tshelver
Pro
Looking to make the sled corner flatter than it does already.
I've been down the route of putting on Ohlins, 13mm swaybar, dropping the preload adjustment, more pressure on the front skis (rear transfer rod and limit straps adjusted), Simmons skis and so on.
The sled corners reasonably flat now, not an SRX but very acceptable. However, I'm not real happy with the degradation in ride I got from the 13mm swaybar, and I'm not real happy with the push I'm experiencing in sloppy snow conditions with the Simmons (versus the SLP Powderpros I had on before). I also don't like the heavy steering of the Simmons.
So, I'm thinking of backing off on the swaybar. Maybe going to a 12mm, although I'd really like to get back to the controlled, plush ride I had with the original 11mm / Ohlins setup, which worked really well on a bumpy trail.
I'm also going with the Bender mono rear suspension, it's on order for delivery in about 3 weeks.
So, options seem to be going with the RS frontend or with a wide-track front end.
RS front suspension: apparently this is narrower than the RX. Will the RX Ohlins shocks fit on this? Will I need to replace the entire front suspension (A-arms, swaybar, posts) or do I need to replace the whole thing?
Is there an aftermarket option for the RS that brings it out to the same width as the RX?
Wide front end: this could be a solution. Who makes the best kit?
Issues are that I'd like to go back to the Powderpros for their superior bite and flotation over the Simmons.
The PPs are a really wide ski. There is a gate on one of our club trails where even the stock skis touch, and where the PPs have to bend as I go through. Fortunately the design seems to cope with this pretty well.
With the wide front end, I'm not sure I'd get through with either ski. Not a biggie though, I'd just have to take that section of trail out of my route.
As for trailering, I already have problems tieing down the PPs with my current tiedown bar. My trailer is wide enough (7.5 foot) as I mount the sleds diagonally already, but if I share with anybody witha standard sled trailer, I'll have problems.
I've been down the route of putting on Ohlins, 13mm swaybar, dropping the preload adjustment, more pressure on the front skis (rear transfer rod and limit straps adjusted), Simmons skis and so on.
The sled corners reasonably flat now, not an SRX but very acceptable. However, I'm not real happy with the degradation in ride I got from the 13mm swaybar, and I'm not real happy with the push I'm experiencing in sloppy snow conditions with the Simmons (versus the SLP Powderpros I had on before). I also don't like the heavy steering of the Simmons.
So, I'm thinking of backing off on the swaybar. Maybe going to a 12mm, although I'd really like to get back to the controlled, plush ride I had with the original 11mm / Ohlins setup, which worked really well on a bumpy trail.
I'm also going with the Bender mono rear suspension, it's on order for delivery in about 3 weeks.
So, options seem to be going with the RS frontend or with a wide-track front end.
RS front suspension: apparently this is narrower than the RX. Will the RX Ohlins shocks fit on this? Will I need to replace the entire front suspension (A-arms, swaybar, posts) or do I need to replace the whole thing?
Is there an aftermarket option for the RS that brings it out to the same width as the RX?
Wide front end: this could be a solution. Who makes the best kit?
Issues are that I'd like to go back to the Powderpros for their superior bite and flotation over the Simmons.
The PPs are a really wide ski. There is a gate on one of our club trails where even the stock skis touch, and where the PPs have to bend as I go through. Fortunately the design seems to cope with this pretty well.
With the wide front end, I'm not sure I'd get through with either ski. Not a biggie though, I'd just have to take that section of trail out of my route.
As for trailering, I already have problems tieing down the PPs with my current tiedown bar. My trailer is wide enough (7.5 foot) as I mount the sleds diagonally already, but if I share with anybody witha standard sled trailer, I'll have problems.
otis
Expert
Pioneer Performance 45" wide kit
The 45" front end kit from pioneer performance really is fantastic. I wish I could say I had enough miles on it separate from my new 06 RTX skid to be able to tell that alone was the real ride improvement. I had both installed about the same time. The new skid seems to keep the front end planted more so there is naturally less ski lift (better limiter strap tuning on my end). I can tell you I am now able to power thru the woods at stupid speeds and use the rear end to steer instead of simply pointing to the sky and lifting the skis. Last season I had only the simmons skis and was really disappointed in the handling thru the twisty wooded trails. It seem to need so much body english to ride fast that I was fatigued quickly. I first did the 04 longer links, then the stiffer springs, and then the 13mm swaybar. None really did it for me to make it handle how I wanted until I got the wider front end kit. The best part was Bruce at Pioneer Performance gave me a huge discount since I already had half the kit purchased from him already. Now I just hold on and keep er pinched. The rear kicks around and the front is flat biting nicely. Hope it helps, but I would highly recommend either changing to the vector front end which is narrower, but lower or to this which is wider and lower. If I had to choose I would take low and wide for handling. The only down side is that outside to outside of the skis with the wide simmons now measures almost 52" which makes trailering tough. It barely fits 2 wide in my enclosed trailer (I have to put an old Polaris next to mine to fit).
Hope it helps
Otis
The 45" front end kit from pioneer performance really is fantastic. I wish I could say I had enough miles on it separate from my new 06 RTX skid to be able to tell that alone was the real ride improvement. I had both installed about the same time. The new skid seems to keep the front end planted more so there is naturally less ski lift (better limiter strap tuning on my end). I can tell you I am now able to power thru the woods at stupid speeds and use the rear end to steer instead of simply pointing to the sky and lifting the skis. Last season I had only the simmons skis and was really disappointed in the handling thru the twisty wooded trails. It seem to need so much body english to ride fast that I was fatigued quickly. I first did the 04 longer links, then the stiffer springs, and then the 13mm swaybar. None really did it for me to make it handle how I wanted until I got the wider front end kit. The best part was Bruce at Pioneer Performance gave me a huge discount since I already had half the kit purchased from him already. Now I just hold on and keep er pinched. The rear kicks around and the front is flat biting nicely. Hope it helps, but I would highly recommend either changing to the vector front end which is narrower, but lower or to this which is wider and lower. If I had to choose I would take low and wide for handling. The only down side is that outside to outside of the skis with the wide simmons now measures almost 52" which makes trailering tough. It barely fits 2 wide in my enclosed trailer (I have to put an old Polaris next to mine to fit).
Hope it helps
Otis
tshelver
Pro
Thanks, Otis.
Spoke to Pioneer. Seem to be quite realistic about htings. They suggested going with their 12mm stabilizer bar, as the extra width of the suspension means this has about the same ride characteristics as the stock 11mm. I liked the stock ride with Ohlins, so that is good.
They suggest keeping my Ohlins as is, their spring replacement is equivalent to the standard Ohlins spring.
Will need to think it all through and then decide whether to pull the trigger.
Spoke to Pioneer. Seem to be quite realistic about htings. They suggested going with their 12mm stabilizer bar, as the extra width of the suspension means this has about the same ride characteristics as the stock 11mm. I liked the stock ride with Ohlins, so that is good.
They suggest keeping my Ohlins as is, their spring replacement is equivalent to the standard Ohlins spring.
Will need to think it all through and then decide whether to pull the trigger.
