sebagolittle
New member
I am thinking about converting a viper 121" to a 144" x 2". The viper mountains are too hard to find here in New England. How was the suspension different on the factory viper mountain? Was the ski stance narrower? What could be done to get the sled to ride on top of the powder like true mountain sleds are designed to do? I was thinking abotu lower gearing too. Thanks
ridergonwild5692
Member
your better off just buying a longer skid. they work better and ride better. then throw in the track and your good to go. just my opinion.
bajardine
New member
The mountain viper has skid rails for the 144. The ski stance is narrower to make it easier to roll when boondocking and sidehilling. It also has 21/40 gears in it. Hartman Inc sells kits to do the conversion. It should include a tunnel extension, rail extensions, etc.
viperking
Active member
I have a 151 in kit/track if you're interested in it let me know thanks
sandmaster
New member
go for it !! i have a 144 2 inch paddle in my viper and love it !
get ahold of mountain performance. they sell a sweet kit that moves a 131 rail back in the tunnel to decrease the tracks approce angle . this just about elliminates all trenching. dropped the rear of the skid with there kit as well and added simmons generation skis up front. did a few power adders and this thing flys ove r the snow and rides ontop very well. also can ride trails with very good manners . like it so well im stretching the wifes vipper this summer and she only has 1200 miles on heres
get ahold of mountain performance. they sell a sweet kit that moves a 131 rail back in the tunnel to decrease the tracks approce angle . this just about elliminates all trenching. dropped the rear of the skid with there kit as well and added simmons generation skis up front. did a few power adders and this thing flys ove r the snow and rides ontop very well. also can ride trails with very good manners . like it so well im stretching the wifes vipper this summer and she only has 1200 miles on heres
I would add a tunnel extension with longer hoses and covers. Then I would get a mountain specific skid of a newer genre. The 2005 Mtn Viper skid was a good skid. The 2003-2004 Mtn Viper skid was a very poor mountain skid. I have a 2003 Mtn Viper with the 2009 XTX skid in it and a 146 x 16 x 1.75 track. I really like it. More sled than rider now really.
Stretching the short track skid is no where near as good as putting Mtn skid in there. If you can get your hands on a good aftermarket mountain skid it is even better.
Stretching the short track skid is no where near as good as putting Mtn skid in there. If you can get your hands on a good aftermarket mountain skid it is even better.
I love my Mt Viper, but it was built to be a Mt Viper. Narrow ski stance even. I mainly ride powdery meadows, so I don't need the short ski stance. So your plan might suit non-hilly, but deep powder riding areas better than a Mt Viper in standard form, with it's wider ski stance.
I'd first just try tunnel and skid extensions to your desired length (144") and see how you like it. When switching over, also remove tunnel protectors, switch to 8 tooth extro drivers (you have 9 tooth on there now), gear it down a tad, and thow a 1.75 Back Country or 2" Challenger Extreme track on there and see how you like it.
You may have better luck with a 1.75" lug Back Country track than a 2" lug mountain track for long term durability, with only a mimute loss of powder performance IMHO.
Good luck and post some pics of what you do.
I'd first just try tunnel and skid extensions to your desired length (144") and see how you like it. When switching over, also remove tunnel protectors, switch to 8 tooth extro drivers (you have 9 tooth on there now), gear it down a tad, and thow a 1.75 Back Country or 2" Challenger Extreme track on there and see how you like it.
You may have better luck with a 1.75" lug Back Country track than a 2" lug mountain track for long term durability, with only a mimute loss of powder performance IMHO.
Good luck and post some pics of what you do.