First ride of the season...

KnappAttack

KnappAttack

24X ISR World Drag Racing Champion
Joined
Feb 19, 2004
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Location
Welch MN
Country
USA
Snowmobile
2023 Sidewinder LTX-LE
2017 Sidewinder LTX-LE
Got the 23 LTX-LE out yesterday for the first ride of the season after sitting idle the last couple of seasons. Went to take it out for a little shakedown run and ended up putting on 80 miles. Sure do love the ride of the new sled over the 2017. Very plush and supple. Front ski shocks along with front arm shock set on one for compression and full soft on all springs settings, rear shock at #2 compression that is needed to stiffen it a bit more in the rear. On the 17 I ran everything on #1 for compression dampening all around with springs on full soft.

Trails were all groomed up nice and have a good base started for what looks to be a good season on the horizon, sans a couple day warmup next week I hope we can survive. Real nice after not doing any riding the last couple of seasons other than one 50 mile ride after a wet heavy 12" snowfall earlier this spring that lasted a whole day.

I was just running the stock skis and carbide and it's quite evident the new sled is not going to corner as fast and flat as the 17 seemed to with its shorter spindles, seems more top heavy with a higher center of gravity with the longer spindles, perhaps the added weight of the EPS is also effecting this feeling of heightened center of gravity too. I have the ski spring setups the same with the ski shocks just holding the retainers on when fully extended. I wished Cat/Yamaha would have not gone to these longer spindles on this machine like they did. It's quite obvious they raised the center of gravity and it hurt & lessened the ability to keep the inside ski on the ground at high speeds. Obviously they thought they needed the added ride height up front for ground clearance, but it came at the expense of high corner speed, the front end feels high too coming from the 17. Other than that, I love the ride and the EPS is to die for and something I love more than I thought I would. I also noticed a more plush seat foam over the foam that was in the 17. Overall I love the sled, the more supple shock dampening and the EPS.

Anyway, It was good to get out, time to get my Doo skis on with the Aggressive SnoTrackers on it to see how it does and if I can improve on the cornering speed and handling get it to where my 17 railed corners and kept the inside ski on the ground. Perhaps a set of SRX springs for the front end are in order to get the ride height down up front instead of the LE front springs, anyone have a set kicking around at all?
 
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After a couple bad winters, I'm glad to hear you can get out and ride......finally!

I too noticed the higher ride height on the 2020 and newer sleds, but although higher, I notice less inside ski lift than the older models and I find they handle better. (Please don't hate me! Lol). The only drawback is perhaps a 1-2 mph loss of topspeed due to the added height.

Winter in my neck of the woods is reminding me of the good old days. The cold came early this year, the ground froze and most clubs have groomed and have good base. The sport needs a good winter to get back on track!!

Wishing a safe season to all!!
 
Thanks for that Glenn. You know the thought dawned on me too that I could be riding this thing faster than I did the 17 as well… I think it is smoother and more comfortable and it seems I need more brake to get it hauled down getting into the corners. Plus the fact I don’t have my normal Doo race skis and SnoTracker carbides on for the good snow and base we actually have. Was very surprised that it’s as good as it is for early season riding. Also because of the change in shock dampening and ride height between the two, I may need to change my setup thinking to how I would typically set it up. I could just need to alter and adjust it differently to the way I did for the short spindles as well. I know I like its improved ride comfort and steering for sure. Handling is still great don’t get me wrong, but it just feels different and higher up front obviously. My feet are not dragging on the trail thru the running boards on the bottom of the valleys and hills anymore with the heightened ride of the taller spindles. Something I’ll need to get used to. LOL!

Sure is good to be back out riding again though! Just need to keep this old fashioned weather pattern going the rest of the season and we’ll have a good one.
 
Great to hear you have good snow already. In North Western Ontario we have very little snow but very good lake ice as its been cold for weeks.
We have been watching the major snow systems moving south of our area and just waiting for our turn.
 
