Frequently Asked Questions
What difference will I feel riding with Pro-File TR runners?
The most noticeable difference is the handlebars turn easily almost like power steering, also the sled reacts instantly. You will learn very quickly that you turn the handlebars less to make the machine follow the corners. The feeling in your hands will be smoother with less jerky feedback from the handlebars. Dramatically better steering control in loose snow. The ability to tune the steering feel by changing the Fin Plates.
Will Pro-File TR runners steer harder?
Any runners that are longer & deeper into the snow will steer harder than 3/8” factory runners. Pro-File TR runners are the easiest steering high performance runners you can buy. They require very little more or maybe less muscle than some factory runners.
What about “Darting” or skis following the grooves in snow from other sleds?
A simple way to explain “Darting” is when the snowmobile wants to follow other ski grooves in the snow causing the machine to dart side to side from one set of grooves to another. This is very uncomfortable for the rider. The Darting feeling varies greatly depending on the snow conditions. Generally darting is more noticeable in frozen hard pack and less in loose snow. Pro-File TR runners Arched Keel design & Tunable Fin plate surface act similar to a boat getting on top of the water at faster speeds. This same action allows Pro-File TR runners to get on top of the snow and lets the rider steer easily across other grooves in the snow, not follow in them. Riders are always telling us they notice this feeling and appreciate being able to comfortably go straight down the trail and stay in their lane more easily. In most cases Darting will be felt the least with the original factory 3/8” runners. If you don’t believe it take the runners off and ride your sled, Darting will be gone but the sled will not turn well enough to stay on the trail. Pro-File TR runners cut deeper into the snow than the factory runners which can make darting more noticeable in some trail conditions. By changing the size, shape and mounting direction of the Fin plate rider can tune the steering feel and eliminate darting.
Ski Fitment?
Pro-File TR runners are built for the most popular factory skis 2005 and newer. When possible we use the numbers molded in skis as our reference but unfortunately not all the manufacturers do this. Pro-File runners only fit the specific ski it was designed for unlike other bent rod runners that may fit several skis such as mountain vs. standard skis within the brand. Pro-File TR runners only fit the skis shown in our information.
Why are Pro-File TR runners more expensive?
The costs of design & manufacturing process are significantly higher for today’s high tech products like Pro-File Tunable Runners. These are not bent rods with studs & carbide sections welded on. Pro-File TR runners are trail tested and the keel shape is developed to best suit each ski & snowmobile they were designed for. This is visually & functionally different than all other runners. Pro-File TR runners are not designed for the beginner snowmobiler; they are for guys & gal’s that want that extra confidence the sled will turn when the rider wants it to and with much less muscle effort from the rider.
Mileage & Wear & Warranty?
We have run several sets of Pro-File TR runners over 5000 miles each in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and they are still useable even after spring riding. Mostly we have great snow conditions in the U.P. which extends the mileage life of ski runners a lot. When riding in central Michigan trial conditions are usually less snow, more hard pack & icy and a lot more SNIRT from sandy ground base. Whenever you see brown snow on the trail your ski runners are going through the snow into the dirt below. This shortens the life of the runners dramatically. There is no way to give an expected mileage number in these conditions and it is just part of our sport. Pro-File TR runners have more steel & carbide material to wear away than most other runners. More material means it will take longer to wear them out. Remember this is a SNOW mobile designed to be ridden in snow not SNIRT. Skis, runners, tracks & slides/hyfax are normal wear items on a snowmobile, just like tires on a car. There is never a warranty or guarantee on mileage life for off-road tires, skis, tracks or any other components that contact the driving surface. We will repair or replace runners that are defective from failed welding at studs or carbide inserts during normal use. Returning runners for evaluation is required.