I currently ride a F800 with a 129 track. I ride mainly trails but really enjoy unplowed logging roads and some off trail riding. I am looking into upgrading sleds this off season and would like to get a 137 track. So, I am looking for a crossover sled with good trail capabilities and be sufficient off trail. My idea is purchase a 137 with a standard 1.25 track and purchase a deeper lug track to use on my one trip that we go mainly off trail. One sled, two tracks. Good idea/bad idea? Looking for insightful input on this.
New Sled Advice for crossover sled
- Thread starter durphee
- Start date
G
G
Guest
Don't see a problem. If you are OK with going through the labor to switch tracks go for it. There are guys around here that do the opposite. They buy a mountain sled with 2 inch paddles and drive it around here for 2000 miles and then go to the mountains for 2 days. They can't figure out how come the lugs fall off when they are going 85 on a trail for most of the sled's life. Your idea is much better.
momoney2123
New member
I would just go with a cobra 1.6, ripsaw 2 1.5 or challenger 1.75. All these tracks are perfectly fine for the trail.
I run a cobra 2 ply 1.325 and it does OK offtrail. Not great by any means but haven't been stuck breaking trail.
I would go with Cobra 1.6. I would think it should satisfy all your needs. I don't know if the 1.35 cobra is available any more??? They work good in off trail conditions. I would not suggest flipping back and forth with 2 tracks.
T
Tracker
Guest
do what I did...I came off a 13.5 x 1.375 x 129 F7....almost all off trail...some drag racing....trail running at 90MPH whenever possible...WOT all the time outta every turn or straight....lakes....rivers not frozen....heres the winner
XF 8000 CROSSTREK ES 137 X 15 X 1.6 COBRA
600 will be fine though....I am border line of going down CCs...heavy when stuck off trail BUT...I have not gotten stuck yet in 600 miles off trail so theres that
PS..i run NO PICKS....went across lake independence last wed and there was water and slush and sheet ice and frozen ruts here and there....did fine but kept it around 40MPH...if you go fast on ice all the time...then maybe....way down on the maybe
XF 8000 CROSSTREK ES 137 X 15 X 1.6 COBRA
600 will be fine though....I am border line of going down CCs...heavy when stuck off trail BUT...I have not gotten stuck yet in 600 miles off trail so theres that
PS..i run NO PICKS....went across lake independence last wed and there was water and slush and sheet ice and frozen ruts here and there....did fine but kept it around 40MPH...if you go fast on ice all the time...then maybe....way down on the maybe
I'd go with a 1.6" Cobra track. It's good trail track with the scoop shape lugs, and works great off trail for some off trail. You can always run ice scratchers if you get on low snow or real hard pack trails. I have run 2" Challenger track for many years on the trails with scratchers down and never had a over heating or slide wear problem.
cooksend
Active member
Here is a concept for you. Most crossover riders are not dead set on the "Gotta beat my buddy" mentality. The new bread of rider forward sleds in the 144" ranger have proven to be capable on and off trail. The new Polaris Switchback SP would be a great option! The longer footprint of the 144 will help more in the deep snow than a 1.75 X 137 and will also do a great job at bridging bumps when trail riding. It has a slight tip up at the back of the suspension rail to help the sled corner like shorter sleds. Certainly a comfortable sled with great ergonomics and the most user friendly on those off trail moments!
You might want to look in to getting the 17 xf 8000 cross country limited, comes with 137 and 1.75 lug perfect for trails and the occasional off trail. I personally have a 153 M, but have heard good things about this sled. This way you don't have to switch tracks.
snobuilder
Well-known member
Learn to ride what you have underneath you and it will save you lotsa $$.
mezz
Well-known member
Put on a track with a dual duro rating. I have run a 2" Challanger which has held up much better than any 1.6 or, 1.75 out there. Granted, my miles were more off than on trail, the two previously mention lug depths here ridden the same way & the dual duro 2" wins out. Once known as Camoplast, now known as Camso. Take the time & do some research, you won't regret it. BTW, I never ran scratchers. -Mezz
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I just bought a 2017 Cross Country Limited 8000 a month ago and now have 350 miles on it. I swapped the 1.75 for the 1.6 Cobra Ice Track. This sled performed great off trail and handled the same on trail as my 2010 F8 (128). If you do some research you will get more opinions stating the 1.6 Cobra Ice track is the best overall track on and off trail for a cross over. I couldn't be happier with my decision
Such a nice and friendly guy you are. Just refrain from posting. If you don't have anything nice to say don't say anything at all.
I agree with snowb- and maybe you should refrain from posting-
the dif between a 137 and a 144 is about 2" of track on the snow because only about 30% of your track is in contact with the snow, a little more in deep snow but really, if your not a pro racer you can't honestly tell the dif-
1.5 lug vs 1.7 lug? give me a break, again if your not a pro cross country racer where 2 seconds on a 5 mile lap really does matter you would not be able to guess which track was under you
nice guys all over the board these days!
Thanks for the input. I have a lot of research to do. After 7,200 miles on my sled I am pretty sure I have learned how to ride it, just want to upgrade! I posted the question because I haven't ridden anything above a 137 (minus a hot lap or 2 on a RMK) sled and have heard that it pushes in the corners and such. There has to be a diminishing return value on riding trails on each track length you go up, I just want to find that balance for me. I am not a pro cross racer (obviously or else why would I be asking a open forum, thought that would be apparent). Since Ill be spending a lot of money on my next sled I want all opinions and scenarios even before i demo a sled and I do appreciate people posting. The different gearing comment by snochief is something I haven't really thought about. I am leaning towards just a one sled with a larger lug scenario instead of 2 separate tracks. Keep the ideas coming.
momoney2123
New member
Gearing down is optional a tooth but not a must unless your going to a 2 inch or more track. 1.75 i would consider a tooth or 2 but if primarily trail riding wont he an issue. Ride them all and make the call. I cannot reccomend the G4 enough this sled is the real deal. Give it a chance preferebly back to back with another 800.
T
Tracker
Guest
DURPHEE mine is a 137 and I ride with guys with a 144 and some longer most 141s....and off trail its way harder for them to turn around at the end in a tiny area in a stand of trees at the end of a fire road...lotta times they have to push over trees or power out thru brush piles or reverse....so theres that....and the longer is harder to hit 100 mph....and the lugs....the only difference I noticed and I rode em....is the longer the lug when trail running at high speeds....aboot 70/80....it feels squirrely a tad or loosey goosey a skootch....theres that....go online and look at the lug configuration of the tracks...like someone else said too...the cupped lug cobra 1.6 is way better design and has towers or rubber towers built in that you could screw in the Ice screw thing a ma gigs...but I personally would run unstudded first and you'll see why I say that...then stud after 500 miles if ya still don't like it...but off trail....the studs hinder you...and in trees...that's why mountain machines are not studded either and their all off trail...physics
PS...the 2 track Idea...due to the DRIVE TRAIN RATIO CHANGE it will be necessary to have 2 clutch setups and weights and or 2 whole cluthes to pop on and off and possibly suspension changes....o and maybe the spring and or moving it a hole....lotsa jack azzin around IMO....that track will do both service and flat out rock if you dial in the RPMs at WOT as per your engine dyno results
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1flatlander2
Member
Rail extensions. See if you like it before spending 8k. I bought a new switchback 136 and hated it.
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