Feels too light on the skis,

rmk2112 · Jan 2, 2012

I have about 100 miles on the new sled, it just seems overly light on the front end. I know its a lighter sled and all but it feel abnormally light.

We were in some deep today 3+ ft and it seemed everywhere I went it was just a tench monster. In my experience a trenching sled light on the skis has too aggressive a track angle and doesn't "get up" on the snow.

Is there a limiter strap type adjustment on the new Pro, or is it all done with the adjustment of the front track shock. I think adding a bit more ski pressure will solve my problem.

Any one else experience this on the Pro or have any ideas?

Thx

AKSNOWRIDER · Jan 2, 2012

tighten the rear track shock, loosen the frt track shock, from polaris the limiter is not adjustable, but since it is a copy of a holz alpha you can call holz and get their limiters so you can adjust..shouldnt be needed though..check the owners manual and set the suspension to their spec for your weight as a good starting point..also what did you ride before? most cat guys stand too far back, most doo guys to far forward...bar poisition also makes a big difference as well...

Gmiller · Jan 2, 2012

rmk2112 said:
I have about 100 miles on the new sled, it just seems overly light on the front end. I know its a lighter sled and all but it feel abnormally light.

Get off the damn gas for a second..........

rmk2112 · Jan 2, 2012

AKSNOWRIDER said:
tighten the rear track shock, loosen the frt track shock, from polaris the limiter is not adjustable, but since it is a copy of a holz alpha you can call holz and get their limiters so you can adjust..shouldnt be needed though..check the owners manual and set the suspension to their spec for your weight as a good starting point..also what did you ride before? most cat guys stand too far back, most doo guys to far forward...bar poisition also makes a big difference as well...

Came off a 06 700 RMK.
I don't think foot placement is a issue....even while trying to hold a cross side hill line and my foot forward near the foot well, it washed right out and trenched with my nose pointed at the sky.

I've ridden Pro's before and haven't had this issue, which is why I'm thinking it has to be in the set up.

Gmiller said:
Get off the damn gas for a second..........

Ya think?!?

Gmiller · Jan 2, 2012

rmk2112 said:
Ya think?!?

HAHA

AKSNOWRIDER · Jan 2, 2012

yep position isnt it then..check your settings vrs the manual...

Demo250 · Jan 3, 2012

I honestly don't know what the proper way to set this sled up is. In this thread I see recommendations of loosening the FTS. In all the other threads I see everyone say just tighten it right up until about an inch of threads are showing.

I tightened mine up and haven't had a trenching issue. (Or if I have, I haven't realized it yet as it still works way better than my XP did, lol) It pops right up on the snow... even a few times when I was sure she was stuck. I haven't rode it in less than 4' of powder yet, but it rocked like this in the deep.

2XM3 · Jan 3, 2012

For the deep bottomless powder we found the best set so far was front track shock as loose as possible, rear track shock set so you dont bottom out and front shocks also set as light as possible.
I will say that with the stock track we have found the pro to be a trencher in very soft deep powder, (3 800's and 1 600 in our group) all do the same thing compared to our old modded dragons and cmx. Now that being said if the snow is a tad more settled, still 4'+ deep the problem goes away very quickly. It just seems to have a very fine line as to what the tipping point of the "trenching" is. This is the only aspect of the sleds we have found to be a bad thing.
I'm looking at different valving for the track shocks and perhaps a d&r with another track but its a hard call as this last weekend was really the first time we had this problem, the snow being 4'+ sugar with zero base to the grass...Don't really want to mod this sled that much as even in deep snow as long as there is a base it has been great and figure why set it up for the snow we only get maybe 2-3 time a year. But we like to tinker with stuff...lol

Oh as a side note I ran the front shock with 1 inch thread showing all last year before this with a big boy rear track shock spring as i'm 300 and 6'6" dressed, I do lilke the fts full loose in this snow however (back to back test same day)

TRS · Jan 3, 2012

Call Roger's Sport Center to have your PRO shocks revalved. You will be very impressed in the change for sidehilling and deep snow drivability. 307-587-6818

rmk2112 · Jan 3, 2012

OK, i read the manual and it suggests to primarily only adjust the rear track shock, then if needed adjust the front track shock if needed.

