500 Mile Report and Suspension Setup

[WVTurboLTX]

It got better through the week. They are still working on getting everthing opened up. Greenville area was a mess. Too many logging operations going on. Further north was much better. Getting ready to head home right now. Snowed a couple feet last night.

 

[actionjack]

Maine. I think it's going to rain in DCL tomorrow.

6-10" only question is if they close 68.

 

[thunderbolt]

I just came in from the garage and I have a ltx se and from the dealer i have 25 threads showing on my front shocks and don't seem to be able to see the holes on the front limiter strap and as for compression/rebound I only have one knob on the bottom of the front fox shocks with no numbers on it at all.
Anybody have any idea what a good set up would be on a se with a 225 pound rider

 

[Fleecer]

I rode Greenville area Monday and Sherman/Long Pond area Tuesday-Thursday. Some fun trails up here. I'm going to have to come back up when the season is in full swing. I think I'll head up to Caribou next time or saddle bag it out of Sherman for 5 days.

As I write this Caribou has about 4 feet on the ground. All of Northern Maine conditions are stupendous!!!!

 

[Reaper]

I just got back from the 4th day of my break in trip and now have a little over 500 miles on the LTX LE. I'm going to warn everyone that hasn't put any miles on it yet, especially if you've never run a turbo sled, have respect for this thing. It is sneaky fast. You grab the throttle and it is so smooth you don't realize how fast you are going till you need to slow down for the next corner.

Out of the box it has way too much ski pressure. I could barely turn the handlebars. After 4 days of tweaking I have it running like it's on rails. No push, no inside ski lift and pretty light steering. With my setup I can't lift the skis to the air but that's not what i'm interested in. I run high speed windy groomed trail and like it to handle flat and keep the skis down when I get into the throttle mid corner. It is transferring just enough to get all the traction I need but still keep the front nice and flat. Now this is the best riding and handling sled I've ever ridden. On #1 on all shocks it is firm but not rough. I can carry through 10-12 in chop at full speed and only bottom once in a while on that setting. I was joking today saying the numbers are the size in feet that the moguls in the trail are. At the same time it is nice and smooth over the small wash board stuff while seated. The dual rate center setup is really nice. I'm probably going to take another 1/2 to full turn out of the center shock but I'm just getting picky at that point. If you like to run the groomed stuff at high speed I recommend starting at what I have listed below. Probably isn't the greatest for drag racing but I really couldn't care less about that. The limiter straps seemed extreme to me but it's what works for how I like to ride.

Ergos are the same if you've ridden a viper. I've always liked the procross chassis when it comes to this. The first day I thought the seat was stiffer than my viper but it just needed broken in. Now it's firm but comfy.

On to the engine. Did I mention how fast it is? I'm coming off an MPI Trail Viper from the last two years and this thing is on a whole different level. There is ZERO lag when you pin it. It just takes off like a rocket and doesn't stop pulling till you let up. The trails I ran this week didn't give me much of a chance to let it go. I only got it to 96 on GPS for a split second but it didn't take much room to get there. The clutching seems close right now but I won't be able to tell until I can get it out on a lake and let it loose. I just didn't have enough room to be watching the tach while pinning it to see where the RPMs were settling in at. After the first day I thought that the rollers were flat spotting but after looking at them at 500 miles they are all round, wearing even and all making contact with the helix.

Over all I think this is the greatest package ever offered from any factory for the type of riding I do. I couldn't be happier with it. Below is my full setup at the moment if anyone is interested in the details.

Rider: 200 Lbs

Skis: Curve XS with 6" Slim Jims

Suspension
Front Springs: 50 threads showing
Front Compression: 1
Front Rebound: 8 from full soft
Center Spring: 9 threads showing
Center Compression: 1
Rear Springs: 1
Rear Compression: 1
Rear Rebound: 8 from full soft
Limiter Straps: 3rd hole (middle)
Transfer Blocks: 1

Clutching
Primary
Thunder Products Heavy Hitters
1/4 & 3/4 allen in the heel
Added 2 thin washers to the middle and the tip from what came in the box.

Secondary
Stock, 70 degrees on the spring

I have to agree the steering is ridiculously heavy, is the only way to cure it is by swapping out ski's?

