Vector Rear Suspension - Are they a good riding sled?

[SIMMER]

I have a buddy who is 57 years old that I convinced to buy a 2005 Vector. He's coming off of a Polaris XC700 with an M-10. Now, I know from a reliability/gas/oil standpoint, the Polaris sucked, but I rode his XC and I have to admit, the rear skid rode like a Cadillac and cornered like a slot car.

How is the Vector? Honestly, if it rides like SH&T I'll never hear the end of it so I need to find out now to prepare him in advance.

PS...I considered my 2003 RX1 to be one of the worst rear skids I have ever ridden. Is the Vector that bad or is it better?

Thanks...

 

[LazyBastard]

Having also not ridden one, I'll only say what I heard... supposed to be decent riding skid, not like m10 though. It will be better at keeping the track on the snow and will hold up against sucker bumps.

 

[twomorestrokes]

Yes, they ride nice, and much better than the '03 Pro Action skid. I've never ridden an M10 though, so hopefully someone will give you some insight that have ridden both.

A buddy who owns a 600 Edge rode my Vector last season, and his reply was "plush". 'Course anything rides better than his Polaris. He's had his shocks revalved to try to help, but it's an ex racer so it probably isn't typical.

 

[Tork]

I was not completely happy with the vector over the rough stuff. It has a rebound kick to it. Rider wt might be a factor, I'm 185.
IMHO the monoshock is much better, which is 05-06 4 cylinders and 06 vector

 

[sledheadgeorge]

The 06 would be the way to go if he likes the M10. The mono skid rids as good and has the weight transfer that the M10 doesn't have.

 

[SKIDOZER]

The vector handlesbetter than my 02 mxz700 and front suspension is better. The rear rides ok but the rear shock is junk not enough rebound dampining.I just ordered a ohlins, I am used to high pressure gas shocks all the way around the sled.
I am happy with the sled except for the shock.

 

[SIMMER]

The vector handlesbetter than my 02 mxz700 and front suspension is better. The rear rides ok but the rear shock is junk not enough rebound dampining.I just ordered a ohlins, I am used to high pressure gas shocks all the way around the sled.
I am happy with the sled except for the shock.

Wow, the MXZ's with the trailing arms handled quite well. That's a good sign. I have heard the rear skid has some issues but I have told him that it won't ride anywhere near what his M-10 rode.

His XC700 got 8MPG :shock: so I think he is most excited about fuel savings. Hopefully he will overlook the rough ride and think about this.

 

[Tork]

The vector handlesbetter than my 02 mxz700 and front suspension is better. The rear rides ok but the rear shock is junk not enough rebound dampining.I just ordered a ohlins, I am used to high pressure gas shocks all the way around the sled.
I am happy with the sled except for the shock.

Wow, the MXZ's with the trailing arms handled quite well. That's a good sign. I have heard the rear skid has some issues but I have told him that it won't ride anywhere near what his M-10 rode.

His XC700 got 8MPG :shock: so I think he is most excited about fuel savings. Hopefully he will overlook the rough ride and think about this.

The vector flat out rocks! Worst case is u ditch the steel shock and maybe do some revalving. No big deal

 

[Shane]

I LOVE my Vector! I just pulled the rear skid after 1800 miles last winter and the shock it absolutely SHOT! JUNK! EL CRAPPO! Ordered the Ohlins from Bruce at Pioneer, in conjunction with new springs and I am sending him my middle shock for re-valving. He is a super guy and has spent alot of time discussing the issue with me on several occassions. I was torn between the M10 and what I went with, but I think the skid has some real potential, just needs to be dialed in. And BTW, the steel bodied shock is a real piece of #*$&@ that I am surprised Yamaha would even put on the sled. Your friend will LOVE the sled!

 

[Arctic Express]

I just sold two Polarsis with M-10 for new Yammy's sure hope the ride as good as the M-10.

 

[Groomerdriver]

Vector skid stinks

I came off of 15 Polarii and I honestly had low expectations for my 'o5 Vector rear skid, and I was right....the ride stinks! Your buddy is going from an M-10 to HOPEFULLY the 06 Mono skid!!! If he bought an 'o5, boy are you gonna hear it!!!

My plan is to not even try to make the rear skid work....why spend money on a shock(s) (at minumum replacing the steel thing Yami calls a shock), revalving, etc. when you can spend about $600 more and get an M-10. Almost bought one on eBay last week but $$ is tight right now.

Love everythng else about the sled tho'!!!!

 

[Oak Hill]

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

 

[RSVECTORFREAK]

In all honestly if you are a laid back trail rider you won't hav many complaints but if you like to run flat out in bumps bigger than 12" it's going buck you like a bull. I've tried the factory adjustments and just can't find anything that fits the bill. Way too much rebound, Hopefully a new ohlins in the rear and center will take care of the problem. How can Yamaha claim the Pro Active suspension is better than the mono for ditch banging and moguls is beyond me. They must be really light riders. All of my stock stocks are going to be replaced with ohlins in the rear skid.

 

[twomorestrokes]

I LOVE my Vector! I just pulled the rear skid after 1800 miles last winter and the shock it absolutely SHOT! JUNK! EL CRAPPO! Ordered the Ohlins from Bruce at Pioneer, in conjunction with new springs and I am sending him my middle shock for re-valving. He is a super guy and has spent alot of time discussing the issue with me on several occassions. I was torn between the M10 and what I went with, but I think the skid has some real potential, just needs to be dialed in. And BTW, the steel bodied shock is a real piece of poop that I am surprised Yamaha would even put on the sled. Your friend will LOVE the sled!

So you're only replacing the rear shock and revalving the middle? I'm happier with mine now that I stiffened it up and adjusted the snubber, but it does indeed seem to have too much rebound.

 

[SKIDOZER]

Most of my ridding is on rough high traffic trail at high speed the stock shock is not intended for that.
The stock suspension should be fine for me with the ohlins or the nytro shock.
I was happy with my mxz700 rear skid and the vector skid is a very close design to the doo and cat skid.
I feel my vector rides ok and have made adjustments but prefer high pressure gas rebuildable shocks that can be valved to my preference.

I notice, sabercats and gtx skidoos also have a non rebuildable shock in rear skid and that is the com pitition for the vector had a nytro been out last year I would have bought that as its more like a mxz, or f6 cat for rough trail.