Suspension Adjustment Questions for 12 VL

[tonyfrommaine]

I have a 2012 VL with all stock settings. I will start with saying that I am not too knowledgeable about suspension adjustments etc., but do see that I can make various adjustments in the owners manual.

I ride 90% trail and weigh about 270 lbs. I ride two up maybe once or twice a season, so I am mainly concerned with riding single. With that being said here are my questions:

1. Are there adjustments I should think about in the suspension to make the ride better? My main issues are some bottoming out on the back and that general tipsiness (even when I lean quite a bit in turns) to the point that I do go up on one ski on some fairly normal trail turns.

2. Besides the suspension, what would give me the best bang for the buck on aftermarket modifications for my type of riding?

Thanks for your help

 

[goby]

If you like to burn some money, go for Fox Floats in the front. I did that swap on my MP and removed the swaybar. Much better compared to stock (you can keep the swaybar but I prefer to run w/o it) Got fresh oem Yamaha hpg shocks in the rear suspension
/G

 

[Mooseman]

I just swapped my front shocks for a set from Phazer FX along with the springs from the FX. The springs were obviously a little soft so I had to up the preload to the max. Adjusted the shocks 3 or 4 clicks from the softest setting (both up and down) and found the ride much better. I also adjusted the sway bar so that the bushing is at the most front, making it stiffer. If keeping the front shocks, they're not adjustable except to adjust the spring preload. You could change around the bushings in the skis so that they are further apart, sitting off-center of the spindle to the outside. This also helps a little with the tippyness.

For the rear, be sure to adjust the rear preload to H and also put the front 2-up block up to get the maximum spring preload to prevent bottoming. I'm 300+lbs. too so I know .

 

[Mooseman]

BTW, don't forget to put in your location in your profile. It's a site requirement and nice to know.

 

[BombaPolaYama]

You can also tighten the limeter strap a couple notches to keep the front lowere to reduce tippiness. As for the rear susp - in addition to what Mooseman said, you could replace the rear triangular adjustment block with an aluminum rectangular one which gives an extra adjustment position and helps with the bottoming. The VL will also benefit from better and wider skis to give you more confidence cornering even on the trails. I'm not sure what the 2012 VL comes with but the original 5" Yammie skis on my '08 were junk and would sink in ruts and soft trails. Let us know how you make out?