Alos, did you not mean 3 rathetr han 1

I just got back from the 4th day of my break in trip and now have a little over 500 miles on the LTX LE. I'm going to warn everyone that hasn't put any miles on it yet, especially if you've never run a turbo sled, have respect for this thing. It is sneaky fast. You grab the throttle and it is so smooth you don't realize how fast you are going till you need to slow down for the next corner.

Out of the box it has way too much ski pressure. I could barely turn the handlebars. After 4 days of tweaking I have it running like it's on rails. No push, no inside ski lift and pretty light steering. With my setup I can't lift the skis to the air but that's not what i'm interested in. I run high speed windy groomed trail and like it to handle flat and keep the skis down when I get into the throttle mid corner. It is transferring just enough to get all the traction I need but still keep the front nice and flat. Now this is the best riding and handling sled I've ever ridden. On #1 on all shocks it is firm but not rough. I can carry through 10-12 in chop at full speed and only bottom once in a while on that setting. I was joking today saying the numbers are the size in feet that the moguls in the trail are. At the same time it is nice and smooth over the small wash board stuff while seated. The dual rate center setup is really nice. I'm probably going to take another 1/2 to full turn out of the center shock but I'm just getting picky at that point. If you like to run the groomed stuff at high speed I recommend starting at what I have listed below. Probably isn't the greatest for drag racing but I really couldn't care less about that. The limiter straps seemed extreme to me but it's what works for how I like to ride.

Ergos are the same if you've ridden a viper. I've always liked the procross chassis when it comes to this. The first day I thought the seat was stiffer than my viper but it just needed broken in. Now it's firm but comfy.

On to the engine. Did I mention how fast it is? I'm coming off an MPI Trail Viper from the last two years and this thing is on a whole different level. There is ZERO lag when you pin it. It just takes off like a rocket and doesn't stop pulling till you let up. The trails I ran this week didn't give me much of a chance to let it go. I only got it to 96 on GPS for a split second but it didn't take much room to get there. The clutching seems close right now but I won't be able to tell until I can get it out on a lake and let it loose. I just didn't have enough room to be watching the tach while pinning it to see where the RPMs were settling in at. After the first day I thought that the rollers were flat spotting but after looking at them at 500 miles they are all round, wearing even and all making contact with the helix.

Over all I think this is the greatest package ever offered from any factory for the type of riding I do. I couldn't be happier with it. Below is my full setup at the moment if anyone is interested in the details.

Rider: 200 Lbs

Skis: Curve XS with 6" Slim Jims

Suspension
Front Springs: 50 threads showing
Front Compression: 1
Front Rebound: 8 from full soft
Center Spring: 9 threads showing
Center Compression: 1
Rear Springs: 1
Rear Compression: 1
Rear Rebound: 8 from full soft
Limiter Straps: 3rd hole (middle)
Transfer Blocks: 1

Clutching
Primary
Thunder Products Heavy Hitters
1/4 & 3/4 allen in the heel
Added 2 thin washers to the middle and the tip from what came in the box.

Secondary
Stock, 70 degrees on the spring

Is changing out the ski's the only way to cure the heavy steering?

Also, do you mean 3 and not 1, 1 is softest and bottoms out quite bit for me at 220lbs

 

[4strokeluvr111]

The tuners do suck though. So you got me there. LOL.

Yea they do!

 

[WINDER1987]

you add the numbers and multiply by 10. I'm running 6-1 = 70 degrees.

What's the difference running 60 or 70 on the secondary. I just got my thunder products clutch kit and set it up like this what do you think of this setup I also have D&d exhaust too. Do you have an exhaust?
#1 hole where the dowl goes takes the 3/4" cap screw.
#2 is the 3/8 aluminum bolt and the #1 is the 3/8 steel bolt and 1 Thick washer.

 

[Reaper]

I just got back from the 4th day of my break in trip and now have a little over 500 miles on the LTX LE. I'm going to warn everyone that hasn't put any miles on it yet, especially if you've never run a turbo sled, have respect for this thing. It is sneaky fast. You grab the throttle and it is so smooth you don't realize how fast you are going till you need to slow down for the next corner.

