Is modding worth it anymore?

deaner · Sep 20, 2017

With the sleds that manufacturers are putting out these days, a guy would have had to put 40-50k out to get something even close to it 10-15 years ago. For some reason though there is still this urge to spend ridiculous amounts of money on aftermarket parts to lose a couple lbs or maybe pick up a few hp. Financially, modding is a bad decision. You dont recoup a dime on most of the stuff. If a guy can just ride a stock sled, you can buy a new one every couple years, and it really isnt that expensive. Plus then you always have warranty and the latest technology.

Having said that though, there is just something about buying aftermarket parts that is SO satisfying! Why?

I bought Ferniesnows 17 850 165x3 this summer. Have a GGB can on order. Been debating a lightweight battery and diamond S hood as well. All three would take off well over 30lbs. Then a clutch kit and few other odds and ends. How much weight does it take for a guy to really notice it? Sled all fueled up, covered in snow and ice, and me on it with gear probably weighs 850lbs. Does a guy notice if that is 820?

ThrottleOps · Sep 20, 2017

I haven't met very many people who can out ride a stock sled yet

Summitric · Sep 20, 2017

throttleops said:
i haven't met very many people who can out ride a stock sled yet

the most true statement ever!!!

Always need the exhaust can, but other than that(and storage bags etc), ride it

Diamondledinc · Sep 20, 2017

Depends what you ride forsure. my 800 2.5 XM, i hit the limits of it. I should have went with a bigger track etc, before a turbo. But a turbo sure is fun. With that being said, its a completely different beast over say a brand new g4 or axys. I definitely could not out ride them.

deaner · Sep 20, 2017

Diamondledinc said:
Depends what you ride forsure. my 800 2.5 XM, i hit the limits of it. I should have went with a bigger track etc, before a turbo. But a turbo sure is fun. With that being said, its a completely different beast over say a brand new g4 or axys. I definitely could not out ride them.

One thing I can say is when it comes to adding power, I think anything other than a turbo is just a waste of money. For the cost of a big bore, you add maybe 15-20hp. By the time you get that to the track its not that noticeable. Throw a turbo on and she is a completely different story.

SLEDBUNNYRACING · Sep 20, 2017

After years of Mod Sled, constant tuning and upgrading parts I finally threw in the towel and have pretty much stock Doo's these days.
Always need a Can and add useful items like expanded storage etc. but basically stock, can get into where I want and if I can't I probably shouldn't go there anyway...lol.

Bnorth · Sep 20, 2017

It's so tempting to just want to tweak this or add to that or change such and such but it becomes a lot less tempting when a guy can put it in context that if you just leave it stock you could use the same money to upgrade to a newer machine every two years. Ie. buy a year or two old used machine and ride for two seasons touch nothing then flip it and add $2k and have a year old machine again.

That said I've got most of the aftermarket parts I want for an XM so could just ride them indefinitely only upgrading to lower km units lol.

deaner · Sep 20, 2017

Bnorth said:
It's so tempting to just want to tweak this or add to that or change such and such but it becomes a lot less tempting when a guy can put it in context that if you just leave it stock you could use the same money to upgrade to a newer machine every two years. Ie. buy a year or two old used machine and ride for two seasons touch nothing then flip it and add $2k and have a year old machine again.

That said I've got most of the aftermarket parts I want for an XM so could just ride them indefinitely only upgrading to lower km units lol.

Thats the thing hey? Logically we both know that money spent on mods is wasted (and doesnt make a big enough difference for the dollars spent). But there is just something so strangely fun and satisfying about it.

Caper11 · Sep 20, 2017

Imo small mods can set a sled apart from a stocker, most riders do not spend the time making their stock sled more efficient and chose to buy parts, that can actually hurt the sleds performance over a stocker.

Something to ponder, A simple mod like a aftermarket can, will make the sled go backwards in performance.
I just read twice that a can is needed, is it really??? So the sled looses 10 lbs, is that loss really worth the gain in underhood temps and a potential loss in HP? Not to mention unbalancing the ski pressure.
Ive always said clutching doesnt lie, so how does the rider know the negative effects of a lightweight can if the sled was never ridden with the stocker.

oler1234 · Sep 20, 2017

is 30lbs less going to put you higher on the hill, possible. Is the sled going to recovery better when really digging, yes. are you going to notice that when lifting it when stuck, absolutely.

are mods worth the cost, selectively yes. a fine tuned stocker works really well, a box stock dealer setup leaves a lot on the table IMO.

LID · Sep 20, 2017

Caper11 said:
Something to ponder, A simple mod like a aftermarket can, will make the sled go backwards in performance.
I just read twice that a can is needed, is it really??? .

Absolutely necessary. A trade off but I have no problem losing a few hp so that I can cook a hot lunch in my Thing cooker can.