According to them it's just for soft or firmness of overall ride.

But doesn't conventional wisdom say that if you increase preload on front track shock (like installing the 225# spring mod on the 05 & 06 900's), that it will increase ski pressure and change track attack angle so to not trench as much?

So, would leaving the rear track shock alone and increasing preload on front solve the issue?

The lack of limiter strap adjustment has me uncertain on adjustments.

die hard poo · Jan 3, 2012

Adjusting the preload more on the front track shock will decrease your skii pressure, causing more ski lift and trenching. I would start off with 1/2" preload on the fts and put your rear track shock to factory specs. I installed an Iqr dual rate spring on my fts and it allowed me to set the preload at min, have a good balance of ski lift and trenching, and didn't bottom out near as much.

stonehands1 · Jan 3, 2012

rmk2112 said:
I have about 100 miles on the new sled, it just seems overly light on the front end. I know its a lighter sled and all but it feel abnormally light.

We were in some deep today 3+ ft and it seemed everywhere I went it was just a tench monster. In my experience a trenching sled light on the skis has too aggressive a track angle and doesn't "get up" on the snow.

Is there a limiter strap type adjustment on the new Pro, or is it all done with the adjustment of the front track shock. I think adding a bit more ski pressure will solve my problem.

Any one else experience this on the Pro or have any ideas?

Thx

I agree 100% Now this requires spending money but my buddy did a avid d&r for $900 and a peak 2.5 and HOLY HECK what a differance. Still nice and light on the skis but absolutley a completley different sled. Just lays on the snow about 1 foot trench. $1700 but WOW it was just what that thing needs.

For cheap just suck up the strap should help. Drill new hole if needed.

Bagger · Jan 4, 2012

rmk2112 said:
OK, i read the manual and it suggests to primarily only adjust the rear track shock, then if needed adjust the front track shock if needed.

According to them it's just for soft or firmness of overall ride.

But doesn't conventional wisdom say that if you increase preload on front track shock (like installing the 225# spring mod on the 05 & 06 900's), that it will increase ski pressure and change track attack angle so to not trench as much?

So, would leaving the rear track shock alone and increasing preload on front solve the issue?

The lack of limiter strap adjustment has me uncertain on adjustments.

I would soften the fts and set the rear to spec (+ 10%

) You are looking to stop weight transfer on take off . . . I can't remember, does the Pro chassis have a forward shock position? If so, I would lean the fts forward and try that before anything else.

I have noticed that the suspension needs to be set pretty close for the rider on this chassis.

If you can't find enough adjustment to solve this let me know, I have a couple of the IQ limiter straps laying around somewhere . . . or do as suggested and just drill an hole in it to allow adjustment.

Good Luck !

Bag

rmk2112 · Jan 4, 2012

Bagger said:
I would soften the fts and set the rear to spec (+ 10% ) You are looking to stop weight transfer on take off . . . I can't remember, does the Pro chassis have a forward shock position? If so, I would lean the fts forward and try that before anything else.

I have noticed that the suspension needs to be set pretty close for the rider on this chassis.

If you can't find enough adjustment to solve this let me know, I have a couple of the IQ limiter straps laying around somewhere . . . or do as suggested and just drill an hole in it to allow adjustment.

Good Luck !

Bag

I'm confused. Wouldn't increasing preload stiffen the FTS area, thus pushing forward and down towards the front.....increasing.....ski pressure?

Also, there are no limiter straps on my skid and there is only 1 upper shock hole.

So, if there's room on the bracket, I should drill out another top mounting hole forward of the existing hole to lay it down a bit?

Also, from factory specs, I still have about 1/2" of threads to loosen the preload if needed.

Dayum, this crap is confusing.

Demo250 · Jan 4, 2012

rmk2112 said:
I'm confused. Wouldn't increasing preload stiffen the FTS area, thus pushing forward and down towards the front.....increasing.....ski pressure?

