Question about switchback suspension
- Thread starter edsled75
- Start date
I believe that is correct.
I (demo)rode a '11 800 Assault 144 for a few hours and I didn't notice any problems on tight trails with the extra length, just really good traction!
Thanks! That is my concern, i like to ride the trails hard but they get beat. I/we spend alot of $$ on these machines and think it would be nice to get off trail when the trails get rough. I dont want a machine that is gonna be a awkward to ride in the trails. I just want to get some opinions and see what others think. Thanks Again!
Also....what about the lug size on the track?? Is a 1.25" enough for powder? Or is 1.5" a good option for all around? will scratchers be needed then?
Also....what about the lug size on the track?? Is a 1.25" enough for powder? Or is 1.5" a good option for all around? will scratchers be needed then?
indy_500
Well-known member
I haven't heard anybody say the tipped rails truly help with cornering. Polaris has had them for quite a few years and never really mentioned them like they were some great design, then in 09 yamaha decided to make them and it was like the newest bestest design in the world "fx nytro xtx, corners like a 121 bridges bumps like a 136 and rides in the pow like a 144"
As of right now how much off-trailing do you do?
As of right now how much off-trailing do you do?
anonomoose
New member
As far as the tipped rails go, clearly they help in snow that is packed down, where the longer track sleds will push the hardest. So since it doesn't hurt to have the tipped rails at all in the powder, why not keep them?? Polaris moves away from the switchback original design with 144 and tipped rails to 136 coupled suspension, and no tipped rails....and about the same time yamaha goes longer form 136 to 144 and tips the rails.
Bunch of monkey see, monkey do processing...aka, reverse engineering by the design teams.
Tipped rails help the sled turn on trails...in powder it doesnt hurt or matter. Longer tracks are much better in the powder than short tracks. But I believe the single biggest difference in moving thru powder is the lug size.
Having had everything from 3/4 inch lugs to 2 inch lugs, I would tell you that the longer lug is by far the best in powder but really doesn't seem to hurt much on trail work unless the trail is very packed.
Going with longer lugs as they are found on the powder sleds nowadays, means that the makers realize that longer lugs help in powder too.
I would NOT buy a sled that does NOT have at least the 2 inch lugs, UNLESS you run thru lots of rocks and stumps where a hard spin on one of those things can knock lugs off the track.
For this reason, I believe that a 2 inch lug track is about optimum in all but icey conditions. It works well on trail, and far better off trail. If I was going thru boundless powder like they get out west, I would buy the longest track sled I can find and get the longest lug track they make. I would also improve the heavy front end of any powder sled by putting the widest skis I can find on it. Doing so means you float over rather than plow thru the snow....making steering easier.
So go long my son.....in lug height and track length and you won't look back. If you are going to lake race, perhaps this would not be as wise, but for everything else....that is what I would recommend to anyone.
Bunch of monkey see, monkey do processing...aka, reverse engineering by the design teams.
Tipped rails help the sled turn on trails...in powder it doesnt hurt or matter. Longer tracks are much better in the powder than short tracks. But I believe the single biggest difference in moving thru powder is the lug size.
Having had everything from 3/4 inch lugs to 2 inch lugs, I would tell you that the longer lug is by far the best in powder but really doesn't seem to hurt much on trail work unless the trail is very packed.
Going with longer lugs as they are found on the powder sleds nowadays, means that the makers realize that longer lugs help in powder too.
I would NOT buy a sled that does NOT have at least the 2 inch lugs, UNLESS you run thru lots of rocks and stumps where a hard spin on one of those things can knock lugs off the track.
For this reason, I believe that a 2 inch lug track is about optimum in all but icey conditions. It works well on trail, and far better off trail. If I was going thru boundless powder like they get out west, I would buy the longest track sled I can find and get the longest lug track they make. I would also improve the heavy front end of any powder sled by putting the widest skis I can find on it. Doing so means you float over rather than plow thru the snow....making steering easier.
So go long my son.....in lug height and track length and you won't look back. If you are going to lake race, perhaps this would not be as wise, but for everything else....that is what I would recommend to anyone.
indy_500
Well-known member
The switchback assault is a 144, seems like they're going back to 144 w/tipped rails? idk, they confuse me sometimes.
polarisrider1
New member
I truly miss my 144 switchy. Had a 15x144x2. Challenger track, worked just fine on or off trail.
Thanx again to all the info! As of right now i have not done much off trail, due to the machine limits. I want to get off trail alot more, I am mid 30's and tired of hammering bumps and want to ride off trail more. I was leaning towards the 144" switcback with the tipped rails. It should have the same footprint as a 136" with the added length. And possibly a 1.5" inch lug be cause I still love to hit the trail...when smooth!! Thanx again!!
One of those switchbacks had a coupled skid like a trail sled and the other was uncoupled skid like a mountain sled. Can't remember which is which. There are differing opinions out there as to whether this is a big deal or not. I think the crossfire switched between coupled and uncoupled also. Just something else to consider...
Switchy600
New member
I have an 06 600 Switchback and the only problem that I notice is that it is pysically hard to turn the bars. Polaris changed the design of the spindales to fix this and I have heard that it helped alot. Other then that the sled handles as a regular 121" handles on the trail but with more traction on take offs.