Want easier steering on 07 Apex GT - Are Pilots the answer

[wtw]

I have a new 2007 Apex GT and the steering feels so heavy. I have adjusted the front spring pressure but that seems to make little difference and there are tradeoffs to doing that. It seems most people are concerned about darting and get different runners (Doolies, etc) and shims although don't say much about what that does to ease steering. Others get different skis and most that get Pilots comment that they reduce darting and provide easier steering.

What is your experience?

 

[KnappAttack]

You'll still get some darting even with the pilots. I've put bergstroms and ski savers on the pilots to help to alleviate it. Best I have run so far for getting rid of darting is Woodys doolys and 1/4 ski shim behind the rubber bumper. It seems like there is always a trade off, the dooly want to push a bit under some conditions. The pilots push some too now with the savers. Its all about perfect balance of steering and darting and trying to find what you want/need. for me the doolys and shims are a no brainer and the easiest I have tried. Still working to find the sweet spot for the pilots.

 

[jkenosh]

i pet the pilots on with the stock skidoo carbides and tightened the limiting strap and full transfer and lightened up the spring pressure on the front and really like it

 

[berge75]

I tried a few different brands of skis and feel the pilots give the best overall handling. They work exteremely good on hard pack,but tend to push a little in powder. If you ride the U.P. alot, I like the C&As in the powder, in Wis. the pilots. I had some darting with the pilots until I rebushed the entire front end.With the slop gone so is the darting.

 

[CANAM 4 Stroker]

I had this problem as well. I put on USI Triple Threats with a stage 2. Upon riding in stiff snow conditions I had blisters.

But there is good news. I moved the mounting point back 1 hole toward the rear of the ski, adjusted spring pressure to just pinch spring when suspended. At this point the steering is the best it ever has been on all account. The dials are now meaning ful to adjusting for snow conditions.

 

[Kaz]

The pilots definitely turn a lot easier then my stock ski's with 7.5" studboy shaper bars on them. So far just been riding with the cheap stock ski-doo carbides that came with the pilots and they have been carving pretty well, especially when the trail is firm and no darting.

I have my limiter strap pulled up 1 hole and the front shock springs backed right off, this is on a 07ApexER.

Also have a set of snow trackers, which I'm going to try also.

Kaz

 

[jds1000]

The Pilots turn very easy and I have zero darting problems with My sled now. I think they are the best ski for the Apex in all conditions other than loose snow. They will push in loose snow and powder because they don't have an aggressive keel on them. I think alot of darting problems with any of these skis is that those who are having problems probably have there rear suspensions set too stiff. With a stiff rear the sled won't transfer weight off the front during normal riding and it will dart some no matter what skis you have. I learned this years ago on My Wifes sleds. She is very light and I have to make sure her sleds rear skid is set soft or her body weight won't transfer the weight off her front skis. Remember the only time you want hard ski pressure is when you deaccelerate comming into a turn and when leaving the turn you want the pressure off the front. These rider forward sleds make this ballance even more critical and harder to acheive but it can be done with a little patience. This is another reason why one sleds setup won't work for everyone unless everybody weighs the same and rides the same.