With all the positive reviews of Pioneer Performance's large swaybars, I figured it was time for a test of sorts. We have 2 test sled subjects listed below..
1. My 2005 RS Rage 136", long arms with a Pioneer 11mm bar (stock was 10mm) and deep keel Yamaha Mountain Skis with Bergstrom 6" triple points. The 11mm makes it great in rough and fun to "throw" around for such a big beast, but a known corner pusher and inside ski lifter in the twisties... Looking forward to trying the 13mm today.
2. My buds 06 Apex GT. Stock front end using Yami Mountain Skis with 4" Bergstrom singles and well tuned mono in the rear makes this machine a great all arounder that rails really well, but it still has the occasional inside ski lift due to body roll... HE DOES NOT KNOW THE BAR IS THERE... I installed it along with mine yesterday. We leave to ride in 2 hours... I'll report back tonight.
1. My 2005 RS Rage 136", long arms with a Pioneer 11mm bar (stock was 10mm) and deep keel Yamaha Mountain Skis with Bergstrom 6" triple points. The 11mm makes it great in rough and fun to "throw" around for such a big beast, but a known corner pusher and inside ski lifter in the twisties... Looking forward to trying the 13mm today.
2. My buds 06 Apex GT. Stock front end using Yami Mountain Skis with 4" Bergstrom singles and well tuned mono in the rear makes this machine a great all arounder that rails really well, but it still has the occasional inside ski lift due to body roll... HE DOES NOT KNOW THE BAR IS THERE... I installed it along with mine yesterday. We leave to ride in 2 hours... I'll report back tonight.
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Budweiser
TY 4 Stroke Junkie
The fact that he doesn't know it's there is huge. I tend to think people install things on their sleds and think they work great because they want to them work great. I'm guilty of it!
TrailxRider
Expert
I curious to the results too. I've been thinking about getting the 13 mm bar for my Nytro for a while now and probably will. I'd like to see if you're friend says anything about his sled handling better and assuming its b/c the trails haha
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
Onother good point of the test would be if he or you notice an increase in front suspension harshness. That is why I haven't went to a 12 or 13mm bar.
It's interesting that the first year Rage came with a smaller small bar than the rest of the sleds from the factory. They came stock with an 11mm bar the next year. The other '05 and newer sleds had 11mm bars when new.
It's interesting that the first year Rage came with a smaller small bar than the rest of the sleds from the factory. They came stock with an 11mm bar the next year. The other '05 and newer sleds had 11mm bars when new.
I for one am not sold on a 13 mm bar. Mine does corner flater, but the deep snow sidehilling have suffered a ton. I may go back to stock 10mm and sell the 13
RacerDave
Expert
maxdlx, depending on if your bar fits a 07 Apex and what you want for it, I may be interested in it. RD
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
What sled do you have madlx? Racer Dave, check to be sure for yourself but the bar SHOULD fit the Apex. The part number for the Apex and the Vector is the same. Different part number for the 05 Rage but I am assuming that is because the Rage was a 10 instead of an 11 stock.
All right...
10 minutes into the ride we stopped to discuss which trail to take. My buddy asks me if I tightened his limiter strap as the sled is cornering a bit flatter today. I told him no, but I did do something to make his sled "faster". A little later I caught him looking at the front end... and he started asking me if I messed with the clutch his sled. Nope. Anyone see where this is going? Flatter cornering but stab that gas and the front end still lifts... A little later I fessed up and told him about the bar... Ahhhhhh, he said. Very nice addition, definet improvement and it will stay on the sled. He never mentioned the ride quality degrading... and the trails were whooooooped on the way back.
I also like the bar. The sled can still lift the inside ski (not nearly as often), but the outer arms and shock no longer compress causing the scary roll and resulting inside ski heading further skyward. Easy to ride it out and keep on hammering. As maxdlx mentions, forget sidehilling, not for you if that's your cup o' tea. The side to side ride quality is a bit more firm, but nothing I'd call significant.
10 minutes into the ride we stopped to discuss which trail to take. My buddy asks me if I tightened his limiter strap as the sled is cornering a bit flatter today. I told him no, but I did do something to make his sled "faster". A little later I caught him looking at the front end... and he started asking me if I messed with the clutch his sled. Nope. Anyone see where this is going? Flatter cornering but stab that gas and the front end still lifts... A little later I fessed up and told him about the bar... Ahhhhhh, he said. Very nice addition, definet improvement and it will stay on the sled. He never mentioned the ride quality degrading... and the trails were whooooooped on the way back.
I also like the bar. The sled can still lift the inside ski (not nearly as often), but the outer arms and shock no longer compress causing the scary roll and resulting inside ski heading further skyward. Easy to ride it out and keep on hammering. As maxdlx mentions, forget sidehilling, not for you if that's your cup o' tea. The side to side ride quality is a bit more firm, but nothing I'd call significant.
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Metallicat
TY 4 Stroke God
Damn, I wish my friends would secretly install aftermarket go-faster parts on my sled!
Rash
Expert
Metallicat said:
My thoughts exactly...
so do i go 12 or 13 mm?
I went with the 13mm on my Warrior...huge improvement!!! I would go with the 12mm if you want a 'happy median' between smoother ride and less body roll....I went with the 13mm because I want to corner as flat as possible, and being from Central Illinois, we only head north when the trails are flat and white!!! I don't personally know anyone with the 12mm, so I haven't heard a first hand account of what kind of difference it makes over stock....I'm sure someone will chime in though!!! Good luck!!! You'll love it!!!!
yamadoo
Yamadoo is a snowmobile ' aholic'.
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great report that will be my next upgrade.
Regarding the 'harsh front end' potential, couldn't a couple clicks off compression damping eliminate that?
Yamadoo
Regarding the 'harsh front end' potential, couldn't a couple clicks off compression damping eliminate that?
Yamadoo
NJNYTRO
Expert
Hey bjowett, I have the 13 on my nytro and love it but my question to you is ; can I be your friend ? I got some parts you can secretly switch out for me if you feel so inclined? 
LazyBastard
TY 4 Stroke God
The added front end harshness is only evident when you hit bumps on ONE SIDE but NOT THE OTHER. 99.9% of bumps you hit equally with the left and right skis -- they're no different.
twomorestrokes
TY 4 Stroke God
LazyBastard said:
Correct. Like off trail or some uneven chopped up trails. It would try to transfer more of the bump from one ski over to the other side that may be on a flat area. A bigger bar definitely firms things up on a car when one wheel hits a bump or pothole.
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