I'm seriously considering dumping the '17 1200 Gade I just bought this fall. January 8th and still no snow in lower Michigan. If I do, I'm going to put tracks on my new Can Am Outlander 850xt. I'm assuming I could jump on the trails with this setup, but I'm curious what others have to say?
MI Renegade
Do your trails allow ATV/UTV's with tracks?
Tracks make them way too wide to be safe on the trails and way too slow to be fun on the trails.
The legality doesn't matter so much if you start causing wrecks.
The legality doesn't matter so much if you start causing wrecks.
Not 100% sure, but I thought I read they are not allowed on Michigan snowmobile trails. Snowbikes either.
May want to check the DNR website.
Don~
May want to check the DNR website.
Don~
Not legal up here in ontario either but i sure wish they were
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Check your state laws. As stated, MN defines a snowmobile carefully and does not allow atv with tracks. This could change with the proper influence in the state legislature, and I assume that will be a more and more popular idea as years go by with less and less snow.
Practically speaking, I've owned a can am two up atv on tracks, with windshield, and you will absolutely freeze to death riding it out in the open at speed for a couple hours. It was incredibly fun to screw around with in the woods on private property, but taking it out on trails for a 7 mile loop was not fun. First, they're kinda slow, topping out at about 50. (Mine was an 800). Second, they're cold. Third they really don't feel safe at high speed, due to the weight. You feel like if you hit something it's going to endo. Front end geometry makes it steer slow and hard, power steering is an absolute must!
On the positive side, they are fully capable of grooming. So if you have a tight trail the tracked atv can do a cool job of shaping it for sled use, skiers, or even for 2 wheel drive sport machines to ride like we did. That's a hoot!
Later I had a utv with tracks too. Even slower, even bigger, but at least you could keep warm. Agsin, would make nice mini groomer. But way too wide for safety on our 8 foot wide trail system.
Can am was good atv for tracks because front and rear drive systems ran at same speed. Polaris would be a poor choice since they run 10% slower front axle speed. Although that can be overcome by putting larger track drive cogs on front track systems.
Putting tracks on a machine seems to me to be somewhat stressful on the suspension arms. I've set up three machines total and it just looks like, if really pushed in a recreational way instead of the more utility way I used then, parts are going to get bent. There is a tremendous amount of leverage on your suspension parts they were not designed for.
Practically speaking, I've owned a can am two up atv on tracks, with windshield, and you will absolutely freeze to death riding it out in the open at speed for a couple hours. It was incredibly fun to screw around with in the woods on private property, but taking it out on trails for a 7 mile loop was not fun. First, they're kinda slow, topping out at about 50. (Mine was an 800). Second, they're cold. Third they really don't feel safe at high speed, due to the weight. You feel like if you hit something it's going to endo. Front end geometry makes it steer slow and hard, power steering is an absolute must!
On the positive side, they are fully capable of grooming. So if you have a tight trail the tracked atv can do a cool job of shaping it for sled use, skiers, or even for 2 wheel drive sport machines to ride like we did. That's a hoot!
Later I had a utv with tracks too. Even slower, even bigger, but at least you could keep warm. Agsin, would make nice mini groomer. But way too wide for safety on our 8 foot wide trail system.
Can am was good atv for tracks because front and rear drive systems ran at same speed. Polaris would be a poor choice since they run 10% slower front axle speed. Although that can be overcome by putting larger track drive cogs on front track systems.
Putting tracks on a machine seems to me to be somewhat stressful on the suspension arms. I've set up three machines total and it just looks like, if really pushed in a recreational way instead of the more utility way I used then, parts are going to get bent. There is a tremendous amount of leverage on your suspension parts they were not designed for.
May be used only on multi-use trails but if I remember they wanted limited months for non-use during sledding season but don't know if they ever got this passed?
-grover
In Michigan a machine has to start out as a snowmobile to ride the trails.
If it was classified as a motor cycle or any type of ORV it is not allowed on the snowmobile trail system no matter the modifications.
The state is now looking at banning all wheeled vehicles from the snowmobile trail system during the months of Dec 1st thru March 30th.
Not sure how that affects the multi use trails. They are still hashing it all out.
If it was classified as a motor cycle or any type of ORV it is not allowed on the snowmobile trail system no matter the modifications.
The state is now looking at banning all wheeled vehicles from the snowmobile trail system during the months of Dec 1st thru March 30th.