Well we were off to a really good start to the season, and poof, just like that it's gone. Temps in the 40's rain and there you go. Worst part is there's no cool temps in the forecast or snow either. More days well above freezing than below in the ten day outlook. UGGGGG!

I know being a snowmobiler you gotta roll with the punches, but year after year they just keep coming and getting worse. Much as I hate to say it, it's getting real hard to keep the interest and stay in this sport...
 
We are finally getting some snow here in NWO...all the previous systems went south of us. Our ice conditions are well established from the previous cold dry conditions so we should be good to go now. I sure would like to see the previous snow conditions of past decades.
I raced in the Winnipeg to St Paul 500 race in the 70s and I cant imagine trying to ride a sled on that route in the last 10 years or more. lets hope everyone gets a great winter for riding this year.
 
KnappAttack said:
Well we were off to a really good start to the season, and poof, just like that it's gone. Temps in the 40's rain and there you go. Worst part is there's no cool temps in the forecast or snow either. More days well above freezing than below in the ten day outlook. UGGGGG!

I know being a snowmobiler you gotta roll with the punches, but year after year they just keep coming and getting worse. Much as I hate to say it, it's getting real hard to keep the interest and stay in this sport...
Click to expand...
Isn't that the truth. Wife and I were just having the conversation the other day if maybe we need to just be done. We'll see how this winter shakes out here in the Brainerd area, but like you said, it was looking good and 2 days later we are starting over.
 
Knapp, I've felt this way for the last 8yrs. I was in Florida riding my bike, But stupid me fell for the early season snow. I still enjoy the sport but I'm getting tired of being its prisoner. I've sold my sled trailer & back up skidoo. The only thing i have left is my sidewinder. So I'm not so invested into this sport like I used to be.
I've lowered my mileage goals i used to do and thankful for every mile i put on.
 
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I was vacationing in Florida in November and ran into someone from the Michigan Upper Pennisula . He had been an avid snowmobiler since the 1980s and he said he had recently given up on the snowmobiling sport and was really enjoying his time on his performance S x S.
 
sideshowBob said:
I was vacationing in Florida in November and ran into someone from the Michigan Upper Pennisula . He had been an avid snowmobiler since the 1980s and he said he had recently given up on the snowmobiling sport and was really enjoying his time on his performance S x S.
Click to expand...
That's funny you mentioned that, Bob. Found this the other day. Although Ive been down that road b4 with dirt bikes & quads, its definitely something to consider. Something about snowmobiling kept me interested over the past 30+ years.
Screenshot_20251218_135154_Facebook_copy_540x629.jpg
 
Started riding in 1977 and had sleds till 2008. Life changed and didn’t have the time to chase snow like I had in the past so I sold trailer and sleds. Lots of great memories of uncountable trips. 2016 a friend that I rode with for many years got a new sled and I talked myself back into it and picked up a new Viper. Played with that over the past years but these crap winters have killed my enthusiasm. I sold everything when this early snow came.The sport doesn’t seem like it will be able to survive with hardly any new club members and a lot of us aging out of it. It will exist to some extent but not like it was in the 80’s and 90’s. If I ever own another I think I would go the vintage route and find an old favorite to fix up and maybe go to some vintage meets but for now I may look at a side by side
 
KnappAttack said:
Got the 23 XTX-LE out yesterday for the first ride of the season after sitting idle the last couple of seasons. Went to take it out for a little shakedown run and ended up putting on 80 miles. Sure do love the ride of the new sled over the 2017. Very plush and supple. Front ski shocks along with front arm shock set on one for compression and full soft on all springs settings, rear shock at #2 compression that is needed to stiffen it a bit more in the rear. On the 17 I ran everything on #1 for compression dampening all around with springs on full soft.

Trails were all groomed up nice and have a good base started for what looks to be a good season on the horizon, sans a couple day warmup next week I hope we can survive. Real nice after not doing any riding the last couple of seasons other than one 50 mile ride after a wet heavy 12" snowfall earlier this spring that lasted a whole day.

