Heavy steering, is there a cure??

[DaveRX1]

I have an 09 standard model. I am fairly happy with the cornering, I know that I can cure the harsh ride with a revalve, but my real issue is how do I cure the feeling of excessive ski pressure????


I have allready backed off the ski shock preload to minmum, left front limiter straps in stock position, pulled up rear limiters two holes to limit transfer to the front and set rear torsion springs to low (I weigh 165)

I am also running 6" single runner shapers

I did try different skis (no effect) and multi rate front springs (softer on small bumps but stightly less predictable)

Some of you claim to have made these things "turn like power steering".......How exactly did you do it??

My 03 RX1 with a doo sc10 III skid was much easier to handle that this is now.

 

[mjaremko]

What I found early on with my XTX is that the sled had way to much ski pressure, the solution I found was the Hygear triple rate front springs, the reason I choose these was that they allow for ride hieght adjustments, I lowerd the nose on my XTX about an 1 1/4" Steers wonderfull now and has much better feel.


mj

 

[**sj**]

tighten the rear skid front shock spring..

 

[pistol]

the power steering about to be launched ;-)

 

[DaveRX1]

tighten the rear suspenaion front shock spring..

I forgot to mention, I have tightened the center shock spring 1/4", it may have helped (a little). I hope to have my shocks revalved in the next week, then I will continue adjusting preload.

 

[**sj**]

tighten more...and loosen front springs to just about rattle loose while hanging...

 

[BADSLED]

What are you guys running for settings on your transfer adjustment and how much center spring preload. I don't have a an owners manual for my XTX and would like to know what min. and max. range is. Have ran my on full transfer with being unable to dial in skid for a comfortable ride. I certainly hope your correct with reducing transfer changes the affects of harsh medium size bumps...

 

[**sj**]

reducing transfer will couple...but you need to soften compression and the torsion spring and then dial it in as you go..I think the center shock spring is too soft (heavy steering and limiter strap problems)

 

[larrypolaris]

What worked for me was Hygear triple rate springs, Ski Doo 6.9 Pilot skis and a 6" single carbide in the middle. I set Hygear springs to there settings at 5mm. I turned in my transfer nuts 3 full turns to reduce the coupling and ski lift.

Sled steers way lighter than stock. Maybe not as light as the Polaris, Cat, or Doo's two strokes. But not too bad.

Sled corners and handles great.

What is nice too is we were riding on some small rough rutted bumps. I turned out the ski shock clickers and the sled softened up real nice. When the bumps got real big, turned in the clickers and it handles the big bumps great.

 

[BADSLED]

reducing transfer will couple...but you need to soften compression and the torsion spring and then dial it in as you go..I think the center shock spring is too soft (heavy steering and limiter strap problems)

Makes sense what you are saying.. Coming off the Mono suspension on Apex GT transfer did not effect the quality of ride as much as others suspensions.

 

[**sj**]

keep in mind right from zero I had the shocks all revalved...
here's what Ive done so far..

medium transfer...all the compression out of the rear shock....torsion springs on soft (I have hygears spacers and weigh 220 geared) rear skid front shock spring tightened to all but half inch of threads left...front shocks compression 80% to full soft..rebound full soft...swaybar moved to front holes...front shock springs at about 3" from top (soft) and simmons skis

have 220 miles and is getting better with each tweak...
the transfer will affect ski pressure more with the center shock spring tight..

 

[BombaPolaYama]

...
I am also running 6" single runner shapers

I did try different skis (no effect) and multi rate front springs (softer on small bumps but stightly less predictable)...

.

Are you still using the stock trail ski? When I switched to powder hounds on my VL I found that it stayed up on the snow much better whereas the stock ski would trench right in if the trails were either bit soft. With these heavy 4 strokes the stock skis are not suitable, and you will always be fighting the steering unless riding on hardpacked trails. Maybe you could borrow a set to try. all the best,

 

[BADSLED]

Mine were revalved as well by Bruce with significant improvement! However, I'm still looking for to improve the behavior of the skid in medium size bumps. Slight tweeks with what you have suggested should get me there. Hygear, triple rate springs are a huge benefit in handling along with C&A XTX.

 

[BooBoo]

Turning up the center shock helps but the best thing that worked for me out of everything I tried was Pilot ski. They turn so easy and made a big difference on my darting.

 

[SledFreak]

reducing transfer will couple...but you need to soften compression and the torsion spring and then dial it in as you go..I think the center shock spring is too soft (heavy steering and limiter strap problems)

I think you are right on the center shock spring being too soft... But in stock form, the only sure thing to help the handling is to soften up the center spring to help lower the sled. I believe Hygear, probably uses a smaller, but stiffer spring for the center shock, plus the required valving to make it work effectively and that is why you are seeing great results with that package...