Freeride or summit t3

[Evanbcx]

A dealer has a 154 freeride and a 154 summit t3 left because people backed out of there snow checks. I mostly ride in cental and western newfounland we get a fair bit of snow (8-16 feet annually), I like to ride in the trees and I like to side hill as well . I ride 50/50 spring snow and powder, in the spring it's mostly on corn snow and some hard pack. Which one would be best. I hear the freerides are getting cought up in steep side hills cause of the wide running Boards. Just wondering some thoughts

 

[powdermuncher]

Free ride for trails jumps bumps Summit for tree riding side hilling etc (Don't forget a s module Brace on the summit) Freeride comes with it.

 

[midwest division]

Freeride doesnt come with the s module brace. But as mentioned, if you go with the either the summit or the freeride, install the s module braces from Grip n Rip for added protection.

I've owned both...2015 Freeride 146 and currently a 2015 Summit 154 (totaled the freeride and replaced it with the summit last season). The freeride was clutched, had grip n rip braces, and skis set to the narrowest setting. I wasnt a fan of the pro40 shock pkg, they acted lazy and soft. The wide front end and additional running board width in the rear increased drag during a sidehill. The freeride does accel on the trails and during a good jump session.

Because the summit runs cheaper than the freeride, i decided to set it up a bit different from stock. It has fox float 3's in place of the front shocks and front track shock, along with a kyb pro40 in the rear. Different handlebar and riser setup, clutched, and grip n rip braces. I am running the skis centered...roughly a 36" stance. I love the way the summit handles on the rough trail ride in, and especially how it acts in the trees and steep sidehills. The narrower front end is noticable. I use to disconnect the swaybar on the freeride when i was in the trees to get it to behave how i wanted, and now i find myself leaving the swaybar connected on the summit bc it does exactly what i want it to do.

If you install the braces and a better shock package on the summit, it will outperform the freeride in just about every situation. It will be just as durable, perform better in the trees, and jump/drop just as good.

One thing to note, the summits running boards are just as wide as the freerides where your feet spend majority of their time. The difference is that the freeride's boards dont taper back as soon as the summit's.

A trick that i learned on both sleds is that the rear skid mounting brackets need to be spaced out a bit in order to eliminate the track from rubbing against them. The t-motion allows the track to float side to side, regardless of how centered it is. By adding a few washers to each side, i was able to elminate this issue on both sleds. Hope this helps. Goodluck on the decision. Both are great sleds.

 

[Evanbcx]

Freeride doesnt come with the s module brace. But as mentioned, if you go with the either the summit or the freeride, install the s module braces from Grip n Rip for added protection.

I've owned both...2015 Freeride 146 and currently a 2015 Summit 154 (totaled the freeride and replaced it with the summit last season). The freeride was clutched, had grip n rip braces, and skis set to the narrowest setting. I wasnt a fan of the pro40 shock pkg, they acted lazy and soft. The wide front end and additional running board width in the rear increased drag during a sidehill. The freeride does accel on the trails and during a good jump session.

Because the summit runs cheaper than the freeride, i decided to set it up a bit different from stock. It has fox float 3's in place of the front shocks and front track shock, along with a kyb pro40 in the rear. Different handlebar and riser setup, clutched, and grip n rip braces. I am running the skis centered...roughly a 36" stance. I love the way the summit handles on the rough trail ride in, and especially how it acts in the trees and steep sidehills. The narrower front end is noticable. I use to disconnect the swaybar on the freeride when i was in the trees to get it to behave how i wanted, and now i find myself leaving the swaybar connected on the summit bc it does exactly what i want it to do.

If you install the braces and a better shock package on the summit, it will outperform the freeride in just about every situation. It will be just as durable, perform better in the trees, and jump/drop just as good.

One thing to note, the summits running boards are just as wide as the freerides where your feet spend majority of their time. The difference is that the freeride's boards dont taper back as soon as the summit's.

A trick that i learned on both sleds is that the rear skid mounting brackets need to be spaced out a bit in order to eliminate the track from rubbing against them. The t-motion allows the track to float side to side, regardless of how centered it is. By adding a few washers to each side, i was able to elminate this issue on both sleds. Hope this helps. Goodluck on the decision. Both are great sleds.

