Vector Rear Suspension - Are they a good riding sled?

[STORM-CHASER]

I havent got to ride my 05 vector yet. Now you guys got me worried about ride. Last spring I posted and every one seemed to like the ride. Maybe I will look for a mono to put in.

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

It's not really as bad as it sounds unless you ride alot with rev -x's and comparable big bump sleds like firecat sno pros then you will holding on for dear life watching them disappear in front of you. This is only through the really beat up trails like from Houghton to Copper Harbor.

 

[twomorestrokes]

I havent got to ride my 05 vector yet. Now you guys got me worried about ride. Last spring I posted and every one seemed to like the ride. Maybe I will look for a mono to put in.

Don't sweat it. Ride it first before you start changing things. The Vector is my favorite sled yet and has spoiled me against enjoying anyone else's sled.

My biggest ride complaint last year was that the factory settings were a little soft causing a spine-jarring bottom out feeling in harsh bumps. I stiffened the rear springs up and moved the suspension snubber for less kick back. Made a big difference. Most of the kickback was the position of the snubber I think.

I would eventually like some nicer shocks in the skid, but the ride and handling is very acceptable as is IMO.

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

Yeah and how about that spine jarring jolt.....The first time I bottomed mine out that hard I thought I wasn't going to walk again.

 

[SIMMER]

Guys, we ride perfectly groomed trails and maybe hit the big bumps about 5% of our ride. For our rides, I think it should be fine.

Thanks for everyon'e help.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Yeah and how about that spine jarring jolt.....The first time I bottomed mine out that hard I thought I wasn't going to walk again.

No kiddin! It's the kind of jolt that makes you yell something out loud inside your helmet. The top half of you keeps wanting to continue down while your bottom half is on it's way up! I'm too heavy to ride it like it comes set up. (225) It's all part of setting the sled up for your weight and personal riding style. I've heard of plenty of riders that take the snubbers right off, but mine's a lot better just by moving it.

 

[Tfin]

Yup, I've been real happy with the way I have mine set up. I removed the anti bottoming stoppers (this eliminated the kick back) and tightend the front track shock spring three turns from stock.

However I will admit that the rear shock is not as good as it should be (especially for heavier riders). I weigh about 170-175 with gear and can jam down through a section of bumps with ease. The only time I have problems is if I hit a huge ditch at the bottom of a hill (or the like there of). In those rare situations it will bottom hard....and you want to be damn sure you're standing or you may not walk again.

Other than those rare situations I'm very happy with its ride and bump capability. At some point though I do intend to replace the rear track shock with something more suitable.

 

[rocvector]

Yeah and how about that spine jarring jolt.....The first time I bottomed mine out that hard I thought I wasn't going to walk again.

No kiddin! It's the kind of jolt that makes you yell something out loud inside your helmet. The top half of you keeps wanting to continue down while your bottom half is on it's way up! I'm too heavy to ride it like it comes set up. (225) It's all part of setting the sled up for your weight and personal riding style. I've heard of plenty of riders that take the snubbers right off, but mine's a lot better just by moving it.

I am also 225 and have yet to make any adjustments. Did you do anything other than move the snubbers?

 

[SIMMER]

What are the "snubbers"? Are they the rubber stoppers on the rails?

 

[twomorestrokes]

I am also 225 and have yet to make any adjustments. Did you do anything other than move the snubbers?

I moved the rubber suspension stops on the rails, and I also stiffened the torsion springs up a notch by turning the cams. With my weight, the thing was bottoming out too much on harsh bumps at the factory settings. Although not ideal for cornering, I like a lot of transfer, so the transfer rods are loosened up.

I've heard of tightening the spring on the front skid shock also, but I have not tried it.

 

[Groomerdriver]

junk skid

Its all in the set-up. If set up properly it rides like a cadillac.

Oak - I tried the setup that you told me to do and it didn't help.....nothing setup wise has helped.

Why did Yami drop this skid after only one year??!!!! I know why...they screwed it up! Understand I am PO'd about this but when people out there say that this is a good skid, you must have been riding Vipers or early 90's Doo sleds all your life. THis suspension sucks!!!!

I could ride 200 or 300 miles per day...now I ride 140 and I have a sore back!

I checked out the 06 Mono on a Vector tonite with the assistance of Mr. Sled. Now that feels like what a suspension should!

 

[STORM-CHASER]

Re: junk skid

[
Why did Yami drop this skid after only one year??!!!! I know why...they screwed it up! Understand I am PO'd about this but when people out there say that this is a good skid, you must have been riding Vipers or early 90's Doo sleds all your life. THis suspension sucks!!!!

I could ride 200 or 300 miles per day...now I ride 140 and I have a sore back!

I checked out the 06 Mono on a Vector tonite with the assistance of Mr. Sled. Now that feels like what a suspension should!

[/quote]They still use this skid on the vector only the vector er has the mono

 

[twomorestrokes]

Re: junk skid

I could ride 200 or 300 miles per day...now I ride 140 and I have a sore back!

Everybody has different expectations and views on suspension design and setup I guess. I feel just the opposite. I used to be worn out after a day on my SX. Now I'm not ready to park it after a 300+ mile day. I'm 46 with a bad back and I ride with a crazy wahoo on a Pro X. He practically has to crawl up to the cabin.

 

[Tfin]

Re: junk skid

Its all in the set-up. If set up properly it rides like a cadillac.

Oak - I tried the setup that you told me to do and it didn't help.....nothing setup wise has helped.

Why did Yami drop this skid after only one year??!!!! I know why...they screwed it up! Understand I am PO'd about this but when people out there say that this is a good skid, you must have been riding Vipers or early 90's Doo sleds all your life. THis suspension sucks!!!!

I could ride 200 or 300 miles per day...now I ride 140 and I have a sore back!

I checked out the 06 Mono on a Vector tonite with the assistance of Mr. Sled. Now that feels like what a suspension should!

Saying it "sucks" is your personal opinion. I'm sorry to hear that you're unhappy with yours. There's plenty that aren't with theirs. My personal opinion is that it rocks. I come off a 300 mile day and I've never felt better....tired, but not beat. The only thing they should of done different was to add better shock in the rear. The geometry and capability of its design is excellent.

To each his own.

 

[ttw_walman]

Tell your buddy to look into a RAGE. I drive one and love it. I have a friend with an 03' RX1 with an M-10 with Ohlins and he says he wasted his money on the M-10. He thinks(me too) that the Rage rides much better through everything. His wife has a Vector and she likes that but we all agree that the Rage is the best of the three!!!