Handlebar-Riser Selection With Rider Forward Mod

[Frostbite]

We rode yesterday in some pretty darn deep powder.

Jonnyrocket and I both had our Wildchild rider forward equipped sleds with 2" bar risers and the stock handlebars.

I have to say, regardless of where I put the handlebars the steering just feels really weird! Going down a rutted trail to the high country it felt like the bars were going over center and trying to be ripped from my hands. It's like the pivot point of the bars is somehow wrong.

In the powder it works fairly well and the balance fore and aft on the sled feels good but the bar ends hit you in the guts and they still have the (I am going to rip them from your hands if you allow the bar to move any further feel like on the trail). I actually felt like I had much more trouble controlling the sled than I did last season with the stock bars and the 3.5" pivoting riser pivoted full forward.

I also still seem to have more play in my steering than ever before as well. I have tightened everything that can be tightened, twice and really don't know what else to check.

I'm at the point where if I hadn't ground the crap out of my hood and cowling that I'd put the stock bar and pivoting riser setup back on my sled. it just felt that much more controllable. I felt like an idiot trying to control the sled up there yesterday. I know we must being doing something wrong after reading all the glowing reports of how well this setup works. HELP!

I'm looking at Fabcraft bars but they come in 5 or 15 degree sweep with multiple rise heights. I also want a bit wider bars than the stockers to give me more leverage when tying to turn.

You guys that have the rider forward mod and love it. Please tell me what we are doing wrong? Maybe the stock bars have too much sweep back? Maybe straight bars work best? What bar/ riser setup do suggest for a couple of 5'10" guys on their RX-1M?

Thanks Guys

Frosty

 

[AKrider]

I run a "T" style post from Wildchild that will accept Ski-doo riser blocks. I've got a 4" riser and use Ski-doo 440 bars off the ZX chassis. They are a straight bar.

The post angle on Wildchild's kit is the same as a stock Apex (as far as I can tell) so I think your bars are the issue. My stock Vector bars had more sweep than the 440 bars. If you can, ride or sit on someones Apex to establish a baseline. The mod makes it easier to ride the sled fast through the bumps (since you are more centered) and it is easier to throw around in the powder and works better for climbing as well. Post a pic of your set-up, it will help in making suggestions.

 

[Rx1M5]

Here is my setup. Bars are 29" wide with about a 5 degree bend on the ends just before the grips. Bar ends add another couple of inches but I don't count that. I cut up my stock bars to fix the lawnmower.

Rx1M5

 

[Frostbite]

Thanks Guys!

RX1M5, do you what brand of bars you are using? I see there are a bunch of bars on E bay that are fairly inexpensive. I would love to pick up a new bar but I want to make sure I buy the right one the first time.

AKrider, thanks for the idea. I ride with two guys with Mountain Apexs. I did sit on them and they felt great. I didn't know thw Wildchild steering post ended in the same spot as the Apex steering post. So you're right. The bar type they have should be the target.

Maybe I should just order a set of Apex Mountain bars from Yamaha?

Frosty

 

[AKrider]

Here are a few photos of mine.

Here's a pic of the post being installed

 

[Rx1M5]

I build my own bars but CR Racing has a really nice set with bar ends built right in for 95 bucks.

http://crracingcanada.com/osc/product_i ... cts_id=175


Rx1M5

 

[Frostbite]

I just narrowed my skis with my Holz front end and put my 3 1/2" riser back on the sled (in place of the the 2" riser).

What I was lacking my last trip out was leverage. By narrowing the skis and raising the point which I am trying to lever the sled from it should give me a bunch more control.

I'll think I'll give this a try before I buy anything else.

Frosty

 

[ViperTurboPete]

Frosty,

I was ready to order my wildchild kit, but your reports have scared me away!

I won't give up on it totally, but I anxiously await for your reports!

 

[SoCoRX1]

Too many reports just like yours and then me riding one caused me to stay away from it. i just have my stock bars pivoted forward without a riser and it works great. i could probably do ok with a 2" or so riser, but the wilchild kit just handles terribly.

Its not a rider forward sled. Turning it into one just doesnt work like a real rider forward sled (IE Apex)

 

[Frostbite]

Guys, I had no intention of cutting into Curt's sales. I was just giving my honest assessment of the kit. I will say it appears to be a well built package. I guess I was convinced to buy one after reading all the rave reviews from so many.

Maybe I was just hoping for something more but, my sled has certainly not become an Apex Mountain. Perhaps it can be improved? I went back to the 3 1/2" pivoting riser and have tried to keep the pivot portion straight up and down in an effort of continuing the natural curve of the steering post. Hopefully this will feel more natural.

I do have a new seat this year too (a Boss Highrise) so maybe that has changed my seat handlebar relationship as well? Who knows, I just know things just don't feel right, yet.

Good luck guys.

Merry Christmas

Frosty

 

[Rx1M5]

Its not a rider forward sled. Turning it into one just doesnt work like a real rider forward sled (IE Apex)

Pull off an Apex bulkhead and delta box and an Rx1 bulkhead and delta box with the rider forward setup and set beside each other. They are identical in every way. A rider forward RX1 is and Apex no if ands or buts.

Rx1M5

 

[SoCoRX1]

A rider forward RX1 is and Apex no if ands or buts.

Rx1M5

No.

I have ridden an apex for a day and ridden a rider forward for 15 or 20 miles and the way the sleds steer and handle on the trail is a billion times different.

 

[Jonny Rocket]

A rider forward RX1 is and Apex no if ands or buts.

Rx1M5

No.

I have ridden an apex for a day and ridden a rider forward for 15 or 20 miles and the way the sleds steer and handle on the trail is a billion times different.

I totally agree. I have ridden many 'o Apexes and they do not feel anything like the rider forward. Maybe the bars are identical but the weight distribution is different. Either way the Apex felt way better and more manageable than the rider forward. But I am still getting use to it so who knows, maybe I will change my mind after a couple more rides. Going to put the 3-1/2" riser back in if I can get it to fit.

J.

 

[Frostbite]

J, we're going to have to figure this rider forward stuff out. There are just too many well respected guys on here who love their sleds with the rider forward mod done to be wrong. We must be doing something wrong? I'm hoping the straight riser will do the trick. If I'm not imagining, mine even feels better on the garage floor.

More splices for you for the 3 1/2" riser huh?

Frosty

 

[Jonny Rocket]

J, we're going to have to figure this rider forward stuff out. There are just too many well respected guys on here who love their sleds with the rider forward mod done to be wrong. We must be doing something wrong? I'm hoping the straight riser will do the trick. If I'm not imagining, mine even feels better on the garage floor.

More splices for you for the 3 1/2" riser huh?

Frosty

Yes, we must be doing something wrong. I am sure we will get this figured out..........one way or another.

Yes, more splices. Or more grinding of the cowl. OK.....It will be more spliceing and more

J.