I have a set of raptors for the front that I would put on either One no matter which one I got, the price is with in 200$ for between the summit and freeride

 

[midwest division]

In that case, id still sway towards the summit based on your riding style, which sounds exactly like mine. Its gota mean something when most of the guys killing it in the backcountry right now in the trees and hitting kickers are on Summit T3's.

 

[Devilmanak]

Freeride. I have had a Summit and a Freeride every year since 2013, and after 800+ miles this year, the T3 is kinda pissing me off. TIRED of paneling out, when you get the sled tipped far enough, whether it be on a flat lake or on a steep sidehill, it hooks and stops it it's tracks, or if going fast, does a quick dive and pivot that almost sends me over the bars. The wider Freeride front end helps with this. The T3 sleds are just too tippy and wishy washy, it is like riding a balance beam. Took a guy out today that was VERY interested in a T3, he rode it for 50 miles and decided to buy an Axys.
I wish Doo would realize that most of their customers are NOT 140 pounds and would spring their suspension accordingly.
I rode with a guy with a 2015 154 Freeride last week, I had my 174, and I was amazed that he could go just about anywhere I could, in the DEEP.

 

[KTMDirtFace]

Freeride. I have had a Summit and a Freeride every year since 2013, and after 800+ miles this year, the T3 is kinda pissing me off. TIRED of paneling out, when you get the sled tipped far enough, whether it be on a flat lake or on a steep sidehill, it hooks and stops it it's tracks, or if going fast, does a quick dive and pivot that almost sends me over the bars. The wider Freeride front end helps with this. The T3 sleds are just too tippy and wishy washy, it is like riding a balance beam. Took a guy out today that was VERY interested in a T3, he rode it for 50 miles and decided to buy an Axys.
I wish Doo would realize that most of their customers are NOT 140 pounds and would spring their suspension accordingly.
I rode with a guy with a 2015 154 Freeride last week, I had my 174, and I was amazed that he could go just about anywhere I could, in the DEEP.

Tippy and wishywashy is what I have noticed on my '14 Summit. My friend said when he watches me it looks like trying to balance something on top of a beach ball.

I am a noob though I just started snowmobling 3 seasons ago. and I only rode a few times last season because it never snowed.

In DEEP powder I love my summit. also I am 6'6" 225lbs.

I have ridden '11, '14, and '15 polaris pro's that friends own..and there was a few things I hated about them, but they were not wishywashy wobbly. they seemed a little harder to get on edge but then the just stayed there..like automatic. Can I get my stummit to do that?

I just widened the stance by moving the spacers and will try riding it tomomorrow, it has not snowed in a week so I think it will be a good test..as the narrow stance just flops around like crazy unless its in deep pow.

EDIT: I am a noob so I don't know what to make of this, but when I sidehill which im not real good at, I feel like it always wants to climb the front end up. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?
I really want to try a freeride...problem is where I live...I have NEVER seen one... everyone and their dog owns a polaris.

Sorry this probably does not help the original question...other than im strongly considering a freeride myself.

 

[Evanbcx]

Freeride. I have had a Summit and a Freeride every year since 2013, and after 800+ miles this year, the T3 is kinda pissing me off. TIRED of paneling out, when you get the sled tipped far enough, whether it be on a flat lake or on a steep sidehill, it hooks and stops it it's tracks, or if going fast, does a quick dive and pivot that almost sends me over the bars. The wider Freeride front end helps with this. The T3 sleds are just too tippy and wishy washy, it is like riding a balance beam. Took a guy out today that was VERY interested in a T3, he rode it for 50 miles and decided to buy an Axys.
I wish Doo would realize that most of their customers are NOT 140 pounds and would spring their suspension accordingly.
I rode with a guy with a 2015 154 Freeride last week, I had my 174, and I was amazed that he could go just about anywhere I could, in the DEEP.

What sleds do you have in your fleet this year. Would it help to put the skis on the widest setting for the t3

 

[rulonjj]

Tippy and wishywashy is what I have noticed on my '14 Summit. My friend said when he watches me it looks like trying to balance something on top of a beach ball.

I am a noob though I just started snowmobling 3 seasons ago. and I only rode a few times last season because it never snowed.