I don't care so much about the weight savings with a can, though I do miss how quiet the stock exhaust is

bayman · Sep 20, 2017

oler1234 said:
is 30lbs less going to put you higher on the hill, possible. Is the sled going to recovery better when really digging, yes. are you going to notice that when lifting it when stuck, absolutely.

are mods worth the cost, selectively yes. a fine tuned stocker works really well, a box stock dealer setup leaves a lot on the table IMO.

I would put your 14 or my 15, both mildly modded up against any stock sled out there. There would not be many to run with em in my opinion, rider dependent of course in my case haha

bayman · Sep 20, 2017

bayman said:
I would put your 14 or my 15, both mildly modded up against any stock sled out there. There would not be many to run with em in my opinion, rider dependent of course in my case haha

With the exceptions of stock turbos before somebody jumps all over that

JungleJim · Sep 20, 2017

Love the title of this thread! It's been an ongoing question for years... I remember looking at a beautifully done up mountain sled in the early '90's with chromoly trailing arms, titanium bolts, chromed triple exhaust, bored out, etc. and the owner who was sporting a good 35 lb beer belly was asking "if he should rifle drill his drive shaft" to save a fraction of a pound? It all comes down to what your priorities are and what you can afford in my opinion. There is nothing like the rush of a done up turbo sled to put a perma-grin on your face except for the sinking feeling of getting about 10 to 20 cents on the dollar when you go to sell it in 4 or 5 years... been there done, that - twice and have the Apex and Nytro t-shirts to prove it! Now its stock with a can, trade it off after two years and enjoy the wonders of new technology! Hats off to the mod guys and shops that push the envelopes though as they truly progress the sport. Without them I might still be stuck on a 11 hp Snowcruiser... ha, ha!

LUCKY 7 · Sep 20, 2017

i just bought a new axys and was looking at the exhaust thing and it is over 2 feet high and 16 inches across. it must weigh tons so I will be looking at putting a can on to it.

KatMan · Sep 20, 2017

with sleds these days, only thing I'd consider is a smaller lighter can and properly placed exhaust gauges. the gauges may save a meltdown if something is staring to go south, and it will give you an idea of hard you can continue to push your sled at any given time.

Panzerdog · Sep 20, 2017

I took my 14 cat in last year to local performance shop I won't say witch one as they are a site sponsor. Anyway I spent 2400 to have a full pipe witch I provided. A boondocker fuel controller clutching for more track speed and to have my chian case serviced with new chian and gears. When I got my sled back the first ride the bung for the o2 sensor they welded on the pipe feel out later in the ride my pipe sensor feel out of the pipe to. The tune on the boondocker bogs on the trial terrible unless you ride it wide open all the time. The clutch bolts that hold the weights were put in backwards causing the weights to move and wreck the rollers on the spider and the weights . And the chian case leaks.
I will not modify my new sleds more than a can and visual stuff

deaner · Sep 20, 2017

oler1234 said:
is 30lbs less going to put you higher on the hill, possible. Is the sled going to recovery better when really digging, yes. are you going to notice that when lifting it when stuck, absolutely.

are mods worth the cost, selectively yes. a fine tuned stocker works really well, a box stock dealer setup leaves a lot on the table IMO.

Perfect! You talked me into it!!

Caper11 · Sep 20, 2017

JungleJim said:
Love the title of this thread! It's been an ongoing question for years... I remember looking at a beautifully done up mountain sled in the early '90's with chromoly trailing arms, titanium bolts, chromed triple exhaust, bored out, etc. and the owner who was sporting a good 35 lb beer belly was asking "if he should rifle drill his drive shaft" to save a fraction of a pound? It all comes down to what your priorities are and what you can afford in my opinion. There is nothing like the rush of a done up turbo sled to put a perma-grin on your face except for the sinking feeling of getting about 10 to 20 cents on the dollar when you go to sell it in 4 or 5 years... been there done, that - twice and have the Apex and Nytro t-shirts to prove it! Now its stock with a can, trade it off after two years and enjoy the wonders of new technology! Hats off to the mod guys and shops that push the envelopes though as they truly progress the sport. Without them I might still be stuck on a 11 hp Snowcruiser... ha, ha!

Lol

something like this??

0neoldfart · Sep 20, 2017

I keep my sleds on average for 5 model years, and I never leave anything stock. Personal preference, not because I have superb riding skills - I'm no Burandt, I'm not young, and I have to keep myself in one piece to support my wife's shopping habits. Do I need to do this? No, but I mod my sleds because I enjoy doing so, and I'd rather set up my money pit the way I like it as opposed to a generic setup for a 175 lb rider - been like that since I started riding in the mountains many many years ago on a fan cooled sled with a 121" or shorter track. At my age suspension is at the top of my list, clutching, maybe a little less weight, and a little more power. Setting up a sled with a set of intercomp scales is ideal, as you can even out ski pressure through suspension adjustments. We are incredibly spoiled these days, as a stock sled will go places the mods sleds couldn't go 10 years ago. There is something to be said for the simplicity of stock, but there is great satisfaction in improving / customizing a sled to suit the individual.

Is modding worth it anymore?

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