I have an 02 ZR 500 and my husband I are having a huge debate on studding my track. I weigh about 100 lbs and last winter had a tough time on ice or hard packed trails. He is very against studding the track-he has had bad luck in the past. Has anyone tried the studs that screw into the lugs? I think he might be willing to try those rather than the traditional kind. Any input would be appreciated!!!

SUMMER SUCKS!!!!

Have not tryed screw in type, I have ALWAYS studded my sleds, Its a safety issue for me, bought my wife a new sled last year & it was studded before she ever sat on it! I know not much help just my 2 cents! Good luck! :huh:

The only thing I've ever heard about them is BAD! Lugs being completely ripped off track and carbide tips falling out. I'd be surprised to hear any positive response from their use. Anybody else?
I think the fact that 99.9% of people use traditional studs would steer you in the right direction.

Traditional work a whole lot better... it doesn't take that long to stud the track. It's summer now so you have a project now. I recommend 96 studs right down the middle. This will help basically with acceleration/braking. It wont make the sled as hard to steer and it will be easier to throw around corners because you're not studding the outer belt. Make sure you also get at least 6 in carbides. Hope this helps

stud it, i can give many reason's why.
but i cant think of one why not to.

my buddy has the screws that go into the lugs. They work but are not as a good as studs. I would put 96 studs down the middle of your track and be done with it. I had my zl 500 studded like that and never had a problem with the studs. The sled had 3500 miles on it when i sold it.

I too have heard some bad stories on lug studs. I am a big fan a traditional studs for safety and have many, many miles without problems. Buy quality studs, put them only in the middle, use a double backer pattern, and change riding style if needed (no sliding around dirt corners, etc) and you should have good luck. Marc

I have personally studded over 20 sleds for myself & for others for $$$. Anywhere from 78 on an Indy Lite and up to 268 on my last Thundercat.

None, myself included, have EVER lost a stud or torn a track in the last 14 years. Using a template or my own patterns before there were templates. I have had studs broke off flush or bent almost 90º at the backer plate, but the track was fine.

I ONLY use Woody's, I pre-stretch the track (Ride it for 150 miles minimum w/o studs), use generous amounts of Loctite 271, use the PROPER length and quantity as recommended by Woody's, and use the PROPER drill bit and be sure to slightly "melt" the hole with the bit by holding it in the hole for a brief second.

I used to use a soldering iron and burn the track but my lungs are more valuable then a track. :unsure:

Lastly, if there is something I am unsure of I call Woody's and ask! They have always been very supportive.

For the record I will not ride w/o studs or with anyone else without them. Even with a 340cc sled. Safety is the deciding factor

I also do not work for WIEM (Woody's), I tried another brand ONCE...1/2 were snapped off in a season. And I won't use stainless studs either, to soft.
Nothing like the good 'ole Gold Digger for all around use. Should get 5-7,000 miles out of them if you don't ride to much early/late snirt.

this may not mean much, but i agree 110% with Beagle1. i have been through tons of studs, the best ones for the trail in my opinion are the ones he mentioned, 7mm, push through, gold digger stud. i don't work for WIEM either, but they make a hell of a trail carbide stud. studs to me are not a accessary but a neccessity, the lug studs were desighned for mainly powder sleds that may expierince a very brief ice or packed condition. if you don't ride were a 2" paddle is required, forget them, they will ruin a track, where as a push through type stud will actually protect the track.

I rode my ZR800 CCE (1.25" lug track) it's first season unstudded. With the exception of a few icy corners YIKES and when crossing our lake I enjoyed going studless. I then installed 144 1.325" Woody's Golddiggers through Saber plastic angled double backers before season two. I must say I enjoy the ride even more. No worries of icy corners or glare patches on the lake. But the biggest and most frequently noticable difference is in braking on roads and icy lakes. It's a huge difference indeed and a major safety improvement. Just ask my buddy with the same sled (unstudded at the time) when I braked heavily to turn off the road onto a trail and he had to bale out into the snowback to avoid rear-ending me due to his lack of traction. Needless to say his onhand box of Woodys where soon installed.
And regarding durability, I rode 1700 miles this past winter and both my studs, backers and track still look as good today as the day I installed them. Partly due I'm sure to my conscience effort to avoid spinning the track when doing bare road crossings. And we did have excellent snow this winter (Ontario) so few rocks and roots were encountered on trail.

STUD IT!

You could be correct A G. I never saw him. Only heard the tale later. Those snow packed/ice roads can be very slick though.

studding is the only way to go

My mom is 72 years old , rides a 340 fan cooled , she has 54 studs on her sled. all sleds should have them , to dangerous to ride out them.

I think you are better off with traditional studs. I have to agree with the rest as far as track dmamge with the screw in type. Having studs is going to make riding your sled alot safer on icy and hard pack trail and pavement. Check out the "Woodys" link here. It has a section on studs and safety, very informative.

http://www.wiem.com/safety2.htm

Go with normal studs

I habve not heard anythign but bad things about the lugs studs..

i have heard nothing but bad things about the screw in style. I have seen bad things happen, one of the familys i ride with had them put in a z 370 and the son that drives it spun it on ice, riped some of the lugs off as well as breaking the headlight on the sled behind it, not to mention a couple nice scratches.