TRKSTR vs Transfer: Which MTN.TOP Kit Is Right for You?
This seems to be the question everyone is asking heading into the winter of 2026-27.
Should I go with the tried-and-true Transfer, or the new kid on the block, the TRKSTR?
I've spent quite a bit of time on the Transfer over the last few seasons and recently got the chance to spend a full day on the new TRKSTR. Going into that ride, I was pretty convinced the TRKSTR probably wasn't going to be for me.
I know, I know...
That's probably not the best thing for a dealer to admit.
But it's true.
I like to wheelie as much as the next guy, but I also need a kit that can break trail into riding zones, lead the group through deep snow, and get me home at the end of the day. My concern was that the TRKSTR would be a one-trick pony.
All wheelies.
No substance.
Turns out I was wrong.
First Impressions
The thing that surprised me most about the TRKSTR was how normal it felt.
I expected to leave the parking lot with the ski in the air and spend the day wondering if I was actually in control or just along for the ride.
Instead, the TRKSTR felt incredibly easy to ride.
The steering was light and predictable, especially in the crusty snow conditions we were dealing with that day. It went where I wanted it to go without much thought and didn't feel like it was constantly trying to wheelie out from under me.
For the first several miles, it honestly just felt like a really good snowbike.
Then I started playing around with the Sidehill Moto pegs.
That's when things got interesting.
The Fun Factor
The easiest way to describe the difference between these two kits is this:
The Transfer is happy to do whatever you ask it to do.
The TRKSTR is constantly asking, "Yeah, but what if we wheelie it?"
Standing back on the fall-line pegs completely changes the personality of the TRKSTR.
Once you find the balance point, it'll carry the ski for what feels like forever. You can steer with your feet, move your body weight around, and make small throttle adjustments to follow the terrain.
The first few times it happened I probably looked like an idiot because I was laughing inside my helmet.
It's just that much fun.
Every little roll in the terrain becomes something to play on.
Every sidehill becomes an excuse to lift the ski.
Every opening in the trees becomes a place to try something you probably shouldn't.
The fun factor is ridiculous.
What About Climbing?
This was my biggest concern.
A snowbike that wheelies well is cool.
A snowbike that wheelies well but can't get to the riding zone isn't very useful.
Fortunately, that wasn't an issue.
I intentionally climbed several hills exactly the way I would on a Transfer—feet on the standard pegs and riding normally.
The TRKSTR climbed great.
Towards the top of one climb I lost a little momentum and the ski started to come up, but it wasn't dramatic and it didn't create any issues. I simply stayed with it and rode out the top.
The TRKSTR is far more capable than I expected it to be.
So Which One Is Better?
That's the wrong question.
They're built for slightly different riders.
The Transfer is still the king of versatility.
It's predictable.
It's forgiving.
It climbs well.
It sidehills well.
It breaks trail well.
If you're the guy leading the group into a new zone after a fresh storm, the Transfer is probably still the safer bet.
The TRKSTR, on the other hand, turns every ride into a playground.
Not because it's less capable.
Because it constantly encourages you to have fun.
It's the snowbike equivalent of that buddy who always has terrible ideas that somehow end up becoming your favorite stories.
Which One Would I Buy?
A few months ago, I would've told you Transfer without hesitation.
Today?
That's a much harder question.
The Transfer remains one of the best all-around kits I've ever ridden.
But after spending a day on the TRKSTR, I found myself doing something I didn't expect.
I started figuring out how to get one in my garage.
The reality is that both kits are excellent.
If your priority is versatility, breaking trail, and tackling whatever conditions Mother Nature throws at you, the Transfer is tough to beat.
If your goal is maximum fun, wheelies, and finding new ways to giggle inside your helmet like a 12-year-old kid, the TRKSTR deserves a very serious look.
Final Thoughts
The thing I appreciate most about the TRKSTR is that it isn't just a Transfer with different graphics.
It's genuinely different.
Different enough that you'll notice it within the first few minutes of riding.
Different enough that you'll probably have a hard time wiping the smile off your face.
And different enough that this longtime Transfer fan left the mountain wanting one.
That's probably the biggest compliment I can give it.
About the Author
Darren Teal has been riding snowbikes since 2010 and has spent over 14 years testing kits, building custom snowbikes, and helping riders throughout North America choose the right setup. He is an authorized MTN.TOP and CMX dealer based in Post Falls, Idaho.
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