Couple problems/ questions. Help!

[Racerboy]

First off, the sled is a black 03 Shorty with now 700 miles. I bought it with 500 miles and have only got to ride it twice. Here are my two issues:

1. First time I rode it it felt nice but not all that fast. It seemed powerful but I was expecting more (revving to about 9300 rpm up top). When I got home I felt alittle unhappy with the power so I ordered the ECP filter kit. Installed the kit and it made a big improvement in power when I took it out this weekend. Anyway I raced a few sleds on the lake and really couldnt handle them. Mostly I raced an 03 ZR800 totally stock with no studs and a 03 Rev 800 stock unstudded. We went from a roll and stop, etc etc and unless I got a really good hook up on the hardpack snow, then would beat me. I would sometimes pull alittle at the start but then they would catch up. The racing with the ZR800 was closer than the REV. I couldnt beat him at all (we raced to about 100mph mostly). My sled was pulling about 9800 rpms now with the kit. My question is shouldnt my sled be faster than this? Is there something that could be wrong with it?

2. That said, I am wondering about gas mileage. I thought these sleds were supposed to get like 18-20 mpg. On my first ride I got like 11.5 mpg and this trip I figured I got about 11. My buddies SRX is getting better mileage. These trips are trail riding with very moderate throttle applications typically cruising at 50-60 mph with some short blasts of speed and also some slower connector trails, all hardpack snow.

Do you guys think these could be related? Any help from anyone out there would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for such a long post but if I could get some better mileage and more speed (like it sounds like alot of guys on here get) I would be much happier. Thanks

 

[Mighty]

Somethings definately not right. You should be reving over 10k with the amount of miles you have and definately getting better gas milage. Do you know if the previous owner messed with the clutching? Check the secondary, it should be set at 3 and 3. Try it at 6 and 2. I'm hitting 10,200 on my warrior with 60 miles with my secondary set at 6 & 2.

 

[Mighty]

I have also heard of a few sleds not reaching high enough RPM's due to partially fouled plugs. But they were in the mid 8's now that I think about it. But it's something to try.

 

[Racerboy]

Thanks for the reply. I dont think he ever did anything with the clutching because he said the sled handled like a tank and so he just wanted to get rid of it. Also the plugs are the brand new 10's that Freddie recommends.

 

[Bob Miller]

Make sure the track is not to tight, and make sure everything is moving freely in the skid, wheels etc... I also set my secondary at 2+6 and am now seeing as much as 10500 RPM 8)

 

[Fullback]

Number 1 you're under reving. But More importantly if you still have the 03 track on that shorty you need to chose your races carefully. I found that in looser snow it could sometimes get real ugly!

 

[192 Woodys]

I went through the same things you are going through last year and was getting beat by 01 mxz 800 stock, and just about everything else comparable(unless it was hardpack, any kind of soft snow forget about it). I had to spend some $ bottom line. Got rid of the track and went to the Ripsaw, and put in the stage 2 kit from Matt at the speedshop. Last year I would rev to 9300 and not much more now 10,200 and then slowly climbs. SPAAANKED that same 03 zr 800 you are having problems with yesterday as well as the mxz. Gave the zr the holeshot and still tracked him down. Its a different sled now. Cant wait for the filters to arrive!!!

 

[Racerboy]

Thanks for the replies guys. I will try the clutching changes this weekend they will hopefully make a difference. I have been thinking about saving up for a new track because I had heard that makes a huge difference. That being said, any other ideas on the fuel mileage? I really dont think the track tension is too tight or that anything is binding up in there, but I will check it again, if it is not that I dont know what could be causing the poor mileage? Thanks again and keep the ideas coming

 

[RobX-1]

Racerboy, just a suggestion you might want to check into concerning upgrading your track. Check with Tracks USA (http://www.tracksusa.com). I had heard of someone here trading in their track and upgraded to a 1.25" track. Not sure how much they got (thinking around $175 US) but it would definitely help in reducing the cost of a new one. You won't regret getting a 1.25" in either the Ripsaw or the 9813/9833! :wink:

 

[LazyBastard]

That would be 9818/9833.

The thing about sled performance vs fuel consumption is that they are very closely related. You should check your compression, and make sure that all your carbs are clean, working, and sync'd. If one of your carbs is plugged (or partially plugged, ie dirty screen), it can cause poor fuel economy, poor performance, and eventual very expensive engine damage.

It is also possible that bad clutching is causing the engine to lug, which increases the throttle position needed to go at speed, which increases fuel consumption.