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Kimpex Commander ATV Snow Tracks
on 2007 Yamaha Grizzly
Packaging:
Overall good, but parts
box was open upon arrival and the assembly documentation was
missing. I was able to retrieve the docs via e-mail from the
vendor.
Inventory:
I performed an inventory
check and determined
all parts were there. However,
I discovered a loose nut (finger-tight only) on one of the
track adjuster retaining bolts
(not the jamb nut). I decided to powdercoat the sheetmetal
brackets and it really improved the appearance and quality of
the product. I was disappointed that they hadn't
come from the factory
already powdercoated. At $3,800 it's an important
consideration.
Documentation:
Installation, Owner's, and Service Guide #374001
Minor issues below. Overall
it was easy to follow.
1) Nomenclature was a little
confusing for the front anti-rotation assembly. I think the
Guiding axle in "schema D" page 9, is the same part referenced
as a "sliding rod" in section 3.1.2.3.
2) Item 18 (Ball joint) was
missing from the bill of materials of the front anti-rotation
assembly on page 9.
3) The track displacement
adjustments in "sketch N" and "sketch O" should be a min-max
range as you would with a motorcycle drive chain (min
deflection 7/8" - max deflection "?"). There isn't any reference
to a max deflection so it isn't clear when the rider should
tighten the track, it just says don't "over-tighten".
Mounting
Instructions #373714
No Issues.
Installation:
I
have a very good mechanical aptitude
and I'm an avid
inventor/tinkerer. I'm also a manufacturing engineer by
trade, so I did this as a true time-standard evaluation. It
took 3.5 hours to pull
the wheels and install the tracks.
There's no way to rush the first installation. I used
a floor jack and hand tools just like any home-guy would probably do.
I estimate it will take 1.0
hour to reverse the process next spring. Then 1.5 hours to
re-install next winter
(remember to replace all nuts and U-bolts each time it's
installed). I'll
be able to shave another 20-30
minutes off of both
directions if I setup with torque-adjustable power tools.
Hardware:
4 Lug nuts per wheel (16
total)
7 Bracket bolt/nuts per front
track (14 total)
1 Anti-rotation assembly
bolt/nut per front track (2 total)
4
Bracket bolt/nuts per rear
track (8 total)
1 Anti-rotation assembly
bolt/nut per rear track (2 total)
4
Lug nuts per track (can't use
a power tool for my pattern) (16 total)
Adjustments:
All track
adjustments and access are reasonable, but not optimum (an
opportunity for improvement). The documentation really
needs track displacement limits (see "Documentation"
issue #3)
Finished
Dimensions:
15 1/2" Ground
clearance (3 3/4" higher than with stock tires).
51 3/4" Width
(front and rear).
98" Length (tracks
tip-to-tip).
Steering:
It was somewhat
tricky finding the right balance between stable high speed
travel and easy steering. I suspect it's due to the sensitive
nature of the power steering on the new Yamaha Grizzly 700 FI. I tried
several different settings and ended up 3" forward (as opposed
to 2 1/4") of the suggested start setting in section 3 of the
"Installation, Owner's, and Service Guide". Keep in mind it's
still very easy to steer, just not as amazingly light as it is
with tires. I rode for several miles, up and down
hills, and around trees and obstacles
with one hand and never got tired or
felt like I was wrestling. That's EASY in my book!
Handling & Speed:
This setup doesn't make it a snowmobile and shouldn't be
expected to handle like one. This is a true hybrid.
You can't high-mark on it and you can't blast down
the groomed trails at 70+ mph! I didn't
feel comfortable going more than 35 mph (estimated) on the
logging roads. I believe it's partly
due to the high center-of-gravity and shorter "wheel-base" as
compared to snowmobiles. There seemed
to be plenty of throttle left after
I hit 35 mph and I'll open
her up when I get out on a frozen lake or similar area.
Mathematically, I should be able to get to 45+ mph on this
machine with this setup.
Rating:
Lows
*
Cost: It's pretty
spendy at $3,800.
*
Potential is
hidden: As with most new pieces of equipment, the potential
isn't always obvious at first. That alone made it hard to
justify when I first considered the system.
*
Initial
installation & adjustment time: 3.5
hrs
*
Steering
adjustment: I was a little disappointed until I found the
right steering adjustment point. Fine-tuning by the owner is
discouraged because you have to (or should) take the weight
off the tracks to adjust the steering,
and that's tedious
*
Sheetmetal
brackets: They should be powdercoated.
Highs
* Solid design: You can "feel" the quality engineering that
goes into these tracks.
* Performance: Faster and more nimble than expected.
* Hidden potential: Who knows where I'll take it next...
*Versatility: Really fills the gap between snowmobile and
4-wheeler.
*"WOW" factor! I can't take this setup anywhere
without drawing a crowd!
Overall: I give the Kimpex Commander Track System very high
marks on this machine!
This setup will take you hunting or sight seeing where
snowmobiles and 4-wheelers with tires can't. Pack your
snowshoes and a nice hot lunch and add to the adventure. It
does a really great job of towing snowboarders, sledders, and
tubers in open fields too! I've hunted with it on 2 occasions
and played with it on 3 occasions, and I can't wait to take it
out again! I am more impressed and enthusiastic about what it
can and will do each time I take it out!
COMMANDER TRACK SYSTEM
007 Yamaha Grizzly with Snow Tracks & Cycle Country Plow (60")
and
Stealth Exhaust
 
"Here's what I had to do the
attach a snow plow to the Grizzly with Snow Tracks...you'll
get 2 e-mails due to the size of the photo files. Kimpex
tracks extend approximately 16" further than the stock tires
provided with the 2007 Grizzly. Variables include track
adjustment for steering, and width of track vs width of tire.
16" extension accommodates worst-case clearance requirements.
Cycle Country Snow Plow
Extension:
1) Welded 16" extension tubes
to match existing push tubes.
2) Welded 1/4" support plates
across each of the extension weld joints.
3) Welded an additional 1/4"
winch hook plate 16" back from factory location to maintain
same winch cable angle.
4) Re-powder coated the
entire support tube unit."
Raoul Fernandez
in Blanchard, ID
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