Studding Question... - Snowmobile Forum: Your #1 Snowmobile Forum

headbanger7483 · 09-19-2006, 02:59 PM

I'm going to stud my 2002 ZR 500 before this season. It has it's stock track how many studs do you think I should run with?

PolarisINDY500 · 09-19-2006, 04:01 PM

id suggest 96, and depending you might want to updgrade to 6" carbides

rgoers · 09-19-2006, 06:26 PM

Rule of thumb is 1 stud per HP.

Is there a *reason* why you're studding it?

From personal experience; I have run into very few situations when I've thought having studs was beneficial. Most of the time, having them or not would make no difference at all. On the other hand, I can show you *A LOT* of damage caused by them - to my garage floor, my trailer edges and decking, and my driveway.

Think it through. If you ride on ice, you probably *need* them. If you ride powder, they won't help at all - in fact they will hinder, as they add a lot of weight. Trail riding falls somewhere in between ice and powder. For the riding I do, I prefer not to have them (although my sled had studs when I bought it).

**RJ Gleason** · 09-20-2006, 03:46 AM

What's the lug height on the track?
What type of riding do you do?
Usually for a 500, 96 is more than adaquate and use 6in carbides for steerage.

I have a new 1in lug track and I find that I do not need studs, it pushes enough in the corners without them.

sleddermxz · 09-23-2006, 08:50 AM

I just picked my MXZ 600 this year after running it for 5 years without. If your riding busy trails especially in the Northeast(I see your from New Hampshire), studded tracks are beneficial but not absolutley needed. Corners can get icey on the busy trails.

rgoers · 09-23-2006, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleddermxz

I just picked my MXZ 600 this year after running it for 5 years without. If your riding busy trails especially in the Northeast(I see your from New Hampshire), studded tracks are beneficial but not absolutley needed. Corners can get icey on the busy trails.

I rode a couple times last year when the trails were pretty icy in the corners. I found that I had far more troubles with turning than I had problems with the rear end coming around. I have 6" carbides on the front too. I guess the studded track just pushes the sled straight ahead, and the ice was so hard that the carbides didn't get a good bite. I much prefer riding my other non-studded sled. It doesn't have that problem. I can get around corners on that one fine... ice or no ice.

sesnopro · 09-23-2006, 10:32 AM

either put stiffer front springs on or tighten up the ones you have.

rgoers · 09-23-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sesnopro

either put stiffer front springs on or tighten up the ones you have.

Thanks... I'm putting an AD BOIVIN suspension kit in it this weekend.

A.D. Boivin Coupling Kit....(applies to '97-'01 models only)
Reduces ski lift in the corners, couples the rear suspension for a much improved & smoother ride in the 0-6" chop. This system makes your older 'Cat have the same suspension design as the '02's.

That should help quite a bit.

sleddermxz · 09-23-2006, 04:56 PM

I installed a boivin kit on mine a couple of years ago. Big difference with a coupled suspension. If you do decide to stud the track, be sure to install 6" carbides. I did that last year and it made turning better with the exception of the rear end sliding out. Hopefully the studs will take care of that issue. The suspension kit smoothed the sled out enough I was able to ride with a fractured back.
Can't wait for the white stuff. Dying to try out the wifes new Pantera 2up.

rgoers · 09-23-2006, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleddermxz

I installed a boivin kit on mine a couple of years ago. Big difference with a coupled suspension. If you do decide to stud the track, be sure to install 6" carbides. I did that last year and it made turning better with the exception of the rear end sliding out. Hopefully the studs will take care of that issue. The suspension kit smoothed the sled out enough I was able to ride with a fractured back.
Can't wait for the white stuff. Dying to try out the wifes new Pantera 2up.

That's what I did today... Got the kit in without any trouble. I think it took me longer to do the adjustments (center shock half tension, skis full tension).

Anyway, it's all done. I'm glad you noticed a difference with the ride! I wasn't sure what to expect... if anything.

Got studs on it now. Track was studded when I bought it. I just put new skis on it last week, with the dual staggered wearbars. I think they have 6" carbides. Now, I'm just waiting for the steering bearings I ordered, and I'll be all set.

Does the Pantera have the 136" track? Pretty sure it's similar to my Panther... The 136" track rides WAY smoother. You'll like it.

sleddermxz · 09-24-2006, 07:27 AM

Yes it has the 136. Sled only has 0.3 miles on it. Picked it up last Feb. as a leftover.