2007 Vector GT question

[journeyman]

My uncle has a 2007 Vector GT (nice looking black one) with the GYt piggy back shocks. It is all stock with only about 700 miles on it. I have had only minimal seat time on it, but yesterday he asked me if I would take it out and put a few miles on it being it hadn't been started for awhile and needed the gas run through it.(his back is out) My dad, uncle and I share a shop together on some land in southern Minnesota. Anyways after running my Viper in the fresh snow yesterday I hopped on his Vector and took it for a spin down through our wooded trails and did a little off trail playing too. We have probably a good 12" of fresh untouched snow down in our woods. What I noticed is how the front end searches and dives alot. In the deeper snow it wanted to dive to the bottom of the fresh powder and kind of dish back and forth from side to side. On the trail it was better being he does have Dooleys on it. He first complained of alot of darting in the trails and has since installed Dooley 6" carbides. My question is this: Is the dishing and diving of the front end from the skis or maybe front shock adjustment. I never messed with his clickers being he is much lighter than me and it would not be any use for me setting it for my weight being I am a good 70 lbs. more than he is. My gut feeling is a better set of skis that have better flotation could cure alot of this especially considering how much more the front end weighs on a 4 stroke machine.

So what I am searching for is.......should he try better skis or just try adjusting the front shocks? I know my old 600SX w/ the front Ohlins had alot of adjustment available and I was amazed at how much different it handled with setting the clickers on the shocks. Or have most of you found better results with new skis being I have read about many 4 strokers changing their skis out??

 

[journeyman]

No one has changed skis on a Vector??

 

[Groomerdriver]

No one has changed skis on a Vector??

IMO....skis might be a Yami's weakest point nowadays. Aftermarket or Doo Pilot skis might be the most commonly added item to a Yami 4S sled.

THat all being said, your front shocks are going to do little or nothing for what you describe. I would start cranking up the front spring pressure 1" at a time. I've always felt that the front springs on the Yami 4S's could be a little stiffer out of the box.

 

[Stu]

journeyman,

I just put Slydog Powderhounds on my Rage this year. I haven't been able to get out much but I took it for a ride on fresh powder and all I can say is what a difference! My sled used to submarine the skis a lot on fresh powder but the Slydogs stayed right up on top. I haven't rode enough on these skis to give a real honest feel yet but looks good with first impression.

IMHO, get some new skis...I understand that CurveXS skis are the cat's behind but C&As, Pilots, and Slydogs would also be good investments compared to stock. Hope this helps.

 

[journeyman]

That may be a good start increasing the spring tension. I weigh around 210 without gear and it sure felt mushy up front to me. My uncle probably only weighs about 140 lbs though. He has been complaining of the handling though and probably feels the front diving too. I told him not to waste his money on the Dooley's and go with Slydogs, but he cheaped out. Now he went and bought another set of Dooley's because he says these didn't wear very good.......go figure. A few sets of those and there is the cost of the better skis.

 

[journeyman]

journeyman,

I just put Slydog Powderhounds on my Rage this year. I haven't been able to get out much but I took it for a ride on fresh powder and all I can say is what a difference! My sled used to submarine the skis a lot on fresh powder but the Slydogs stayed right up on top. I haven't rode enough on these skis to give a real honest feel yet but looks good with first impression.

IMHO, get some new skis...I understand that CurveXS skis are the cat's behind but C&As, Pilots, and Slydogs would also be good investments compared to stock. Hope this helps.

Thanks Stu.....I really like what I see with the Slydogs. I think that is what my uncle should buy for this Vector. I am thinking of doing the same for my Viper. I just installed a 121" Cobra 1.352" lug track. I really liked how it went through the fresh powder this weekend but my front end wants to sink too with the saddless Viper skis. I am thinking Powderhound skis too. I would think they would still be OK on the trails.