Venture GT 2009 Steering problem

[greggie]

Hi,

A friend of mine has a brand new 2009 Yamaha Venture GT but he compains that it has steering problems. Sometimes if he goes in the corner and steers in, the snowmobile goes straight until is goes beside the trail and it steers in the loose snow. That means to drive safe, he must slow down in every corner. I think that the presure on the front skies is too low. If I am right you can change the skid setup to give it more weight on the front skies. Am I right and is this a common Venture GT 2009 problem?
Thanks,

Greg

 

[hondo]

Hi,

A friend of mine has a brand new 2009 Yamaha Venture GT but he compains that it has steering problems. Sometimes if he goes in the corner and steers in, the snowmobile goes straight until is goes beside the trail and it steers in the loose snow. That means to drive safe, he must slow down in every corner. I think that the presure on the front skies is too low. If I am right you can change the skid setup to give it more weight on the front skies. Am I right and is this a common Venture GT 2009 problem?
Thanks,

Greg

There are many variables that could affect steering.

More information is needed for example;

What are the trail conditions where you live?

There have been very hard packed and icy conditions in Northern Maine that requires slower speeds in corners in to order to maintain safe control.

What is your friends riding abilities?

Is this your friends first sled?

How much does your friend weigh?

RS Venture GT does sit higher than many other sleds which requires some operating time to learn how the sled handles in various conditions. The sled does handle differently than other sleds.

Has your friend read the owners manual? Front shock and other suspension adjustments are provided in the manual.

Has your friend discussed handling problems with his/her dealer?

More information is needed in order to provide sound set-up suggestions.

Hope this helps!

 

[greggie]

There is enough snow to go snowmobiling. My friend has driven lots and lots of snowmobiles. He owns at least 4 snowmobiles, he know what he is doing. Hre spoke to the dealer, and he advised him to bring it in. I am trying to find out if this is a common problem with the 2009 Venture GT.
Thanks,

Greg

 

[zigyqhouse1270]

I have a 06 venture i had the same problem and you had to play with the rear and front suspension. Try the front rear shock on the low setting and the rear block on H setting i had to also change my limiter strap one notch up. hope that helps

 

[Wilson]

My 05 does the same thing .Its the long track that does it .Slow down a little before you go into the corner and accelerate threw it .You also have to lean your body . Its a real work out if you want to go fast on twisty trails .it is scary untill you get used to it .

 

[XIpyretta]

I have a similar question, my father purchased a 2009 venture gt also, he put a pair of simmons gen 2, the canoes, because they helped before on previous sleds I have yet to drive it but he asked me to post this and see what kind of response we would get.

1. The snow conditions, LOTS of lake effect (tug hill) in other words lots of powder, its been very cold so nice hard pack under the fresh powder.

2. Riding with two people the steering is very soft pushes he said "seems like there is to much weight in the back of the sled...like pulling a trailer that's to heavy for the vehicle"

3. by him self the the handling is twitchy and very nervous, but doesn't steer hard.

4. We are not exactly great at the mechanical aspect, so when reading the Manuel over steer and under steer is Greek.

5. My father weighs about 180 with all his gear on.

If someone could help explain some of this and a place to start that would be great, as far as I know all of the settings now are what came from the factory. Again thanks for your time and help its greatly appreciated.

 

[hondo]

Although a big sled the 2009 RS Venture is on the nimble side as you descibed twitchy.

I put Curve XS skis on mine at find it much more stable.

Simmons Gen IIs are a very large ski. It may take some time to actually learn the handling characteristics of the sled with the Gen II's

What I have done is softened the front end shocks up, have set the rear suspension black spring block on (M) or medium.

The rear shock is set medium approximately 6 clicks from (direction a) in the owner manual clock-wise fully closed, turn in (direction b) or counter clock-wise 6 clicks.

I haven't done anything with the transfer rods quite yet.

Start with one adjustment at a time and be patient with the sled as you note adjustment results.

