How Is Lube Snow After The Weekend Thaw?

[old abe]

What you and your buddies need are a set a scratchers.
Or have enough sense to dip into some fresh snow every couple miles to cool sled and hyfax.
Not complicated at all.

Yep, once you get scratchers, you'll never go without them again, as in, "just in case"! Such as getting caught in the middle of a trip, as happen to us. Yeah, well, to each his own.

 

[nhra1000]

Please let’s not discuss scratchers I’m totally convinced they work that was not the question I was asking. I’m looking for current lube conditions for hyfax and cooling snow for heat exchangers in Vilas and the UP. 2 buds tried to ride from Saint to Lando sure trails were flat, hardpaked , icy and super dry. Both overheated and had to stop limped home and are parked until fresh snow falls. They turned back no fun factor without lube. I’m hopeful groomers can help or new snow falls so still hoping for condition reports for a lube change. Current conditions are exactly as Attackman has indicated burning hyfax and overheating is common for liquid cooled sleds.

Rode Boulder/mani waters/Winchester/presque isle last night.......im done til we get some powder....Trails hard and flat but not a flake of snow anywhere to keep things cooled...anything even close to the side of the trail has been used up.

 

[rp7x]

Put a bolt in each ski , works like a charm

 

[venturenorth]

I think you guys are making a deal out of nothing like usual.. texted my buddy who lives in st Germain and he has ridden the past 3 nights. Said the trails are flat and fast and has had zero cooling issues and wouldn’t understand why anyone would unless you had a long track

well i live here too and yes its cold flat and fast......and dry.....and I don't have scratchers........yet..........all we need is some lube snow.....ttt

 

[snobuilder]

We can avoid snirt not worried about that. Vilas Boots on ground couldn’t get lube for cooling yesterday trail sides are very hard too below zero at night so trails set up but thaw made everything rock hard. ER formal trail report downgraded to fair due to hard ice lack of lube which jives with what local buds that are parked see. Scratchers are a no go we need lube. Again I can’t make buds buy scratchers not in cards.

ok so you are riding someone elses sled then?...if you need lube on hard frozen trails, then you need scratchers.....that or a comfy chair to sit in while you wait for ideal conditions.

 

[garageguy]

Relax broflakes, just rode from Lakewood to Eagle River all good no scratchers needed engine temps fine. Carbides fine sliders fine no plastic smell nothing.

 

[snobuilder]

Relax broflakes, just rode from Lakewood to Eagle River all good no scratchers needed engine temps fine. Carbides fine sliders fine no plastic smell nothing.

Sounds about right. Things had to loosen up since Monday, even with light midweek traffic and temps where they are.

 

[Attak man]

I love all these experts...lol...I live in the northwoods, and ride these trails, and I can tell you, working at a ski doo dealer...we sold more scratchers this week than we had all winter....We have had more sleds in for "overheating " issues as well.

The snow really hasn't loosened up all that much up here (there still is very little lube...we need more snow)...it's been cold...so some of the wet areas, that had opened up, and slush on the lakes has refrozen (be careful it's rough out there)

BTW...just a little tip or two...if you are going to ride, in low lube snow conditions...check your rear suspension settings...if you don't have your sit in sag set correctly , your snow flap isnt working properly, (the snow flap is part of your cooling system..people look at me like I'm stupid when I tell them that)...for example ski doo recommends two to three inches of sit in sag....if you are set too stiff, your snow flap isn't doing it's job...also check to see if it's ripped or broken (found many of the over heating sleds had broke snow flaps)....you'll be amazed how much cooler your sled runs, just by replacing a bad snow flap, and setting your suspension correctly.

Hope that helps a few of you going riding.

 

[whitedust]

I love all these experts...lol...I live in the northwoods, and ride these trails, and I can tell you, working at a ski doo dealer...we sold more scratchers this week than we had all winter....We have had more sleds in for "overheating " issues as well.

The snow really hasn't loosened up all that much up here (there still is very little lube...we need more snow)...it's been cold...so some of the wet areas, that had opened up, and slush on the lakes has refrozen (be careful it's rough out there)

BTW...just a little tip or two...if you are going to ride, in low lube snow conditions...check your rear suspension settings...if you don't have your sit in sag set correctly , your snow flap isnt working properly, (the snow flap is part of your cooling system..people look at me like I'm stupid when I tell them that)...for example ski doo recommends two to three inches of sit in sag....if you are set too stiff, your snow flap isn't doing it's job...also check to see if it's ripped or broken (found many of the over heating sleds had broke snow flaps)....you'll be amazed how much cooler your sled runs, just by replacing a bad snow flap, and setting your suspension correctly.

Hope that helps a few of you going riding.

I agree with you generally purpose built accessories can help but don’t expect miracles no lube is no lube lol. You still can’t break up ice in corners or hard glare ice on road trails. Sure scratchers can help in some conditions but not a cure all. When you read Vilas Clubs listing no lube and overheating trail problems on Snowtracks you have to take pause it’s a problem. Me I don’t want to ride any area all day with scratchers down just another consumable tip replacement problem that needs to be fixed on the trail. To me just wait for lube snow it will happen to make the most of big mile days.

 

[1fujifilm]

I love all these experts...lol...I live in the northwoods, and ride these trails, and I can tell you, working at a ski doo dealer...we sold more scratchers this week than we had all winter....We have had more sleds in for "overheating " issues as well.

