13mm / 12mm swaybars

[tshelver]

I know this has been beaten to death recently...

My sled is currently set up with Ohlins shocks, low transfer on the rear skid, much tighter than stock settings. I'm running SLP PowderPro skis with 8" Bergstrom carbides.
Pluses: the front end push under power out of a corner is gone. The skis cut and and carve on hardpack, ice or loose snow. Probably a lot better than even the Precision or Simmons skis in the loose stuff as the PowderPros have an ultra-deep keel and are much wider than stock , with great flotation.
The ski lift up front is greatly reduced over stock. If I use a lot of body weight shift in corners, I can keep up with most sleds / sledders out there. But for big mile days, I'd like to be able to ride quickly without too much effert like my old 700 triple Yammie...

Issues:
- very heavy steering, especially on LH bends. Tweaked the Ohlins shocks, helped quite a lot. Not an issue for RH bends, as I can put both arms into it and I'm not a small lad... Left hand corners when I'm using the right hand for throttle control is more of an issue.
I'm going to try the Bergstrom shim mod for the skis. Also going to put on bar risers and handlebar hooks for mor leverage in the bends.
- Some inside ski rise and darting in corners: I'd like flat cornering, but don't want to suffer too much on the ride front. The Ohlins have improved matters quite a lot on the front, don't want to give it away again.
Will I get noticeable improvements out of the 12mms, or are the 13mms the only way to go. I almost got the feeling from Pioneer website that they suggest 12mm as a best compromise, with the 13mm for the flat cornering freaks.

I ride a fair bit of flat, fast smooth trails, and fairly smooth mountain twisties (northern NH / western Maine, and Quebec). Unformtunately, my home area can be very bumpy and tight, and the Pittsburg / northern NH area also get pretty rough. I also have to beat a short section of ungroomed trail to get from my lot to the trail system.

Also, who are you guys buying these bars from? I've found the Pioneer Performance website, but there is no phone # to order from...

 

[Buckeye]

716-496-8800

 

[LeeKo]

I have Ohlins, 11mm bar and Simmons skis on mine. My friend has straight rate springs 12mm bar and we tried the powder pros and c&a's using my sled as the constant. The powder pros had more bite in the corners especially loose powdery snow, however they were much less stable, required more steering effort and darted more than my setup. The C&A's were similar but had more stability. He was able to improve the darting and steering effort with the powder pros by towing the skis out a 1/2 inch and shimming the mounts to make sure that the wear bars were flat on the ground, however he was never able to match the handling of mine. This year he switched to Simmons.

I know this doesn't answer your question but I wanted to share my experience. Before you spend more money on stabilzer bars, I would consider putting the money towards simmons. I think the simmons add to the stabiltiy of the sled, reduce darting and reduce the steering effort.

 

[jtssrx]

I would say there is a issue in the tuning and setup of the front end. The combination of a week sway bar and improper setup shocks is the problem.

The problem with a lot of sleds and cornering is the preload on your shocks. Guys crank up the preload which is wrong. What you want to on the RX-1 is soften it and make the AArms flatter. When you do this you instanly load the sway bar.

Go out and look at your sled. If the AARMs are not flat take preload out and get them flatter.

 

[LazyBastard]

jtssrx... you don't load the swaybar by reducing the main spring preload unless you reduce one and not the other. What you do by reducing the preload is simply lower COG and provide more room for inside extension when cornering.

 

[jtssrx]

LazyBastard: Ok

 

[tshelver]

Thanks for the ideas. I think I'll try the thicker bar and also shimming the ski for now. What I really like about the PowderPro / Bergstrom 8" setup is that it totally cured the front-end push the sled had from stock: I ride on trails with loose snow quite often, and the stockers were just horrible there.

I'm not as experienced with sled setup as motorcyles, but often a setup that gives gives more traction (tires) highlights other issues in the chassis which lower traction / power options hide.

I've noticed that I'm fine in RH bends as I can get enough power to the bars to control any darting, and so the sled corners really well. I'll try the bar hooks for more leverage. Away from hard-packed snow the sled handles fine, left or right, no darting (as you'd expect).

I also think I made a mistake with the 8" bergstroms, 6" would probably have been enough carbide. Will order up a set to try out.

 

[welterracer]

All im gonna say is ive got the 13mm sway bar and ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!! My sled always gave me an uneasy feeling in corners with bumps.. NOT ANYMORE.. FLAT HANDLING...

 

[LazyBastard]

Welter, dude. You've convinced me. My 13mm bar is on its way, should be here next week (sent out today).

 

[welterracer]

ROCK ON LB... Not too often you take advice from me... Its usually the other way around..

 

[Boston RX1]

Welt, you convinced me. Mine will be here before the weekend. Will I have to realign my skis again or it is just plug & play?

 

[welterracer]

PLUG AND PLAY... JUST MAKE SURE YOU LINE UP THE MARKS ON THE BAR ACORDING TO INSTRUCTIONS.

 

[tshelver]

Thanks guys. You've bought so many 13mm bars Pioneer is sold out until next week...

 

[Boston RX1]

Welt, just installed the 13mm and went out for a test. WOW!! Night and day difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am thrilled. I will post more after I get some more miles on.