128/129 vs 136/137 track. Which Length is better?

[@stevekerns4257]

Thanks for taking the time to put out worthwhile content. Great information!

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Thank you Steve! I really appreciate it as I spend a lot of time and energy trying to show the sleds and things in a manner that will hopefully help people. Sleds are expensive and I want to show people the differences of the machines, techniques how to ride them better, and ultimately help them have the best experience they can out riding.

[@ttamsedroc]

its great you shot this video back home. must have been 2 winters ago, it didnt snow here last winter

[@Levi_LaVallee]

yes it was 2023 when I shot it.

[@CDX7]

Fun comparison. Good to see insights from an aggressive rider. I went with 136 XCR mainly for more tunnel accessories and slightly better off trail just in case.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

good call.

[@jdmjdm2094]

I started riding a 136" a few years ago, I wouldn't go back. It feels so much more controllable.

[@lylejohnson5549]

Very helpful, thanks. I have a 129” VR1 and have wondered if I made the right choice for the twisty VT trails and it feels like I did.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

I would agree. Tighter the trail the easier to get the short tracks around the turns.

[@lmentzel]

Love your videos man. Keep up the great work. Details matter especially at todays price points. Your videos answer a lot of detailed questions with great examples of what you are describing. Thank You!

[@Levi_LaVallee]

I'm glad you find them useful. Sleds do cost a lot now days and there are so many options, my goal is to help people find the right sled for them.

[@RJ-wy6cx]

Thank you for the comparison did my comment last time spur you to make a comparison if it did great if not great we have both lengths we love them both we have that exact red white and blue 22 XCR what an awesome sled also we have a short track boost it's awesome also

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The suggestions are always great to read! Fun when you get the chance to compare sleds back to back on the exact corner or bump section to see how they feel. The differences really jump out at you.

[@maxmartz4665]

Thanks for the comparison

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Thanks for checking it out! I have a good time (especially ditch banging ) with the XCRs!

[@gregsouther7293]

My two take aways when I spent a few hrs on an XCR demo were, It feels almost identical to my 22 XRS and damn it needs hand guards. It was a great sled but the Boost Assault I road the entire following day was way more fun.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Boost Assaults are a blast! But it all depends on what a person considers fun. Some want nothing to do with wheelies and off trail, while others do a little of everything. It's about matching the persons riding style and conditions they normally ride in to the correct sled so the fun is the most it can be.

[@gregsouther7293]

@@Levi_LaVallee I couldn’t agree with you more. I was shocked at how well the assault handled. It definitely didn’t transition corner to corner as flat or as easily as the XCR or my XRS and I am sure I was slower through the tighter sections but man I was laughing every time I wacked the throttle. I really liked the XCR and coming of an XRS it felt so familiar. The front end was too stiff though for the smooth trails we were on so it was I little skittish in the conners. Once I back some compression out of the front shocks though it railed. In motorcycle terms the XCR was like a Panigale. It was precise and made to go around a racetrack as fast as possible. While the assault boost was more like a street fighter, designed to be kind of a handful but make sure it puts a massive smile on your face while you’re riding like a hooligan. For most trail riders though I think the VR1 is probably their best bet.

[@adamruden-gt6ty]

Thanks for the great video!

[@Levi_LaVallee]

thank you! fun making it.

[@flyingtigre1239]

Love this guy Levi I’ll take the all new 25 9R 128 for sure with series 6

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Sure am looking forward to mine 9R XCR this winter

[@henrycagle7827]

@@Levi_LaVallee could you tell us more about the 2.0 v.s. the 6 series in traction with hole shot and sweeping turns? Which you prefer ? Thx big buddy

[@Levi_LaVallee]

@@henrycagle7827 Are you referring to 146 Khaos? I believe that is the only sled you can get those 2 tracks on.

[@henrycagle7827]

@@Levi_LaVallee thx Levi. You are a man with much appreciation.

[@MrPHATSPEED]

Last couple years I've rode 162, 155, 136 length sleds. This season i got a 2012 Rush 600 Pro R with the 121" track. Should be a trail rocket! Just hope we get snow this season.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The Short tracks are so fun on the trail! Easier to throw around. I have a great feeling about this winter!

[@jamesandre2316]

Thank you for the comparison. How about for bigger/heavier guys?

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The biggest thing is getting the HD torsion springs if you are bigger. otherwise the front end doesn't have any ski pressure, the sled is wheelieing, and makes it hard to get around on. In regards to 128 vs 136, I don't think it would be any different than what I talked about for a larger person.

[@DIPSTICKTV]

Was that Morgan you're running away from on the 121? Maybe Carl Kuster? That's a nice IQR you're riding there with that 128 😁 what do you think of the newer 136" race sleds for handling versus the 128? Specifically handling over big whoops, jump takeoffs, and in the air..