The snow really hasn't loosened up all that much up here (there still is very little lube...we need more snow)...it's been cold...so some of the wet areas, that had opened up, and slush on the lakes has refrozen (be careful it's rough out there)

BTW...just a little tip or two...if you are going to ride, in low lube snow conditions...check your rear suspension settings...if you don't have your sit in sag set correctly , your snow flap isnt working properly, (the snow flap is part of your cooling system..people look at me like I'm stupid when I tell them that)...for example ski doo recommends two to three inches of sit in sag....if you are set too stiff, your snow flap isn't doing it's job...also check to see if it's ripped or broken (found many of the over heating sleds had broke snow flaps)....you'll be amazed how much cooler your sled runs, just by replacing a bad snow flap, and setting your suspension correctly.

Hope that helps a few of you going riding.

Good advice.
Been reading up on the 2020 Yamaha sleds in-case rebates are increased again and I neglected to consider they use no tunnel cooling and have a radiator up-front; voila no overheating.
Scratchers are for itching the butt so no additional comment here.

Bear

 

[xcr440]

I agree with you generally purpose built accessories can help but don’t expect miracles no lube is no lube lol. You still can’t break up ice in corners or hard glare ice on road trails. Sure scratchers can help in some conditions but not a cure all. When you read Vilas Clubs listing no lube and overheating trail problems on Snowtracks you have to take pause it’s a problem. Me I don’t want to ride any area all day with scratchers down just another consumable tip replacement problem that needs to be fixed on the trail. To me just wait for lube snow it will happen to make the most of big mile days.

Nah - now you are just making excuses not to get them. That’s fine, wait for fresh snow, I’m riding in hard pack ‘no lube’ conditions north of Winter and the sled is cooling just fine - with scratchers down.

 

[old abe]

Nah - now you are just making excuses not to get them. That’s fine, wait for fresh snow, I’m riding in hard pack ‘no lube’ conditions north of Winter and the sled is cooling just fine - with scratchers down.

We got up one morning in Pine Stump, drizzle/mist all night. Stuck with no way out for 40 plus miles, no scratchers. Sucked! We both got scratchers before the next trip. Several years ago, in Ontario, Canada, woke up in morning to glare ice, froze rock hard 1/4, to 1/2 inch thick. Scratchers down for first sixty some miles. No heating problems, no plastic melt, no hyfax wear, no problems what so ever. Lost no trip time. Good scratchers do WORK! To each his own, eh?

 

[whitedust]

Nah - now you are just making excuses not to get them. That’s fine, wait for fresh snow, I’m riding in hard pack ‘no lube’ conditions north of Winter and the sled is cooling just fine - with scratchers down.

Always said I’m convinced scratchers work but repeatedly requested conditions. I don’t reject information but always more factors involved to personal decisions than you will ever know. Facts are facts carbide tips wear on scratchers and if worn enough you better have spare tips in your pocket or a useless accessory. So I take it Winter is in a low lube condition and need scratchers to ride that area now?

 

[old abe]

The Doo carbide replaceable tips are very, very durable, last a very long use time. As do the Trail Blizzers.

 

[garageguy]

Road trails in Vilas are getting pretty bad. Have to keep speeds down to keep plastic from burning. Snow kind of sugary on trails. Groomed trails not holding up to well. Put 130 mi. On. Some areas great ,near towns not so much.

 

[xcr440]

Always said I’m convinced scratchers work but repeatedly requested conditions. I don’t reject information but always more factors involved to personal decisions than you will ever know. Facts are facts carbide tips wear on scratchers and if worn enough you better have spare tips in your pocket or a useless accessory. So I take it Winter is in a low lube condition and need scratchers to ride that area now?

I’ve read plenty of your informative posts over the years to understand what kind of trails you prefer - it’s all good.

Trails were concrete before the masses showed up but have ground things up nicely througout the day. Scratchers just allow you to be out there when it looks like this and not have a worry.

 

[snobuilder]

Never had them up til last year. I guess having the actual temp reading like on the 2 st Poo gets you thinking about it....and my previous sled were mostly Yam 4 strokes which only had a high temp warning light and were more forgiving than my current 2 smokers.
The 2018 800 runs at a low 105 temp in good cond. or with the scratchers down which is said to be where these 800's like it.
The 2015 has the '18 head upgrade but runs a bit hotter in marginal cond.....the snowflap is not stock which is probably the diff.

 

[POLARISDAN]

Never had them up til last year. I guess having the actual temp reading like on the 2 st Poo gets you thinking about it....and my previous sled were mostly Yam 4 strokes which only had a high temp warning light and were more forgiving than my current 2 smokers.
The 2018 800 runs at a low 105 temp in good cond. or with the scratchers down which is said to be where these 800's like it.
The 2015 has the '18 head upgrade but runs a bit hotter in marginal cond.....the snowflap is not stock which is probably the diff.

huh..what? 105..its not pot for u its crack

 

[POLARISDAN]

and i think all of this is just nuts..never ran em never will..find some snow cool down..or just shut or slow down..

my studs throw all i need..i have never replaced anything other than normal wear and tear..and normally 3k plus a year in all conditions

 

[whitedust]

and i think all of this is just nuts..never ran em never will..find some snow cool down..or just shut or slow down..

my studs throw all i need..i have never replaced anything other than normal wear and tear..and normally 3k plus a year in all conditions

You’re a long ways from Vilas a whole different bag of tricks than UP Les snowbelts.