09 MTX Suspension Advice Needed

[stndinup]

Just picked up 2 09's one for me and one for the wife. I need some initial suspension set-up advice. So far I have taken up the limiter straps. She is 125lb and im 180lb on a good day. I have a small problem though, the nearest snow is abour 4 hours so I cant really test anything without a pretty long pull.
Thanks

 

[Timberwolf1050]

Stock suspensions on this sled leave a lot to be desired, but here's one thing you can do to improve the front a little: If you stay with the stock front shocks, crank up the preload. This will help reduce the barrel-like feeling when in the powder.

 

[stndinup]

Thanks Timberwolf,
Any advice for the rear?

 

[Timberwolf1050]

The stock rear suspension is a pile of crap on this sled. Likes to dig itself a trench that it cant get out of. There are a couple things you can do to improve it a little. You already sucked up the limiter strap so that's a good start. You can also turn the cam to "H" (hard) on both sides That helped on mine. I also turned the weight transfer adjusters all the way to the red paint marks on the threads. These things help some but you still aren't going to get stellar performance out the stock skid. If you can afford it, I would advise changing the skid out for a Timbersled Mountain Tamer. It's a night and day difference in performance IMO. Also loses almost 40 lbs.

 

[stndinup]

Thank You

 

[2XM3]

The stock rear suspension is a pile of crap on this sled. Likes to dig itself a trench that it cant get out of. There are a couple things you can do to improve it a little. You already sucked up the limiter strap so that's a good start. You can also turn the cam to "H" (hard) on both sides That helped on mine. I also turned the weight transfer adjusters all the way to the red paint marks on the threads. These things help some but you still aren't going to get stellar performance out the stock skid. If you can afford it, I would advise changing the skid out for a Timbersled Mountain Tamer. It's a night and day difference in performance IMO. Also loses almost 40 lbs.

Would the same apply to apex mtx? When you move the transfer adj what exactly will that do?

And the big question will the Phazer go through the deep powder ok? My wife needs a sled, or is the Nytro a better idea? thanks

 

[Timberwolf1050]

Not sure about the Apex. Never dealt with one. Adjusting the transfer rods helps keep the front end on top of the snow a little better IMO. Phazer does ok in powder but it is a little underpowered. Very manuverable and easy to handle in the deep stuff. You do have to learn to work the throttle and stay on it. Like all of the 4 strokes, there is definitely a learning curve to riding it. Once you get it down it comes pretty easy from my experience. Depends on what kind of riding your wife does and how aggressive she is. Nytro does do better since it's putting down more power but it is heavier and not quite as easy to throw around IMO. I'm sure there are other opinions out there though. These are just my experiences so don't take them as gospel.
We have only had our Phazer out twice this season and it has done fairly well but hasn't really been tested yet. We will see.

 

[2XM3]

thanks, i'll give the rod adj a shot......

 

[MotoPsycho]

I agree with pullin up the limiter to help in the pow, but that will dramatically increase the "mush" in the front end. Even with the preload maxxed out on the front shocks, you want as little ski pressure as you can get with the stock shocks, and suckin up the limiter will ADD ski press.

I weigh 145 without gear. I fought the front end all of last season. The best I could get it was: all the way out on limiter, all the way tight on the shock preload, and turning around the ski rubbers.

On the 09 with the new geometry, I dunno if the rubbers will help or not. Lift the front of the sled. If the skis are horizontal with the floor, or tipped front down, reverse the rubbers to acheive a "tip up" condition.

An after market (or GYTR) shock on the front makes all the difference in the world.

As far as the rear, it will bottom out on the rear - tighten the spring as Timberwolf said. If you dont want to drop $1500 on a suspention, there are some other options: Apex rear skid spring, or an air shock on the rear.

 

[Rene G]

I'm thinking of getting my wife a phaser as well, thought that way if she wants more power, can always force more air into it later

Rene

 

[stndinup]

I dont think they changed the front geometry on the MTX. Just the XTX and std FX models. I could be wrong though.

On the transfer rods mine dont have a red line. Do i want to add transfer or take it away?

 

[MotoPsycho]

All you are doing with the transfer is timing how long it takes to couple the skid shocks together. The sooner they couple, the less likely you are to bottom out.

I will pm you the instuctions on adjustment in a couple of minutes...

 

[Timberwolf1050]

MTX did keep the old geometry for 09. Adding transfer helped me.

 

[MotoPsycho]

Here ya go...

 

[stndinup]

thanks guys