[@Levi_LaVallee]

That was Blair. One of VERY FEW times I passed Superman. haha

[@DIPSTICKTV]

@@Levi_LaVallee cooked past him!! Not many people can say that. I miss that guy’s riding man. “And ah” about 100 times in all his interviews were fantastic too 😆 He was my first snocross idol until he got paralyzed. You were my next guy though since I was already rooting for you on the low hahah. Jumped ships. Had to love Tucker too but he rode a damn cat… been a LaVallee fan boy since 2004 👌🏼

[@DIPSTICKTV]

Jeeez, been a Lavallee fan boy for almost 20 years now…. Ages BOTH of us a bit I think 😬 my bad on that 🤣

[@MrJeffyb69]

@@DIPSTICKTV I'm split on Polaris/ Cat. I have Arctic cat Sleds and Polaris 4 wheelers ! I'd ride both sleds as of right now, they're both badass! I think Polaris has the advantage currently in both ATV's and snowmobiles, but I'm a cat guy for life, first sled 🙂 You definitely know who the best 3 sno cross guys are man! One for each brand too! love ya Levi, but Tucker is the GOAT 😁

[@DIPSTICKTV]

@@MrJeffyb69 my first sled was a 2001 SnoPro 440 from the hibbert team. One of his mechanics sleds. Was trail converted and what not but stiff as heck for my 95lb self. Learned a lot on that thing… but then I grew up and got a Polaris 😉 Those are the 3 best. Levi’s the freestyle and speed & stile GOAT though. Can’t take that from him. 13x gold medalist.

[@LQ-C]

I have a 129 mxz ski doo and my friend has a 136 renegade and we traded sleds a few years ago and we both agreed that my 129 was more fun. It had more snap and acceleration. My sled used to belong to him and I warned him that he was better off with the shorter track. The suspensions both seam comparable but his renegade has smart shocks which I think did most of the work making the suspension feel better but even with smart shocks it was not that much better.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

the short sleds aren't that much shorter but boy they feel so much easier to throw around. they both have their positives and negatives, but it's really about what kind of riding you do.

[@ajbertelson9871]

can you believe we used to ride around on 120-121 tracks?

[@Levi_LaVallee]

I still enjoy sliding around on the 121s from time to time.

[@chrisjennings452]

I'm still rockin' an '04 XC500SP M-10 with a new 121 track and new studs and havin' fun. There is an XC650 129 in my future however. Thanks for the helpful info.

[@mikealchin525]

In curvy trails the 120 is best or easiest to handle why I am only 5’7” in height

[@Levi_LaVallee]

They work well for sure cornering, but some like a more 'locked in" feel so they like the longer ones.

[@RipperCentral]

Where can i get the hat Levi is wearing? The basic redbull beanie, i want one so bad, Cannot find it anywhere. Also very informative and entertaining vid!

[@Levi_LaVallee]

They are for Red Bull athletes only so you cannot buy them.

[@mikeysrxharris]

Got my 129 vr1 boost with 1 inch lug what a ripper

[@Levi_LaVallee]

straight up hauling!

[@NickP-c4q]

I wasn't aware that the 136 had slightly tipped up rails in the back. Is this the same for the 137 on the VR1 and XC Models?

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The 136 XCR rails are tipped up slightly, but VR1 and XC are flat

[@edwinhermanson8842]

I'm going from an xc 137 650 to the xc 129 650 because we ride nothing g but tight trails low speed and I'm old lol. Hoping it doesn't wear me out as much

[@Levi_LaVallee]

You will be fine.

[@everythingloud4068]

Hey man I am a new mountain rider I ride a old 2001 rmk800 151 I'm looking at new sleds but I'm torn between a khaos and the khaos boost would you recommend starting on a N/A sled first or would it make it easier with a turbo?

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Although more power can be more fun in the mountains, it can also get you into more trouble. A 850 is more than capable of getting you around in the mountains and having a good time.

[@everythingloud4068]

​@LaVallee awesome thank you! I will go with the 850 N/A. I just wanted to get your thoughts👍

[@Levi_LaVallee]

@@everythingloud4068 enjoy it!

[@krisvold32]

wonder if storm150 or ice strom would be better than 1.35 cobra

[@Levi_LaVallee]

I love the Storm as it hooks up better for wheelies and slides / pivots better in turns. Problem is they only come for 2.86 pitch tracks - 120, 129 , 137 , 146 .

[@krisvold32]

@@Levi_LaVallee o ya I didn't think about that

[@BCJ371]

Great video Levi. Debating snow checking a 24 XCR 136. Currently on a 129 VR1.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Moving from Vr1 to XCR is a bit of a change. The Vr1 goes through trail bumps like no other, they are so smooth. The XCR is deflects off bumps making for a 'bouncier" ride, unless you are hauling the mail down the trail. If you ditch bang, the XCR is quite a bit better than the 129 VR1. If im going on long trail ride putting on miles, I take the Vr1. If i'm going to be riding hard down the trail and there is a chance of jumps, I take the XCR.

[@BCJ371]

@@Levi_LaVallee for sure. I've ridden a 22 XCR and found it stiffer but it also felt sharper handling to me, more direct. The vr1 certainly soaks up the trail chatter nice. I still haven't made up my mind to be honest, leaning towards the XCR for those momentd when you want to hammer the bumps.

[@donhacker]

Awesome video. If both were studded the same pattern and stud length, would it change any of your thoughts about the two?

