'07 Switchback..... To Stud Or Not To Stud?

Before you run out and stud it, why don't you try it without. You can then either leave it that way, or go ahead and stud it.

My vote? No, don't stud it.

Before you run out and stud it, why don't you try it without. You can then either leave it that way, or go ahead and stud it.

My vote? No, don't stud it.[/b]

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I've been pretty pleased without studs, just wondering if it will be worth the extra weight to have studded. I'm thinking that cooling should get better on the hard pack for this time of year, that's pretty much the biggest advantage I see at this point.

THis subject has come up some much, but it's always worth revisiting.

I was debating this with myself again just lately, as I've been planning on longtracking my Dragon, and I'd love to go with a deeper lug. However, if I go with a deep lug I won't be able to stud it, so I was trying to talk myself into believing that it's not necessary.

Doesn't take much to make me realize that I have to have them though. You just need a day or two of the right conditions and studs will save your life, or at least your day. I don't think they help alot with performance, and I've got 144 with at least 10 scratch lines, but they sure do help with safety.

With a Switchback I'd go with a 96 pattern, which works out to 116 or something like that.

I replaced my track last fall, and the old one was studded (why i had to change it, they were pulling). And I put a track on that had no studs, and I didn't put any in before the winter, I have to say, I hated it. Maybe it was because its a heavy sled, and i'm a big guy, but it was wish washing all over the place on the trail, I just couldn't get it to be smooth on trails that were not fresh groomed, it was like i was driving on 2 inches of slush everywhere, NEVER AGAIN! I will definitely be putting at least 96 (121 track) down the middle for next year.


good luck in your decision.

on a trail sled stud away ,on a boondocker I say no as the risk of a pullthrough in those conditions spinning track over unknown terrain is just asking for problems

on a trail sled stud away ,on a boondocker I say no as the risk of a pullthrough in those conditions spinning track over unknown terrain is just asking for problems[/b]

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Funny, on my SKS I boondocked the majority of the time and never pulled out a sled. On my Dragon I've mostly been in the ditches and trails and I've pulled out studs.

If you're mostly into plying in the powder you can get away with less studs, but you still need them for those emergency situations.

i was following a friend of mine around a corner one day and it was spun down to ice.the corner was a sharp one and we were going a little on the fast side.when i came around he was sitting in the middle of the corner,on the wrong side with a look of fear in his eyes.i had no trouble making the turn with 96 studs.he has them now.i guess its a personal preference thing.

I debated about studs when I got my '06 Switchback. I was going to wait and see if I thought I would need them. After pondering, I decided to get studs before the season, because I didn't want my sled tied up in the shop. Figured when it was in, we'd get the biggest snow storm of the year...lol. I haven't regretted it at all, for me it's a safety issue.

I just put a 1.6" lug on my 121. I rode it once without studs. I think I'll stud it...

Just bought a '07 600 HO Switchback CFI, 144" track, 1.25" lugs, liquid cooled. Looking for suggestions on the use of a studded track for this sled. Anyone with Pros or cons on this issue would be much appreciated.

Thanks,[/b]

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I was having the same discussion with myself and in the 500 miles I put on my '07 SB (just picked it up in the middle of Feb) the only conclusion I could come to was to wait and see. With the trail conditions we had early in WI (very icy) I can see the arguement. But with the late snow and the amount we had when I put the miles on, I don't think they woul have helped very much. I get the argument about rotating mass but on the flip side braking on glare ice is a nice feature. I'm gonna ride some more next year and make up my mind then. Only takes about 2-3 hrs to stud so downtime shouldn't be too much of an issue. Good luck. These personal prefernece decisions can be tough!!

Newfie, when you do your 136" thing you'll be buying a track. Are you considering someting like the Ice Ripper that's prestudded with the car tire studs? That's the perfect answer/best of both worlds as I see it. Low rotatng mass, no maintenance/track durability issues, and covers the icy corners/stops from a safety perspective. I'm convinced it'll work for me. Just waiting for an excuse to try one out on something....

now that we have covered studs ... what brand of sled should I get and what oil do I run in it. LOL good luck on your decision LEW 428 . M

Newfie, when you do your 136" thing you'll be buying a track. Are you considering someting like the Ice Ripper that's prestudded with the car tire studs? That's the perfect answer/best of both worlds as I see it. Low rotatng mass, no maintenance/track durability issues, and covers the icy corners/stops from a safety perspective. I'm convinced it'll work for me. Just waiting for an excuse to try one out on something....[/b]

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Michahicks, I haven't seriously considered the Ice Ripper, though I do have a friend (Flash700 on SNowmobileworld) who was talking about getting one for his FST. It seems to offer alot of advantages, I'm just a little worried about the hook up. I supposed there's nothing to stop you from throwing a few additional studs in as well.
I haven't really looked at many alternatives, but I guess it's soon time I start thinking about it.

Well Guys,

Thanks for your input and recommendations, they're much appreciated. I think I'm gonna go ahead with the studs. For the safety and traction.

Cheers,

Lew