Steering slop question

[fxnytrortxkid]

Ok to the guys who've had vipers previously. I'm about to pull trigger on one of these little fighter jets. But one thing that still remains cat that hasent been changed is the steering system. Does it still have the slop in steering like the vipers and procross sleds get? If I recall oft bushing sets help a bit but
My nytro is as good as new still. I'm between viper and sidewinder as a choice and all but put money on a sidewinder so far. Just looking at every tiny detail before I pull trigger.

 

[fatchance]

Didn't own a Viper, but tight as can be. No slop in mine

 

[cannondale27]

Almost 10000 mi on my Viper and no play. All original ball joints and tierod ends. Do have the Oft steering stem block. Stock plastic piece bags out.

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Perfect. That's what I figured would cure a bit of it. My brothers 2012 cat has about 3/8" of play in bars before skis start to turn and my dads 2014 viper is maybe 1/8-3/16 of play. Probably not noticeable riding but would bug me. And making list of "must buys"

 

[cannondale27]

Perfect. That's what I figured would cure a bit of it. My brothers 2012 cat has about 3/8" of play in bars before skis start to turn and my dads 2014 viper is maybe 1/8-3/16 of play. Probably not noticeable riding but would bug me. And making list of "must buys"

There is also a nut on bottom of steering stem down in bulkhead and accesed through right tierod boot. If that comes loose it can ruin and crack bracket it's in. Be sure to check that nut and loctite if loose.

 

[ROCKERDAN]

There is also a nut on bottom of steering stem down in bulkhead and accesed through right tierod boot. If that comes loose it can ruin and crack bracket it's in. Be sure to check that nut and loctite if loose.

X2

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Got ya. I'll def try and make sure I go through all that. I know the way my brothers 2012 is I would go crazy knowing it had that much slop in the steering

 

[cannondale27]

Got ya. I'll def try and make sure I go through all that. I know the way my brothers 2012 is I would go crazy knowing it had that much slop in the steering

There is a update kit for that bracket that reinforces it. I believe 14 and later had it already but they will still crack if that nut comes loose. I believe that OFT stem mount takes some strain off the lower mount.

 

[Epicsw]

Ok to the guys who've had vipers previously. I'm about to pull trigger on one of these little fighter jets. But one thing that still remains cat that hasent been changed is the steering system. Does it still have the slop in steering like the vipers and procross sleds get? If I recall oft bushing sets help a bit but
My nytro is as good as new still. I'm between viper and sidewinder as a choice and all but put money on a sidewinder so far. Just looking at every tiny detail before I pull trigger.

Sloppy steering is a consideration on whether to buy a Winder or Viper? Two very different sleds and I'm not so sure steering is a differentiator that would even register on the meter. In fact I rode a 2016 Viper STX-DX this weekend for 50 miles after its owner and I switched sleds. Mine is a LTX-DX Winder. They ride very similar. This was on high speed/twisty mix of Ontario trails between Wawa and Hornpayne. The Winder will walk away from the Viper with ease. Suspension on the LE is also better. QS3s are a MUST! If you are into "details" as you wrote... pass on anything that doesn't have QS3s! They make a difference.

I told the owner of the Viper that his sled was likely a better VALUE than the Winder as it rode similar but clearly not at the same refinement level of the Winder. Is the Winder worth almost twice the cost? That is for each to decide on their own. Some cars cost twice what others do and offer nothing other than more performance.
I owned a Ferrari and Turbo Lotus and other hi-po cars that cost a sh-t ton of money that weren't twice the VALUE of lower priced vehicles.

A good rider on a Viper will pass a mediocre rider on a Winder every time!

 

[fxnytrortxkid]

Honestly I'll pass on anything using most any fox shocks. The qs3 is thier best try at it so far tho. I have axis shocks for front already and will get a set for the rear. The electronics I know are better in the sidewinder and I like the clutches and the bodywork better. The sidepanels being rounded like my nytro are much more comfortable for my knees than the viper. But I didn't know if they did anything diff with the steering than the viper or if it was another thing on the list to change.

My theory for sidewinder over the viper is by time I put my bolt on performance mods on I'll be at price of sidewinder and still slower than my nytro. If I have to sink bunch into maintainance updates on sidewinder then it makes it less logical again over the sidewinder. Just trying to get a feel of what the sidewinder has for quirks since I don't know anyone with one personally. The viper I've been very familiar with.

I'm about 2500 difference between the rtx viper and the ltx dx winder.