New here, need setup advice for my girlfriend

[tcarey1128]

I'm new here, just picked up a 07 Phazer for my girlfriend. It was a buddy's sled he got for his wife but ended up being the spare sled for whoever.

Anyway we were riding this weekend, her 2nd real time on trails and she was having some issues. The first complaint was darting. I was darting a little on my skidoo and she just lived with it. The other issue was she couldn't turn to save her life, almost every corner she had to drop to 20 otherwise she just felt tippy if it bit but otherwise would push really bad. I started reading a little that night and someone suggested putting the limiter strap in to the middle hole.
Tried that the last morning and it would turn but she said it was still darting and the back end would feel really loose. I finally took it for a ride and it was sketchy above 40mph. The front end would just decide to pick its own line whenever it wanted and tapping the brake or slowing down hard made it wash out pretty quick. Also the rear suspension felt pretty harsh

My plan in the next few nights to have her try and ride around the house and make some changes in the same conditions

From what I remember this is the setup right now:
2000 miles on the machine
Brand new Woody's 6" carbides
Studs down the middle of the track, 2 per lug
Front ski preloaded is the softest
Center shock softest
Limiter strap 3rd hole from tightest
Not sure on the rear torsions

Can someone give me any setup advice? Also what should the toe be set at? I'm wondering if that is out of spec too I'm guessing around 1/8" out. Where is that usually measured

Sorry for the long read if I'm missing some info please let me know

 

[MikeWalters]

check toe out as per the drawing half way down this page: http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/ski-positioning.105201/#post-930082

mine darts but I never ride trails, Bergstrom ski savers will help a lot with darting too and they are CHEAP

http://www.bergstromskegs.com/ss/ss_main.htm
http://www.bergstromskegs.com/oui/darting_solutions.htm

Of course aftermarket skis fix it too or Yamaha tuner skis, for a price obviously.

try adding some preload to the ski shocks and see how it feels. It might be rolling too much on the soft setting. Try finding a good combination of ski shock preload and limiter strap hole. You will need to try out some combinations. probably no 2 people on this forum with the exact same setup .Also note that the ski stance is adjustable, you can move the ski mount bushings in/out to make the stance wider/narrower, it will help with stability on the widest.

But the darting should be easy to fix

Also the steering bushings on the Phazer SUCK. There is so much steering play it does not help. http://www.ty4stroke.com/threads/tired-of-sloppy-steering-at-plastic-bushing-and-steel-collar.76976/

There is a TON of info in the FAQ section too

 

[tcarey1128]

Thanks, I've been trying to read a bunch, also trying to get it to a good baseline since adjustments are a lot easier in the garage than on the trail or some parking lot.

Yesterday on the trail I loosened the front preload 1 click to full soft and it helped with darting.

Just now I had her ride and made a couple changes.
Went to 4th hole on the strap and the rear felt softer to her again. Still darty.
Then added a click to the center shock so its 1 from softest. Helped get the rear end balanced back in more.

I think I'm going in the right direction its just tough now since snow is melting here and I have to go farther and farther north to find a trail that isn't mashed potatoes.

This is a trail only setup too, she tried powder around the house and got stuck too easy

 

[tcarey1128]

Took a good look at the front end tonight. Toe was in about 3/16". I also have a bunch of play in all front end parts, mostly the ski to spindle and upper control arms. I also moved the spacers around to widen the ski stance.

The hardest part about all this is going to be convincing her where to spend money. She doesn't like the idea of putting money into bushings and parts to make the sled ride better as much as she likes the cosmetic touches. Guess its one of the differences between guys and girls.

 

[ATV PRO #11]

When adjusting clickers, ALWAYS set comp 1/2 way and adjust REBOUND first.
You will never dial in a shock without setting your rebound first.
If your rear end is washing (of feels loose) out, or feels like it, raise your front shock ride height 1/2" at a time to correct it.

 

[MikeWalters]

Took a good look at the front end tonight. Toe was in about 3/16". I also have a bunch of play in all front end parts, mostly the ski to spindle and upper control arms. I also moved the spacers around to widen the ski stance.

The hardest part about all this is going to be convincing her where to spend money. She doesn't like the idea of putting money into bushings and parts to make the sled ride better as much as she likes the cosmetic touches. Guess its one of the differences between guys and girls.

Yes sounds like you have the classic play at the steering collector. You can see it if you take off the black panel that has 4 plastic push pins in it, the one under the airbox at the front. It will be sloppy as hell.

 

[tcarey1128]

Sorry I say clicker but I meant click of preload, the shocks on this thing are the steel body non adjustable. Shocks are on the long list of upgrades as well

 

[yamahas]

Snowtrackers and I have 0 darting or pushing.

Move the ski spacers to widen the stance a bit.

 

[tcarey1128]

I did move the spacers. I think my goal for this setup is a comfortable and confident ride. She rides a 4x4 quad easily and the seating position was similar but didn't like the push in a corner or any ski lift.

I'm not sure how much more to do before I start fighting myself chasing the setup.

One thing I'm wondering is how much play in the spindle bushing is normal. I want to do the bushings but I want to make sure they are worn to the point of needing attention