Also, there are no limiter straps on my skid and there is only 1 upper shock hole.

So, if there's room on the bracket, I should drill out another top mounting hole forward of the existing hole to lay it down a bit?

Also, from factory specs, I still have about 1/2" of threads to loosen the preload if needed.

Dayum, this crap is confusing.

That's kinda what I thought... but I'm no expert. Maybe next time you go ride you should try 2 different setups. Tighten FTS right up and set rear for your weight. Then head out and give it a try. After say 20 minutes of testing pull out the wrench and loosen up the FTS to be as loose as possible and see how it performs back to back. (And then let me know lol)

Edit: Good explanation Bagger.

Bagger · Jan 4, 2012

rmk2112 said:
I'm confused. Wouldn't increasing preload stiffen the FTS area, thus pushing forward and down towards the front.....increasing.....ski pressure?

No. Think of your sled as having three legs, the ski's, the front track shock (FTS) and the rear skid shock(RTS). If you increase the FTS, whick is the middle leg, then you are removing pressure from one end of the sled or the other. Think of it as a teeter totter, with the FTS as the fulcrum point. If it is "higher" or stiffer then the sled will have to "rock" on that high point. Once you step onto the running boards, it will rock backwards and the front will feel light.
Softening the FTS will make it the low point, forcing the "ends" of the sled to accept the weight, AND, it will reduce the sleds tendancy to "rock" under acceleration . Cup your hand as if I was going to pour sand into it. Place it on the desk next to your key board knuckles down. See how it rocks back and forth using your knuckles as a fulcrum? Now flip your hand over as if you were pouring the sand out on your desk. Place your hand so that the fingers and heal of your hands are touching the desk. Now try and rock your hand . . . see??

Also, there are no limiter straps on my skid and there is only 1 upper shock hole.
If there is no limiter strap on your sled. You have just found your problem. Period. Don't look for two, there is only one, and it may be off to one side . . .

So, if there's room on the bracket, I should drill out another top mounting hole forward of the existing hole to lay it down a bit?

I would check (and install if there really isn't one) for the limiter strap first.

Also, from factory specs, I still have about 1/2" of threads to loosen the preload if needed.

Dayum, this crap is confusing.

Take a look at those points and get back to us please!!

Bag

Jaynelson · Jan 4, 2012

Before I started modding, drilling and spending money, here's what I would do:

1) Forget the limiter strap

2) Set the rear track shock for your weight as per the manual. Go a touch tighter than they say. Tighter means more preload, which means stiffer, which means less spring length, which means more threads showing. The manual states its measurements in spring length....so just measure the spring length from end to end.

3) Loosen the front track shock (less preload, less threads showing, longer spring length, whatever your want to call it). Less preload in the front track shock = more ski pressure = less trenching. I would try it near the looser end of the adjustment....i.e. less threads showing....maybe 1/4 to 1/2 inch of threads showing.

Try that and see how you do.

TRS · Jan 4, 2012

Picture of your front torque arm and limiter strap for a 2012 Pro

Jaynelson · Jan 4, 2012

Demo250 said:
I honestly don't know what the proper way to set this sled up is. In this thread I see recommendations of loosening the FTS. In all the other threads I see everyone say just tighten it right up until about an inch of threads are showing.

It is personal preference, riding style, conditions, rider position and weight, etc that affects all this crap too. Personally, I run my FTS pretty tight and love it. BUT some people don't like it that way. We're just giving pointers to fix the condition that he is describing.....not saying everyone needs to do it that way or should.

Demo250 · Jan 4, 2012

Jaynelson said:
It is personal preference, riding style, conditions, rider position and weight, etc that affects all this crap too. Personally, I run my FTS pretty tight and love it. BUT some people don't like it that way. We're just giving pointers to fix the condition that he is describing.....not saying everyone needs to do it that way or should.

Yeah, I am running it tight and so far so good. I may try loosen it up and give it a try though just for the heck of it.

Feels too light on the skis,

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