Aggresive trail setup- please help.

[STENOD]

Guys, I am looking for some advise on what changes will help my Viper LTX turn when riding very Aggresive through the trails. Before this sled I owned a 2006 apex GT and I am very disappointed how the viper turns compared to the apex. My apex would turn on anything with 8" carbides and the transfer rod set to max and at just about any speed. We usually ride the trails between 45-65mph depending on where we are. The wider upper trails we run faster in the evening when you can see who's coming the other way... But on the viper I was unable to ride like I normally do so that was a let down. Also the top speed of 83-87 was very disappointing. The sled has great power down low and out of a turn, but terrible response from 70 and above.

Just put 540 miles on my sled the last two days in the Upper peninsula and the only thing I was able to mess with was the front air pressure for the sled. I did also put a set of 6" dual carbides on for added grip. I tried the air pressure at 80, 75, and 65. Seemed to like the front end lower with the air at 65.

So my question is what can I do to make this sled turn?? It has a severe push anything over 35mph. I did get to hit a perfect groomed trail and it seemed to like that as long as the carbide was able to grab.

What will be my biggest change now?

Pull the skid up?
More air pressure out of the front?
Curve skis?
Single 10" carbides?
Lower the entire sled and move the center of gravity..(the sled is not tippy at all, just unloaded the front suspension so I assume this is not what to do)

I will be very disappointed if this push can't be eliminated.

Let me know your opinions please.

 

[STENOD]

I should add that I am very pleased with the sled overall. The way it handles bumps and the overall comfort of the sled is very awesome compared to my apex. It feels so much lighter and is so much more stable and easy to ride. I just need to figure out the high speed push before I put the turbo kit on. ;-)

 

[mewaschuk]

Finding the same with CA ADX and 10" carbides. Even with a lot of body English like I rode my Nytro. Find I use a lot of brake to transfer weight to the front when entering turns helps.

 

[newtron]

I have snow trackers and have been increasing pressure in the front floats and it helps. Have mine set at 90 lbs. I have a 2013 apex and my Viper RTX Se handles better. I don't think these are like the old apex's where you decrease pressure on the front to reduce inside ski lift.

Just crank the pressure up and see what happens

 

[Yamadog]

Have you done anything with the front skid shock? On the XTX I had to turn the spring tension way down and go up on the rear fox float pressure to get the nose on the ground. I still need more but it is close I am only pushing at higher speeds. I am running dual 6" carbides but am putting the Simmons skis on tonight with 2 - 8" carbides on them.

 

[YamahaTim]

The thing is if you put c&a skis on it and loosen your front skid shock you will have heavier steering and a lot more darting. I have c&a XTX skis on mine and have my front shocks set at 95 psi. I took away some ski pressure. I'm running 8 inch carbides. Mine turns really good and very little push. But I do have some darting. I was going to try some Curve skis, to see if that would help a little with the darting. With the c&a skis is that the bigger carbide you put on the heavier the steering and more darting. Maybe more ski pressure and a little less aggressive ski and carbide???

 

[langow]

Guys, I am looking for some advise on what changes will help my Viper LTX turn when riding very Aggresive through the trails. Before this sled I owned a 2006 apex GT and I am very disappointed how the viper turns compared to the apex. My apex would turn on anything with 8" carbides and the transfer rod set to max and at just about any speed. We usually ride the trails between 45-65mph depending on where we are. The wider upper trails we run faster in the evening when you can see who's coming the other way... But on the viper I was unable to ride like I normally do so that was a let down. Also the top speed of 83-87 was very disappointing. The sled has great power down low and out of a turn, but terrible response from 70 and above.

Just put 540 miles on my sled the last two days in the Upper peninsula and the only thing I was able to mess with was the front air pressure for the sled. I did also put a set of 6" dual carbides on for added grip. I tried the air pressure at 80, 75, and 65. Seemed to like the front end lower with the air at 65.



So my question is what can I do to make this sled turn?? It has a severe push anything over 35mph. I did get to hit a perfect groomed trail and it seemed to like that as long as the carbide was able to grab.

What will be my biggest change now?

Pull the skid up?
More air pressure out of the front?
Curve skis?
Single 10" carbides?
Lower the entire sled and move the center of gravity..(the sled is not tippy at all, just unloaded the front suspension so I assume this is not what to do)

I will be very disappointed if this push can't be eliminated.

Let me know your opinions please.

Duel carbides will push. Snow Trackers may be the best option, or I believe Cat makes a staggered duel carbide which helps to eliminate push and cure darting. I'm going to try those if I can find them.

 

[vsmpowered]

i put c&a xtx on mine front shocks 55 psi no darting and turns better then i thought im running 2 year old bergstroom 8 inch carbide

 

[YamahaTim]

That's cool if it works, but if you lowered your ride height, don't have the whole shock travel and lowered your ride height. Now if you want to hit a good sized jump you will bottom out. Kind of a waste of suspension travel.

 

[Studroes144]

Like yamadog said..the front shock on the rear skid should be loosened up to help with ride quality. I loosened mine up 2 full turns, rear suspension blocks on loosest setting, front shocks at 65 pounds and removed the rear transfer blocks. Installed studboy 6" deuce bars and that took care of 99% of the darting and I don't feel any push in high speed corners. The biggest trick to riding this chassis that I've found is to use your body to steer. Leaning into corners makes all the difference, you don't have to hang off the sled..just get some weight to which ever side you want to steer. For how planted the chassis is and how great it handles the trails I'm some what surprised to hear about getting excess push in corners

 

[vsmpowered]

i havent bottom out yet it takes hits like a champ

 

[Studroes144]

I haven't felt mine bottom out yet..maybe it has but I haven't been able to tell. I'd be surprised if I haven't bottomed out yet cuz I'm set on softest settings and weigh 230 suited and have rode on some horrible rough trails the last 200 miles I've gone. The bigger the bumps and the faster u ride, the better the sled performs.

 

[YamahaTim]

I agree, I'm 250 dressed and with the stock settings I bottomed out all the time. But I also search for jumps and love to fly! My front shocks are at 95 and my front skid shock is pretty stiff. But mine handles great on the trails. That just goes to show it's all about the rider. Everybody like something different. I like it stiff, I want a rougher ride. Because when the trail gets rough or I see some jumps I'm good. I won't have to worry about bottoming.

 

[Yamacat21]

This sled is absolutely more effected by trail conditions than any other sled I've ever owned. Yesterday was warm 28f and everything was soft and loose. Was pushing and sliding through corners and having a hard time hooking up, top end was 82 mph. Today was -12f and the trails were firm and fast. Sled was one rails and could hook up anywhere top end was near 90mph. My point is, to set this thing up for one condition you may not be happy with it for another. Glad I didn't mess with anything yesterday because today it was perfect.

 

[YamahaTim]

Ya I can see that. Looser snow would mean less traction. So you would push. On hard packed the skis dig in and grip. I haven't really rode in loose snow yet, so I hope mine is good for that. No problem will just throw my body into it...lol