Not sure how that affects the multi use trails. They are still hashing it all out.
I did this a couple of years ago here in NH where tracked vehicle can be used on sled trails as long as it follows the laws that define a snowmobile which is:
In practice, they were too slow, bulky and large to be used on the trails. With tracks, the engines are screaming at about 45 MPH as they are designed to be run slower and with a lot of torque. So the engines run hard and loud with tracks, unless you want to poke around at about 10 MPH.
Also, since we went with a UTV (for comfort) vs an ATV they were too wide to be used legally on the NH trails, people (and the dealers) forget to point out this little fact when selling to you, and a lot of people say "no worries, I've seen them on the trails". They are not legal in NH if over weight and width.
As it turned out, we ended up using it a lot LESS than any sled, and my GF hated eating dust when not using it in the snow. I also found out that between trails being closed for mud season and I prefer to boat in the summer, vs eat trail dirt, the usable season for me was much too short. I ended up selling the setup and went back to my current sled. It's much more comfortable, quiet and fun on the snow.
Think hard about it, check your local state laws, and take one for a test ride and be sure that test ride includes tracks on the machine you are considering first.
You may like it, but for me the experience wasn't any where near what I had hoped it to be.
Added a photo of the machine setup to ride with the tracks in the winter:
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We thought it was a great idea at the time, so we sold my current sled and went out and got UTVs and I had tracks on mine. Since we had a low snow year that year, I thought I'd get a lot more use out of this toy vs the sled.
In practice, they were too slow, bulky and large to be used on the trails. With tracks, the engines are screaming at about 45 MPH as they are designed to be run slower and with a lot of torque. So the engines run hard and loud with tracks, unless you want to poke around at about 10 MPH.
Also, since we went with a UTV (for comfort) vs an ATV they were too wide to be used legally on the NH trails, people (and the dealers) forget to point out this little fact when selling to you, and a lot of people say "no worries, I've seen them on the trails". They are not legal in NH if over weight and width.
As it turned out, we ended up using it a lot LESS than any sled, and my GF hated eating dust when not using it in the snow. I also found out that between trails being closed for mud season and I prefer to boat in the summer, vs eat trail dirt, the usable season for me was much too short. I ended up selling the setup and went back to my current sled. It's much more comfortable, quiet and fun on the snow.
Think hard about it, check your local state laws, and take one for a test ride and be sure that test ride includes tracks on the machine you are considering first.
You may like it, but for me the experience wasn't any where near what I had hoped it to be.
Added a photo of the machine setup to ride with the tracks in the winter:
Attachments
Quebec has specific atv / utv trails which they are allowed on. As far as Ontario its a No No.
I hope they never allow those things on sled trails. A few years ago in the u.p. our group had one driving towards us at a pretty good clip almost out of control. When I realized he wasn't slowing down we had to pull off trail or risk getting ran over. He just drove right on by never letting off . Total idiot
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They're allowed in Idaho, see em here in Island Park, but not sure about West Yellowstone. I don't see a bright future for them here, particularly the wide ones >54" They take up too much trail and the sled community is starting to push back. There are spots between I.P. and West on the main trail system where late into the season the trail is maybe 6 or 7 ft. wide on a good day with a 1000 drop on one end... bad place to have a standoff with an "albatross"
North of Danbury you can. One almost hit me a few weeks ago. The ATV don't even need tracks either. They bar hop in comfort. Looks fun as hell if you drink your face off and get into a warm cab.
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From my personal experience tracks are very hard on the drive train of an atv and especially belts . These machines aren't built to run track's , simply said the drive line is not built heavy enough . Ran into a guy on trails awhile back that was on the trails and found out he was using machine to check logging sites in the UP. Talking with him wondering if they had gotten any better he told me NO . He said you better run machine in low range or you're changing belts on the trail and that no fun at all. He said " for what I'm doing with machine it fit's his needs , but it's not a play toy for sure "
I disagree. They do not allow an atv with front tracks. You can run tracks on the back and skis on the front. This is from a personal experience from being pulled over.
Michigan is a no, as it should be. Not sure what part of the state your in, but I have 700 miles in michigan this year, and I havent crossed the bridge. There is snow!
I think they "may" be allowed in Maine? Not 100% sure, but I was almost killed by one a couple of years ago. As it was, the thing was as wide as the entire trail that I was on, and then it understeered like crazy entering a corner that I was on. I had to bail off the trail into thick brush as the albatross lumbered through the corner. Of course they never stopped.
