Track Length?

BigBoreBastard · Mar 18, 2019

Hello everyone,

A friend and myself have plans to buy used sleds next Spring or Fall for the following season and we have had discussions on track length.

The plan is to ride Valemount, BC at least once if not more, and possibly some terrain here around Edmonton and surrounding area.

I have the opinion that track length isn't anywhere near as crucial for the trails and fields her in Alberta as it is for mountain riding around Valemount.

I'm looking for your opinions and experiences on track length that's versatile for different riding locations.

For whatever it's worth, we both are new to the sled world. I've never had a sled and only ridden a couple but many years ago. My friend is about experienced as I am but has ridden a few about 10 years ago. Neither of us are young kids either. Both in our 40's.

Thanks in advance for information.

Complexd · Mar 18, 2019

I personally love the 155. It has way more of a "fun factor" than a 163.

With only planning one doing 1 trip out West I'd definitely lean towards the shorter lengths. If you happened to hit snow in Vale, yes the 163s are "easier" and nicer to ride, but for the 2-3 days you'd spend out there a 155 is more than enough imo.

maxwell · Mar 18, 2019

i would be looking at a 154 with a 2.5" track. 3" track is too much for alberta and it wont last. and at least with the 154 length you wont be hating your snowmobile when you do get out to the mountains

Rene G · Mar 18, 2019

If you’re actually going to ride around home I agree that a 150 length would be best. However, I find I never do ride around home. With you both being new to the sport, a 160 length machine would give you more time to think and react when in the mountains.

Just my thoughts.

Bnorth · Mar 18, 2019

maxwell said:
i would be looking at a 154 with a 2.5" track. 3" track is too much for alberta and it wont last. and at least with the 154 length you wont be hating your snowmobile when you do get out to the mountains

This. After one mountain trip you'll likely be hooked and do more of them. 153-155 2.5" sled is a great crossover between the mountains and field riding.

vodoo103 · Mar 18, 2019

maxwell said:
i would be looking at a 154 with a 2.5" track. 3" track is too much for alberta and it wont last. and at least with the 154 length you wont be hating your snowmobile when you do get out to the mountains

Excellent advice.

RXN · Mar 18, 2019

Mountain rode for years on a 141" had a lot of fun. But I was limited to where I could go.
In 2016 i upped to a 153". This is a great length if you only go once or twice a year and still want it for fields and lakes.
This year I went to a 162" which allows me to get into more spots. But once a few tracks are in. The 154's that are with us have no issues making it up and in.

Rene G · Mar 18, 2019

RXN said:
Mountain rode for years on a 141" had a lot of fun. But I was limited to where I could go.
In 2016 i upped to a 153". This is a great length if you only go once or twice a year and still want it for fields and lakes.
This year I went to a 162" which allows me to get into more spots. But once a few tracks are in. The 154's that are with us have no issues making it up and in.

Rider skill makes a HUGE difference here too. I can get places with my 155 that some friends on 163’s can’t. Having said that, it also depends on who you’ll be riding with. If you stick to your plans of riding mostly prairies the 155 is a great length. If you get hooked on the mountains and don’t ride prairies you’ll both with you had the 163’s. Of course, you guys will have a blast either way!

sledneck__11 · Mar 18, 2019

Rode a 146 2.5 in the hills and home for years went everywhere the guys i road with did not always one the first try but i made it and its kinda sketchy in the trees need alota speed, i went to a 154 and its not near as fun around home but is much better in the hills so take the good with the bad. Ended up with a 154x3 for tbe hills 120 shorty for home

D.C · Mar 18, 2019

If you have limited experience snowmobiling I would try renting first. Mountain riding aint for everyone just saying

rightsideup · Mar 18, 2019

D.C said:
If you have limited experience snowmobiling I would try renting first. Mountain riding aint for everyone just saying

rent a 55 and 63 and swap with each other when you do. Any track length at or below 155 x 2.5 is fine for Alberta.

Panzerdog · Mar 18, 2019

brian h · Mar 18, 2019

for 1 trip a year to mountains i would not go for a 163 for example i would be leaning towards a 154 with a 2.25 or 2.5 track lug. are you looking at new or used sleds.

Skidoomiles · Mar 18, 2019

The longer the track the better for inexperienced mountain riders. It allows you more time to think and is far more forgiving. Track length on the prairies is not the issue, the lug height is the problem. Anything over 2.5/2.6 lug height will not last in low snow conditions. I rode 163 x 2.5 tracks on the flat land lots until 2018 no heating issues and no track issues. In 2018 I got a 3" track and it has fallen apart in a season and a half with only a few days on the flat land.

