14' xtx rear suspension

[cannondale27]

Many 141 owners here love the HyGear linkage kit and Evol Upgrade on the 141. Its not cheap. But I cant recall anyone who was not very happy with the Hygear setup. Back in 12,13 many Cat owners did switch to the Coilover many were happy but some were not. Personally I have only ridden NosPros 141 and found it to be a great riding and handling sled. Better than mine which was stock at the time. Maybe do a search for what he had for adjustments. Now if you were happy before and not now just get a rebuild to get back to new condition. I can do that for $30. Water gets in all shocks and will cause massive stiction and in 141 case sag. PM me for shipping info if you so choose.

 

[Mike P]

Unfortunately, I'm not exactly sure which model this shock came off of. The dealer I shop at (Gary's Yamaha in Caribou, ME) had this lying around after another customer changed it out for a FLOAT series shock. When we were pulling FLOAT 2 out of my skid, the mechanic was skeptical (they hadn't changed out a FLOAT to a coil shock on an XTX yet). But it bolted right in and fit perfectly. Now my rear end sits right were it should and always returns back to normal ride height. I'm still working on how stiff I want the rear spring, but so far it rides great and seems smoother than the original air shock.

While on my trip in Canada this past weekend and during normal riding in Maine, I have seen my fair share of Viper XTXs and Arctic Cat XF 141s with the air shock and all have been "sagging".

Gary's Yamaha in Caribou, ME! Very good dealer.

 

[Wannaviper]

It's probably one of those things where people either work with what they have, fix the shock constantly, or find a suitable fix and continue to use what they have. I was upset with constantly trying to fix the shock or pump air in over and over during the course of a ride that I found a way to replace.

I see that you are from Maine. If you ever ride in Aroostook County, let me know and I'll let you test out the shock on my snowmobile. We ride in the Caribou area and that might give you some insight into deciding if changing out the shock is the right move for you.

Thank you for the offer; I have not been up to the "County" in several years, but have great memories of the riding up there. We are in the Jackman area, which is also a great place to ride, so if you are ever down this way, let me know!

 

[Wannaviper]

Many 141 owners here love the HyGear linkage kit and Evol Upgrade on the 141. Its not cheap. But I cant recall anyone who was not very happy with the Hygear setup. Back in 12,13 many Cat owners did switch to the Coilover many were happy but some were not. Personally I have only ridden NosPros 141 and found it to be a great riding and handling sled. Better than mine which was stock at the time. Maybe do a search for what he had for adjustments. Now if you were happy before and not now just get a rebuild to get back to new condition. I can do that for $30. Water gets in all shocks and will cause massive stiction and in 141 case sag. PM me for shipping info if you so choose.

Hygear's site recommends the Evol Upgrade with the Float 3's and the linkage, but says that a coilover shock, like the Fox Zero Pro is the best shock to use with the linkage kit. Have you had any experience with the Zero Pro, with or without the linkage? I wonder if just replacing the Float 3 with the Zero Pro, or better yet, the Axis coilover shock without the linkage would improve the ride?

 

[cannondale27]

Hygear's site recommends the Evol Upgrade with the Float 3's and the linkage, but says that a coilover shock, like the Fox Zero Pro is the best shock to use with the linkage kit. Have you had any experience with the Zero Pro, with or without the linkage? I wonder if just replacing the Float 3 with the Zero Pro, or better yet, the Axis coilover shock without the linkage would improve the ride?

All I am saying is Everyone here has been very happy with the kit and Evol. If $ is no object All the fancy shocks will be better if adjusted right.

 

[Wannaviper]

All I am saying is Everyone here has been very happy with the kit and Evol. If $ is no object All the fancy shocks will be better if adjusted right.

The people with the Evol and linkage kits do seem to be very happy with that alternative. I was hoping that there were others out there, like Joseph, who had tried other alternatives with success. I have only had 800 miles of "experience" on my Float 3's, but I find them more than a little "harsh" in the rear. That having been said, I absolutely love the 141" skid frame and the uncoupled suspension for the way it handles and performs on and off the trail. There seem to be a lot of options for coilovers on the 141", at varying costs. Hygear sells the Fox Zero Pro which appears pretty basic, and they also make and sell their own shock which is more than twice the price of the Fox, but has lots of adjustability; Country Cat sells a QS3 coilover set with both center and rear shocks for a few dollars more than the Hygear rear shock alone. If anybody has used the Zero Pro, the Hygear, or the QS3's on the 141" skid I would really like to hear their thoughts and opinions.

 

[Wannaviper]

Okay, I just ordered a set of QS3's for the rear of my XTX. I thought seriously about the Hygear rear shocks, but the QS3's were significantly cheaper, and hopefully will achieve similar results. I am hoping that they will make life a little easier on these old knees of mine! As soon as they are on my sled, I will report back with the details.

 

[InRBigness]

I have float3's but have factory Evol's. I don't have to adjust mine ever unless I wanted something softer or harder. I think that the Evol makes a huge difference in how well the shock works. Main shock sets ride height and evol is your bump absorption. I do like the idea of the qs3's as well but not enough to not use what I have.

 

[drumz11]

Hygear's site recommends the Evol Upgrade with the Float 3's and the linkage, but says that a coilover shock, like the Fox Zero Pro is the best shock to use with the linkage kit. Have you had any experience with the Zero Pro, with or without the linkage? I wonder if just replacing the Float 3 with the Zero Pro, or better yet, the Axis coilover shock without the linkage would improve the ride?

Replacing the shocks with better valving or higher quality shocks makes a huge difference. I replaced the shocks on my 141" with aftermarket adjustable coilovers and it was like night and day. The Hygear linkage is very popular and hyped but I don't find it to be a necessity. I have ridden them with the linkage but find I'm very content with just a shock change.

 

[PS-RagE]

I also found the XTX very harsh and difficult to control at speed when you'd get into the rough stuff.

I installed the Hygear linkage and changed to coilovers all-round. Night and day difference - goes where I point it now.

 

[Nytros rule]

I also found the XTX very harsh and difficult to control at speed when you'd get into the rough stuff.

I installed the Hygear linkage and changed to coilovers all-round. Night and day difference - goes where I point it now.

And that little pile of goodies was probably no more than $29.95

 

[Wannaviper]

Replacing the shocks with better valving or higher quality shocks makes a huge difference. I replaced the shocks on my 141" with aftermarket adjustable coilovers and it was like night and day. The Hygear linkage is very popular and hyped but I don't find it to be a necessity. I have ridden them with the linkage but find I'm very content with just a shock change.

I am hoping that the QS3's will mirror your experience for me. From what I have read, the Evol chamber makes a huge difference over stock Float 3's, but rather than spend more money on better air shocks, I went with the coilovers. If the QS3's don't make the difference, then the Hygear linkage is still an option down the road.

 

[PS-RagE]

And that little pile of goodies was probably no more than $29.95

Well, there was the US conversion and GST, of course...

 

[Mike P]

I also found the XTX very harsh and difficult to control at speed when you'd get into the rough stuff.

I installed the Hygear linkage and changed to coilovers all-round. Night and day difference - goes where I point it now.

I will be riding on my coil-overs this weekend for the first time. I was tired of the air shocks.

 

[Wannaviper]

You guys with the Hygear shocks all the way around are giving me "shock envy"!