EastCoastWest
Newbie
Hi, I just picked up a 2009 Yamaha RS Venture with super low mileage (1250 km), this is my first newer Yamaha (had an 80s 340 Enticer previously) but I am not exactly new to snowmobiling having ridden 60,000 km between 3 sleds in the last 12 years.
To be safe, I just changed the engine oil, filter and chain case oil as well as grease the steering and rear suspension. Now that I have that out of the way, I would like to dial it in. I've gone through the owners manual and there is nothing in there that I can see regarding suspension tuning which I find very weird. I've done some searching/reading here but can't find the exactly what I'm looking for.
My two main issues are that the sled rides way too stiff when I'm riding solo, I have the triangle rear spring preload cams on the lowest setting and it still beats me up. Is there a way to make it any softer? I did noticed two white plastic blocks mounted on either slide rail that the fronts of rear springs rest on but when I turned to it to the softer setting, the springs end up resting on the mounting brackets of a set of wheels that are mounted on the outside of the rails, just forward of the white block. Is that normal? I'm thinking that set of wheels may have been added to reduce slide wear and perhaps they are supposed to be mounted to the inside of the rails to allow for the white blocks to be turned down.
My second problem is related to steering, there isn't enough ski presure so it tends to push in the corners. It's also a bit tippy. My first thought was to tighten the limiter straps in a little but there are only two settings (holes), loose and realy loose. Can I drill more holes in the straps to tighten them up and make the steering a little heavier? I do find the steering quite light so heavier would be a good thing. This would also make the front end a little lower thus reducing tippiness.
Any thoughts?
To be safe, I just changed the engine oil, filter and chain case oil as well as grease the steering and rear suspension. Now that I have that out of the way, I would like to dial it in. I've gone through the owners manual and there is nothing in there that I can see regarding suspension tuning which I find very weird. I've done some searching/reading here but can't find the exactly what I'm looking for.
My two main issues are that the sled rides way too stiff when I'm riding solo, I have the triangle rear spring preload cams on the lowest setting and it still beats me up. Is there a way to make it any softer? I did noticed two white plastic blocks mounted on either slide rail that the fronts of rear springs rest on but when I turned to it to the softer setting, the springs end up resting on the mounting brackets of a set of wheels that are mounted on the outside of the rails, just forward of the white block. Is that normal? I'm thinking that set of wheels may have been added to reduce slide wear and perhaps they are supposed to be mounted to the inside of the rails to allow for the white blocks to be turned down.
My second problem is related to steering, there isn't enough ski presure so it tends to push in the corners. It's also a bit tippy. My first thought was to tighten the limiter straps in a little but there are only two settings (holes), loose and realy loose. Can I drill more holes in the straps to tighten them up and make the steering a little heavier? I do find the steering quite light so heavier would be a good thing. This would also make the front end a little lower thus reducing tippiness.
Any thoughts?
Koenig
Extreme
I, too, have a 09 venture gt. I, too, wrestled with the tippyness and stiff suspension! Here's what I did. Loosened all front & rear shock springs(when off ground) so that springs are just slack/snug! Set all shock clickers at 6 clicks. Rear torsion springs(triangle settings) at minimum. I have Snowtrackers on skis, so no darting. Tried it, not happy. Added some spring tension to front skis, tried it, better, but not happy. Loosened center shock spring all the way (track off ground) and tightened limiter strap up 1 hole, reset center shock spring till just snug. Ahh, much better, but still too stiff in the rear). Loosened the rear by putting the clicker adjustments to 3 clicks from soft... Now, it is 200% better, a joy to ride! Unfortunately, I'm now in Florida for the next 2 months (agreement with wife!) with the biggest winter in recent memory! 
EastCoastWest
Newbie
I'm not familar with the clickers, will have to take a closer look. My sled has the wide Venture TF skis on it and I don't have any darting issues with them, it just feels slightly tippy at the limit of what I normally ride. Sounds like I should soften up the front of the skid for more ski presure and go from there, I don't normally have to ride too rough of a trail given that the groomer is stationed 3 minutes ride from my house.
Florida, ouch. I have made it quite clear to my wife that that is not in the cards for us lol. When I retire I'm moving to my camp 30 km back in the woods, she is welcome to come if she wants.
Florida, ouch. I have made it quite clear to my wife that that is not in the cards for us lol. When I retire I'm moving to my camp 30 km back in the woods, she is welcome to come if she wants.
Koenig
Extreme
HEHEH!EastCoastWest said:
It just occurred to me, is your's a GT? injected or carb? The carb machines may not have received the 'clicker' shocks. As mine is the GT, I have the clicker adjusters for dampening & rebound... It makes it real easy with 20 clicks worth of adjustment for each! Anyway, even if your shocks are different, I think the main idea is there. The biggest change (and most comfortable/handling) was moving the limiter strap up 1 hole, and setting up the rear shock with softer dampening. It took alot of the teeter-totter effect on the chassis allowing for much smoother transition (on/off throttle). Note: the Venture will never be a Cat in the trails, but can become a joy to drive just the same... hence the 'touring' designation! Anyway, best advice, try 1 thing at a time, then test ride....
EastCoastWest
Newbie
It's the base, non GT venture and has carbs.
oldguy2
Pro
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- Jan 16, 2012
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- 2010 RS Venture 2006 Apex ER
- LOCATION
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you are right. The regular Venture is different than the GT. I have a '10 Venture and it doesn't have the clicker shocks.
Yogi_12
Extreme
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- Stephenville, Newfoundland
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- 2011 RsVenture
I have the RS Ventue.......as said above...one notch up on limiter strap.....I set my skid shock about half wayon the threads.....totally different machine.
EastCoastWest
Newbie
I tried to adjust the ski shock preload today but the tools required to do the job do not appear to be in the tool kit, what gives?
sxr70001
Lifetime Member
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- Sidewinder LTX SE
SR Viper RTX SE
The white things on the side are to be up for passengers and down for solo. Make all adjustments for single rider with those down and just put them up when carrying a load. The springs are designed to run behind that wheel.
EastCoastWest
Newbie
I just assumed the springs should rest on the white blocks when down but when I look at this picture, the springs are clearly not resting on the white blocks when they are turned down.
Koenig
Extreme
You're actually the 2nd guy on here without that tool in the toolcase... Yamaha must have screwed up! Not to worry... take a trip down to your auto parts store and ask for 'coil over adjustment wrench'. Some are a lot cheaper than others! Once adjusted, make sure the 2 nuts are locking one another. Hint: you need to remove weight off springs to adjust... ie: lift machine front or back! Here's what a good wrench looks like...EastCoastWest said:
http://www.jegs.com/i/Moroso/710/62030/ ... 7AodJx0ALg
Some guys get away with large adjustable pliers, but they tend to 'chew' things up. When nuts are loosened, the spring can be turned to adjust the length easier.
EastCoastWest
Newbie
I have one similar to that from the tool kit of my old sled but it's designed to grab two 'teeth' but since the teeth aren't the same distance apart it only hooks one, think that'll be ok? I could also check the wrench that's in my quad's tool kit to see if it's a better fit.
On another note, I now have the white blocks turned down and just got back from a ride. I couldn't tell any difference in ride stiffness mostly due to the fact that I the first one on a freshly groomed trail.
Thanks everyone for the info so far...
On another note, I now have the white blocks turned down and just got back from a ride. I couldn't tell any difference in ride stiffness mostly due to the fact that I the first one on a freshly groomed trail.
Thanks everyone for the info so far...