Coupled VS Non-Coupled

[johnboy]

What suspension is better for general trail riding? I ordered a S-TX-DX 141 that has a non coupled skid. Would the L-TX-DX 137 coupled skid be a better overall trail sled? I just had someone tell me that???

Thanks

 

[TestMaster]

If you are primarily a trail rider the coupled suspension will be better. It's not that the 141 can't be made to work well on the trails it just is not designed for that purpose.

There are a couple people on this site who have tuned their uncoupled sleds to handle the trails well, but if you are a trail rider why not start with the suspension designed for trails a suspension that will be much easier to tune for your needs.

 

[buddah]

Kinda what he said.......

The uncoupled suspension (ala XTX etc.) will transfer more weight hence the tendency to lift the nose (or wheelie) easier.....preferred by riders that venture off into deeper snow off trail hence allowing them to get the nose "on top of the snow" easier. It can be made to be more than adequately tractable on trails but is really aimed at the rider who spends more time off-trail. I never read the specs for that model closely but honestly I'm a little surprised that it is an uncoupled suspension like the XTX. I'm guessing that without some serious "tweaking" if you ride trails fairly hard you're going to see quite a bit of inside ski lift. YMMV


Edit: I had never really looked at the STX-DX before......it appears that the only differences between that and the XTX is the bigger windshield, the luggage rack, and the heated seat. If you consider going the LTX SE route remember you're going to be "stuck" with a 1.25" track unless you strike a deal with your dealer to switch it to a deeper lug one.....coming off of 144" sleds, how much less track are you REALLY going to have on the snow? The 137" track is going to have MAYBE one less lug actually on the snow, yes?

 

[johnboy]

Thanks for the input, Buddah and Testmaster I think the other big difference between the XTX and LTX or STX is on the XTX you have the Fox shocks all around, which I probably do not need. On the 141 I will be getting a 1.35 lug vs a 1.25 on the LTX if I switched my order to that one. So not much difference there. I think I will be switching my order to a L-TX-DX from a S-TX-DX

 

[TestMaster]

Thanks for the input, Buddah and Testmaster I think the other big difference between the XTX and LTX or STX is on the XTX you have the Fox shocks all around, which I probably do not need. On the 141 I will be getting a 1.35 lug vs a 1.25 on the LTX if I switched my order to that one. So not much difference there. I think I will be switching my order to a L-TX-DX from a S-TX-DX

I'm not a fan of the base Fox shocks, guess I'm kind of old fashioned cause I like the spring/hydraulic combo much better, I definitely agree with you there. I was driving the LTX base model that day I describe below.

I was going to upgrade the track on my Viper but my dealer said why don't you try the 1.25 first so I went with his recommendation. I can honestly say that I did not have one single occasion where I thought I needed more track.

Early in the season I went for a ride with the President of our snowmobile club to a friends house about 15 miles away, the trails had not been groomed but we had about 20-25 inches of fresh powder on the ground. It was snowing pretty good when we left his place and we took mostly motorcycle trails and two tracks to our friends place. We spent about 2 hours working on his sled and when we walked out of his garage to leave there was a fresh 6-7 inches of snow covering everything. The ride back was slow because most of he way you could not see 50 feet ahead and usually 25 feet. By the time we split to go to our home I was down to 10 feet of visibility or less. We got 15 inches of snow in less than 4 hours that afternoon and were pushing 3 feet of snow with the existing 20" by the time I got home. At no time did I think I was in trouble of getting stuck nor do I remember any time that I needed to use a lot of power to stay on top or to continue forward motion.

The picture is my car when I got back, it was dry when I left the house. I think you will be happy with the 1.25" track.

 

[northof50]

I have the DX. if you are looking at trail only, This will not let you down. When you set it up to your weight, and ride style.

 

[johnboy]

TestMaster, nice picture and write up. From what I have read, I am going to switch my order to the LTXDX from the STXDX tomorrow . Unless that is if I completely say the heck with it and go with the Apex LTX. Lol.

Thanks all for the input, I never really paid any attention to what type of skid I had under my machines, I just rode them.. But my body is getting to the point where I will feel long days a lot more than I ever did when I was younger.

 

[yamadoo]

Beautiful snow there.....wow. Glad to hear my 1.25 will be able to handle that with out issue, I hope I get to try it in that deep of fresh snow.


I too choose the LTX DX for the simple reliable base shock package. I had the Ohlins Electric on my APEX and loved it when it worked. Only thing I had to spend money on that sled, Oh yea exhaust Donuts but thats why I had YES !!!


Yamadoo

 

[FAMILYMAN]

Xtx for me, need transfer adjustment quick and easy. Also why I like the fox floats.

I ride trails, but my area is big drift busting most of the time.

 

[buddah]

........ On the 141 I will be getting a 1.35 lug vs a 1.25 on the LTX if I switched my order to that one.

Not according to the specs.......specifications page has it listed as the same as the XTX = 15x141x1.6" ?????

Could always be a typo on their specs page, eh?


Edit: Oops.....just read your other post......guess that point is moot now..........