Wanted-Real world reports on studded single ply tracks

[catguy]

Just like the title says, I'm looking for real world reports from people who've studded theirs and have put at least a season on the sled.

I have a Crossfire 141" that I plan to ride mostly on trail and I've been looking forward to having a studded machine again- I lead most of the time so I really appreciate being able to slow down/stop really fast to get out of the way of the people coming around the corners way too fast and out of control.

I already have the correct big head studs, template and tunnel protectors sitting in the garage ready to be put in, just getting cold feet about getting started with the project, somewhat because the tunnel protectors look like a real pain to install, and partly because I've heard very little about how these new single plys hold up to studs, and alot about how well the cobra performs as it is. (I bought the sled late last season and only put about 300 miles on it.) The track is a 1.25" cobra. I've had 3 studded machines in the past, only had one loose a stud and the backer must have broken because the hole wasn't torn, just a missing stud--put a new one in and kept on going.

I'm curious too if the loose track tension spec (2-2 1/4") can be followed or if it needs to be ran tighter when running studs--I'm wondering if single ply tracks balloon a lot more at higher speeds than conventional tracks.

Thanks for your input--

 

[mjkaliszak]

I have some real world experience, I don't care for the single ply but for reasons other than you have inquired about. I had 1 in my 09 800R shorty, now has 54-5600. The problem had started to show up at 1200 miles. I replaced the track @ 4000 last year sometime ( 2nd season ) with the new 2.86 2 ply that camo came out with. I did not have any stud problems, what failed on mine was the reinforcement rod ends poked thru the thin wall molded condition at the edge of the track , they eventually tore and broke and I had to limp back 60 miles to base camp cutting away the track as I drove so it wouldn't keep hitting. BRP claims it's due to my aluminum wheels that reduced the dampering effect ( well OK ) ( rats o frats o %&$#@ ) My findings differ , since I have a POO racer with a ripsaw & alum wheels & studs our 2 ply finally went on that at 6500 -7000 and we ripped the lugs off that and the ply's started to come apart. So .... I disagree with BRP. YES the single ply's balloon , yes I run my stuff loose as a goose ( lots of sag ) as much as I can get away with ... without it racheting, but I have only heard of problems with balooning on the 1000 cc cats. You might want to take that into consideration since you have a 141 and I assume an 800 ? AND run a little tighter , you seem to have all the bases covered with the questions you asked, I my self would still stud it run it a little tighter than the 2-2 1/2 . And keep an eye on it since it will stretch and loosen in the beginning for a while. Like I said I dislike the single ply's for other reasons, we ( my product testers aka kids ) are unusually hard on stuff around here , last year I replaced 2 tracks and 1 this year left over work from last season.

 

[favoritos]

We have 3 of those tracks and two are studded. We used Stud Boys on both the studded tracks with tall aluminum nylock nuts and no lock tite.
One studded track has 2,500 miles and it still looks good. The only issue is a few bent studs. That is not surprising because that guy spins on everything. I'm surprised that the track looks that good.

The other studded track has about 5,800 miles and it is done. He had a few studs break around 4,600 miles and started to lose lugs at about 5,000 miles. The track was starting to see tear outs on the studs around the same time the lugs started to let loose. The track and studs held up pretty good to the 4,600 mile mark.

The track without studs looks pretty good with 5,000 miles. The only issue is the very tips on the lugs show some wear. Seems to be a little more wear than the studded tracks.
Most of the miles were done in the U.P. with pretty good snow.

The 2 tracks with studs were 128"s and the unstudded was a 141". There is a distinct handling difference without studs even though it is the longer track. It is noticed most in icy corners where the back wants to slide out and on the friggin rubber mat in front of the gas pump at a certain location.

 

[snow_monkey]

I would not be worried. I just insalled 84 5/16 1.075's Phantoms. I was originally going to go with double backers but chose the singles instead because of weight. I used a torque wrench a few times just to check my work. I used an air ratchet just to get them snug then torqed them the rest of the way by hand. Make sure you get'em tight enough. The ranges were from 14 lbs to 21. I favor around 18lbs which seems to be nice and snug but not too tight. The tunnel protectors were easy just had to drill out 6 rivets and flip the bumper up. Stud the machine while you have the bumper flipped up and install the tunnel protectors last to give you more room for stud installation. Drill all your holes first, used the correct track drill and use a high speed tool so the track melts when you drill each hole. I stuck a piece of wood thru the track and laid them on the bogies so that I did not cause dammage to any wheels. I am very careful with my tracks and have had no problems. I was able to stick a piece of wood through the tunnel and suspend the sled in the air, this made the install easy. Total time 5 hrs and four beers!!!

 

[snow_monkey]

These are the phantoms!!

 

[whitedust]

08 XP MXZX 800 121 1 ply Track about 5,000 miles & my bud had pull thrus last year & missing lugs vs my 07 Yamaha Attak 2ply 136 Track 6,000+ miles the studs & track look like new. If I had my choice on doo or any sled it would be a 2 ply ice ripper. I'll take the extra weight of any 2 ply track everytime & no worries. I'm wondering if the sled weight thing may have peaked & riders looking at more weight for increased quality & less headaches? New sleds $10-$15K you have to keep longer & put more miles on them for better ROI. I'll take the weight everytime if the quality is there.

 

[snow_monkey]

x'2 on the ice ripper!! I figured I would be conservative and only put the suggested 84 studs in this time. I am very easy on my tracks and considered not studding this track. I had a close call with a deer last year so I studded her for safety reasons. I spend 70 percent of my riding off trail.