This is how I desire to have the sled set-up: You certainly want to be comfortable on the trails. As you approach a turn and as you reduce the throttle, momentum should shift forward to the front end where you get a good ski bite set and have the sled rail through the corner. About 2 thirds through the corner I start to smoothly add throttle and accelerate out of the corner.

I would try to soften the front shocks in order to transfer more weight forward to the skis.

The front shock clickers from full closed clock-wise (direction a) in the owners manual, I have gone 9 clicks counter clock-wise (direction b) in the owners manual. Again, as I let off on the throttle approaching a corner, momentum or weight is shifted forward to the front skis.

Again be patient with set-up.

I am still setting my sled up as well. I will ride for a couple of hundred miles using a particular setting so I can get a good feel for the adjustment in a wide variety of conditions.

Hope this helps!

 

[XIpyretta]

Thanks Hondo for your help, my father and I are big fans, we will definitely try your advice, we should be doing a few trips to Quebec which will give us at least a few hundred miles or so in a week to try several settings. He's coming off an attack gt which i think he got used to the easy rear suspension adjustment on the handle bars.

 

[hondo]

Not a problem, glad to help XIpyretta,

Suspension questions like many others are tough for me especially since I am in the same position trying to learn the sled.

We are all different weights, have different abilities, riding styles, and hang different aftermarket items such as skis on the sled etc....

So it's hard to provide an exact suggestion.

Having said this,

There is a big difference between the Attak and this new RS Venture GT.

It will take your Dad a few miles to get comfortable.

For me this sled will make a great solo touring sled.

I do like the higher CG the sled has for several reasons. I like the light feeling and am able to transfer my weight much better. The sleds higher profile is also better in deeper snow. It doesn't get hung up as easy.

The clutch is also much better for initial starts and low end operation. It won't smoke a belt as easy in deeper snow conditions.

Do one adjustment at a time in order to keep sight of your base line, and also understand the change being made.

If you find a nice set up please let us know.

Be safe and all the best!

 

[asphaltkitty]

Hi,

A friend of mine has a brand new 2009 Yamaha Venture GT but he compains that it has steering problems. Sometimes if he goes in the corner and steers in, the snowmobile goes straight until is goes beside the trail and it steers in the loose snow. That means to drive safe, he must slow down in every corner. I think that the presure on the front skies is too low. If I am right you can change the skid setup to give it more weight on the front skies. Am I right and is this a common Venture GT 2009 problem?
Thanks,

Greg

try a set of duece bars up front, [studboy] keep adjusting it, It takes time, but you'll get it right!

 

[studdog]

I suggest you read Breakin impressions post.

 

[Roger]

The front shock in the rear suspension needs to be adjusted so the spring is as loose as it can go. I had the same maladjusted shock from Yamaha as you do.

 

[studdog]

Roger,Please explain more about what was wrong with center track shock and exactly what you did to fix. The spec in the owners manual indicates that that the spring tension on that shock is already set at weakest position. What is your definition of "as weak as it can go. Sure appreciate your help. Thanks George

 

[Muskoka Man]

Studdog

I also turned my centre shock down from the factory setting about 5 turns and it made a difference for cornering , I have 1000 ks on my sled and its taken this long to get it right , Yamahas setting were way off , the sled is more stabil and rides and corners better , the track howl is annoying
Muskoka Man

 

[Roger]

Roger,Please explain more about what was wrong with center track shock and exactly what you did to fix. The spec in the owners manual indicates that that the spring tension on that shock is already set at weakest position. What is your definition of "as weak as it can go. Sure appreciate your help. Thanks George

My track only has two shocks, so I don't know what you mean by "center track shock", anyways, it's the front shock in the rear suspension. My sled came with the adjusting nut screwed up about 2" from it's longest position. This made the spring shorter, thus harder a ride. When I would turn any corner, the entire sled felt like it would fall over. This was due to so much pressure from the front of the track to the ground it was like the entire sled was trying to balance on the front of the track. Slacken off as much weight as you can off that front spring, and the tippy feeling will go away.