New Venture GT, looking for suspension setup advice.....please

[Yamadudemn]

Hi Gentlemen, I just bought a used 2011 Venture GT and am looking for a few tips and or advice on suspension setup. I am 190 pounds and mainly ride single up unless the wife wants to ride with. I ride mostly state trails and some ditches and ride somewhat aggressive at times.

6inch dual carbides upfront or longer?
Tweak the pressure on the skis with the front strap?
adjust the shock pressure etc..?

Thanks again

 

[Roger]

The front spring, around the shock in the rear suspension, comes set for a 1000lb passenger.
If you want to actually steer this sled, back the adjuster nut way off until there is almost no pressure on that spring.
This will put some weight on the skis.
Put "SNOW TRACKERS" on the skis, and you won't need power steering.

 

[Yamadudemn]

Alright, so I did some research and I think I will go with the aggressive snow trackers.

I adjusted that front spring tension in the skid, quick question, should I be able to wiggle that spring much when I pull on it? Seems like it would maybe vibrate or move around a little being so loose? Or with me on the machine would it stay put? I can see that there is some pressure on it, but not a lot.

I also went and adjusted all the rebound settings on each shock to the stock settings and set the rear spring to the soft setting on each side . Any input on where you like the rebound settings so far?

Thanks again

 

[Koenig]

The front spring, around the shock in the rear suspension, comes set for a 1000lb passenger.
If you want to actually steer this sled, back the adjuster nut way off until there is almost no pressure on that spring.
This will put some weight on the skis.
Put "SNOW TRACKERS" on the skis, and you won't need power steering.

X2... Roger...

 

[Koenig]

Mine's a 2009 GT... Here's what I did (copied from a post a year ago!((weigh 215 with gear))
"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

 

[Roger]

Alright, so I did some research and I think I will go with the aggressive snow trackers.

I adjusted that front spring tension in the skid, quick question, should I be able to wiggle that spring much when I pull on it? Seems like it would maybe vibrate or move around a little being so loose? Or with me on the machine would it stay put? I can see that there is some pressure on it, but not a lot.

I also went and adjusted all the rebound settings on each shock to the stock settings and set the rear spring to the soft setting on each side . Any input on where you like the rebound settings so far?

Thanks again

I believe that as soon as you put the sled back on the ground, there will be weight on that spring, and it won't wiggle around anymore.
I have the aggressive Sno-Trackers on, very nice to steer.
My rear springs are always on there softest, even with all my gear for my weeklong snowmobile vacation.
I haven't adjusted my shocks.

Yamaha fails greatly in their attempt to make their sleds drivable right out of the box.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

I haven't adjusted my shocks.

Yamaha fails greatly in their attempt to make their sleds drivable right out of the box.

You haven't adjusted your shocks yet you say "Yamaha fails greatly.....?

People have got the boot from this site for posting stuff like you do as often as you do.

IMO, if you want to help others, great. If you want to tell everybody that Yamaha and every sled they make "fails greatly....." go on HCS or some other kiddie site and do it.

 

[Yamadudemn]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the advice. The trackers will be here soon and now I just need a little more snow to get out there and ride.

Any opinion or real world experience with what a good track tension setup would be on this sled? I have heard that the stock settings are a little tight, is that true?

 

[Yogi_12]

I have 2011 rs venture.....did the limiter strap up one notch and took pretty much all pressure off that spring.."world of difference. I' m still running stock carbides.
As per suggestions on this site...my track is set free sag approx 1.25 inches.

Also, when my original slides wore (1000km).....I switched to the DuPont ones, much more pricey."...but they have about 6000km on them and look like new.

 

[4strokeluvr111]

Yes the Yamaha spec for track tension is much too tight. I set mine so that I can put three fingers+ between the slides and the track. While a loose track cuts down a bit on top end speed, the looser you run it the longer your slides will last. If you don't have extrovert drivers, the ideal setting is to run it as loose as possible before it starts to ratchet in deep snow.

 

[Yamadudemn]

Yes the Yamaha spec for track tension is much too tight. I set mine so that I can put three fingers+ between the slides and the track. While a loose track cuts down a bit on top end speed, the looser you run it the longer your slides will last. If you don't have extrovert drivers, the ideal setting is to run it as loose as possible before it starts to ratchet in deep snow.

What are extrovert drivers and what benefit do they add? so 3 fingers, is that about 2 inches or...?

 

[maim]

they let you run the track looser witch helps with slide wear.

i set my brothers 2013 pretty much as described as above and he loves it now that he has apex mountain skis on it. i did put the kimpex wheels on it for the slide wear issue. have not looked at it yet but has to happen this weekend as he needs it for next weekend.

 

[Yamadudemn]

Ok, so I put the new trackers on and adjusted the front skid spring to slightly loose while in the air and did the same to the front shock springs while in the air. Front clickers are at 6/6, rear clicker at 3 above full soft. Adjusted the front strap to the last whole on the strap and put the rear skid spring on soft ( both sides of course ). Took it for a ride and wow is it much better, but steering feels very heavy, I think I may have to much pressure on the ski's, when I turn its on a dime but the rear end breaks loose easily. Also, the machine wont move if on bare ice or slick snow etc, the skis have to much friction and the track just spins. Maybe the aggressive runners are too much without studs?

What would be the next logical adjustment, maybe tighten up that Front skid shock a little and get more pressure back on the track or? I want to maintain the lower position of the sled of course, but just achieve some more balance between ski/track pressure.

Thanks again

 

[Roger]

Too much weight on the skis.
Try putting your limiter strap where it was from the factory.