Went out for a ride last weekend and got a taste of the MH. I have seen several used MHs on craigslist. I know that there are differences between each year that the MH is released. I'm wondering for someone looking to start out, is it better to look at a older MH kit or just go new? Do the new improvements justify spending additional money for a new kit?
Used Kit or New MH Kit?
- Thread starter skidoomt
- Start date
R
Rush44
Well-known member
All kits can be upgraded. The main thing you want to replace when you buy a used kit are the bearings. Its hard to tell they are bad until they go out and then you have a slow limp back to the truck. Don't fear the used kits, just double check all the welds with a shop light and replace the bearings with greaseable ones TS sells. Its a great way to save some coin to get into the sport.
No one year over year upgrade places one kit above another. A 2011 ST kit will hang with a 2014 ST. I would say the biggest upgrade TS made was the track and ski change in 2013. The traction difference is noticeable with the track, but the ski upgrade was major. You absolutely want the new 10 inch ski... no doubt. Again, it is a part you can upgrade. Most of the other changes have been focused around comfort and trail manners.
Good luck!
No one year over year upgrade places one kit above another. A 2011 ST kit will hang with a 2014 ST. I would say the biggest upgrade TS made was the track and ski change in 2013. The traction difference is noticeable with the track, but the ski upgrade was major. You absolutely want the new 10 inch ski... no doubt. Again, it is a part you can upgrade. Most of the other changes have been focused around comfort and trail manners.
Good luck!
Thanks Rush44.
Will take a closer look at those older kits.
I heard alot of guys talking about the ski upgrade being a major improvement. But I did not know about the other things. What changed with the track in 2013?
Will take a closer look at those older kits.
I heard alot of guys talking about the ski upgrade being a major improvement. But I did not know about the other things. What changed with the track in 2013?
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Rush44
Well-known member
In 2011/2012 TS was cutting down Camoplast 15 inch wide 2.52 pitch tracks. In 2013 they got their own Camoplast custom molded track that is built to the correct width, no cutting down. When you cut down the track the fiberglass rods inside the track extend all the way out to the edge of the cut, but with the custom molded tracks they don't and you have more flex on the outer edge. The new tracks are also 2.86 pitch which spaces the paddles a bit further apart improving traction. The new tracks also have a stiffer lug.
There are plenty of people here who still long track their ST's with cut down tracks. It's not really a problem and it's a good way to save some coin with an upgrade.
There are plenty of people here who still long track their ST's with cut down tracks. It's not really a problem and it's a good way to save some coin with an upgrade.
Thanks for the info. Will keep that in mind when looking at used kits.
A couple things to keep in mind... if it's a dual skag 10" ski, it sounds like it's a Simmons Gen II and not the new Timbersled ski, which has one large keel in the middle and two shorter outer skags. The Gen II was pretty good in deep snow, but not very good on hardpack or going down the road. The T/S Backcountry Ski is the one you want.
Also, like Rush44 said, the track and drivers on the 2011 will be 2.52 pitch, but a 2013 track is 2.86. So you would need new drivers on the 2011 kit to run the 2013 track. Maybe you're already planning for this, but I just thought I'd mention it.
Sounds like you're good to go on the ski... it's funny how the center skag is called a "dual skag", but it's not a "dual skag" like in the Gen II or the snowmobiling world.
Curious, what time of the year did you purchase this kit?
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