Any chance you can verify which kit it was that these comments were based on? With so many changes each year it's hard to tell which ones are a big deal, and which are non issue. I'm going to eliminate the ski problems because they are using new ski, and also the ski seems like an easily changed part that people are using different combos with different tracks to suit their setups.
I like the comment about hitting a lip or bump and carrying the front for a wheelie (ski-ie?) but the climbing/trenching does sound like a problem.
Moto4life care to comment on this? And the rebounding comments?
I actually just awnsered this in a PM as I didnt want to fully poach your thread but since you asked I will let er rip.
The good:
The kit seems fairly efficient, probably due to the lightweight yeti track. It spins up pretty fast. Actually has nothing to do with the Yeti track, our new track spins up faster and has better grip in nearly every snow condition, the efficiency is in our drive train and hub system, basically less moving parts and lower weight of those parts. This is actually one of the reason we moved from the Yeti track and with the new track being even stiffer this will make the track even less effective. Our new track options are a 2" challenger or a 1.6" cobra track. Both can pull a gear higher in most snow conditions the the 16 MotoTrax kits with Yeti tracks.
It seems pretty balanced even though there is a large distance between the tip of the paddles and the bike frame (like 4” compared to the ts which nearly rubs on most bikes) The 17 will be moved forward about 1" for even better transfer but as stated the MotoTrax carves the best even at the current length.
It transfers weight really well, you can lift the ski off a small bump and hold a wheelie for a while. This is why we do not need a TSS right now and the new kit has a better rear arm setting for better control of the weight transfer, but really you have to ride it like a dirt bike, you lean forward up steep climbs to keep the front end down, This is the biggest issue with people demoing MotoTrax units coming from ANY of our competitors. The MotoTrax feels like a dirt bike and needs to be ridden like one, so many riders who are used to other kits have to remember how to ride a bike, this is also the reason so many "New" snowbikers love the MotoTrax, its because they only know how to ride it like a bike, they have not learn the bad habits that through off the balance of the MotoTrax kit.
The Bad:
The ski is a joke, it’s only slightly better than a 6” wide Simmons on the road and way worse off-trail. It doesn’t hold a line and submarines when you go downhill or land a jump. We fixed this with the new ski coming out with the MY17 kits, wider and more like the TS with special keel design that allows for easy and predictable trail performance. Also a ski is like a tire, they all work better in different conditions so we made our mount to fit both the TS and Yeti ski if you prefer those, the fact is I have taken all three skis and let about 100 people ride in West Yellowstone and locally, guess what, it was nearly an even split as the which ski people liked best, its a user and riding style issue so the best approach is to let the customer be able to choose, much like a tire on a bike.
On a bumpy trail the skid would soak up about 5 bumps and then rebound violently. Like wants to throw you over the bars and pile-drive you into the ground type of rebound. It’s super sketchy.
When you hit a jump the skid rebounds so fast that you’re forced to land ski first just hoping you don’t go over the bars. Landing ski-first with a narrow ski that likes to wash out is a bad thing. This was definitely the result of a skid that was improperly set up, we have a $1,000 fully adjustable motocross shock in the skid and rebound is easily adjusted, it almost seems like someone had the clickers all over the place and took it WAY out of balance. With that being said the new kits have an even more progressive suspension system with stiffer linkage components and come with all new valving that handles rough conditions, plus the new kits will come with a setup guide so the above issues caused by settings are eliminated.
Off-trail it does ok until you try to climb something technical then all that weight transfer that I mentioned above fights you. It wheelies to the point where you have to let off, then you trench in and stick it when you try to get going again. This I am not sure about, we had about 5 test riders this year that have all said the opposite and that in the trees it carves so fast and easy that TS riders have a hard time keeping up, my only explanations would be the really messed up suspension settings. We have also found the Yeti track to cause more trenching due to the deep paddles but its 50/50. Some snow conditions it cannot get stuck, others is will dig a hole on a flat, another reason we got away from it.
Downhill turns just don’t happen with the 2016 ski. You’ll find yourself face down in the snow if you try. Turns on the 2016 in the powder can be challenging in special snow conditions, the reason we put so much effort into our new ski!
I don’t think you can actually lift the kit from the rear bumper, the whole tunnel/bumper assembly flexes a ton when you try. I was afraid to break it, so I didn’t push it too much. The rear bumper was to light plain and simple, the new bumping is heavily reinforced and guaranteed not to break. Nuff said.
The tunnel/bumper is narrower than the track, so you’re constantly being pelted with snow. New tunnel is slightly larger (longer and wider but still tapered for carving clearance) to eliminate this.
The plastic on the tunnel is poorly attached and rattles/vibrates loudly. ALL DAY LONG. While it was not poorly attached it did vibrate alot, we fixed this with a foam cushion seal that mates between the plastic and frame, on the 17 model the only noise is the engine.
No gas can rack? Packing gas is a must for most people." We actually had an integrated gas rack for the RotoPax gas system. With that being said the new 17 kit has an integrated system for the Mountain Addictions can, the RotoPax System, and the MotoTrax tuff jug system, the Mountain models will come with a 2.7 gal MotoTrax Tuff Jug with the option of a 5 gal as well. Why 5 gals? Because some of our Canadian riders asked for it!
I've also been told that the Mototrax just can't hang with the TS in the trees... the TS pretty much walks away from it. The Yeti track spins up faster than the Convex on the TS mostly because it's not very stiff and doesn't grab traction like the Convex. Yes the track is lighter, but that doesn't necessarily translate to better backcountry performance. Im not sure what kind of special tree riding this statement comes from but we ride trees all day long and I have never been passed by a Timbersled climbing or in the trees but that is just my experience. I would need more info or if someone wants to bring their TS to one of our demos we can do a little shootout. I'm not sure what the metrics of success are but I bet I can climb faster if track lengths are the same, in fact our newest rider Aaron Sterck just bested the Timbersled guys over the top of the mountain by about 50 yards a couple weekends ago, he straight lined the Jackson Hole climb while the TS riders where going back and forth. This was on a 16 kit that was bone stock and this was his second ride on a snowbike ever, once again showing that if you ride it like a bike the performance is better.
That is all I have for now, let me know if you have specific questions and we are working hard at the shop right now to get the 2017 updates video out as well as a comparison (mostly hard specs) of us the TS kit.
Sorry if the above has typos, I typed quick and just briefly proof read everything.