I was just running the stock skis and carbide and it's quite evident the new sled is not going to corner as fast and flat as the 17 seemed to with its shorter spindles, seems more top heavy with a higher center of gravity with the longer spindles, perhaps the added weight of the EPS is also effecting this feeling of heightened center of gravity too. I have the ski spring setups the same with the ski shocks just holding the retainers on when fully extended. I wished Cat/Yamaha would have not gone to these longer spindles on this machine like they did. It's quite obvious they raised the center of gravity and it hurt & lessened the ability to keep the inside ski on the ground at high speeds. Obviously they thought they needed the added ride height up front for ground clearance, but it came at the expense of high corner speed, the front end feels high too coming from the 17. Other than that, I love the ride and the EPS is to die for and something I love more than I thought I would. I also noticed a more plush seat foam over the foam that was in the 17. Overall I love the sled, the more supple shock dampening and the EPS.

Anyway, It was good to get out, time to get my Doo skis on with the Aggressive SnoTrackers on it to see how it does and if I can improve on the cornering speed and handling get it to where my 17 railed corners and kept the inside ski on the ground. Perhaps a set of SRX springs for the front end are in order to get the ride height down up front instead of the LE front springs, anyone have a set kicking around at all?
Click to expand...

Do you have a 2023 XTX-LE or a 2023 LTX-LE? Your post says "23 XTX-LE" but your signature shows "2023 Yamaha Sidewinder LTX-LE, w/QS3R's & EPS".

I also have a 2017 LTX SE that I have been riding for the last 3 seasons and we just bought a 2025 LTX LE last spring (haven't ridden it yet). I am looking forward to seeing what this EPS is all about. FYI - as far as I know, if you install the front SRX dual-rate springs, you have to install them with the tight coils down or they will interfere with the reservoir on the QS3 & QS3R shocks.

I have read concerns with the spring divider wearing into the shock body on the center shock on the LE models. Based on a tip from Cannondale, I bought a roll of a specific type of 4" wide thin teflon tape that I plan on wrapping around the shock body to try to keep the wear off it. I have plenty of that tape if you or anyone else here is interested in any.
 
twyztid said:
Do you have a 2023 XTX-LE or a 2023 LTX-LE? Your post says "23 XTX-LE" but your signature shows "2023 Yamaha Sidewinder LTX-LE, w/QS3R's & EPS".

I also have a 2017 LTX SE that I have been riding for the last 3 seasons and we just bought a 2025 LTX LE last spring (haven't ridden it yet). I am looking forward to seeing what this EPS is all about. FYI - as far as I know, if you install the front SRX dual-rate springs, you have to install them with the tight coils down or they will interfere with the reservoir on the QS3 & QS3R shocks.

I have read concerns with the spring divider wearing into the shock body on the center shock on the LE models. Based on a tip from Cannondale, I bought a roll of a specific type of 4" wide thin teflon tape that I plan on wrapping around the shock body to try to keep the wear off it. I have plenty of that tape if you or anyone else here is interested in any.
Click to expand...
I think the wear is from "Snirt" ( snow/dirt) building up around the shock body and inside the boot because I haven't had that problem with my LTX LE's in good snow
 
fatchance said:
I think the wear is from "Snirt" ( snow/dirt) building up around the shock body and inside the boot because I haven't had that problem with my LTX LE's in good snow
Click to expand...
There's no "boot" on the LTX LE QS3R center shock.
 
twyztid said:
There's no "boot" on the LTX LE QS3R center shock.
Click to expand...
Hah, You're right! I have the boot on my XTX LE and could have sworn there was one on my 17". That said I never had the wear issues on the 2 LTX LE's and only on my 17" until after a real shitty snow condition season. I have to say though I installed the Stingray mod spring in the 17" shortly after the wear and have run that spring in the LTX LE and XTX LE in both from new.
 
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