In DEEP powder I love my summit. also I am 6'6" 225lbs.

I have ridden '11, '14, and '15 polaris pro's that friends own..and there was a few things I hated about them, but they were not wishywashy wobbly. they seemed a little harder to get on edge but then the just stayed there..like automatic. Can I get my stummit to do that?

I just widened the stance by moving the spacers and will try riding it tomomorrow, it has not snowed in a week so I think it will be a good test..as the narrow stance just flops around like crazy unless its in deep pow.

EDIT: I am a noob so I don't know what to make of this, but when I sidehill which im not real good at, I feel like it always wants to climb the front end up. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?
I really want to try a freeride...problem is where I live...I have NEVER seen one... everyone and their dog owns a polaris.

Sorry this probably does not help the original question...other than im strongly considering a freeride myself.

The only way to keep the front down is to get your feet way up in the footwell. As far as you can get them. A post forward might help you also but these skidoos have a hard time keeping the nose down on a side hill.

 

[Devilmanak]

Tippy and wishywashy is what I have noticed on my '14 Summit. My friend said when he watches me it looks like trying to balance something on top of a beach ball.

I am a noob though I just started snowmobling 3 seasons ago. and I only rode a few times last season because it never snowed.

In DEEP powder I love my summit. also I am 6'6" 225lbs.

I have ridden '11, '14, and '15 polaris pro's that friends own..and there was a few things I hated about them, but they were not wishywashy wobbly. they seemed a little harder to get on edge but then the just stayed there..like automatic. Can I get my stummit to do that?

I just widened the stance by moving the spacers and will try riding it tomomorrow, it has not snowed in a week so I think it will be a good test..as the narrow stance just flops around like crazy unless its in deep pow.

EDIT: I am a noob so I don't know what to make of this, but when I sidehill which im not real good at, I feel like it always wants to climb the front end up. Is that normal or am I doing something wrong?
I really want to try a freeride...problem is where I live...I have NEVER seen one... everyone and their dog owns a polaris.

Sorry this probably does not help the original question...other than im strongly considering a freeride myself.

It is the nature of the beast. I like that it is easy to initiate a sidehill, but hate the tip. I would love to try a T3 with no Flexedge or Tmotion. The other things I noticed yesterday watching another 174, the front is so low that it just plows and collects snow.

 

[Devilmanak]

What sleds do you have in your fleet this year. Would it help to put the skis on the widest setting for the t3

174 T3, 154 T3, 137 Freeride with 42" front end.
I had the skis on the middle setting last year with Poo spacers, I put them narrow this year and seem to like them better, but hard to compare between different snow/years/etc. Last year was mostly spring type riding, this year has been ballz deep, I should try different widths and see. My bud who is a GOOD rider hated his 2105 Pro TD Snowcheck last year, compared to his 2012. He narrowed his skis this year and now loves the sled. Little changes.....

 

[chad006]

Hmm I found the t3's much more predictable and easier to ride than even the 14's when properly set up. I have no experience on the freeride so I can't really compare, however I have a 2015 174 t3 and a 2013 turbo xm and I find myself on the t3 more often then not. Really liking the changes made to the t3 over the original xm platform find it more nimble and fun to ride. Might just have to throw a turdblow on the t3!

 

[Evanbcx]

174 T3, 154 T3, 137 Freeride with 42" front end.
I had the skis on the middle setting last year with Poo spacers, I put them narrow this year and seem to like them better, but hard to compare between different snow/years/etc. Last year was mostly spring type riding, this year has been ballz deep, I should try different widths and see. My bud who is a GOOD rider hated his 2105 Pro TD Snowcheck last year, compared to his 2012. He narrowed his skis this year and now loves the sled. Little changes.....

When where on are way into are riding zone the trail is usually not groomed so I just pin it the whole way in flying over all the bumps would the freeride be better for that situation

 

[KTMDirtFace]

When where on are way into are riding zone the trail is usually not groomed so I just pin it the whole way in flying over all the bumps would the freeride be better for that situation

Probably, I have to ride a lot of whooped out **** from the parking lot.. my summit with 36" stance starts swapping on me big time. Today I tried it at the wider stance 38"? and it helped a lot.