Out of the box it has way too much ski pressure. I could barely turn the handlebars. After 4 days of tweaking I have it running like it's on rails. No push, no inside ski lift and pretty light steering. With my setup I can't lift the skis to the air but that's not what i'm interested in. I run high speed windy groomed trail and like it to handle flat and keep the skis down when I get into the throttle mid corner. It is transferring just enough to get all the traction I need but still keep the front nice and flat. Now this is the best riding and handling sled I've ever ridden. On #1 on all shocks it is firm but not rough. I can carry through 10-12 in chop at full speed and only bottom once in a while on that setting. I was joking today saying the numbers are the size in feet that the moguls in the trail are. At the same time it is nice and smooth over the small wash board stuff while seated. The dual rate center setup is really nice. I'm probably going to take another 1/2 to full turn out of the center shock but I'm just getting picky at that point. If you like to run the groomed stuff at high speed I recommend starting at what I have listed below. Probably isn't the greatest for drag racing but I really couldn't care less about that. The limiter straps seemed extreme to me but it's what works for how I like to ride.

Ergos are the same if you've ridden a viper. I've always liked the procross chassis when it comes to this. The first day I thought the seat was stiffer than my viper but it just needed broken in. Now it's firm but comfy.

On to the engine. Did I mention how fast it is? I'm coming off an MPI Trail Viper from the last two years and this thing is on a whole different level. There is ZERO lag when you pin it. It just takes off like a rocket and doesn't stop pulling till you let up. The trails I ran this week didn't give me much of a chance to let it go. I only got it to 96 on GPS for a split second but it didn't take much room to get there. The clutching seems close right now but I won't be able to tell until I can get it out on a lake and let it loose. I just didn't have enough room to be watching the tach while pinning it to see where the RPMs were settling in at. After the first day I thought that the rollers were flat spotting but after looking at them at 500 miles they are all round, wearing even and all making contact with the helix.

Over all I think this is the greatest package ever offered from any factory for the type of riding I do. I couldn't be happier with it. Below is my full setup at the moment if anyone is interested in the details.

Rider: 200 Lbs

Skis: Curve XS with 6" Slim Jims

Suspension
Front Springs: 50 threads showing
Front Compression: 1
Front Rebound: 8 from full soft
Center Spring: 9 threads showing
Center Compression: 1
Rear Springs: 1
Rear Compression: 1
Rear Rebound: 8 from full soft
Limiter Straps: 3rd hole (middle)
Transfer Blocks: 1

Clutching
Primary
Thunder Products Heavy Hitters
1/4 & 3/4 allen in the heel
Added 2 thin washers to the middle and the tip from what came in the box.

Secondary
Stock, 70 degrees on the spring

How are you adjusting "Rear Rebound: 8 from full soft" I cannot find an adjustment on rear shock?

 

[Reaper]

That's a great write up with some really good information. Thanks for taking the time to post your set up results.

I'm curious as to where everyone's limiter strap was set from the factory. Mine was set in the number 2 hole or the 2nd longest position when I picked it up from the dealer. This is on a LTX-LE.

I'm hoping that mine was set in the recommended stock location but since there's no factory specs in the owner's manual for the stock settings it's hard to tell what the baseline setting would be.

Since I've got zero miles on mine so far I'm anxious to see where to start with my suspension settings with SLP Mohawk skis and a 1.5" lug Ripsaw 2 track installed.

Interesting, mine out of the box was hole 3 (max length on strap) and steering is heavy. Blocks were 1, spring tension 1. Full soft.

 

[**sj**]

Small screw

 

[Reaper]

Small screw

Where?

 

[VX1R]

Where?

It's up on the top of the chrome shock shaft near where the shock mounts to the rear arm in the tunnel. Look for a slotted screw up near the track and you'll see it unless your skid is full of snow.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

Interesting, mine out of the box was hole 3 (max length on strap) and steering is heavy. Blocks were 1, spring tension 1. Full soft.

There's actually 5 holes in the straps. I'm in the center one. Number 1 on the 3 position compression worked great for me.

 

[WVTurboLTX]

I just got out of the car from a 16 hour drive home. I'll get to everyone's PM and answer stuff on this thread tomorrow.

 

[Pstn head]

Where?

Like VX1R stated but I happen to have a picture