Any Ideas On Performance?

[Boston RX1]

We just received 10" of snow in the Boston area today. It is the first snow and I am out of my mind. I rode the RX1 last year a total of 650 miles. I have never had the throttle pinned. I do mostly trails, but love to go off in the powder when I can. This was the first time on the sled this season and I had over 7 mods done to my sled this summer. The snow today was very fine, I guess you would call it sugar snow, there was nothing to it. When the amount of snow was 4-6" the sled accelerated fine, I think better than last year, but I am only in my yard and could only get up to 25-30 MPH before I had to shut her down. Only about an acre. I was able to down the street to town field. I got her up to 60 MPH. I was able to pin the throttle with ease. I just do think it is a quick as it was last year. It had the same feeling as you do when the tranny is slipping in your car. It just doesn't feel like it did last year. I need to find out what MPH's I was doing at what RPM's. Could it be the conditions. I am not use to riding power. I just did not feel the powerful torque as I did last year. Maybe I am just one year old. I will say the backshift almost put me over the handlebars. Any thoughts?

 

[LazyBastard]

Deep snow will really hold you back, though I've never found any snow conditions that would hold my track speed below 100 mph (121").

You say you've got over 7 mods done this year? Any of those clutching? Could it be that your clutches are slipping? How hot are your clutches running?

Does the engine feel like its bogging at wide?

 

[Boston RX1]

LB, I only pinned it for a second or two. I did not let the motor wind up because I ran out of space. I do have some clutch work done, check my sig. I did check the clutch temps, but I will check tomorrow since I am riding in 20-24" of powder. It did not bog, it just seemed to not have any power like I remember last year. Don't get me wrong, it still moved, but just not like last year. How do I know if my clutches are slipping? Is it the same feeling like a tranny slipping in a car?

 

[Boston RX1]

I am leaving at 7:00 AM on Sunday, if my clutches are in fact slipping, what is the remedy. Never wrenched on the sled before, but I cannot miss this storm.

 

[Toolman]

What rpms were you running? Is your secondary upshifting too quickly and pulling down the motor?

 

[LazyBastard]

You can tell if your clutches are slipping by TEMPERATURE. If your clutchers are HOT, they are slipping.

Generally, if your clutches are slipping, it means that the secondary is too loose and/or the primary weights are too light.

 

[192 Woodys]

boston, it may be nothing more than the POS track on these. I had the same kind of problem last year in light (sugar) powder. It could be as simple as your track grabbing shooting you up into the powder again and then the track just spins again. It gives the feeling of the belt slipping. but its the track spinning then gripping, spinning and gripping. I't appears you didn't have this problem with 4 inches but you felt it in about 10 inches. See if you can pack down a strip and give it a go.

 

[Boston RX1]

Boy, I hope that the Ripsaw is not a POS. Your logic sounds right on. It has snowed for the last 36 hours very heavy, but when you go out, it does not seem to be a lot of snow. The flakes about the size of sand. It is like walking on cotton candy. I hope you are right. I will know better today since I will be with 4 other people playing around. I will report back at the end of the day. Thanks for your input.

 

[vmaxjohn]

When testing in powdery conditions, make a track first. Make a few straight low throttle runs to pack down a straight line, wide enough for your skis to fit down. This should help the spinning a little bit.

Any track will spin in unpacked powder. Don't worry about it just yet...

 

[spray25]

Deep snow will really hold you back, though I've never found any snow conditions that would hold my track speed below 100 mph (121").

I think you better come on the Stanley trip. I think we can find some snow that will lower that track speed.

 

[LazyBastard]

Spray - we're talking a difference in track length here. Whats the maximum resistance of deep snow against a 121" track? Right. Not enough to pull the speed below 100. You with your 159 will be getting lower track speeds than me in the same conditions, but will be getting a much high REAL speed.

 

[spray25]

Please come prove me wrong. We'll have a good time in the process.

 

[LazyBastard]

I think that this year on my week off I'm going to be jumping out of a helicopter onto a mountain with skis and a GPS. Not time for sleds.

 

[Mighty]

Boston, I don't think 192 read your signature showing you moved up to the ripsaw. I'm sure he thinks you are still running that POS Finger track

 

[JDKRXW]

Deep snow will really hold you back, though I've never found any snow conditions that would hold my track speed below 100 mph (121").

I think you better come on the Stanley trip. I think we can find some snow that will lower that track speed.

LB, if you don't take Spray up on his offer, you can come on out with me and we'll slow you up a bit (even with a stock track).