That time again

[1049]

I ran regular studs for over 20 years never had a pull through but I always used doubles and use your head crossing roads and bare ground . In 2019 I switched to IR Im happy with IR track for the kind of riding I do pretty much all my riding is saddled bag trips it’s just a piece of mind not worrying about pull thoughts a 1000 Kms from the truck 

[stoney]

1 hour ago, yamadan700 said:

Apologies to the OP for going off topic.

 

Anyone have any experience with the Ice Ripper on a four stroke crossing roads?

Was on a AC demo ride years ago and a non-studded ZR7000 couldn't get across a road crossing. The carbides dug in and the non-studded track just spun and would not push it across. We had to grab the ski loops and help it across. Curious if the Ice Ripper has enough bite to push a four stroke across a road.

 

Note: I'm not concerned for myself(both sleds studded) but for the new or inexperienced riders who stop close to the road/on the shoulder and have no momentum crossing a road.

Experienced that on my old 2 stroke with no studs but not on current 4 stroke with IR. 
Awareness as you come up to these crossing and stoping where it makes sense to avoid issues is beneficial. 
The grade from the road usually slopes down and people tend to be throttle happy as they prepare to cross the road usually resulting in some nice ice at the roads edge. 
Ski pressure and type of carbides you run will also have an effect on this. 
With no studs, less carbide is needed and generally steering is less heavy. 
Another food for thought. 

[signfan]

My wife complained a touch when i switched her to an ice ripper.  Her sled had traditional studs on it.  Had one pull and take the exchanger with it near Kapuskasing a few years ago.  That was our last traditionally studded track that we will ever own.  After she got used to the ice ripper the roads and snow banks haven't been an issue.  She just had to learn to approach with a touch more speed.

[95rxl650]

13 hours ago, yamadan700 said:

Apologies to the OP for going off topic.

 

 

No worries. Any sled related chatter is good to hear in the off season. lol

When I was a wee lad our parents all made their own runners. Not much of a trail system and alot of road running back then. Steel runners didnt last long. One of their friends made some intended to cut in....and they did. We came to a road crossing in a spot called Benallen where tacks crossed in a in the middle of a tight bend in the road. He got out a few feet and stopped dead. A car came into the bend, spun out and and took the front of the ol' Snojet apart. Parents that were helping had plenty of time to clear out as they knew the road was icy. Thankfully no one was hurt. I recall as the beers started to flow, they all thought it was pretty funny, but I also recall the panic of the moment. 

[Strong Farmer]

9 hours ago, signfan said:

My wife complained a touch when i switched her to an ice ripper.  Her sled had traditional studs on it.  Had one pull and take the exchanger with it near Kapuskasing a few years ago.  That was our last traditionally studded track that we will ever own.  After she got used to the ice ripper the roads and snow banks haven't been an issue.  She just had to learn to approach with a touch more speed.

Thanks that's why I was interested  in it. You think tips are fairly durable for life of track? 

[95rxl650]

If you are unstudded currently, what about the screw in studs I've seen. Anyone know anything about them?

[Spiderman]

45 minutes ago, 95rxl650 said:

If you are unstudded currently, what about the screw in studs I've seen. Anyone know anything about them?

 

Pretty much like seeing a unicorn out in the wild.

Just run studs

 

Not sure why people need to keep trying to re-invent the wheel.

[stoney]

2 hours ago, 95rxl650 said:

If you are unstudded currently, what about the screw in studs I've seen. Anyone know anything about them?

 

From all that I have read, the longevity of them is not all that great - no personal experience myself.

 

1 hour ago, Spiderman said:

 

Pretty much like seeing a unicorn out in the wild.

Just run studs

 

Not sure why people need to keep trying to re-invent the wheel.

 

LOL, so how many "older" sleds ran studs in those 1/2" (or less) tracks back in the day.....

Power has come a long way, as have sleds......but it is all about a choice and personal preference.....that I know you are big supporter of, freedom to have choices in life!

 

I started with studs on my sleds because that is just what I thought was the norm, expected, etc.....was not seeing any unicorns in my travels, but was not really looking for them either, until one year on a new sled I was forced not too run studs, and I liked it so much more with no studs, so that is what I did moving forward until now, and I have the IR track, which I think is a great compromise between the two.

