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First ride on my Apex. Very happy - only one complaint.....

klitts

Newbie
Joined
Nov 24, 2011
Messages
23
Location
Windsor, On
Darting!

Did 600k in 2 days on the weekend up around North Bay. This was my first ride on the new to me machine. Like I said - very happy with it - other than the constant darting.

I've tried different pressures in the fox floats, but did not find much improvement.

I've also read about the "shim" fix that can be done to the skis, but I've also read that it is only temporary until the rubber wears down, as well, it increases turning effort, which I find already high after riding all day.

So I'm looking for the next best step without having to buy new skis - dual carbides for my stock skis. Looking to get some feedback on how well they work, and what brand works best.
 

Do the shims. Yes after a while the rubber takes a set and you have to replace them. They are cheap and the set usually doesn't even happen for two years. One thing I have always done to prevent the set, is when the sled is parked I put 2X4 lumber under the fronts of the skis. I put them about 6" in front of the spindles. This tips them up taking the pressure off the shims. Mine have never taken a set. As far as steering pressure, I've never noticed increase steering effort because of shims.
 
I have tried stud boy and woodies and now use snow stud dual's all 3 duals removed most to all of the darting but the performance of the snow studs has been the best (imo).
 
Stud Boy Deuce Bars and shims made from a chunk of conveyer belt. Taper the front 1/4 inch of the shim so it doesn't bite into your rubber above. HUGE difference! In stock form the darting was ridiculous.
 
Semi-aggressive snowtrackers on my 11' xtx.
No more darting.
 
skis

Don't know about snow trackers, but do know that pilots and 13mm bar on my 06 RTX totally transformed it into a great handling sled( without a doubt the single best improvement) ......eliminated most of the darting and was like adding PS
 
Before spending money I would shim and make sure the toe is set correctly.
 
Super Sled said:
yamahas said:
Before spending money I would shim and make sure the toe is set correctly.

With these steps darting can be eased even with stock skis, but I'd still recommend better skis.

I agree, there are great improvements with aftermarket skis. Even better aftermarket skis can dart if the toe if out of spec.
 
X2 to Yamahas

You are still going to dart with shimming the skis. That said you should start there as it is basically free.

The reason snow trackers and pilots minimize darting is multi runners. Multi runners tend to push. The rub is finding a preferred balance of tracking and push for your liking which will change with snow conditions.

If flotation is any concern, you'll want to consider other skis, even the Y Mountain skis. The new Yamaha tuner ski seems like a good value. Some guys are happy with just putting Dooly carbides on the stock skis. Crusty snow and flotation will still be a problem. The Dartless gizmo works too. I made my own set when that idea came out and it works.
 
You can run one side with a dual and keep the other side a single and it stops most of the dart and minimizes some push.

I run the sno studs double down 6" duals and slydog powderhound skis, best of everything for darting and floatation but they do push a little and i have to tap the brake in a hard turn to put more pressure on the front end and get some bite.
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys.

I guess I'll try the shims first because I really like the amount of bite I get with the single carbide. If the darting is reduced significantly, I'll be happy. Not worried about floatation too much, so stock skis should be fine for me.
 


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