Cheap Sled Options

[longtrack 156]

Looking at the Arctic Cat Blast, might be a nice sled but not enough track!!! I don't understand! Also too expensive!

In 1971 when the Ski Doo Elan came out I bought one, not because I thought it would be a great sled, but the Alpine came with a 139" track option which I bought and put under the elan. For many years my Elan was almost untouchable in the powder and climbing.

In 1998 I bought an Arctic Cat Powder Special, drove it for a year, not enough track!!! Royal Distributing had an oddball 156X2" discontinued track for sale for $800 so I put that under my Powder Special, all I can say, tremendously better!!!

In 2006 when I was looking to replace my Powder Special I spied a Ski Doo Freestyle 300 at a PG dealer. not enough track, 370lbs 121" track. I asked the salesman, how much to put a different track under it, he said it wouldn't work, I said it would, he said not, so I said, put a 136X2" track under it and we will take them out and if it doesn't greatly out perform the stock I will buy them both!!! However if not, he has to give me the 136". Wouldn't bite, I think it would have been great.

So I bought a 162 M7 Cat.

If any of you guys have had similar experience with light longer track sleds, I would like to hear your stories!

I am 81 years old and my present sled is a 136X2" 365lb Phazer, although I don't get out much anymore.

 

[beerwolf]

Hi longtrack, light and small sleds is what i'm into also since I don't ride the mtns anymore just remote bush trail into my camp. The single cylinder transporter looks like a decent unit but I agree way overpriced and track is too short. I had a tundra years ago and always wanted to put a 156 under it. Now one of my camp sleds is the newer tundra 600ace with a 154..great sled but heavy for what they're designed for. If you go into dootalk.com and look under tundra-expedition forums there is some pretty nice home built lightweight units on there.

 

[Rotax_Kid]

LRD on Dootalk was very inspirational to me in the mid 2000's with his theory of going super light vs super big power. He ended up with a 146" 550F bored out to a 629. It made about 85hp and weighed around 350lbs if I remember right. He was very much ahead of the game at the time and was a super nice guy to chat with. Pictures appear to be lost in a server changeover, but alot of the info was still there.

https://www.dootalk.com/forums/topic/53936-550-getting-some-air-time/?hl=lrd

 

[Levithan]

Wow 81, you sir are a badass to still be riding, respect!
Are you looking new?
Currently new, everything is expensive and nothing is quite worth the ludicris numbers they are asking.
Big question i guess, what kind of riding are you doing and where?
Blasts are youth sleds and slightly smaller than a full size sled.

 

[skegpro]

I often have the same thoughts why doesn't one of the manufacturer make minimalist sled with 400-600cc.
Kinda like a trials bike.

 

[Bernoff]

I often have the same thoughts why doesn't one of the manufacturer make minimalist sled with 400-600cc.
Kinda like a trials bike.

I always thought stock WAS minimalist. Then we spend a few thousand more to have what we wanted. LOL

 

[snopro]

Right on Longtrack! 81 yrs and still riding. Now thats love for the sport!

 

[SUMMIT TREE]

Boy, I sure hope at 81 I can still ride! Awesome.

 

[Bernoff]

Great to hear for sure. Nice to know that there is some Buds that say lets go for a rip with ya. Could be a lot of people saying a guy at that age, NO NO NO you should stay home now. Your an inspiration to us all.

 

[longtrack 156]

Not looking, just commenting, I don't blame the manufacturers because all most people want is HP.

My old Phazer is good enough for me.

Wow 81, you sir are a badass to still be riding, respect!
Are you looking new?
Currently new, everything is expensive and nothing is quite worth the ludicris numbers they are asking.
Big question i guess, what kind of riding are you doing and where?
Blasts are youth sleds and slightly smaller than a full size sled.

 

[Rotax_Kid]

Not looking, just commenting, I don't blame the manufacturers because all most people want is HP.

My old Phazer is good enough for me.View attachment 231874

Closest thing I've ever ridden to a Phazer has been a Freestyle/RF chassis with the 32" front end. Super light, takes very little body english to get it to maneuver and just floats. I have a couple and the one with a 1.6" track is almost impossible to get stuck providing you aren't climbing a vertical wall

 

[longtrack 156]

Closest thing I've ever ridden to a Phazer has been a Freestyle/RF chassis with the 32" front end. Super light, takes very little body english to get it to maneuver and just floats. I have a couple and the one with a 1.6" track is almost impossible to get stuck providing you aren't climbing a vertical wall

My Phazer is 365lb, 27" ski stance

 

[longtrack 156]

Tried to buy one of those. The salesman said he couldn't get a 2" longer track put on it. He called the mechanic from the back room and the mechanic said he could do it. The salesman said it wouldn't work any better. So I said get the mechanic to do it, and if it didn't work any better I would buy both !!! He refused. My mistake I should have told the salesman to shove it up his ,(a), and asked the mechanic to go ahead !!!! A 370lb sled with a 151X2" track would have been great for sure.

