Hi, I am looking for a new snowmobile that I want to take to the mountains but also stay on many trails. I am looking into 144 but am wondering if 136 would be much easier to handle, just looking for suggestions.
What length track is the best crossover?
- Thread starter sledhelp
- Start date
Here is my take on cross over sleds.... they are not a trail sled and not a mountain sled and they dont do either worth a darn. They can work a little better as a trail sled and it depends on the group your with if its going to be a problem. Taking them to the mountains never works out good unless in spring hardpack or everyone in the group is on a crossover and not a true mountain sled.
the first question is the amount of trail vs powder riding you do. let that answer direct you to the track length.
The other thing that works really well is having 2 different tracks. Something in the 1.25" lug range for on the trail and then a real powder track thats at least 2"
Back when I did ride trails I always had a trail sled and a true mountain sled but have ridden with MANY crossfires, SKS, Renegades, etc and even in OK snow conditions we were always digging them out. Eric
the first question is the amount of trail vs powder riding you do. let that answer direct you to the track length.
The other thing that works really well is having 2 different tracks. Something in the 1.25" lug range for on the trail and then a real powder track thats at least 2"
Back when I did ride trails I always had a trail sled and a true mountain sled but have ridden with MANY crossfires, SKS, Renegades, etc and even in OK snow conditions we were always digging them out. Eric
Well said! Too many folks saying how capable there mountain sleds are on the trail and how they can hang with in the mountains with a Crossover. All depends on SNOW conditions, the group you ride with and what you are looking to get out of on or off trail. Everybody's idea of crazy is different!
S
snowmobiler
Well-known member
i have a old poo 121 1 1/2 thats fun everywhere except on 2 feet of pow
ok, thanks for the advice, my main question now is a 144 trail ride able?
We ride 163's and 174's on the trail all the time. Not like you do, but its not like they don't work. just kinda got to ride them all and decide what you care about more and what your willing to give up performance on more.
I used to live in the flatlands and used the trail from time to time to get to my favorite areas. I'm not sure if your like me where I like to play off the trail in drainages open tall grass and cat tails where a 121 136 is pretty much useless. The 144_146 works but when people say crossover I guess I had a 146 when I came out west the first time ever on a 2 ft plus day and manuvering it was quite the work out. Granted no matter what you ride your going to be stuck at some point too. With that 146 it was the 08 xp with the factory ported track and if you do more than idle down the trail I wouldn't recommend it, the center row of lugs will delaminate off the track at long runs of high speed on hard pack.
If I were to move back there ever I'd run a 146 2 1/4 again just not ported. Thing is I have a backup sled for the mountains cause its more than just a track swap. They are totally different machines.
There is always the option of leaving your trail sled back at home and rent a 2016 the few times you come out here
Past magazine articles have covered this topic several times with the conclusion of the longer the track the better the trailability. Seemed the longer suspension crossed the wash board and stutter bumps better not having to go up and over each one individually. The manufacturers read these too answering with the switchback 144 x 1 1/4, cat had the narrow long tracks, Yamaha had the 144 tipped up rails, all focused on trail ability
If I were to move back there ever I'd run a 146 2 1/4 again just not ported. Thing is I have a backup sled for the mountains cause its more than just a track swap. They are totally different machines.
There is always the option of leaving your trail sled back at home and rent a 2016 the few times you come out here
Past magazine articles have covered this topic several times with the conclusion of the longer the track the better the trailability. Seemed the longer suspension crossed the wash board and stutter bumps better not having to go up and over each one individually. The manufacturers read these too answering with the switchback 144 x 1 1/4, cat had the narrow long tracks, Yamaha had the 144 tipped up rails, all focused on trail ability
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To answer your question, yes a 144 is definately trail rideable. I live in MN and have owned new model trail sleds, crossovers, and mountain sleds over the years and I have found that the biggest factor after snow conditions is rider ability. I had a couple 141x1.5" XF 800s and TO ME they rode better on the trails than a 121. A friend of mine had a '15 Polaris Assault 144 and he said the exact same thing after switching from a '14 Switchback 137. We both ride aggressive. The longer track soaked up stutter bumps but I never felt it was too long where it wouldn't turn. I was also able to keep up and outride buddies who had 153 mountain sleds while out west who had less riding experience. However once the snow got super deep I wished I had a dedicated mountain sled. Just my 2 cents.
Some really great insight in this thread, I guess it boils down to how much are you willing to give up for a sled that will do both but neither well. I my self would think the 140's would be as long as you'd want to go and still be able to try and keep up with guys pinned on the trails. A 140's on a deep day will give you a workout, especially if your buddies are on Mt. sleds and start to "not see you" sticking it
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M
minet
Well-known member
missing x factor
one.. well 2 thing that everyone misses out about when commenting about what length to go with.
your weight, your strength
250 lb rider will need more track than a 150 lb rider
if you are a solid and strong you can do more with less
if you are sloppy and soft you need more track to compensate.. you wont be able to maneuver the sled as nimbly or confidently as a stronger rider of same weight.
assumption of off trail capability , pure trail the argument is less relevant
one.. well 2 thing that everyone misses out about when commenting about what length to go with.
your weight, your strength
250 lb rider will need more track than a 150 lb rider
if you are a solid and strong you can do more with less
if you are sloppy and soft you need more track to compensate.. you wont be able to maneuver the sled as nimbly or confidently as a stronger rider of same weight.
assumption of off trail capability , pure trail the argument is less relevant
The crossover thing reminds me of my old kawasaki klr650...it would run ok on the highway, but I could hardly keep up with the slow Harleys and the seat was awful for a long day. ..it would ride dirt ok, but single trail was a flat workout and it was too heavy for that. ...it would do everything ok. ..but only stand out on dirt and gravel roads..crossovers probably do well on those packed powder tight non-official trails through the trees and just ok at everything else.
The two track comment is spot on. I always opt for the longer sled with a shorter lug track for the midwest (1.25 to 1.5) and have the taller track for out west (2"+). But for me I would rather give up a little bit of trail "manors" for better off trail performance.
I have a Switchback Assault 144 for here in MN and Michigan. It handle the trails pretty well. I have the 2" track on it and also have the 1.375" Cobra Track but I have not used the Cobra yet. The SBA has the tipped up rails, so on hard pack, the rear portion is not really making much contact. I have no problems keeping up with the short tracks in our group. Can they run away in the twistys? Yes. As soon as you cross a swamp, snow covered lake, or deep ditch, the 144 really shines.
If you are a flat lander that likes to get off the trail more than ride on the trail and maybe go to the mountains once in awhile and not get too serious, the 144" is perfect unless you are riding with a bunch of guys on mountain sleds, then you will be disappointed.
136 is a trail sled.
I have taken my 144 SBA to the mountains twice and it did ok. Now have a 163" Pro that I ride out west and will take to the U.P. and use the SBA as back up and for trails/ditch banging.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
If you are a flat lander that likes to get off the trail more than ride on the trail and maybe go to the mountains once in awhile and not get too serious, the 144" is perfect unless you are riding with a bunch of guys on mountain sleds, then you will be disappointed.
136 is a trail sled.
I have taken my 144 SBA to the mountains twice and it did ok. Now have a 163" Pro that I ride out west and will take to the U.P. and use the SBA as back up and for trails/ditch banging.
Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
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