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The thing I think you would notice would notice is It would lock the 128 in a little more around the turns but I think I it would still feel more nimble than the 136

[@NiclasHorn]

if we are talking "cross-over" sleds. and trails that is more or less made by people riding a path and not a trail prepper maintaining the trail. i go for more track every day. here in Sweden we have a lot of trail´s but they are not in general maintained with a trail prepper trailer behind a sled or a "snow-cat" prepping the trail. that happens mostly close to skii resorts. for a well prepped trail i can go for a shorter track. but that happens rarely for me. more track makes the ride smoother. i have 146" track on my Lynx Xterrain 600R its a very nice cross-over sled. good on the trail good off the trail. my sled i had before my Lynx was Arctic Cat ZR 440 with engine swap to a 600cc with original 118 inch track, that was nimble AF, you could easy kick out the tail in turns on the trail but as soon you got off-trail with powder snow, you where f-ed ofc... so i am more happy with my 146 track, and i still can kick out my tail i tighter corners. i just need to work a little bit more for it.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

thanks for your comment. Yes you are correct- the shorter tracks feel more nimble and the longer ones are a bit more work to pivot around a corners.

[@rileynelsen4032]

The new Polaris sleds have come a long way! They make a ski-doo guy think twice about which new sled he will buy.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The XCRs are fun if like riding hard!

[@RJ-wy6cx]

Make the switch you'll never go back

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

Ive only ridden 120-121 track sleds. Literally just put money down on a 850 xcr 136. I hope I didn't make the wrong decision on track length....

[@jamesmontague6862]

I went from 121 to 137 VR1 and love it. I was scared it would push in the corners and that didn't happen at all. I actually need to work on reducing ski pressure.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

You will love it. I just did a ski test 2 days ago and you will either love or hate the XCS skis. They bite hard but take a lot of effort to turn. I tested them with only 4” carbides too. The Xpt and RZ bite harder than stock but don’t take the effort the XCS do. Stud pattern - if you want more give in the turns, you can run 2 singles per lug or if you want more side to side give, run 2 doubles every other lug. They have both options on the 2.52 pitch stud template. If you don’t want the back end moving around in the corners add more than 2 studs (or 4 every other lug) and it will lock it in more. The mavericks work great. I usually run RZs with Maverick or Ace runner because I want it turn when I am riding hard on the trail. The 1.6 cobra works pretty well. The outside lugs are tapered some which gives it less of a ridged feel in the corners as the 1.35 cobra which has outside lugs that are straight up. They limit any slide / pivot in the turns giving a more ridged feel. And the 1.6 bites in better so you can get the skis up if you go off trail a little better.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The 137 / 136 work great! They are more “forgiving” meaning they don’t swap around as much in bumps, back ends don’t break loose as easy in the turns.

[@Kevin-ix4qz]

Thanks for your input everyone

[@Levi_LaVallee]

@@Kevin-ix4qz no problem

[@kevinnilsen590]

Another great video, Levi. In your opinion, which one has the greater "fun factor" on trail? Sold my 146 and I'm not sure if I should go with a 137 or go all the way back to a 129. Thanks!

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The fun factor on the trail goes to the 128 to me. I like the smaller, looser feel that you can throw into the turns. The 136 /137 is locked in on the turns giving it a more train track feel. Many like that secure feel, but I like that "loose is fast" feel when I want to have fun trail riding.

[@robertm7554]

⁠​⁠@@Levi_LaValleeGreat explanation!

[@connorqueenie6449]

Race the xcr 800 triple vs xcr 850

[@Levi_LaVallee]

That would be fun. My prediction for a lake race is the 850 jumps it on the bottom and the triple takes it on top.

[@caterpillar6nz310]

new sleds are too high for top speed drop suspension....... speed gain are impresive new sleds are more fun but have a regret my 98 red rocket........for the time is a little bomb@@Levi_LaVallee

[@jodypierson3137]

I have the red white and blue 850 128, I love it but I’m thinking I’m going to pass it down to my wife and get the 136.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

The nice thing is then you can jump back and forth and see the differences. I like 128 on the trail because it is so easy to move around.

[@otahu26]

Studded Track like the 1990s no slide in the corners. Just saying for us Flat landers. Studded Track and sharp carbides

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

I wish my indy adventure was the xcr 650 an not the adventure! I also would like the 7s display in the xcr in Jesus name amen.

[@Levi_LaVallee]

You can get the XCR with the 7S display, but it is an option.

[@edwardabrahamiii3742]

@@Levi_LaVallee oh i know ive seen it b4 as an option.

[@rossmackenzie7993]

137 skidoo! Polaris a close second

[@atv55803]

who ever gave the go ahead for that awful mint green should be fired ,not a fan

[@Levi_LaVallee]

haha. its a love it or hate it type of color.

[@atv55803]

@@Levi_LaVallee no doubt if the wife bought those color bath towel I`D burn it bahaha

[@Levi_LaVallee]

@@atv55803 LOL

[@cudwood]

128 all day long

[@Levi_LaVallee]

Rocket time!