From personal experience I would stay away from the 3" lug height if you ride seldom in the mountains.

OOC ZigZag · Mar 18, 2019

U

Skidoomiles said:
The longer the track the better for inexperienced mountain riders. It allows you more time to think and is far more forgiving. Track length on the prairies is not the issue, the lug height is the problem. Anything over 2.5/2.6 lug height will not last in low snow conditions. I rode 163 x 2.5 tracks on the flat land lots until 2018 no heating issues and no track issues. In 2018 I got a 3" track and it has fallen apart in a season and a half with only a few days on the flat land.

From personal experience I would stay away from the 3" lug height if you ride seldom in the mountains.

Needed double scratches on the G4 I hear. Helped keep the heat down.

0neoldfart · Mar 19, 2019

BigBoreBastard said:
Hello everyone,

A friend and myself have plans to buy used sleds next Spring or Fall for the following season and we have had discussions on track length.

The plan is to ride Valemount, BC at least once if not more, and possibly some terrain here around Edmonton and surrounding area.

I have the opinion that track length isn't anywhere near as crucial for the trails and fields her in Alberta as it is for mountain riding around Valemount.

I'm looking for your opinions and experiences on track length that's versatile for different riding locations.

For whatever it's worth, we both are new to the sled world. I've never had a sled and only ridden a couple but many years ago. My friend is about experienced as I am but has ridden a few about 10 years ago. Neither of us are young kids either. Both in our 40's.

Thanks in advance for information.

For a machine that will be mostly used in Alberta, you’ll want 150 ish track, with 2-2.5” lugs. Thinks Polaris SKS, Renegade, High country, these will be your best choices. They have more cooler surface area, a slightly wider front end for stability. New mountain sleds have become specialized for the deep, with narrow front ends, minimal coolers, and lighter chassis (weaker). Not to mention that clutching will be way off for local elevations. Think of it this way: You can drive a long box crew cab in downtown Toronto, but it is t as easy as driving a small car or SUV, same applies to a Ferrari 348, you’re not going to have much fun driving it down a lease road. Another poster recommended renting a sled for out west, that is simply great advice. Maybe try a mountain ride prior to purchasing any sled, at least you’ll have an idea if it’s your “thing”.

snochuk · Mar 19, 2019

I agree with the rent first comment.
As for length I would suggest the 140 to 154 being the max with a max lug of 2.5.
Full on mountain sleds are specialized for sure and have to low gearing for economical flat land fun.
No top end speed and always revved to high.
These lengths are easier to manouver and for a couple trips a year will get you pretty much anywhere.
Those of us that back in the day could only get a 140-150 track went to all the places that are being accessed on the new big iron.
Set yourself up to where most of your riding will be done.

Lots of good points all valid in this thread. Good luck and there are no bad choices if you are out sledding and learnING.
Some of us started on 121x1 1/4 and survived, even learned how to make due with less.

Chronic Cat · Mar 19, 2019

I think most bases have been covered here, but one thing I haven't read about is rider strength and weight and 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. I had a 151" M8 a couple years ago when I a bigger dude than I am now. I was 330-345 lbs, that sleigh was great for around home in the flat, but first trip to the hills I hated my life. With my heavy azz, and shorter track length with the 2.4 I was constantly stuck all day long. It actually takes the fun out of riding when you're stuck as often as I was. I vowed to never bring it to the hills again.

Fast forward a about 1.5 years. Now I am 140lbs lighter. Down to just over 200lbs. I bet that same sleigh would be a heck of a lot more fun to ride in the same stretch of hills. More manageable as power to weight on my end is substantially better also. I'd gladly rip it up on a 2stroke these days if I owned one, but I came home furious from that trip and flogged the 2smoke and bought another 162" 4stroke this time with factory boost. This sleigh is super fun to ride for me, and I rarely get stuck due to track and lug length and the extra power. I also learned early on in my mountain sledding career when to turn out of chitty situations and cut my losses while I am still ahead of the game. But I don't kid myself or others. The first dozen rides out on the boosted 4stroke I didn't ride the sled, it rode the Chit outta me lmao! They are a different breed or Caliber of sled. Not for everyone. They are heavier to toss around typically, and definitely more of a chore to dig out once buried. Even still, I don't usually ride during the week as the sleigh does a great job of trying to rip my arms out of my shoulder sockets each weekend. Takes a few days to feel normal again, just in time to hop back on the old boy.

Just my $.02. Hope some of the info helps.

Track Length?

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