 

[Strong Farmer]

2 hours ago, 95rxl650 said:

If you are unstudded currently, what about the screw in studs I've seen. Anyone know anything about them?

i grips make a good product. Drill them out and use a proper glue so they don't un screw.  Have to put them in a certain pattern as to balance track too. Some lugs like finger tracks make installing them very trickey. They can still fly out and wreck your heat exchangers at speed.  Gluing them helps that but not perfect. 

[signfan]

12 hours ago, Strong Farmer said:

Thanks that's why I was interested  in it. You think tips are fairly durable for life of track? 

26,000 km on my one sled.  Original track.  Tips are still fine.  Arguably due for a track replacement soon, but its more to do with the rubber than the carbide tips.  Others results may vary, but that's my experience.  Ice ripper has been a very reliable, durable product.

[95rxl650]

15 hours ago, Spiderman said:

 

Pretty much like seeing a unicorn out in the wild.

Just run studs

 

Not sure why people need to keep trying to re-invent the wheel.

I think just for the sake of trying something different. I myself can barely stay on one sled for an entire season. lol

I did alittle reading on the igrips Strong Farmer mentioned and some guys reported results similar to those of the ice ripper. 10-12k with no issues. 

[skidooboy]

With the advent of taller and taller lug tracks even for trail riding, installing studs requires going longer and longer. With more leverage, the longer studs pull out easier, and then you start having clearance issues to the tunnel roof, and distance from the track/stud tips, to the front heat exchanger. Same scenario with I-Grips. Personally, I havent rode with studs, since my second snowmobile as an adult. We havent used studs since 2003 or so. I dont miss them at all. Ski 

[stoney]

13 hours ago, signfan said:

26,000 km on my one sled.  Original track.  Tips are still fine.  Arguably due for a track replacement soon, but its more to do with the rubber than the carbide tips.  Others results may vary, but that's my experience.  Ice ripper has been a very reliable, durable product.

Always seem to hear of some who have had delaminating issues with theirs. 
Knock on wood, my track is still in great shape and with extended high speed runs.

[95rxl650]

After spending hours reading, I think and Indy 600 or ZR6000 will be my target sleds. I wont have a 4stroke this season, so there's a chance those choices could end up in the 800 class. 

I'm shopping used and continually see adds for 800 class sleds reading "fresh rebuild" at mileage I used to put on in a season. To me, modern sleds are far better on my ol bones, but do not instil confidence mechanically. If I was buying new I wouldnt care, but the used market is a crap shoot with 2 strokes. The ol' Doo carb'd 597 with 20,000 miles is a safer bet than a 5,000 mile 800. lol

[Strong Farmer]

18 minutes ago, 95rxl650 said:

After spending hours reading, I think and Indy 600 or ZR6000 will be my target sleds. I wont have a 4stroke this season, so there's a chance those choices could end up in the 800 class. 

I'm shopping used and continually see adds for 800 class sleds reading "fresh rebuild" at mileage I used to put on in a season. To me, modern sleds are far better on my ol bones, but do not instil confidence mechanically. If I was buying new I wouldnt care, but the used market is a crap shoot with 2 strokes. The ol' Doo carb'd 597 with 20,000 miles is a safer bet than a 5,000 mile 800. lol

Not all motors fault either. You see way some people ride these things, you wonder how they stay together for first 100 miles. 🤣 

650 seem to be more reliable and those riders aren't as aggressive either 

[95rxl650]

9 minutes ago, Strong Farmer said:

Not all motors fault either. You see way some people ride these things, you wonder how they stay together for first 100 miles. 🤣 

650 seem to be more reliable and those riders aren't as aggressive either 

I want something to abuse. I just dont want it to have been abused previously. In my mind, I'm still a ditch banger at heart. lol

[95rxl650]

A buddy of mine has my old 04 xc sp 700 Liberty. A rocket back in the day and I imagine no slouch today. Had a blast with that thing and my wee brain keeps telling me pull it out of the mothballs. Dang thing has sat for a dozen years. It went a few miles a year just visit friends in the area but hasnt been started in the last four years. Once the old gas wouldnt ignite any more, he never bothered again. It still looks great and never banged up, but damn, thats a complete resto job now. Everything fuel related, clutches, suspension, track was new but may be rotted. Hate to find out at 100+ miles an hour on a back road. Rode that crazy carpet once. That was enough. Seat looks good, but?

I could buy a runner for less than getting it up to snuff. Still warms me heart to think about bringing the ol' gal back to life.

