Venture Front Suspension Set-Up

[rums54]

I have a question concerning the front suspension on my 2006 Venture 4-stroke. Here's my current set-up. I have the rear suspension set on the 2 up setting for the rectangular adjust. The other adjuster is set on the lightest setting. The front suspension is set in the lightest (least compression) setting. I weigh 295 pounds and this set-up gives me a very good ride -- smooth and the bumps are nicely absorbed.

The sled doesn't turn particularly well. I always thought this was a result of the long track. My track is not studded. This weekend I noticed the front suspension was on the lightest setting and I'm wondering if I adjust to a higher compression of the springs if this will give me more control in turns. Any help and suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

I just pressed the preview button and was surprised that I list my Venture as a sled that I'll have in the future. I guess it's been a while since I posted! I'll have to try to figure out how to change that. The red Vector is now our spare sled.

 

[Groomerdriver]

When you say it doesn't turn well, does that mean the skis are turned and the sled is not turning?

If so, there are 3 ways to increase your ski's turning ability:

1. Increase (tighten) front ski spring pressure

2. Decrease front track shock spring pressure.

3. Decrease length of limiter strap. (pull down 1 notch)

Increasing the length of carbide on your wearbars or going to a larger diameter wearbar can help too. If you don't have decent wearbars, your sled likely won't turn period, especially a long track.

FWIW.....I usually increase front ski spring pressure to get the sled to lean less (corner flatter) in the corners. I would do #2 first, then #1 then #3. I don't like to mess with limiter straps because it messes with the skid geometry too much.

Good luck!

 

[rums54]

Thanks for the reply. Yes, I'm turning the handlebars but the sled is hesitant to turn. About the only thing I've done to the front of the sled is put much longer carbides on. I'll start by tightening the springs a notch or two. I don't have a problem decreasing the length of the limiter strap. I have a snowmobile lift so that's not that difficult for me. Come to think of it, I have heard a little banging from time to time so I'm wondering if it isn't a bit loose. I can see how that might put more weight on the front of the sled.

A friend of mine has the same sled and he put on skis with dual runners. They are convex shaped and the runners are on the outside edges. They are pretty expensive so I'd like to avoid going to this as a solution but his sled definately turns better than mine.

 

[rs venture]

I also have a 2006 rs venture. I stiffened up the front springs on the skis to maximum, set front track preload to softest setiing, set rear springs to high and two-up I also have Woodys dually carbides. All of thes changes have helped but the machine still pushes bad in the corners. The limiter strap adjustment goes from really slack to slack. I have shortened the factory holes by 1.25 inches but I still can`t get enough ski pressure. I have also noticed that the limiter straps are wearing on the sides due to coming in contact with track cogs.