Ohlins Skid/Hygear

[LeeKo]

This weekend I installed Hygear triple rate springs on the front shocks and Ohlins in the skid. I also added billet X-click torsion spring adjusters and HyGear torsion spring spacers.

I only got to put a couple of miles in the field behind the house. The Hygear springs are basically zero pre-load and have 3 inches of set-in. They seem to have really settled down the front in the corners. I look forward to to putting miles on this setup, but won't be able to get up north for a couple of weeks.

I am super stoked about my new setup. Thanks to Stewartb for the Ohlins feedback and pushing me over the edge on the purchase.

Oh, I forgot to mention I like this sled.

LeeKo

 

[stewartb]

How much did you lower the front compared to stock? I'll receive the triple rate front springs and dual rate center springs for my wife's stock shocks tomorrow. I want to get her springs set up and then address the shocks if need be. At 110# the shocks may be too stiff, but with the relaxed height the center shock rebound rate should be reduced. I've never lowered the front like Ross is suggesting but I'm sure going to try it.

Looking forward to your ride report!

Stewart

 

[LeeKo]

preload

I had my front shocks preloaded more than stock and set in was about 1 inch vs HyGear's 3 inches. I think I had stock springs preloaded at 5 7/8".

 

[Alatalo]

Hmm, interesting...I tried a number of different progressive front spring setups in my 2008 RTX 40th, but I never found a setup that offered the same, sharp steering response and steering support as the linear 28 N/mm springs. Though, my results might be affected by the fact that I am using no sway bar.

Please keep us updated regarding your results.

 

[stewartb]

The spring retainer for the dual rate center didn't fit so I left the stock spring on. The triple-rates went on the front shocks easily. I let the front down 1 1/2" measured at the center of the bumper. I can still let it down more. Wifey just took a spin around the neighborhood to see if it was acceptable for tomorrow night's ride to the cabin. "10,000 times better" was her first comment. "I can't believe it's the same machine". What she's referring to is steering effort, which had been excessively high even with stock skis. Mission accomplished.

Stewart

 

[LeeKo]

set-in

Was that 1 1/2 from stock or from total extension to set-in?

I measured to the top of the bumper at full extension by using a floor jack take the weight off the front end and then lowered it. With this method I got 3 inches of set-in.

 

[stewartb]

Less 1 1/2" from where it had been prior to the spring change, which was very close to stock.

Stewart

 

[LeeKo]

I am curious to hear how the Hygear spring setup handles vs. the Ohlins front end. Enjoy your ride.

LeeKo

 

[stewartb]

Lowering the front seems to be all positive other than the added drag in the 15" of new snow we had to go through to get to the cabin. To help ease the steering pressure I took the Simmons Gen IIs off and put stocks back on. This probably wasn't the weekend to do that but we didn't know there was that much new snow. With the lowered front I think the wide Gen IIs would have been perfect. The steering effort is so easy now I'm sure I can put the big skis back on. As it is, the steering control with the low front is still good. The compression clickers required adding 6-8 clicks to prevent bottoming in the bumps. They had been dialed to full soft. All in all my wife likes the change. She needs rear suspension work next. I remain unimpressed with the stock XTX skid shocks, even under a 110# rider.

I burned a full tank in 70 miles on Saturday. WFO 90% of the time. What a blast!

Stewart

 

[LeeKo]

Stewart,
I am dissapointed you are bottoming the front, I had that problem with the stock springs. Ross @ Hygear said that triple rate springs would have more bottoming resistance than the stock springs. Do you agree? How does the Hygear front end handle vs the Ohlins?

Ultimately I will either get Ohlins fronts or have Ross do up the stocks. Right now I am sick of spending money.

thanks,

LeeKo

 

[stewartb]

I've been dialing the blue sled in for my wife. Since she weighs half as much as me I haven't been concerned with handling under me, just under her. As I said we had the clickers set to full soft. I had them to 8 clicks firm (from zero) and backed off to 6. That's still quite soft. Now it handles well up front, and for the first time I can observe the suspension working smoothly while she's riding. I think I'm satisfied with the fronts. I need to shift my focus to the skid. I still have the RTX-SE rear shocks and Ross wants to work on them for my wife's sled. That's the next project.

Lowering the front end served the purpose for my wife. Reduced steering effort and a softer ride are a big deal for a small woman. I prefer a taller stance. I now have two sleds with very different suspension set-ups. They both fill the bill for the intended riders. If I didn't have the Ohlins fronts I would have used Hygear's dual rates since lowering the front wasn't my desire. With the triples you have the option to go either way. Have fun testing!

Stewart