Havn't ridden a freeride though.

 

[Norona]

Freeride. I have had a Summit and a Freeride every year since 2013, and after 800+ miles this year, the T3 is kinda pissing me off. TIRED of paneling out, when you get the sled tipped far enough, whether it be on a flat lake or on a steep sidehill, it hooks and stops it it's tracks, or if going fast, does a quick dive and pivot that almost sends me over the bars. The wider Freeride front end helps with this. The T3 sleds are just too tippy and wishy washy, it is like riding a balance beam. Took a guy out today that was VERY interested in a T3, he rode it for 50 miles and decided to buy an Axys.
I wish Doo would realize that most of their customers are NOT 140 pounds and would spring their suspension accordingly.
I rode with a guy with a 2015 154 Freeride last week, I had my 174, and I was amazed that he could go just about anywhere I could, in the DEEP.

Too Wishy Washy? Your overriding the machine which is common when coming from a wide front end freeride. The axys is a very agile sled but has a smaller balance point that the summit, both great machines, but riding any machine for only 50 miles is not going to have you deciding which is best. The biggest thing people need to learn with new technologies is to ease into riding them and learn the proper technique, instead of just manhandling them like the previous machine. If someone is going everywhere on a 154 free ride to your 174 then he is either a way better rider or your not pushing it, give him the 174 and see if you can follow him?

 

[Devilmanak]

Too Wishy Washy? Your overriding the machine which is common when coming from a wide front end freeride. The axys is a very agile sled but has a smaller balance point that the summit, both great machines, but riding any machine for only 50 miles is not going to have you deciding which is best. The biggest thing people need to learn with new technologies is to ease into riding them and learn the proper technique, instead of just manhandling them like the previous machine. If someone is going everywhere on a 154 free ride to your 174 then he is either a way better rider or your not pushing it, give him the 174 and see if you can follow him?

Get more info and read posts before making uneducated statements trying to sell Skidoos. I have had a FREERIDE AND AT LEAST ONE SUMMIT every year since 2013, which was posted above.
What "NEW" technology are you speaking of? There is not a bit of new technology on the 16 Doos. Small changes from the XM, there were 10 times more changes from XP to XM.
I have 900 miles on this year, I spent time on my 154 T3, Freeride 137, and 4 different demo Axys sleds today. The T3 Doos are wishy washy.
My 16 Freeride 137 with a 42" XRS front end holds a sidehill better than my T3 sleds do, the wide front keeps the panels out of the snow. Just as easy to tip up as a narrow Flexedge Tmotion rig, this is an R-Motion.
Starting to like the Axys, 155 impressed me today as far as stability once tipped up.
But maybe I don't ride hard enough.....

 

[Devilmanak]

When where on are way into are riding zone the trail is usually not groomed so I just pin it the whole way in flying over all the bumps would the freeride be better for that situation

For sure.

 

[Evanbcx]

For sure.

You running Raptors agian this year

 

[Evanbcx]

Too Wishy Washy? Your overriding the machine which is common when coming from a wide front end freeride. The axys is a very agile sled but has a smaller balance point that the summit, both great machines, but riding any machine for only 50 miles is not going to have you deciding which is best. The biggest thing people need to learn with new technologies is to ease into riding them and learn the proper technique, instead of just manhandling them like the previous machine. If someone is going everywhere on a 154 free ride to your 174 then he is either a way better rider or your not pushing it, give him the 174 and see if you can follow him?

You have a 154 t3 this year

 

[Norona]

You have a 154 t3 this year

I did a lot of testing with the machine last year and I have access to all the machines. D-man took a comment very personal, which it is not meant to be, but as he stated, whisky washy means what? All the sleds perform well and are VERY different, I am not arguing which one is better but suggesting a 154 will go the same place a 174 tells more about the rider than the sled, I see this a lot, give the same rider the two different sleds and the 174 will go higher and further in the deep, for hill climb world champs the freeride is better suited to those conditions for sure. If you are going to make bold statements, it is a good idea to back them up with comments that make sense, saying any machine is whishy washy does not really help guys out in my opinion, so explain it a bit more. Happy New Year guys, ride more, bitch less and above all have fun!