 not to big not to short.

 

[winter brew]

I don't see 174 on the list.

 

[xpspenziv]

its just not fair.

 

[xring60]

Need to add 174"! The difference in maneuverablity between a 159/162 to a 174 is non existant! The difference in performance is though! Comparing dollars to dollars you cannot get more power to the snow than buying a bigger track. With my 174x3 I may not win the drag race from the pick up but I will be on top while everybody is working their a** off to get into the good riding.

 

[FrozenMOTO]

I like a 136 or 141 as I only weight 145lbs and that is the most fun for me. I like a challange and to have a light jumpable(I mean real jumping) sled. I also dont think pointing a sled up hill and hitting the gas in any fun so I like to have to work at it to get to at least some places. For the few rear deep days I can wait a week or two and have just as much fun after it sets up. Of course if I had the cash I would have to sleds. A 144 and a 163 for the different days.

 

[Jaynelson]

For the few real deep days I can wait a week or two and have just as much fun after it sets up..

 

[tinkone]

a 162 is a beautiful track size for sure. However a 174 is amazing. We do ride steep and deep out here. i do have a 155 and a 166 also, so i get to see the different track size. the bigger the platform the more floatation. The smaller track size has a bit more manueverability but is limited when we go to highground.A little more track makes a big difference. a little more hp makes a huge diff.

 

[austinbrose]

I finally went to a 153" from my 136" and it was the best thing I ever did. I can actually turn the 153" better because I don't have to worry about getting stuck or having the rear end slide out from under me. I haven't ridden anything longer, but can only guess they're better if you've got the power to turn them. 144" is great if your sled is light and set up really well, but that's usually not the case.

 

[PowderCrew]

Grew up on 136"s... but I noticed as my skill set progressed, as much fun as my sleds were... sometimes I just couldnt go where I WANTED TO GO. (UP!) I went to a '01 summit 800 w/ 151" to a '03 cat 900 w/ 151". At the same time I progressed to "carving" a sled instead of "turning" it. To hanging a leg out on a sidehill instead of both feet on the uphill runningboard. I have a 159" on my 900 this season and LOVE IT! I can turn that sled as easily as my old 136"s because I can lay it over and it has the power to carve. I still jump it just the same... but now... I can play in the chutes too!!! And I can DEFINENTLY tell a difference from the 151"s...

 

[boondockinboy]

136 here much easier to jump

 

[skadoo24]

in the mountains where i ride its all about flotation. Mass is distributed over surface area so more surface area = more flotation. So really it should be about the width of the track. 174x15= 2610 sq.in. a foot less track at 162x16= 2592 sq.in. very close to the same flotation with less linear mass for rotation. so new poll for everyone to think about (a). 15 wide or (b). 16 wide. think about it. Boom.

 

[powderhound716]

I don't think that a 16" width offers much more than the 15", when you consider that you're adding that much more weight in rotating mass. It would be interesting to see some honest numbers on horsepower it takes to turn different track sizes.

 

[CSV]

The most fun riding I have had was on with a 144. I couldn't wasn't the best highmarker but it was a blast to ride. Longer tracks are nice though

 

[smokindave]

I just got back from a five day ride on my Apex with a 174" 16" wide and can honestly say it worked good,I didn't get stuck much and it went wherever I pointed it,mind you boost sure turns that track and fast...LOL

 

[Dogmeat]

There is no "best track length".

There is a "best track length for certain sleds, snow conditions, and riding abilities".

 

[JustinB]

Thanks for all the input in what you guys are saying. I started going to dealerships and asking what size sold the best and it seems here in utah its the 150's that are selling allot of dealers had allot of 162 left from previous years.

 

[Dogmeat]

Thanks for all the input in what you guys are saying. I started going to dealerships and asking what size sold the best and it seems here in utah its the 150's that are selling allot of dealers had allot of 162 left from previous years.

The most popular track is the 153/4/5" track to be sure.

Is that the "best" track? Probably not for 4' of powder days. Probably not for spring snow concrete riding either.

Most days seems to work pretty well for general mountain riding however ... slightly less flotation but slightly more manueverable ...

Its all a trade off.

 

[harrysmith500]

I'd go with 189". There is 2 etecs running them in the XP section.

 

[WyoBoy1000]

For me 162 fits better, I am 6'6" and 215lbs and on the 153 when I lay into it it slides out from under neath me, some say you can get more technical with a short track. Well thats BS, you have to be more technical on a short track to get the same places but if you use the same level of skill and technique on a long track you can do some cool stuff. My T-HCR is getting a 162, I don't need a short track and I can throw the 162 around like some guys throw around 150's.