NEED HELP SETTING UP NEW WARRIOR

[Lee F]

I have just completed my first 200 miles on my warrior, and I LOVE IT. What I want to do now is dial in the suspension and perform any mods which would make my sled better for my style of riding.

I'm a 280 lb. guy. I ride primarily in the Adirondacks and Tug Hill region of NY, mostly on groomed trails and on the lake by my home. On the trails I ride mostly 40 to 60 mph as conditions permit, and might do between 100 and 150 miles a day. I also like to blast down the lake once in a while just to get the adrenalin up. I am NOT a racer, and am not interested in being the fastest sled on the lake or trail. What I'm looking for is a comfortable ride with good handling and performance.

Right now the sled is exactly as delivered. In riding it this way I have found the following:
1. Suspension is adjusted too soft for someone my size.
2. I will definately need some studding for lakes and icy trails.
3. Understear in corners is very bad even without studs.
5. Motor is smooth and strong.

I've read many of the posts on this site regarding suspension, clutching, studding, carbides, etc., and they have been very interesting. However, I can't figure out what would be best for me since most posters seem to be interested in maximum performance as opposed to my more trail friendly requirements.

Thanks in advance for any help. Lee

 

[Beawarrior]

suspension adjustments that may work for you.

Blue Warrior,
I have made some adjustments to my warrior that may help you get started.I had a pretty bad inside ski lift with the stock settings that needed correcting.1) tightened the limiter straps 1/4".
2) increased the preload on shock above limiter straps
2 turns.
3)adjusted control rods to max setting to shift weight foward.
4) left front shock preload at factory settings.From what I understand if you tighten the preload the tippiness may increase.You might get away with tigthening the preload because of your indicated size.Loosing the preload will make it feel sogging.
5) Adjusted preload on rear shock to 1 notch less than factory setting.
I have 500 miles on these adjustments and feel the were a marked improvement from the factory settings.Try- different adjustments on the control rods.I was amazed on what a difference adjusting them makes on the way the sled feels.That is a simple 2minute job.
good luck.

 

[Bob Miller]

Here is another adjustment that I learned from Dukester! Adjust your stock secondary clutch spring from a 60 to an 80 degree twist, it reacts better on the trails and is not as jumpy when giving it gas coming around corners. I like it this way over stock!

 

[Bob Miller]

2) increased the preload on shock above limiter straps
2 turns.

BeaWarrior; are you referring to the clicker shock here?

 

[Dano]

For what you intend to do save yourself some money and stay with the stock clutching. If your lacking rpm because of your body weight, you could always just throw a shim for your primary clutch spring to raise the rpms a bit. A couple dollar fix!

 

[Turk]

Shimming the primary spring will raise engagement. It will not affect operating rpm,s.

 

[Mighty]

Here is another adjustment that I learned from Dukester! Adjust your stock secondary clutch spring from a 60 to an 80 degree twist, it reacts better on the trails and is not as jumpy when giving it gas coming around corners. I like it this way over stock!

I was told to do the same thing Bob to compensate for my studs. But what do you mean "not as jumpy"?

 

[Dano]

You maybe right turk, the shim I tried seem to help overall and engagment rpms (200 rpm with 1/8"shim). Also tried a white heelclicker spring with stock weights which ran well, but had a little slip. What color spring would be between the stock spring and the white HC spring?

 

[vmaxjohn]

To set up the skid for your weight you should start with a 50/50 rod gap. Adjust the rear preload mainly, and the center some too. Keep the FRA in the middle if at all possible, and use it to tune on the fly while riding.

Once you get your 50/50 rod gap, then you can start tuning the rest of the sled. Otherwise, it won't respond how a lighter rider's would, you're just farther into the travel than average.

Studs will only worsen corner push, what's needed is either more ski pressure (pulling up the limiter straps) or a more agressive ski. You can add the Bergstrom SkiSaver for cheap cheap, and it will help for sure.

I'd tune the ski shocks last, and concentrate on getting the skid's load carrying capability right for your weight, you should see a big improvement!