Sidewinder Trail Suspension

[race24x]

I just traded my 2007 Apex GT for a 2017 Sidewinder LT X SE 137. I am concerned about the ride quality although I havent hit the trail yet. I am wondering if anyone has tried the Hygear dual rate springs etc on their sled? I did this on my Apex GT and it was such an improvement all my friends loved it. I am concerned this will be to rough for me and want to make sure it handles the bumps without kicking the crap out of me. We are riding tomorrow so I should know more about the ride then to compare to the Apex

 

[jonlafon1]

The front track shock spring on the LTX- SE model is to soft on the initial sit in rate.. I went with a RAPTOR spring.. Which I believe to be very close to 135/260... The stocker is 90/260.. Also after 500-600 miles the shocks/springs LOOSEN UP ALOT ... I actually hated my SE until about 600 miles

My bet is you will think its to harsh your first ride.. They need miles and a few adjustments... After that they are pretty good.. Not as good as the LE for sure but good

 

[Bigbluemachine]

Yes stiff at first but at around 500 miles sets in nicely.

 

[race24x]

It was pretty good today, but I did feel like after 150 miles it softened up

 

[jonlafon1]

It was pretty good today, but I did feel like after 150 miles it softened up

Glad you thought it was okay..
Just wait.. For me it was 600 miles > Then one day I was cruising down a grade on one footers at 50 I was like DAMN this is not bad..

 

[WINDER1987]

Anyone else's suspension squeaking sounds like the front and it's annoying when riding all day and every bump it squeaks

 

[jonlafon1]

Just to give you a idea just how much my rear shock loosened up. I started at softest setting then number two.. Now I actually ride on the stiffest setting @ 1500 miles.. I weigh 220 and the heavy setting is JUST a touch to stiff.. but it still sinks about 1-2 inches on sit in.. which IMO is perfect

 

[jonlafon1]

Anyone else's suspension squeaking sounds like the front and it's annoying when riding all day and every bump it squeaks

Yup nature of the beast RDAY. These things have been that way since 2012 when they came out. I have speakers in my helmet so I do not hear it.. Guy could lube up the ball joints(top of a arms) and the A arm ends where they bolt to chassis.. This is okay for a ride or two maybe.. I have done it in the past, but I usually always have music going.. The first 5-10 miles of the riding day I will go without tunes but that's about it.. Put a louder exhaust on? I know some guys do not want this..... But damn these things are super quite stock

 

[Snowaddict]

Anyone else's suspension squeaking sounds like the front and it's annoying when riding all day and every bump it squeaks

I hope someone starts a separate thread on this squeaking issue with a fix. It's driving me nuts and has only gotten worse with miles. A lot of people have said this is normal, but I kept thinking mine must have something wrong because it's really bad (especially in stutters. ) Today at a stop I pushed my two buddy's ZR 9000 and Viper front suspensions (up and down rapidly) and they all squeaked bad. So, yep normal (but really terrible for spending that kind of $ on something.) I have used spray silicone on all the front areas I could get at, but like mentioned above it only helps for a little while. If anyone figures out a fix, please post it!

 

[veemaks]

I hope someone starts a separate thread on this squeaking issue with a fix. It's driving me nuts and has only gotten worse with miles. A lot of people have said this is normal, but I kept thinking mine must have something wrong because it's really bad (especially in stutters. ) Today at a stop I pushed my two buddy's ZR 9000 and Viper front suspensions (up and down rapidly) and they all squeaked bad. So, yep normal (but really terrible for spending that kind of $ on something.) I have used spray silicone on all the front areas I could get at, but like mentioned above it only helps for a little while. If anyone figures out a fix, please post it!

Isn't the squeaking coming from the rubber between the ski and spindle?

 

[mooser17]

Mine changed at 580mile mark feels like a totally different sled now. Had everything adjusted soft as it was a lumber wagon n now it's quite smooth. Shocked it got so much better. ... what squeeks in mine is the steering every time I turn left or right and is quite annoying. Dealer is gonna look at it tomorrow.

 

[cannondale27]

Isn't the squeaking coming from the rubber between the ski and spindle?

Swaybar links are known squeaky points. I use Amsoil or Maxima Chain Wax for lube every few weeks.

 

[fatchance]

Yup nature of the beast RDAY. These things have been that way since 2012 when they came out. I have speakers in my helmet so I do not hear it.. Guy could lube up the ball joints(top of a arms) and the A arm ends where they bolt to chassis.. This is okay for a ride or two maybe.. I have done it in the past, but I usually always have music going.. The first 5-10 miles of the riding day I will go without tunes but that's about it.. Put a louder exhaust on? I know some guys do not want this..... But damn these things are super quite stock

I wonder if a shot of dry lube would help with this. It's driving me nuts!

 

[cannondale27]

I wonder if a shot of dry lube would help with this. It's driving me nuts!

Don't see why it wouldn't. Just needs to be liquid to flow into them good when its sprayed on. Try it.

 

[done dooin'_winder up]

Anyone else's suspension squeaking sounds like the front and it's annoying when riding all day and every bump it squeaks

When working on mine yesterday, I located squeaks where the tie rod goes through the rubber boot at the belly. Tie rod rubs against the rubber. May be the source for some.