After I pulled my sled out of the brush and got back on the trail, the entire trail was completely destroyed by its tracks as the snow conditions were pretty soft.
As I rode away, I got some satisfaction in realizing there was NO WAY on earth that ridiculous thing was fitting over the million dollar snowmobile suspension bridge a half mile up the trail that I just crossed by South Twin Lake.
After I pulled my sled out of the brush and got back on the trail, the entire trail was completely destroyed by its tracks as the snow conditions were pretty soft.
As I rode away, I got some satisfaction in realizing there was NO WAY on earth that ridiculous thing was fitting over the million dollar snowmobile suspension bridge a half mile up the trail that I just crossed by South Twin Lake.
If you want a slow 2-seater, why not get a 600 ACE touring? It would save you plenty over your current sled, and maybe you wouldn't mind it so much. I remember 1 completely unridable winter here in the UP (95 maybe?). I acknowledged that risk when I purchased my sleds.
you could hit the seasonal roads with a tracked quad. That would be about it.
you could hit the seasonal roads with a tracked quad. That would be about it.
In Ontario, the short answer is No to snowbikes and tracked ATVs. However, we have to keep in mind that where a trail is granted on private land, the landowner or anyone he authorizes, can do whatever he likes. So we have seen wheeled ATVs on trails, making ruts of course. Have also seen trucks, backhoes, etc.
To the OP- a tracked ATV and snowmobiles have almost nothing in common. Snowmobiles perform in snow. ATVs are merely slightly snow capable.
To the OP- a tracked ATV and snowmobiles have almost nothing in common. Snowmobiles perform in snow. ATVs are merely slightly snow capable.
All the multi use trails we were on last week had new "No Wheeled Vehicle" signs on them. I always pay close attention to them as I do ride dirt bikes and SXS there also. They did cut off the trails for dirt bikes going from Calumet to Copper Harbor a few years ago for some reason.
Flood control area nearby me is starting to put more and more signs up, but Alaska is still pretty wide open when it comes to what is allowed on the trails.
Snow-Bikes can be pretty hard on trails that go up and down hills. Often digging a big groove right down the middle. Not many SxS with tracks up here, but the ones I've seen float pretty good on the trails so they don't cause an issue. They can't get way off trail though, so I don't know how much fun they really can have.
Should also say, there are probably more groomed trails in almost every other state than there are in Alaska. Most groomed trails up here are done by dog mushers and at 20 MPH, they don't care about some of the bumps a snowmachine would.
Snow-Bikes can be pretty hard on trails that go up and down hills. Often digging a big groove right down the middle. Not many SxS with tracks up here, but the ones I've seen float pretty good on the trails so they don't cause an issue. They can't get way off trail though, so I don't know how much fun they really can have.
Should also say, there are probably more groomed trails in almost every other state than there are in Alaska. Most groomed trails up here are done by dog mushers and at 20 MPH, they don't care about some of the bumps a snowmachine would.
They are allowed in Maine......Just gotta buy a snowmobile sticker . B)I think they "may" be allowed in Maine? Not 100% sure, but I was almost killed by one a couple of years ago. As it was, the thing was as wide as the entire trail that I was on, and then it understeered like crazy entering a corner that I was on. I had to bail off the trail into thick brush as the albatross lumbered through the corner. Of course they never stopped.
After I pulled my sled out of the brush and got back on the trail, the entire trail was completely destroyed by its tracks as the snow conditions were pretty soft.
As I rode away, I got some satisfaction in realizing there was NO WAY on earth that ridiculous thing was fitting over the million dollar snowmobile suspension bridge a half mile up the trail that I just crossed by South Twin Lake.
Isnt this been the norm for the last decade or atleast 5 years.
Same in ny have not seen ridable snow till mid jan if lucky.
Head to up. I hear they got snow. Its rainning and 60 anywhere on east coast so im stuck unless i drive 14 hours to quebec.
Every year i say this is gonna be the year. But dissapointment after disappointment. One of these years it may turn around
Hopez for Feb and march still
Same in ny have not seen ridable snow till mid jan if lucky.
Head to up. I hear they got snow. Its rainning and 60 anywhere on east coast so im stuck unless i drive 14 hours to quebec.
Every year i say this is gonna be the year. But dissapointment after disappointment. One of these years it may turn around
Hopez for Feb and march still
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