Closest thing I've ever ridden to a Phazer has been a Freestyle/RF chassis with the 32" front end. Super light, takes very little body english to get it to maneuver and just floats. I have a couple and the one with a 1.6" track is almost impossible to get stuck providing you aren't climbing a vertical wall

 

[everest8]

81 and rock on ! My father before he passed away was 82 on a 800 Summit in BC ! Yeah. I would try to find an old 300 tundra which is a twin. they came with a 136 track. stretch to a 144 2'' lugs. Drop down to smaller drivers to fit and the gearing would be lower. put wider skis on for more floation and enjoy.

 

[Beer Slayer]

Still sledding at eighty one, freakin' awesome!
Jeezus I'd be happy if I make it to eighty one and can still pull my own socks on.
Keep on being young!

 

[climbmax]

Looking at the Arctic Cat Blast, might be a nice sled but not enough track!!! I don't understand! Also too expensive!

In 1971 when the Ski Doo Elan came out I bought one, not because I thought it would be a great sled, but the Alpine came with a 139" track option which I bought and put under the elan. For many years my Elan was almost untouchable in the powder and climbing.

In 1998 I bought an Arctic Cat Powder Special, drove it for a year, not enough track!!! Royal Distributing had an oddball 156X2" discontinued track for sale for $800 so I put that under my Powder Special, all I can say, tremendously better!!!

In 2006 when I was looking to replace my Powder Special I spied a Ski Doo Freestyle 300 at a PG dealer. not enough track, 370lbs 121" track. I asked the salesman, how much to put a different track under it, he said it wouldn't work, I said it would, he said not, so I said, put a 136X2" track under it and we will take them out and if it doesn't greatly out perform the stock I will buy them both!!! However if not, he has to give me the 136". Wouldn't bite, I think it would have been great.

So I bought a 162 M7 Cat.

If any of you guys have had similar experience with light longer track sleds, I would like to hear your stories!

I am 81 years old and my present sled is a 136X2" 365lb Phazer, although I don't get out much anymore.

Congrats on the milestone and dedication. 81, Phazer, Grand Forks. Must have known Al McLeod from GF Yamaha. A big supporter of Phazers back in the day.

Cheers to getting out on the snow. Some nice country you folks have down there.
RS

 

[longtrack 156]

I didn't know Al McLeod, he was a Yamaha dealer here, I believe he had a 156" track Phazer with 2" hard paddles, never saw it perform though.

A hard guy to deal with. I tried on several occasions, first time In 1990 I went into his shop to buy a trail bike, (Yamaha had a nice 250 2 stroke), he asked 2 stroke or 4? I said not fussy, he began an argument with himself, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, I couldn't get a word in, so I left.

In 1992 I tried I wanted to know if he had an old engine to up size my sled, (I had a 1971 Elan with a 340 free air Cat engine), I thought 440 or so, he said he wouldn't sell me an engine, (I would wrap the drive chain around around my neck)!!!!

In 1993 I bought a 136 track from him, (finally), he said what for, I said a Kawasaki Invader, he said wouldn't fit, but I bought it anyhow, worked fine!!

In 1997 a friend bought a 700 Yamaha,(from him), seemed nice so I went in to buy one, he said he wouldn't sell me one too much power for an old guy like me!!!!
I went to he Cat dealer and bought a Powder Special, he said Al was their best salesman.

Too bad, I think he and I could have done some fun things with sleds.

Congrats on the milestone and dedication. 81, Phazer, Grand Forks. Must have known Al McLeod from GF Yamaha. A big supporter of Phazers back in the day.

Cheers to getting out on the snow. Some nice country you folks have down there.
RS

 

[snopro]

I didn't know Al McLeod, he was a Yamaha dealer here, I believe he has a 156" track Phazer with 2" hard paddles, never saw it perform though.

A hard guy to deal with. I tried on several occasions, first time In 1990 I went into his shop to buy a trail bike, (Yamaha had a nice 250 2 stroke), he asked 2 stroke or 4? I said not fussy, he began an argument with himself, 2 stroke vs 4 stroke, I couldn't get a word in, so I left.

In 1992 I tried I wanted to know if he had an old engine to up size my sled, (I had a 1971 Elan with a 340 free air Cat engine), I thought 440 or so, he said he wouldn't sell me an engine, (I would wrap the drive chain around around my neck)!!!!

In 1993 I bought a 136 track from him, (finally), he said what for, I said a Kawasaki Invader, he said wouldn't fit, but I bought it anyhow, worked fine!!

In 1997 a friend bought a 700 Yamaha,(from him), seemed nice so I went in to buy one, he said he wouldn't sell me one too much power for an old guy like me!!!!
I went to he Cat dealer and bought a Powder Special, he said Al was their best salesman.

Too bad, I think he and I could have done some fun things with sleds.

Sounds like Al maybe stayed in the sport to long. Lol

 

[MP Kid]

Sounds like Al had too long of vacation on a deserted island with his buddy "Wilson"....

 

[climbmax]

No doubt Al was a unique individual. Had a lot of knowledge and built some pretty cool PSI genesis Exciters as well. Always had something to say. Unfortunately he passed 15 years ago. RIP and Godspeed