[Spiderman]

17 minutes ago, 95rxl650 said:

A buddy of mine has my old 04 xc sp 700 Liberty. A rocket back in the day and I imagine no slouch today. Had a blast with that thing and my wee brain keeps telling me pull it out of the mothballs. Dang thing has sat for a dozen years. It went a few miles a year just visit friends in the area but hasnt been started in the last four years. Once the old gas wouldnt ignite any more, he never bothered again. It still looks great and never banged up, but damn, thats a complete resto job now. Everything fuel related, clutches, suspension, track was new but may be rotted. Hate to find out at 100+ miles an hour on a back road. Rode that crazy carpet once. That was enough. Seat looks good, but?

I could buy a runner for less than getting it up to snuff. Still warms me heart to think about bringing the ol' gal back to life.

You would have every bit as much fun on that sled as anything new

Plus you get to smell the 2 stroke - which is undeniably one of the best aroma's out there.

 

 

[95rxl650]

18 minutes ago, Spiderman said:

You would have every bit as much fun on that sled as anything new

Plus you get to smell the 2 stroke - which is undeniably one of the best aroma's out there.

 

 

100% agree on both points. I'm just not real fond of the spine shots that are inevitable. I picked up a 2000 formula deluxe 700 a few years ago just for shitz and giggles. I used to recover from the spine shot and keep riding. I had to stop and get off the sled and cry for a minute the last one. lol

[Spiderman]

20 minutes ago, 95rxl650 said:

100% agree on both points. I'm just not real fond of the spine shots that are inevitable. I picked up a 2000 formula deluxe 700 a few years ago just for shitz and giggles. I used to recover from the spine shot and keep riding. I had to stop and get off the sled and cry for a minute the last one. lol

 

I hear ya on the spine crackers.

I still wear a kidney belt when I am riding - not sure if it helps at all other than in mind - but we do what we do - it's a physical activity and is what it is.

[stoney]

I am firm believer in wearing a belt as well when riding and thinks it helps a lot for those unsuspecting hits.

[Spiderman]

7 hours ago, 95rxl650 said:

After spending hours reading, I think and Indy 600 or ZR6000 will be my target sleds. I wont have a 4stroke this season, so there's a chance those choices could end up in the 800 class. 

I'm shopping used and continually see adds for 800 class sleds reading "fresh rebuild" at mileage I used to put on in a season. To me, modern sleds are far better on my ol bones, but do not instil confidence mechanically. If I was buying new I wouldnt care, but the used market is a crap shoot with 2 strokes. The ol' Doo carb'd 597 with 20,000 miles is a safer bet than a 5,000 mile 800. lol

Here is one for you.

 

https://aberfoylepowersports.com/New-Inventory/adid/32743121/2023-Arctic-Cat-NEW-ZR-6000-137-QS3-1.25-ES-SUPER-SALE-%2B-EXTENDED-WARRANTY-Puslinch-ON/

[95rxl650]

Nice sled. I like the 2022 in the orange and black. 

I wouldnt know what to do with a new sled. I enjoy wrenching on them as much as I do the riding. Fall teardown and shakedown time. The 7000 from last year was just motor and tunnel before I ever rode it. I also prefer the 129. I know ride quality increases with longer tracks, but I'd still rock a 121 if it wouldnt beat me to death. lol

The belt I never even thought of. I think I still have my ol' weight lifting belt around here but I dont think there's answer for the spine shots. Like you said...it is what it is. 

[Spiderman]

2 hours ago, 95rxl650 said:

Nice sled. I like the 2022 in the orange and black. 

I wouldnt know what to do with a new sled. I enjoy wrenching on them as much as I do the riding. Fall teardown and shakedown time. The 7000 from last year was just motor and tunnel before I ever rode it. I also prefer the 129. I know ride quality increases with longer tracks, but I'd still rock a 121 if it wouldnt beat me to death. lol

The belt I never even thought of. I think I still have my ol' weight lifting belt around here but I dont think there's answer for the spine shots. Like you said...it is what it is. 

Well if you enjoy wrenching on them as much or more so than riding - then I'm not sure why you're at all concerned about mileage or anything to do with any current or recent model year 2 strokes. 

 

 

[stoney]

Weight lifting belt is too rigid, you need a kidney or back support belt, they are more pliable with plastic inserts in them to give support and velcro straps to apply pressure to your mid section.

Lots on the market to pick from.

 

And come on, that is a new CAT - do not you worry, it will need plenty of wrenching, even a new one......